54: Mission begins

Treasure Pavilion, Third Floor, Flying Sword Area.

An elder deacon with white hair and beard listened to Yao Delong's request. A sharp light flashed in his cloudy old eyes, and he nodded slightly.

He turned around and approached the wall behind him, where several jade boxes were embedded within a Formation's light screen.

He took out three Flying Swords of different shapes, but all of them emitted a scorching Aura.

The first one was entirely crimson, with intricate cloud patterns carved on the blade and fire jade embedded in the hilt. It emitted a pressing heat wave and was named the 'Flowing Fire Sword'.

The second one had a dark red blade with patterns that looked like flowing magma, exuding a violent Aura; it was called 'Earth Vein Flame Fang'.

As soon as the third one appeared, it caught Yao Delong's eye. The blade displayed a strange dark gold luster.

Neither metal nor stone, tiny golden light spots faintly flowed within the sword's body, as if it were solidified sunlight.

The crossguard was shaped like a miniature blazing sun, emitting a restrained yet incredibly pure heat and masculine Aura.

"This sword is named 'golden crow setting sun,'"

The elder deacon's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

"It was forged using the extremely rare Solar Gold Crystal, which contains a trace of Great Sun Essence, as the primary material.

Its nature is extremely Yang and firm, with its sharpness contained within. It is most compatible with pure Yang Cultivation Techniques and can trigger the power of a trace of Solar True Fire.

Even for a Golden Core Perfection Cultivator, it is by no means inferior. The only drawback... is its price. It costs 600 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

600 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!

The corner of Yao Delong's eye twitched imperceptibly.

This price was double that of the 'crimson flame essence gold sword' Wu Feng from Spirit Forging Peak had bragged about!

But feeling the majestic pure Yang power within the 'golden crow setting sun' resonating with the Great Evolution Mixed Yang Scripture spiritual power in his body,

He knew this sword was definitely worth the price!

"I'll take it!" Yao Delong didn't hesitate; his hand was steady as he pulled out the Spirit Stones.

The Treasure Pavilion was expensive, but its quality was indeed superior. He gripped the dark gold hilt.

A stream of pure, warm pure Yang power flowed through his arm and into his body.

It blended perfectly with his own spiritual power, emitting a faint hum as if they were long-lost friends reuniting.

Yao Delong felt greatly reassured; the purpose of this trip was successfully achieved.

Walking out of the Treasure Pavilion, Yao Delong did not return directly to his peak.

Feeling the pitiful 2 yin yang points on the System panel, his heart stirred.

The foundation of strength improvement was the yin yang points required to use the System.

With that thought, he steered his sword toward the market at the foot of the mountain, his target—the Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

The familiar fragrance of medicinal herbs greeted him.

Behind the counter, Luo Yan was looking down and fiddling with an abacus. Her plump figure, wrapped in simple yet elegant robes, still invited imagination.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

Her gaze fell upon the middle-aged Cultivator before her, who had a deep Aura and a calm, resolute face.

A hint of doubt and vigilance flashed in her eyes: "Honored guest, what medicinal ingredients do you need?"

Yao Delong looked at Luo Yan's slightly dazed, pretty face and curled his lips into a smile, not answering.

He skillfully walked around the counter, grabbed her soft, warm wrist, and led her directly toward the back hall.

"Eh? Senior! You... mmm..."

Before Luo Yan's exclamation could finish, she had been pulled into the familiar quiet room in the back hall, which was covered in Restrictions.

"It's me." Yao Delong's voice returned to its usual tone as he looked at her with burning eyes.

Luo Yan's delicate body trembled slightly as she carefully identified the face before her, which was both strange and yet possessed familiar contours.

Especially those deep, bright eyes that held a sense of familiarity she knew... An incredible thought surfaced in her mind: "Yao... Brother Yao?"

"You recognized me?" Yao Delong chuckled. Without another word, he leaned down and kissed her slightly parted lips.

Inside the quiet room, the atmosphere grew warm and intimate.

After a bout of passion, their Yin and Yang fused together.

Although Luo Yan's Primal Yin power was far from as pure and vast as Junior Sister Lin Qingxue's, it was still better than nothing.

[Ding! Completed Yin-Yang Harmony with target Luo Yan! yin yang points +17! Current yin yang points: 19!]

As his Cultivation Technique improved, the amount of yin yang points he gained also increased!

The next morning, at the Yin Yang Sect mountain gate.

The morning light was dim, and a thin mist shrouded the towering mountain gate. Yao Delong arrived on his sword.

