The room was quite spacious, circular inside with a diameter of over ten meters, and a profound stillness reigned within. In your ears, aside from the sound of your own breathing, virtually no noise from the outside managed to penetrate.

The chamber held no furnishings save for the single floor cushion at its center. However, the surrounding circular walls were riddled with dense impressions of fists and palms, interspersed with long, narrow scratches—evidence, perhaps, that many who had cultivated their spiritual arts here had left their marks.

Nie Kong was immensely satisfied with this location. Elixirs that elevated one’s cultivation rank, unlike ordinary spiritual herbs, did not deliver an immediate effect but rather sustained the process over a considerable duration. This was especially true for something like the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill,” which promised a continuous two-rank increase, extending the time even further.

This period could last from as little as one or two days to seven or eight; encountering high-grade spiritual herbs might even see the effect sustained for half a month, or routinely for two or three months. During the time the medicine’s efficacy was taking hold, it was imperative not to be disturbed by anything; even a momentary distraction could easily lead to failure.

Seated cross-legged on the cushion, Nie Kong did not immediately consume the medicine. Instead, he calmed his mind and focused his spirit, beginning to cultivate the “Wood Sun True Spirit Art.” Last night, having absorbed the spiritual energy of Long Hun and Long Ting, Nie Kong had directly broken through to the seventh rank of the Spirit Connection realm. His cultivation was not yet fully stable, so cultivating for a while before taking the elixir was the most prudent course.

In the Scarlet Tower, at Nie Kong’s residence, Long Xuechan suddenly appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. With a face blooming with smiles and a graceful figure, she walked in, making directly for the kitchen.

“Sister Xuechan.”

Two joyful calls sounded simultaneously, as Long Hun and Long Ting emerged from the kitchen. Upon seeing Long Xuechan, they happily ran over to greet her.

Long Xuechan nodded with a gentle smile, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. A hint of confusion surfaced in her beautiful eyes: “Auntie Hun, Tingting, did Nie Kong really absorb your spiritual energy?”

“Yes, he did,” the two nodded happily, their eyes crinkling into crescent moons from their smiles. “Thank you, Sister Xuechan. Master is so good to us.”

“Silly girls, what’s there to thank? If Nie Kong were to treat you poorly, how could I have sent you to him?” Long Xuechan couldn't help but chuckle softly. Then, she looked surprised. “Auntie Hun, Tingting, since Nie Kong absorbed all your spiritual energy, how are you still virgins? Did he not… with you?”

“It seems not,” the two little girls blushed, their faces turning pink. Auntie Hun’s brow was clouded with hesitation, and she spoke in a low voice, “Sister Xuechan, we didn’t feel any pain at all.”

Long Ting nodded vigorously, “Mmm-hmm. Last night, Master gave us a bowl of medicinal water, and we quickly fell asleep. We don’t know what happened afterward. When we woke up, our clothes had been changed, and our voices were hoarse. Master said he found an old woman to change them for us.”

“How could that be?” Long Xuechan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Is there any residue of that medicinal water left? If not, even the bowl itself would do.”

Auntie Hun and Long Ting both shook their heads. Just as Long Xuechan felt a touch of disappointment, Auntie Hun’s eyes brightened, and she said, “Sister Xuechan, I think I saw some dregs in the trash bin in the kitchen just now.”

“Dregs are even better.”

With a flash of green shadow, Long Xuechan was already inside the kitchen. The two young maids couldn't fathom why she wanted the dregs, exchanging confused glances before following her in.

Nie Kong had brewed medicine twice; the residue from the first time had already been thrown into the wooden barrel, while this morning's dregs remained in the pot. Long Xuechan sniffed the air and immediately located the wooden barrel. Approaching it, she meticulously examined the dregs, rapidly murmuring the names of various herbs under her breath: “Enchanting Oriole Fruit… Lotus Birch Sapling… Tiny Cinnamon… Iron Vine Silver Coin…”

“It’s these nine types of medicine?”

Long Xuechan muttered to herself, frowning in deep thought. After a moment, the delicate furrows on her brow smoothed out, and she clapped her hands, laughing merrily, “So that’s how it is. How could I not have thought of it? Little sly fox, Nie Kong Brother, you actually managed to pull this off this way, hehehe…”

Long Xuechan finally understood why Nie Kong hadn't engaged intimately with Long Hun and Long Ting while absorbing their spiritual energy. He had used medicine to induce their arousal, thereby creating the same physiological effect as intimate coupling. No wonder their voices were hoarse and Nie Kong had arranged for a woman to change their clothes.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, the way Long Xuechan looked at Long Hun and Long Ting became slightly strange, further confusing the two young maids.

