Chapter 638: Hot Spring Peak Must Have a Hot Spring

Hot Spring Peak, nightfall descended.

It was midsummer; the temperature below the mountain often reached thirty to forty degrees, yet atop the peak, the air was cool and perfect. In the open-air hot spring pool, misty steam rose gently, blurring the star-strewn sky.

Amid that hazy mist, a young dragon with pale golden scales floated lazily on the water's surface, its golden vertical pupils narrowed into an "L"-shaped slit.

Life in another world—

Was simply too comfortable.

"... By the way, aren't you worried about not helping your subordinates?" Taf said lazily, speaking with the tone of an elderly sage judging a youngster.

"No need. My subordinates can take care of themselves." Luo Yan, leaning against the rocky edge of the pool, kept his eyes half-closed, his languid voice dripping with casual indifference, as if shooing away an annoying brat.

"Tsk. What a heartless man."

"Not heartless—I'm giving my subordinates a sense of involvement. Otherwise, how would they know who they serve?"

Besides this lofty excuse, there was another reason.

This was precisely the garbage time of the war; both sides had entered the "neither can harm the other" phase.

With Ma Lusi, the major shareholder, dead, more and more Lein people were rescued. The Academy's experiments in the Ten Thousand Swords Mountains had completely lost funding from the Lein Kingdom. The Holy Water project had become a losing, dangerous, unfinished mess.

Knowing the cold, ruthless nature of those mages, Luo Yan was certain they wouldn't waste resources on a project with no visible return.

Edgar Kaufman's severed head served both as payment for losing the important item and as a signal from the Academy to the Three Races Alliance—

They intended to relocate the laboratory back to the Northern Wastelands.

After all, the necessary experiments were already done. They had successfully found a method to purify pure soul essence and completed the theoretical framework.

Now came production.

Purifying soul essence wasn't technically difficult; the challenge was simply needing vast numbers of soul vessels.

Though it was regrettable they could no longer obtain more soul mines from the Lein Kingdom, this regret was far from fatal.

They could simply ease the magic apprentice exams and recruit more hopeful young men and women from the vast vassal territories of the Aus Empire… These mages always found what they needed.

Thinking of this, Luo Yan felt a pang of reflection—he had never suspected the Academy was engaged in such blasphemous work during his planning.

Perhaps it was time to withdraw the Scientific School.

Though Luo Yan believed the Academy lacked both the courage and necessity to target Imperial subjects, not all his students were Imperial citizens. Children from the Luo De Kingdom and other vassal states still formed the majority.

Staying there would inevitably expose them to danger.

In short, the Academy needed time to withdraw from the Ten Thousand Swords Mountains.

Meanwhile, the Three Races Alliance also needed time to consolidate their gains, secure occupied territories, and extend their long supply line from the Spinor Earl's domain.

Why grant the Academy time to retreat?

Because you pick the softest persimmons to squeeze, and you eat your meal one bite at a time. The Demon King's next target wasn't the Academy—it was Roland City.

Luo Yan was a demon king with razor-sharp clarity. From the start, he realized the waters in the Ten Thousand Swords Mountains ran deeper than imagined, so he never dumped everything onto Lei Ming City's newspapers—only mentioning the Lein people's plight and the Lein Kingdom's collusion with ratmen.

Otherwise, if the atmosphere was built up and nothing was accomplished, wouldn't that damage the morale of his own people?

Besides, the dwarves' relationship with the Academy wasn't bad. If they attacked the Academy, the Mountain Kingdom might refuse to even fight the ratmen anymore.

This wasn't just Luo Yan's thinking—it was Edward's too.

Behind closed doors, Edward had cursed the mages of the Northern Wastelands for being inhuman. But during war strategy meetings with the Dwarf King…

Both men tactfully avoided mentioning those magical scrolls.

Taf rolled over, splashing her short legs in the water, clearly dismissing Luo Yan's reasoning with disdain.

"You… I've noticed that anything you say turns into something good."

Watching Taf float on her back, Luo Yan smiled without speaking.

Congratulations, Researcher Taf of the Zeta Empire—you've once again uncovered the essence of mystery… Your reward: a hot spring egg.

Unfortunately, little Taf didn't read the Demon King's intent in his gaze; otherwise, she'd have been so frightened she'd have leaked one right then and there.

Taf floated for a while, eyes half-closed in bliss, letting out a sigh.

