451: Heading to Lingshui Peak

"Murder and arson lead to golden belts... The ancients truly did not deceive me!"

Yao Delong took a deep breath of the rich fire-element Spiritual Qi, and his face finally revealed the most pure, satisfying, and uninhibited smile since returning to the Sect.

One hundred and fifty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!

All kinds of rare Spiritual Materials and Yao Beast precious remains!

A peerless demonic banner with the potential to become a Dao Artifact!

Yao Delong's thoughts stirred; since his Junior Sister was not around, he could go find Liu Rumei and the others. After all, his yin-yang value had been depleted quite a bit on this trip.

With a flash of light, he appeared the next moment outside Liu Rumei's Immortal Cave on Heavenly Sword Peak, where Sword Qi was faintly perceptible and the style was slightly bright and vivid.

It was still empty, with no one around.

He asked an acquainted Inner Sect Disciple nearby, and sure enough:

"Senior Sister Liu said she felt her foundation was polished enough, so she accepted a rather difficult Sect mission and went down the mountain for training, saying she needed to accumulate contribution points..."

Yao Delong was momentarily speechless. This girl... why work so hard?

Among the previous gifts, there were many high-quality Spiritual Materials for Flying Sword Magical Artifacts, and even finished products, which he had specifically let them choose from!

Lacking resources? He shook his head, helplessly suppressing a trace of worry.

His last hope rested on Spirit Water Peak.

In the shimmering core area, outside the exquisite waterside Immortal Cave belonging to Luo Miaomiao, a powerful water-element Restriction was tightly sealed.

Yao Delong's Divine Thought was like the gentlest tide, silently penetrating a tiny gap at the edge of the Restriction—

Inside the Secret Chamber, a surge of water-element Spiritual Qi with a sense of endless circulation was undulating in layers, containing vibrant vitality, yet it seemed to be compressed and condensed inward by an invisible pressure, like a pearl gestating in the deep sea.

The Aura was fluctuating violently; she had already reached the critical moment of breaking through to the Late Golden Core Stage!

So she was still in seclusion for a Breakthrough.

A wry smile appeared on Yao Delong's face, and the helplessness he felt when seeing his Revered Master earlier surged up as well.

Well, this is great. He returned travel-worn, and he couldn't find any of the people he wanted to see most... truly a great time to pick.

"Forget it, let this girl Breakthrough in peace."

He muttered to himself and was about to leave, but his gaze was drawn to the cluster of True Disciple-level Immortal Caves near the peak in the distance, where the Spiritual Qi was richer and the Aura more magnificent.

A name floated into his mind—Cang Yunyao!

Before the Demonic Remains on this trip, he had promised to help her break through her Soul Transformation Bottleneck!

Since he was back...

The crimson light beneath Yao Delong's feet converged, and his body was like floating catkins, silently skimming over the spiritual water veins of Spirit Water Peak, heading straight for the area near the peak where the Spiritual Qi flowed like solidified jade marrow.

An elegant and luxurious Immortal Cave courtyard came into view, with clear spring water from the mountain stream diverted to form a surrounding creek, shaded by exotic flowers and rare plants.

On the jade platform in the courtyard, several Core Disciple women of Spirit Water Peak, all with graceful figures and temperaments ranging from cold to bright, were sitting in a circle. The person in the center was none other than Cang Yunyao.

Today, she was dressed in a sweeping palace-style long dress of sky-blue 'lingering Fairy' color. The fabric was 'Flowing Cloud Silk' spun by hundred-year-old ice silkworms; it was light, thin, and translucent yet retained a good drape, spreading out naturally with her posture, appearing like a pool of flowing celestial water clouds.

On the hem of the dress, tiny irregular ice soul crystals were cleverly inlaid. Sunlight refracted through the spiritual mist high above, creating a flowing seven-colored glow around her, so luxurious that it was breathtaking to behold.

Her exquisite, undulating curves were even more breathtaking against the backdrop of this shimmering light—snowy peaks towering, slender waist seemingly bound, and hip lines extending into a stunning arc.

Her hibiscus-like face surpassed finely carved mutton-fat jade. Her willow-leaf eyebrows were curved like a crescent moon. On the tip of her delicate nose, a tiny red mole seemed like the final touch, adding an indescribable, decadent charm.

