As Jieyou’s dizziness deepened and her vision grew blurrier, she overheard a group of nearby guests chatting animatedly about a famous mixed-gender hot spring hidden on the edge of the town. They gushed about how the spring water was completely natural, welling up from deep within the earth, with a perfect, warm temperature that never changed. They said it wasn’t just relaxing—it could soothe even the most stubborn fatigue, nourish the skin until it was soft and glowing, and leave both cultivators and ordinary people feeling refreshed, energized, and completely free of stress. Every word they spoke made the hot spring sound like a magical oasis.
Jieyou had never even seen a hot spring in her life, let alone soaked in one. Back in Yiyun Valley, where she’d grown up, there were only clear mountain streams and cold lakes—no warm, bubbling springs at all. When she heard the guests talking, her curiosity was instantly piqued, and the fog of drunkenness in her head lifted just enough for her to make a decision. Without a second thought, she carefully scooped Miss Jiu up in her arms (making sure the tiny bird didn’t fall off), grabbed Xiaobai by the scruff of his neck, tossed a handful of coins on the table to pay for her meal and wine, and stumbled out of the inn, hurrying toward the mixed-gender hot spring. All she could think about was sinking into that warm water and letting all the tiredness from the past few days of traveling melt away.
In the Six Realms, most cultivators were ascetic and detached, caring little about trivial things like gender distinctions. That’s why mixed-gender hot springs were so common—there were no separate sections for men and women, no rules about status or rank. Cultivators and ordinary people alike could soak together, chatting about their travels, exchanging cultivation tips, or just sitting in silence, letting the warm water wash away their worries. There was no awkwardness, no embarrassment—just a sense of peace and comfort, a rare moment of calm away from the chaos and conflict of the world.
It was Jieyou’s first time stepping into a hot spring, and the moment her feet touched the warm water, she let out a long, contented sigh that echoed softly in the air. The water wrapped around her body like a gentle hug, the warmth seeping into every muscle and bone, instantly easing the soreness from walking for days and melting away all her stress. The hardships of the journey, the frustration with Jiuge, the exhaustion from being on guard—all of it seemed to vanish the second she sank into the spring. She closed her eyes tightly, letting her body float gently in the water, completely lost in the pure comfort, so relaxed she never wanted to wake up.
Small, delicate wooden trays floated on the surface of the spring, each one loaded with fresh, juicy fruits—crisp apples, sweet peaches, plump grapes—and jars of mellow, fragrant wine. From time to time, Jieyou would reach out, pick a piece of fruit, and pop it into her mouth, savoring the sweet, refreshing taste, or take a small sip of wine, letting the warm liquid slide down her throat. She was truly living her best life in that moment. Miss Jiu, still tipsy, hopped off her shoulder and started splashing around in the water, flapping her tiny wings and sending little droplets flying everywhere. She’d peck at the water, then at the fruit on the trays, and every now and then, she’d sneak another sip of wine, her little face turning even pinker. She chirped and trilled nonstop, her tiny voice filled with joy—too cute for words.
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Before she knew it, the sun had set and the sky had turned dark, painted in deep shades of blue and purple. The number of people in the hot spring slowly dwindled as guests left to go back to their inns, until finally, only Jieyou and Miss Jiu were left. But Jieyou was already dead drunk, her mind fuzzy and her body lazy, thanks to the wine and the warm water. She didn’t notice that everyone else had left—if anything, she thought the quiet was even nicer, more peaceful, more perfect for relaxing. She let her head loll back, her eyes closed, and drifted further into a deep, drunken sleep.
Jieyou had never soaked in a hot spring in her life. Especially back in Yiyun Valley, there were no hot springs at all. When she heard the guests talking, her interest was instantly piqued, and her drunkenness faded a little. Without a second thought, she held Miss Jiu in her arms, grabbed Xiaobai, and hurried toward the mixed-gender hot spring, eager to soak and ease the fatigue from the past few days of traveling.
In the Six Realms, most cultivators were ascetic and indifferent to gender distinctions. So mixed-gender hot springs were common—no separation by gender or status. Cultivators and ordinary people alike could soak together, chatting, relaxing, and letting go of their worries. There was no awkwardness at all; instead, it was considered a cozy, enjoyable experience, a moment of peace away from the chaos of the world.
It was Jieyou’s first time in a hot spring. As soon as she stepped into the warm water, she let out a contented sigh. The warm water wrapped around her body, the heat seeping into every part of her, instantly relieving all her tiredness. The hardships of traveling these days seemed to melt away. She couldn’t help but close her eyes, completely lost in the comfort, unwilling to wake up.
Small wooden trays floated on the spring’s surface, holding fresh fruit and mellow wine. From time to time, she reached out to pick a piece of fruit or take a sip of wine, living her best life. Miss Jiu joined in too, splashing around in the warm water with her little wings, pecking at the water, then the fruit, and occasionally sneaking a sip of wine. Her little face turned red, and she chirped nonstop—too cute for words.
Before she knew it, the sky grew dark. The number of people in the hot spring dwindled until only Jieyou and Miss Jiu were left. But Jieyou was already dead drunk, and the warm spring water made her feel lazy and drowsy. She didn’t notice the change at all; if anything, she thought it was nicer with fewer people—quieter, more comfortable.
