--- Chapter 28 ---
A day later.
Beside a running river, Yu Long tossed a bait and raised his fishing rod.
His action might look ordinary, but keen eyes could see that the fishing line and hook are 'skillfully' made with profound energy.
After the breakthrough into the True Profound Realm, Yu Long felt his strength increased by bigger multipliers. Since his base strength is already that of a monster, this sudden boost brings a lot to the table.
His profound strength is much more stable than before, allowing him to achieve smoother results when doing martial techniques.
Of course, it also means Yu Long had to adapt to this newfound strength, or he'd kill someone by accident.
And what's more suitable to control one's strength than fishing?
He has been doing this routine every year.
It's just relaxing enough to make Yu Long's sudden increase in power settle down.
"Oh, another one." Yu Long gently lifted his fishing rod, successfully catching a trout.
The trout landed on a big wooden basin beside Yu Long, which had a lot of fish.
Yu Long was about to throw another bait when his fishing rod snapped into two. "Aih, this rod was made with Pure Silver Rock and Ether Wood, but it still couldn't handle my strength after ten swings." He commented helplessly.
If any other person used Yu Long's fishing rod, they would likely get tired to oblivion already. The 'special' fishing rod prevented them from using profound energy properly.
Yet Yu Long somehow could create a fine fishing line and hook, showing how great his control over profound energy was.
Yu Long sighed and threw the broken fishing rod into the piles of the same item. It had become a small mountain after Yu Long stayed on this river for hours.
Thankfully, these broken rods wouldn't get wasted as Woby the Mighty Slime exists.
Woby opened its mouth and swallowed the piles of broken fishing rods, turning them back into raw materials.
The raw materials are then molded into new fishing rods, accumulating them beside Yu Long in case he needs more.
Yes, this is an infinite cycle of training.
Yu Long's problem is this river has a limited number of fish.
And just as expected, Yu Long doesn't get any bites for several minutes.
Yu Long glanced at the big wooden basin, "Well, we can have a feast with this amount alone."
Placing all the tools back into the spatial ring, Yu Long grabbed the wooden basin and returned to the Yu Clan.
Hong Guan is still training her swordplay when she notices Yu Long comes with all kinds of river fish. Her green eyes widened in shock as she commented, "You caught a lot this time, young master."
"Your strength must have increased tremendously." She added, which made Yu Long nod.
"Yeah." Yu Long replied casually. "True Profound Realm is really different from the previous two."
"By the way, I heard you have sent some Shadow Walkers to the Frozen Cloud Asgard?" Yu Long smiled at the red-haired beauty.
"Hehe~!" Hong Guan giggled in return. "Of course, I followed your command two weeks ago."
"For my young master, I've to take everything into consideration." She winked playfully at him.
Yu Long was stunned for a moment before laughing. "Then, thank you for your service."
"Tell me if you want something." He gave her a knowing look and then walked toward the kitchen.
"Also, you look good in that dress." His voice echoed in the courtyard.
Hong Guan warmly stared at Yu Long's back and parted her luscious red lips. The sword's handle in Hong Guan's hand tightened as imagination ran wild in her head.
"S-Something I want..."
Hong Guan looked down and noticed her loose red and white martial dress clinging tightly to her alluring body, which was almost see-through due to her sweat and showed her smooth skin.
"Ah, so embarrassing..." Hong Guan froze and blushed after realizing her indecent state. "But Young master seems to observe me and likes this outfit."
"If it's Young Master, I don't mind showing my skin~!" She slowly caressed her lips.
Oh boy~! Yu Long didn't know he just awakened something in Hong Guan.
...
Evening came by. And Yu Long held a roasted fish feast with everyone in the courtyard.
Yu Long sat down near the bonfire and enjoyed the warmth.
"Big brother, big brother~!" Xia Qingyue excitedly ran toward him.
"Guess what surprise Qingyue brings to you."
"What, a fortune cookie?" Yu Long tilted his head, knowingly answering wrong.
Xia Qingyue giggled and leaked her cultivation discreetly so the servants nearby wouldn't know. Not knowing these people are Shadow Agents under Yu Long's control.
Yu Long blinked a few times and praised, "Wow, you reached the 7th Level of the Nascent Profound Realm already?"
Xia Qingyue puffed her developing bosom proudly, "Now, you have to bring me somewhere interesting."
"Yes, yes. I have a place in mind already." Yu Long waved his hand to ease her excitement.
"Really~?" Xia Qingyue's eyes brightened immediately.
Yu Long nodded, "Yup, but it would take some time for us to reach that place."
"Stabilize your cultivation first, and we'll go in two or three days."
