After the escape, Lin Yue became completely exhausted and collapsed onto the ground. Her chest rose and fell erratically, fine sweat soaking her forehead. She could hardly believe she had done something so risky again.
Her black eyes shifted toward Yu Han, only to find that the young man showed no signs of exhaustion or unease. It was as if everything that had just happened was perfectly normal to him.
"You'll get used to this," Yu Han said calmly, his voice steady and oddly soothing.
That did nothing to make Lin Yue feel better. Adapting to this place was painfully difficult. She didn't want to be trampled on anymore. Her hand pressed against the ground. She would not run again.
"Yu Han, aren't you afraid?" Lin Yue asked.
Yu Han fell silent, pondering the question. He didn't understand why he should be afraid. If anything, he feared that someone as fragile as this girl could be crushed in an instant by a single careless mistake.
"Maybe… a little," Yu Han replied.
What he meant was Lin Yue herself. Someone so unlucky that she might be reduced to nothing at any moment. But Lin Yue clearly didn't understand that. It showed plainly on her face.
This time, Lin Yue remained silent. She wondered if the cultivation world was truly this strange. Even someone who appeared weak didn't seem shocked at all after being kidnapped.
She knew Yu Han was intelligent and composed, but sometimes he was too calm. Too relaxed.
In truth, Yu Han was perfectly capable of protecting himself. Lin Yue simply didn't know it.
Cold air slowly gathered around them as night crept closer. The atmosphere grew gloomy, the night wind cutting through the air as if it were trying to pull their souls away.
This was not the time to stay still. They had to keep moving. As the saying went, time was money.
Lin Yue didn't dare linger in this place. Before anything else, she needed to clean herself up. Her clothes were torn beyond recognition, stained with mud and dust. Her body was no better. Her hair was messy and dirty, her face covered in a thin layer of grime.
They decided to find a place to wash up first. Although Yu Han appeared completely fine, almost as if he were somehow protected, Lin Yue still dragged him along. She didn't want to be the only one looking filthy.
Yu Han could only sigh and let her pull him along once more.
Footprints formed in the damp ground as they walked, hinting that there was a water source nearby. This was exactly what Lin Yue had been searching for.
Delighted, she quickened her pace. She couldn't wait to wash away everything clinging to her body.
The river was calm and gentle, its water clear like jade. It wasn't wide, and the current was steady, almost as if the river itself carried a faint spiritual quality. It was the perfect place to clean up.
Lin Yue glanced toward Yu Han, only to find that he had already turned away, leaning against a tree with his back to her. A smile appeared on her lips. At least this man had a sense of propriety.
With that, Lin Yue no longer hesitated. She removed her clothes and jumped into the river, trusting that Yu Han had no intention of invading her privacy.
The water felt warm as it enveloped her body, unlike the rivers in that strange domain. Perhaps it was because this was a real river, formed naturally by the accumulation of heaven and earth's energy.
It took some time for Lin Yue to clean herself and tend to her wounds. Once she was done, she walked back toward the riverbank.
Something made her freeze.
The clothes she had been wearing earlier were gone.
In their place was a new outfit, elegant and refined. The deep midnight-blue color was pleasing to the eye and suited her long black hair perfectly.
The fabric was incredibly soft and smooth, reminding her of the clothes she had worn in the building where she first awakened in this world. Soft, yet durable. A material she thought she would never encounter again.
Lin Yue didn't understand how her clothes had been replaced. The only possible answer was Yu Han.
She looked back toward the tree where Yu Han had been leaning. Sure enough, although he appeared unchanged at first glance, his sitting position had shifted slightly. He hadn't said anything, nor had his expression changed, but his actions spoke clearly enough.
Without any shame, Lin Yue spoke cheerfully.
"Thank you, Yu Han!"
Hearing this, Yu Han stiffened slightly. Her reaction was something he hadn't anticipated.
Even so, he maintained his usual calm demeanor. He had already prepared an excuse to explain the sudden change of clothes, but it seemed unnecessary now.
"Don't misunderstand," he said. "You can't go to the Xu Shen Dian Sect looking like a black duck in a crowd."
Lin Yue had wanted to ask again, but was now stunned. He had guessed her plan!. She had been intending to head to that sect.
"I guess my plans are easy to read," she said.
Yu Han's brows shifted slightly. From the beginning, he had subtly pushed Lin Yue to take advantage of the situation back in the cage. How could he not understand her intentions?
"What goes on in that small head of yours is simple to read," Yu Han replied, still facing away from her, making his expression impossible to decipher.
Though his words weren't exactly helpful, Lin Yue still wore the clothes he had given her. And true enough, the fabric was incredibly light. "Liking it" wasn't enough to describe how excited she felt.
She looked completely different now.
Where she had once appeared casual yet firm in modern clothing, she now resembled a gentle, elegant cultivator, relaxed yet refined.
Still, there was something distinct about her. Lin Yue possessed features unique to her, traits no one else in this world seemed to have. It gave her a beauty that felt unfamiliar and striking.
Unfortunately, Lin Yue didn't care much about how others viewed her appearance. It wasn't that she neglected herself, but she believed intellect and achievements mattered far more than beauty.
Just as she finished changing, the river suddenly trembled.
Yu Han reacted instantly, pulling Lin Yue behind the tree to hide. His usually calm demeanor turned sharp as his pale hand covered her mouth, preventing even the slightest sound.
Danger was approaching again.