As Xiao Feng guarded the cave entrance quietly—
Warm steam continuously drifted outward from inside the hidden hot spring cave.
Meanwhile—
Inside the cave itself—
The atmosphere had become far more relaxed and lively.
The four women had already created a simple temporary changing area using cloth curtains and folding screens taken from their storage rings.
Various bathing utensils, fragrant oils, and clean robes were neatly placed nearby.
After washing away the sweat and exhaustion from the entire day's training—
The girls slowly wrapped white bath towels around their bodies before entering the hot spring one after another.
The warm water instantly relaxed their tired muscles.
"Mnn…"
"This feels amazing…"
Xue Ni sighed comfortably while leaning against the smooth stone edge.
Meanwhile—
Ruo Ling lightly closed her eyes as warm mist surrounded her mature beautiful figure gracefully.
"The temperature is perfect…"
Even Liu Fei nodded repeatedly.
"It feels like all my exhaustion disappeared instantly."
At this moment—
Xiao Yu lazily stretched inside the hot spring before grumbling unhappily,
"Hmph."
"That idiot Xiao Feng…"
"He knew about a place like this and only told me now."
Hearing this—
Xue Ni suddenly revealed a mischievous smile.
Then—
She slowly leaned closer toward Xiao Yu before whispering something into her ear.
The moment Xiao Yu heard it—
Her eyes instantly brightened dangerously.
Then—
Both girls slowly turned toward Liu Fei and Ruo Ling simultaneously with suspicious smiles.
Seeing those expressions—
Both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling immediately felt chills run down their backs.
"…Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling?"
Liu Fei instinctively covered herself slightly more.
Meanwhile—
Before either could react—
Xiao Yu and Xue Ni suddenly moved.
Like two mischievous snakes—
They instantly slipped behind Liu Fei and Ruo Ling from both sides.
"What are you two doing?!"
Ruo Ling immediately became alarmed.
However—
The next moment—
The bath towels around both women were suddenly snatched away playfully.
"Ah!"
Both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling instantly cried out while hurriedly trying to cover themselves.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Yu crossed her arms seriously while pretending to inspect them carefully.
"If you want to stand beside Xiao Feng in the future…"
"Then naturally your body condition must be perfect."
"No scars."
"No hidden injuries."
"Everything must pass inspection."
Beside her—
Xue Ni nodded dramatically.
"Exactly."
"What if there are hidden problems?"
"We can ask Xiao Feng to refine beauty pills for treatment."
Hearing their shameless nonsense—
Both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling immediately became embarrassed and angry.
"You two are clearly just teasing us!"
Unfortunately—
Before they could escape—
Xiao Yu and Xue Ni suddenly exchanged glances silently.
Then—
With evil smiles—
Both girls simultaneously poked their sides and waists teasingly.
"Ahhh!"
The sudden ticklish attack immediately shattered both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling's composure.
The two women instantly let out startled cries while trying desperately to dodge.
The entire hot spring cave immediately descended into chaos.
Water splashed everywhere.
Laughter and embarrassed protests echoed continuously.
However—
At that exact moment—
Outside the cave—
Xiao Feng's expression suddenly changed.
Because while guarding the entrance—
He had suddenly heard several loud cries from inside.
His first instinct immediately became serious.
"Something's wrong."
Although he had casually scanned the area earlier using soul power—
He worried some magical beast or hidden creature might have entered afterward while his attention was elsewhere.
Without even thinking—
Xiao Feng instantly rushed into the cave.
"Xiao Yu! What happened—"
Then—
He froze completely.
The scene before him was absolutely not what he expected.
Warm mist filled the cave softly.
The four women stood within the hot spring area—
Their wet hair slightly scattered while water droplets glistened under the crystal light.
Liu Fei and Ruo Ling had clearly been caught completely off guard.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Yu and Xue Ni stood behind them looking equally shocked.
For a brief moment—
Everyone froze silently.
The atmosphere instantly became unbelievably awkward.
Xiao Feng's mind blanked completely.
"…I…"
Meanwhile—
The four girls finally reacted simultaneously.
"AHHHHH!!"
Splash!
Almost instinctively—
Several water-attributed Dou Skills instantly flew toward Xiao Feng.
Water snakes.
Ice needles.
Steam bursts.
Everything exploded toward him chaotically.
Xiao Feng immediately raised both hands defensively.
"Wait! Listen first!"
"I thought magical beasts attacked you!"
Unfortunately—
Before he could fully explain—
Xiao Yu suddenly narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Then—
With a flick of her fingers—
A tiny silver needle instantly shot toward Xiao Feng.
Pfft!
The needle lightly pierced his arm.
Immediately—
A strange numbness spread throughout his body.
Xiao Feng's expression instantly changed.
"This poison—"
He instinctively began circulating Dou Qi and Heavenly Flame to neutralize it.
However—
At that exact moment—
Xiao Yu's dangerous voice reached his ears.
"Don't you dare neutralize it."
"If you use Dou Qi…"
"I'll personally stab you with ten more needles."
Hearing this—
Xiao Feng instantly stiffened.
Because he immediately recognized the poison.