“Hmm? Wait a minute!”

Suddenly, Long Xuechan clapped her hands again with a sharp exclamation. “Just with medicine, even if it loosens the spiritual energy in the meridians momentarily, Nie Kong still wouldn’t be able to draw it out! After all, the chance to absorb the energy is fleeting; once that moment passes, the spiritual energy will solidify again.”

The two little maids began to dimly grasp the situation; Sister Xuechan still hadn't figured out how Nie Kong had absorbed their spiritual energy. Long Ting suddenly chimed in, “Sister Xuechan, last night Master asked you to take off your top, Sister, and he needled you twice. He drew out a little spiritual energy during the second time.”

Auntie Hun instantly flushed scarlet, glaring fiercely at her younger sister. She had considered this possibility long ago but was too embarrassed to mention it, only for her sister to blurt it out.

“Needled?”

Long Xuechan’s heart stirred, suddenly recalling the nine golden needles Nie Kong had inserted into her body when he consumed large amounts of precious spiritual medicine. “Oh? Tell me about it.”

The little maid then chattered animatedly about the whole process. By the end, not only was Long Hun mortified, but her own face was also flushed bright red.

“That explains it.”

Long Xuechan broke into a brilliant smile, a sudden clarity dawning in her mind. Melting the spiritual energy with medicine, then absorbing it with golden needles. The initial attempt must have only yielded a small amount of energy because the spiritual energy was difficult to liquefy.

She hadn’t expected his golden needles to have such an efficacy beyond just dissolving medicinal power. It was impressive that he had devised such a method in such a short time! Long Xuechan felt quite moved inwardly.

“Sister Xuechan, is it bad for Master to help me absorb my spiritual energy like this?” Auntie Hun asked softly, her shyness beginning to recede. Long Xuechan gently stroked the tops of the two young maids' heads and sighed softly, “It is good, but since you are soul-bound to Nie Kong, you are destined to follow him for life. If he always uses golden needles to absorb your energy, must you remain by his side as old maids your entire lives, never experiencing the joys of womanhood like others, and never bearing him any children?”

These words made the faces of Long Ting and Long Hun turn rosy and moist, yet a shimmering light appeared in their eyes, like rippling water.

Long Hun pouted, her small face contorted with distress, “Master asked our ages yesterday. I could tell—he definitely thinks my sister and I are too young.”

Long Ting puffed out her lips, “Exactly! Thirteen isn’t that old. Many girls get married and have children at thirteen. If they can, my sister and I can too.”

Long Xuechan found this highly amusing. “Hehehe, you two little things, don’t rush. Big Sister will soon help you achieve your wish. Alright, you two rest well. Big Sister is leaving.” Saying this, she vanished rapidly into the void, instantly disappearing without a trace.

This technique of merging with the void caused no surprise in Long Hun and Long Ting. At this moment, Long Xuechan’s earlier words echoed almost simultaneously in their minds: Big Sister will soon help you achieve your wish? Could Sister Xuechan persuade the Master to take them? The two little maids exchanged a fleeting glance filled with wild speculation before averting their eyes, both their hearts pounding wildly. But then, their gazes collided again, and they huddled together, chattering excitedly…

“Sister Mei Xian, looks like your calculation was off.”

In the Scarlet Tower, in the top-floor pavilion, Long Xuechan’s seductive, provocative laughter rang out again. She was currently draped languidly across Long Mei Xian’s chaise lounge, sprawled wide with her limbs spread, especially her long, beautiful right leg propped high upon the wooden frame of the chair. Her green skirt had slipped down to her waist, exposing the shape of her elegant, rounded hips and her snow-white, smooth skin, with even a hint of her pink undergarment peeking through—utterly alluring.

Seeing her pose, Long Mei Xian frowned slightly, but this time she offered no reminder about decorum. She merely glanced over before continuing to pace back and forth in the room.

After a long while, she shook her head. “Indeed, I miscalculated. I thought that a young man full of vigor, one who had never known the taste of a woman, suddenly given two such lovely little handmaidens, and with the pretense of absorbing their spiritual energy to save their lives, would naturally take them without reservation.

