The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 52

Bo Xuenong immersed herself in the bath, letting the warm water gently envelop her skin, the steam causing a faint blush to rise on her snow-white complexion.

Her damp, raven hair clung tightly to her soft face, lightly wetting her eyelashes.

Bo Xuenong fluttered her lashes, shaking off the clinging mist, trying to get a clearer view of the White Porcelain Doll sitting by the bed.

Is Shen Yanting still angry with me?

She hadn’t meant anything by inviting Shen Yanting to bathe together earlier. At the time, she had simply seen her Master as an Immortal untouched by worldly impurities, whose very hem shouldn’t be sullied by dust. Though she had been careful to protect her, Shen Yanting’s wedding robes seemed to have picked up a few stray stains. She had only wanted to wipe them away.

If she couldn’t help with the bath, then she could at least wash the robes.

If it were any other garment, she would have simply discarded it and changed into something else.

But she couldn’t bear to part with these wedding robes.

This was the first time Bo Xuenong had seen Shen Yanting wear such an outfit, and she knew she would likely never have another chance to witness it again.

Bo Xuenong’s bright eyes remained fixed on Shen Yanting, yearning to drag the bathing tub closer to the Porcelain Doll. Pointing at the faint, slightly glaring marks on her skin, she earnestly asked, “Master, may I wash your clothes for you?”

The words didn’t even need to be spoken.

Her Master would undoubtedly refuse.

Bo Xuenong sighed softly, her thoughts circling back to where they had begun. After Shen Yanting had warned her not to strike herself again, she had completely ignored her. Once Bo Xuenong slipped into the bathing tub, Shen Yanting sat on the edge of the bed, not even opening her eyes, as if unwilling to look at her.

A heavy weight pressed down on Bo Xuenong’s chest, and she couldn’t help but call out softly, “Master.”

The small courtyard house wasn’t large, making it difficult to keep the bed and bathing tub far apart. Bo Xuenong had brazenly placed the tub right in the center of the room, ensuring that anyone glancing over would see her soaking naked inside. Bo Xuenong lacked such strong feelings of shame, but Shen Yanting did not.

Of course, Shen Yanting heard Bo Xuenong’s call, but she dared not open her eyes.

Shen Yanting could not only hear Bo Xuenong’s voice, but also the sound of water droplets sliding across her skin and the soft splashes of her body colliding with the water.

Bo Xuenong didn’t mind being seen, but Shen Yanting couldn’t bear to look.

Shen Yanting sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes tightly shut, desperately hoping Bo Xuenong would hurry up and get out of the bathtub.

Seeing that Shen Yanting was ignoring her, Bo Xuenong reasoned that Shen Yanting, having lost her spiritual power, might not be able to hear her.

She gently twirled her finger twice in the air, and a wisp of pale green mist seeped from her fingertip, transforming into a massive frog’s foot that squeezed beneath the bathtub. The frog’s foot lifted the tub, causing it to hop forward a small step toward Shen Yanting.

Bo Xuenong gripped the tub’s edge, leaning over to continue staring at Shen Yanting.

When Shen Yanting still showed no reaction, Bo Xuenong subtly curled her pinky finger, and the frog’s foot hopped the tub forward another step.

Shen Yanting remained with her eyes closed.

The frog’s foot hopped again.

Still no reaction.

Another hop.

Suddenly, the sounds around Shen Yanting shifted. She heard water splashing and something hopping.

Hesitating whether to open her eyes, she felt a warm droplet land on the tip of her nose. Instinctively, she reached up to touch it, realizing it was a warm bead of water clinging to her nose. The source of the droplet…

Shen Yanting’s eyes snapped open to see the bathtub, now nearly at the edge of the bed, and the massive frog’s foot beneath it.

The frog’s foot, sensing her gaze, suddenly dissolved into a wisp of green mist and vanished.

It was unmistakably Bo Xuenong’s doing.

Shen Yanting hadn’t expected the technique she had taught Bo Xuenong to be used in such a context. She felt a mix of amusement and helplessness.

Finally, she lifted her gaze.

