Chapter 273: Surviving A Disaster Guarantees Future Blessings

Chapter 273: After Great Peril, Comes Great Fortune

In a daze, Zhao Changhe forgot who had repeatedly emphasized that dual cultivation was not a divine art, merely an auxiliary technique, not to be overly relied upon or expected.

Yet every experience always made it feel like dual cultivation was clearly a divine art.

Especially in healing, the effect was truly remarkable.

The chaotic blade energy rampaging inside his body, though not completely eliminated, was slowly ground down and suppressed like a millstone by the rotation of yin and yang energies, no longer so sharp and cutting.

The pain from torn external wounds also seemed to have lessened considerably, almost allowing him to feel the regeneration of flesh and blood, gradually healing.

The withered meridians were nourished anew, the dried-up dantian stirred with renewed airflow, slowly moistening his entire body, warm and extremely comfortable.

From the body, to the mind...

To the soul.

The originally uncontrollable baleful energy, the backlash that could erupt at any moment, gradually calmed during this kiss, growing fainter and fainter, until it was utterly serene.

Perhaps it wasn't entirely the effect of dual cultivation, but also this mutual dependence, the peace of having someone to rely on, which naturally made it hard to become frenzied.

In truth, Zhao Changhe also had a fleeting wicked thought—if the so-called baleful energy couldn't be suppressed, using this as an excuse, he could press her down with reddened eyes. Would she resist?

It was quite possible she wouldn't resist.

At this moment, his pain had slightly eased, and he had a bit of strength. It was that old saying: when fed and warm, one thinks of other things. Zhao Changhe, who had been obediently leaning on Yue Hongling's shoulder receiving her kiss, now began to let his hands wander, quietly wrapping around her waist.

Yue Hongling's waist stiffened slightly, but she didn't struggle; instead, she continued to pass him her breath. She felt that this brat still had blade energy churning inside him and needed further treatment; she couldn't give up now.

But then his hand began to caress her waist, back and forth.

Yue Hongling rose in anger, grabbed Zhao Changhe by the ear, and yanked him: "Feeling capable now?"

Zhao Changhe slumped his shoulders and smiled apologetically, his eyes drifting to her exposed shoulder and arm, a flash of admiration in his gaze.

This was truly irresistible.

How beautiful she was... When the dashing, ascetic female knight began to half-conceal herself, when her fiery red robe turned into pure white, it inexplicably became alluring, seductive.

She did nothing, just stood straight there, yet it was more enticing than any pose.

Yue Hongling knew where he was looking and viciously kicked him in the shin: "What kind of clothes did you buy? Was it on purpose!"

Zhao Changhe hopped on one foot, clutching his leg: "I-I didn't know they'd be like this! I searched for ages and couldn't find any proper women's clothes. I even asked for men's ready-made garments. How was I to know men dressed like this too?"

Yue Hongling crossed her arms, refusing to believe him.

Zhao Changhe said angrily: "How was I supposed to know we'd end up in a place with no one else? Would I let you wear this for others to see outside? Even if you agreed, I wouldn't!"

Yue Hongling: "?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

The two stared at each other for a moment, then both turned their heads away.

Yue Hongling muttered under her breath: "What I wear is none of your business. We can't just never go out, can we?"

Zhao Changhe scuffed his toes on the ground, finally saying: "Your old clothes can be washed and reused... For now, just let me look at you like this..."

Yue Hongling glared at him speechlessly, and Zhao Changhe turned his head even further away.

"Men, in the end, they all show their true colors." Yue Hongling finally laughed, too lazy to bother with him: "Go sit in meditation and heal. We still need to explore this place. When do we have time for this nonsense!"

With that, she fled like she was escaping, rushing straight to the lakeshore, whether to study the lake or just run aimlessly.

Zhao Changhe finally felt quite exhausted, lacking strength.

He slumped back against the rock, carefully inspecting his internal state. He knew Yue Hongling was right to remind him—he should take advantage of the recent effect and focus on self-healing, not think about trivial matters.

Such injuries couldn't heal so quickly. Even the excessive exhaustion alone would take days to recover. If he wanted to find a way to restore his combat strength quickly, he'd need some treasure here.

This place must be from the last era, a shattered fragment of a dimension. There were bound to be special items inside—either treasures, techniques, or perhaps some ruins.

After great peril comes great fortune. Zhao Changhe believed that.

While Zhao Changhe healed himself, Yue Hongling circled the lake to observe. After a long time, she realized this wasn't the lakeshore but an island in the middle of the lake... Surrounded by water on all sides, this was the only place to stand. It was very small; she soon returned to where she started.

Yue Hongling stopped at the shore, frowning as she gazed into the distance. From this alone, they couldn't even find a way out. Such a small island—not to mention survival needs, in a couple of days they'd run out of firewood.

They had to explore outward.

