Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1093: Oh...

Carrying Hong Xinyi, Wu Long journeyed back to the Dream Realm. However, this time, he bypassed his usual entry points. Instead, he materialized within a secluded, small pavilion, complete with a few rooms and a veranda offering a picturesque view. This was one of the many undisclosed locations scattered across the mountainside, reserved exclusively for the Wu Family.

His first action was to employ the Water Rune, meticulously cleansing the blood from her body. The water flowed through, leaving no trace, not even a single droplet. The moisture that had soaked into her hair and clothes vanished the instant it washed away the blood.

Afterward, he gently placed her on the bed and took a seat on a nearby chair. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees, interlacing his fingers before his mouth, his gaze fixed on her in deep contemplation.

She possessed remarkable resistance to most poisons and sedatives. Yet, as her cultivation regressed, so did her tolerance. By combining acupuncture with a few personal techniques, he had managed to overwhelm her with a sedative intended for experts of the Essence Gathering Realm. She would remain unconscious for at least a few more hours.

Considering that she was now completely secure from any further harm and had been restored to full health, there was truly no cause for concern. He didn't necessarily need to remain by her side, watching over her so intently.

Despite all this, he found himself unable to leave her presence.

[Wu Long, Sister Ye Ling wishes to visit you], Fen Baihu's voice echoed in his mind. It wasn't a sound transmission but a direct communication through her Soul Bead nestled within his soul sea.

A faint, wry smile touched his lips. It was unusual, as none of his companions typically sought permission to see him, nor were they ever expected to.

He surmised that Fen Baihu had perceived his desire to keep Hong Xinyi secluded for the time being, even from his Dao Family, and his own reluctance to leave her side.

It was probable that the Celestial Fox had intercepted any attempts by others to approach him.

[Thank you, Baihu], he offered his sincere gratitude first. Then, he added, [It's alright; she is asleep for now.]

Almost instantaneously, Ye Ling emerged from the mist, having been transported there by Fen Baihu for convenience. Wu Long stood to welcome her.

Her eyes conveyed a hint of worry as she met his gaze. She then glanced at the sleeping Hong Xinyi before returning her focus to him. As she drew closer, she embraced him gently, without uttering a word.

He smiled, wrapping his arms around her, and closed his eyes. Inhaling her presence, he felt his tense mind begin to unwind, a wave of soothing relief washing over him along with the warmth of her in his embrace.

He made no pretense about being unaffected by the brief period when he genuinely feared Hong Xinyi might perish.

The very fact that she had been endangered in the first place had caught him entirely off guard.

She was the most vulnerable among the women he cared for in the higher worlds, having lost her powerful backing – the Hong Family. Yet, he had still believed she would remain safe as long as she kept a low profile.

And still...

He let out a sigh, already feeling a sense of ease as he looked at Ye Ling, who met his gaze, resting her head back while holding him tightly.

A subtle smile graced his lips, and a similar one appeared on hers. They seemed to convey an entire conversation without speaking, their eyes communicating until he finally broke the silence, "It's alright now, Ling'er. Thank you."

Her smile widened as she truly perceived a more peaceful expression in his eyes. Nodding, she said, "I will be going then."

He released her, and she turned to depart.

"Tell everyone I will introduce them a bit later... but..." he continued, pausing, which made her turn back with a surprised expression and widen her eyes as she noticed the look that now appeared in his eyes, "...but for now, it's best if I'm the only one here when she wakes up."

"You're nervous..." she exclaimed, her eyes widening. The words escaped her lips involuntarily, so taken aback was she to witness such emotions in him that her thoughts directly manifested into speech.

He offered a wry, somewhat awkward smile once more and nodded, "Mm, I am."

"Ah, sorry, I..." she raised her hand to her mouth, realizing she had spoken her mind aloud, having lost her composure.

"No, it's fine. It's true, after all," he chuckled with the same light awkwardness, raising a hand to the back of his head. He took a deep breath – a gesture of nervousness she hadn't seen him display in this life but was intimately familiar with from their previous one, which unexpectedly filled her with nostalgia, causing a chuckle to escape her lips.

She shook her head, looking at him with amazement and a gentle smile, "You continue to surprise me more and more."

Then, with a hint of teasing in her eyes, she added, "Sister Baihu, you recorded all of that, right? I want to revisit this moment again in the future sometimes."

There was no hint of mockery or malice in their smiles, only genuine warmth and shared understanding in their subtle amusement at his unease. Indeed, their reaction was precisely what eased his awkwardness in displaying such vulnerable nervousness, allowing him to feel their sincere support enveloping him.

"It's just... I hadn't anticipated meeting her so soon...", he admitted. "...and much has changed since my return to mortality... considerably. This is also one of the primary reasons it's best I speak with her first, before she encounters you or the others... It would be for her comfort to be less disoriented by having a familiar face explain everything upon waking, yes, but... but also because this way, we might prevent some initial unpleasantness that would later require resolution..."

"??Oh...??", the two beauties widened their eyes as understanding dawned, Ye Ling once again raising a hand to cover her mouth, while Fen Baihu inquired, "Y-You didn't...?"

She left the question unfinished, but he grasped its implication and nodded.

"??Oooh~...??", both beauties prolonged the exclamation, confirming their suspicion as astonishment grew.

"...", Ye Ling then swallowed and turned to Fen Baihu with a slightly stiff motion, her voice taking on a higher pitch than usual. "Alright then~... shall we?"

"Eh? Y-Yeah, we probably should go." Fen Baihu, jolted from a brief reverie, nodded enthusiastically. Both women then hastened out of the room and into the mist, while Wu Long chuckled, shaking his head in their wake.

If anything, they had certainly succeeded in brightening his mood. He redirected his gaze back to Hong Xinyi with a noticeably more refreshed expression. Remaining on his feet for a while longer before ambling back to the chair with a more unhurried gait, he settled into a less brooding, more relaxed posture, crossing his ankles and folding his arms.

His eyes once again grew distant with contemplation, yet his composed demeanor remained unchanged.