The Porcelain Doll’s small body meant that Shen Yanting, sitting on the bed, had to look up at Bo Xuenong. Fortunately, she didn’t see anything she shouldn’t have—only Bo Xuenong’s head protruding from the tub and her jade-white forearm. Shen Yanting breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to speak, Bo Xuenong called out to her first, “Master.”

Bo Xuenong had seen the water droplets that splashed onto Shen Yanting. The sight made her feel particularly guilty.

She stretched her head further out, trying to bring half her body out of the tub to get closer to Shen Yanting.

The sight of her pale, glistening skin startled Shen Yanting, causing her breath to catch. She hastily gestured for Bo Xuenong to retreat into the tub. “Nong’er, lower yourself.”

Seeing her gesture, Bo Xuenong obediently sank back into the tub.

Being overly compliant, she even submerged her head completely, leaving Shen Yanting with nothing to see at her current height.

Outside the tub, everything was eerily still—a stillness that made Shen Yanting’s heart race with unease.

“Nong’er,” Shen Yanting murmured, instinctively wanting Bo Xuenong to come up a little. Uncertain if Bo Xuenong could hear her faint voice, she unconsciously leaned forward.

Already sitting on the edge of the bed, her forward movement caused her body to overbalance.

The White Porcelain Doll was about to fall to the floor when Shen Yanting instinctively leaned forward, trying to grab the bathtub to steady herself.

But the doll’s tiny arms were too short to reach the nearby tub. She could only plummet downward, her porcelain body at risk of shattering.

As Shen Yanting braced for impact, a sudden white light enveloped her, and a warm current surged through her body.

When the light faded, the White Porcelain Doll had vanished, leaving only Shen Yanting, restored to her original form.

Her feet landed firmly on the ground, her body still leaning forward.

While the doll’s hands couldn’t reach the tub, Shen Yanting’s hand landed steadily on its rim. Lowering her gaze, she found herself staring directly into the eyes of Bo Xuenong, who was completely submerged in the water.

Bo Xuenong had truly been obedient. When Shen Yanting told her to go down, she had plunged her entire head underwater.

Though Shen Yanting had never heard of a cultivator drowning, she instinctively reached out and pulled Bo Xuenong out of the water. She habitually grabbed Bo Xuenong by the neck, but as soon as her palm touched Bo Xuenong’s throat, Bo Xuenong frantically covered her mouth. Thinking something was wrong, Shen Yanting pried her hand away. “Nong’er, what’s wrong?”

The words had barely left her lips when she noticed Bo Xuenong’s throat bobbing, as if she were swallowing something.

Shen Yanting’s hand slid upward, pinching Bo Xuenong’s cheek.

Pfft… Fine droplets of water sprayed out, landing on Shen Yanting’s fingertips and her nearby face.

The warm droplets trickled down Shen Yanting’s delicate features. Her free hand instinctively rose to wipe away the sudden moisture, utterly baffled by the idea of someone drinking bathwater. Demons might do such things, especially those who hadn’t yet taken human form.

Once Bo Xuenong had finished spitting out the water, her mouth was finally free to speak.

But she didn’t dare. She simply gazed at Shen Yanting with a pitiful expression.

For a moment, Shen Yanting almost felt like she was bullying Bo Xuenong. She tightened her grip on Bo Xuenong’s cheek. “Bo Xuenong, are you a fish demon?”

Master called her full name. Is she angry?

Bo Xuenong lowered her head guiltily, but quickly lifted it again with an eager smile. She tilted her head back to rest against Shen Yanting’s palm, gazing up at her. “Master, do you like fish demons? If you do, I can transform into one.”

She didn’t particularly like small fish demons, but she did have a soft spot for her foolish disciple.

Shen Yanting swallowed the words she dared not voice and released Bo Xuenong’s cheek. “Does the water taste good?”

“Delicious,” Bo Xuenong replied, suddenly serious. She tugged at Shen Yanting’s sleeve, gesturing toward the bathwater. “Master, the water smells fragrant.”

Following Bo Xuenong’s gaze, Shen Yanting noticed a faint golden mist hovering above the water’s surface. Her nostrils twitched slightly as she detected a sweet, delicate aroma.

She inhaled deeply, recognizing the scent as strikingly similar to that of the Holy Spirit Fruit.

