384: Return to Xiafeng

"That's right!"

Liu Ruyan walked to the bedside, examining him carefully, clicking her tongue in wonder:

"Revered Master said you've turned a misfortune into a blessing this time, and it seems that's truly the case! Your aura is much more steady and refined than before! How are you feeling?"

"I feel… better than ever before."

Yao Delong clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body, then his expression tightened, and he asked anxiously:

"How is the beast tide in Biqu City? Are City Lord Han and the others safe?"

"Rest assured! Everything is fine!" Liu Ruyan quickly said,

"The beast tide was completely crushed shortly after you fell unconscious. Hall Master Mo of the Moyang Sect personally took action and slew the Golden Scaled Demon Crocodile that had escaped, eliminating the threat once and for all!"

"Biqu City sent a message long ago to report that they are safe, and they even specifically spread the word about your heroic deeds in turning the tide during the beast tide!"

"Now, in the entire Biqu City, who doesn't know the great name of Yao Delong from the Yin Yang Sect?"

She said, winking mischievously, and lowered her voice with a laugh:

"And, that apple of City Lord Han's eye, Miss Han Ruyi, specifically, repeatedly, and with great concern, asked about your recovery in the message!"

"Tsk tsk, Junior Brother Yao, I truly admire your ability to make female confidantes wherever you go!"

Upon hearing this, a great weight lifted from Yao Delong's heart; as long as Biqu City was safe, that was all that mattered.

As for Han Ruyi's concern, he could only smile helplessly:

"Senior Sister, please don't tease me. Biqu City being safe is the best news."

"By the way, where is Junior Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi? I need to thank him in person for saving my life."

When mentioning the Dan Chenzi, the mischief on Liu Ruyan's face faded, and she said seriously:

"Revered Master and Junior Martial Uncle Bai Lengchan are both busy with a major matter recently."

She paused, lowered her voice a little, and added with a hint of mystery and gravity:

"The Sect… is screening for secret agents of the Devil Sect!"

"Secret agents of the Devil Sect?"

Yao Delong's eyes sharpened instantly, and a surge of frustration and anger welled up in his heart.

Ever since the Foundation Establishment Stage, these persistent devil cultivators had been sticking to him like a plaster, following him wherever he went, which was incredibly annoying!

"Have they been caught?"

"They have!"

Liu Ruyan nodded vigorously, a flash of lingering fear and satisfaction crossing her eyes,

"And it's definitely a big fish you wouldn't expect!"

"Who is it?" Yao Delong pressed.

"The Peak Revered Master of Spirit Plant Peak—Luo Baiya!"

Liu Ruyan said, enunciating every word,

"And the Deputy Peak Revered Master, Bai Lengchan, was also controlled by him using an extremely vicious devil seed!"

"Luo Baiya?! Bai Lengchan?!"

Yao Delong's pupils constricted slightly. He instantly recalled the scene back when he was seeking the heavenly vein ganoderma at Spirit Plant Peak, where Bai Lengchan had clearly agreed but changed her mind because of a single word from Luo Baiya!

So, he had been targeted by this Devil Head hidden in the upper echelons of the Sect since back then!

A chill rose up his spine, immediately replaced by intense vigilance. He had to be even more careful when leaving the Sect in the future!

"When Luo Baiya saw that things were exposed, he tried to escape, but he was intercepted by the Grand Elder and, in his insanity, chose to self-destruct!"

"A self-destruction at the Void Refining Early Stage! If the Grand Elder hadn't acted in time to suppress it, the entire main peak of Spirit Plant Peak would have been razed to the ground! Now, the top of Spirit Plant Peak is gone!"

Liu Ruyan described with lingering fear,

"Junior Martial Uncle Bai Lengchan was freed from the devil seed's control, but she was also punished; she was stripped of her position as Deputy Peak Revered Master and confined to Spirit Plant Peak to reflect on her mistakes for a hundred years…"

Yao Delong silently digested this shocking news, his heart surging with waves.

To think such a high-level Devil Head was hidden within the Sect; no wonder he had been repeatedly targeted!

