72: Chapter 72 Using any means necessary to win favor!

After Cao Kun left Baihua Peak,

he returned directly to Lianxiang Peak.

He thought that the moment he stepped through the door, things would be as usual.

He expected to see a glamorous figure in a purple dress rushing toward him, calling him 'Revered Master' in a sweet, affected voice.

Instead, the Main Hall was empty; not a soul was in sight.

"Where did that vixen run off to?"

Cao Kun rubbed his chin and muttered to himself.

Yu Linglong had been stuck at the Golden Core Late Stage Peak for decades.

Her Cultivation Technique, mental state, and spiritual power reserves had long since reached their limit.

All she lacked was an opportunity to successfully form her Nascent Soul.

Cao Kun had been calculating throughout his journey back.

He had a grade 6 barrier-breaking pill that he'd pilfered from the core vault of the Alchemy Pavilion's A-series.

In the System space, he also had the high-grade jade beast advancement pill obtained from opening the Bronze Gift Pack.

The description for this advancement pill was clear: it would raise a Jade Beast's Realm by one major stage with no side effects.

Cao Kun wanted to try it out.

He would have Yu Linglong take both the barrier-breaking pill and the advancement pill at the same time.

A two-pronged approach.

He wanted to see if she could leap over the Nascent Soul Stage in one breath and charge straight into the Soul Transformation Stage!

The Hehuan Sect Revered Master, Qin Canglan, was only at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

If he really managed to create a Soul Transformation Stage Jade Beast enforcer, he, Cao Kun, could walk tall throughout all of Qingzhou.

If he didn't like the look of someone, he'd just have his Revered Master slap them to death.

But the person in question was actually not here.

"Forget it, since she's not here, this matter can wait a bit."

Cao Kun shook his head, not in any particular hurry.

Anyway, the meat was already in the pot; a day earlier or later wouldn't matter.

He walked through the Main Hall and pushed open the stone door to the inner chamber.

A faint, delicate fragrance filled the inner chamber.

Upon the jade bed,

Leng Qingyue was wearing only a thin, plain white undergarment, her long legs crossed as she closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

Days of Dual Cultivation, combined with the nourishment of Cao Kun's Pure Yang Essence,

had added a hint of a mature woman's charm to her originally cold and ethereal temperament.

Hearing the door open, Leng Qingyue's long eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

Once she saw it was Cao Kun, her cold expression instantly melted into a pool of spring water.

"Senior Brother Cao!"

Leng Qingyue didn't even bother putting on shoes; with her small, snow-white feet bare like jade, she jumped straight off the jade bed.

She threw herself into Cao Kun's arms.

Cao Kun naturally pulled her slender waist toward him and lowered his head to kiss her smooth forehead.

"How come you're the only one here? Where is Revered Master?" Cao Kun asked casually.

Leng Qingyue pressed her face against Cao Kun's solid chest and rubbed against it comfortably.

Then she looked up and answered softly, "Qingyue doesn't know either."

"When I woke up this morning, Revered Master was already gone from the hall."

At this point, Leng Qingyue seemed to remember something, and a flash of smugness appeared in her eyes.

"It's better if Revered Master isn't here. She's getting on in years and needs more rest."

"Unlike Qingyue, who can stay with Senior Brother forever~ Senior Brother, don't you agree?"

Looking at her protective little manner, Cao Kun couldn't help but chuckle.

Since the main account wasn't here, he'd work on the alt account first.

Cao Kun flicked his wrist, and two exquisite porcelain bottles appeared out of thin air in his palm.

He led Leng Qingyue to sit on the edge of the jade bed.

"Your current cultivation has reached Late Stage Foundation Establishment Perfection; you already have one foot in the Core Formation Stage."

"However, your Top-grade Ice Spirit Body is different from ordinary people's. The spiritual energy required for Core Formation is immense, and the Lightning Tribulation will be more violent than that of a normal Cultivator."

Cao Kun stuffed one of the porcelain bottles into Leng Qingyue's hand.

"In this bottle is a top-tier grade 5 spirit nourishing pill."

"Go into seclusion for a few days and refine it."

"It can help you thoroughly cleanse your Meridians and refine your spiritual energy purity to the absolute limit."

Next, he handed over the other porcelain bottle.

"Inside this one is a grade 6 barrier-breaking pill."

"Take it when you feel you can no longer suppress your Realm and are ready for Core Formation. With it to safeguard you, forming a Top-grade Golden Core is a sure thing."

Leng Qingyue stared blankly at the two jade bottles in her hand, her small mouth slightly agape.

As a Personal Disciple, she knew the value of these two Medicinal Pills all too well.

