Chapter 514: Sister Bai's Bonus Stage~
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 514: Sister Bai's Bonus Stage~
"Hmm? It's alright, it's alright—don't worry about it~"
Seeing my pouting, spoiled expression, Sister Bai immediately pulled me into her arms to comfort me.
"I... I just don't get along with those girls..."
"If you don't get along, there's no need to force yourself to fit in. You don't have to associate with people whose values don't align with yours, Xiao Han. But who are these girls you're talking about?" Sister Bai asked, stroking my head as she comforted me.
"Yeah, you're right, Sister Bai. It's really nothing, actually. I was just hanging out with a group of girls my age and got the cold shoulder, that's all~" Feeling comforted, I picked up a piece of abalone from the tray beside me and held it out to her. "It's a small thing, really—so small I wouldn't have even noticed if someone hadn't pointed it out. Do you like abalone, Sister Bai?"
"Hmm? Of course. I'm not a picky eater." Seeing my offer to feed her, Sister Bai leaned in and took a bite of the food. "Mmm~ it tastes good."
"I think so too. What are your plans for the rest of the day, Sister Bai? We're on this yacht, but there aren't many places that really suit me," I quickly changed the subject.
"Does that mean you're bored and want to leave, Xiao Han?"
"Not necessarily~ But there are a few places here I'm curious about. Like... the private cinema, or the sunbeds on the top deck."
"Then how about I go with you? Do you want to watch a movie first, or enjoy the sun? The sunlight is quite nice right now~"
"Sunbathing it is! I'm going to stake out a spot while it's still quiet!" I said decisively.
When I’d taken a quick look around earlier, there really weren't many people up there. Most everyone was probably playing in the water on the main deck...
I’d even seen someone on a jet ski earlier, trying to show off with a flip before wiping out and falling into the sea.
"Alright, alright~ Whatever you want." Sister Bai naturally didn't refuse.
When we reached the top deck, it was indeed nearly empty. Only a few witches who seemed to prefer the quiet were lying there comfortably; they gave us a simple greeting as we arrived.
I picked out the best spot and flopped down. My whole body seemed to stretch out as the gentle sunlight washed over me. The sea breeze blew away the last traces of heat, making it the perfect moment for a tan.
Just then, Sister Bai's figure blocked my view.
"Hmm? Sister Bai, why are you standing in my way? Aren't you going to find a comfortable spot to lie down too?" I asked curiously.
"Xiao Han, sunbathing isn't as simple as just picking a spot and lying down~" Sister Bai smiled, picking up a tube from nearby. The sound of plastic tearing followed—it looked brand new.
"Huh? What else is there?" I asked instinctively, but Sister Bai was already rubbing the lotion between her palms.
"Applying sunscreen, of course. Hmm, this scent is quite nice. Since you don't know anything about this, I'll have to teach you~" She moved to my side. "So, Xiao Han, do you want to start with your front or your back?"
"Eh? The... the back first? Um... do you mean... my whole body?" I couldn't argue with her logic, but the thought of Sister Bai rubbing lotion all over me... For some reason, it felt... incredibly exciting!
"Of course~" Sister Bai said with a playful grin. She leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I'll help you apply it everywhere. I won't miss a single spot~"
"Eh?"
"After all, you wouldn't want any strange tan lines, would you?" She spoke as if she had me right where she wanted me.
"Then... don't do anything weird to me, Sister Bai." I knelt on the sunbed, adjusted my position, and lay flat on my stomach.
As for tan lines... as a Self-Awakened Body Cultivator, that was a non-issue.
Lying face down, I realized it was a bit of a struggle; it felt like I had two large, soft cushions pressed against my chest, making it a little hard to breathe. I shifted until I was comfortable and let Sister Bai have her way.
Sister Bai watched as I cooperatively turned over, her gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of my exposed back before lingering on my upturned rear. She shook her head, forcing herself to look away before getting to work.
"I'm starting now~" She unscrewed the cap of the fresh sunscreen.
I closed my eyes, feeling the cold lotion being squeezed onto my back in dots. The icy sensation trailed from my spine down to my calves.
Then, the familiar touch of her palms pressed down, spreading the lotion with gentle pressure. Her hands moved over every inch of skin; every time her fingers brushed past the straps of my swimsuit, my heart skipped a beat.
The sea breeze chilled the spreading lotion, creating a delicious contrast with the heat of Sister Bai's hands. I couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
"How is it? Does it feel good?"
"So good... it's like a massage. You're not taking advantage of me, are you, Sister Bai? Mmm~" I spoke lazily, letting out a soft hum as her expert technique worked its magic.
I felt her carefully rubbing the lotion onto my arms, her right hand wrapping around my wrist and sliding upward, ensuring not a single patch of skin was missed.
She proceeded "step by step" down to my calves, and finally, my feet...
She toyed with my toes, applying the sunscreen to each one with meticulous care, as if she were counting her most precious treasures.
"The back is done. Time for the front, Xiao Han~" Finally, she couldn't resist giving my rear a playful pat, her voice tinged with a hint of lingering desire.
"Is it over already?" I arched my back slightly as I knelt, one hand resting shyly on my hip. "Sister Bai, you can't do that! We're in public~"
"It's fine. I didn't use much force; it won't leave a mark." Sister Bai helped me turn over. She seemed eager to start on my front, her excited expression making it look like she was anticipating a "bonus stage."
"Xiao Han, here's a bit for you. Try applying it to your face yourself?"
"Okay~" I nodded obediently. I'd never used this stuff before, but I had to admit, the effect was great.
Well, the effect of Sister Bai applying it was great.
