449: Unexpected care

"Disciple Yao Delong, pays respects to Revered Master." He bowed respectfully.

On the high platform, Leng Yuekui's gaze fell upon him like moonlight, as if wanting to see through him inside and out.

Deep within her calm, ripple-free eyes, a trace of imperceptible astonishment flashed and vanished.

Strong! Unprecedentedly formidable!

Especially that body!

His Qi and blood were fused as one, like a Treasure Artifact embryo containing the Earth Core Blazing Flame Fire, his jade bones flowing with divine radiance, faintly stirring the essence of heaven and earth!

The Earthly Fiend power of the Eight Desolations Prison Suppression Art seemed to have perfectly integrated into every particle, forming a kind of indestructible, ultimate structure!

Standing there at this moment, Yao Delong did not give the impression of a mere Cultivator, but rather a dormant, active volcano harboring endless fury. His Physical Body strength... was sufficient to withstand, or even shatter, a genuine Soul Transformation strike!

"You are very good."

Leng Yuekui's voice remained cold, like ice springs clashing, revealing no emotion, but these three short words were the highest silent recognition of her Disciple's achievements.

Her gaze swept over Yao Delong's calm yet confident brows and eyes, and she understood.

"The gains from this trip far exceed expectations. The Bottleneck has reached its limit. You returned this time to make a Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation stage?"

Yao Delong raised his eyes, his gaze calm and resolute: "That is correct, Revered Master. This Disciple has reached the limit of the Nascent Soul stage. My Divine Soul has completed its transformation, and my Physical Body's glazed state has begun to form. The barrier of this realm is thin, and I hope to break through it in one go."

"Good."

Leng Yuekui was sparing with her words. Her slender, jade-like fingertips, which seemed to condense the essence of the moon's soul, tapped lightly.

Swoosh!

A dark silver Storage Pouch, radiating a faint chill and ancient in design, appeared out of thin air and landed steadily in front of Yao Delong.

"Inside this is the 'Soul Transformation Stage Pill' Pill Formula, and ten sets of the Spiritual Materials required for refining it."

Her cold voice spoke as if it were a trivial matter.

In the Ice Jade Hall, Yao Delong bowed his head. His fingertips touched the surface of the Storage Pouch, which contained his Revered Master's lunar cold energy, and he swept it with his Divine Sense.

Sure enough, lying quietly inside was the Soul Transformation Stage Pill Pill Formula, sealed with the Sect's special Materials and flowing with mysterious Dao patterns, along with ten sets of rare Spiritual Materials neatly arranged—their age and medicinal power fluctuations were exactly the same as those he had purchased, and two of the auxiliary medicines were even three parts better.

A complex emotion, both poignant and warm, quietly surged in his heart. Oh, Revered Master... Your thorough care really caught this Disciple off guard.

He suppressed the wry smile threatening to pull at the corners of his mouth and solemnly put away the dark silver pouch. His tone was extremely sincere: "Many thanks for your generous gift, Revered Master! This Disciple will engrave this in his heart!"

On the high seat, Leng Yuekui's ice-mountain-like face remained calm, and she only nodded slightly: "Your pill-making skills are extraordinary; you may have already prepared some yourself. However, since you are challenging the Dao barrier, it is best to be secure. An extra portion will never be a bad thing."

Her eyes, like frozen lakes, fell upon Yao Delong, seemingly able to pierce through his skin and reach the melting sun furnace deep within his soul, "Meditate and seclude yourself, do not think of distractions. On the day you achieve the Soul Transformation Dao," she paused, a trace of almost imperceptible warmth flowing deep within her icy eyes, "when my Disciple achieves Soul Transformation... I have a congratulatory gift waiting."

These words contained even more invisible pressure and deep anticipation than the Medicinal Pills and Materials just now.

"This Disciple will definitely not fail Revered Master's expectations!"

Yao Delong bowed again, then, under the gaze of Leng Yuekui, who had returned to her ancient silence, quietly exited Sunset Glow Hall.

