Chapter 2811 — The Beauty Before Him

"No trouble at all—it is Xiaoming's honor to serve the Young Sect Master!" Kang Jingming said, drawing a booklet from his robe pocket—the very register he had compiled earlier. Opening it, he counted for a while, then reported to Tian Canbian: "By your leave, Young Sect Master, those taking part in the Mystic Pill Sect trial number twenty-four Heaven-rank experts, nineteen Earth-rank experts, and eight Mystic-rank..."

"There is no need to report the Mystic-rank experts." Tian Canbian waved a hand, cutting Kang Jingming off, then began calculating under his breath: "Forty-three in all, two each day, so roughly twenty-two days... that should be time enough. I should be able to return safely..."

"Young Sect Master, what did you say?" Kang Jingming had not understood a word of Tian Canbian's muttering.

"Nothing." Tian Canbian shook his head, a trace of relief surfacing on his face, and said to Kang Jingming: "Xiaoming, what I asked you just now—do not mention it to anyone."

"Rest assured, Young Sect Master—Xiaoming is your dog. If the Young Sect Master does not bid Xiaoming bark, Xiaoming would never dare bark out of turn." Kang Jingming hastened to declare.

"Good, then." Tian Canbian nodded. "I am a little weary."

"Xiaoming can see that the Young Sect Master seems rather tired—shall Xiaoming give you a massage?" Kang Jingming asked.

"A massage?" Tian Canbian was taken aback. He hesitated, but did not answer at once.

"Young Sect Master, have you forgotten? Xiaoming's massage technique was taught by the Patriarch Xuanzhen himself—it is quite good..." Seeing Tian Canbian hesitate, Kang Jingming sensed an opening and pressed on eagerly.

"Oh, oh—very well then, Xiaoming, go ahead!" Tian Canbian nodded, indicating that Kang Jingming might massage him.

Seeing Tian Canbian consent, Kang Jingming was overjoyed. So, indeed, effort never betrays the willing heart, he thought. With perseverance, even an iron pestle can be ground into a needle. He rose quickly and stood carefully behind Tian Canbian, kneading his head and shoulders...

Xiaotaohong had gone to brew tea, and now carried the tray into the room—only to see Kang Jingming massaging Tian Canbian. She gave a great start, so startled that she nearly dropped the tray from her hands! She was secretly appalled: Kang Jingming truly had nerve, daring to massage Tian Canbian?

And what was stranger still—why would Tian Canbian ever agree to let Kang Jingming massage him?

Yet seeing that Tian Canbian seemed to think highly of Kang Jingming, Xiaotaohong felt both glad and uneasy. She set the tray on the table and said: "Young Sect Master, the tea is ready."

"Oh, Xiaoming, that is about enough massaging—have some tea. I wish to read as well." So saying, Tian Canbian picked up the book that had been lying at his side—a volume on pill refinement.

"Then Xiaoming shall not disturb the Young Sect Master further. Xiaoming will take his leave!" How would Kang Jingming dare drink tea? He knew Tian Canbian's offer was mere courtesy; the Young Sect Master had already turned to his book—what tea was there for him to drink?

"Oh—then, Xiaotaohong, see Xiaoming out for me." Tian Canbian waved a hand and said to Xiaotaohong: "After that, find something to occupy yourself. I wish to read alone in quiet."

"Yes!" Xiaotaohong answered promptly, and left Tian Canbian's room together with Kang Jingming, one behind the other.

Only once the two had left the side courtyard did Xiaotaohong breathe a sigh of relief. "Brother Kang, how were you so bold as to massage the Young Sect Master?"

"I only asked, never expecting the Young Sect Master to actually agree!" Kang Jingming was likewise puzzled. "Do you think the Young Sect Master reckons I am fairly reliable in my work, and now looks on me with new eyes?"

"Perhaps... but you had best be careful all the same..." Xiaotaohong found it odd as well.

"Don't worry—the Young Sect Master seemed quite pleased. Once I become his trusted confidant, I shall ask for your hand." Kang Jingming said: "By then, we shall both be in his confidence!"

"This... very well..." Xiaotaohong had meant to say more, but his talk of asking for her hand left her utterly bewitched, filled with longing and anticipation.

Within the cave.

That five-colored radiance flickered on, who knew how long—by Wei Zhao's reckoning, a full day and night at least, perhaps longer. Yet this sensation of pain mingled with bliss gave Wei Zhao a pleasure he could not bring himself to abandon; the light entering his body seemed to nourish the meridians within him, and yet perhaps not the meridians—what exactly it was, Wei Zhao could not say clearly. In any case, the sensation was most agreeable.

At this moment he felt as though he were placed within some mysterious realm, where time itself seemed to have halted around him. How long passed, he did not know; gradually the light before his eyes dimmed, and Wei Zhao returned from that mysterious state to calm, back to reality.

What appeared before Wei Zhao's eyes was a face of peerless beauty—none other than the young beauty from the cave before. Only now did Wei Zhao realize how close he was to her; the two of them were nearly face to face, on the verge of touching!

Wei Zhao could see the young beauty, and naturally she could see him. She too was greatly startled by Wei Zhao's sudden appearance before her, and let out an astonished cry: "Ah..."

"Uh..." Wei Zhao was about to explain that he had not done so of his own will, and meant to step back two paces—but unexpectedly, a tremendous roar burst out from behind him.

"Awoo—roar!" The dinosaur, it seemed, had likewise returned to its normal state, and suddenly gave an furious bellow. The powerful current of energy thrust Wei Zhao forward, sending him sprawling onto the young beauty before him. Wei Zhao had just opened his mouth to speak, and the young beauty's lips were half-parted in astonishment—and so, Wei Zhao's mouth and the young beauty's came to meet, just like that...

The powerful surge of energy flung them both to the ground, as though Wei Zhao had thrown the young beauty down. Both had only just regained their senses and had not yet circulated their heart-methods and incantations to shield themselves with true qi, and so they tumbled down easily.

Their lips met in a kiss, and the sensation left Wei Zhao stunned. He had never imagined that the two of them would complete their first meeting in such an ambiguous scene.

Yet that wondrous sensation set Wei Zhao's heart racing in an instant. Though it was their first meeting, to have beneath him such a young beauty brimming with spiritual energy—any man would be moved.

"Mm!" The girl trembled from head to toe, having never expected such a scene to unfold before her eyes. She shoved Wei Zhao away at once and glared at him furiously: "You... are you not going to get up?"

"Ah... I am sorry..." Only then did Wei Zhao abruptly remember the dinosaur behind him. This was no time for romance—linger in such ambiguity, and he might well lose his life. (To be continued.)