Chapter 18: Awakening the Seven Elemental Roots

Perhaps it was because she had just emerged from the bath, her delicate, smooth skin still carrying a trace of warmth. This unique sensation, transmitted through his broad palm, flowed deeply into his heart like a pebble cast into a tranquil lake, stirring layers of ripples.

Mist swirled around them like gossamer veils, gently drifting as the breeze brushed past, creating subtle waves upon the air.

“Master!” The anxious cry of Little Spirit suddenly echoed in Ouyang Xiaoyue’s mind, pulling her back to awareness. Slowly, she raised her eyes, her gaze drifting toward the man who was holding her tightly.

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with clarity, like the brightest stars in the night sky.

When Mu Rongyi’s deep, tranquil eyes met her steady gaze, he maintained an extraordinary calm, his face betraying no hint of shame or panic.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he silently wondered: Did this little one truly lack any sense of caution between the relations of men and women?

At that moment, their eyes locked, and time seemed to freeze for a long while.

Suddenly, Mu Rongyi’s hand, resting by his side, paused briefly. A subtle depth flickered in his eyes as he softly asked, “Seven-element spiritual root?”

Only a few days had passed since they last met, yet this little one seemed to have performed a magic trick, bringing him such an overwhelming surprise.

Facing him, Ouyang Xiaoyue nodded without hesitation, affirming her possession of the rare seven-element spiritual root without the slightest concealment.

Just then, Little Spirit’s urgent call sounded again, finally bringing Ouyang Xiaoyue back to herself.

---

Gently, she pushed away Mu Rongyi’s arms that were wrapped around her waist, her movements as soft as a breeze fluttering through willow branches.

Then, with a frosty composure, she reached for the clothes placed nearby, casually draping them over herself as if without care.

Once properly dressed, Ouyang Xiaoyue naturally took a step back, but her gaze inadvertently fell upon Mu Rongyi’s robe, still slightly damp.

In an instant, a faint blush blossomed at her fair ears, like the splendid glow of sunset on the horizon.

Clearly, deep within, she felt a subtle embarrassment for her earlier reckless action.

By contrast, Mu Rongyi appeared calm and composed. With a casual wave of his arm, an invisible force surged from his palm.

In the blink of an eye, the robe that had clung with water stains returned to dry perfection, as if it had never been wet.

To him, this was merely an insignificant gesture, hardly worthy of notice.

Yet, juxtaposed against his tranquility was Ouyang Xiaoyue’s shy demeanor, like a bud about to bloom, timidly unfolding before his eyes.

Lowering her head slightly, cheeks tinged with a gentle pink, she softly asked, “Why… have you come?”

Her eyes revealed unabashed confusion and surprise.

---

As if she had never expected to see him here at all.

In truth, his visit had been a simple one: to check on Ouyang Xiaoyue. What he never anticipated was that she had already successfully awakened the exceedingly rare and powerful seven-element spiritual root!

Such a gift was the dream of countless cultivators.

At that moment, he lightly flicked his slender finger.

Suddenly, an ancient tome, radiating an intense spiritual aura, appeared out of thin air without warning.

Though aged, the book was remarkably well-preserved, faintly shimmering with mysterious light.

Then, his deep, magnetic voice resounded: “Repay”—two simple words, yet weighted with profound gravity.

As his words fell, the mystical tome seemed to come alive, swiftly flying toward Ouyang Xiaoyue and beginning to circle around her without cease.

One circle, two circles, three circles... The spiritual energy emanating from the book grew ever stronger, enveloping her completely.