"Okay." Xia Qingyue agreed to his arrangement.
Her little nose smelled something nice.
She looked around, "Ah, why did people gather in the courtyard?"
Your response is late, young lady.
Yu Long shook his head at her late reaction and told Lily to bring roasted fish here.
Xia Qingyue's nose sniffed the mouth-watering aroma and witnessed Lily bringing a tray. Her eyes landed on the honey-glazed trout on the plate, causing her to swallow her saliva instinctively.
"One of my catch today, enjoy." Yu Long brought the plate and handed it to Xia Qingyue.
Xia Qingyue gulped and wiped her hand clean first. She touched the fish's belly and felt the crispness of the skin.
Bringing the flesh into her mouth, Xia Qingyue moaned softly and almost cried from how good the roasted fish was.
"Pfft..." Yu Long couldn't hold his laughter.
"Is it that good?"
"It is..." Xia Qingyue's ears and cheeks reddened because of the embarrassment.
She actually moaned because of the food!
"Eat more, grow more. You're still too small." Yu Long commented and recalled Hong Guan's figure a while ago.
"Mm~!" Xia Qingyue sat beside Yu Long and enjoyed the fish.
...
The courtyard's atmosphere becomes lively.
And some bold servants bring alcohol in, which leads to a disaster.
Even then, it was a good moment.
The white, full moon hangs in the night sky.
Yu Long returned to his bedroom and tossed his shoes away.
Jumping to his bed, Yu Long was about to close his eyes when someone suddenly entered his room.
At first, Yu Long thought it was Lily, considering her sleepwalking problem.
However, it was Hong Guan.
Hong Guan wore a white silk sleeping robe, which showed her hourglass figure, especially in the chest area, as it hung over her D-Cup breast.
She had her long, crimson hair let loose, giving off a warm sensation.
The moonlight shone through the gap in the window, making her look like a goddess.
"Y-Young master..." She said tipsily.
"Are you drunk?" Yu Long noticed the redness on her complexion.
Hong Guan stood on the edge of the bed, "There is something I want!"
"...Can we sleep together?"
Oh, shit!
Yu Long thought he was dreaming, but it wasn't a dream. His teenage body was 'actually' exhilarated already.
Yup, He was ready!
'To the battlefield-!' Yu Long suddenly heard a snoring sound. He gazed at Hong Guan and saw her lying on the bed peacefully.
"..." Yu Long.
He doesn't know whether he should laugh or cry in this situation.
Yu Long stretched his hands and reached for Hong Guan's body. He knew this was a dangerous move, but his curiosity ought to be satisfied.
Yu Long's hand sank a little as one word slipped into his mind.
"Soft..." He muttered while looking at his hands.
"Mmn~!" Hong Guan groaned slightly.
Yu Long took a deep breath and covered Hong Guan with a blanket, lying beside her. The feeling was fresh in Yu Long's mind, but he couldn't take another step without her consent.
"Good night, Hong Guan." He said, caressing her hair.
As they both fell asleep, Hong Guan slowly searched for warmth and hugged Yu Long. A pleasant expression plastered her beautiful face, making one wonder what kind of dream she had.
The next day.
Hong Guan woke up with a horrible hangover. She blinked twice and noticed this wasn't her room.
She felt someone hugging her, "Where is this..."
"Y-Young master?" Hong Guan's heart pounded in panic.
Hong Guan stared at the sleeping Yu Long, hugging her waist and resting his head against her chest.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling the air, Hong Guan covered her mouth so she wouldn't wake him. She observed Yu Long's handsome face and couldn't help but slowly bring her lips to his forehead.
After realizing what she was doing, Hong Guan felt guilty and somewhat hot. She reluctantly left the bed and sighed, "I shouldn't have done that."
Hong Guan left the room, covering herself in a coat.
Unknown to her, Yu Long opened his eyes and chuckled in defeat.
"Hong Guan really likes me, huh?" He stared at the ceiling silently.
"And we have been together for years."
"I mean... I also like her."
"Oh, my past life's memory. If only you showed me romance-related things, I wouldn't feel this problematic." Yu Long whined.
"Arrgh. Fuck it, I like Hong Guan, and she likes me. That's all that matters!"
Jumping off the bed, Yu Long opened the window and greeted the morning sky.
"In six years, I'd be an adult..."
"At that point, I will be strong enough that no one on the Blue Polar Star can stop me."
"Don't worry. Hong Guan, your feelings surely reach me!" Yu Long smiled, staring at the crimson-haired woman in the distance.
...
Two days later.
Yu Long, Hong Guan, Lily, and Xia Qingyue started their trip to the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.