Song Tianyu let out a long, ragged breath as he finally stepped out of the subterranean bathhouse, wrapping a clean white towel around his dripping hair. His fingers were completely pruned, his skin felt tight, and his stomach rumbled in protest, but a profound sense of relief washed over his features.
He had spent the entire night and the better part of the morning submerged in lukewarm water, fully convinced that stepping out would mean being dragged to the central pillar and drained to a dry husk by Sect Master Bai Hua.
"I survived," Tianyu whispered to himself, clenching his fists in silent victory. "I just need to find Big Brother and Aunt Yan. We can slip out while the demonic hags are sleeping."
