<h4>Chapter 24: You Smell Nice</h4>


    Bam!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    It was not long after dawn.


    The dull sound of fists hitting trees came from the bamboo forest in the northwest corner of the garden which had the gue "Moonlight Rain Court".


    At first, the sound was slow, but then it gradually became faster.


    At the same time, the force also changed from light to heavy.


    First, his fists, then his arms, shoulders, back, legs, etc collided violently with the thick tree trunk.


    His skin was like iron, the tree trunk was like a hammer, and his inner force was like a raging fire.


    After repeated hammering and tempering thousands of times, all of his impurities would be hammered out and refined into pure iron!


    Luo Qingzhou was afraid of tearing his clothes. After his body heated up, he took off his clothes, only leaving a pair of shorts on. On this cold winter morning, he was naked above the waist and sweating profusely as he mmed his body against the tree trunk over and over again.


    His skin membrane began to harden, then soften, then harden again.


    After repeating this process many times, it began to crack.


    Intense pain assaulted him.


    He recovered slightly and continued to temper his body fiercely like he was refining iron.


    Sweat poured down his face.


    Traces of blood seeped out of his cracked skin, but he did not stop. He endured the pain and continued to hammer fiercely.


    At first, the birds in the bamboo forest were so frightened that they fled everywhere.


    However, in the end, they realized that this crazy youth was only interested in punching trees and did not hold even the slightest bit of interest for them. Hence, they quietened down.


    A gust of wind blew through the bamboo forest, rustling the leaves.


    Withered leaves fell. The ground was covered with a thick carpet of dead leaves.


    In theke outside, the field of lotuses drifted aimlessly on the surface of theke. Green leaves surrounded the lotus flowers, looking very much like beautiful women dancing against the deep blue sky.


    The pavilion was reflected in the mirror of theke. The winter sun shone down upon theke. Around him, there was nothing but silence.


    A day passed quietly.


    The sun was setting.


    Theke''s water rippled under the gusts of wind, and the sky was full of clouds. The surface water of theke glittered like a million stars. The red lotuses were in full bloom, and the weeping willows danced gracefully around theke.


    The evening scenery was beautiful.


    After Luo Qingzhou finished cultivating, he was covered in sweat and his stomach was rumbling with hunger.


    Just as he was about to put on his clothes and go back, he suddenly noticed the mistyke outside the bamboo forest.


    Just like theke in Chengguo Residence, theke water here was also warm. It was unknown if it was because there was a natural hot spring below.


    <i>"Why don''t I take a bath there first before heading back?" </i>Luo Qingzhou thought.


    His body was covered in sweat and dirt. If he wanted to go out, he would have to wear back his clean clothes from earlier, which would dirty them.


    Moreover, when he returned, he would have to waste time boiling water and bathing.


    It was not convenient to change the water in the wooden barrel.


    Usually, his body was clean, and a bucket of water was enough. However, ever since he started cultivating, a bucket of water was not enough for him to fully cleanse his body.


    After washing himself once, the entire bucket of water turned ck. It was impossible for him to wash himself clean with merely one bucket of water.


    Theke was vast and the water was warm. It was the perfect ce for him to take a bath.


    Moreover, it was already evening and the sky was about to turn dark. He doubted that anyone woulde here.


    Luo Qingzhou no longer hesitated. He took his clothes and walked out of the bamboo forest. He nced at the distant archway and carefully observed theke and other ces. After confirming that there was no one around, he quickly ran out. Then, with a ssh, he jumped into theke at the corner.


    Water sshed everywhere.


    A warm stream of water instantly enveloped his entire body.


    It felt awesome!


    Thiske was indeed the best ce to take a bath!


    The shore was freezing cold, yet theke water was as warm as if it was springtime. His entire body was submerged in the warm water, and the warm water eased his aching muscles.


    Due to the huge temperature difference, theke was shrouded in a hazy mist.


    He was so submerged in the water that almost no one could see him.


    Even if someone walked close, it would be difficult to discover Luo Qingzhou if they did not look carefully.


    However, it was almost dark and he did not dare to stay any longer.


    Luo Qingzhou quickly rubbed his entire body over and over again. After washing all the dirt off his body, he immediately went ashore, put on his clothes, and returned to the small courtyard.


    His entire body felt warm andfortable.


    Xiao Die had already brought dinner over and was waiting at the door.


    When she saw him, she hurriedly said, "Young Master, you went to theke alone again? I''ve already been back for a long time. Hurry up and eat. The food is getting cold."


    "You don''t have to wait for me next time. Just eat first."


    Luo Qingzhou entered the small courtyard and sat down to eat.


    After an entire day of high-intensity cultivation, the food in his stomach had long been digested. In the afternoon, his stomach began to growl.


    It seemed like he had to get more meat to eat in the future.


    The secret manual had already stated that cultivators had to eat enough meat every day. Only then would they have the strength to persevere in cultivation and increase their Vitality and improve their physique faster.


    The qualitative change in the membrane was also inseparable from the constant replenishment of energy.


    Fortunately, the requirements for skin refinement were not too high.


    When it came to refining meat and bones, the demand for meat every day was even higher. It was even indicated that it was best to eat the flesh of ferocious beasts or even demon beasts. Only then would he get the desired effect in half the time.


    But now was not the time to worry about the future.


