The night at Fiery Cloud Instant Sect was not pitch black; red light from the boiling Earth Dragon Fire at the mountain's mouth permeated everywhere.
Under the dim light, Shu Han locked eyes with Meng Shuran. Observing her delicate features, Shu Han quickly pondered about the next steps. He could tell that although Meng Shuran chose him, she didn't wish to spend much time with him. Yet, bound by the task set by Song Jinglun, she had to rely on Shu Han to complete it.
Shu Han thought that if he wanted to rid himself of her as soon as possible, he might have to do as she said—swiftly become familiar with their joint spell so that the Earth Dragon Fire could be quickly nurtured within her, aiding Song Jinglun in completing a Bewitching Body human cauldron.
In Shu Han's opinion, the spiritual power that both he and Meng Shuran possessed when combined, probably formed the core array pattern of the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation. If he wished to reverse-engineer the core pattern from the spell, he couldn't do so without Meng Shuran's assistance.
While his subconscious instinct resisted Meng Shuran, considering the current situation, joining her to cultivate at the Fiery Cloud Onsen seemed to be the best choice.
Given that Song Jinglun's mark was on his forehead, even if Shu Han didn't accompany her, he wouldn't dare refine the chaotic magic treasure with his main body.
Song Jinglun said the mark was only for tracking, but would Shu Han fully believe him? What if he could spy through the mark, and given Shu Han's current cultivation level, he wouldn't be able to detect it.
Plus, with the Fiery Cloud Onsen open for free, not cultivating day and night at the Onsen as a regular disciple of Fiery Cloud Instant Sect would appear suspicious.
Thus, Shu Han smiled and said, "Since a beauty invites, it would be rude of me to decline. Let's familiarize ourselves with the spell as you suggest and strive to complete the Sect Leader's task soon. This way, you won't have to tolerate my constant presence, sparing you annoyance."
Seeing Shu Han's change of heart, Meng Shuran was a bit surprised. Still, since he agreed, she didn't wish to converse further and flew towards Fiery Cloud Onsen.
Following Meng Shuran into the Onsen, she headed straight for the top-tier section, moving with such familiarity that it was evident she had cultivated there frequently since joining, which likely attributed to her rapid progress.
Now, Shu Han understood why these enchantresses could always reserve the top-tier onsens.
It was all to prepare for Song Jinglun's Nascent Soul plan.
Walking on the cobblestone path of the top-tier onsen, laughter, and playful voices echoed from the concealed hot onsens, surrounded by bamboo forests and rockeries on both sides.
Shu Han listened closely and realized that the surrounding onsens were already occupied by other enchantresses.
Unable to hide his dismay, Shu Han remarked, "It seems we're late. All the onsens have been taken. Perhaps we should call it a day since we can't find two available pools."
"Two?"
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Meng Shuran turned to look at him, "There were originally ten top-tier onsens, but they expanded to twelve three years ago, especially for our current mission. We're not meant to occupy two onsens."
Huh?
Shu Han looked surprised, "So, you're saying..."
Meng Shuran calmly responded, "We can only share one."
For a moment, Shu Han was taken aback.
It was one thing to have a seductive enchantress accompanying him at all times, but now they were supposed to share a single onsen?
Seeing the change in Shu Han's expression, Meng Shuran snorted, "Scared?"
Listening to the playful laughter of men and women from the surrounding onsens, Shu Han hesitated.
Soaking in an onsen with an enchantress was challenging for any cultivator due to their intrinsic allure. It's hard for any ordinary cultivator to resist for long.
Even though the noises from the top-tier onsens were just playful now, Shu Han believed that soon, these sounds would escalate.
But these enchantresses were meant to be Song Jinglun's human cauldrons. Wouldn't touching them be courting death?
Seeing Shu Han's hesitation, Meng Shuran chuckled, "You've heard their noises. While enchantresses like us have a fatal attraction to male cultivators, the males also allure the enchantresses. No enchantress can guarantee their purity. We might be together for years. If you can't resist my charm later on, I can't blame you. But I'll warn you, every man who has possessed me hasn't met a good end."
Want her? Shu Han thought I'm more afraid of you wanting me!
Shu Han responded with a formal bow, "Miss, rest assured, I am definitely not that kind of person."
"That's good to hear!"
With that, Meng Shuran entered one of the top-tier onsens, with Shu Han following close behind.
This onsen's layout was different from the regular ones, resembling Meng Shuran's boudoir more than an onsen.
There were tables and chairs, a wardrobe, musical instruments, and an entire wall filled with books.
The entire onsen was suffused with a peculiar fragrance, Shu Han surveyed the surroundings and couldn't help but remark, "It seems that this heavenly-grade onsen is truly the maiden's profound abode. No wonder the maiden could elevate her cultivation to the initial peak of Foundation Establishment within a mere three years. Residing here, even without soaking in the onsen, cultivation grows imperceptibly."
Meng Shuran removed her long skirt and shoes, still concealing her skin beneath a silk robe that covered every inch.
Except for the fair face on her graceful neck and a pair of slender hands, not a patch of skin was revealed.
Gathering her loose hair into a bun, she slowly approached the edge of the pool, starting from her stockinged feet, gradually submerging her entire body into the onsen.
The warmth of the onsen relaxed her whole body, prompting an involuntary hum.
This slight hum startled Shu Han.
"The beauty brings calamity! The beauty brings calamity!"
After soaking for a while and seeing Shu Han still unmoved on the shore, Meng Shuran frowned and said indignantly, "What are you still doing up there? Do you want me to help you undress?"
Helplessly, Shu Han took off his outer garment and walked to the opposite side of the pool where Meng Shuran was, slowly immersing himself in the water.
Seeing Shu Han sitting opposite her, Meng Shuran sighed deeply, stood up from the onsen, and walked dripping wet to sit in front of Shu Han.
Closing her eyes, a faint red light flickered at her brow, and she extended her palms toward Shu Han.
Understanding without words, Shu Han simultaneously activated the spell taught to him by Song Jinglun, and his Qi flowed along specific routes within his meridians.
Suddenly, he felt the Heavenly Fire power pervading the Fiery Cloud Onsen accelerating its influx into his body, gradually accumulating in his palms.
Truly, this was the core formation of the Heavenly Fire Conversion Array!
Shu Han secretly rejoiced, thinking that with his understanding of the Heavenly Fire Conversion Array, he would eventually reverse-engineer the true core formation, completing the last missing piece of his Heavenly Fire Conversion Array.
But suddenly, he realized that the accumulated Heavenly Fire power through this secret technique could only stack between his palms, unable to directly infuse into his body to nourish the Black Abyssal Fire within.
As Shu Han's palms met Meng Shuran's, suddenly, the accumulated Heavenly Fire power seemed to find an outlet, rushing into Meng Shuran's body all at once.
So that's how it was.
He absorbed and converted one half, while Meng Shuran absorbed the other.