At this moment, she wasn't deliberately flirting with her gaze; she simply had a smile on her lips, her eyes turning slightly as she listened to her Junior Sisters discussing the Dao. That noble charm in her bones flowed out naturally, as if she were born with a seductive constitution, soul-stirring and captivating.

She tilted her head slightly, her waterfall-like dark hair half-pinned, with a few strands falling onto her snowy neck, winding between the slightly raised ice-crystal gemstone necklace on her chest, adding a heart-stirring, languid charm.

"Junior Brother Yao?"

Cang Yunyao's gaze inadvertently swept across the courtyard gate and instantly locked onto that figure, tall and upright as a mountain.

That languor was instantly replaced by a dazzling radiance. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, and a bright, incomparable smile instantly bloomed on her face, stunning the other female Disciples.

"It's Senior Brother Yao!"

The eyes of those Core Disciples also lit up. They stood up one after another, their faces showing joy and faint admiration.

Yao Delong's reputation in the Sect was now at its zenith; not only was he a top True Disciple, but rumors also had it that he was deeply favored by the Sect Head and the Grand Elder!

Who would pass up the chance to build even a sliver of friendship with him?

"Wow, it really is Senior Brother Yao! We were just listening to Senior Sister mention you a moment ago!"

A young girl in a goose-yellow dress smiled like a flower and boldly stepped forward half a step to salute.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yao! You've been gone for half a month, and there hasn't been anything interesting in the Sect..."

Another girl in green, with a slightly colder temperament, also rarely showed a smile.

The group of them, like orioles and swallows, faintly formed a surrounding circle.

Yao Delong was about to nod in response when he saw the charming figure in gorgeous robes in the center of the jade platform stand up. As she moved with lotus steps, her jade pendants tinkled, bringing with them a refreshing, cold, and faint fragrance.

A clever smile graced Cang Yunyao's face, but her tone carried the unquestionable authority of a Senior Sister:

"Alright, alright, you Junior Sisters have gained much from today's discussion of the Dao, so go back and meditate on it. Do not slack off."

She waved her jade arm gently, an elegant gesture that was clearly a dismissal, "I have... important Dao matters to discuss with Junior Brother Yao."

How could those female Disciples dare to defy their True Disciple Senior Sister? A trace of regret and reluctance flashed across their faces, but they still obediently curtsied to Yao Delong:

"Then, Senior Brother Yao, we shall take our leave... If you have free time, please do come to our Spirit Water Peak Water Mirror Garden for a small gathering. The sisters would love to listen to your teachings..."

"Yes, yes, discussing alchemy or Formations would be fine..."

Several pairs of bright, beautiful eyes looked at Yao Delong with full expectation.

Looking at these Junior Sisters, whose minds were either simple or clever, Yao Delong thought about the purely academic "discussion of the Dao" they mentioned, then glanced at the person in front of him who was already radiating charm, her eyes carrying a subtle, hook-like allure regarding those "important Dao matters." He felt his old face heat up slightly and could only cough, responding awkwardly: "Ahem... I will certainly discuss it when I have the chance."

After the reluctant figures of the Junior Sisters disappeared into the rainbow light of the Restriction outside the courtyard, the previously reserved, elegant, and dignified Senior Sister of Spirit Water Peak instantly transformed.

The luxurious Fairy who had been sitting reservedly on the jade platform, as if stepping out of a painting, suddenly turned into a homing firebird the moment the last hem of her skirt vanished behind the Restriction!

That coquettish cry was filled with endless tenderness and irrepressible resentment, accompanied by a mass of cloud brocade wrapped in a cold, rich fragrance that surged toward him!

"Woo—you heartless wretch! You've made me wait so long!"

A fragrant breeze assailed his nose, and a rush of rich scent hit him. Her protective Spiritual light, with its warm and soft touch, collided with his solid body. Through the layer of 'Flowing Cloud Silk', which was as thin as a cicada's wing and cool to the touch, the force of the impact was so great that Yao Delong felt his blood slightly roil, and the person in his arms let out a muffled groan from the recoil.

Her slender arms wrapped tightly around his waist, and her warm breath, carrying a slight coolness, brushed against his neck as a cold, clear voice sounded in his ear:

"Half a month! With no word at all! You've made me stare at the Cold Jade Star Chart on the ceiling of my Immortal Cave day after day, restless and longing for your return!"

In that sweet, bone-melting voice, beneath the coquettishness flowed thick longing, along with a trace of subtle nervousness born from the torment of long waiting.