Vase

Next day, as I woke up, I felt surprisingly well. I wondered if I would feel worse after losing blood, even with the pills, but no, I felt great. After dressing and having breakfast with my family, I found myself in the study with Mei and Xia Lina.

"How are you feeling, Xia Lina? Do you still thirst?" I inquired.

"I feel good, young master. No, the instinct tells me that I will need your blood again in a few days, but for now, everything is fine" she replied.

I patted my knee, took the pill, exposed my neck, and said, "Come on, it's time for breakfast. I'll talk to Mei while you eat."

Xia Lina looked surprised but nonetheless sat on my lap and bit my neck. I flinched slightly, but overall, the sensation was quite pleasant. It's strange how people react negatively to this act. To me, it wasn't repulsive or unpleasant; in fact, I found it intriguing. I could get used to this, especially since bloodletting was considered beneficial in my previous world.

While Xia Lina had her breakfast, I decided to talk to Mei. "Mei, what about the vase? Did we acquire it?" I asked with curiosity.

"Yes, young master. And here is the spatial ring" she said, handing it over to me while I examined its contents. At that moment, Xia Lina released her bite from my neck.

"Thank you, master. I'm satisfied, and I don't want more" Xia Lina said with a charming smile. However, she continued to sit on my lap. I ran my hand through her hair and stroked her head affectionately. Afterward, I took out the vase and placed it on the table.

"Hmm, what could be so important about this vase, hmmm?" I pondered while I rotated it, easy but useful trick that allowed me to manipulate objects in the air without touching them. It seemed some combat techniques relied on this skill, though I hadn't explored that aspect yet. Perhaps I would consider it in the future, as it could be quite handy.

As I examined the vase, I noticed strange markings on its bottom – geometric symbols that didn't seem to hold any value or bear the master's seal. They were rather peculiar, and I was almost certain that something extraordinary was hidden within the vase.

I attempted to channel spiritual energy onto the symbols, and I felt a response from them. However, it became apparent that I needed to apply the energy in a specific sequence and with a certain intensity. Whenever I tried to continue the resonance with the symbols, it disappeared. It seemed like a code that could be cracked by transmitting the correct sequence of spiritual energy into the vase.

After playing around with the vase for about 5 minutes, I realized that I wouldn't solve the puzzle immediately. It would require more time and effort to decipher it properly. Sighing, I put the vase aside for now.

"How is Ye Chen doing?" I inquired.

"In general, nothing serious. They keep him in the underground cells and occasionally Xu Hao roughs him up a bit, you know, takes out his anger, but nothing that causes serious injuries. Either Xu Hao doesn't want to hurt him too much, or he doesn't know how" Mei reported.

"Make sure nothing serious happens to him, and when he escapes, and he will, arrange for him to hear something that hints that someone from the Eternal Flame Sect caught and handed him over. Not anything too obvious, but enough for him to suspect them. I think it'll be amusing to watch him confront them" I chuckled.

"Oh, and by the way, remember how he got into that unpleasant situation, and the rumors about him working as a male prostitute?" I asked Mei.

"Yes, Master, I recall" Mei replied.

"Spread the story to all the Sect Elders who arrived in our town. Let them hear about it, hahaha! Let's make his life more entertaining. They can think he's a prostitute who enjoys servicing strange people, including men. Just make sure it doesn't lead back to us. Can you handle that?" I inquired.

"As you wish, Master. May I ask what effect you hope to achieve?" Mei inquired.

"Well, considering his temperament and the fact that he'll hear the rumors we will spread, he'll probably be driven to join the Eternal Flame Sect to find the Vase. And since they are a group with such arrogance, we'll make it more difficult for him to investigate who and why someone caught and handed him over. Eventually, it will all be forgotten, and he'll continue on his path. Trust me, he might bring us some benefits, but he'll bring more trouble to the sect" I explained with a grin.

"Understood, Master" Mei acknowledged.

Xia Lina sat there, she looked on with a puzzled expression, but listened intently to our conversation.

I continued to wait for the results of my application to the Whispering Gale Sect, passing the time with training, taking care of Xia Lina, and teasing Mei. We were all going to head to the sect together.

***

Protagonist:

The moment I feared finally arrived.

[Bonus mission failed]!

You lost the vase, and the secret of dual cultivation will go to someone else!

Be more attentive next time.

"Noooo fuck, x#!13%46@#!!!!"

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

[Mission Failed]

You missed the trials for joining the Eternal Flame sect!

"Your PP won't function for a year. You'll become more easily and strongly aroused but won't be able to relieve stress."

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

(ﾉಥ益ಥ）ﾉ ┻━┻

No, no, no! How did this happen? It was going so well! I tried to console myself, believing it must be some kind of trial. If I could overcome it, I'd become even stronger and faster. But damn, how did it turn out like this? I fell into a pit of depression.

A day passed, and then the door opened. Xu Yan entered with another beautiful girl who looked like her sister. Both were dressed in robes and alluring lingerie.

"Hello, my dear" Xu Yan said. "As I told you, I brought my mother, and today will be the time of your life! And then we'll escape from here!"

"Hmm, he's handsome, just as you said" the second girl commented with a laugh, obviously Xu Yan's mother, as she licked her lips.

She sensually approached me, snapped her fingers, and removed the chains. Then she walked over to me together with Xu Yan.