Night After Night

Under the night sky enveloping the Fengyu Sect, all was silent. After the clamor of the day's recruitment event, only the chirping of insects and the sound of waterfalls remained within the sect.

Under Elder Lingxu's arrangements, Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang were assigned to an elegant guest room. The room was simply furnished, with pinewood tables and chairs emitting a faint fragrance. Moonlight spilled through the window like water, casting a silver glow over everything.

"There's only one room, Ye Chuan."

After entering, Bai Qianshuang stared at the not-so-large bed, her finger resting thoughtfully against her lips, her mind seemingly wandering—her signature cowlick sticking straight up. Every now and then, her gaze lingered on Ye Chuan.

"Well, our identities are that of a married couple. Since we’re supposed to be husband and wife, isn’t it normal for them to give us just one room?" Ye Chuan walked over to the bed and sat down, then patted the spot beside him with a grin.

However, the Fengyu Sect hadn’t prepared bathing facilities. Perhaps for most cultivators, their purified bodies didn’t require frequent washing unless they got particularly dirty—spiritual self-cleansing usually sufficed.

"Even though we’ve entered the Tianxuan Continent, I still want to bathe. It just feels uncomfortable not to," Ye Chuan mused. After all, they had fought earlier that day. After such an intense battle, a relaxing hot bath was the perfect way to unwind.

"Find a lake?" Bai Qianshuang suggested upon hearing his words.

"A lake? No wonder so many novels have scenes where people accidentally stumble upon fairies bathing. Not having a proper bathroom is such a hassle," Ye Chuan shook his head.

"?"

"Never mind."

After a moment of thought, Ye Chuan extended his hand. "Ice magic."

A blue beam of light materialized before him, shaping into a bathtub-like basin. Once the basic form was complete, he coated the ice tub with a layer of spiritual energy, insulating it from the cold.

"Alright, just missing the most crucial part now."

He summoned the sacred pool water he had taken from the Qingyun Sect last time. "Pour it in~"

The sacred water filled the tub halfway before Ye Chuan heated it with fire-attribute spiritual energy. Soon, a steaming bath was ready.

Mist curled upward, filling the room with warmth. The sacred water exuded a faint, refreshing aroma, its spiritual energy winding through the water like delicate streams.

"..." Bai Qianshuang watched the entire process, blinking slowly, clearly not expecting Ye Chuan to conjure a bathtub out of thin air.

Was this...

Some kind of obsession?

Though it wasn’t particularly difficult, she hadn’t imagined he’d go this far just for a bath.

"Isn’t it normal to make your own bathtub when you’re away from home?" Ye Chuan said.

Besides, the sacred pool water had excellent effects—enhancing physical constitution and even beautifying the skin. He had often bathed in it with Xi Xi and Little Ke before.

"Is making your own bathtub really normal?" Bai Qianshuang didn’t argue, merely sitting quietly on the bed.

Ye Chuan tested the water temperature, then beckoned to her. "Qianshuang, come join me."

But Bai Qianshuang remained motionless, even turning her head away. "Mm... Ye Chuan, you go first."

"Hm? What’s wrong?" Ye Chuan chuckled at her reaction.

"Nothing."

"It’s not like we haven’t bathed together before."

"!" Bai Qianshuang let out a tiny sound, as if struck by a sudden realization. Her ears instantly flushed red, and her voice carried a hint of complaint, "You... like to mess around."

"Mess around?" Ye Chuan tilted his head for a second before understanding. "If you don’t like it, then forget it."

"Really?" Bai Qianshuang finally turned back, though her doubtful eyes suggested she didn’t quite believe him.

"Mm, really." Ye Chuan flashed an innocent smile—he was nothing if not well-behaved. "Mm-hmm."

Bai Qianshuang: "..."

"It’s not that I dislike it, just..." Her cheeks grew redder, and with a final burst of shyness, she vanished under the covers, her voice barely audible. "You bathe alone..."

Ye Chuan shrugged. "Alright, I’ll bathe alone then?"

A muffled "Mm" came from under the blankets—her only response.

Ye Chuan changed into comfortable clothes and slipped into the tub. As the hot water enveloped him, he let out a satisfied sigh. "Ahh, this is nice."

Perhaps his exaggerated sounds piqued her curiosity, because Bai Qianshuang peeked out from under the covers—

From her angle, she could only see Ye Chuan’s back, his arms resting on the edges of the tub, his muscles clearly defined.

"..."

Though she had often observed him with her spiritual sense, seeing him in person made her unable to resist stealing glances.

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan sat in the tub, deep in thought. Since Bai Qianshuang had also arrived on the Tianxuan Continent, he decided not to log out but to return to the Donghua Divine Continent first before making further plans.

But if he wanted revenge against the Qingyun Sect... he still seemed to be lacking something...

Just as he pondered this, he suddenly sensed movement. Turning, he found Bai Qianshuang standing behind him—now holding her clothes in front of herself like a shield.

The moment their eyes met, her usually expressionless face visibly heated up, turning crimson in an instant.

"I..."

"Joining me?" Ye Chuan grinned. This girl really was too easily flustered.

Not that it was a bad thing.

"..."

Instead of answering, Bai Qianshuang silently slipped into the tub, sitting opposite him.

But facing him meant everything was in plain view.

Realizing this, she immediately turned around, ultimately choosing to sit on his lap instead, pressing close.

"Come closer. You’re too tense like this." Sensing her nervousness, Ye Chuan pulled her in.

"?!"

"Here, lean back a little. Doesn’t this feel nice?" He wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling.

Bai Qianshuang swept her long hair aside, revealing her smooth back. Her face burned even redder. "You... really are bad."

Her lashes fluttered slightly as she lifted her gaze.

Ye Chuan kissed her.

...

"..." Immersed in the sacred water, she finally closed her eyes and began to enjoy the bath.

Bathing really was comfortable.

Bai Qianshuang had never been in the habit of soaking in baths—after all, during her time in the Jade Void Sect, no one around her engaged in such things. But ever since entering the real world, many of her habits had been influenced by Ye Chuan.