As I closed my eyes to focus on my face, I felt a cold dab of lotion just above my navel. Before I could react, Sister Bai's hand began to spread it outward... and downward.
The icy sensation hit me again...
"Mmm... ah..." I quickly covered my mouth to stifle any unseemly noises. "Sister Bai... don't... not my waist... I'm ticklish~"
"Are you? As a Body Cultivator, you shouldn't have involuntary physical reactions like that, you know~"
"Ugh... I-I'll try to overcome it..."
"That's the spirit~ Xiao Han is the best, after all~" Sister Bai nodded in satisfaction and continued her "bonus stage."
"Um... Sister Bai, can we talk while you do that?" I asked.
"Of course~ What do you want to talk about?" She was clearly in a great mood; her movements and tone were light. But as they say, "slow work yields fine results," and her hands were working hard to cover every single spot.
"Let's talk about... the future fate of the Main World..." I whispered.
"That?" Hearing my suggestion, Sister Bai quickly cast a spell to isolate our voices. "Certainly~ What are your thoughts on it, Xiao Han?"
"Me? I didn't learn much from the Academy Dean, but I heard this vacation won't be peaceful~"
"You mean the Small World? That's not much of a secret among the Transcendent Witches anymore. I often chat about it with the other sisters, though most of it is just gossip. A lot of the information conflicts, so I don't know what's actually true."
"Eh? It hasn't spread to all the witches yet?" I always thought Transcendent Witches had a giant group chat where they shared top-secret academy info. I didn't expect it to be just rumors.
"You know about it? Did Dean Bev tell you when you met her?"
"Dean Bev... yeah. She's a bit different from Dean Mei. She didn't tell me too much, but I heard they're going to accelerate the collision between that Small World and our Main World. Apparently, the fusion will create teleportation channels or something."
"A collision between worlds... it's the first I've heard of it, and it'll be the first time I witness it. Even I can't predict what will happen. If spatial teleportation channels appear, it wouldn't be surprising. Space is a very fragile attribute, after all," Sister Bai said candidly.
After all, Sister Bai had only recently entered the circle of Transcendent Witches in the Main World. Most of her current acquaintances were mentors she’d known as a student. They were delighted she’d become a Transcendent Witch and looked after her.
"I heard the public narrative has been mostly guided already, so people won't be too shocked when things start happening. Is that true?" I asked curiously.
I hadn't been in touch with the outside world for a long time. Even if I were, I wouldn't know who to contact. The "news" was just a tool for the Transcendent Academy to manipulate public opinion. I didn't have friends; my former classmates probably didn't even remember me, and our relationship was terrible anyway—they always brought up my history of mental illness.
"Probably... I don't know much about that side of things. Why, Xiao Han? Are you interested in this?"
"Not really... just curious. It's the world I have to keep living in, after all. If something goes wrong, I should at least know what's happening, right?"
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to the Main World. You just need to be a good girl, follow your self-study plan, improve yourself, and become a Transcendent Witch~"
"Ehhh~~" I drawled, looking at her. "Then can you give me some tips on how to become one? Like, what are the prerequisites? So far, I only know about the Life Level requirements, Witchification progress, and a... Subject. Sister Bai, what exactly is a 'Subject'?"
"A Subject..." Sister Bai paused. "A Subject is... an abstract concept. It's a term unique to our Witch race, and it's the power system established by Transcendent races to explore the Transcendent."
"So, choosing a Subject is basically choosing your future power system?"
"Not exactly... perhaps I didn't explain it clearly. A power system is contained within a Subject; it's a subset. A Subject isn't just a power system. It's more like... a guiding philosophy, the discovery and derivation of a concept within the Transcendent Domain. Choosing a Subject means choosing the power system you'll develop. It's the result of your final choice, not the goal itself."
"So you mean... the Transcendent Domain is a vast, boundless, unknown forest. The Subject is the direction you're headed, and the power system is the path carved out by the pioneers who came before us. We can choose the same direction, but we can walk the path others have trodden, or we can blaze our own... is that it?" I asked after a moment of thought.
"Is that how you see it? That's... a very unique way of putting it. But I can't say you're wrong. Everyone understands Subjects differently. Xiao Han... I don't think I've told you what my Subject is yet, have I?"
"Hmm... have you? Regardless, I'd like to hear you tell me formally~ I only know that your Subject has something to do with the Soul?"
"Correct. Soul is currently the largest and most popular Major Research Topic for Witches. It involves the essence of life. Many seniors who have gone far in other Subjects will still try to explore this unknown blue ocean."
"Wait! Sister Bai, can you change Subjects halfway through?" I asked in surprise.
"Of course. A Subject isn't some unchangeable thing. As long as you're willing to pay the price, what can't you do? Witches are the freest race of all. With their eternal lifespans and the protection of the Primal Witch, they have the right to be that willful."
"I see... so the cost of changing Subjects isn't small, right?"
"Yes. That's why choosing your Subject is very important. Of course, you can also minor in other Subjects, though I wouldn't recommend taking on too many. Haha~ I'm getting off track. I was going to tell you what my Subject is."
"So, what is it?" I asked, my heart racing with excitement.
"Me? My Subject is the Soul—or rather, my Major Research Topic is the Soul. But I know my own limits, so I chose a branch Subject under the Soul category: Ordinary."
"Ordinary?"
"Yes. It's very ordinary, isn't it... Xiao Han, when you're standing in the spotlight one day... will you think your Sister Bai is a failure?"
"A failure? How could I? There is greatness to be found in the ordinary. Don't you dare look down on yourself, Sister Bai!"