It was one of Xiao Yi Xian's harmless sleep-inducing paralysis poisons used for protection.
Seeing Xiao Yu's flushed but stubborn face—
Xiao Feng helplessly sighed inwardly.
In the end—
He obediently stopped resisting.
The poison rapidly spread throughout his body afterward.
Meanwhile—
Even while feeling dizzy—
Xiao Feng still hurriedly explained,
"I seriously thought something attacked you…"
"I only rushed in because I was worried…"
As the poison fully activated—
His vision gradually blurred.
Then—
His body slowly tilted forward.
Seeing Xiao Feng about to slam face-first onto the stone ground—
Xiao Yu's expression immediately changed.
"Idiot!"
Splash—
She instantly moved forward through the water before quickly catching him.
Instead of letting him hit the ground—
She carefully supported his head against herself gently.
At this moment—
The entire cave finally became quiet again.
Only the sound of warm water and everyone's embarrassed breathing remained.
"Ahhh… what should we do…"
"Senior Brother Xiao Feng saw both me and Teacher Ruo Ling naked now…"
Liu Fei's face had already become completely red as she held her burning cheeks with both hands.
Her usually prideful and lively personality had completely collapsed at this moment.
She looked like a small frightened kitten instead.
Beside her—
Ruo Ling also looked equally flustered.
The mature instructor who normally carried herself elegantly now looked completely helpless.
"I… I was originally thinking of approaching him properly little by little…"
"But you two…"
"What exactly have you done now?!"
Ruo Ling looked toward Xiao Yu and Xue Ni with embarrassed grievance in her eyes.
"Should I just give up now…?"
The moment those words came out—
Both Xiao Yu and Xue Ni instantly panicked.
"Teacher! We really didn't mean it!"
"We were only joking around!"
Xue Ni hurriedly waved her hands repeatedly in panic.
Even Xiao Yu looked slightly guilty now.
Originally—
The two of them had only wanted to tease Liu Fei and Ruo Ling a little.
Who would have expected Xiao Feng to rush inside at that exact timing?
The atmosphere immediately became chaotic again.
Seeing both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling looking as though they were about to cry from embarrassment—
Xiao Yu suddenly remembered something important.
"Wait!"
"Don't panic yet!"
Hearing her sudden voice—
Everyone immediately looked toward her.
Xiao Yu quickly pointed toward the sleeping Xiao Feng.
"The poison needle I used came from Sister Xiao Yi Xian."
"It doesn't only cause paralysis and sleep…"
"It can also create light hallucinations and blur recent memories before the target loses consciousness."
"Unless the person's spiritual strength is extremely high or they're above the Dou Huang class…"
"They usually won't remember things clearly afterward."
Hearing this—
Both Liu Fei and Ruo Ling instantly relaxed slightly.
"Really…?"
Liu Fei asked nervously.
Xiao Yu nodded confidently.
"And if we give him an antidote pill later, he can wake up within an hour."
"Otherwise he'll probably sleep until afternoon."
Only then did the tense atmosphere calm down slightly.
Meanwhile—
The sleeping Xiao Feng still remained completely unaware of the emotional storm happening around him.
His expression looked unusually peaceful while sleeping.
Seeing his handsome sleeping face again—
The cave gradually became quiet.
Warm steam drifted gently through the air.
And slowly—
Other strange thoughts began appearing inside the girls' hearts.
Especially Liu Fei.
Ever since yesterday—
Her feelings toward Xiao Feng had already begun growing uncontrollably.
From admiration…
To dependence…
And now—
Something much deeper.
After calming themselves—
The girls slowly finished washing up before changing into clean clothes again.
Meanwhile—
Liu Fei unconsciously moved closer toward Xiao Feng.
Almost instinctively—
She gently hugged one of his arms tightly against herself.
Her soft body leaned fully against him naturally as though seeking warmth and comfort.
The familiar masculine scent surrounding Xiao Feng made her heartbeat become faster unconsciously.
For some reason—
His embrace gave her a feeling of safety she had never experienced before.
Even when unconscious—
Xiao Feng's body still radiated warmth and steadiness.
Liu Fei carefully lowered her gaze toward his sleeping face.
Her fingers slowly brushed across his cheek gently.
"So unfair…"
She whispered softly.
"How can someone be this cool and kind…"
"He clearly doesn't even realize how much he affects people…"
Her voice carried both affection and helplessness.
Meanwhile—
Her curious fingers lightly traced along his arm and shoulder unconsciously.
Only now did she truly realize how well-built Xiao Feng's body actually was beneath his robes.
Not exaggerated—
But perfectly balanced with strength and elegance.
Remembering how he always stood calmly before everyone—
Protecting others while carrying enormous pressure alone—
Liu Fei's eyes gradually softened further.
Without noticing—
Her body moved even closer toward him.
Seeing this scene—
Even Xiao Yu quietly sighed inwardly.
Although she felt slightly jealous—
She also understood Liu Fei's feelings very clearly.
Because—
She herself had fallen for Xiao Feng for almost the same reasons.
Beside them—
Ruo Ling quietly watched everything silently.
Her beautiful mature eyes carried complicated emotions.
Embarrassment.
