21: Disrespectful to elders

Seeing that Lu Yang didn't care at all despite her harsh words and still pounced like a hungry wolf, Chi Rong's face was suddenly filled with astonishment.

Disrespecting his elders, yet being so... tireless?

An absurd doubt couldn't help but surface in her heart:

Could this kind of thing really have such magic for him?

Thirty breaths later, the answer was revealed.

Lu Yang lay paralyzed on the bed with a satisfied look. Even as the feeling of weakness from being at the end of his rope hit him again from the depths of his Soul, there was still a nearly burning sense of gratification in his eyes.

Even if he burned through the last bit of his life force, it was worth it to be accompanied by this Ice Beauty.

“It still ended in thirty breaths. Why didn't I see you ‘Breakthrough’ today?” Chi Rong smoothed her slightly disheveled lapels, her voice tinged with mockery, though a hard-to-detect flicker of playfulness passed through her eyes.

Facing this blunt ridicule, Lu Yang could only cough dryly to cover it up:

“Ahem... I drew too many Talismans today, so my Divine Soul is a bit fatigued and I lost my composure...”

“Hehehe...” Hearing this, Chi Rong covered her lips with her sleeve, her shoulders trembling slightly as she finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This old slippery fellow always had so many excuses.

Seeing Lu Yang cease his activities, Chi Rong said no more and stood up to dress elegantly.

Lu Yang leaned against the bed, his gaze lingering on every inch of her icy skin and jade bones as they were covered by her fine clothes, filled with reluctance to let go.

If he could have such a gentle world every day, what would it matter if his life was shortened by ten years?

“If there's nothing else, I'm leaving.” Chi Rong tied the last silk ribbon, her tone returning to its coldness as she turned to leave.

“Junior Martial Uncle, wait!” Lu Yang hurriedly got up and took out a Sword Qi Talisman with an inner spiritual glow from his Storage Pouch. “This is a Sword Qi Talisman newly drawn by this Disciple. Would Junior Martial Uncle please critique it?”

Chi Rong took it, her fingertips brushing over the complex and sharp golden talismanic runes, a flash of surprise passing through her eyes.

The Talisman felt heavy and concentrated in her hand, its spiritual power contained but not released, its sharpness faintly visible; it was actually a Sword Qi Talisman of excellent quality!

“You actually have such talent in the Dao of Talismans?” She raised her eyes, looking at Lu Yang for the first time with the gaze of someone evaluating talent.

“This level of attainment is already no less than that of the elite Disciples of the Inner Sect's Wanfu Peak.

I have an old acquaintance with the Wanfu Peak Master. If you are willing, I can recommend you for an exceptional admission to the peak to study. How about it?”

“Thank you for your kindness, Junior Martial Uncle!” Lu Yang cupped his hands, but his gaze was clear and firm.

“But there is only one thought in this Disciple's heart—Foundation Establishment!

After I refine the spirit replenishing pills for Junior Martial Uncle and fulfill our agreement, it won't be too late to discuss my future. Besides,”

He changed the subject with a bit of sly sincerity, “This Disciple currently refines Medicinal Pills to exchange for resources and has Junior Martial Uncle's help in my Cultivation. Both benefit each other. Isn't this better than being restricted by joining a peak?”

Chi Rong stared at him for a moment, and the corners of her lips actually curled up slightly:

“You are indeed an extraordinary talent who doesn't covet empty fame and stays grounded.

Rest well.”

Before her voice finished echoing, the purple figure had already turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the night outside the door, leaving only a trace of cold fragrance.

About half an hour later, Mu Wanqing returned under the moonlight.

As soon as she entered, Lu Yang saw a light sorrow locked between her brows.

Upon closer questioning, he learned that the spirit plants she had meticulously cared for had yielded a great harvest and gained the appreciation of an Inner Sect Elder, who specially permitted her to participate in the “Spiritual Plant Cultivator” selection.

This was originally a promotion ladder that Outer Sect Disciples dreamed of, yet she was full of worries.

“If I really enter the Inner Sect, I'm afraid that if I want to find Junior Brother to Cultivate again...” She bit her lip, her fingertips unconsciously twisting her belt, her eyes full of reluctance and struggle.

Now that she had Lu Yang as an excellent “Cultivation partner” and the assistance of Medicinal Pills, how could she still care about the empty fame of that damn Spiritual Plant Cultivator position.

Lu Yang laughed heartily and took her hand:

“Senior Sister, you're overthinking it! You should go ahead and leap through that Dragon Gate! I will definitely not lack the foundation establishment pill I promised you!”

He lowered his voice with a seductive smile, “Besides, I, your Junior Brother, also aim for the Inner Sect.

Why don't you go one step ahead, Senior Sister, to scout the way and pave the path for me?

When I enter the Inner Sect in the future, I'll be counting on you, my ‘Senior,’ to look after me!”

[Mu Wanqing Good and Evil Value +10]

“Really?” The gloom in Mu Wanqing's eyes vanished completely, like clouds parting to reveal the moon. She interlaced her fingers with his.

“Alright! Then I'll go tomorrow! I will definitely prepare a place for you in the Inner Sect and pave a grand path for you!” Her joy was beyond words.

Now that the knot in her heart was resolved, Mu Wanqing's interest rose again, and she pulled Lu Yang to “Cultivate.”

Although Lu Yang was exhausted both physically and mentally, considering those precious proficiency points, he could only force himself to cooperate.

A cup of tea's time later.

Lu Yang's eyes were vacant as he lay on the bed as if his bones had been removed.

Beside him, Mu Wanqing had shed all her reserve and was sitting cross-legged, refining the Primordial Yang Qi she had just absorbed without any inhibition, her whole body emitting a vigorous life vitality like that of plants.

This was exactly what Lu Yang found most fascinating about Wood Spirit Root Cultivators.

Lu Yang quietly looked at her focused profile, his heart full of affection.

Mu Wanqing was compliant with every request and had a great sense of service. Afterwards, she even tidied everything up neatly, never requiring him to waste any effort.

This peace of mind and vitality made Lu Yang cherish her all the more.

“Senior Sister,” he spoke softly, “I need to leave the sect in two days to seek some Opportunities. I'll be back in as short as three to five days, or as long as half a month.

Whether you've entered the Inner Sect by then or are still in the Outer Sect, don't come looking for me.”

Mu Wanqing suddenly opened her eyes, which were shimmering with moisture: “Are you trying to avoid me?” Her tone carried an accusation.

“It's to break through to Foundation Establishment!” Lu Yang reached out and lightly tapped her smooth forehead with his fingertip. “When I return, even if you are high up on the Inner Sect's immortal mountains, I will definitely climb over walls and tiles to find you every night!”

“If you dare not come...” She suddenly leaned in close, the petals in her hair rustling onto their tangled lapels, a cunning light flashing in her eyes.

“I'll catch a handsome little Junior Brother in the Inner Sect and do Dual Cultivation with him every day for you to see!”

Lu Yang swept her up with his large hand, grabbing her slender but resilient waist, and laughed loudly:

“With Senior Sister's skills in bed being so earth-shattering and Soul-stirring, even if I have to crawl, I'll crawl back to claim the top spot!

How could I allow anyone else to touch you?”

...