Beside a fairly wide whirlpool, a small waterfall poured down, and beyond it stood three shabby thatched huts.
Above the waterfall stood a slender young man with small eyes, a flat nose, long hair hanging down over his brow. His features were delicate, even handsome in a way. He was holding a sword and tirelessly thrusting it toward the sky.
This sword, aside from its grayish hue and ancient, rugged appearance, looked no different from any other. If one had to point out something unusual, it would be the constellation pattern on the hilt—but beyond that, it was as ordinary as could be.
That man was none other than Xin Xiaoqi.
After soaking in dragon blood for seven full days, his skin had turned pale and wrinkled, looking almost grotesque. But his physique and stamina had taken a small step forward.
Take this sword for example—it easily weighed sixty or seventy pounds. In the past, Xin Xiaoqi wouldn't have been able to lift it with both hands, let alone thrust it single-handedly like he did now.
Not far away, Wen Qingya sat leisurely, if not a little bored, using a twig to lazily tap at the water's surface.
Seeing this, Xin Xiaoqi couldn't help but grumble, "Fairy, what kind of technique is this? It even has to be practiced with this sword. The sword's ridiculously heavy!"
Although Wen Qingya looked completely relaxed, her voice was sharp and left no room for argument: "Call me Master."
Xin Xiaoqi stopped mid-thrust, glanced at her from afar. He couldn't win in a fight, and after the beatings he'd taken these past few days, he had no desire to try. The thing that still nagged at him most—was the fact that Wen Qingya had seen him completely naked… while he hadn't even seen her face. All he ever saw was that dark veil and wide-brimmed hat.
With no choice, he muttered, "Yes… Master."
Wen Qingya nodded, her tone calm but patient: "That sword, naturally, was left behind by the old man. The technique is quite mysterious—without this specific sword, even if someone knew the movements, they wouldn't be able to cultivate it properly. The movements are secondary—the sword is the key. It draws in the energy of heaven and earth, and refines your physical body as you move."
"So, the specific moves don't matter much. As long as you activate your whole body, it'll work. Even that... 'marching in place' nonsense you do could technically be okay. But the key thing is—keep stabbing toward the sky so that the sword can channel the spiritual energy."
Xin Xiaoqi nodded. "I get it. But still, walking in place while yelling 'Hah!' and thrusting a sword into the air like a lunatic... isn't this just stupid?"
Wen Qingya actually chuckled. "Stupid fits you perfectly. This technique is called True Body of Two-Five."
Xin Xiaoqi blinked. "What the hell?" he muttered inwardly. Then he sighed, unable to resist complaining, "This sword looks so lame though. I mean… it's just ugly."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sword violently trembled. Xin Xiaoqi lost his grip instantly, and the sword flew out of his hand.
WHACK!
The sword smacked him hard on the butt.
"AAAH—!"
Xin Xiaoqi let out a cry as his body flew in a perfect arc, and with a splash, he landed in the pool.
The waterfall's force caught him immediately and swept him downstream. He spun wildly under the water, tumbled who knew how far, and by the time he surfaced, he was gasping for air.
His bathrobe was completely soaked and hung heavy on his body, making it hard to swim.
After struggling to the surface and wiping water from his eyes, Xin Xiaoqi looked around frantically, relieved to see the gray sword wasn't in sight.
But then—two flashes of color caught his eye.
No, not color—scenery. And not just any scenery. Two radiant, glistening feminine forms lay basking in the sunlight.
Xin Xiaoqi squinted. His eyes widened. His heart practically stopped.
"Holy crap."
Two girls were sunbathing—topless.
The soft curves of their bodies shimmered like jade in the sun, skin smooth as sheep fat, glistening with the glow of seven colors under the sunlight.
They looked foreign—tall, perhaps one-seventy in height. High noses, deep-set eyes. Western features.
One had long chestnut hair that reached her waist, scattered messily around her. Some strands lay under her snowy body. Her features were delicate—arched brows, big eyes, an oval face, a petite mouth. Her slightly bronzed skin gave off a noble, regal air.
The other had wavy blonde hair tied up in a bun, secured with a colorful ribbon. Her brows were soft and curved, eyes large and spirited. Her face was round and youthful, lips long and slightly thin, her skin snowy and radiant.
She looked calm, cool, with a subtle chill in her expression—like a proud frost flower. Beside her lay a golden-horned deer.
Strangely, neither girl seemed alarmed by his presence.
The bronzed girl tilted her head and said in surprise, "Oh~ Respected gentleman, where do you come from? That robe of yours looks very familiar—doesn't it, sister?"
The blonde girl nodded. "Yes, it's just like the robes from our homeland. It feels… nostalgic."
As a modern-day single man, Xin Xiaoqi had grown up getting crushed by goddesses—an expert in every dating app, romantic strategy, and fantasy chase.
But real goddesses never gave you a chance.
Until now.
He forced himself to stay calm and took a deep breath. "Oh, you two divine and beautiful ladies, good afternoon. This robe does indeed come from my homeland. And your beauty—why, it outshines the flowers on earth, the stars in the heavens, and even the blazing sun above."
"And those perfect curves, like rolling hills stretching into eternity… elegant, noble, and light as air. Truly unforgettable. I am but lost in your grace, unable to free myself."
As he spoke, he walked toward them slowly. The two girls made no move to shy away. They looked him directly in the eye, unbothered by his flattery.
As he drew closer, Xin Xiaoqi casually removed his bathrobe and draped it gently over them.
"It's quite misty in the mountains. Please don't catch a cold, lovely ones."
The bronzed girl giggled, "Oh, you're so bad, mister. You brought all this water and got us wet!"
Xin Xiaoqi chuckled inwardly. "Oops," he said aloud. "Let me help you dry off."
But just then, the blonde girl cried out, "Oh! Mister—watch out!"
WHAM!
A gray blur slammed hard into Xin Xiaoqi's back, flattening him to the ground under immense force.
Utterly humiliated before two goddesses, he lay there burning with shame.
Just as he was about to yell in frustration, he looked up—and saw Wen Qingya, floating in midair, gazing down at him with an inscrutable look.
The golden-horned deer immediately perked up, alert. The two girls stood as well.
A flash of white light surged from the bronzed girl—her body now clad in a tight-fitting golden armor that hugged every curve yet restricted no movement. The other girl's body, too, was suddenly clad in a clean, white robe-like armor.
Xin Xiaoqi swallowed hard. "Damn," he muttered. "These two… are definitely not normal."
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