The Holy Spirit Fruit was a rare treasure found only in Secret Realms containing the ruins of divine beings. A single fruit was worth tens of thousands of ordinary spirit fruits and was said to contain traces of divine aura. Though Shen Yanting had encountered them several times, she had never sensed any divine aura. However, she had keenly perceived their spiritual power, which surpassed that of ordinary spirit fruits by tens of thousands of times.

Years ago, she had shared a Holy Spirit Fruit with Mo Tingshu, who had praised its extraordinary fragrance.

Shen Yanting’s memory of the fragrance remained vivid.

It wasn’t merely the scent of spiritual power mixed with fruit; there was also an aura that calmed the mind.

As Shen Yanting reached out to examine the water more closely, her hand froze just as it touched the surface. She had been so focused on preventing Bo Xuenong from drowning that she had hastily pulled her from the water and immediately started discussing the water’s properties. Only now did she belatedly realize that Bo Xuenong was completely naked.

If not for the Golden Mist obscuring the view, Shen Yanting would have seen everything.

Just as she was inwardly grateful for the Golden Mist’s concealment, she noticed the mist, which had been clinging tightly to the water’s surface, gradually dissolving into the water.

The barrier was disappearing.

Shen Yanting froze, the water that had been lukewarm moments ago suddenly feeling scalding hot.

She hastily withdrew her hand and instinctively retreated from the edge of the tub. The narrow space between the bed and the tub left her little room to maneuver; even pressed against the bed, she could still glimpse Bo Xuenong’s pale skin through the thinning mist. Her palms grew warm, and her breathing quickened slightly.

Clinging to the bed, Shen Yanting sank back onto the edge.

With her line of sight lowered, the tantalizing glimpses of pale skin vanished. Only then did she finally exhale in relief.

Shen Yanting quickly realized she had relaxed too soon. As the Golden Mist dissolved into the water, it began to emit waves of golden light, lifting Bo Xuenong out of the bath.

Shen Yanting: “……”

Just as Shen Yanting was about to close her eyes, she suddenly noticed a wisp of white fur sprouting from Bo Xuenong’s arm.

She froze, torn between two conflicting impulses:

Looking would be disrespectful to Bo Xuenong. Not looking would leave her ignorant of Bo Xuenong’s condition.

As Shen Yanting wavered between looking and not looking, Bo Xuenong suddenly called out, “Master, I’ve grown a tail!”

Shen Yanting bit down hard on her lip, lifting her head.

Her gaze swiftly avoided Bo Xuenong’s snow-white skin, settling on the newly emerged tail.

The tail, like Bo Xuenong’s furry ears, was jet-black. Strangely, it consisted of three strands: two short and one long. The slightly longer tail curved upward, emitting a faint golden glow that gave it a majestic air. The two shorter tails trembled slightly, as if guarding the central, longer tail, showing no trace of golden light or trembling.

The tail’s shape resembled that of a cat, but its thick, fluffy fur was more reminiscent of a fox.

It must feel wonderful to touch.

Shen Yanting bit her tongue, suppressing the inappropriate thoughts that threatened to surface.

Now, she could no longer convince herself that Bo Xuenong was a Human Cultivator. This was clearly a gradual beastial transformation. Yet… none of her ancestors had ever experienced such a phenomenon. Only the earliest generations of the Fierce Beast Bloodline had exhibited brief periods of beastial transformation. As the Bloodline diluted over time, apart from its inherent warlike and bloodthirsty nature, descendants became virtually indistinguishable from ordinary humans.

Could it be that they had inadvertently triggered the Beast aspect of Bo Xuenong’s Bloodline, causing her Bloodline to gradually transform?

But they hadn’t done anything particularly unusual.

Or perhaps Bo Xuenong had unknowingly absorbed Beast bl00d?

That seemed unlikely too.

Shen Yanting and Bo Xuenong had been together constantly. It would have been impossible for Bo Xuenong to absorb Beast bl00d without Shen Yanting noticing.

Could it be a secret between Bo Xuenong and Feng Jin?

