Chapter 89: Cold Yet Warm

Now that they were free again, as everyone took turns entering their own Sea of Consciousness, it was now Qiuyue’s turn.

Bai Yue suggested letting Su Qiuyue enter the Sea of Consciousness to cultivate.

“Master’s health is most important, so it’s best to do it at night while resting. From now on, entering Master’s Sea of Consciousness should be limited to once per day.”

Su Qiuyue’s voice was gentle, yet carried an unwavering firmness.

“Right, at night. That way, Master can sleep too.”

Mu Chenxi’s cool voice echoed in agreement.

Even the youngest, Yan Hua, rubbed her eyes and sensibly said, “Yan Hua doesn’t want Master to get tired.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to all of you.”

Bai Yue smiled softly, warmth filling her heart.

“By the way, Master, now that our strength has somewhat recovered, let’s continue heading to the Ancient Battlefield.”

Mu Chenxi was still very concerned about finding Grandmaster Bai Ling’er, after all, she had promised Master.

“Yes, once we enter the Ancient Battlefield, and our strength is almost fully recovered, there shouldn’t be much danger.”

Su Qiuyue agreed as well.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Bai Yue agreed once more.

Since the decision was made, the group wasted no more time.

Mu Chenxi summoned the Flying Sword, its blade shining with a cold radiance under the sunlight.

Bai Yue skillfully pressed against her back, gently wrapping her arms around her disciple’s slender yet firm waist.

Behind them, little Yan Hua clung to Bai Yue’s back like a koala, her head tilted as she almost instantly drifted into a deep sleep, her steady breathing softly brushing against Bai Yue’s neck.

And Su Qiuyue’s Soul Body quietly stayed within Bai Yue, like the most silent guardian.

The Flying Sword cut through the air, wind roaring in their ears.

In the very first moment, Mu Chenxi’s body stiffened imperceptibly.

Master’s embrace was soft, so warm.

Even through several layers of clothing, the astonishing curves still pressed tightly against her back, as if wanting to embed her entirely in that gentle haven.

Her nose was filled with the rich scent of grass and milk.

Mu Chenxi’s ears turned red.

She tried her best to focus on sword flying, but the sensation from her back and the breath on her neck constantly reminded her that she was held in the arms of her most respected Master.

This feeling… made her heart peaceful, yet restless.

Sensing the tension in her disciple’s body, Bai Yue thought she was worried about not being held securely and tightened her arms a little, resting her chin on Mu Chenxi’s shoulder for a more comfortable position.

“Chenxi, your Master is a bit tired, I’ll sleep for a while.”

Her voice carried a hint of lazy nasal tone, warm breath spraying over Mu Chenxi’s ear and side neck.

Boom.

Mu Chenxi felt her face was about to burn.

She felt her neck, where Master’s breath had touched, turn instantly hot, as if a faint current ran through, making half her body numb.

“…Alright.”

Her throat was dry. It took a while for her to squeeze out the word through her teeth.

She didn’t dare move, nor turn her head, only maintaining her flying posture, letting Master sleep peacefully behind her, feeling that soft, heavy presence and heart-throbbing breath.

At this moment, she suddenly felt that all Sword Dao cultivation seemed no longer so important.

As long as Master was in her arms, that was where her heart found peace.

The land of tenderness is the grave of heroes.

The once righteous maiden had ultimately forgotten her original resolve…

***

When night completely blanketed the land and stars dotted the sky, Mu Chenxi found an inconspicuous hill and landed.

With a wave of her hand, sword energy carved a simple Cave Dwelling into the mountainside.

“Chenxi, there’s no… no longer that dangerous feeling like before, right?”

Bai Yue’s voice still carried a bit of huskiness from just waking up and lingering fear.

The previous attack had clearly left her jumpy.

Mu Chenxi turned, meeting Master’s worried peach blossom eyes. Her heart softened, and her voice unconsciously gentled.

“No, Master. Everything is normal. Please rest assured.”

Bai Yue still wasn’t at ease and looked toward Su Qiuyue, who floated out from within her.