“If that had happened, the ‘Secret Mark Imprint’ of our Dragon Spirit Clan would have been perfectly branded onto his soul at the moment our spiritual essence and flesh reached their zenith of fusion. With the ‘Secret Mark Imprint’ in place, he would truly be one of our Dragon Spirit Clan family, and even if we asked a difficult favor of him later, he would find it hard to refuse.

“Who would have thought he could exercise such restraint, and even use golden needles to draw out the medicinal effects from Auntie Hun and Tingting.”

“I told you earlier,” Long Xuechan said with a smiling air, “When dealing with someone like Nie Kong Brother, you must appeal to his emotions, not rely on tricks like these. Since this didn’t work, I say we follow my suggestion! As long as we genuinely treat him as a friend, he won’t refuse us when we need help.”

Long Mei Xian’s voice was calm, but her tone was exceptionally resolute. “No. Nie Kong’s nine golden needles are so miraculous; that makes it even more imperative that we leave the ‘Secret Mark Imprint’ on his soul. Xuechan, you even call him ‘Brother’; you haven’t truly started treating him like a younger brother, have you?”

“You—”

Long Xuechan choked, rolling her eyes dramatically. Her long, fair leg swung down, returning to the ground as she stood up in a huff. “Can’t you stop being so stubborn! And can’t you stop being so utterly calm about everything? Sometimes, when handling matters, can you use a little emotion?”

“No,” Long Mei Xian’s expression remained utterly unmoved as she uttered that single syllable calmly.

Long Xuechan was left speechless for a moment, then finally conceded, “Fine. Since you insist, I’m not getting involved in this. Do whatever you want. If you mess things up later, don’t expect me to help you clean up the mess.” Before her words finished, Long Xuechan turned to leave.

“Stop!” Long Mei Xian called out sharply. “You are an Elder of our Dragon Spirit Clan, and you share this heavy responsibility with me. How can you stand aside? I actually have something right now that I need your help with.”

“You—you—” Long Xuechan gritted her teeth in anger, suddenly flashing in front of Long Mei Xian. She seized the other woman’s delicate cheeks with both hands, pulling and stretching them, twisting her exquisitely beautiful face into a series of bizarre shapes. Long Mei Xian offered no resistance, allowing her to act out her whims.

After a long while, Long Xuechan released her hands, looking at the face that was now bright red from her pulling. She let out a long breath, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “That felt good! Alright, tell me, my esteemed Elder Sister, what favor do you need now? If it’s something too difficult, I might not be able to manage it?”

Long Mei Xian smiled faintly and produced a sheet of paper from her embrace. “It’s not difficult; I just need you to refine a certain medicine. Here is the prescription. The higher the integration rate, the better.”

Long Xuechan took the prescription and quickly scanned it. Her eyes instantly widened until they were perfectly round. “This is for him? You actually had this prepared in advance?”

Long Mei Xian replied calmly, “I was merely preparing for a contingency. This is the benefit of being composed.”

Long Xuechan’s red lips twitched, and she flashed a charming, exasperated look at Long Mei Xian. “I won’t refine this kind of medicine. If you want it refined, find someone else.”

Long Mei Xian reminded her gently, “Don’t forget you are an Elder of the Dragon Spirit Clan!”

“Fine!” Hearing this, Long Xuechan’s head drooped. “But I’ve never refined this medicine before. I don’t know if I can succeed. Moreover, our Apothecary Hall has been out of stock of two of the medicinal herbs for a long time. As for whether our branch halls in other countries have them, I have no idea.”

“I will procure the herbs. You focus on researching how to refine it. Of course, getting him to consume it is also your responsibility.”

“You’re handing that over to me too? Long Mei Xian, you shouldn’t use my identity to act from now on!”

“Impossible. This matter is non-negotiable.”

“Let’s begin!”

Nie Kong, who had been deeply immersed in his cultivation, finally opened his eyes. He summoned the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” from his pet inventory and held it in his palm. Illuminated by the pure white light emanating from the moonstone on the ceiling, the single, emerald-green spiritual herb glittered brilliantly, dazzling the eye.