Leaving the treacherous and murderous Demon Skeleton Mountain Range of the Great Yan Dynasty and returning to the rolling spiritual mountains of the Yin Yang Sect, his tense mind relaxed quite a bit.

Having obtained the Earth Core Blazing Flame Fire, completed the Great Sun Body Forging Art, optimized the Thousand Mechanisms Formless Art in a Heaven-Defying way, and gained rich rewards from slaying demons and enemies... Thinking of this, a warm current of returning home and longing for his beloved could not be suppressed.

He did not return to his core Immortal Cave, where the Spiritual Qi was dense, but instead subconsciously turned toward a more elegant and quiet courtyard area on the west side of Luoxia Peak—Lin Qingxue's residence.

Passing through clusters of emerald bamboo swaying with pale purple spiritual flowers, the Restriction at the courtyard gate flowed with a gentle shimmer, indicating the safety sign of its owner being away.

But there was no one in the courtyard, and not a trace of Lin Qingxue's aura—gentle as water with a hint of starry coldness—could be felt.

"Hm?"

Yao Delong frowned slightly. His Divine Sense swept over the entire courtyard like an invisible, soft wave, even penetrating the quiet room door. Inside, it was spotless and neat as new, with only a cold, empty feeling permeating the air.

Not here?

The distinct feeling in his heart became suddenly clear.

I haven't seen her in half a month, I miss her very much. Where did this girl go?

Just then, a low-level outer Disciple responsible for cleaning the surrounding medicine garden passed by. Seeing Yao Delong standing in front of Senior Sister Lin's courtyard gate, she was so nervous she almost dropped the jade hoe in her hand, and hurriedly bowed her head in greeting: "Di... Disciple greets Senior Brother Yao!"

"No need for formalities," Yao Delong said gently, his gaze mild yet carrying a natural, imposing calmness, "Do you know where Junior Sister Qingxue went?"

The Disciple was even more nervous when asked, and stammered: "Re... Reply to Senior Brother! Senior Sister Lin... just accepted the final task for the True Disciple qualification assessment a few days ago! She took the Deacon Elder's jade token and went down the mountain... I suppose... she should be out performing the task now?"

True Disciple assessment?

A flash of understanding crossed Yao Delong's eyes.

That's right, Junior Sister is naturally talented, and her cultivation has already steadily entered the Mid Nascent Soul Stage. She only needed this key practical experience and external mission to advance to a core Disciple.

It's just... what is this final task? Does it require leaving the Sect?

"Do you know what the task is?" he asked.

The female Disciple shook her head blankly: "Disciple... Disciple's status is low, I only heard the Junior Martial Uncle at the Deacon Hall mention it once. It seems to involve some... investigation task in the Ba Xia Dynasty near the 'Cold Jade River' in the north? I don't know any more specifics..."

Cold Jade River?

A distant and somewhat remote place name appeared in his mind.

That place is bitterly cold all year round, the Spiritual Qi is cold, and it produces some special ice-attribute ore veins and spiritual plants, but it also breeds many Yao Beasts; it is not a benevolent place.

Yao Delong's heart lifted slightly.

Although he had confidence in Lin Qingxue's strength, performing an investigation task alone meant unknown risks.

He nodded: "Thank you. Do not speak of this."

The Disciple felt as if granted amnesty and hurriedly excused herself.

Watching the Disciple's hurried back, thoughts deepened in Yao Delong's eyes.

Cold Jade River... I hope Junior Sister is safe.

Suppressing the distracting thoughts, he turned into a streak of crimson-gold light and instantly submerged into the core Immortal Cave deep in the back mountain of Luoxia Peak, which was heavily protected by Restrictions.

Hum!

Layers upon layers of light membrane Restrictions, shining with star runes and fiery flowing clouds, closed slowly behind him, completely isolating the sounds, light, and even the Qi of the outside world.

Yao Delong sat cross-legged on the central jade platform and tapped several Storage Pouches and rings at his waist.

Clatter—

Light shone, and the room was filled with treasure energy!