446: A woman's intuition

Han Ruyan!

The Disciple on duty, who had been interrogating him, immediately straightened up when he recognized the Senior Sister who was a core inner Disciple of their own sect.

He respectfully saluted: “Greetings, Senior Sister Han!”

Han Ruyan nodded slightly, her voice clear and crisp like ice springs striking jade:

“‘Senior Brother Long’ is an old acquaintance of mine, a highly talented Disciple of the Yin Yang Sect. His identity is secure; there is no need for further detailed inspection. Let him pass.”

The Junior Brother was stunned, and a smile instantly plastered itself across his face: “So it’s an old friend of Senior Sister Han! My apologies, my apologies!

Senior Brother Long, please proceed! My apologies for the offense earlier; it was merely my duty. Please don't take offense!”

Yao Delong cupped his fist: “No worries, performing your duty is only natural.”

As he spoke, he gave Han Ruyan a grateful look.

After the Disciple on duty retreated, Yao Delong was about to thank her and leave,

but Han Ruyan moved her lotus steps lightly, walking shoulder-to-shoulder beside him, as if they were traveling together.

Her clear, cold voice carried a hint of indescribable amusement, entering Yao Delong’s ears precisely, thin as a mosquito’s buzz:

“‘Senior Brother Yao,’ how is the quality of the ‘Golden Sun Iron Essence’ you harvested this time?”

Yao Delong paused slightly, forcing a wry smile: “Fairy Han has a Wisdom Eye; I still couldn't hide it from you. Intuition?”

The corner of Han Ruyan’s mouth lifted slightly, her profile appearing cold and clear like jade carving under the sparse sunlight:

“It is extremely rare for Yin Yang Sect Disciples to appear here. After hearing the news, I was already three parts curious.

Then seeing your figure, which, though perfectly disguised, always carries an unmistakable... sense of familiarity, plus,”

Her gaze swept over his cuff, “That White Flood Dragon's aura, though deeply hidden, still has a few faint lingering traces around your sleeve... If I still couldn't guess it was you, wouldn't that make the life-saving grace from that day too cheap?”

Yao Delong was speechless. This woman was not only smart, but her senses were terrifyingly sharp!

“Fairy Han possesses an exquisite mind. I am impressed.”

“The depths of the Demon Remains are full of treachery. I am glad Senior Brother Yao’s trip was safe.”

A hint of concern, difficult to detect, entered Han Ruyan’s tone, “Is Senior Brother preparing to head back to the Yin Yang Sect now?”

“That is my intention.” Yao Delong nodded.

The two silently walked through several mountain ridges and guard posts manned by patrolling Disciples.

Once they had completely left the core restricted area of the Myriad Sword Valley,

below, by the river in the valley, a bustling market town—formed around a Spirit Stone mine and filled with the rough, vibrant life of Mortal Cultivators—faintly appeared.

It was midday, and cooking smoke curled upwards, mixing the sweet fragrance of grains with the smell of various mountain goods and hunted game being cooked.

“Days of running through mountains filled with poisonous Evil Qi, followed by repeated interrogation...”

Han Ruyan suddenly stopped, pointing towards the town below,

“I find myself quite hungry now. Senior Brother Yao, the Spirit Grain Chicken Brew and Pine Fragrance Honey Wine at 'Hundred Flavors Valley' ahead are quite famous among Loose Cultivators.

How about... we have a small drink and rest from the fatigue of travel?”

Yao Delong was slightly surprised. Did this Ice Mountain Fairy actually make such a down-to-earth suggestion?

He looked at the rising smoke of the mundane world and the aroma of food in the valley, feeling a slight relaxation of the tight string in his heart from continuous Cultivation.

“Very well, let’s sample the mortal flavors of this place.”

At the entrance of the town was a bustling tavern, slightly rough but quite clean.

The two chose the innermost bamboo-and-wood private room, which overlooked a small, trickling stream.

Pushing open the bamboo window, they saw the crystal-clear stream below, the sunlight refracting colorful halos through the water vapor.

Without Yao Delong needing to speak, someone diligently served the famous Spirit Grain Chicken Brew of the region.

When the lid of the earthenware pot was lifted, the abnormally tender and plump mountain chicken meat, nourished by Spiritual Qi, boiled in the thick, golden-yellow broth.

The rich, savory aroma, mixed with the mellow scent of grains, instantly filled the small room.

Another small jar of Pine Fragrance Honey Wine, sealed with red paper, had its mud stopper cracked open, and the clear, golden-yellow liquid was poured into ceramic bowls.

Immediately, a strange fruity fragrance, mixed with the crisp scent of pine needles and rich honey, assaulted their noses.