His lips parted slightly, and as the elixir entered his mouth, a wave of cool energy instantly spread, making Nie Kong feel refreshed throughout his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

The moment he swallowed the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill,” Nie Kong again circulated the “Wood Sun True Spirit Art.” The three spiritual apertures of the Spirit God realm vibrated intensely. The spiritual energy within his meridians also began to undulate slightly, and the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” seemed compelled by this force, obediently moving toward the apertures.

Ah-ya-ya.

The little fellow swayed its stem and leaves, seemingly letting out a yawn. Immediately afterward, the tender sprout softened and floated horizontally above the pool of inky-green blood. Unlike Spirit Masters, the little fellow generally disdained finished spiritual medicines. Even the sixth-rank spiritual herb, the “Crimson Float Pill,” which the Nie family had purchased for fifty-one million gold coins at the ‘Thousand Spirits Medicine Fair’ in Jiyang City, hadn't managed to capture the little fellow’s attention. Naturally, it held even less interest in this second-rank medicine, the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill.”

Several seconds later, the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” trembled slightly, and a trace of its medicinal power diffused, integrating into the apertures in tiny specks.

“Boom!”

A violent tremor echoed. The spiritual energy within the “Spirit God Three Apertures” began to vibrate more and more fiercely, soon resembling a raging hurricane. Violent spiritual energy slammed back and forth within the apertures, raging wildly, seemingly intent on tearing Nie Kong’s three apertures to shreds.

In the blink of an eye, this “hurricane” reached his Extraordinary and Twelve Primary Meridians.

Instantly, all the spiritual energy in Nie Kong’s body surged chaotically. The immense thrust tore at his various meridians, and an indescribable pain shot from all over his body into his heart, making Nie Kong feel as if he had been instantly ripped into countless fragments by that sliver of medicinal power.

“Jade Leaf Glazed Pill—such potent energy!”

Nie Kong’s face twitched slightly, but his mind remained undisturbed. The sudden, sharp pain lasted only a few seconds before merging into the surging spiritual energy. But before Nie Kong could catch his breath, another trace of medicinal power separated from the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” amid the aperture’s trembling.

The previous wave of pain had barely subsided when another wave of agony layered on top. Nie Kong couldn't help but twitch slightly again, fine beads of sweat seeping onto his forehead.

As the medicinal power continued to separate and integrate, the fine sweat gradually turned into large droplets that poured down, dripping from Nie Kong’s cheeks onto his chest.

Not long after, all of Nie Kong’s clothes were soaked through with sweat. The perspiration flowed over the jade-carved cushion, accumulating into a small pool on the floor. The pain arrived like a surging tsunami as the medicinal power diffused, relentlessly assailing Nie Kong’s nerves. By this point, his body was almost numb, but the tearing, agonizing pain became clearer in his consciousness, contorting his features.

The only solace for Nie Kong was the formless barrier that was becoming clearer and clearer in his perception.

“Boom!”

After an indeterminate amount of time, amidst a sharp, resonant tremor, another wisp of medicinal power detached itself from the spiritual herb. By now, the azure spiritual medicine had shrunk by a full circle, diminishing from the size of an adult’s pinky finger to that of a peanut, though it remained plump and translucent.

The energy was quickly integrated by the oscillating spiritual power. Sensing that the intensity of the spiritual energy within him was reaching the limit before a breakthrough, Nie Kong endured the dizziness-inducing pain, moved his will, and the vibrating spiritual energy in his meridians found an outlet, surging and flowing toward the “Spirit God Three Apertures.”

All the spiritual energy condensed and compressed within the apertures, then exploded outward.

“Bang!”

As if a powder magazine had been ignited, the sudden explosion created a sound so immense it burst out of his body, roaring through the room like a thunderclap, causing the very chamber to tremble and hum incessantly. Inside his body, the spiritual energy reversed its flow, rushing back into the meridians, while that invisible barrier instantly shattered into fragments, and the apertures were widened considerably.

Spirit Connection, Eighth Rank!

Nie Kong didn’t have a moment to register any joy. Another stream of medicinal power detached from the spiritual herb, tearing at Nie Kong’s consciousness like countless tiny hands. Nie Kong continued to clench his teeth and endure, letting the bone-piercing agony relentlessly wash over him.

