Chapter 98 098 Hiding from me?

The following day, the Shu Mountain cultivators arrived at Dingchan.

Although everyone had experience entering the Spirit Treasure Realm, in the past, each time it was a joint effort involving the forces of various major powers in the cultivation world. This time, instead of forming a team, they would be going solo, so they needed to plan carefully before setting off.

Those who went missing were no ordinary people; even the peak master of Danqing Peak, Xu Yuanzi, came in person this time. His most prized disciples, Yin Xiaozhu and Qi Chang, were also among them.

Early in the morning, Lu Yuanyuan left the inn under the pretext that "before entering the Lingbao Secret Realm, she, as a representative of Shushan, would go and check on the condition of Ahui and her daughter," leaving only Fu Xinguang and Duan Lansheng to receive the people from Shushan.

She didn't need the involvement of insignificant people in making plans. Rather than being with a large group of disciples, she preferred to spend a day alone outside for some peace and quiet.

Ah Hui and her daughter have now moved to the eastern part of Dingchan City, living in a small villa with a tranquil lake behind the house. After visiting Ah Hui with gifts, Lu Yuanyuan stood on the street for a while, not going back immediately, but turning to go to the lakeside.

Several covered boats are moored by the lake; a spirit stone can be exchanged for the right to use them for a day.

The tree on the shore was a crooked old tree with lush leaves and branches laden with fruit. As it brushed past the awning boat, a dozen or so round fruits fell down with a clatter, hitting Lu Yuanyuan on the back a few times.

This is a natural, pollution-free delicacy; why not take advantage of it? Lu Yuanyuan picked up the orange, placed it beside her, untied the boat's ropes, and let it sway gently away from the shore.

As dusk approached, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon the lake, creating shimmering waves. Beneath these golden hues, the dark shadows of fish darted about. Lu Yuanyuan tossed a few small pieces of torn bread into the water, instantly stirring the calm surface. Leaning on the railing, she watched the small fish nibbling at the bait, silently anticipating tomorrow's events.

Master Xugu inexplicably went to the Spirit Treasure Secret Realm and then inexplicably disappeared, which is the cause of the dungeon [Bone Erosion].

In her previous life, this instance was indeed triggered in the same way. However, given that she had successfully defiled Duan Lansheng in the Spirit Treasure Realm in her past life, her life had undergone a dramatic change, and her situation in Shu Mountain had become extremely difficult. She was preoccupied with her own affairs and had no energy to care about others. But she vaguely remembered that they hadn't found Master Xugu on this trip.

However, none of that mattered to her.

Once she's done what she needs to do, she'll just pack up and escape to the mortal realm. Even if the Earth explodes the next second, it won't concern her.

The lake breeze was cool and refreshing, with a slightly muddy smell, which felt very comfortable. Lu Yuanyuan slowed down her movements as she broke open a steamed bun. While gazing blankly at the lake, she suddenly heard very light footsteps behind her: "So you were hiding here. I've been looking for you for a while."

The familiar voice instantly dispelled her drowsiness. Lu Yuanyuan turned around abruptly and saw Yin Xiaozhu standing a few meters away on the shore. He was too tall to bend down, so he had to use his hands to push aside the branches that were obstructing his view, and he was smiling slightly at her.

The distance between the boat and the shore was no problem for him at all. Lu Yuanyuan's vision blurred, and then she heard a "thump," the boat trembled slightly, and he had already stepped onto the bow of the awning boat, stepped down, and sat down beside her, bringing with him a delicate fragrance of agarwood: "What are you doing here?"

The ship wasn't small, but the air seemed to suddenly become cramped and difficult to circulate.

Lu Yuanyuan's neck stiffened slightly, but her fingers started moving again as she continued to break the steamed bun, pretending to be nonchalant: "I'm feeding the fish."

When Yin Xiaozhu used to hold her on his lap, she never imagined that one day she would feel uncomfortable just being with this person.

Yin Xiaozhu didn't speak, but Lu Yuanyuan could feel his gaze on her face. She tried to focus her attention on the ripples, broke the last piece of steamed bun into pieces, threw it into the lake, clapped her hands, and stood up: "I'm done feeding them, I should go back now. I rented this boat until tonight, Yuanjun, you can stay here, it's alright."

Having said that, she hurriedly took a step, about to leave the ship.

Seeing her avoidance, Yin Xiaozhu's lips tightened slightly, and he suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist: "Wait."

Unexpectedly, he grabbed her hand, and she reacted sharply, jerking her hand back. One foot was already on the edge of the boat, and pulling her hand away too quickly...

With a splash, the reflection of the setting sun shattered into pieces, and she fell into the lake.

The lake water was cold this time of year and deeper than she had imagined. Although she could swim, gravity caused her to sink straight down a short distance upon entering the water. She flailed her arms, held her breath, and pushed upwards, feeling her legs sink into soft, mushy mud, her calves entangled in soft algae. Just as she was about to forcefully kick them off, she heard another splash, and then a hand grabbed her waist, lifting her out of the water like a child.

Tears streamed down her face. Lu Yuanyuan coughed and realized that her hands were on Yin Xiaozhu's shoulders. Because of their positions, his face was right in front of her chest, and his breath was on her chest.

