77: Chapter 77 Senior Sister's Approval

The emerald-green lotus-leaf-shaped flying Magical Artifact glided smoothly through the sky. Its speed was much faster than the previous flying boat, yet it was exceptionally stable, with almost no bumps felt.

Song Yu stood at the front of the lotus leaf, her blue and white skirts fluttering backward in the wind generated by the high-speed flight, her posture as straight as a slender bamboo.

Fu Hongxue stood by her side, her red clothes still brilliant, though her expression held a bit more relaxation after having experienced a life-and-death ordeal.

Ye Xiaoyao sat cross-legged toward the back of the lotus leaf, holding the Storage Pouch obtained from the Black-Robed Cultivator, counting the items inside one by one.

There really wasn't much, just as Song Yu had said.

A few bottles of ordinary recovery and healing Medicinal Pills, and a stack of low-to-Medium Grade Talismans.

There were about a thousand Spirit Stones, mostly Low Grade, with only a few Medium Grade ones.

In addition, there were some miscellaneous Ores and Yao Beast Materials of limited value.

He carefully categorized these items and put them into his own Storage Pouch, calculating which pills might be useful and which Materials he could take to the Sect Market later to exchange for Spirit Stones.

Up ahead, Song Yu's soft voice carried on the wind as she asked Fu Hongxue:

"Junior Sister, when did Junior Brother Ye join Revered Master's tutelage?"

Fu Hongxue turned her head, a smile on her pretty face, and replied:

"Over three months ago, after Revered Master successfully finished her secluded meditation and achieved a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage, she publicly announced during the Nascent Soul Celebration that she was taking Little Junior Brother as her Personal Disciple."

"What?"

For the first time, a clear ripple appeared on Song Yu's face, which had always been as calm as still water.

Her eyes widened slightly, and those eyes that always carried a hint of lazy agility were now filled with unbelievable pleasant surprise.

"You say Revered Master... broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage?!"

"Yes!"

Fu Hongxue nodded vigorously, her smile brightening.

"Senior Sister, you were still on your way back from the Southern Border at that time. The journey was long and communication was difficult. Revered Master probably wanted to wait for you to return so she could tell you the good news personally."

Song Yu was dazed for a moment.

Then, a brilliant, heartfelt smile blossomed on her oval face with its touch of baby fat, dispelling her cold detachment and making her look exceptionally warm and moving.

"That's wonderful..."

She repeated in a low voice, her tone filled with sincere joy and emotion.

"Revered Master... she finally succeeded."

She subconsciously urged the lotus leaf artifact beneath her feet, and its speed seemed to quicken by another notch.

"Let's hurry back. I want to congratulate Revered Master in person!"

"Senior Sister, there's no need to rush so much."

Fu Hongxue quickly said, "Revered Master and Little Junior Sister are both away from the Sect right now."

Song Yu slowed down slightly and turned her head to look at her. "Hmm?"

"Revered Master and Little Junior Sister went to the Central State and the Eastern Desolation respectively to visit the forces friendly with our Sect. They won't be back for a while."

"I see."

Song Yu understood, and her speed returned to a steady pace, but the joy in her eyes did not fade.

She remembered something else and asked with concern:

"By the way, Junior Sister... did she succeed in her Core Formation?"

At this point, a trace of imperceptible regret and self-reproach flickered across her face.

"It's a pity I stayed in the Central State for so long and attended so many auctions, yet I could never find a suitable pure yang object..."

Fu Hongxue smiled and comforted her, "Senior Sister, don't worry. Little Junior Sister already successfully reached Core Formation nearly a year ago."

"Really?!"

Song Yu was delighted again, her eyes curving into crescents.

"That's great. Little Junior Sister has finally reached this step too."

After the relief, that hint of regret resurfaced.

"But as the Eldest Senior Sister, I ultimately failed to be of any help..."

She paused and asked curiously:

"Junior Sister, do you know what kind of pure yang object Little Junior Sister used to harmonize the Yin Qi in her body and assist her Core Formation?"

Hearing this, Fu Hongxue's beautiful eyes flickered slightly.

She certainly knew now.

Not only did she know, but she had personally experienced the miraculous effects of that Pure Yang Qi.

When Ye Xiaoyao admitted he possessed the Pure Yang Sacred Body, she knew that Ji Chanxi's successful Core Formation definitely had everything to do with Little Junior Brother.

But this matter involved the privacy of both Ji Chanxi and Ye Xiaoyao. The fact that Ye Xiaoyao was a Pure Yang Sacred Body was not something she felt comfortable revealing without his permission.

Moreover... the intimacy in the cave last night still made her cheeks feel warm when she thought about it, making her even less willing to mention it to her Senior Sister.

Thus, Fu Hongxue gave a vague smile and said:

"Senior Sister, I'm not entirely sure what specific pure yang object Little Junior Sister used."

