Chapter 44 Taming the Flames, and the Breathtaking Battle of the Hot Springs
Tian Dou City, the hotel where the full-time esports team is based
After defeating Shenfeng Academy, the All-Round Team, with their undefeated record, not only secured their place in the top tier of the qualifiers but also became the biggest topic of conversation throughout Tiandou City. To reward everyone (mainly to allow Ye Feng to rest), Teacher Mingyue granted them a three-day holiday.
The afternoon sun lazily spilled into the hotel's private garden. Ye Feng lay on a wicker chair, his face covered by a copy of "The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls (Modified Edition)," breathing evenly, seemingly taking a nap.
However, this tranquility was quickly shattered. A series of hurried but deliberately soft high heels stopped beside the wicker chair. Immediately afterwards, a hand rudely ripped the book off Ye Feng's face.
"Stop pretending to be asleep! I know you're awake!" A clear voice, tinged with a hint of anxiety, rang out.
Ye Feng reluctantly opened one eye. What came into view was a dazzling red, like a blazing flame.
Fire Dance.
Today, instead of her usual tight-fitting team uniform, she wore a fiery red off-shoulder mini dress. The hemline reached mid-thigh, revealing a pair of long, straight, and powerfully beautiful white legs. Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, giving her a more youthful and charming appearance, rather than the fierce aura she exuded on the field.
"Yo, isn't this Huo Wu?" Ye Feng yawned, his gaze sweeping over her without any attempt to look away, finally settling on her delicate collarbone. "What? You're not happy about losing the match, so you're planning to ambush me while I'm napping?"
"Who...who's trying to ambush you!"
Sweeping under Ye Feng's aggressive gaze, Huo Wu felt uneasy, her cheeks flushing slightly. She bit her red lips, forcing herself to remain calm, and said, "I'm here... to fulfill the bet. Didn't you say yesterday that as long as I came, you would teach me how to become stronger?"
"Oh? I just said it offhand, and you actually believed it?" Ye Feng sat up, stretched, and his joints cracked.
"However, since you are so sincere, I will reluctantly give you some pointers."
"Follow me." Ye Feng stood up and walked towards a secluded grove of trees deep in the garden.
Huo Wu hesitated for a moment, then followed. Looking at the tall, imposing figure ahead, her heart pounded. A lone man and woman in the grove… if word got out, how could she ever face anyone again?
...
Deep in the garden, under the shade of trees.
"Alright, let's stop here." Ye Feng stopped, turned around, leaned against a thick tree, and looked at Huo Wu with a half-smile. "Tell me, what do you think is your biggest problem?"
Huo Wu took a deep breath and said seriously, "My fire burst power is enough, but in terms of control... it's not as good as that Shui Bing'er's. Moreover, against your... strange defense, my flames can't burn through at all."
"At least you know your place." Ye Feng nodded, then suddenly took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them. Huo Wu instinctively wanted to back away, but found herself surrounded by bushes with nowhere to retreat.
Ye Feng braced himself against the tree trunk, trapping her between himself and the trunk. A classic "tree-kiss" moment.
"What...what are you doing? Can't you talk properly?" Huo Wu's heart rate instantly soared to 180. She placed her hands on Ye Feng's chest, but couldn't muster any strength to push him away.
"Can you feel it?" Ye Feng ignored her shyness and looked down into her eyes, his voice deep and magnetic. "Your breathing is disordered, your heartbeat is disordered, and your soul power flow... is disordered too."
He reached out a hand and gently placed it on Huo Wu's lower abdomen, specifically her dantian. The warmth of his palm instantly penetrated through the thin fabric. Huo Wu's delicate body trembled, almost collapsing to the ground, but Ye Feng's other hand caught her slender waist.
"Don't move. Feel it carefully." Ye Feng's voice seemed to have some kind of magic, gradually calming Huo Wu down.
"Fire isn't just for 'releasing,' it's also for 'controlling.' If you want the flame to be hotter and more penetrating, you must learn to compress it." "Like this..."
Ye Feng guided a wisp of gentle soul power into Huo Wu's body, guiding it through her meridians. The sensation was incredibly strange. It was as if a warm current flowed through her body, tingling and numb, yet strangely comfortable.
"Mmm..." Huo Wu couldn't help but let out a soft moan, then immediately covered her mouth, her face turning as red as a ripe apple.
"Imagine your fire element as a spring. The tighter you compress it, the stronger the rebound." Ye Feng whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe. "Try to concentrate all your soul power at the point where my fingertips are guiding it."