Never mind the grade 6 barrier-breaking pill,

even the grade 5 spirit nourishing pill was a supreme treasure that countless Golden Core Cultivators couldn't obtain even if they bankrupted themselves.

"Senior Brother..."

Leng Qingyue's eyes instantly turned red, her nose stung, and she was moved beyond words.

"Qingyue definitely won't let Senior Brother down."

"Once I reach Core Formation, I can... I can help Senior Brother with more things, and I can use more..."

Leng Qingyue was secretly competing in her heart.

That little concubine Liu Rumeng was currently at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment, and Revered Master was even at the Late Golden Core Stage.

She had to hurry and raise her cultivation; she absolutely could not fail Senior Brother Cao's expectations.

Otherwise, how could she secure her position as the primary wife?

"Qingyue will definitely work hard." Leng Qingyue nodded heavily, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Cao Kun's cheek.

Then she turned and walked quickly toward the seclusion room on the back mountain.

...

Meanwhile,

thousands of miles away from the Hehuan Sect,

at another major Sect in Qingzhou, the Miaoyin Sect.

Yu Linglong sat in a red sandalwood chair in the guest area.

Today she was wearing an extremely luxurious purple flowing cloud dress.

The hem trailed on the floor, wrapping her voluptuous and curvaceous figure just right.

The humble, fawning manner she usually showed in front of Cao Kun was completely gone.

In every gesture, she displayed the dignity and elegance of a Hehuan Sect Elder.

However, at this moment, her heart was far from being as calm as she appeared on the surface.

That wretched girl Qingyue has been getting more and more presumptuous lately!

Relying on her youth, she calls him 'Senior Brother Cao' one after another, her voice sweeter than anyone's.

The most crucial thing was that Revered Master seemed to really fall for her act!

This gave Yu Linglong an extremely strong sense of crisis.

Although a few days ago she had relied on her centuries of experience to exhaust that girl until she fell into a deep sleep, monopolizing Revered Master's affection,

this couldn't go on forever.

How can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed?

Especially when they were sleeping with the same man!

"Revered Master belongs to this seat alone; no one else can have him!"

Thinking of Cao Kun's domineering and powerful figure, Yu Linglong's cheeks couldn't help but flush.

She subconsciously crossed her legs and rubbed them together slightly.

Having made up her mind, Yu Linglong's beautiful eyes shifted toward the beautiful woman sitting in the seat of honor.

The Grand Elder of the Miaoyin Sect, Yun Xiyue.

The two had explored an ancient Secret Realm together in their early years and could be considered close friends.

Beside Yun Xiyue stood a young man in a disciplined manner.

Dressed in a brocade robe, his face was reasonably handsome.

However, there was an unmistakable arrogance in his eyes.

This was Yun Xiyue's Personal Disciple, Ji Jinian.

"Linglong, how is it you have time to visit my Miaoyin Sect today?"

Yun Xiyue spoke with a smile to break the silence.

"The Hehuan Sect has been quite in the spotlight lately. I heard your Sect produced a peerless Genius who actually killed a Nascent Soul Cultivator while being in a lower Realm?"

Yu Linglong waved her hand, not picking up that topic, and went straight to the point.

"Xiyue, to be honest, I've come today because I have a private matter I'd like to discuss with you."

"Oh?"

Yun Xiyue was somewhat surprised.

"What matter could make you so troubled?"

"It's for that troublesome Disciple of mine, Leng Qingyue." Yu Linglong feigned helplessness and rubbed her brow.

"The girl is twenty this year. Her cultivation is somewhat accomplished; she just broke through to the Late Stage Foundation Establishment a few days ago."

"I should start worrying about her lifelong happiness."

Yu Linglong paused and scanned the hall.

"I was thinking that although there are many young talents in our Qingzhou region, those who could match my Qingyue are few and far between."

"Your Miaoyin Sect has always been a place of outstanding people. I wonder if there are any suitable young talents among your Disciples?"

"If we could facilitate a good match and our two Sects could be joined by marriage, it would be a wonderful thing."

At this point, Yu Linglong's gaze shifted slightly.

It landed on the young man standing behind her, serving tea.

At such a young age, Ji Jinian had already reached the Golden Core Early Stage.

Among the younger generation in all of Qingzhou, he definitely ranked among the top peerless geniuses.

Yu Linglong looked at Ji Jinian and nodded with satisfaction.

This kid's cultivation was decent and his background was solid; he was perfect to use as a tool.

"Xiyue."

Yu Linglong withdrew her gaze and looked at Yun Xiyue with a sincere tone.

"I see that your Ji Jinian is truly a fine young man, a dragon among men."

"I heard that when he was training in a Secret Realm before, he caught a glimpse of my Qingyue from afar and has harbored feelings for her ever since?"

"As her Revered Master, seeing this makes me anxious as well."

