The fairy-like, cold, and otherworldly Jingliu was stunned.
She had never imagined that she would one day hear such words as "what a turn-off" coming from this little lecher's mouth.
And yet, Jingliu couldn't refute it.
Because the thought she'd just had was, indeed, rather shocking to the world.
To actually hope that Ye Feng would go and do the Aeon of Abundance…
When Jingliu realized this, she too felt lost.
What was wrong with her?
Had the long-term erosion of the Mara clouded her mind?
But then another thought occurred to her. If it was Ye Feng, dragging the Aeon of Abundance into this to do it… it didn't seem all that strange, did it?
"Master, your idea is a bit ahead of its time. It's too depraved. Please forgive your disciple for being unable to comply."
As Ye Feng spoke, he slightly curved his palms, forming an ambiguous semicircle.
Bringing his two palms together, he created a round opening of flesh.
Then, four more arms materialized behind his back. All four arms rested gently on the tabletop, while the remaining two pairs also formed openings, connecting with the first—
Thus, a deep, cavernous hole of palm-flesh was formed.
"Even if the Aeon of Abundance has six arms, and even if it could do such a thing… ahem, it's still not okay."
Ye Feng said… with firm, firm conviction.
Jingliu's brow twitched slightly as she watched the shape her wicked disciple was making with his hands.
"…"
Was his mind completely fixated on that?
Ye Feng retracted his arms. "Actually, there's no need to envy the Aeon of Abundance. Mama Aponia can do the same thing. When she uses her ultimate ability, arms of light also extend out. Hmm, if it were Mama Aponia, she could do it even better than the Aeon of Abundance."
Ye Feng made up his mind to try it out later.
It would surely be a unique experience.
After all, fingers were more agile, offering a great deal of room for manipulation. And one could truly play the piano.
Jingliu was utterly speechless now. Her only fear was that this wicked disciple would suddenly blurt out, "Master, your sword-wielding hands wouldn't be so bad either."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave for today."
"Wait."
"Is there something?"
"Eh? Does Master not know? The power of a [Contract] can be enhanced."
"Is that so."
"Of course. When have I ever deceived you, Master?"
Noticing Jingliu's cup was empty, Ye Feng poured her more tea.
"According to your understanding, there are three ways to kill an Aeon:
One is Path Collision through conceptual overlap: A broader Path will absorb a narrower one. For example, Tayzzyronth, the Aeon of [Propagation], was assimilated by Xipe of [The Harmony], like a big fish swallowing a small one.
Two is Divine War between Aeons: The stronger party will eliminate the weaker one. For example, Akivili of [The Trailblaze] was destroyed by multiple Aeons ganging up on him.
And the third is by accident or special circumstances…
From the second point, we can see that they can be 'beaten to death.' They aren't some untouchable existence, just 'slightly stronger' living beings.
In other words, Master, as long as you increase your power to a level stronger than an Aeon, won't you be able to slay Abundance?
How about that? Simple, isn't it?"
Jingliu lifted her teacup, remaining silent. "…"
Ye Feng's way of putting it was like saying, "Alright, now that you know 1+1=2 and can skillfully apply the rules of mathematical calculation, let's solve for the existence and smoothness of the Navier-Stokes equations."
Hmm, wait a minute.
"Can it be enhanced to that level?"
The corners of Ye Feng's mouth curled up as he looked at Jingliu with a smile. "That will depend on your performance, Master."
"You—"
Faced with such a threat, Jingliu's first instinct was to storm off in a huff.
But she no longer possessed the impulsiveness and passion of her youth. All she had now was the sword in her hand and the sorrowful wish to strike down a "star."
And now that she had confirmed Baiheng could be revived, there was nothing that couldn't be negotiated with Ye Feng.
Besides, it was merely "serving" her wicked disciple, playing his various "little games."
Ultimately, she had endured this before.
The peerless swordswoman was simply powerless to resist.
Jingliu suddenly smiled, a smile as cold and beautiful as an ice crystal flower blooming upon a snowy plain.
But what emotions it contained, no one could say for a moment.
Jingliu's aura was ethereal and detached. Her exquisite face was veiled by black gauze as she parted her cherry lips.
"You're certainly persistent in your attitude towards me."
"It's a game. It's only more fun when everyone is happy together."
Jingliu stood up and turned to leave, her back to Ye Feng. Her snow-like hair cascaded down like flowing moonlight.
