156: "Sword and Moon Dual Cultivation Cake," with reddened earlobes.

Ji Linghan shook his head and took the ingredients. He meticulously proportioned moon essence concentrate, osmanthus petals, and divine punishment power to create a "Divine Punishment Moon Essence Cake." Consuming it increased critical hit rate but continuously drained health, making its side effects too severe.

Yu Yue attempted to make a "Holy Light Mooncake," but the holy light clashed with the Moonlight, causing it to burn to a crisp.

When it was Han Ruoxue's turn, she closed her eyes in concentration, slowly infusing Moonlight Essence Energy into the ingredients, while also adding a small amount of Moonlight moss and stardust.

"Moon Goddess Legacy Cake," she whispered, "I hope it succeeds."

The moment the oven opened, brilliant silver light burst forth, and a fragrant aroma filled the entire kitchen. As the silver light receded, a mooncake as clear and translucent as jade appeared before everyone, with what looked like a flowing galaxy inside.

System Announcement: Congratulations to Han Ruoxue for innovatively creating a legendary quality immortal cake: "Starlight Moon Shadow Cake." After consumption, all attributes are +20% for 8 hours, Moonlight skill effects are +40%, and the "Starlight Shield" effect is gained. Han Ruoxue has obtained the title "Mooncake Grandmaster."

The other four people exclaimed in admiration, praising, "A work of genius, perfectly combining Moonlight with the starry sky."

Xu Bai said sourly, "Why is Ruo Xue so excellent at everything she does..."

Finally, it was Chu Yixing's turn. He thought for a long time, then took out his green lotus sword and condensed a wisp of sword qi, slowly blending it into the dough. He then meticulously carved the shape, intending to create a "Sword and Moonlight Dual Cultivation Cake."

The shaped mooncake was placed into the oven. After a while, Chu Yixing opened the oven, and the mooncake that emerged was shaped like a small sword, emanating sharp sword intent and gentle Moonlight.

System Prompt: Congratulations to Chu Yixing for innovatively creating an epic quality immortal cake: "Sword and Moonlight Dual Cultivation Cake." After consumption, sword-type skill damage is +25% for 6 hours, Moonlight affinity is +15%, and attacks come with a Moonlight effect.

Although it was not of legendary quality like Han Ruoxue's, it still reached epic quality.

After the the five people completed daily quest three, which was to make two special-flavored spirit moon immortal cakes, they prepared to set off to various secret realms to collect materials. No one noticed that when Chu Yixing's mooncake came out, after she saw the system description of the mooncake, her ears turned red.

Following Han Ruoxue's tip, the the five people arrived at Moonlight Lake on the west side of the city. When they arrived, there were already many teams there.

The the five people looked at the lake, which reflected the bright moon in the sky. In the shimmering water, silver light occasionally flickered, seemingly the reflection of moonlight crystals.

"There's something in the water," Han Ruoxue pointed to the center of the lake, "I feel a certain power."

Sure enough, when a team tried to dive for treasure, several flood dragons, formed from condensed Moonlight, leaped out of the lake, blocking their way.

Moonlight Flood Dragon, LV45, Secret Realm Guardian.

"Let's go, we can only get the treasure after defeating them," Yu Yue gripped his shield, ready to attack at any moment.

Chu Yixing, however, shook his head and stopped Yu Yue: "Look over there."

When another team was about to attack the Moonlight Flood Dragons, a warrior in the team accidentally dropped an item emitting an osmanthus fragrance into the water.

The flood dragons docilely circled the item, allowing the team to safely retrieve the moonlight crystal from the center of the lake.

"It seems not all challenges need to be solved with force," Chu Yixing mused, "Underwater combat is disadvantageous for us. Ruo Xue, can you communicate with them?"

Han Ruoxue attempted to condense Moonlight Essence Energy into a specific frequency, gently sprinkling it onto the lake surface. The Moonlight Flood Dragons seemed to sense the power of the same origin, curiously approaching the shore and emitting pleasant chirps.

