Chapter 204: She Will

Ye Mo nodded. "Tell me. Anything I can do."

Ning Qingxue's eyes drifted, lost in thought. Ye Mo waited patiently. Finally, she said softly, "If you find Luo Ying someday, will you forget me? Will you take me to see her?"

Ye Mo shook his head. "No. If I find her, we may never return to how things were. But if you still wish to, I can take you to see her."

Ning Qingxue lowered her head. After a long silence, she murmured, "What if Sister Luo Ying doesn't want to see me?" Her voice was distant, lost. She questioned her actions, her feelings for someone who might never be hers. Even if Luo Ying did want to see her, could Ye Mo have two wives?

She regretted asking. Ye Mo had done so much for her. His well-being was all that mattered. Why was she worrying about this?

Ning Qingxue wanted to change the subject, but Ye Mo smiled and said casually, "She will."

He knew his master wouldn't want to see someone who'd saved his life—unless that person wasn't Luo Ying.

Ning Qingxue's heart stirred. Those two words, "She will," held such trust, such unspoken understanding. If someone ever asked Ye Mo about her, would he say the same?

Seeing Ning Qingxue's pensive expression, Ye Mo offered her another fruit. "Eat. I'll find a place to rest. When I recover, we'll leave."

Ning Qingxue accepted the fruit. Did she want to leave? She looked at Ye Mo, holding her. A thought, fleeting but tempting, crossed her mind: staying here with him forever. But she quickly dismissed it as selfish.

She ate three fruits and refused more. Ye Mo finished the rest.

"Ye Mo," Ning Qingxue said, regaining some energy, "There's rope outside. Something strong, cat-like. I'm afraid to go out." She saw him reaching for more fruit and feared for his safety.

Ye Mo shook his head. "No need. I'll figure something out. I'll rest first. The other trees are too high; you shouldn't climb them."

"Mhm," Ning Qingxue agreed. She trusted him, but if he remained immobile, she would try to leave anyway. Falling now would only burden him further.

"I'll teach you some koujue [1] and chi techniques. Try it; if you can't, no worries." Ye Mo decided to teach her cultivation. If she lacked a spiritual root, so be it. If not, she could cultivate. Ning Qingxue wondered if this was what he practiced, if this explained his charisma. But now wasn't the time to ask. When he was better, he would tell her everything.

Ye Mo knew his ring contained many resources; a few fruits were nothing.

Ning Qingxue began practicing the koujue. Ye Mo stood, checking for danger. This area, likely the snake's lair, deterred other animals.

He found a spot near Ning Qingxue and began circulating his chi.

The pain in his dantian was less severe than yesterday. He rejoiced. Perhaps the fruits helped, but he quickly focused on healing his wounds using his chi.

Soon, his body felt lighter. His long-absent spirit sense returned. Suppressing his joy, he took pills from his ring.

His wounds healed rapidly; even small scabs vanished.

A surge of fresh energy invigorated him. He was happy but cautious. After more cultivation cycles, he exhaled and opened his eyes. He'd reached the mid-stage of Chi Gathering Stage 3.

It was astonishing progress in a spirit chi-depleted world. At this rate, he might reach Foundation Establishment before he died.

The fruit likely played a role, though it possessed no spirit chi. Perhaps it was the potential unlocked during his near-death experience. He decided not to dwell on it.

His spirit sense was fully restored, his chi significantly improved. He looked at Ning Qingxue, astonished. She'd just begun cultivating, yet chi already circulated within her body. She'd successfully drawn chi and started her cultivation cycles.

He'd only tested for a spiritual root; she not only possessed one, but it was far superior to his.

He glanced at the sun. At most, five hours had passed, yet she was nearly reaching Chi Gathering State. This was unbelievable.

He remembered the Heaven Spirit Root he'd kicked. Could Ning Qingxue possess one too? He decided not to disturb her, setting up a tent and a portable stove to cook.

Ning Qingxue felt as though she were floating. Everything felt comfortable. She moved her limbs, surprised to find herself both spiritually and physically satiated, yet still hungry.

She looked up and saw Ye Mo watching her, his eyes filled with joy and surprise.

"Ah…" She started to speak, then realized she was covered in grime exuded from her body. She gasped. "Don't look! Turn around!"

She didn't want him to see her like this.

Ye Mo smiled. "Close your eyes. I'll help you wash."

Ning Qingxue was shocked, then realized he meant to wash her. There was no water, but she closed her eyes, trusting him.

Ye Mo used water magic to cleanse her. Ning Qingxue felt the cool water. Where did he get it? She wanted to open her eyes but resisted, afraid to ruin his plan.

"Okay," Ye Mo said, having thoroughly washed her. After drawing chi, all her wounds had vanished.

Ning Qingxue opened her eyes to find all the grime and wounds gone, leaving only smooth skin.

"Ye Mo…" She looked up, joyful and surprised, to see him staring, stiffly. Then she realized her remaining clothes clung to her skin, revealing her form. Even her bra was visible.

Mortified, she turned, but remembered he'd just washed her. Before she could react, he said, "I have a set of clothes you can change into. I'll go somewhere else for a bit."

As Ye Mo left, he thought about Ning Qingxue's unexpectedly stunning figure. The water had perfectly outlined her curves. His heart pounded, and he quickly retreated.

Ning Qingxue found his clothes. Where did they come from? Embarrassment forgotten, she stared at them before remembering to change.

As she finished, Ye Mo reappeared. She suspected he'd been watching. Before she could ask, she smelled food.

She smiled wryly, highlighting her hunger.

"Let's eat," Ye Mo said, taking her hand without hesitation. A warm feeling filled Ning Qingxue's heart. Regardless of Luo Ying, she held a place in his heart.

He released her hand, noticing her stunned expression, knowing she had questions.

"This… what is this?" she asked, gesturing at the tent, the food, the water. She was astonished.

[1] TL Note: Koujue – the main points or methods of thinking for a cultivation path, recited aloud or internally.