This was not Feng Yi manipulating things with malicious intent; he was solely concerned for Hu Tao's safety.
If Hu Tao were to wear her damp clothes while they were being dried by the fire, it would absorb a significant amount of heat from her body during the drying process.
An ordinary person might endure it, but the unconscious Hu Tao clearly was not among them.
Feng Yi maintained that he was a righteous gentleman of noble character, how could he take advantage of someone's vulnerability?!
Thinking thus, Feng Yi removed his own clothes.
Do not misunderstand, Feng Yi merely wanted to dry his own wet clothes more effectively.
Although Hu Tao's burgeoning form caused some warmth in Feng Yi's heart, Hu Tao was only 13 years old!
How could Feng Yi bring himself to act upon it?!
"Water...?"
Hu Tao murmured softly, her voice barely audible above the crackling of the campfire beside them.
It was only then that Feng Yi realized, while the campfire provided warmth, the burning flames also drew moisture from their bodies.
A person could endure hunger, but not dehydration; severe dehydration could lead to shock.
The weak Hu Tao's subconscious was sending a faint alarm.
After overcoming so many hardships, it would be absurd for Hu Tao to die of thirst!
Feng Yi would not allow such a thing to happen. He picked up a torch and began searching the dark cave for a source of potable water.
Feng Yi had not discounted the rainwater outside, but he knew that rainwater was not suitable for direct consumption.
The air contained various impurities and dust, which would be picked up by the rainwater as it fell to the ground, along with airborne dust and pathogens.
Direct consumption could lead to diarrhea and even further dehydration.
Rainwater was Feng Yi's last resort; if he could not find a suitable water source, he would have to attempt to boil and distill the rainwater.
However, lacking the necessary equipment for distilling rainwater, this presented another significant problem.
Heaven seemed to pity Hu Tao, deeming her fate not yet sealed.
Feng Yi discovered several trickles of clear water seeping from a rock face.
As if struck by an idea, a gleam flashed in Feng Yi's eyes. He grabbed a nearby stone and struck the rock face.
With effort, the seeping spring water finally reached a considerable flow.
Feng Yi cupped his hands and drank, the water clear, cool, and sweet—even better than the bottled mineral water of his past life!
Feng Yi had not guessed wrong; this was natural mineral spring water.
This natural mineral spring water originated from deep groundwater buried beneath natural mineral rock layers.
It was naturally filtered, retaining the beneficial natural minerals (such as metasilicic acid, calcium, magnesium, and potassium) and trace elements present in the original water.
Its variety was rich, and its content stable.
Not only was this mineral spring water safe to drink, but due to its higher mineral content, regular consumption could also have a certain health-preserving effect on the human body.
Hu Tao was saved!
Feng Yi realized that holding a torch in one hand and a cup of water in the other was highly inefficient.
He decided to use his mouth as a transport mechanism, taking a large mouthful of water, which was equivalent to several trips by hand.
With puffed cheeks, he carried a large mouthful of water to Hu Tao's side.
Hu Tao, having lost too much moisture, had cracked lips and was constantly murmuring her thirst.
Feng Yi gently pried open Hu Tao's small mouth and transferred the water from his own.
After repeating this several times, Hu Tao's dehydration crisis was finally alleviated.
Just as Feng Yi let out a heavy sigh of relief, Hu Tao suddenly hugged his arm tightly, as if having a nightmare, clutching his arm as if it were a life-saving straw.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, please don't leave me, okay?"
Hu Tao tightened her grip on his arm, tears streaming from her eyes, looking extremely anxious, afraid that if she let go, her grandfather would be gone.
Feng Yi's heart softened instantly. He could not refuse Hu Tao, who was missing her grandfather.
Had he not also missed his own deceased grandfather?
With a gentle gaze, Feng Yi stroked Hu Tao's hair and softly comforted her.
"Don't worry, don't worry! I won't leave!"
This reassurance seemed to have a real effect; Hu Tao's anxious expression gradually faded, but her grip on his arm did not loosen at all.
Feng Yi checked Hu Tao's temperature again and found that her forehead was even hotter than before!
Had normal cooling methods been ineffective?
If the fever continued, Hu Tao would surely be reduced to an imbecile!
But Feng Yi felt powerless now; he possessed no divine power to wave away illnesses.
As a part-time River God, could he only watch helplessly as the maiden beside him slipped away?
River God?!
Heh~
Was he only capable of conjuring these useless trinkets?
Feng Yi looked at the three pairs of panties laid out on the ground. The silver and gold ones were creations of the River God, and he could not help but mock himself.
The next moment, a miracle occurred!
Feng Yi's eyes suddenly transformed into a dazzling, radiant gold, exuding an aura of divine power that was impossible to look at directly.
Of course, Feng Yi did not notice the change in his eyes, but he did feel a slight soreness, as if from overexertion.
Looking at the three pairs of panties again, Feng Yi was astonished to find that information composed of smoke had appeared above them.
"Ordinary Panties: [These are a maiden's personal items, useful only for collection!]"
"Silver Panties: [A creation of the great River God, possessing magical functions. Wearing them can dispel one abnormal status effect, usable once daily!]"
"Gold Panties: [A creation of the great River God, possessing magical functions. Wearing them can dispel one abnormal status effect, usable three times daily!]"
"[Golden Trait: As the ultimate reward for the honest and kind, Golden creations possess the ability to automatically absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, healing all injuries (physical/spiritual) of the holder and maintaining the holder in their optimal state.]"
As expected! Feng Yi knew that the River God would not be so simple!
This was a creation that defied the heavens!
Feng Yi: "River God, forever and always!"
His eyes grew increasingly tired, the gravitational pull between his eyelids making it difficult to resist.
This was his eyes' self-preservation mechanism, forcing Feng Yi to rest.
But there was one more thing to do; he could not rest yet!
Feng Yi, despite his fatigue, used one hand to put the gold panties on Hu Tao.
The golden creation took effect, dispelling Hu Tao's fever and stabilizing her breathing.
Sensing that Hu Tao's fever had subsided, Feng Yi finally succumbed to his body's demands, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
The flames continued to crackle, providing necessary warmth for the naked man and woman beside them.
The torrential rain outside raged for the entire night. The rumbling thunderclouds reluctantly departed only on the second day, yielding the stage of the sky to Madam Sun.
Bright sunlight illuminated the land; the sky was exceptionally clear after the rain.
The campfire in the cave had long since extinguished. The cold of the night had been endured by the naked duo huddling together for warmth.
Feng Yi did not expect that Hu Tao would wake up before him.