Chapter 68: Encounter with the Not-so-Chaste Women of the Frost Lotus Temple, Confrontation outside the Congregation, and Spiritual Shockwave: Lost in the Vast Expanse of Transcendent Stars.
Now, they were within the temple\'s enchanting confines.
The architecture wasn\'t exactly unique, but it was beautiful. A stunning display of white jade embellished with intricate ice crystal patterns, stylishly blending with the frozen landscape.
Inside the main temple, nine pagodas spiraled upwards, symbolizing different stages of cultivation. Wu Fengtian, glancing around, admitted, "I\'m surprised we got past the guards." Then, realizing it was still his plan, he quickly praised it, "Not that I ever doubted the excellence of my plan."
Ignoring his last comment, Yang Wei shared a bit of insight. "The Mashyan World runs on a matriarchal system. Most men here are cowards, if not all of them. So, they were probably confident no man would dare enter, making their security job more comfortable."
Wu Fengtian, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, replied, "Makes sense. Though there have been rumors of male cultivators attempting to steal the temple\'s foundational inheritance, and none ever returned."
Yawning and stretching, Yang Wei deadpanned, "I\'m guessing they died?"
Wu Fengtian, following behind, confirmed, "Likely."
"*sigh* Typical."
They continued walking and encountering the occasional nun or female cultivator. Soon, they realized these women weren\'t solely from the Dragon Blossom Sect but represented various sects in the far north of Linwu Kingdom and the Northern Ravages as a whole.
Wu Fengtian, curious about their destination, questioned, "Where exactly are we going?"
Yang Wei, deep in thought, mused, "Probably to a place where prayers are held, like an inner sanctum or something."
"So far, no luck." Fengtian sighed.
The duo continued their hunt for Mu Lin, but alas, luck seemed to play hide and seek with them. Deciding to cover more ground, they agreed to rendezvous at the main temple if their searches proved fruitless.
Yang Wei, now flying solo, scanned the faces of every woman he passed, receiving friendly smiles and prayerful nods.
Growing tired of his braided disguise, he loosened his hair. Holding the hairband in his mouth, he grumbled, "This is so frustrating. Where could that rotten woman be?" Tying his hair into a familiar ponytail, he continued under the concealment of his cloak.
Approaching a massive pagoda adorned with blue, white, and gold, featuring intricate designs of a monstrous turtle, Yang Wei looked confusion. "A turtle?" he muttered. Yet, the sound of women\'s voices praying within intrigued him.
Curious, he pushed open the door, revealing a congregation of nuns and female cultivators from various sects.
Silence enveloped the hall as all eyes turned toward the unexpected intruder – a white-haired man. At the far end stood Mu Lin, dressed more modestly than usual, with a veil covering her head.
The tense silence was broken when Yang Wei, waving and smiling, said, "Mu Lin, there you are!"
A collective gasp echoed through the hall as about 80 women, including nuns sworn to resist earthly desires, laid eyes on Yang Wei.
Mu Lin, shivering, watched him with bulging eyes.
Instantly, the peaceful atmosphere shattered as the female cultivators and nuns, who vowed to remain stoic and pure of sexual urges, couldn\'t contain their excitement.
"KYAAAAA! HE\'S SO HANDSOME!!" they collectively shrieked.
As the echoes of their collective shrieks filled the hall, Yang Wei nonchalantly placed a hand on his neck, giving it a good crack for some relief.
Jeez, these women are so loud...
Observing the women now engaged in loud whispers, he calmly addressed them, "Uh, sorry for the disturbance. I\'m just here to see Lin\'er."
The mention of "Lin\'er" prompted every eye to turn toward Mu Lin. While not everyone was familiar with her, those who were glanced in her direction, causing a ripple effect. Mu Lin\'s cheeks instantly flushed, and she vehemently denied any connection, shouting, "I... I don\'t know that man!"
Yang Wei sighed, placing a hand on his neck again, and proposed, "I don\'t have time for this. Let\'s talk outside."
As the women ogled his muscular arm and admired the details of his neck, the peek of his collarbone under the cloak intensified their fascination. Feeling an unexpected thirst, they collectively gulped.
Their stares were like—if he told all of them to take off their dresses you\'d see undergarments flying into the air. That was how hungrily they stared at him.
One bold woman couldn\'t resist and yelled, "Take off your cloak, let\'s see those chests of yours!"
"Sister, how can you say such?! It\'s against our faith!"
"Then I\'ll deny it! I want to see those chests!"
"Show us your body!"
"Come on, do it already!!"
Yang Wei, sporting a confident smile, played along, "Why not?" He unzipped his cloak, revealing a glimpse of his smooth, flawless, and enticingly white skin. The well-defined muscles of his chest left the women panting heavily.
Amid the commotion, Mu Lin angrily maneuvered through the crowd, grabbed Yang Wei by the hand, and swiftly led him out of the pagoda to a more secluded spot.
Mu Lin angrily stared at Yang Wei, hands firmly planted on her waist, radiating fury.
For Yang Wei, it felt like a déjà vu moment.
It was the second time this was happening today.
Attempting to explain, he started, "I spoke with Yun Feiyan, and I heard that you\'ve barely been eating or taking care of yourself, and I just wan…"
Mu Lin swiftly extended a hand, cutting him off. "Hold it there. Let me make something clear. Maybe before now, I would\'ve wanted you to come apologize to me or I\'d have been angry at you, but now, I\'m not anymore. I completely understand what you were trying to do back when we dual cultivated."
Yang Wei placed a hand on his chest, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I\'m glad you understand that I was only trying to protect your virgi…"
Without letting him finish, Mu Lin interjected, admitting, "I was too eager to try and catch up to my elder sister. Simply because I want to compete with her. I\'m not necessarily talented, and the mindset of hard work isn\'t really my strong suit. So, I didn\'t mind spreading my legs for you if it meant having a shot at competing with her."
She looked directly into Yang Wei\'s eyes, asserting, "You don\'t know anything about me, and I don\'t know anything about you, and that\'s absolutely perfect."
Lifting an eyebrow, Yang Wei questioned, "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Whatever happened between us, the dual cultivation and my eagerness to lose my virginity, just forget about all of that... We never knew each other."
After she concluded, she quietly walked away.
"Lin\'er, wait!"
Yang Wei was about to go after her when suddenly, he stopped.
He sensed a powerful energy enveloping him.
The surge was so intense that he felt his spiritual existence being forcibly ripped out from his body.
Upon reopening his eyes, Yang Wei found himself amidst a vast sea of stars, a realm resembling outer space with no discernible borders or land formations.
Bewildered, he exclaimed, "What is this?"