Chapter 155: Qingyao and Xueyi 1 (R-18)

While extraordinary events were unfolding within the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s ancestral hall, Damian Baines remained blissfully unaware that his greatest enemy had begun making preparations of his own.

At that very moment, the young man was enjoying something considerably more pleasant within the luxurious residence assigned to him at the allied forward camp.

A bath!

And not just any ordinary bath, either.

The residence possessed an enormous bathing chamber that would have looked perfectly at home within the private estate of some wealthy nobleman.

Greenish-brown tiles covered the walls and floor, their earthy colors complementing the elegant wooden furnishings and decorative stonework arranged throughout the chamber.

At its center lay an expansive bathing pool resembling a miniature hot spring, complete with gently sloping edges and several submerged seats.

Heated water flowed continuously through channels built into the surrounding stone, maintaining a pleasant temperature while carrying away the older water through concealed outlets.

Wisps of steam drifted toward the high ceiling, creating a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere beneath the soft illumination of several glowing crystals.

The constant sound of running water provided a soothing accompaniment, while the absence of servants and attendants ensured that Damian could enjoy some genuine privacy.

And enjoy it he certainly did!

Damian was currently submerged in the pool, resting comfortably against its smooth stone edge with his head tilted backward and his arms spread along either side.

His clothing had been set aside on a nearby rack, leaving him free to enjoy the heated water without worrying about his expensive equipment.

A profoundly satisfied expression rested upon his handsome face.

’Ah, this is the life!’

For perhaps the first time since arriving in Shengyuan, Damian felt that he was genuinely experiencing the benefits of possessing extraordinary strength, influence and wealth.

Naturally, his previous accommodations had been perfectly respectable, but there was something particularly satisfying about receiving luxurious treatment simply because the people around him recognized his importance.

He hadn’t demanded this residence, nor had he needed to throw his title around to obtain it.

The two sects had practically insisted!

It was a rather pleasant change from his earliest days in Valoria, when he had been forced to navigate unfamiliar circumstances without possessing any significant wealth or authority.

Back then, Damian had been more concerned with surviving his new environment and understanding the System than enjoying the privileges usually associated with powerful individuals.

Now he possessed an increasingly influential noble family, profitable commercial operations, extraordinary cultivation abilities and personal connections extending across two different worlds.

And, perhaps most importantly, he had people who genuinely cared about him.

Damian smiled faintly as his thoughts drifted toward Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi, recalling their enthusiastic declarations from earlier that evening.

The two beauties had certainly surprised him with their confidence, especially considering how reserved Xueyi normally behaved in public.

Of course, their romantic promises hadn’t made Ning Ruomei any more tolerable.

Damian had insisted that the dangerous prisoner remain under appropriate supervision elsewhere in the residence, with no opportunity to interfere with his private evening.

Whatever manipulations she intended to attempt could wait until he possessed sufficient patience to deal with them.

For now, he had more enjoyable matters to consider.

And as though responding to his thoughts, the door to the bathing chamber suddenly creaked open.

Damian’s eyes opened immediately.

Soft footsteps echoed across the tiled floor, accompanied by the faint rustling of fabric and the increasingly recognizable sound of two women quietly exchanging remarks.

Their voices carried a mixture of embarrassment and determination that made Damian’s lips curl into an amused smile even before he raised his head.

’Well, well. It seems my lovely brides have finally arrived!’

He straightened slightly, turning toward the entrance with undisguised anticipation.

There stood Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi!

The two beauties had exchanged their customary cultivation robes for simple bathing towels, although their distinctly different personalities remained immediately apparent.

Both appeared rather nervous about the situation, but the manner in which they expressed that nervousness could hardly have been more different.

Mu Qingyao stood on the left, holding a green towel securely around herself while her beautiful face displayed a magnificent blush. The redness extended all the way to her ears and neck, making it abundantly clear that her earlier bold declarations hadn’t completely eliminated her embarrassment.

Unfortunately for her, the towel was considerably less accommodating than her usual robes.

Qingyao possessed a wonderfully voluptuous figure, and the simple fabric did little to disguise the generous proportions that Damian had previously only appreciated through layers of clothing.

Its modest length also left much of her shapely silhouette unobscured, forcing her to make several rather futile adjustments as she approached the pool.

Damian couldn’t help appreciating the sight.

He had already noticed Qingyao’s extraordinary figure during their previous embraces, but seeing her dressed so simply offered an entirely different impression.

Her small, delicate face and naturally affectionate personality contrasted wonderfully with her mature appearance, creating an unusual combination of innocent embarrassment and captivating feminine charm.

’Good heavens, Qingyao. You’re even more dangerous than I thought!’

What made the sight particularly endearing was how thoroughly flustered she appeared despite normally being capable of teasing him without hesitation.

Apparently, there was a considerable difference between flirting with a man while wearing elegant cultivation robes and actually approaching that same man for their first private bath together!