Admiration.
Curiosity.
And an attraction she could no longer deny.
Meanwhile—
Xue Ni looked at the scene before her—
Liu Fei hugging Xiao Feng's arm tightly…
Xiao Yu sitting quietly beside him while gently fixing his messy hair…
And even Ruo Ling secretly glancing toward his sleeping face from time to time—
Before finally sighing helplessly.
Then—
With a teasing smile—
She shook her head lightly and said,
"Senior Xiao Feng really won't know how many girlfriends he'll have in the future…"
The moment those words fell—
The atmosphere instantly became strange again.
Liu Fei's face immediately turned bright red.
"Xue Ni!"
She hurriedly lowered her head in embarrassment while still refusing to release Xiao Feng's arm.
Meanwhile—
Ruo Ling coughed awkwardly before pretending to look elsewhere.
Only Xiao Yu remained relatively calm.
However—
Even the corners of her ears had quietly become red.
"Hmph."
"That depends on whether he can even handle all of us first."
Xiao Yu spoke proudly while crossing her arms.
Hearing this—
Xue Ni instantly burst into laughter.
"Look at you acting like the main wife already."
"I am the main wife candidate."
Xiao Yu immediately answered shamelessly.
"Everyone else still needs approval."
Beside her—
Liu Fei carefully raised her hand weakly like a student.
"…I already got half approval…"
Xiao Yu glanced toward her before finally nodding proudly.
"Mnn. Half approved."
"But observation period is still ongoing."
Hearing that—
Liu Fei actually looked relieved instead of unhappy.
Meanwhile—
Ruo Ling looked at the three younger girls before suddenly smiling helplessly herself.
Somehow—
The originally awkward atmosphere had gradually become warm and natural.
At this moment—
Xiao Feng unconsciously moved slightly in his sleep.
Perhaps because Liu Fei was hugging his arm too tightly—
He instinctively leaned closer toward her warmth.
His forehead lightly rested against her shoulder naturally.
"Ah…"
Liu Fei's breathing instantly became chaotic again.
Her entire body stiffened immediately.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Yu narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"…Why is he always unconsciously finding the softest place nearby?"
Xue Ni immediately covered her mouth while laughing silently.
Ruo Ling also failed to hold back a laugh this time.
Only Liu Fei remained frozen completely—
Her heart beating wildly while carefully looking down at Xiao Feng's peaceful sleeping face.
Then—
Very gently—
She whispered softly enough that only she could hear it.
"…I really am in trouble now."
Seeing Liu Fei hugging Xiao Feng so naturally—
Ruo Ling's originally wavering heart finally became firm completely.
She slowly walked toward Xiao Feng's other side before quietly sitting beside him.
For a brief moment—
She simply stared at his sleeping face silently.
The young man before her—
Even while asleep—
Still carried a calm and reliable aura that made people unconsciously want to get closer.
Then—
Almost hesitantly—
Ruo Ling gently held Xiao Feng's other arm softly against herself.
Her fingers carefully brushed across his sleeve before lightly touching the firm muscles beneath.
The warmth coming from him made her heartbeat gradually accelerate.
As a mature woman—
Ruo Ling naturally understood her own feelings far more clearly than younger girls.
Once she acknowledged them—
She no longer wanted to run away from them.
Especially after seeing Xiao Feng today—
His gentleness…
His responsibility…
The way he respected women without carrying hidden intentions…
All of it had deeply shaken her heart.
And somewhere inside—
She had already begun imagining a future beside him.
A warm home.
Shared responsibilities.
Standing beside him openly.
Even becoming his wife one day.
Thinking about this—
Ruo Ling's beautiful eyes gradually softened.
At the same time—
A slightly embarrassed curiosity also appeared within her heart.
After all—
She occasionally read romantic novels during her free time.
And one of her favorite scenes had always been when the female lead quietly cared for her future husband before they officially became lovers.
That kind of tender closeness…
The quiet intimacy before love fully bloomed…
It always made her heart race while reading.
Now—
Without realizing it—
She found herself wanting something similar.
Her fingers lightly traced along Xiao Feng's arm curiously.
Feeling the warmth and strength beneath his skin—
Her breathing slowly became slightly uneven.
Even her usually calm eyes gradually carried a faint pink softness.
At that moment—
Ruo Ling truly looked less like a respected instructor—
And more like a woman quietly falling deeper into love.
However—
Just as her thoughts were beginning to drift further—
A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder gently.
Ruo Ling immediately snapped back to reality.
She turned around quickly—
Only to see Xiao Yu staring at her with a knowing look.
"…Teacher."
Xiao Yu spoke softly while trying not to laugh.
"You're staring at him like a hungry wolf already."
Instantly—
Ruo Ling's face turned completely red.
"I-I was not!"
She immediately tried denying it in embarrassment.
Meanwhile—
Xue Ni had already covered her mouth while shaking from suppressed laughter.
Even Liu Fei blinked innocently before whispering,
"…Actually… your eyes really did look a little scary just now…"
Hearing this—
Ruo Ling instantly covered her burning face with both hands.
At this moment—
She truly wished she could bury herself underground forever from embarrassment.