Under Ye Feng's almost "close-quarters combat" guidance, Huo Wu, though filled with shame and indignation, had to admit that this teaching method was extremely efficient. For the first time, she experienced the thrill of taming raging flames in her palm.
Ten minutes later. Ye Feng released his grip and took a step back. Huo Wu leaned against the tree trunk, panting heavily, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, her eyes glazed over, as if she had just experienced strenuous exercise.
"Remember this feeling?" Ye Feng straightened his collar, resuming his gentlemanly demeanor.
"I...I remember." Huo Wu lowered her head, not daring to look at him. The feeling of being completely controlled just now both frightened her and...somewhat addictive.
"That's good. Come see me at this time every day from now on, and I'll help you 'strengthen' it." Ye Feng smiled mischievously, reaching out to gently tidy her slightly messy hair.
"Alright, let's go back. If Feng Xiaotian sees you like this, he'll probably come after me again."
Huo Wu, feeling as if granted a pardon, turned and ran. When she reached the garden gate, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and gave Ye Feng a deep look. Her eyes no longer held the previous hostility, replaced by a complex and indescribable emotion. This fiery steed's defenses had crumbled.
...
Back in the room.
As soon as Ye Feng pushed open the door, he smelled a faint, delicate fragrance. It wasn't just one scent, but a blend of two: a crisp mint aroma and an alluring orchid fragrance.
"Welcome back, my hero!"
Dugu Yan's voice came from the sofa.
In the living room, Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er were both present. However, their attire... was a bit out of place.
Dugu Yan wore a semi-transparent purple gauze dress, revealing glimpses of black undergarments underneath, creating a striking visual impact. She was lounging on the sofa, her long legs crossed, holding a bottle of essential oil in her hand.
Shui Bing'er, who is usually conservative, changed into an ice-blue slip dress today. Although she was not as daring as Dugu Yan, her exposed snow-white shoulders and neck and delicate collarbone made her look more innocent and alluring.
"What... is this all about?" Ye Feng raised an eyebrow and closed the door behind him.
"Captain, you must be exhausted after flying for so long yesterday protecting us, right?" Dugu Yan walked over barefoot and wrapped her arms around Ye Feng's arm like a beautiful snake. "So, Bing'er and I discussed it and decided to provide you with special 'post-battle recovery services'."
Shui Bing'er walked over with a blush, took Ye Feng's coat and hung it up, saying softly, "My teacher said that proper relaxation helps the meridians recover. Um... I've also learned some massage techniques."
Ye Feng felt that happiness had come too suddenly. "Since my two beloved concubines... no, my two team members are so kind, then I shall accept their offer."
A moment later. Ye Feng lay sprawled on the large, soft couch. Dugu Yan straddled his waist, her hands, coated in essential oil, massaging his broad back. "Captain, your muscles are so hard… Is it blocked up here? Let me use snake venom to clear it for you~" She deliberately lowered her body, her full, soft breasts occasionally brushing against Ye Feng's back, sending jolts of electricity through him.
Shui Bing'er knelt beside Ye Feng's head, her hands glowing with a faint icy blue light as she gently pressed on Ye Feng's temples and acupoints on his head. Since fusing with the head soul bone, her fingers seemed to possess a special magic, each press providing extreme relief to Ye Feng's tense nerves. "Is the pressure appropriate?" Shui Bing'er asked softly.
"Perfect." Ye Feng let out a satisfied hum. "I wish it could stay like this forever."
"Dream on." Dugu Yan lightly patted his butt. "This is a limited edition service; it costs money for each use."
"What kind of fee?" "Hmm... how about payment in kind?" Dugu Yan leaned close to his ear, her eyes full of seductive charm.
"Dugu Yan! Be a little more reserved!" Shui Bing'er was so embarrassed that she couldn't help but reach out and pinch Dugu Yan's waist. "Oh dear, Bing'er, are you jealous? Then you should repay me with your body, I don't mind a threesome..." "Go to hell!"
The two women started playfully fighting on Ye Feng. With their soft, warm bodies wrapped around him, Ye Feng felt like he was suffocating—suffocating with happiness.
...
Evening, Tiandou Royal Hot Spring Resort.
To celebrate this milestone, Teacher Mingyue once again displayed her "rich woman" nature, booking the entire rooftop open-air hot spring area.
This place not only offers excellent privacy, but also provides a panoramic view of the entire Tiandou City at night.
Steam rose from the hot spring pool, swirling with mist. Ye Feng, wrapped in a towel, entered the water first, leaning against a rock by the pool, a glass of chilled juice in his hand. "This is the pinnacle of life..."