    He had to refine his skin to the extreme first before making further ns.


    If he could not even pass the skin refinement stage, there was no need for him to continue cultivating in the future.


    "If Young Master hasn''t eaten yet, I can''t eat first," Xiao Die said.


    She followed along behind him and was stunned. She stared at his hair in puzzlement. "Young Master, why is your hair wet? Did you take a bath?"


    Luo Qingzhou felt that there was no need to lie to her. "I washed it in theke in front."


    Xiao Die immediately widened her eyes and said in shock, "Lake... Theke? Did you go into theke to take a shower alone? I heard from Qiu''er that the water in theke is very deep. I-If something happens to you, what should I do?"


    The little girl was so frightened that her voice trembled.


    In her impression, Young Master was delicate and weak. He could not go into the water at all. If he went down, he would probably drown.


    Luo Qingzhou smiled andforted, "It''s fine. I know how to swim. Besides, I merely washed my hair by the side. I didn''t venture too deep into theke."


    Then, he added, "Xiao Die, thatke is like a hot spring. It''s veryfortable to soak in it. You can take a bath there."


    Xiao Die hurriedly shook her head. "Young Master, I don''t want to do that, there... there will be people who will see me if I do so."


    Luo Qingzhou smiled and said, "Very few people go there. Besides, we can wait until it''s dark before washing ourselves. There is a thick fog surrounding theke, so no one can see us if we''re within it."


    Xiao Die opened her mouth, speechless for a moment. A hot blush came over her face. She peeked at him and did not say anything else.


    Luo Qingzhou looked up and heard what she said in her heart.<i> "W-we... Young Master said ''we'', so that means that Young Master wants to... Does he want to bathe with me? How embarrassing... Can we do it every night?"</i>


    Luo Qingzhou was rendered speechless.


    Right at this moment, Bai Ling''s sweet voice suddenly came from the door. "Sir, are you home?"


    Xiao Die suddenly snapped back to reality with a start and quickly ran to open the door.


    Luo Qingzhou''s eyes shed. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at the door. His heart subconsciously beat faster, and he could not help but think of those two nights of lovemaking.


    The courtyard door opened.


    Bai Ling walked in. She was wearing a pink dress. "Sir, you''re still eating. Did you study hard today?"


    Luo Qingzhou nced at her bright eyes and charming face. His gaze moved downward and he took a quick nce at her slender waist and graceful figure.


    Of course, there were also her towering breasts.


    However, he could not tell anything from these alone.


    "Miss Bai Ling, why are you here sote?"


    He did not dare to look at other ces. He looked at the girl''s pretty face and pink lips and thought about the kiss that night.


    Bai Ling raised her eyebrows and stood in front of him. She looked at him with sparkling eyes and a smile on her beautiful face. "Sir, were you peeking at my chest just now?"


    Luo Qingzhou was rendered speechless.


    Xiao Die''s eyes widened.


    The small courtyard immediately fell silent.


    After a while.


    Bai Ling chuckled and said, "Sir, I was just joking. I came tonight to tell you that the weather is good tomorrow and Second Young Miss is going to the Moon Gazing Pavilion. You haven''t seen Second Young Miss ever since you entered the residence. Do you want to meet her tomorrow?"


    Luo Qingzhou was slightly stunned. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Forget it. I still have to study at home tomorrow."


    He had to seize the time to cultivate.


    It was said that the Second Young Miss was weak and sickly. She usually stayed in the house and did note out. When she came out tomorrow, she would definitely go on a scenic tour around the residence.


    He should not waste his time on things like that.


    Bai Ling''s eyes shed and she smiled. "You really don''t want to see her?"


    Luo Qingzhou did not say anything else.


    Bai Ling nodded and said, "All right, then I''ll reply to Second Young Miss and tell her that Sir thinks that she''s not as good-looking as First Young Miss, so he doesn''t want to see her."


    With that, she was about to leave.


    Luo Qingzhou could only ask, "Does Second Young Miss want to see me?"


    Bai Ling turned around and said, "Of course. Second Young Miss is weak. When Sir and First Young Miss got married, she couldn''t evene out to congratte you, so she has always felt guilty about that. Coincidentally, the weather is good tomorrow, so she wanted toe out and meet you. I didn''t expect you to despise her. If Second Young Miss hears this, she will definitely be very sad."


    Luo Qingzhou sighed and said, "How am I qualified to despise Second Young Miss? If Second Young Miss isn''t afraid of me being a hindrance to her, I''ll go see her tomorrow."


    Bai Ling smiled. "All right, I''ll go reply to Second Young Miss now."


    Luo Qingzhou watched her slender figure walk toward the door and suddenly asked, "Miss Bai Ling, you smell really good. Do you have this fragrance on you every day?"


    Bai Ling froze. She stopped and turned to look at him.


    After pausing for a few seconds, she suddenly smiled and said, "Is Sir hinting at something? I remember telling you that if you want me to sleep with you, you have to get my Young Miss'' permission. Are you going to ask for her permission now?"


    Luo Qingzhou''s eyes shed. Before he could answer, Bai Ling smiled charmingly and waved her hand before leaving gracefully.


    After walking out of the door, she turned around and said crisply, "Sir, I''ll be waiting for you at Young Miss'' ce. You have toe early."


    With that, she giggled and left.