Ye Junlin's lips twitched. "What's with that face? Think my feet stink?"
Hong Qianye looked a little awkward. "N-no…"
Reluctantly, he knelt down and began washing Ye Junlin's feet, a growing sense of absurdity churning inside him.
Who would've thought? The once-feared Fire Cult Leader—the man who tore through countless enemies in the Central Region—was now kneeling in front of someone, massaging feet.
What a humiliation.
Ye Junlin narrowed his eyes, clearly enjoying himself.
He was soaking his feet in Infinite Taoist Water, a reward from the system's sign-in. Since he had plenty to spare, he figured why not use it? And with his cheap disciple's decent technique, the experience wasn't half bad.
"The water's a little cold. Warm it up," he said casually.
"…Alright."
Hong Qianye, clearly reluctant, released a surge of heat from his palms into the basin. The wooden tub instantly steamed, the water turning piping hot.
"Ahhh~"
"So good…"
Ye Junlin leaned back, pores opening as he let out a groan of satisfaction.
Hearing the sound, Hong Qianye rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Why don't you just live like a royal forever…"
Just then, a petite figure in a finely embroidered dress ran up to the door.
It was Zhao Ling'er. Her face beamed with joy. After receiving guidance from Ye Junlin, she had finally sensed the flow of true energy within her—her first step into the Qi Refining Stage.
Overjoyed, she rushed to share the news with the Celestial Being of the Xuantian Sect, eager for praise.
But—
She stopped dead in her tracks.
Her eyes widened. Her cherry lips parted in stunned silence.
What… what was this?
From her angle, she could only see Hong Qianye kneeling in front of Ye Junlin, head bowed, working earnestly with both hands.
Meanwhile, Ye Junlin looked as if he was in complete bliss.
This… this scene was way too misleading!
Zhao Ling'er's face turned beet red. She never imagined this seemingly upright master-disciple pair had that kind of relationship in private!
"So embarrassing…!"
She covered her face and bolted like a frightened rabbit, heart racing. That image would haunt her for a long time.
Ye Junlin blinked. "Why's Ling'er running?"
With his cultivation, he had sensed her presence long ago—but he'd been too relaxed to care, indulging in the cult leader's foot service.
Now, he glanced down at his first disciple's face.
Smooth skin. Delicate brows. Striking phoenix eyes. High nose. Crimson lips. Even a faint red flame mark on his forehead gave him a uniquely captivating aura.
Seriously—can you believe this guy's a man?
Ye Junlin sighed, "Little Hong, why are you so damn pretty? I almost feel bad for you."
Hong Qianye's expression darkened.
A man could endure many things—but being mocked for his looks while kneeling and washing feet? That was crossing a line.
Still, he bit his tongue and continued massaging, teeth clenched in silent fury.
If I pulled it out, I'd scare you half to death, brat…
---
Half an hour later—
Ye Junlin felt the communication ring in his pocket vibrate.
"Hm? A message from the Sect Leader."
He pulled it out. Xu Yonian's voice came through, tinged with both excitement and anxiety:
"Ye Shizhi, return to the sect immediately! Big news—an ancient secret realm is about to open in the Arid Province! If our Xuantian Sect can seize this opportunity, we may leap to the top!"
"Ancient secret realm?" Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow.
Even Hong Qianye looked visibly shaken.
Even someone of his strength wouldn't dare underestimate such a place. These were sacred grounds filled with ancient inheritances, enough to change a struggling cultivator's destiny and possibly push one toward immortality.
To be blunt—it might as well be called an Immortal's Secret Realm.
If he could obtain a powerful treasure and combine it with the terrifying might of the Three Thousand Flame Sutra, his cultivation would skyrocket.
"Who would've thought the barren Arid Province held something like this? The local cultivators are in for a windfall," Ye Junlin said thoughtfully.
But Hong Qianye scoffed inwardly. With his experience, he knew the truth—this secret wouldn't stay hidden for long.
Once the news got out, every major faction from the Eastern Domain would descend like wolves. What chance did the locals stand against such overwhelming forces?
This world only respected power.
Wolves travel a thousand miles for meat. Dogs? They're lucky to lick the bones.
Suddenly—
[Ding! New sign-in task released: The host will receive a pleasant surprise upon signing in at the Luotian Secret Realm!]
A familiar system prompt echoed in Ye Junlin's mind.
"Oh? What's the reward?"
[Ding! Hehehe~ That's a secret!]
"Tease," Ye Junlin muttered with a click of his tongue.
Still, since there was a task, he might as well head to the Luotian Secret Realm and see what awaited him.
After finishing his foot soak, Ye Junlin called Zhao Ling'er over in preparation for their departure from the Wei Kingdom.
"Say goodbye to your father. We won't be returning for a while."
Inside the Imperial Palace, Ye Junlin spoke calmly as he looked at the little girl.
Zhao Ling'er turned to her father—once a proud ruler, now looking older, his back slightly hunched. Her heart ached.
She thought of those childhood days, sitting on his shoulders, when he still seemed so strong.
"Father… I want to stay and take care of you," she whispered, eyes misting over.
"Nonsense!"
The Wei Emperor's face turned stern. "I'm not dead yet! You've joined the Xuantian Sect—do you know how many people would kill for that chance? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You mustn't waste it."
"…Alright." Zhao Ling'er lowered her head, voice soft.
The Wei Emperor turned to Ye Junlin and solemnly cupped his fists.
"Celestial Being, I will heed your teachings and strive to be a good ruler. I entrust my daughter to your care."
Ye Junlin waved it off. "Everyone walks their own path. Her future depends on her own effort. The Xuantian Sect won't mistreat her."
"Your words carry wisdom."
Zhao Ling'er stepped onto a drifting cloud summoned by Ye Junlin. As they rose, she wiped her tears and waved.
"Father, I'll come back to visit!"
The Wei Emperor watched with a faint smile before turning serious. He led the palace officials in kneeling, voices booming:
"We bid farewell to the Celestial Being!"
"Farewell, Celestial Being!!"
The chorus echoed through the vast palace like thunder.
As the capital faded behind them, Zhao Ling'er wiped her eyes and sneaked a glance at her two companions.
Especially Hong Qianye—with his cold beauty and calm composure, he looked like a fairy out of a dream.
"Sister Hong is so pretty… just not very talkative," she mumbled to herself.
But then, the memory of that earlier scene resurfaced—and her cheeks turned crimson. She lowered her head, too embarrassed to say anything.
Hong Qianye noticed her strange behavior and glanced at her, puzzled—but said nothing.
Weird girl…
---
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