"They said... they need osmanthus nourished by Moonlight in exchange for the crystals," Han Ruoxue relayed with surprise.

Xu Bai slapped his head: "Osmanthus? Didn't we collect a lot of moon osmanthus petals earlier?"

After taking out the moon osmanthus petals and scattering them into the lake, the flood dragons indeed docilely allowed them to collect the moonlight crystals from the lake. Not only that, but they also additionally gifted several rare [Moonlight Pearls].

"You get more by being friendly," Yu Yue remarked, accustomed to preparing for battle. This peaceful resolution surprised him somewhat.

Over the next hour and a half, the the five people traveled through multiple secret realms, collecting materials in various ways: sometimes needing to solve Moonlight riddles, sometimes needing to help the Moon Palace residents in the secret realms complete small tasks, sometimes needing to use specific skills to catalyze the formation of moonlight crystals, but more often than not, it required solving problems through force.

Everyone's daily quest one had been completed, and daily quest two was only one short, so they should be able to gather everything by solving one more secret realm.

Led by Han Ruoxue, the the five people arrived at a hidden valley in the North Mountains. The Moonlight here seemed to be focused by some power, forming a towering pillar of light that reached the heavens.

"Such dense Moonlight Essence Energy..." Han Ruoxue took a deep breath, "There must be high-quality moonlight crystals here."

In the center of the valley, a moonlight crystal the size of a human head floated in mid-air, emitting heart-pounding energy fluctuations. What was surprising, however, was that there were no other teams around.

"Something's fishy," Yu Yue cautiously raised his shield, "Such a good secret realm spot couldn't possibly go undiscovered."

Sure enough, as the the five people approached, complex runes suddenly appeared on the ground, forming a huge confinement array.

"It's a trap, everyone be careful!" Chu Yixing immediately flew up with his sword, only to find an invisible barrier in the air as well.

More than a dozen professionals emerged from the shadows. The leader was a mage with a cold smile: "We've been waiting for a long time, 'Dawn' team. We want the moon palace core fragment you have."

Xu Bai angrily said, "Remnants of the Dark Moon Cult?"

"Remnants?" The mage laughed loudly, "Those you encountered before were just our external branches. We are 'Eclipse Shadow,' the true Children of the Moon Shadow!"

Han Ruoxue sensed the opponent's energy: "They are not using Blood Moon corruption, but... pure Moon Shadow power, which clashes with Moonlight yet shares the same origin."

Chu Yixing calmly assessed the situation: the opponent had fifteen people, all above level 40, working in perfect coordination, clearly well-prepared.

"How do we split up?" Yu Yue whispered, his shield already in position.

"Ruo Xue tries to dismantle the array, Xu Bai summons Abyssal Creatures to distract the enemy, Ling Han takes out targets from afar, Yu Yue protects Ruo Xue," Chu Yixing quickly assigned tasks, "I'll try to break through."

The battle was on the verge of breaking out. The Eclipse Shadow team's tactics were extremely tricky; they didn't directly assault but constantly moved around, continuously using shadow binds and weakening skills to wear down the the five people.

"Their target is me," Han Ruoxue suddenly said, "I can feel it, they want the moon palace core fragment."

Chu Yixing's eyes sharpened: "Not so easy! Sword Array, rise!"

Chu Yixing unleashed his "Sword Array" skill, and sword qi crisscrossed, attacking the Eclipse Shadow team enveloped within the sword array.

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Newcomer, new book, welcome everyone to catch bugs, offer suggestions, advice, inspiration, etc.!

This is my first time writing a book, please be gentle with criticism, and please leave comments, collect, recommend, and add to your bookshelf!

Seeking supporting characters and villains! You can send me names and background information privately or write them in the comment section!

Seeking future plot ideas! Everyone can write down activities, plots, conflicts, etc. that they wish to see in the book review section!