Ye Feng deliberately called out to her retreating back, "Master, are you going to make the [Contract] or not?"
"…"
She neither agreed nor refused.
She simply walked forward with a calm, silent expression.
Ye Feng smiled, looked at the cup in his hand, and took another sip of tea.
The reason Master Jingliu left was simple. He had put a little something extra in the tea.
It wasn't "Sleeping Tea," nor was it "computer parts." It was a diuretic. Jingliu must be feeling the urgency right now.
"Heh heh, the thought of the cold-as-the-moon Master having to go to the bathroom…"
Ye Feng revealed a maniacal grin.
Mainly, he had never seen Jingliu use the restroom.
Could it be that Xianzhou natives didn't need to? But Ye Feng had studied them carefully; they had similar physiological structures.
Or perhaps those who had fallen to the Mara didn't need to?
That was a real possibility. After all, Master Jingliu's situation was an exception. Others who fell to the Mara were clad in heavy armor, with branches growing from their bodies. The armor and flesh were fused together, impossible to remove. How could they use the restroom?
But regardless, Ye Feng had hidden all the nearby restrooms to see how Master Jingliu would solve her problem.
"Jie jie jie."
Watching Jingliu walk while steadying herself against the wall, Ye Feng let out a delighted laugh.
---o---
At this moment, Jingliu felt like she was on the verge of a breakdown. She leaned against the wall of a St. Freya classroom, gritting her teeth.
"…That little lecher!"
The peerless swordswoman had departed with the grace of a gentle breeze, as ethereal as a banished immortal.
But the moment she turned the corner, out of Ye Feng's line of sight, she immediately clamped her legs shut, trembling as she supported herself against the wall.
She felt like her lower abdomen was about to explode. It was so full that a single, light poke from a finger would cause the "floodgates to open."
"…Damn it!"
Even with Jingliu's current state of mind, she couldn't help but feel waves of shame.
It had been years, so many years, since she had last experienced this sensation.
Ordinary Xianzhou natives did indeed need to use such primitive methods to expel waste from their bodies.
But once one embarked upon a [Path], they could rely on the power of Imaginary Energy to instantly refine it away.
In fact, it wasn't just Pathstriders; Herrschers were the same, and even more advanced.
The saying "beautiful girls don't need to go to the bathroom" could actually be true in this world.
Jingliu endured the bursting sensation and headed for the women's restroom, stealthily following the signs for the "washroom."
The short distance of less than a hundred meters now felt terrifyingly long.
Leaning on the wall, Jingliu walked with trembling steps to the end of the corridor.
This ordeal couldn't help but remind her of her days practicing the sword.
She always held herself to the highest standards. Even when her master said, "That's enough," Jingliu would continue to push herself.
Those were fulfilling, yet arduous times.
Finally, she was about to reach her destination.
Perhaps it was the relief of being so close to her goal that made her relax just a little, but the "flood" surged with greater intensity.
Just endure a little longer… eh?
She was dumbfounded. At the end of the path indicated by the sign, there was no restroom. There was only a wall.
No, perhaps there was a restroom here originally, but now the entire thing was gone.
"??"
Jingliu was completely and utterly stunned.
The feeling was indescribable.
Jingliu, who had never thought of giving up no matter what she faced, now felt the urge to just "give up in despair."
But she held on.
Her body went rigid. She pressed herself against the wall, clenching her jaw.
Using her powerful inner muscles, she slammed the gates shut, preventing the torrent from overflowing.
But in this state, she truly couldn't move a single step.
The slightest vibration would make her lose control completely!
"Hmm? Master, you seem to be having a hard time."
Ye Feng appeared right on cue.
No, it would be more accurate to say the culprit had arrived at the scene at the earliest possible moment to "mock" her.
Jingliu pressed her cherry lips together, her gaze fixed幽幽地 on Ye Feng.
"Master, what's with that look? It's as if I've done something heinous."
"…"
"Master?"
"…"
"Fine, don't talk. I'm going to the restroom then. I did drink a lot of tea, after all."
Ye Feng walked towards the wall and passed right through it.
Jingliu froze. Was the wall before her just an illusion?
She once again took a difficult step, intending to do the same.
But when she reached it, the wall was solid, and she couldn't pass through at all.
Jingliu realized she had been tricked again.
And the "flood" was intensifying.