For Spirit Masters within the three realms of Spirit Gathering, Spirit Connection, and Spirit Fusion, the process of using spiritual medicine to elevate their cultivation rank always involved this painful ordeal. Only upon reaching the Spirit Transformation realm could a Spirit Master condense their Spiritual Sense, which allowed them to effectively resist the physical agony brought on by consuming spiritual medicine. However, at that stage, while the physical pain could be offset, a far more perilous situation awaited any Spirit Master attempting to take shortcuts.

For Spirit Masters below the Spirit Fusion realm, the most common failure when using spiritual medicine was simply that the efficacy didn't take hold. At worst, their apertures might be damaged, but they could recover after a period of cultivation and recuperation. But once reaching Spirit Transformation or higher, failure could result in the apertures being violently shattered, or even death.

Shortcuts are not easily walked. If one wishes to walk the path of expediency, one must pay a price. For Nie Kong, the torment he was experiencing now was the cost of his shortcut. He had to bear it, because not bearing it meant failure, and from that point forward, the efficacy of this “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” would be forever beyond his reach.

When the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill” shrank from the size of a peanut to that of a soybean, Nie Kong had long since stopped sweating. Even the sweat-drenched clothes had dried from the heat of his body. The skin exposed outside his clothing had changed from its earlier pallor to a ghastly cyan.

When the spiritual medicine shrank to the size of a grain of millet, the dark blue skin had turned crimson, and faint beads of blood began to seep out from his pores, dotting his clothes with red stains.

By the time the spiritual medicine was as small as a grain of rice, Nie Kong had completely transformed into a blood man. His body was lacerated and bleeding profusely, his clothes stained red, and a small area surrounding the cushion was saturated with the blood flowing from his body. Apart from a few strands of black hair faintly visible, there were no other extraneous colors on Nie Kong’s body; his appearance was terrifyingly savage.

In this secret chamber, the air was thick with the pungent smell of blood.

Time continued to crawl by. The eruption of medicinal power caused the spiritual energy within his body to continuously collide, leaving dense, spider-web cracks in his Extraordinary and Twelve Primary Meridians. Nie Kong’s consciousness had become sluggish, his head feeling as if burdened by a mountain, his body swaying slightly, looking as if he could collapse at any moment.

Nie Kong had no idea how long had passed since he consumed the medicine. At this moment, he was relying solely on the sheer willpower honed from his practice of the “Nine Revolutions Golden Needle Technique” to maintain his hold.

Sensing the situation inside Nie Kong, the little fellow—who had been circling above the pool of inky-green blood—revealed all its anxiety and panic through the violent writhing of its roots and stems. But under these circumstances, the little fellow dared not use its ‘Spring Breeze Transformation’ to restore Nie Kong’s body, lest it disturb Nie Kong’s absorption of the “Jade Leaf Glazed Pill’s” power. Nor dared it utter any “Ah-ya-ya” calls, as each cry was a surge of thought that would surely distract Nie Kong. The little fellow could only wait anxiously.

Nie Kong’s internal spiritual energy strength was slowly increasing. Unconsciously, he had already covered a great distance compared to when he had first reached the ‘Spirit Connection, Eighth Rank.’ Faintly, Nie Kong sensed that barrier again; it was already very clear, having obviously manifested long ago, though Nie Kong hadn't noticed it before.

“Here it comes!”

Nie Kong's spirit soared, his consciousness sharpening slightly. In his mind, the violent and magnificent spiritual power within him surged, just as before, rushing toward the Three Spiritual Apertures of the Spirit God.

"Poison!"

A sudden, explosive sound resonated within the aperture. The barrier wavered for only a moment before standing firm, and the spiritual power immediately dispersed into his meridians. Shaken by such a violent impact, a wisp of medicinal essence from the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" within the aperture suddenly separated, amounting to nearly the sum of the previous two efforts combined.

The sudden surge of pain caused Nie Kong's consciousness to dim even further.

Nie Kong sharply bit the tip of his tongue, his hand trembling as he picked up the spare golden needle resting on his knee, plunging it into his lower abdomen. The needle tip drove directly into the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill," which now barely amounted to a speck. Spiritual power flooded in, and the spiritual markings erupted in a green radiance. Nie Kong gave a slight twist with his fingers, and the golden needle immediately began to vibrate violently.

"Buzz!"

The remaining trace of the medicinal substance burst apart, its potent essence instantaneously scattering like autumn leaves swept by the wind, surging through all his meridians.

In that instant, Nie Kong nearly passed out.

