NOVEL WEB chapter 154
154. Master and Disciple’s Shared Bath (Third Update)
The spirit spring in the wilderness was an unexpected find for Lin Nuo.
Speaking of spirit springs, he couldn’t help but recall the artificial spirit spring in the Han Fairy’s pavilion. The misty spring, where soaking in it could relax the body and mind, was like a paradise on earth.
Of course, not having an exploding spring was quite nice.
As the saying goes, wildflowers smell sweeter than homegrown ones, and this theory applies well to spirit springs.
The artificial spirit spring in the Han Fairy’s pavilion was created using spirit crystals, herbs, and mystical instruments, combined with the clean mountain water of Tianling Mountain. Although Tianling Mountain is also a spiritual mountain, it has been frequented by practitioners for years, losing its wild nature of old.
Compared to wild spirit springs, these kinds of springs lack some natural spiritual energy. Wild spirit springs are rare, having absorbed the essence of the sun and moon and the spiritual energy of the mountains over time, and being hidden away in deep places, seldom touched by humans, they maintain their natural spirituality.
Today had been a restless day. First, searching for materials, activating the mystical instrument, then encountering a Taoist and Ling Meng, followed by Ling Meng’s outburst, taking a risk to stop her, then facing the attack of the Demon Cultivation Sect disciples on Ling Meng, and afterwards, he had to save her and finally convince Ling Meng to become his disciple, forcibly showing off two sets of advanced magical techniques.
The day’s exertions were equivalent to half a month’s for him. Finding the spirit spring, he was ready to relax and unwind.
“Have you ever soaked in a spirit spring?” Lin Nuo asked Ling Meng.
“I have, in the Demon Cultivation Sect, we have a dedicated spirit spring, but I’ve never soaked in one in the wilderness. What about you, Master?”
“I haven’t either.”
“Oh, right, Master, with your strength, you must have belonged to some organizations, right?”
“No, I’ve always been a lone practitioner.”
“A lone practitioner? Then how did you learn the magical techniques?”
“Self-taught.”
“Self-taught…”
Ling Meng found it mystical. Honestly, even intermediate demonic techniques are hard to master on one’s own, let alone advanced ones. She, blessed with exceptional talent, could only delve into demonic arts under her father’s guidance, and even the turbulent demonic aura was directed by him.
Yet this man claimed to be self-taught, and at only twenty-two years old, it was exceedingly strange.
Who was he?
In truth, Lin Nuo had concealed that his later stages were self-taught; he needed guidance initially. He started as an apprentice in the Demonic Cultivation Sect, secretly learning from others, then stole the demonic arts scriptures to begin his solitary self-training.
Of course, there was no need to tell Ling Meng this.
It wasn’t necessary. In this life, he truly was self-taught, skipping over the part about being an apprentice in the sect.
“Shall we soak in the spirit spring?” Lin Nuo asked her.
“I’d like to, but…”
“We can each soak on one side; rest assured, I won’t peek at you.”
“That’s not what I meant. Alright then, let’s go soak.”
Reaching an agreement, both yearned to immerse themselves in the wild spirit spring. The spring was vast, shrouded in a white mist, making it hard to see each other’s bodies if they soaked on opposite sides.
Lin Nuo knew Ling Meng would have reservations, as it’s only proper for a young lady. But he had no desire to spy on her; he just wanted to find a corner to peacefully soak in the spirit spring, to relax his body and mind.
Approaching the spring, Lin Nuo took out a silver needle and inserted it into the water.
Ling Meng asked with curiosity, “Master, what are you doing?”
“As a practitioner of the demonic path, one must always be vigilant. No one knows if this spirit spring is poisoned.”
Lin Nuo spoke gravely, soaking the needle before pulling it out.
No poison.
Still, he wasn’t reassured. He circled the spring, inserting the needle at intervals, then pulling it out to inspect.
After several tests to ensure the spring was toxin-free, he tucked the needle into his pocket.
“The spirit spring is safe for soaking.”
“Oh… Master, you’re quite cautious.”
“What else? Would you prefer being nearly assassinated by your subordinate?”
“Mmm…”
Ling Meng was left speechless. Lin Nuo always liked to bring up her dark past as a cautionary tale, a long-standing reprimand.
Ling Meng didn’t argue. Firstly, she had no ground to stand on, and secondly, out of respect for the strong. In Lin Nuo’s presence, she was merely a lowly apprentice, her status as a minor leader in the Demonic Cultivation Sect was insignificant.
Ling Meng was a proud and lofty demonic fairy, but in front of Lin Nuo, who mastered advanced demonic techniques at a young age, she had to show reverence and restraint.
“Master is right.”
“I teach you not only demonic techniques but also how to conduct yourself. Remember, in this world, there are plenty who wish for your death. If you want to stand tall among heroes, you must think several steps ahead of everyone else.”
Lin Nuo was not joking. If one is to cultivate a villain, they must do it well. A truly excellent villain is not just about power. How could anyone match Su Kexin in terms of strength? The overall quality must be extremely outstanding.
“I’m on the east side, you’re on the west. I won’t peek at you, rest assured. If something happens, feel free to shout.”
With those words, Lin Nuo headed to the eastern side of the Spirit Spring. His figure gradually disappeared into the thick mist.
Lin Nuo had gone to the east, leaving her alone, suddenly feeling a lack of security.
“Umm…”
She was worried. After all, this was a wild forest. Who knew what hidden dangers might lurk?
Having experienced an ambush before, she had some psychological shadows.
Better not stray too far from the master.
Then, she also lightly stepped towards the eastern side of the Spirit Spring.
…
Lin Nuo took off his clothes and placed them by the Spirit Spring, slowly immersing himself in its waters.
The temperature was just right, comfortable.
He took a deep breath, his body gradually relaxing, yet he remained vigilant. After all, this wasn’t the Spirit Spring in Han Xianzi’s pavilion, which had been blown up by two girls. Who knew what strange things might appear here?
Wild beasts were nothing to fear, but the worst would be a muscular hunk appearing, holding a bar of soap and laughing heartily.
He kept his hidden weapons close, always ready to defend himself.
Lin Nuo thought about how long it had been since he left Tianling Mountain, but he wasn’t planning to return just yet. Next, he had to teach Ling Meng, not just theoretical instruction but also practical training. It would be best to find some heavenly beasts to practice on, to reach the level of annihilating divine beasts, and get ahead of Su Kexin by several years, then finally kill her and end it all.
Lin Nuo habitually scooped water from the Spirit Spring to wash his face, then suddenly, through the reflection on the water’s surface, he noticed the black soot and scars on his face had faded, revealing his original fair and handsome visage.
“The cleansing power of this Spirit Spring is still strong; it even cleared the disguise from my face.”
Lin Nuo murmured softly. The dark scars suited his image as a demonic sect master, also serving to disguise his appearance and identity. If washed away, it wouldn’t be good for Ling Meng to see.
But no matter, Ling Meng was on the west side and wouldn’t see. After soaking, he could just reapply the disguise.
Suddenly, the surface of the spring rippled slightly, and the graceful figure of a young girl appeared through the white mist.
And the girl also saw Lin Nuo’s fair and handsome face after the disguise was removed.
…