Shen Yanting wasn’t foolish. She had already noticed several clues: Feng Jin’s Golden Core facade without any actual combat ability, her ability to evade Shen Yanting’s perception, and their simultaneous backlash—all these convinced her that Bo Xuenong and Feng Jin shared a secret she didn’t know.

She had considered asking, but the memory of Bo Xuenong coughing up bl00d made her prefer to remain in the dark.

Bloodline.

She must have inadvertently stimulated her bloodline.

Shen Yanting was certain of this because she suddenly recalled the records they had found in the feral beast’s lair about their Divine Beast ancestor:

“Black eyes, three tails, body radiating divine light. Usually docile as a soft-boned rabbit, but when pleased, it transforms into a white fox, dancing gracefully. When enraged, it resembles a ferocious mountain wildcat. Its form mirrors that of a monstrous beast: a black face with fangs, a cavernous maw, hands capable of touching the moon, and a belly that can swallow mountains. It possesses dual aspects: white for compassion, black for ferocity. After succumbing to demonic corruption, its divine light fades, and both aspects become malevolent.”

Bo Xuenong’s newly grown ears and tail closely matched the description of their ancestor in the records. This meant that the Human Cultivator bloodline within her was diminishing, while her Beast bloodline was growing stronger.

Shen Yanting couldn’t decide if this was good or bad.

Becoming a Divine Beast would naturally be a blessing.

However, their ancestor’s bloodline had long been tainted by Demonic Qi. Growing more like their ancestor might also mean her demonic nature would intensify.

Even true Divine Beasts couldn’t suppress their demonic nature enough to return to the Divine Realm, forced to live out their lives in the mortal realm until death. For Bo Xuenong, a mere descendant with the bloodline, suppressing that deeply ingrained demonic nature would be even more challenging.

Shen Yanting couldn’t help but worry about Bo Xuenong.

Bo Xuenong, however, wasn’t thinking about any of this. She was still marveling at finally having a complete tail.

She couldn’t resist drifting forward, eager for Shen Yanting to get a better look at her tail.

Since Shen Yanting loved touching fluffy ears, she must also love touching tails.

The more Bo Xuenong thought about it, the more logical it seemed. Suddenly, the force supporting her body vanished.

The force disappeared so abruptly that Bo Xuenong didn’t have time to react before she plummeted downward, landing squarely on Shen Yanting.

Shen Yanting, still worried about Bo Xuenong, was suddenly struck by a heavy weight. As her back slammed against the bed, she was momentarily stunned. It took her a long moment to realize that the naked Bo Xuenong had fallen on top of her. Her neck and face flushed crimson instantly, the tips of her ears turning so red they looked like they might drip bl00d.

Bo Xuenong reacted slightly faster. Clutching her head where it had collided with Shen Yanting’s chest, she wanted to ask if she was hurt, but she hesitated.

She had already sat up, but disastrously, she hadn’t moved off Shen Yanting. Still half-propped up, Bo Xuenong was sitting at the base of Shen Yanting’s legs, one hand braced on the bed and the other covering her forehead. Her newly grown tails—two short ones pressed against Shen Yanting’s thighs, and a long one dangling between her calves—swayed gently with her Master’s emotions. The soft, velvety fur of the short tails brushed against Shen Yanting’s legs, creating a ticklish sensation.

Bo Xuenong’s long tail swayed between Shen Yanting’s calves, curling around her leg to keep from dragging on the ground. The tip occasionally tapped against a certain spot, intensifying the ticklish sensation.

Just as Shen Yanting was about to thicken Bo Xue’s tail, Xuenong’s tail suddenly pressed firmly against the hollow of her knee.

An unfamiliar sensation gripped her chest, crawling up to her throat.

Shen Yanting pressed her lips tightly together, suppressing a soft moan.

She tried to convey her embarrassment through her gaze, hoping Xuenong would move away. But the moment her eyes met Xuenong’s, she was struck by the sight of that snow-white skin, damp strands of hair cascading over her shoulders, a few clinging to her skin and tracing its soft, dazzling curves.

The delicate pink hues mingled with the snow-white, searing into Shen Yanting’s vision.

She hastily closed her eyes, covering them with the back of her hand to block out any possibility of seeing Xuenong.

Worse still, with her sight gone, her sense of touch became acutely heightened.