Lu Yuanyuan pursed her lips and reflexively covered his face with her palm.

The lake was deep enough to submerge her head, yet Yin Xiaozhu stood steadily in it. His hairpins had come undone, water droplets clung to his brow bone, and strands of his dark hair tangled and swayed on the water's surface.

The next second, she was lifted out of the water and pulled back onto the boat by him. Her clothes were completely wet and heavy, and she had lost one shoe. Just as she was feeling annoyed, the boat jolted, and Yin Xiaozhu also flipped onto the boat. He didn't seem to care that her hair was disheveled; he brushed his hair aside and leaned over to her.

Lu Yuanyuan had no choice but to back away, forced into the cabin of the awning boat. In the dim light, his beautiful eyes were unfathomably deep, his dark eyebrows and red lips like a demon emerging from the water. After staring at her at such close range for a moment, he suddenly spoke: "Avoiding me?"

Lu Yuanyuan's fingers tightened, and she retorted, "I wasn't avoiding you."

The moment she finished speaking, her cheek was pinched hard. The other person seemed unconvinced and scoffed, "Run away as soon as you see me? You think I'd eat you?"

"That's just your overthinking... Achoo!"

Lu Yuanyuan deliberately sniffed and sneezed slightly. Noticing that he had stopped speaking, she lowered her head and shrank back pitifully: "I want to change my clothes first."

Yin Xiaozhu was silent for a moment, and the next second, the hand on her cheek was released.

There were clean clothes in the storage ring. Lu Yuanyuan took out the clothes and pressed her fingers on the belt. Suddenly she realized that Yin Xiaozhu did not intend to leave.

Her heart started pounding.

Is he going to stay here and watch her change?

When she first arrived at Mount Shu, in order to treat the Bone-Piercing Bone Disease and because she didn't know he was a man, she often changed clothes in front of him. Back then, while Yin Xiaozhu wouldn't stop her, he seemed uninterested in her body and never stared at her like he did now…

She was momentarily distracted when she heard the other person's leisurely voice: "Why haven't you changed yet?"

Lu Yuanyuan's fingertips stiffened slightly. She was annoyed but dared not lash out. She gritted her teeth and began to take off her clothes.

She felt that Yin Xiaozhu probably still suspected that she knew he was a man.

If she avoids the question now, it would be an admission of guilt. She won't fall for it; it's just a glance, it won't hurt her.

With each layer of clothing removed, her damp skin splattered with goosebumps in the wind. Lu Yuanyuan turned slightly away, wiped herself with a cloth, and changed her clothes before saying, "Alright, it's your turn. Your clothes are wet too. Come in and change. I'll keep watch outside."

This time, Yin Xiaozhu didn't refuse. Lu Yuanyuan climbed out, but there was no door to the cabin, so she sat down with her back to it. As she was twisting her long hair, she suddenly heard two voices from the shore: "Hey, Junior Sister Lu, Ah Hui said you were here, and you really are here!"

Lu Yuanyuan was startled. She looked up and saw Fu Xinguang and Duan Lansheng walking towards her. Although the sun had set and the light on the lake had dimmed, it wasn't difficult to see who was on the boat at such a close distance.

At the same time, the person in the cabin seemed to have heard the sound as well; she could even feel the other person's breath approaching on the back of her neck.

She put on such a show last night, all to imply to Duan Lansheng that she was being bullied. Duan Lansheng finally took the bait, which is why he told her not to be alone with Yin Xiaozhu. If he sees her with Yin Xiaozhu the next day, yesterday's lie will lose much of its credibility.

She was going to enter the Spirit Treasure Realm tomorrow, and she absolutely wouldn't allow anyone to sabotage her.

Lu Yuanyuan quickly reached out to push his body away. Because her hand had limited range of motion, in the chaos, she pressed Yin Xiaozhu's head down onto her thigh. At the same time, people on the shore had already pushed aside the branches and leaves. Adjusting her position would make too much noise, and there was no time to do so. She hurriedly grabbed her coat and covered her thighs, then used the awning to shield him from the head and shoulders.

"..."

The next moment, Duan Lansheng and Fu Xinguang arrived at the shore one after the other. Standing on the bank, they looked at her from the boat. Fu Xinguang seemed oblivious to anything amiss, glanced around, and said, "Wow, the scenery here is really nice, quite peaceful. Junior Sister Lu, have you been here all day? What have you been doing?"

“Ah Hui told me about this place. I took a nap here this afternoon…”

Fu Xinguang laughed and said, "You can sleep all afternoon on such a hard ship?"

Feeling the person on her thigh move, Lu Yuanyuan tensed her expression, reached inside her clothes, and pressed down on him. But without looking, she was still a little off-target; her fingertips pressed against a soft, dry spot.

It's the lips.

The person on the lap fell silent instantly, as if they had held their breath.

Lu Yuanyuan curled her fingers, carefully moved her hand away, and forced herself to continue, "I wasn't sleeping the whole time, I even fed the fish for a while."

The last syllable of "fish" trembled slightly as she uttered it. She felt her wrist being held down, rendering her immobile. Then, her fingers were gently placed into a warm mouth.

My knuckle stung; I'd been bitten in retaliation.

After the initial pain from biting, there is a gentle sucking sensation.