185: Guiding Luo Miaomiao

Sitting in the center, Sect Head White Cloud Master's fingers paused slightly as he held his teacup the moment Yao Delong's Sword Domain unfolded.

His eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through the Origin of all things, calmly swept across the area below.

They lingered on Yao Delong for a moment, a flash of realization and a trace of hard-to-detect approval flickering deep within his gaze.

'It's that kid... Yao Delong.' White Cloud Master's heart stirred slightly.

'It's only been half a month since Junior Brother Liu reported his safe return and significant progress in cultivation... yet his aura has become several times more robust and refined!'

'Such a solid Foundation, and his Yuan Power is so pure and overbearing, far surpassing those of the same stage!'

'Even more rare is... he has actually touched the threshold of the Sword Domain?'

'Comprehending the Sword Domain at the Golden Core Realm... such talent is truly earth-shattering!'

'It seems Luoxia Peak is finally going to produce a True Disciple.'

He withdrew his gaze nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened.

He continued his low-voiced conversation with Dan Chenzi beside him, but the importance he placed on Yao Delong in his heart had already risen to a new height.

At the same time, he gave more thought to the demonic traces hidden within the Sect, as well as the upcoming Core Ranking competition and the struggle for the ancient Secret Realm.

Yao Delong looked at Luo Miaomiao, whose pretty face was slightly flushed and whose large eyes still held a hint of lingering fear,

but mostly joy and admiration; a trace of gentleness also flickered in Yao Delong's eyes.

He could feel that this girl's cultivation had also improved quite a bit; she was already at Foundation Establishment Perfection, just one step away from the Golden Core.

"Senior Brother Yao, where on earth have you been for the past month?"

Luo Miaomiao looked up with her small face, the rims of her eyes slightly red, her voice carrying an imperceptible sob.

"That Meng Bi was spreading rumors everywhere, saying you... saying you were killed by demonic cultivators! I... I almost believed it!"

Her small hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the corner of Yao Delong's clothes again, as if she were afraid he would disappear once more.

Looking at the genuine concern in the young girl's eyes, Yao Delong felt a slight warmth in his heart.

He raised his hand and gently rubbed the soft crown of her head, an action so natural that even he didn't notice the intimacy of it.

"Silly girl, am I not perfectly fine?"

His voice softened a bit.

"Meng Bi did indeed arrange for people to assassinate me, however..."

He paused, his tone as flat as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Those jumping clowns have already been cleaned up by me in passing.

As for demonic cultivators, I did encounter some, but if they want to take my life, they are still far from it."

He spoke lightly, glossing over the dangerous life-and-death struggle in a single sentence, unwilling to let this simple girl worry too much.

But Luo Miaomiao heard the soul-stirring intensity behind his calm tone.

Her small face paled slightly, and then it was flooded with deeper admiration and a hint of heartache.

"It's good that you're okay, Senior Brother!"

She nodded vigorously, suppressing her worry and turning it into a bright smile.

"I knew Senior Brother was the most amazing! A bad guy like Meng Bi, even a hundred more wouldn't be Senior Brother's match!"

Yao Delong laughed; this girl certainly had plenty of confidence. He changed the subject and asked:

"Miaomiao, are you here to participate in the Inner Sect Rankings?"

"Yes!" Luo Miaomiao immediately puffed out her small chest with a bit of pride.

"I've already fought my way into the top two hundred! Senior Brother, am I amazing?"

Her large eyes were sparkling, like a kitten waiting for praise.

"Not bad."

Yao Delong praised her sincerely.

To break through from Foundation Establishment Mid-stage to Perfection within a few short months and break into the top two hundred among the inner Sect elites,

this girl had indeed put in hard work, and her talent was also quite good.

For the following period, the two of them stood at the edge of the field,

watching the fierce battles on the arena while conversing in low voices.

Yao Delong's perspective was extremely high; a few casual pointers from him often allowed Luo Miaomiao to have a sudden realization, deepening her understanding of the battles on the field.

Luo Miaomiao chattered away, sharing the interesting things that had happened in the Sect over the past month, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.

Soon, it was Luo Miaomiao's turn to take the stage again.

Her opponent was a Sword Cultivator Disciple, also at Foundation Establishment Perfection and experienced, with a sharp offensive style.

On the arena, Luo Miaomiao's petite figure weaved through the crisscrossing Sword Qi.

She specialized in Water Arts; one after another, refined Water Shields and Water Ribbons constantly neutralized her opponent's attacks while she looked for a chance to counter.

The battle was exceptionally fierce, and Luo Miaomiao faced narrow escapes several times, causing Yao Delong's brow to furrow slightly.

But in the end, relying on a stubborn tenacity and several key techniques Yao Delong had pointed out earlier,

she seized a tiny flaw in her opponent and a Water Arrow containing chilling intent accurately knocked away the opponent's longsword. A narrow victory!

"Luo Miaomiao of Spirit Water Peak, wins! Advances to the top one hundred!" The Referee Elder's voice rang out.

Luo Miaomiao's small face was flushed from excitement and exhaustion, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

She jumped off the arena excitedly and ran straight to Yao Delong, her large eyes shining brilliantly:

"Senior Brother! I won! I'm in the top one hundred!"

"Yes, you fought well."

Yao Delong looked at her cheerful appearance, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

"The timing of that last strike was handled well, but your movement was still slightly sluggish during the transition; your spiritual power circulation could be more fluid."

"Mm-hmm! I'll remember that!"

Luo Miaomiao nodded vigorously, firmly recording every pointer from Yao Delong in her heart.

She looked at her Senior Brother before her, with his upright posture and profound aura, who could always give her a strong sense of security and precise guidance at critical moments.

An unprecedented emotion, a mix of admiration, dependence, and a certain throbbing,

was like early spring vines, quietly winding around the tip of her heart.

As the sun set in the west, today's Inner Sect Ranking Competition finally came to a close. The crowd on the plaza gradually dispersed, and the clamor faded away.

Luo Miaomiao followed beside Yao Delong, looking at the profile of his face outlined by the setting sun, her heart beating faster for some reason.

She summoned her courage, her small face slightly red, her voice carrying an imperceptible tension and expectation:

"Senior Brother Yao... um... I, these next two days... could I... please ask you to guide my cultivation?"

Fearing that Yao Delong would refuse, she hurriedly added:

"I know you're very busy, Senior Brother, with the Core Ranking coming up soon... but,

but this ranking is really important to me! I want... I want to push forward a bit more!

The support my Family can give me is limited; I can only rely on myself to strive for more resources in the Sect..."

Her voice grew smaller as she spoke, carrying a bit of grievance and stubbornness, her small hands nervously wringing the corner of her clothes.

Yao Delong stopped in his tracks and looked down at the young girl before him, who was trying hard to become stronger, her eyes clear and filled with entreaty.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto her slightly flushed cheeks,

and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes, making her look exceptionally endearing.

He remained silent for a moment, looking at the pure desire and trust in Luo Miaomiao's eyes.

"Alright." He nodded, his voice still flat but carrying a sense of agreement.

"Follow me to Luoxia Peak."

"Really?!"

Luo Miaomiao looked up in surprise, her large eyes instantly bursting with brilliant light, as if they were filled with the entire sunset.

"Thank you, Senior Brother! Senior Brother is the best!"