If the exit was on the true outer shore of the lake, they couldn't even guess how far it was... They didn't know which direction was right. The vast lake was like a sea; how could just two people find a way out?

Yue Hongling's eyes grew misty as she looked at the distant water. The lake was calm, without wind, vast and silent, not even the sound of water. It felt like a dead space.

Yes, it was a dead place. But with him by her side, it felt almost like home.

Just as she thought this, she felt a familiar arm around her waist from behind, gently embracing her.

This posture was very familiar. Once in Yangzhou, he had held her like this.

Back then, he had said, "I just want to hold you, for a moment..."

That was already his confession, his pursuit made clear to all. It was no longer just rumors; he had declared it before the elites of Yangzhou.

She hadn't struggled then. What about now?

Yue Hongling silently realized she had no desire to break free. His embrace instead made her feel his attachment and her own reliance.

She slowly relaxed, leaning softly back against his chest, and said in a low voice: "How's your recovery?"

Zhao Changhe said: "A bit weak, but basic movement is fine."

Yue Hongling said: "Same here... In this state, it's hard to cross the sea or dive deep to find an exit. Getting out is a problem."

Zhao Changhe hummed in agreement but said nothing more.

Yue Hongling said: "You only brought a few days' worth of dry food. Aren't you afraid of dying here?"

Zhao Changhe smiled, resting his chin on her shoulder: "Dying here with you—I'd be happy..."

Yue Hongling said sternly: "Don't give me that. How many women do you have..."

She stopped mid-sentence. Quarreling over jealousy didn't feel like her; it was a bit embarrassing.

Zhao Changhe didn't follow that thread, instead saying: "But I don't want you to die here. Don't worry, I don't think we'll die so easily."

Yue Hongling said: "Why?"

"Simple. If our luck were bad, we'd have fallen straight onto the island and died, or fallen farther away and drowned. How did we end up near the island, giving us a chance to survive?"

Yue Hongling said irritably: "Just a coincidence that we weren't meant to die. Look at you, so inexplicably confident."

"When I was most defenseless, you saved my life... As long as you're by my side, I have boundless confidence."

Yue Hongling felt a tremor in her heart and turned her head slightly to look at him.

In the darkness, Zhao Changhe's eyes were serious, staring back without blinking, and he said softly: "I like you, from the first moment I saw this martial world. They say you are a solitary duck beneath the setting sun, but to me, you are the eternal moonlight."

Yue Hongling's eyes gradually shimmered.

Back in Yangzhou, he had been so straightforward, a clumsy bear who didn't know how to court a girl. When did he learn to speak so sweetly?

"I've finally held the moonlight in my arms. How could I let it slip away so easily?" Zhao Changhe lowered his head, for the first time taking the initiative to kiss Yue Hongling's lips: "I don't worry. I only feel at peace."

Yue Hongling raised a hand, placing a finger between their lips, and said softly: "Is this all you can think of when faced with a great crisis? Or do you know we can't get out and just want to indulge before the end?"

Zhao Changhe said: "Is that how you see me?"

Yue Hongling said, "I think you should know what's important. If you have confidence, I want to hear your judgment, not these insubstantial sweet words and frivolous advances."

Zhao Changhe chuckled. "That's simple. First, from the stone formation outside, it's clear the concealment is man-made, proving someone has been here. Whether that person was from the last era or this one, at least it shows there's an exit to be found—that's a reassurance right off the bat."

"And second?"

"Second, the aura here is leaking outward. Years ago, Master Yuanxing sensed this peculiar aura and judged it similar to the Wang family's sea mud I absorbed not long ago, indicating a common origin. Where the source comes from is unknown for now, but it at least proves the thing inside hasn't been taken—or at least not entirely. And this thing is not far from the entrance or exit, so its aura disperses and can be sensed."

Yue Hongling followed his line of thought. "So either we can find the artifact nearby, which might help us recover, or we follow the aura to its source, and that place will be the exit."

"Exactly. I've absorbed this thing before, so I'm more sensitive to its aura. I can't sense it now because I'm too weak; after a bit more recovery, I should be able to... In any case, whether it's nearby or near the exit, it's a hope. So why be so worried?"

"..."

"Instead of worrying, I'm more eager to regain some strength—whether for recovery or for diving. I think the thing is more likely at the bottom of the sea than around here. My current strength isn't enough to hold my breath for long; I need to recover a bit more. I just hope it's not too slow."

As he spoke slowly, his lips lightly brushed against her finger, which she had raised before her face.

Yue Hongling snatched her hand back as if shocked. "If you need to recover, take your medicine and meditate. Stop this endless frivolity!"

"But..." Zhao Changhe leaned in again, slowly kissing her lips. "This is also healing, sister..."

Yue Hongling sighed inwardly, finally closing her eyes. She leaned back against his chest, turned her head, and shut her eyes, yielding to the kiss.