Shen Yanting could feel the heat radiating from Xuenong, who was sitting pressed against the base of her legs. Xuenong had just bathed, and many parts of her body were still damp. The moisture transferred to Shen Yanting’s skin, soaking through her wedding gown in several places. She couldn’t even tell if the dampness was from nervous sweat.

Was Xuenong doing this on purpose?

Embarrassment and mortification surged through Shen Yanting. Her body tensed as she stiffly shifted upward.

Desperate to escape this awkwardness, she moved slightly and immediately realized something was wrong.

Bo Xuenong was pressed tightly against her. As Shen Yanting shifted upward, the fabric of her wedding gown brushed against every inch of Bo Xuenong’s skin. Even through the layers of cloth, she could feel Bo Xuenong’s delicate warmth. Suddenly, a furry ear pressed against her cheek, nudging upward. Then came the tip of a nose and the center of a forehead. Shen Yanting could vividly imagine Bo Xuenong’s head slowly sliding upward against her.

Just as the furry ear disappeared from her forehead, a soft voice drifted toward her: “Master, please don’t move. It tickles.”

Shen Yanting lowered her hand and snapped her eyes open, meeting Bo Xuenong’s slightly innocent gaze.

Hmm.

Bo Xuenong wasn’t doing this on purpose.

She simply lacked common sense.

Shen Yanting wanted to scold Bo Xuenong, but the younger woman was utterly oblivious to romantic feelings. How could she reprimand her for acting so inappropriately? Besides, given the current situation, Shen Yanting was completely covered, while Bo Xuenong wore nothing at all. Not only had Shen Yanting seen her naked, but… well, it felt more like she was taking advantage of Bo Xuenong.

Besides, she didn’t dislike this closeness.

She was the one with the twisted heart; Bo Xuenong’s actions seemed to be indulging her desires.

Shen Yanting couldn’t help but sigh. To Bo Xuenong’s ears, it sounded like a subtle hint. Bo Xuenong, whose hand was pressed against her forehead, shifted it to Shen Yanting’s shoulder. “Master, do you hate me?”

Bo Xuenong wasn’t timid, but she lived in constant fear of Shen Yanting’s disapproval.

Her wet, slightly reddened eyes tugged at Shen Yanting’s heartstrings.

A faint, ticklish sensation gnawed at her chest, sending ripples through her composure. “I don’t hate you,” she murmured.

Bo Xuenong’s gaze flickered, yet she didn’t break eye contact, as if she didn’t quite believe her.

Shen Yanting felt utterly helpless. She couldn’t even find a place to push Bo Xuenong away, so she could only coax her gently. “Get up first.”

Bo Xuenong obeyed instantly.

At Shen Yanting’s command, she moved off her but didn’t go far, turning to kneel beside her arm. Her dark lashes trembled slightly, glistening with moisture.

What is this supposed to be?

It was too early to mourn her.

Shen Yanting tried to sit up, but her leg, which had been pressed down for a while, felt numb.

She stilled, lying back on the bed and turning her head sideways.

She wanted to offer Bo Xuenong a few words of comfort, but she froze as soon as she turned her head.

Now she could see clearly.

Bo Xuenong’s face showed no trace of embarrassment, but Shen Yanting’s cheeks flushed crimson as she stiffly averted her gaze.

She struggled to move her numb body and finally managed to sit up.

Staring at the now-empty bathtub, Shen Yanting recalled the changes in Bo Xuenong’s Bloodline and said earnestly, “Nong’er, no matter what form you take in the future, your Master will never despise you.”

This unexpected declaration left Bo Xuenong momentarily stunned.

If she hadn’t misheard, Shen Yanting had said any form.

Any form.

Did that mean it wouldn’t matter how many people she killed?

She excitedly crawled forward, her body almost touching Shen Yanting’s arm, before tilting her head to look up at her. “Master, do you really mean it?”

Shen Yanting nodded. “I do.”

Bo Xuenong felt a surge of excitement. She had never imagined Shen Yanting could be so indulgent.

She leaned forward, pressing herself halfway against Shen Yanting.

Without risking Shen Yanting’s displeasure, she desperately wanted to be closer—closer still.