"Get back here, you bastard!" With the medicinal power of the Jade Leaf Glazed Pill completely dissolved, Nie Kong could no longer concern himself with calming his mind; he let out a sudden, roaring shout. The spiritual power, which had been surging wildly through his meridians, now pressed into the "Three Spiritual Apertures of the Spirit God" with the force of an overwhelming tide!

"Boom!"

Like a massive hammer striking a drum, an explosion roared within the aperture. The Heavenly Needle in the Jade Pool Aperture shot out, and Nie Kong simultaneously spat a mouthful of blood, his body stiffening as he fell backward. In the moment his consciousness began to sink, Nie Kong felt an extraordinary clarity open up within him—it was like drinking the finest nectar, a sensation of ultimate comfort.

Spirit Attunement Ninth Grade?

A fleeting thought crossed his mind. Nie Kong stilled completely.

"Aiya ya ya!"

The little creature, having held back for so long, finally needed no restraint. It let out a high-pitched shriek, manifesting "Spring Breeze Turning Rain" to its utmost perfection. Six streams of green shot out from the Jade Pool Aperture, setting off fireworks across various parts of Nie Kong's body. The vibrant, verdant glow desperately merged into Nie Kong's form.

"Ugh!"

After an indeterminate amount of time, Nie Kong groaned, and his hazy consciousness finally returned to clarity. He shot upright, paused for a moment to assess himself, and felt aching all over, yet his meridians were restored. The spiritual power within him was indeed surging like a tide—it was truly Spirit Attunement Ninth Grade!

Joy flickered across Nie Kong’s brow. Looking again at the little creature, he saw its stalk was bent, its three leaves drooping, and its roots listless—clearly the result of expending too much innate medicinal power. Though not as disastrous as the time the medicine cauldron exploded, it was close.

He hadn't expected a single "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" to cause Xiang Xiang to suffer such a great loss of life-force essence twice!

Nie Kong felt both grateful and ashamed. Without this little creature, the "Jade Leaf Glazed Pill" could not exist, and after reaching Spirit Attunement Ninth Grade, he would likely need ten days to half a month to recuperate! Without further hesitation, Nie Kong quickly pulled out the "Eight-Starred Conch," snapped off two stalks, and clenched them in his palm. Then, he frantically circulated the "Wood Yang True Spirit Art," channeling all the absorbed medicinal fragrance to sustain the little creature.

When the two stalks ceased emitting any medicinal scent, the little creature's spirits had recovered considerably, and Nie Kong finally relaxed slightly. Taking a deep breath, the thick, pungent smell of blood nearly made him pass out again. Glancing down at his own body, Nie Kong quickly gathered the medicinal herbs and pulled out the golden needle stuck in the opposite wall. He hurried out of the secret chamber.

The exit to the passage was in a room on the east wing of the medicine hall. Pushing the door open, Nie Kong strode out amidst the stunned gazes of the medicine hall attendants. Only upon reaching the outside did he realize the sky had already turned to evening, and he had no idea how many days he had spent secluded in that chamber.

Nie Kong didn't stop to ask questions; the most urgent thing now was to wash the bloodstains from his body.

"Master?"

The two young maids, Long Hun and Long Ting, heard the movement and emerged from the main hall. They were startled to see a shadow, completely crimson, rushing in. Only after clearly recognizing the face did they realize it was Nie Kong. Their faces immediately filled with worry, and tears nearly spilled from their eyes.

Seeing this, a warmth spread through Nie Kong’s heart. "I'm fine. Boil some hot water for me; I need a bath."

Long Hun quickly replied, "Master, the water is already boiling."

Long Ting added, "A few days ago, Sister Xue Chan came and gave us instructions to keep hot water ready for when Master came out."

"Oh?"

Nie Kong paused in slight surprise, not expecting Long Xue Chan to have thought of that too. Without stopping, Nie Kong strode quickly into the kitchen. With a glance, he hopped into the large bathtub that had been prepared, and his clothes flew out of the tub one by one.

The two young maids, disregarding the shyness of seeing a man’s body for the first time, continuously poured the warm water from the large pot into the tub. When the bath was full, Nie Kong leaned back inside and fell asleep.

Long Hun and Long Ting exchanged a look, then simultaneously, their young faces flushed red, they stepped into the tub and began to scrub Nie Kong's body...