From a distance, he saw four figures already gathered outside the gate.

Liu Rumei was still dressed in fire-red tight-fitting clothes, bright and flamboyant like a leaping flame in the mountains.

Beside her stood a youth dressed in simple gray tight-fitting clothes, his posture as straight as a sword.

He carried a long sword on his back, his face cold and resolute, his eyes sharp, and his whole body exuded the Aura of the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

This was Liu Rumei's Senior Brother, a Disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, Liu Bai.

On the other side of Liu Bai was a woman dressed in a water-blue wide-sleeved dress.

Her temperament was as gentle as water, her face beautiful, and her skin fair. Her eyes seemed to be misted with a faint vapor, making one feel peaceful at first sight.

This was the Spirit Water Peak Disciple, Luo Miaomiao, with a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivation.

[Ding! Target: Luo Miaomiao, Age: 24, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

Spiritual Power Affinity: 8 (Excellent), Favorability: 30 (Acquaintance)]

Standing a bit further away were two figures that made Yao Delong raise his eyebrows slightly.

One of them was burly with knotted muscles and an unkind gaze—it was Meng Hu, whom he had a grudge against! His cultivation had actually broken through to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

The person beside him looked seventy percent like him but was taller, with a more settled and heavy Aura, wearing earthy yellow Daoist robes.

This was his cousin, Tuyao Peak Disciple Meng Lang, Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

When Yao Delong landed his sword light, he restrained his Aura the moment he saw Meng Hu.

Without careful inspection, one could only sense a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivation.

Meng Hu first glanced casually at this 'unfamiliar' middle-aged Cultivator, not paying him any mind.

Until Liu Rumei walked up with a beaming smile and introduced him enthusiastically:

"Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, this is our final teammate for this trip, Martial Uncle Yao Delong of Luoxia Peak!"

"Martial Uncle, these people are Luo Miaomiao from Spirit Water Peak..." Liu Rumei introduced everyone to Yao Delong one by one.

Luo Miaomiao and Liu Bai were filled with surprise.

When they joined the sect, they had heard that Yao Delong was the shame of the Yin Yang Sect. Seeing him today, why did his reputation seem so false?

"Yao... Yao Delong?!"

Meng Hu's eyes instantly bulged, and the flesh on his face shook with shock!

He stared fixedly at Yao Delong's calm and handsome face.

He couldn't find a way to connect this Foundation Establishment Mid-stage Cultivator with a thick Aura and heroic spirit,

To the hunched, withered, and dying Qi Condensation level nine waste in his memory!

"How is that possible?!"

Meng Hu blurted out in a low cry. A flash of suspicion also appeared in Meng Lang's eyes beside him, which then turned gloomy.

He quickly exchanged a look with Meng Lang, his lips moving slightly, clearly plotting something through private voice transmission.

"Nephew Meng, it's been a long time. Have you been well?"

Yao Delong looked at Meng Hu with a half-smile, his tone flat but carrying an invisible pressure.

Meng Hu's face twitched as he forced out a smile that looked worse than crying:

"Thanks to... to Martial Uncle's blessing, I'm... I'm fine." His heart, however, was in a state of upheaval.

He was already plotting how to 'reclaim his face' during this trip, or even... a plan to make this 'dog-shit lucky' Martial Uncle disappear forever!

Yao Delong took in the reaction of the Meng brothers, sneering in his heart while remaining calm on the surface.

With his current strength, he could easily crush these two insignificant people; there was no need to take their schemes to heart.

With everyone gathered, they prepared to set off. Luo Miaomiao of Spirit Water Peak and Meng Lang of Tuyao Peak each summoned their Flying Swords.

Liu Bai also summoned a cold, glittering Flying Sword and looked at Liu Rumei:

"Junior Sister, do you need to ride with me?"

His tone was flat, seemingly just an inquiry out of sect camaraderie.

Liu Rumei gave a cunning smile, walked directly to Yao Delong's side, and looked up to ask:

"Martial Uncle Yao, your technique is both fast and steady. Can you give this Disciple a lift?"

Her eyes held a hint of expectation and closeness.

Yao Delong glanced at Liu Bai's expressionless face and nodded: "No matter, come up."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

Liu Rumei responded cheerfully and leapt lightly onto Yao Delong's broad and steady Medium Grade Earth-Grade Weapon Flying Sword.

Standing behind him, she naturally grabbed the robes at his waist to steady herself.

Seeing this scene, a flash of jealousy passed through Meng Hu's eyes. He snorted coldly and also summoned a Flying Sword.