8- Unexpected Accident

"So, Senior Yun, are you heading back to your sect now?" I asked, the glow of the setting sun casting long shadows through the trees.

"Yeah," she replied, her gaze softening slightly as she looked towards the west.

"Ding!"

Side Mission

Mission:- Travel With Yun Sha To Her Sect.

Rewards: 2000 xp points & One Yellow Grade Item

Why is the system giving me a mission to travel with her? I wondered, a flicker of curiosity sparking within me.

"Senior Yun," I said, an idea forming in my mind. "Would it be alright if I came with you to your sect?"

"Yeah, you can," she replied, a hint of surprise in her voice. "But... why?

"

"Ah, it's just that I don't really have any plans on where to go," I explained, trying to sound casual. "I thought I could travel with you for a bit."

"Okay then, you can come," she agreed. "But do you know how to fly on a sword?"

"Nope," I admitted sheepishly. "Can you teach me?"

"First, channel your Spiritual Qi into your sword and try to control it, make it float," she instructed, drawing her elegant silver sword.

I focused my newly refined Spiritual Qi, guiding it towards Ignis. The crimson blade hummed, lifting gently off the ground.

"Now, stand on your sword and control it to fly," she continued, gracefully stepping onto her own sword, which floated steadily beneath her feet.

With a bit of concentration, I managed to levitate Ignis a few feet above the ground. It wobbled precariously at first, but with more focus, I found my balance and gently lifted higher.

"Wow, Senior Sister! I did it!" I exclaimed, a thrill of exhilaration coursing through me.

"You're talented," she said, a small smile gracing her lips. "Now, follow me."

We soared through the air, the wind rushing past our faces as we left the forest behind. As time passed, the vibrant colors of sunset began to fade into the twilight hues of night.

My Spiritual Energy reserves, still relatively low in this new cultivation stage, began to dwindle. "Senior Yun," I said, noticing the deepening darkness. "It's nighttime, and my Spiritual Energy is getting low. Can't we rest in the forest?"

SE:- 20/280

Yun Sha glanced around. "Yeah, mine is also a bit low. We should find a safe place to rest for the night."

We descended into a small clearing bathed in the soft glow of the moon.

"Haaa... haaaa... I was too exhausted," I sighed, stretching my stiff limbs.

"Hey," Yun Sha said, her ears twitching slightly. "I sense a waterfall nearby."

"What? Really? That's great! I could really use a dip in the water," I exclaimed, feeling the grime of the journey.

"Nope," she said firmly. "I'll go first. You wait here and don't even think about peeking, or I'll beat you to a pulp."

"Hey! Do you think I'm some kind of perv? Hmph," I retorted, feeling a bit offended.

"Okay, but don't peek. I'm going," she said, disappearing into the trees towards the sound of rushing water.

Once she was out of sight, I mentally called out, System.

"Ding!"

Hey system, why is this second sword puzzle so hard?

"Ding!"

Host, we cannot provide any assistance with that.

"Huf, you bastard system," I muttered under my breath.

A sharp jolt of electricity coursed through me. "Hey! Sorry, I won't say that again!" I yelped.

Suddenly, a terrified scream pierced the quiet night, coming from the direction of the waterfall. "Aaaaaaa!"

Without a second thought, I sprinted towards the waterfall, my heart pounding in my chest. Had something happened to her?

I reached the edge of a small pool at the base of the waterfall and saw Yun Sha running towards me, her face pale with terror.

"Ahh! Senior, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to see you like this!" I stammered, turning my head away as I realized her state of undress.

But instead of being angry, Yun Sha threw her arms around me, clutching me tightly.

"Junior Zhen, please! Can you kill that leech?" she pleaded, her voice trembling.

"What? A leech? Where?" I asked, bewildered and flustered by the sudden embrace.

"Yeah, there! In the water!" she cried, pointing a shaking finger towards the pool.

I cautiously approached the water's edge and spotted a large, grotesque leech pulsating in the shallow water. I quickly drew Ignis and with a swift strike, incinerated the creature.

"Ding!"

You killed '1 rank low level leech'. xp granted: 30 points.

"Senior, I killed the leech," I said, turning back to her.

But she still clung to me, trembling.

"I killed it," I repeated gently. "And... Senior Yun, you know you're naked right now?"

Realization dawned on her face. She gasped, her embrace loosening as she looked down at herself. Her face flushed crimson, and with a mortified squeak, she pushed me away and stumbled into the water, quickly submerging herself before scrambling to retrieve her discarded clothes.

"Hey! Senior, why did you push me?" I exclaimed, surprised by her reaction.

"Th-that's because... you saw me, right?" she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"Huh?"

"You saw me naked, right?" she repeated, her face still burning red.

"Ah... that's... yes. I'm sorry, Senior," I mumbled, feeling incredibly awkward.

She quickly dressed, her movements jerky and embarrassed, all while avoiding my gaze. Then, without a word, she turned and fled back towards our resting spot, her hand covering her face.

"Huh? What happened to Senior Yun?" I wondered aloud, completely bewildered by her reaction.

The next day, we continued our journey towards her sect, but the easy camaraderie we had shared was gone. Yun Sha remained quiet and distant, her cheeks occasionally flushing a delicate pink whenever our eyes met. The memory of the waterfall hung heavy in the air between us, a silent and slightly mortifying reminder of the previous night's unexpected encounter.