Demonic Cultivation: Devouring Ten Thousand Demonic Beasts
Chapter 24: Taking a dip

Chapter 24: Taking a dip

Yue Ling had brought pieces of the giant Jiao’s skeleton here and buried them around the lake, creating a protective barrier that would deter other demonic beasts from approaching the pond.

Thanks to that, this place had become a perfect spot to rest.

Langtian crouched down and dipped his fingers into the pond. The water was cold, sharp against his skin, but to a cultivator, it was the perfect kind of cold: refreshing, invigorating, a subtle jolt to the senses. In fact, it reminded him of the mountaintop spring back at the sect, the one he used to bathe in alone during those quiet, sleepless nights. This water was only a little colder.

He leaned closer and glanced at the surface. The pond was remarkably clear. His faint reflection stared back at him, with messy black hair, tired eyes, a smudge of dried blood still clinging to one cheek. His robes were stained, sleeves rumpled, collar askew.

He looked a mess.

Beside him, Shangguan Yue Ling stood in silence.

Still beautiful, still poised and graceful as ever.

If anything, she seemed even more radiant now. More mature, stronger, the gentle pride in her eyes deeper than before. Her presence alone felt like a beacon in this dark valley, her robes fluttering softly in the damp wind, her hair catching the faint crimson glow of the surrounding lotuses.

Without saying a word, she knelt beside him and dipped her hands into the pond. The water splashed gently as she began to wash away the blood and dirt clinging to her fingers and nails.

Langtian watched her for a beat, then followed her lead, rolling up his sleeves and scrubbing thoroughly. First his hands, then his wrists, and all the way up to his elbows. The grime came off slowly. Some spots were more stubborn, clinging to his skin like faint shadows. But eventually, most of it was gone.

That’s when Yue Ling finally spoke.

"Junior Brother," she said, flicking the water from her fingertips, "I want to take a quick dip in the pond. So, would you mind...?"

"Ah! N-No problem!" Langtian shot to his feet, nearly slipping on the slick stones beneath him. "I’ll—uh—I’ll step away! Over there! I won’t look, I swear!"

Yue Ling chuckled, clearly amused. "Mmm... no need to run off so far. Just don’t stray too far, alright?" she said, casting a glance toward the shadowed tree line beyond the clearing. "This place might look calm, but the valley’s still full of danger. Oh wait! Actually, just wait behind that big boulder over there!"

She pointed toward a moss-covered rock near the edge of the clearing, just large enough to hide behind, but close enough for her to keep an eye on him.

"O-Okay!" Langtian nodded quickly.

"And remember," she added with narrowed eyes and a dangerous smile, "no peeking."

Gulp.

Langtian swallowed hard, heart thudding in his chest.

"I-I swear I won’t!"

Peeking at Senior Sister Shangguan? Absolutely not! That was a death sentence! No—a fate worse than death. If she caught him, she’d probably tie him up and hang him off on a tall tree somewhere, or even feed him to demonic wolves!

A shiver ran through him as he thought about what his senior sister could do if she got mad.

"Good boy," Yue Ling said sweetly, ruffling his hair before turning away.

And so, Langtian immediately scrambled over to the boulder like a nervous squirrel, quickly sitting down with his back turned, legs crossed and hands resting stiffly in his lap like a little disciple awaiting his punishment. He stared at the stone in front of him, not daring to glance back.

Meanwhile...

There was the soft rustle of fabric, of Yue Ling’s outer robe slipping from her shoulders, the delicate sound of it brushing against her skin before falling onto the pebbled shore.

Then, silence.

Followed by the gentle splashes of water as she stepped into the pond.

_______________________

Now...

Langtian sat down behind the boulder, back ramrod straight, knees pressed together like a statue carved from pure panic and guilt.

His heart was pounding like a war drum.

Just a few steps away, hidden by a single mossy boulder, his Senior Sister was now naked, bathing in the same pond he just washed his hands in. The very thought made his face heat up so fast he was surprised steam didn’t rise from his collar.

’No peeking. No peeking. No peeking!’

He chanted it over and over in his head like a sacred incantation, hoping it would anchor his trembling soul. His fingers clutched his lap like iron clamps. The cold of the rock beneath him did nothing to calm the fire in his face. And worse—

The sounds.

Splash.

Soft, steady, rhythmic.

Water gently brushing against skin, ripples gliding over the pond’s surface.

Langtian’s ears twitched.

’Stay calm. You’re a cultivator!’

SPLASH!

A louder sound. A full-body dip. Definitely shoulder-deep now. Maybe even—

’No, no, don’t imagine it!’

He slapped his cheeks lightly. Focus! Control! You’re not some wild beast!

But alas... his imagination had no such discipline. It betrayed him swiftly.

Visions bloomed in his mind uninvited: crimson red lotuses swaying gently... Yue Ling’s long, dark hair drifting through water like silk ribbons... soft glows on pale skin... delicate curves outlined by moonless light...

He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head hard.

Why is this so hard?! he cried inwardly, half in despair.

The splashing sounds grew quieter, slower, almost hypnotic. Maybe she was washing now. Or maybe... floating peacefully?

’OH COME ON!

’Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!

’Oh wait!’

Langtian suddenly had an idea.

’Right! The Tranquil Heart Breathing Technique!’

And so, he closed his eyes, sat up straighter, exhaled slowly, and began.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

His brow twitched. Sweat formed on his temples despite the cold.

The Tranquil Heart Breathing was definitely working.

And yet somehow... somehow... this was even harder than enduring the backlash of that Crimson Vitality Pill earlier.

__________________________

A while later, Shangguan Yue Ling had finished her bath.

She stepped out of the pond, the cool air brushing against her damp skin. She dried herself with a soft towel, wringing out her hair and patting her arms, neck, and legs dry. Droplets still clung to her lashes as she slipped into a clean set of black robes. Her old, dirty clothes she stored away into her Qiankun pouch.

Refreshed and composed, she walked back toward the large boulder.

There he was, Langtian, sitting exactly where she’d left him. His back was straight, his eyes shut tight, his expression calm and focused. His breathing followed a steady rhythm, soft and slow. He was in deep meditation.

’Oh?’ she tilted her head slightly and smiled. ’Tranquil Heart Breathing Technique?’

A quiet chuckle escaped her lips, and a faint flush of pink touched her cheeks.

’Was I really that much of a distraction?’

She shook her head lightly, amused.

But now, Langtian looked absolutely adorable like this.

It reminded her of the old days.

Back when he used to study beside her, he would always have that same furrowed brow, so deeply focused that he wouldn’t even notice the world around him. No matter what she said or did, he remained lost in his own little world.

She used to tease him for it all the time.

But now... Now, she simply crouched down in front of him, hands resting on her knees, her long hair still damp and clinging lightly to her robe. Her eyes studied his face closely, quietly, as if trying to memorize it all over again.

There was something simple and childish about doin this, but also fun.

’I wonder how long it’ll take before this man realizes I’m sitting right in front of him,’ she thought, a mischievous sparkle dancing in her eyes.