Let Me Scrub Your Back

Ye Chuan returned to the sect.

The sky had already darkened, and the moon hung high above.

"Tired. About time to log off and rest for a bit." Ye Chuan stretched lazily, feeling the evening breeze brush against his face as he flew toward his cave abode.

Nothing much had changed within the sect, though many disciples were discussing the recent ambush by remnants of the Jade Void Sect. Ye Chuan was also curious about the incident—who exactly had disguised themselves as Bai Qianshuang?

He figured he could ask Bai Qianshuang herself for details. Maybe she knew something.

But then again, if such a faction truly existed, would Bai Qianshuang have been reduced to such a desperate state, fleeing for her life? Back then, her cultivation had been completely crippled, and she had barely managed to keep moving through sheer willpower.

Strange.

Before long, he arrived at his cave abode.

"Time to save and log off."

Just as Ye Chuan was about to return to the real world, a voice suddenly called from outside the cave. "Junior Brother Huang, are you there?"

The voice gave Ye Chuan pause—it sounded somewhat familiar.

Reluctantly, he got up and stepped outside, where he found Zi Ning'er standing at the entrance. She wore a plain white robe, her body wrapped in bandages over fresh wounds.

"Senior Sister, is something the matter?" Ye Chuan asked, unsure why Zi Ning'er had sought him out. If she suspected him, she wouldn’t have come alone, nor at this hour.

He even feigned surprise, pretending not to know about Zi Ning'er’s injuries from the black-robed assailant claiming to be from the Jade Void Sect.

"Senior Sister, how did you get hurt?"

"It’s nothing, just minor wounds," Zi Ning'er shook her head, though her gaze lingered on Ye Chuan with a hint of oddness.

Strange. Why did Junior Brother Huang give her such a familiar feeling?

Shaking off the thought, she asked, "Junior Brother, may I come in?"

"Of course." Though puzzled, Ye Chuan stepped aside to let her enter. "Please."

Inside the cave, Ye Chuan brewed tea and placed a cup before her. "Senior Sister, have some tea."

Noticing her injuries, he then took out a bottle of healing pills.

"Senior Sister, I have some restorative medicine here."

"No need, I’ve already taken some." Zi Ning'er declined before getting to the point. "Junior Brother, have you heard of our Qingyun Sect’s sacred secret realm?"

"Mother hen?"

"Hen?"

"Ah, never mind, just a slip of hometown dialect." Ye Chuan corrected himself. "The Qingyun Sacred Realm?"

Zi Ning'er nodded. "The Qingyun Sacred Realm is our sect’s most powerful secret realm. It’s filled with rare treasures, and the spiritual energy there is incredibly dense. Passing the trials can even help one break through minor cultivation realms based on talent."

"This time, Master has granted us entry permits, so we’ll be going in together."

"Master?" Ye Chuan was skeptical. Since when had Old Man Ziyun become so generous? Had the old dog grown a conscience?

"Yes, it’s Master’s kindness. He thinks highly of you," Zi Ning'er said.

Though still suspicious, Ye Chuan didn’t dwell on it. Free benefits were free benefits—no reason to refuse.

"But Senior Sister, wasn’t the sacred realm supposed to be a reward for the sect’s grand competition?"

"So you knew about that?" A faint flush crossed Zi Ning'er’s face, but she admitted, "Yes, as Qingyun Sect’s representative, I achieved results in the competition."

"What rank?" Ye Chuan asked, intrigued.

"..." Zi Ning'er hesitated. "The ranking isn’t important. They may have won this time, but Qingyun Sect will claim victory eventually."

"Oh?" Ye Chuan blinked.

"The sacred realm opens in two days. I’ll meet you beforehand." Having said her piece, Zi Ning'er stood to leave. Staying too long in a junior brother’s cave at night might invite unwanted rumors.

"Junior Brother, I’ll take my leave now."

"Take care, Senior Sister."

After Zi Ning'er departed, Ye Chuan lingered in his cave for a while before saving his progress.

Time to rest.

……

……

When he opened his eyes again, Ye Chuan found himself lying in bed.

"Back home." His gaze swept idly over the familiar surroundings before settling on the bright moon outside the window.

The moon in Qingyun Sect had been just as beautiful.

Pulling out his phone, he checked the logs of his companions.

The miniature house interface displayed chibi versions of everyone going about their activities in their respective rooms.

Chibi Bai Qianshuang was swinging her spirit sword as if practicing a technique, though her tiny figure made the weapon look more like a toothpick.

With each motion, her cheeks jiggled slightly.

"Still so diligent," Ye Chuan murmured before checking the others.

Lilith’s room was, as usual, empty—since she was always with him, there were no logs.

Next was Lan Xiaoke’s room. The white-haired girl was curled up on her bed, her chibi avatar grinning dopely as a livestream played on her computer. Occasionally, she scratched her butt or her backpack.

Same old laziness.

But then again, Lan Xiaoke had fully embraced her role as a pet. Big in some ways, but lacking ambition.

Then there was Ke Ning. The chibi version of her wore a lab coat, looking half-dead as she tinkered with something on her workbench. A mini Rubik’s cube dozed beside her, as if exhausted just watching her.

After reviewing everyone’s status, Ye Chuan put his phone away and headed to the living room for a glass of water.

He now had the Jiaolong Claw, meaning he could attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core realm anytime.

His chosen location was still Qingyun Sect, but he hadn’t found the right pill formula yet—attempting a lightning tribulation without it wouldn’t be cost-effective.

His original plan was to first secure the formula, squeeze out as many benefits as possible, and then self-destruct in style.

As he pondered, the sound of a door unlocking came from nearby.

Bai Qianshuang stepped out, her sword still in hand.

Perhaps from her recent training, a faint blush colored her fair, snow-like cheeks.

"Just finished practicing?" Though he’d already seen her logs, Ye Chuan pretended ignorance.

Bai Qianshuang nodded. "Mhm. Going to bathe now."

Then she noticed Ye Chuan hadn’t washed up either. "You haven’t bathed yet?"

"Me?" Ye Chuan smirked. "Want to join me? I’ll scrub your back."

Bai Qianshuang froze, clearly not expecting that question.

Her head dipped slightly, and she let out a soft, barely audible "Mhm."

Now it was Ye Chuan’s turn to be stunned. She agreed?

Was this a sign of high affection? Back then, she wouldn’t even let him hug her.

"Ahem. Alright, let’s go. I’ll scrub your back."