He looked inward, feeling the power of the devil source deep within his Dantian, which was firmly locked by the red-gold Seal and was being slowly refined by two types of Essence Fire.

Although this power was dangerous, if he could completely refine and absorb it, the power of the Origin of Heaven and Earth contained within it would absolutely be excellent nourishment for him to break through to the Soul Transformation Realm!

"Thank you for telling me, Senior Sister, and thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

Yao Delong suppressed his thoughts and solemnly cupped his hands in a salute to Liu Ruyan.

"Why are you being so polite with me!" Liu Ruyan waved her hand, "You just woke up, you should rest more…"

"No,"

Yao Delong threw off the quilt and nimbly got off the warm jade bed. His spiritual power flowed through his body without any obstruction,

"I've been lying down for so long, my bones have stiffened. Senior Sister, I shall take my leave now."

Before his voice had even faded, his figure flickered and transformed into a swift stream of light, rushing out of the quiet room and shooting straight towards Luoxia Peak!

Luoxia Peak, inside Yao Delong's courtyard.

Lin Qingxue wore a plain white dress, but her stunningly beautiful face was shrouded in an inseparable layer of sorrow.

She sat on a blue stone, gazing at the ethereal sea of clouds in the distance, and sighed softly.

Beside her, a small Dragon, completely snow-white with scales as crystalline as jade, was irritably slapping the ground with its tail; it was Qiong Shuang in her shrunk form.

"Sigh… Sister Clear Snow, when do you think Big Brother will… finally wake up?"

Qiong Shuang's voice carried the crispness of a young girl, but was full of worry,

"It's been half a month! Didn't that old man Dan say Big Brother was fine? Why isn't he awake yet? Could it be that the old man Dan lied to us?"

"Qiong Shuang, you must not be rude to Senior Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi."

Lin Qingxue scolded softly, but her anxiety was hard to hide,

"Senior Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi said that Senior Brother's injuries have stabilized and he is currently absorbing and refining the power of the devil source, which requires time… but this is taking too long…"

"Hmph! I think it's just that old man Dan isn't skilled enough!" Qiong Shuang flicked her tail indignantly,

"Big Brother promised me that since he performed a great service this time, he would give me a double… no! Triple the reward of Medicinal Pills! If he doesn't wake up soon, my Medicinal Pills will be ruined!"

"I don't care; when he wakes up, I must have him compensate me double! No, triple!"

She was muttering to herself, fantasizing about mountains of Medicinal Pills, when suddenly—

Thump!

A moderate rap on the head landed precisely on her smooth Dragon head!

"Awoo! Who?! Who dares to hit the noble Lady Qiong Shuang?!"

Qiong Shuang felt the pain, her scales instantly bristled, and she snapped her head around, her snow-white Dragon eyes burning with rage, opening her mouth to breathe out icy breath!

However, when she saw the familiar figure standing behind her, all her anger and complaints instantly froze on her face, and her Dragon eyes widened in shock!

"Senior… Senior Brother?!"

Lin Qingxue also stood up abruptly, looking at the young man standing there with a smile, his aura steady and even better than before. Her cold, clear eyes were instantly overwhelmed by immense surprise, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Big Brother!!"

Qiong Shuang let out an earth-shattering cheer, her huge Dragon body sprang up, instantly shrinking to the size of a small white snake, and she darted onto Yao Delong's shoulder like lightning, affectionately rubbing her head against his cheek,

"Big Brother! You're finally awake! That's great! I knew you were blessed with great fortune! My Medicinal Pills… ah no, I mean, I was so worried about you!"

Yao Delong felt the cool, smooth touch on his shoulder and the little one's undisguised joy, then looked at Lin Qingxue, who was teary-eyed but holding back from rushing over, and a warm current surged in his heart.

He reached out and gently rubbed Qiong Shuang's little head:

"Rest assured, the Medicinal Pills I promised you, not a single one will be missing; double."

Then, he looked at Lin Qingxue with gentle eyes and opened his arms: "Clear Snow, I'm back."