Han Ruyan naturally ladled a bowl of soup for Yao Delong and poured half a bowl of honey wine, handing it to him.

Her movements were fluid and natural, as if she had done it thousands of times.

Yao Delong was somewhat distracted. This Fairy of the Sword Valley, like an ice phoenix,

actually possessed such gentle and meticulous movements in this rough bamboo alley.

Qiong Shuang couldn't stand the temptation of the dominant aroma and couldn't help but secretly poke her small head out of Yao Delong's loose sleeve pocket.

She greedily sniffed the fragrance: “So fragrant...” Her eyes were pitiful.

Yao Delong sighed helplessly, using a jade spoon to scoop a small piece of the most essential chicken thigh meat, untouched by the wine Qi, and placed it on a small dish on the edge of the table.

Little White Flood Dragon Qiong Shuang immediately darted down like a flash of lightning, carefully picked it up with her mouth,

and whooshed back into the depths of the sleeve. A moment later, a faint, contented 'smacking' sound could be heard.

Han Ruyan saw this scene, and a ripple of amusement spread in her clear, cold eyes, like a warm stone dropped into an ice lake.

“Since our hurried farewell in Canglan City, I only knew that Senior Brother Yao was stirring up trouble and winning battle after battle.”

Han Ruyan raised her eyes, her ice-blue pupils looking directly at Yao Delong, clear as a mountain stream reflecting the sky,

“But I never expected to encounter your true face again here in the dead land of the Demon Remains.”

She picked up the honey wine and took a small sip.

The crisp alcohol slightly flushed her face, which resembled a snow lotus on an iceberg, adding a rare warmth and vibrancy to her demeanor.

“Myriad Sword Valley Disciples have always been clear about gratitude and grudges. If it weren't for Senior Brother's life-saving grace and lightning-fast demon-slaying methods,

I, Han Ruyan, and my Junior Brothers would likely have... This kindness is something the entire Myriad Sword Valley will remember.”

Yao Delong raised his bowl and lightly clinked it against hers. The sweet honey wine entered his throat, turning into a line of warmth.

It carried a slight bitterness of pine needles, but the aftertaste was endlessly rich and sweet.

“Fairy Han... and your Fellow Daoists also upheld Daoist morality in a dangerous situation and refused to drag down the innocent. That is admirable.

Slaying demons and devils is merely the fellowship between fellow practitioners; it is nothing worth mentioning.”

“‘Fellow practitioners’...”

Han Ruyan softly repeated the two words, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the rough ceramic bowl.

The stream outside the window trickled, and a few drops of honey wine splashed onto her pale hand, looking like crystalline amber.

A brief silence permeated the small room, with only the sound of the stream,

the faint distant market chatter, and the 'smacking' sound from the sleeve forming a gentle background.

“What are your plans after returning to your sect, Senior Brother?”

Han Ruyan asked again, her tone ordinary but her gaze focused.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a soft golden glow on her profile and dark hair.

“The path of Cultivation is only forward.”

Yao Delong looked at the faint reddish-gold flowing patterns circulating in his palm, feeling the surging power brought by the rotation of the Source Core deep within his Dantian.

“My Physical Body and soul consciousness have all reached the realm's Bottleneck. This time, upon returning to the sect, I must break through the Soul Transformation barrier.”

A trace of genuine admiration and dazzling brilliance flashed in Han Ruyan’s ice-blue eyes.

“Soul Transformation... Senior Brother Yao is astonishingly talented; it will surely be easily achieved. If there is...”

She paused, seemingly wanting to say something, but after a moment, it turned into a different kind of instruction,

“The matter of the Demon Remains is unfinished. The two Demonic Cultivators at the Soul Transformation Stage, named Hun Jiu and Hun Ya, have already sacrificed several small towns in the Great Yan Dynasty.

It is unknown if they have other accomplices hidden away.

Myriad Sword Valley will certainly not let this go. If there are future thorny issues or places where assistance is needed, Senior Brother...”

Her slender jade finger suddenly solidified into a point of Cold Crystal. The light flashed briefly and vanished.

Yet, a semi-transparent jade talisman, thin as a cicada's wing and edged with fine Qiong Shuang talisman patterns, appeared out of thin air in Yao Delong's palm.

Yao Delong was slightly startled.

“This is the ‘Sword Shadow Ice Talisman,’ specially made by our Myriad Sword Valley. Once activated, it will provide guidance through sensing.

If Senior Brother has any need within the sphere of influence of the Myriad Sword Valley... you can receive aid with this talisman.”

Her tone was calm, as if describing an ordinary matter.

Just at this moment.