On the right stood Shen Xueyi.

Unlike Qingyao, the beautiful Azure Water cultivator wore a blue towel that she had managed to arrange rather neatly around her slender figure.

Her posture remained graceful and composed, although the faint redness coloring her cheeks revealed that she was hardly as unaffected as she pretended.

Damian’s appreciative gaze settled upon her, and he quickly discovered something rather interesting.

Xueyi’s usual clothing had apparently concealed considerably more of her figure than he previously realized!

Her slender frame possessed an elegance that perfectly complemented her delicate features, but she was certainly not as slight as her flowing robes had suggested.

Rather than lacking feminine charm, her beauty simply expressed itself through subtler proportions and graceful lines.

Naturally, she couldn’t compete in sheer voluptuousness with extraordinary women such as Ophelia, Lady Selene, Goddess Lyla or Qingyao herself.

But that was hardly a disadvantage.

Damian had never believed that every beautiful woman needed to possess precisely the same figure, especially when their differences were part of what made them individually attractive.

Xueyi’s elegance suited her cool temperament wonderfully, and the simple blue towel emphasized that impression far more effectively than he expected.

Nevertheless, there was something else that captured his attention even more completely.

Her face!

For once, Shen Xueyi wasn’t wearing her characteristic veil.

Damian had already seen the beauty concealed beneath that specially crafted accessory through his extraordinary perception and Truesight.

The intricate formations designed to prevent ordinary cultivators from examining her appearance had been practically useless against his unusual abilities.

However, this was different.

Previously, Damian had merely discovered what Xueyi looked like despite her efforts to conceal herself from the world.

Now, she had deliberately removed that concealment and approached him of her own accord, allowing him to appreciate her appearance without any barriers between them.

The significance wasn’t lost upon him.

Shen Xueyi was a woman who valued privacy, dignity and personal boundaries, and her veil had become an important expression of those preferences.

Removing it in his presence was therefore considerably more meaningful than simply revealing an attractive face.

It represented trust, a willingness to become vulnerable before someone she intended to share her future with, and most importantly, it was something she had chosen to offer him personally.

Damian felt a quiet surge of pride and affection as he regarded her, realizing that this moment represented another important step in their developing relationship.

He had admired Xueyi’s beauty before, but seeing her approach him without her customary defenses was a pleasure of an entirely different kind.

’Heh, so this is what it feels like to be someone’s husband!’

Of course, their formal wedding ceremonies had yet to take place, but Damian doubted either woman particularly cared about that distinction at the moment.

............

The two beauties approached the pool with careful steps, their bare feet making faint sounds against the polished tiles.

Qingyao kept adjusting her towel with increasing embarrassment, while Xueyi maintained an admirably composed expression that was unfortunately betrayed by the stiffness of her movements.

Damian watched their progress with a thoroughly appreciative smile.

Neither woman seemed particularly eager to be the first to enter the water, and for several amusing moments, they appeared to be silently negotiating who should take the initiative.

Eventually, Qingyao gathered her courage and stepped down into the shallow portion of the pool, prompting Xueyi to follow almost immediately.

The warm water rose around their legs as they carefully approached Damian, who obligingly shifted toward the center of his submerged seat to create sufficient space for both of them.

Their towels floated slightly with the movement, requiring occasional adjustments that only increased the women’s embarrassment.

Damian was enjoying himself tremendously.

Not because he wanted them to feel uncomfortable, naturally, but because their nervous reactions were so different from the confidence they displayed in ordinary circumstances.

Both women could handle complicated sect politics, dangerous enemies and demanding cultivation responsibilities without much difficulty, yet sharing a bath with their future husband had apparently become an entirely different challenge.

Of course, as they approached, the height difference between both parties, as well as the shortness of the towels, made it such that certain parts that were normally hidden were now mildly visible.

"Hello, my two lovely wives! I’m delighted you decided to join me, especially since I was starting to wonder whether I’d have to enjoy this magnificent bath all by myself," Damian greeted warmly, his eyes moving between their beautiful faces.

His familiar voice seemed to help considerably.

Qingyao released a small breath, her tense shoulders gradually relaxing as she finally settled beside him.

Xueyi likewise became more comfortable, although she continued maintaining a degree of formality that Damian found rather amusing under the circumstances.

"He-Hello, Husband..." Mu Qingyao greeted shyly, her eyes darting toward his face before quickly wandering elsewhere.

Damian’s smile widened.

It was the first time he had heard her address him so directly in such an intimate setting, and the simple word carried an unexpected warmth.

Although Qingyao was clearly embarrassed, there was genuine happiness beneath her nervousness, something that made Damian particularly pleased with how their relationship had developed.

"Greetings, Husband," Shen Xueyi added with considerably greater composure, inclining her head in a graceful acknowledgment.