A fierce desire surged through her heart.

Just as Bo Xuenong was about to voice her plea, Shen Yanting cut her off. “However… you still need to obey me.”

Shen Yanting worried that Bo Xuenong might think she was going back on her word, retracting her promise so quickly. But she couldn’t remain silent. She knew that such permission would instinctively lead Bo Xuenong to think of killing—after all, murder was Bo Xuenong’s greatest passion.

She could indulge Bo Xuenong, but her principles remained unyielding.

No killing the innocent. No cannibalism. These were her bottom lines.

Bo Xuenong would never associate such accusatory terms like “going back on one’s word” with Shen Yanting. She saw this as Shen Yanting offering her a special opportunity to show affection. She pressed even closer, her chest against Shen Yanting’s arm. “Master, I’m very obedient.”

Shen Yanting instinctively raised her hand to caress Bo Xuenong’s cheek. “Good girl.”

The palm of Shen Yanting’s hand was delicate and soft, radiating a warmth unlike anything she’d felt before. Pressed against her face, Bo Xuenong couldn’t resist wanting to nuzzle against it.

Before Bo Xuenong could take advantage of the situation, Shen Yanting withdrew her hand.

She hadn’t fully understood the meaning of “taking an inch and demanding a mile” before, but now she not only understood it but also grasped its seductive allure.

When someone indulges you, it seems greed takes root.

Simply pressing against her arm wasn’t enough.

Bo Xuenong cautiously asked, “Master, may I hold you for a moment?”

Yes.

Of course.

The lingering heat in Shen Yanting’s body and the itching in her chest hadn’t subsided. She genuinely needed some physical contact to soothe these sensations.

Master and disciple should have the right to embrace.

Shen Yanting nodded. “If you want to hold me, you can do so anytime…”

Her voice trailed off abruptly. Bo Xuenong had already wrapped her arms around Shen Yanting’s waist as soon as she nodded. The skin of those arms was fair and delicate, flawless and bare—most importantly, uncovered by any fabric.

Bo Xuenong hadn’t remembered to put on her clothes!

The blush that had just faded from Shen Yanting’s face resurfaced instantly. Her breath hitched, and she dared not even take a deep breath.

Bo Xuenong rested her chin on Shen Yanting’s shoulder, the tips of her long, furry ears pressing against Shen Yanting’s already flushed earlobes.

They were burning hot.

Shen Yanting struggled to regain her composure, her lips moving with difficulty. “Put your clothes on properly.”

Having just embraced Shen Yanting, Bo Xuenong was reluctant to let go. “Master, can I put them on later?”

She had never considered this a problem.

Because the person standing before her was Shen Yanting.

For Bo Xuenong, as long as Shen Yanting wasn’t the one being taken advantage of, she didn’t care if Shen Yanting saw her naked.

In fact, she would consider it an honor if Shen Yanting wanted to look.

Unfortunately, Shen Yanting lacked the courage to continue looking. Remembering her restored spiritual power, she rubbed her Storage Ring, and a pale green silk robe appeared in the room. She firmly pressed it into Bo Xuenong’s arms, urging her to cover her exposed skin. “No.”

Bo Xuenong inhaled the familiar cold fragrance of the silk robe, her eyes lighting up instantly.

With lightning speed, she donned the robe, even fastening the sash tightly, afraid that if she hesitated, Shen Yanting might regret giving her the garment.

Shen Yanting secretly let out a sigh of relief, her gaze returning to the bath barrel.

Bo Xuenong wrapped her arms around Shen Yanting’s waist again, her cheek pressing close to the hollow of her neck.

She remembered every word Shen Yanting had said, including the recent “If you want a hug, anytime.” Pressing against Shen Yanting, she had asked earnestly, “Master, do you want to bathe?”

Shen Yanting felt a flicker of temptation.

She wanted to extinguish the heat rising within her and still her racing heart.

When Shen Yanting remained silent, Bo Xuenong continued, “I won’t peek.”

Shen Yanting believed her.

But she wasn’t Bo Xuenong.

She valued both her dignity and the proper master-disciple relationship.

In this small room, without blocking someone’s gaze, she couldn’t be sure if the burning heat would truly be extinguished.