She pressed her back against the wall, desperately tensing her body. The "micro-level" control she had honed due to the Mara was now pushed to its absolute limit.
It was only because Jingliu possessed such powerful "physical self-control" that she could manage this. Had it been Kiana, or even Elysia, they might have… let loose a torrent.
After all, a product from Ye Feng was guaranteed to be of the highest quality.
Everything was pushed to the limit.
Dancing back and forth, up and down, on the tightrope called "the limit."
Fine, crystalline beads of sweat appeared on Jingliu's fair forehead. Her cherry lips were pressed tightly together, and her entire being was in a state of both exhaustion and tension.
She felt dizzy and disoriented, as if the world had turned upside down and all propriety was lost.
If she really… here… it wasn't just a matter of losing face. She would never be able to forgive herself. It would absolutely become an "inner demon," more terrifying than the Mara itself!
Finally, a sliver of light appeared before her.
The wall had "cracked" open again, and Ye Feng stepped out.
His frivolous, mocking voice rang out. "Eh? Master, why are you still here? Don't tell me you wanted to peep on your disciple using the toilet? Tsk tsk tsk, I never would have thought. The grand former Sword Champion of the Luofu, Jingliu of the High-Cloud Quintet, would do such a thing."
"…"
Jingliu didn't react to Ye Feng's teasing.
She truly couldn't open her mouth, fearing that if she opened the one on top, it would trigger a chain reaction with the one below.
Ye Feng chuckled. "It seems Master is in some difficulty. If you tell me, perhaps your disciple can think of a solution."
"…"
"If Master won't speak, you must have your reasons."
"…"
"In that case, it seems Master can handle it herself and doesn't need her disciple to worry. Well then, goodbye."
Ye Feng turned to leave.
Jingliu's heart instantly tightened. If Ye Feng really left her here, she might truly have no choice but to… right on this spot…
"…Wait, wait… Nngh~!"
Jingliu forced the words out, her whole body curling into a ball.
"So Master is finally willing to speak. Is there anything your disciple can do to be of service?"
"…"
Jingliu's lips trembled.
As a cold and peerless swordswoman, how could she possibly say that in front of a man?
"If you don't say it, your disciple won't know."
"…"
Jingliu bit her lip. The black gauze blindfold had become loose and was half-sliding off, revealing a single scarlet pupil that stared resentfully at Ye Feng.
She was utterly humiliated, but compared to the even greater disgrace that awaited her, she could only squeeze the words from her lungs.
"…I, I… want to relieve myself…"
Her voice was tiny, as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Ooh~~ so that's it."
Clang.
Ye Feng tossed her a Pulse bottle. Its mouth was quite wide.
"?"
Jingliu looked completely bewildered.
"There are no restrooms nearby. You'll have to use this for now."
"??"
This beast was simply toxic, spouting blatant lies.
Then where did he just go?
"A thousand li away."
Ye Feng smiled. "That was actually a portal. I just came back from Mount Taixuan."
"…"
"Oh, I get it now."
Ye Feng said, as if struck by a sudden realization, "Master wants to go to the restroom to relieve herself."
Ye Feng saw Jingliu's face turn visibly red.
Her gaze shifted slightly, a look of complete helplessness on her face.
Her small hands fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, then twisted a strand of her hair, not knowing where to put themselves.
"Don't be shy, Master. This is just a normal… alright, for Master, it might not be normal anymore. But, I can help you. Aren't you going to quickly say, 'Thank you, good disciple'?"
"…Th-thank you…"
"You can't leave out the 'good disciple' part."
"You… you really are my good disciple…" Jingliu said through gritted teeth.
"Aiii~"
Ye Feng replied, thoroughly satisfied.
This was the first time he had heard Jingliu call him that.
"I hope Master calls me this in bed in the future, too."
"…"
Jingliu turned her head away, not wanting to waste another word on this little lecher.
"Huh?"
The next second, Jingliu felt herself being lifted by a pair of strong arms.
"It seems Master has no strength left. Your disciple will carry you."
"Ngh…?"
Before Jingliu could react, Ye Feng carried her into the women's restroom.
…
…
Bronya opened her eyes as a torrent of memories flooded her mind.
She couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, letting out a faint groan.
"Are these… the '300,000 memories' mentioned in Mobius's notes?"
"…Is it because of their existence that Bronya is unable to perfectly fuse with the Core of Reason?"
Bronya stared with wide eyes at the familiar ceiling.