"Mm, that's enough treatment for today."
After an interval that defied description, Lumina withdrew her hand from Feixiao's back and spoke.
"Hah... Today's treatment... it felt... it felt..." As Lumina's hand lifted away, the faint blush on Feixiao's face gradually faded, but the lingering shyness in her heart proved far more difficult to dispel. "It felt incredibly comfortable..."
Today's session was the most pleasant Feixiao had experienced in days. A gentle warmth enveloped her entire body, as if she were wrapped in a quilt woven from the finest silk, cotton, and animal fur.
Even her spirit felt unusually refreshed—more so than after an hour of running. Her entire being was completely relaxed.
"It's likely because the treatment is progressing well. The Moon Rage symptoms in your body are beginning to dissipate." Lumina rubbed her fingertips together, as if savoring a lingering sensation.
Pausing her movements, Lumina continued, "Previously, you were so accustomed to the effects of the Moon Rage symptoms that you'd grown used to the strain they placed on your body."
"Now that the symptoms are easing, it's only natural you'd feel an unprecedented sense of comfort."
This time, Lumina hadn't simply taken advantage of the situation (scratch that)—she hadn't merely stored her power within Feixiao without taking further action. Instead, she had purged at least half of the Moon Rage symptoms from Feixiao's body.
After all, maintaining such close contact without doing anything else would easily arouse suspicion.
While her universe-renowned status meant Feixiao likely wouldn't question her even if she were discovered, it was still best to avoid such a scenario.
As for why she'd only cleared half the symptoms... well, that was because her recent discussion with Borisin had temporarily altered her original plan.
Her original plan had been to completely cure Feixiao's Moon Rage symptoms. But the mention of Hulei reminded Lumina of the original story: after swallowing the "Heart" and entering a "Self-Challenge," Feixiao had gained the Gaze of the Aeon of [The Hunt].
The Gaze of the Aeon of [The Hunt] was no small matter. Lumina had no intention of disrupting an event of such profound significance for Feixiao.
So, she'd only healed half of the Moon Rage symptoms—just enough for Feixiao to briefly fall into a berserk state after swallowing the Heart.
That brief window of time would be more than enough for Feixiao.
Rustle... rustle...
The sound of Feixiao dressing pulled Lumina from her reverie. Seeing the pristine white scene before her vanish completely, she felt a pang of regret.
What a shame... such a perfect back, and I didn't even get to try cupping on it...
Lumina rose from the bed, glanced at the clock in the room, and said, "It's about time. I should go pick up my friend."
"Alright, Sister Lumina. I'll see you out." Hearing this, Feixiao quickly stood and escorted Lumina to the door.
"Oh, right." Just as Lumina was about to step out the door, she suddenly remembered something, stopped, and said, "Although I don't know what those Borisin are planning within the Luofu territory, Feixiao, you should be careful."
"Your Moon Rage symptoms are currently healing, so you're in an extremely sensitive state. It's easy to fall deep into Moon Rage due to external disturbances."
"Mm, I understand, Sister Lumina." Hearing this, Feixiao nodded with a very serious expression.
"In a few more days, your Moon Rage symptoms will be completely cured." Seeing this, Lumina gave a slight nod, waved her hand, and turned to leave.
"Well then, bye-bye."
"Mm, bye-bye."
At the doorway, Feixiao watched Lumina's retreating figure. She recalled the warmth that had spread from Lumina's palm pressed against her back, and her heart couldn't help but beat a little faster.
Aside from exercise, Feixiao wasn't the type whose heart raced easily. But in that situation, even a block of wood would have felt a flutter...
-
"Sister Lumina, it's so good to see you again!"
Xianzhou Luofu, Central Starskiff Haven.
The moment March 7th saw Lumina, she broke into a run, ignoring the stares of everyone around, and threw herself into Lumina's arms.
"March, be careful," Lumina chuckled, ruffling March's hair as she absorbed the impact. "Even in a hug, your head can still hurt if you charge in too hard."
After a moment, she gently pulled March away, much to the girl's reluctant expression.
"..." Stelle, who had walked up, opened her arms, silently hinting at something.
Lumina understood her meaning at once and gave her a warm embrace.
"Little Swarm gets one too."
Before Little Swarm could say or do anything, Lumina hugged her as well.
Then, looking at the four people before her, she asked, "Where are Miss Himeko and Mr. Yang?"
"Aren't they coming to the Luofu?"
"Oh, them? They seem to have taken a quest from Ruan Mei to find... something or other," March 7th answered without hesitation.
Lumina nodded, not saying anything more.
Come to think of it, I haven't seen Ruan Mei in a long time. I kind of miss her.
After all, she and I...
...have a little connection.
Lumina's gaze fell on Little Swarm as this thought crossed her mind.