Before she could decide, Bo Xuenong had already taken action.

Bo Xuenong brought in fresh water for Shen Yanting and thoughtfully used the Fire Condensation Art to heat it to boiling.

Every gesture revealed her attentiveness, which only made Shen Yanting’s heart race even more.

Shen Yanting remained motionless.

Bo Xuenong covered her eyes with her hand. “Master, go ahead.”

Shen Yanting didn’t suspect Bo Xuenong would peek. Bo Xuenong had always shown her utmost respect and never harbored such wayward thoughts.

In Bo Xuenong’s heart, Shen Yanting was simply her Master.

The real obstacle lay within Shen Yanting’s own heart.

Shen Yanting rose to her feet, forming a hand seal with a single gesture. A faint, misty light emanated from her palm, coalescing behind her into four gray walls. These walls solidified rapidly, completely separating her and the bath from Bo Xuenong.

Bo Xuenong stared at the suddenly materialized walls, momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, she slowly averted her gaze.

This is for the best, she thought. It will prevent me from accidentally offending Shen Yanting and incurring her wrath to the point of gouging out my own eyes.

Just as Bo Xuenong was about to retract her tail and ears, she was astonished to discover that her cultivation speed seemed to have accelerated significantly since her demon form had become complete. In particular, her three tails were now automatically absorbing spiritual power, even without her actively channeling it.

With a subtle mental command, Bo Xuenong replaced the bedding with bear demon hide from her Storage Jade Bracelet. She also placed a smaller fox pelt nearby for Shen Yanting to use as a blanket.

After tidying up, she climbed onto the bed, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating her spiritual power once more.

As expected, her tail, which she hadn’t retracted, extended during her cultivation, significantly accelerating her absorption of spiritual power.

Bo Xuenong, already elated by Shen Yanting’s flattery, grew even more excited.

She completely abandoned any thought of retracting her tail, focusing wholeheartedly on her cultivation.

Bo Xuenong needed to become strong enough to serve as Shen Yanting’s blade—ideally, a blade that could hang at Shen Yanting’s waist.

Shen Yanting, having finally smoothed over her lingering unease, changed into a moon-white gown. Her slightly damp hair was pinned up with a wooden hairpin, ensuring no trace of impropriety remained. Only then did she quietly retract the barrier of light. By this time, Bo Xuenong was already deeply immersed in her cultivation, making Shen Yanting’s earlier precautions seem somewhat unnecessary.

Truthfully, Bo Xuenong was a flawless disciple.

Obedient and diligent.

If not for her Fierce Beast Bloodline, countless others would likely be vying to claim her.

Shen Yanting didn’t disturb Bo Xuenong’s cultivation. She cleaned up the bath barrel and returned it to its original room, then wiped away all traces of moisture from the floor before returning to the bedside.

Bo Xuenong had already changed the damp bedding, replacing it with a bear demon pelt and adding a smaller fox pelt for extra warmth.

Perhaps Shen Yanting should have cultivated alongside Bo Xuenong, but what she lacked wasn’t the spiritual power to break through.

Shen Yanting sat absentmindedly on the bed, neither sleeping nor cultivating. She sat facing Bo Xuenong, quietly observing her while meticulously replaying every moment since leaving the Imperial Tranquility Sect. Yet she still couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment her heart had begun to stray, nor how to steer everything back on course.

The recent scenes remained vivid in her mind, making it impossible to convince herself that nothing had happened.

Shen Yanting pulled the fox pelt over herself, still without any intention of sleeping.

Instead, Bo Xuenong’s words gradually grew clearer in her mind:

“Master, I’m good! I’ve always been good!”

“Master, you’re so important to me. Nong’er cares deeply about Master.”

“……”

“Master, I want my name listed here, right next to yours.”

It was a bit noisy.

A faint ache seemed to coil around her ears.

Shen Yanting ignored the discomfort, refusing to silence the voices in her memories.

After a long silence, she reached out to stroke her Storage Ring, retrieving her Heavenly Talent Register. Having made it onto the Peerless Beauty Ranking, her register naturally included the leaderboard, and naturally… she could vote for Bo Xuenong.