Chapter 402 — Spirited Away

"Very good indeed!"

Shen Mu was both surprised and delighted, feeling that the surging vital essence within him flowed along with the garment. The clothes were like his own skin, able to adjust and change on their own.

"This is the work of the Tianyu clan!" Shen Mu laughed. "If the Tianyu clan comes to Jingping, they can make a living by this tailoring skill alone."

He jumped back into the pool to soak. Though the garment entered the water, not a drop seeped in; when he left the water, it was still dry. Shen Mu clicked his tongue in wonder.

The pool water was condensed from pure yang qi; soaking in it could replenish the depletion of one's life force. Yan Jingjing had a pure yang constitution, so its effect on her was greatest. Shen Mu, by activating the Mysterious Body Three Elixir Art, could also absorb the pure yang qi in the pool. He felt not only his life force steadily recovering, but even his cultivation rising, his vital essence growing purer. The two of them soaked in the water for several days, and both recovered a great deal.

Xue Hu'er's injuries had long since healed, yet she still lingered and would not leave. Shen Mu simply taught her divine powers and arts, taught her how to practice the sword, and discussed knowledge of the Sacred Pupil with Yan Jingjing. The days passed swiftly.

Though Yan Jingjing's life force had recovered, she was still very thin and frail. When she stretched out her arm, it was skin and bones, arousing pity. The Xi Boat had devoured her body for too long; it would be hard to recover in a short time.

Shen Mu lifted Xue Hu'er out of the water, and Yan Jingjing climbed out as well. She said hesitantly, "The clan chief most likely will not want to let me leave. I have never left the Xi Boat..."

"Then we will not tell him. We will slip away in secret," Shen Mu said with a laugh.

Yan Jingjing was so excited her little face flushed red. She clenched her fists. "Would that not be a bit... improper?"

Shen Mu told them to wait here while he went to find the Muri clan chief and Yu Zhaoqing and the others. Yu Zhaoqing had already reached an agreement with her clansmen: they would settle temporarily in the Jingping Kingdom, awaiting only Shen Mu's word.

Shen Mu brought Si Yunxiang and Ling Yuxiu, called over the Dragon Qilin and the many flood dragons playing in the lake, and took his leave of the Muri clan chief. Xue Hu'er, bringing Yan Jingjing with her, took the opportunity to blend into the ranks of the Tianyu clan.

The Muri clan chief led the people to see them off, escorting them out of the Xi Spring. He bowed farewell to Shen Mu. "Your Highness, the Sun Guardian's health is poor. I beg Your Highness to look after her with patience."

Shen Mu was taken aback. The old clan chief waved farewell, gazing after them as they departed into the distance.

Once they were far from the Xi Spring, Yan Jingjing came to Shen Mu's side and said excitedly, "The clan chief did not notice me!"

Shen Mu did not know whether to laugh or cry. "How could that old fox possibly not have noticed..."

Ling Yuxiu was startled and blurted out, "Cowherd, you have abducted the Sun Guardian — what nerve!"

Si Yunxiang sneered, "He also abducted the princess of the Jingping Kingdom." She looked around and saw the millions of handsome Tianyu clan in a mighty procession, following Shen Mu toward Jingping. She muttered, "The Cult Leader even abducted the Tianyu clan... and a dozen or so flood dragons besides. He truly was born to be the leader of the Youmo Cult. The Founder did not misjudge him. Were it me, I could not have abducted so many followers... As for Fan Xuanshu, he is not even fit to wipe his backside!"