"By the way… I never knew the Ten Thousand Swords Mountains had a place like this. Back when I ruled with might, I missed it entirely."

"That just proves you never truly looked at the land you ruled—only played map-coloring games."

Taf pretended not to hear, turning her head away and blowing bubbles into the air.

Luo Yan didn't press her further on the topic, instead leaning comfortably against the rock behind him, letting the warm spring water soak every inch of his skin.

This was truly a feng shui gem.

Mixi discovered this place while surveying the terrain of Hot Spring Peak and immediately treasured it, eagerly presenting it to the Demon King.

Luo Yan briefly examined the subterranean veins beneath the spring and found a high-quality magic crystal mine likely buried below.

Hence, the mist was rich with potent magical energy—or natural "spirit essence"—repelling insects and forming an invisible barrier that shut out all external noise and disturbance.

Soaking in this spirit-rich spring not only benefited the body but also soothed the mind.

As Luo Yan relaxed his nerves, a soft voice came from behind.

"My Lord Demon King, please command me if you need anything."

Sarah, dressed in a maid's uniform, had been waiting behind the Demon King. And this was the third time she'd said it in ten minutes.

Damp mist had soaked her black bangs; her upright cat ears twitched gently, her amber eyes brimming with anticipation.

Clearly, loyal Sarah truly wished to serve her master—yet Luo Yan genuinely had no need for her help.

Luo Yan tilted his head back and smiled at Sarah.

"No need, Sarah. Relax a bit. There are no outsiders here; no need to be so formal."

"As you command."

A faint blush rose on her gentle face. Sarah nodded slightly, then naturally reached for the top button of her collar.

Seeing this, Luo Yan quickly spoke.

"There's another hot spring next door."

Sarah's fingers paused at the second button—but clearly didn't want to stop.

"I know. Is there something there?"

"No. I mean—you can soak there too…"

Silence fell for several seconds, broken only by the sound of flowing spring water and Taf blowing bubbles underwater.

Sarah stared at Luo Yan for a moment, confirmed he was serious, then sighed in disappointment, "Tch," and turned toward the rocks behind the next pool.

Her silhouette looked somewhat forlorn.

Luo Yan exhaled in relief—he'd almost lost his ability to enjoy the spring.

Taf, floating in the water, let out a "pupupu" laugh, teasing,

"Just soak together! Don't mind me—I'm just a dragon. If needed, I can dive right under!"

Taf wasn't the only one enjoying the spectacle. Youyou also surfaced, her milky-white mist blending into the fog, enthusiastically egging them on.

"Yes, yes! Listening to believers' prayers and fulfilling their wishes are among a god's duties—"

"Youyou, be quiet."

Luo Yan replied casually, flicking his index finger slightly. An invisible magical force instantly enveloped the water's surface.

Since breaking through the Master level, his control over power had grown exquisitely refined—he no longer needed visible elemental forms.

In an instant, before Taf could react, her pale golden head was forcibly submerged beneath the water by an irresistible force.

"Gurrrk—!"

A stream of bubbles rose from below, accompanied by the flailing struggles of a meaty lizard.

Seconds later, the force vanished. Taf burst out of the water, coughing and spitting out a thin jet of water.

"You… using transcendent power to bully a commoner?! Are you even human?!"

"You're not human."

Luo Yan replied coolly, not even opening his eyes.

"@%&#!"

Furious, Taf hurled a string of obscure Zeta curses—but Luo Yan didn't understand them, so it was as if she hadn't spoken.

Settling into a comfortable position again, he let the spirit-rich spring rise past his shoulders, allowing his spiritual energy to drift freely through the mist, merging fully with the heavenly and earthly spirit— or the "hive."

The frontlines had players charging forward; he didn't need to worry.

Indeed—

The true joy lay in stolen moments of peace.

As Luo Yan savored this rare tranquility, the sound of bare feet stepping on damp rocks suddenly echoed from beyond the thick mist.

The steps were light, yet unmistakably clear in the silent night.

Luo Yan's brow twitched slightly. His spiritual energy, immersed in the spring, instinctively spread outward, sweeping toward the source.

But the moment it pierced through the layers of mist, even the Demon King felt a flicker of awkwardness.

There, amid the mist, Elin approached, wrapped in a thin towel, humming a light, soothing tune.

The towel was small, barely covering essentials, revealing vast stretches of milky-white skin. Her wet silver hair clung to her shoulders and collarbone, droplets tracing down her graceful curves.