“Qiuyue, what about you?”

“Master, I didn’t sense anything unusual either.”

Su Qiuyue reassured her softly.

“Don’t worry, with us here.”

“Then Yan Hua, what about you?”

Bai Yue placed her last hope on the small, half-awake child rubbing her eyes.

“Feels…”

Yan Hua smacked her lips, staring at Bai Yue.

“Master, Yan Hua feels… hungry again.”

“You…”

Bai Yue was helpless and amused by this little glutton, reaching out to gently pinch her chubby cheek.

“You’ve eaten enough today. I’ll make something tasty for you tomorrow. Tonight, I want Chenxi to enter the Sea of Consciousness to heal.”

Entering the Cave Dwelling and setting a simple Restriction, Mu Chenxi obediently sat beside Bai Yue, leaning lightly against her shoulder and closing her eyes.

After a brief bout of dizziness, her consciousness descended again.

Before her was a familiar world of ice and snow, pure white everywhere.

And at the center of that white world stood a figure also clad in pristine palace robes.

Ice and Snow Master.

She was still as ethereal as ever, those glassy eyes free of any emotion, quietly watching.

“Master.”

Mu Chenxi bowed respectfully.

“Come.”

Ice and Snow Master’s voice was even colder than the wind and snow of this realm, devoid of feeling.

Suppressing the inexplicable stir in her heart, Mu Chenxi flew to her side.

Up close, that overwhelming chill was even stronger, making her instinctively stiffen, hands and feet at a loss.

“What are you nervous about?”

Ice and Snow Bai Yue asked.

“I…”

Mu Chenxi wanted to explain, but was cut off.

“Enough. No need to explain.”

“Oh…”

Mu Chenxi obediently shut her mouth.

Just as she braced herself for a lecture, the scene before her flickered.

Ice and Snow Master’s figure appeared behind her without warning.

In the next instant, a pair of icy arms wrapped around her waist.

“Si…”

Mu Chenxi sucked in a cold breath, her whole body freezing.

So cold!

Unlike the warm, soft embrace of Master in the outside world, Ice and Snow Master’s hug was like being caught between two blocks of ancient ice, the chill piercing to the bone, freezing the soul.

Her body pressed tightly against her back.

Through the thin fabric, Mu Chenxi could clearly feel the breathtakingly soft contours of the other’s chest and that bone-chilling cold.

Both cold and soft, it was a contradictory sensation.

“Calm your mind. Focus.”

The icy voice sounded right beside her ear.

The breath carried a chill that instantly numbed Mu Chenxi’s ear, leaving only biting cold.

“My power of the Dao of Ice is of great benefit to your Cold Ice Profound Body. Endure the momentary cold. Feel it, guide it, absorb it.”

As the words fell, a purer, more domineering chill continuously poured from the ice-carved body behind her into Mu Chenxi.

It felt like countless icy needles stabbing into every meridian throughout her body.

Mu Chenxi couldn’t help but let out a suppressed groan, her body trembling.

But she didn’t resist.

Instead, she used all her will to operate her cultivation method, trying to accept and guide the force that almost froze her solid.

Ice and Snow Master seemed satisfied with her performance.

The arms around her waist tightened, pulling her entirely into the embrace.

Master’s chin rested gently on her shoulder, and the cold lips brushed indistinctly against her earlobe.

“Yes… just like that.”

“You are a natural child of ice. This bit of cold is just an appetizer for you.”

“Make it… all yours.”

The cold, magnetic voice carried a strange magic, echoing endlessly in Mu Chenxi’s Sea of Consciousness.

Her mind, within that extreme cold and Master’s intimate embrace, gradually blurred.

Her trembling slowly stilled.

In its place was an unprecedented sense of comfort.

The domineering chill, under her guidance, began to merge gently into her soul, nourishing her Cold Ice Profound Body.

She felt as if she had returned to the womb, wrapped in the purest Origin, warm and safe.

Ah…

The embrace of the Ice and Snow Master…

So this is how wonderful it feels.

Cold, yet warm.

It made her… sink in, unable to escape.