Opening the capsule was trivial for Kierra. With her might, not even heaven's gates could stop her, whatever those were.

Immediately after the structure crumbled down, a wave of hot and damp heat hit her and Tian Yun. Once that was mostly dissipated, she could see the hot spring in its full glory. It had the shape of a donut, with the middle part being a rock stand of sorts, and on it lay a small white fox. It seemed to be sleeping, curled up into a ball.

''Kierra, what about the fox...?''

The archwizard, enchanted by the hot spring, didn't think much before answering.

''It'll be my pet.''

''...Okay?''

Then, the two began to undress. Even though they stood on either corner of the room, Tian Yun couldn't help but be embarrassed. She had never let anyone see her naked body before, but it would be disrespectful to Kierra if she folded now...

''...''

'Am I overthinking...?'

They were both women anyway, and Kierra didn't seem to mind it. It was just her being overly conscious. Besides, Kierra had prepared towels for both of them, so the important parts should be safe.

After correcting her mindset, Tian Yun happily stripped and got into the towel before turning around. There, she was squarely stunned. Her eyes automatically landed on Kierra's perfect curves, ones that couldn't be hidden by a mere towel, and on her exposed legs and upper chest. The archwizard also tied her hair up, which gave her an overall softer impression.

It was... seductive.

While Tian Yun was staring blankly like that, Kierra had already dipped herself into the steamy water. The black-haired beauty's face instantly melted.

''Get in.''

Kierra said as she closed her eyes in relaxation. The water was sufficiently hot, and the depth of the hot spring was just right. Kierra could stay here all night.

''A-Alright.''

Tian Yun finally snapped out. She also entered the warm water and melted like the other person. While that feeling somewhat distracted her, Tian Yun still had Kierra in her mind. She didn't know what was happening, and her heart was beating too fast to her liking.

''...''

''...''

Tian Yun looked over to Kierra again. The archwizard still had her eyes closed. At this moment, a thought suddenly popped up in her mind.

'What if she were to remove those thick lipstick...'

She was curious to see Kierra without such heavy makeup, especially on her lips.

So she spoke up. ''...Kierra.''

Kierra still hadn't opened her eyes. ''Speak.''

''Do you want to try a more... natural makeup?''

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Strangely, Kierra flinched. She frowned for just a brief moment, then appeared to be deep in thought. Eventually, she opened her mouth.

''...Maybe later.''

''O-Oh, I see.''

Silence fell. Tian Yun felt like she just made a mistake, but seeing that Kierra didn't say more, she was a little relieved.

So, the two spent the next hour or so immersing themselves in the hot spring.

When Kierra finally thought it was enough, she promptly stood up, spooking Tian Yun again with her towel-sticking-to-body scene. Tian Yun felt like her heart was about to explode.

In any case, they quickly got into their clothes again, grabbed the fox, and left the place.

Flying in the air, Kierra couldn't help but appreciate these kinds of relaxations. She felt her mind was clearer now, not that it was not previously.

Once back at the Lightning Tiger Sect, the two were immediately greeted by a conscious Bai Qing and a rather restless Yu Chen.

''You two... are you alright?'' Yu Chen asked. She was quite worried since she couldn't peer through Kierra's barrier even with her [Divine Sight]

''We are.'' Tian Yun replied.

''That is a relief... hm?''

Some minor details couldn't escape Yu Chen's eyes. Both of these two's cheeks were a bit rosy, and the overall atmosphere around them seemed somewhat... hot. Just then, Bai Qing spoke up.

''What did you two do back there, master, sect leader?'' She asked innocently.

While Tian Yun was somehow nervous about saying it, Kierra responded instead. ''We went into a hot spring.''

''Oh... how nice.''

Bai Qing was genuinely jealous.

Meanwhile, Yu Chen:

!!! ∑(° Д °ノ)ノ

'H-How could they do that without me...!'

She also wanted to see Kierra without cloth—ahem. She also wanted to relax in a hot spring!

This fact boggled her mind. So much so that she kept thinking about it during the trip back to White Lotus, even when the whole sect was celebrating Bai Qing's victory.

That night, after thinking about it over and over for hours, Yu Chen decided to make a move.

At this point, she had to admit. She was attracted to this strange woman after only spending a few days together.

Yu Chen laughed at herself.

'How silly... is this what they call love at first sight?'

She didn't know if she even had a chance, let alone success, in bonding with Kierra, but nothing would be done if she just stayed still. At worst, she just wanted to sleep with Kierra to satisfy her lust and be done with it—a one-night stand. Yu Chen never thought she would think about this term again after learning it, but here she was.

Next morning, the martial master of Qinling Peak went to the Crimson Tower and met Kierra.

Yu Chen: ''Want to go shopping for clothes?''

Kierra: ''OK.''

(?∀?)

''...Huh?''

''Are we not going?''

Yu Chen had prepared an essay worth of reasons to convince Kierra, but who would have thought she had accepted it right away?

She was confused.

Nevertheless, the two moved to the town and went into the biggest clothing shop around. In line with her awareness of makeup and style, Kierra had indeed been interested in the clothes of this world. She thought they looked quite beautiful.

''Hm...''

Kierra looked around the store. These clothes, just like her robe, were designed to be worn oversized, so she should be more concerned with the design.

''I think black clothes suit you the best.'' Yu Chen said.

''I agree.'' Kierra replied.

Just like that, the two began to choose clothes for a long time. In this period, Yu Chen was especially troubled. Every time Kierra asked for her opinion after trying on a different outfit, she couldn't answer it well enough.

'Everything suits her...!'

Saying 'you look pretty' all the time made her sound as though she was being insincere. Yu Chen didn't think shopping could be this hard!

In any case, there was something Yu Chen noticed while watching Kierra.

''Kierra... is that hat special to you?''

Kierra, who was eyeing another outfit, froze. She gently touched her hat for a few seconds before opening her mouth.

''...Maybe.'' She replied, leaving Yu Chen puzzled.

In the end, Kierra chose a black minimalist outfit that suited her the most. From afar, it seemed similar to her robe, but close up, it was indeed something the people here would wear. The overall feel of it was good as well.

''We made a good purchase.'' Yu Chen smiled at Kierra.

When she was about to leave, Kierra naturally stopped her.

''Huh?''

''We haven't chosen your clothes.'' The archwizard said firmly. ''Purple suits you better than white.''

''Oh...''

So Kierra spent another hour or so choosing Yu Chen's clothes meticulously.

''Hm...''

Looking at the back of Kierra, who was seriously considering between a light purple dress and a lighter purple dress, Yu Chen's lips curled up.

At this moment, she was definitely happy. If there was just one thing she could complain about...

'Isn't this taking too long...?'