"Why don't the two of us make a decision today?"

"Let the two young people meet and see if we can bring them together?"

As soon as these words were spoken,

the entire reception hall fell silent.

Standing behind Yun Xiyue, Ji Jinian, who had been holding the teapot to serve,

felt his heart thumping wildly upon hearing this, his blood rushing to his head.

If he hadn't been restraining himself, drool would have almost flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Leng Qingyue!

That was Leng Qingyue!

Qingzhou's publicly recognized number one cold beauty!

She looked like a Heavenly Immortal descended to earth, her temperament noble and ethereal; she was the dream girl of countless young Cultivators who couldn't sleep at night!

More importantly, she was a Top-grade Ice Spirit Body!

For any male Cultivator, she was the ultimate Dual Cultivation Cauldron!

A few days ago, he had even heard someone say that Leng Qingyue had recently received a great stroke of luck.

Not only was the cold poison in her body completely cured, but her cultivation had also progressed by leaps and bounds, breaking straight through to the Late Stage Foundation Establishment.

Her Foundation was terrifyingly solid!

If he could marry her and harvest her Pure Yin Qi day and night,

his cultivation would definitely advance by leaps and bounds!

He might even have hope of charging directly into the Golden Core Middle Stage before the age of thirty!

Ji Jinian subconsciously puffed out his chest, his eyes flashing with greed and lust.

His mind had already begun uncontrollably planning the wonderful life after marrying Leng Qingyue.

On the wedding night, he would tear apart that cold facade of the flower on the high peak.

Watching her show expressions of humiliation and compliance...

Just thinking about it made Ji Jinian feel hot all over.

He secretly calculated his own conditions.

He was the eldest son of the Ji Family!

A peerless Genius of the Golden Core Stage! And the future pillar of the Miaoyin Sect!

In terms of identity, status, and strength,

looking at all of Qingzhou, who else besides himself, Ji Jinian, could be a match for Leng Qingyue?!

A perfect match!

It was simply a match made in heaven!

"Such a top-grade beauty should naturally be in my, Ji Jinian's, pocket!"

"Being able to marry me is a blessing she's earned over eight lifetimes!"

The more Ji Jinian thought about it, the more excited he became, fearing that Yu Linglong was just speaking casually or might regret it later.

He couldn't even bother with the rule that a Junior shouldn't interrupt when Elders are speaking.

He stepped out directly from behind Yun Xiyue.

He cupped his hands and knelt on one knee before Yu Linglong with a thud.

"Senior Martial Uncle Yu!"

Ji Jinian's voice was loud and righteous, putting on an air of deep affection.

"This Junior, Ji Jinian, has admired Junior Sister Qingyue for a long time!"

"Junior Sister Qingyue's peerless grace has long been deeply etched into this Junior's heart, impossible to erase!"

"If Senior Martial Uncle Yu is willing to fulfill this wonderful match,"

"this Junior swears to the heavens that in this life, I will surely treat Junior Sister Qingyue as a precious treasure and treat her well!"

"If I violate this, let heaven strike me with lightning and my Divine Soul be destroyed!"

"I will never fail Senior Martial Uncle's kindness in fulfilling this!"

Seeing her Disciple's impatient look, Yun Xiyue smiled helplessly but didn't scold him.

After all, with Leng Qingyue's qualities, who wouldn't be moved?

"Linglong, look at this..." Yun Xiyue smiled to smooth things over.

"Since the children have this fate and Ji Jinian is indeed sincere,"

"then why don't we settle this matter?"

Yu Linglong looked at Ji Jinian, who was kneeling on the ground with a face full of fanaticism.

She sneered repeatedly in her heart.

Fool.

This seat is merely using your hand to disgust that wretched girl Qingyue.

When Revered Master finds out, he will surely be furious.

In a fit of rage, he might just slap you into a meat patty.

Then Revered Master will think it's Qingyue who is attracting unwanted attention outside.

He'll scold Qingyue severely, causing her to completely lose favor.

Then Revered Master will favor this seat alone every day!

Two birds with one stone! Simply perfect!

"Good!"

Yu Linglong slapped the table and agreed very readily.

"Since Xiyue and Martial Nephew Ji Jinian have no objections, then this matter is settled!"

She looked at Ji Jinian and commanded with a dignified tone, "In a few days, prepare a generous gift and come directly to the Hehuan Sect's Lianxiang Peak to propose!"

"This seat will personally make the decision for you!"

Ji Jinian was overjoyed, his whole body trembling with excitement.

He kowtowed heavily on the ground and shouted loudly, "Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle Yu, for fulfilling this! This Disciple will go and prepare the betrothal gifts right away! I will certainly visit as soon as possible!"

Yu Linglong