A moment later, the locker room door opened. A visual feast officially began.
Leng Qianqian was the first to rush out, wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit. Although her figure hadn't fully developed yet, she exuded youthful energy, and her skin was glowing white. "Wow! What a big pool!" With a "plop," she jumped directly into the water, splashing up a huge spray.
Next up was Dugu Yan. She certainly didn't disappoint, choosing a black bikini with barely any fabric, held together by just a few thin straps. Her voluptuous figure looked even more alluring against the black backdrop, swaying gracefully with every step, practically testing Ye Feng's willpower. "Does it look good?" she asked, walking to the poolside and deliberately striking a seductive pose, giving Ye Feng a flirtatious wink.
Then came Shui Bing'er. She came out somewhat awkwardly, wrapped in a large bath towel, which she only loosened a moment before entering the water.
Underneath was a white two-piece swimsuit. Although not as revealing as Dugu Yan's, her slender waist and perfect long legs were still captivating. In particular, her cool and shy temperament perfectly complemented Dugu Yan's.
Finally, it was Mingyue's grand finale. The moment she stepped out, even Dugu Yan paled in comparison. She wasn't wearing a flashy swimsuit, but simply wrapped in a purple silk towel. Her long hair was piled high, revealing her slender and elegant swan neck.
Barefoot, she walked gracefully to the edge of the pool. As she entered the water, her towel unfurled and floated on the surface, subtly outlining her mature and voluptuous S-curve. That mature, sophisticated charm, refined by time, was simply irresistible.
"Why are you all staring at me? Go make some sake." Mingyue calmly walked to the seat opposite Ye Feng and casually picked up a cup of sake from the floating tray. "Ye Feng, come here and have a drink with your teacher."
Ye Feng swallowed, feeling the hot spring water was a bit too hot. He swam over and took the wine glass. "Teacher, this is too much of a cheat."
"Is that considered foul?" Mingyue's lips curled slightly as she stretched out her foot underwater and gently rubbed it against Ye Feng's calf. "You haven't seen anything more foul yet."
"Cough cough!" A coughing sound came from the side. Shui Bing'er couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she mustered up her courage and swam over, squeezing next to Ye Feng and hugging his arm. "Captain, the water temperature seems a bit high, could you help me... cool it down?" As she spoke, she exuded a cool aura, trying to dispel the "heat" brought by Mingyue.
"Oh dear, Bing'er, you'll be cold. Let me warm you up." Dugu Yan also came over, hugging Ye Feng's other arm, practically pressing her entire body against him. "Captain, I've been practicing contortion lately, and there's one move I can't quite get right. How about we practice it in the water?"
Ye Feng was sandwiched in the middle, with a fair and delicate body on his left, a hot and alluring woman on his right, and a mature and charming older woman opposite him. His legs underwater were being touched and nudged by someone, creating a silent battle.
"Alright, stop teasing him." It was Mingyue who finally spoke up. Although she was teasing Ye Feng, she also felt the most sorry for him.
"I'm going to meet with the organizing committee tomorrow, so I'll let him relax a bit." Mingyue put down her wine glass, her eyes becoming deep.
"Ye Feng, I heard that Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy came to see you today?"
Upon hearing this, the previously lively atmosphere instantly quieted down. Shui Bing'er and Dugu Yan both pricked up their ears.
"Uh... academic exchange, purely academic exchange," Ye Feng said with a dry laugh.
"Does academic exchange require going into the woods?" Dugu Yan said sarcastically. "I listened to that big dog Feng Xiaotian complain for ages."
"That's to teach her how to compress soul power," Ye Feng explained seriously. "It's a tactical necessity. Bringing Blazing Fire Academy over will be beneficial for us in dealing with the Spirit Hall in the future."
"It's fine to win over the academy, just don't end up sleeping with them." Mingyue rolled her eyes at him, then sighed.
"However, Huo Wu's talent is indeed quite good. If she can integrate the power of the Five Elements Academy, she will definitely be a force to be reckoned with." She looked at Ye Feng with a hint of expectation in her eyes.
"The qualifying rounds are about to begin. It's a stage to showcase your individual strength. It's also your best chance to completely conquer these academies." "Remember, it's not just about defeating them, but about making them... submit."
Ye Feng nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
He leaned against the pool wall, arms outstretched, letting the water wash over his body. "Don't worry, teacher."
"Whether it's Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, or the upcoming Tianshui and Leiting..."
"Now that you're here, none of you are going anywhere."
Night deepened. The lights of Tiandou City remained bright. And in this small hot spring pool, the story of the All-Star Team was just beginning to heat up.