Their eyes met through the thin fog. The air froze—then instantly boiled.

In an instant, Elin's cheeks flushed crimson, the color spreading rapidly to her ears and neck.

"!!!"

The chosen champion was no ordinary woman. This regal princess didn't scream like a frightened girl.

But clearly, she was thrown into disarray by this sudden situation.

Luo Yan hadn't expected the Heroine's first reaction to be anything but fleeing—yet she charged straight into the spring.

Plop—!

A loud crash echoed, sending water splashing seven or eight meters away—drenching Luo Yan's face and flipping Tafu off the hot spring, where she thrashed through the churning "tidal wave" for several circles.

"……%￥#!"

A few Zeta Empire curses spilled out instinctively.

But when the golden female dragon steadied herself and poked her head out again, her vertical pupils held no anger—only eager anticipation, like someone enjoying a show.

What's going on?!

Is the main event finally about to begin?

Luo Yan was equally stunned by Elin's sudden move. He wiped water from his face, stared blankly for a moment, then cautiously asked.

"Elin? How did you…"

"T-Teresa said this hot spring heals fatigue and recommended I come relax here… H-how are you here too?!"

Elin's shoulders hunched lower, just like her panicked voice, until she sank entirely into the warm water, dissolving into bubbles on the surface.

She hugged her knees, burying most of her face behind them, leaving only a pair of emerald-green pupils—shame and fury burning in them—unable to settle her gaze anywhere.

Luo Yan was the same, unsure where to look; his arm resting on the rock drew back awkwardly.

What a coincidence.

He'd heard the news from his subordinates too—never imagining the little demon from Nightmare Land had the same idea as the Heroine's personal guard.

"I… I heard it from my subordinates too."

"Oh oh oh…" Elin remained buried in the water like an ostrich burying its head in sand, unaware how strange her voice sounded.

"Calm down first. Have a drink."

Luo Yan lifted his index finger slightly; the space ring beside his clothes flashed faintly.

A bottle of chilled honey water, corked with a soft stopper, appeared out of thin air and floated gently toward Elin, propelled by magic.

Elin instinctively reached out with both hands—but as soon as her arms broke the water's surface, the towel dissolved like soap suds, swept away by the current. Startled, she splashed back down with a thud, blushing furiously as she pulled her knees tightly back to her chest.

Her panicked eyes darted everywhere like a startled fawn. Finally, she snapped back to herself, shooting a faintly irritated glare at the "culprit"—as if silently accusing:

'You sneaky bastard.'

I swear on my life.

Luo Yan hadn't meant it. He never took advantage in situations like this, and had no need for tricks like feints—he simply had no reason to.

"…I want to clarify—I didn't do it on purpose."

"I believe you… you're not that kind of person." Elin murmured softly, as if convinced herself. She gripped the honey water hidden behind her knees and twisted open the cork.

But this declaration of trust didn't lighten the mood—it only deepened the ambiguous atmosphere, like a sugar cube slowly dissolving in black tea.

Tafu silently swam behind a massive rock, flicking her tail excitedly, waiting for what came next.

The two soaked in silence for a while, until Luo Yan broke it first.

"By the way, are you getting used to it?"

Elin paused, then understood.

"You mean… what?"

"The vampire thing."

Luo Yan glanced at her silver hair and skin, paler under the moonlight… then reached for a towel nearby and wrapped himself in it.

"I'm fine."

Elin took a small sip of honey water, feeling the cool sweetness slide down her throat. After a pause, she continued.

"Maybe because my blood carries the Campbell family's unique holy light, it suppresses my thirst for blood to some degree. Aside from preferring my steak medium-rare, I don't feel much different from before."

"Good." Luo Yan nodded.

He knew, in truth, that Hell's vampires didn't die without blood—only grew listless if they went too long without drinking.

Like the citizens of Lei Ming City without their tea.

And Vivian's fondness for Minotaur blood was purely personal preference. If none were available, she could go entirely without—or throw herself on the floor, wailing for the Demon King's blood.

A quiet atmosphere flowed between them; only the occasional splash broke the silence.

Elin glanced at the young dragon floating nearby, recognizing it as Colin's pet, then looked away.

"Um… Colin."

"What is it?"

Elin hesitated, as if making a difficult decision.

"Do you think… I should tell my brother? About me becoming a vampire? I think… at least… he deserves to know the truth."