Naturally, Damian noticed that her composure possessed certain limitations.

Despite her calm greeting, Xueyi’s gaze kept drifting toward his exposed lower body before returning to his face, her expression revealing a combination of curiosity and embarrassment.

Qingyao wasn’t entirely innocent of similar behavior, although she made a considerably greater effort to pretend that she hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

Damian chuckled at their reactions.

"Come now, there’s no need to be so nervous. We were discussing marriage and future children in front of two Sect Masters and an entire room of Deacons earlier today, so surely we can manage a little private conversation without becoming completely embarrassed," Damian teased gently, shifting his arms to welcome them closer.

Qingyao gave him a mildly reproachful look.

"That’s hardly the same thing, you shameless man! Discussing marriage is one matter, but actually being here together is something else entirely," Qingyao protested, her usual lively personality finally beginning to reassert itself.

Damian found himself agreeing with her assessment, although he had no intention of surrendering such an excellent opportunity for teasing.

After all, he was hardly immune to the atmosphere himself.

His heart was beating noticeably faster, and the sight of two extraordinary beauties willingly sharing such an intimate moment with him was enough to challenge even his current considerable composure.

However, experience had taught him that genuine affection was considerably more enjoyable when everyone involved felt comfortable expressing themselves.

And fortunately, their nervousness was gradually transforming into something much warmer.

Damian slipped one arm around Qingyao’s shoulders and the other around Xueyi’s, gently drawing both women closer.

Neither resisted, and within moments, their heads rested comfortably against him as the three settled together in the pleasantly heated water.

The sensation was wonderfully peaceful.

For several moments, nobody spoke, allowing the quiet sounds of flowing water to fill the chamber.

Qingyao’s initial embarrassment gradually faded as she relaxed against him, while Xueyi slowly abandoned her rigid posture and permitted herself to enjoy the closeness.

Damian regarded them both with unmistakable affection.

He hadn’t forgotten the expectations and responsibilities that accompanied their impending marriages, nor the difficulties that might eventually arise when they encountered his partners in Valoria.

However, those matters belonged to the future, and he saw little reason to allow them to overshadow the happiness of the present.

Instead, he turned toward Qingyao and gently lifted her chin.

She looked up at him with a shy smile, her beautiful eyes shining as she anticipated his intentions.

Damian leaned forward and kissed her warmly, taking his time before finally withdrawing to admire the expression upon her flushed face.

"You’re looking particularly beautiful tonight, Qingyao. Although I must admit, seeing you this shy is rather surprising considering how confidently you’ve been teasing me since we first met," Damian observed affectionately, gently brushing a damp strand of hair away from her cheek.

Qingyao smiled, looking somewhat embarrassed by the compliment.

"That’s because teasing you is easy, Husband. It’s considerably harder to remain composed when you’re actually looking at me like that," she admitted softly, her usual confidence returning just enough for her to meet his gaze.

Damian chuckled appreciatively before turning toward Xueyi.

The Azure Water beauty watched him with a composed expression, although the faint anticipation in her eyes suggested she was perfectly aware of what he intended.

Rather than forcing her to wait, Damian gently cupped her cheek and leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss against her lips.

Xueyi’s eyes widened slightly before slowly closing.

Although the kiss was brief, it carried considerably greater significance than the public greeting they had exchanged earlier that afternoon.

Without her veil, surrounded by warmth and privacy, she appeared more willing to express the affection that her restrained personality ordinarily concealed.

When Damian withdrew, she regarded him with an unexpectedly gentle expression.

"You’re behaving rather differently from the man who was threatening our prisoner earlier," Shen Xueyi remarked quietly, the faintest trace of amusement entering her voice.

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"Naturally! A man should know the difference between greeting his beloved wives and dealing with someone who tried to murder him. I’d be considerably more worried if I treated those two situations the same way," Damian replied with a grin.

That finally earned a soft laugh from Qingyao, while Xueyi’s lips curved into a small but unmistakable smile.

The remaining tension disappeared almost completely.

Damian felt both women relax more comfortably against him, and he couldn’t help appreciating how naturally their different personalities complemented one another.

Qingyao brought warmth and playful affection to their interactions, while Xueyi possessed a quieter confidence that made her occasional displays of tenderness particularly meaningful.

And now, both were looking toward him with unmistakable expectation.

Damian’s own smile gradually became more mischievous.

He had already spent the better part of the evening discussing formalities, wedding arrangements and the complicated responsibilities awaiting them in the future.

Those conversations had certainly been necessary, but there was another aspect of their developing relationship that the three of them had yet to explore together.

An aspect that apparently interested his two lovely brides just as much as it interested him!

Damian drew them slightly closer, giving each another affectionate kiss before regarding their increasingly flushed expressions with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Now that we’re socially acquainted, my dears, how about we get physically acquainted?" Damian suggested cheekily.