Chapter 249: Meeting

Luo Ying's face flushed slightly after Ye Mo lifted her. "Put me down," she quickly said. "Everyone's watching."

Ye Mo's heart leaped with joy at seeing his master again. His recent unease vanished, even his resentment toward Jing Xi fading. Despite his excitement, he obeyed Luo Ying and set her down.

Luo Ying looked up, meeting Ye Mo's gaze. Her pale face brightened. He immediately grasped her wrist and began to channel chi to treat her.

"Hmph, already so intimate, Luo Ying?" Jing Xi's cold voice cut through the air. "Just a few months ago, you were arguing. What's changed?"

Luo Ying's blush disappeared at the sound of her voice.

Ye Mo turned, his gaze cold as he addressed Jing Xi. "Jing Xi, don't think you'll get away with what you did to Luo Ying. I'll make you pay tenfold."

"How dare you be so arrogant in Serenity?" a black-faced nun shrieked. "Who do you think you are? Think you're so great for traversing the Sword Mountain? Offend Serenity, and you'll never leave!" She glared at Jing Xi, ready to attack Ye Mo at her command.

Luo Ying quickly covered Ye Mo's face and bowed. "Jing Wen Shi Shu, Ye Mo is new here and unaware of the rules. Please forgive him."

The black-faced nun ignored Luo Ying, awaiting Jing Xi's order.

Ye Mo remained alert. If Jing Xi attacked him and Susu, he'd unleash dozens of fireball charms and flee with her.

To everyone's surprise, Jing Xi's expression shifted, finally settling into a smile. "Since Susu begs forgiveness, I'll overlook it this time. The Sea of Fire remains. Pass that, and you may take Susu away, even visit her. But it's late. Susu, take Ye Mo to rest; continue tomorrow."

Jing Xi turned and left.

Not only Ye Mo, but everyone was stunned. This wasn't like Jing Xi; she was unusually lenient.

After a moment, Susu reacted. "Thank you, Jing Xi Shi Shu," she said quickly.

Jing Xian frowned, wanting to speak but ultimately remaining silent as Jing Xi departed.

Soon, only Ye Mo and Luo Ying remained in the large training ground.

Ye Mo was increasingly puzzled. This behavior was uncharacteristic of Jing Xi, but as long as Luo Ying was beside him, it didn't matter. He wouldn't fear any of Jing Xi's tricks.

"Why did you come?" Luo Ying asked, worry clouding her face once everyone had left. "I told you not to…"

Ye Mo smiled. "Susu, I came for you. But something's wrong with Jing Xi Shi Shu. She has no reason to let us go, especially saying to avoid the Sea of Flames today. I suspect…"

"Oh, right, let me see your feet…" Ye Mo's words reminded her of his injured foot. She quickly bent to examine them.

Ye Mo pulled her up. "My feet are fine. Let's go to your quarters. Where were you? I couldn't find you."

Luo Ying pointed to a peak over a hundred meters away. "I've been in the frost room there. Jing Xi Shi Shu punished me to three years there."

"Three years in a frost room?" Ye Mo's anger flared. Only months had passed, yet Luo Ying endured such torture. Three years would have killed her. That old nun! No wonder he couldn't find Susu; the place was outside his spiritual sense range.

Feeling Ye Mo's anger, Luo Ying pulled him back. "Ye Mo, I'm fine now. Let the past go. I'm happy you came to see me."

"Susu, tell me why Jing Xi is targeting you," Ye Mo said, though determined to take Luo Ying away, he couldn't ignore Jing Xi's cruelty.

Luo Ying felt a warmth she hadn't experienced since her master's death. Looking up at Ye Mo, she said, "Because my heart is uncalm, and I can't cultivate…"

"Your heart is uncalm, and you can't cultivate?" Ye Mo repeated. "Then don't! I'll teach you a better way than Serenity's garbage."

"My master's teachings aren't garbage," Luo Ying retorted, turning away. "I don't like you speaking of my master like that."

Ye Mo sighed, realizing his words were harsh. "Okay, my bad. But I have a better way for you to cultivate."

Luo Ying didn't reply, walking into a distant room.

Ye Mo stood awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to enter.

"What are you doing at the door? Come in," Luo Ying called.

Relieved, Ye Mo entered, closing the door behind him. As he did, Luo Ying trembled. Ye Mo recalled that Jing Xi hadn't arranged lodgings for him, but it didn't matter; he was with his master.

Luo Ying lit incense in the corner. Ye Mo quickly said, "Susu, don't light that."

Luo Ying looked at him strangely. "This is Serenity Incense. It calms the mind. Serenity disciples use it for clarity. Why shouldn't I light it?"

Ye Mo stammered. The aphrodisiac incense looked almost identical. He berated himself; how could Luo Ying be like Jing Xi?

"Master, your condition is poor. Let me treat you," he mumbled.

Luo Ying looked at him quizzically. "Why do you call me 'master'? You did it before, but why again?"

Ye Mo hesitated. He realized Luo Ying remembered only her name, perhaps a vague image of him. But how could he explain this bizarre situation?

"Let me treat you first, then I'll explain," he improvised.

Luo Ying nodded, her face flushing slightly. Ye Mo eyed the incense; it smelled similar to the aphrodisiac but not quite the same. He was confused.

Luo Ying sat on the mat, silent. She knew Ye Mo's medical skills were excellent; he'd saved her in the desert.

Ye Mo nodded, producing a Face Preserving Pill. "Take this first, then I'll give you acupuncture."

Luo Ying, trusting the pill implicitly, swallowed it. She closed her eyes, awaiting the acupuncture.

Luo Ying's weakness wasn't severe. Ye Mo quickly repaired the meridians damaged by the frost qi, then used Clear Water shu to purge impurities released by the pill.

In under an hour, Luo Ying examined her hands and skin, amazed by the transformation. Her skin was fair, with a healthy blush. Her body felt lighter.

"It's like in the desert, but I feel much lighter," she remarked casually.

The desert treatment, combined with the pill, had achieved a more complete cleansing.

Luo Ying's face flushed crimson, making Ye Mo's heart race. A burning sensation ignited within him. He subconsciously glanced at the nearly burnt-out incense. It differed from Jing Xi's, yet shared a similarity. His desires intensified. Was it Luo Ying's presence?

He looked at Luo Ying; her snow-white neck was flushed. The faint, fresh scent of a virgin emanating from her clothing stole his breath.

His eyes met hers. Her face glowed, her eyes soft, almost melting him, yet her ethereal beauty made him hesitate to defile her.

"Susu…" Ye Mo croaked, his throat parched.

Luo Ying shyly smiled, a smile that eclipsed all other beauty. She slowly leaned against his chest.

That faint scent was irresistible. He instinctively leaned in and kissed her lips.

Luo Ying, already shy, blushed deeper. She wanted to pull away but a desire stirred within her, and she awkwardly met his kiss.

The soft, wet sensation sent a jolt through Ye Mo. He hungered for more, and Luo Ying responded clumsily.

The crescent moon rose, its soft light illuminating Ye Mo and Luo Ying, a scene of tranquil love, transcending time and space.