About ten minutes later, Yun Yun and Ya Fei returned to the herb-collecting team, riding atop the majestic Amethyst Winged Lion King.
"W-Warcraft?!"
"A lion?!"
"No... that's the Amethyst Winged Lion King!"
The sudden appearance of the fearsome magical beast caused panic among the herb-collecting team. Some of the more timid members screamed and scattered in fear.
With a heavy thud, the Amethyst Winged Lion King landed and let out a low roar, releasing a wave of spirit pressure. Several of the team members' legs gave out, and one even wet his pants on the spot.
"W-Wait... isn't that... the Little Medical Fairy?!"
Someone finally recognized the two figures who had jumped down from the lion's back—Ya Fei and Xiao Yixian. In Ya Fei's arms was the unconscious Yun Yun.
Ya Fei gently stroked the lion's mane, whispering a few words to soothe the beast. At this moment, she felt the weight of her new identity—she was now a lion knight. With the backing of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, few in the entire Jia Ma Empire would dare look down on her again.
The herb-collecting team soon realized the beast wasn't hostile to them. Seeing Ya Fei and Xiao Yixian atop its back helped ease their fear.
Ye Feng stepped out of the carriage with a thought, appearing beside them.
"Xiao Yixian, you'll escort the team back to Wanyaozhai," he instructed. "Ya Fei, have the Amethyst Winged Lion King accompany them."
"Understood." Ya Fei nodded.
"What about you?" asked the Little Medical Fairy, clearly reluctant.
"Ya Fei's cultivation progressed too quickly. Her foundation is unstable," Ye Feng explained calmly. "She needs to temper herself in the forest before returning."
Indeed, Ya Fei had suddenly leapt from the seventh stage of Dou Practitioner to the Dou Master realm. Ye Feng could sense that her spirit energy in the dantian was still unstable.
"But... I'm in the same situation, aren't I?" the Little Medical Fairy said, looking at him with concern.
"I know you have other plans," Ye Feng replied, smiling knowingly.
In the original timeline, not long after awakening her Poison Physique, Xiao Yixian had left for the Chu Yun Empire or Izumo Empire—the land of poison masters. Now, she had awakened an even stronger variant: the Sacred Poison Physique. It was inevitable she would leave soon to seek her own path.
The Little Medical Fairy nodded. "Yes."
"If you ever want to train here again, just follow the Amethyst Winged Lion King. It has formed a spirit contract with Ya Fei and can sense her position at all times," Ye Feng added. "Escort the team back first. Once you're ready, you'll be able to find us."
"Alright." Xiao Yixian smiled.
Ya Fei noticed her expression and couldn't help but squint slightly.
As a woman, she could sense Xiao Yixian's affection for Ye Feng.
A few moments later, Ya Fei, carrying Yun Yun, followed Ye Feng to a hidden cave behind a waterfall, while Xiao Yixian led the team back to Wanyaozhai under the lion king's protection.
---
Inside the cave, Ye Feng looked around at the uneven rocky walls. With a wave of his hand, a gust of wind cleared the loose stones and debris. Then, extending his index finger, he released sword qi that carved the cliffside with precision.
Not long after, he had shaped the crude cavern into a proper dwelling: four bedrooms and a living room. Each bedroom spanned roughly thirty square meters, and the central hall was about one hundred square meters.
Ye Feng then brought out stone furniture—a bed, table, and chairs—from his storage spirit guide. He also laid out soft quilts atop each stone bed.
"Put her down," Ye Feng said gently.
"Ah... right."
Ya Fei snapped out of her awe and laid Yun Yun carefully on one of the stone beds. Glancing around, she asked curiously, "Is this her room?"
"Most likely," Ye Feng replied.
"Then... can I pick one too?" Ya Fei asked, blinking playfully.
"Of course."
"Thank you, Master Ye," she smiled, her eyes glittering with mischief.
When she smiled like that, her charm intensified. Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, sending electric jolts through the air.
"You little witch," Ye Feng muttered, feeling a sudden heat rise from his lower abdomen.
He hadn't been close to a woman in quite some time. Some needs naturally built up. And if they weren't released...
"Master Ye?" Ya Fei tilted her head. "What were you mumbling just now?"
"I was asking... when are you giving me that massage you promised?"
"Eh?"
"What? Planning to go back on your word?"
"N-No! It's just... are you sure you want a full massage?"
"Of course. A bet is a bet."
"But... there's a difference between men and women," Ya Fei said softly, barely louder than a whisper. Yet her words held layered meaning.
An all-round massage. No blind spots. No omissions.
Ye Feng's smile grew more wicked. "What? Scared?"
"Who's scared!?" Ya Fei pouted. "Come on, I'll give you your massage."
"Perfect. Follow me."
Ye Feng led her to one of the rooms, laid a quilt down on the bed, and sprawled across it. "Let's begin."
Ya Fei blushed deeply. She glanced at Ye Feng, then looked away, bashfully. "Um... could you not lie down like that?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Could you maybe... cover your eyes instead?"
"Seriously?"
Ye Feng chuckled. He thought of the classic scene between Xiaolongnu and Yang Guo. Was she treating him the same way?
"Alright, alright."
He obliged, taking a red cloth from his spirit guide and covering his eyes.
Not that it mattered. With his spirit cultivation now at the Emperor level, whether his eyes were covered or not made little difference.
"Ahh... that's nice..."
---
Half an hour later, Xiao Yixian returned on the Amethyst Winged Lion King and entered the cave—only to walk in on Ya Fei massaging Ye Feng.
But instead of reacting with surprise, she merely smiled. In the Jia Ma Empire, it was normal for personal maids to serve their masters like this. Some, especially those from noble households, even became concubines.
Xiao Yixian didn't care. She quietly began decorating one of the stone rooms with herbs and flowers.
---
"Ah!"
A startled voice rang out at the doorway.
Ye Feng sat up abruptly and tore the red cloth from his eyes—only to find Yun Yun standing in the entrance, staring wide-eyed.
"What? Never seen a massage before?" he asked casually.
"M-Massage?" Yun Yun echoed.
"Yeah. What else did you think it was?" he raised an eyebrow.
"I-I thought you two were...!" Yun Yun blushed furiously, unable to finish her sentence. Her heart raced.
"Master Ye, should we stop here for today?" Ya Fei asked gently.
"But there are still spots left un-massaged..." Ye Feng muttered in frustration. They had been right in the middle of it when Yun Yun showed up.
That settled it—he needed to finish crafting doors for all the rooms. He didn't want anyone interrupting his massages again at crucial moments.
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