"I was out on a mission when she reached Core Formation. After I returned, she only mentioned in passing that she had succeeded and didn't go into detail."

Song Yu nodded after hearing this and didn't probe further, simply saying warmly:

"Well, it doesn't matter. As long as Little Junior Sister reached Core Formation smoothly and is safe and sound, I'm relieved."

Fu Hongxue also smiled in agreement, though a faint thread of sorrow quietly rose in her heart again.

Little Junior Sister and Ye Xiaoyao were formal Dao Companions, while she, last night...

She took a quiet breath, suppressing these chaotic thoughts.

At this moment, Song Yu naturally took Fu Hongxue's jade-like hand, and the topic shifted back:

"By the way, Junior Sister, you said earlier that you were poisoned yesterday and it was Junior Brother Ye who saved you and helped you neutralize the poison."

"I wonder what method Junior Brother used? For it to be so effective?"

As she spoke, she turned slightly, her clear, beautiful eyes looking at Ye Xiaoyao, who was sitting behind them, with a mix of inquiry and gratitude.

Ye Xiaoyao was just putting away the last few Spirit Stones when he sensed two gazes falling on him and immediately stood up.

His gaze met Song Yu's, and he took this Opportunity to clearly see this Eldest Senior Sister's face up close for the first time.

Earlier, when facing the enemy in the air, the situation had been critical and there was no time for a close look.

Now, on the steadily flying Magical Artifact, the sunlight was soft.

He discovered that Song Yu's appearance was different from Revered Master Liu Yunshuang's cold elegance, Little Junior Sister Ji Chanxi's charming agility, and even Fu Hongxue's bright and spirited look.

She had a full, oval face with natural baby fat on her cheeks.

Instead of looking childish, it made her skin appear even more lustrous, exuding a unique charm and approachability that softened the inherent elegance and detachment in her eyes.

When Ye Xiaoyao first heard the name 'Song Yu', he had subconsciously imagined this Eldest Senior Sister to be a cold, ethereal ice beauty.

Seeing her in person like this now, he couldn't help but feel amused, thinking that this Eldest Senior Sister...

...was unexpectedly cute.

He was about to answer the question about the detoxification method when Fu Hongxue spoke up first, her tone natural:

"Senior Sister, Junior Brother first gave me a high-quality detoxification pill to stabilize the poison,"

"And then he spent a lot of effort slowly helping me guide and dispel the residual poison from my body."

"The process was a bit troublesome, but fortunately, it was effective."

As she said this, her eyes met Ye Xiaoyao's for a brief moment, and she gave him an imperceptible look.

The meaning in that look was clear: I'll explain this, just nod along.

Ye Xiaoyao understood and immediately swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He simply followed Fu Hongxue's lead and nodded to Song Yu, his face showing a 'that's exactly how it was' expression.

Hearing Fu Hongxue's explanation, a trace of doubt flickered in Song Yu's mind.

Just taking a detoxification pill and guiding the poison out?

The Black-Robed Cultivator's poison was clearly sinister and overbearing; even she could feel that the toxicity once lingering in Fu Hongxue's body was deep-rooted and not something easily solved by ordinary pills and spiritual energy guidance.

However, seeing Fu Hongxue's calm expression and Ye Xiaoyao's confirming nod, she didn't continue to probe.

Perhaps her Junior Brother and Sister had some other Opportunity or secret method that wasn't her place to ask about.

Regardless, the result was good.

Song Yu's gaze toward Ye Xiaoyao couldn't help but soften a bit more, and her gratitude became much more sincere.

She and Fu Hongxue had known each other for decades and were as close as sisters.

Ye Xiaoyao had saved Fu Hongxue, and she would remember this debt of gratitude.

Moreover, recalling the battle just now, this new Little Junior Brother showed no fear in the face of a Core Formation Cultivator.

He was decisive and ruthless at the critical moment, and he didn't abandon his injured Senior Sister. His character and Heart-Nature were indeed rare.

Looking at it this way, Revered Master's eye for talent was indeed excellent!

At this thought, Song Yu gave a gentle smile, her voice adding a bit more warmth than before:

"Junior Brother, thank you for saving Hongxue."

"Since you are now Revered Master's Disciple and my Junior Brother, I will naturally look after you in the Sect from now on."

"If you have any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

Ye Xiaoyao quickly cupped his hands and said with a sincere smile:

"Eldest Senior Sister, you are too kind. Fellow Disciples should naturally support each other, not to mention Senior Sister Hongxue has always treated me extremely well. Saving her was my duty; there's no need for you to be so polite."

His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, accepting Song Yu's kindness while appearing natural and sincere.

Seeing this, Song Yu's evaluation of this Little Junior Brother rose another notch, feeling that Revered Master's choice of Disciple this time was truly good.

She smiled and turned back, continuing to control the flying artifact as it turned into a swift emerald shadow across the horizon toward the Yin Yang Sect.

...