Fourth Junior Sister Ye Linglong

Purple Bamboo Peak, half-way up the mountain.

Clouds and mist coiled, verdant bamboo dense.

Su Ye was in a rather good mood, humming an unknown tune, wearing Flowing Cloud Boots as he descended the winding bluestone path step by step.

He had just managed that tsundere Revered Master; although the process was thrilling, the result was ultimately good.

The deterrence of those ten thousand shadow recording stones was enough to force the lofty Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak to be “obedient” for a long time.

“Taiyin Sacred Body, Pure Yang Qi...”

A playful curve appeared at the corner of Su Ye's mouth.

Although Revered Master's body was cold, it had to be said, it was truly moistening.

Especially during Dual Cultivation, the union of Yin and Yang provided nourishment to his Supreme Bone that surpassed any Spirit Pill or miracle medicine in the world.

Just as Su Ye was savoring the beautiful scenery within the Cold Jade Palace.

Outside the Mountain Gate of Taichu Holy Land... “Caw—!!!”

A clear, high-pitched crane cry suddenly pierced the tranquility of Taichu Holy Land's morning.

Immediately after.

A crimson streak of light, like a meteorite falling from the horizon, carried a scorching heatwave and brazenly tore through the outer cloud layer.

That was not a meteorite.

That was a Crimson Fire Spirit Crane with a wingspan of ten zhang, its wings burning with fierce flames, emitting a ferocious Aura comparable to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

“Who goes there?! How dare you trespass into the Mountain Gate of Taichu Holy Land!”

The two Outer Sect Disciples guarding the Mountain Gate changed drastically in expression, their long swords instantly unsheathed, Spiritual Qi surging.

However.

Before they could set up their Sword Formation.

The massive Crimson Fire Spirit Crane dove down, and the strong wind mixed with the heatwave directly blew the two Disciples, who were only in the Qi Refinement Stage, stumbling, scattering even their hair buns.

“Are your dog eyes blind!”

“Do you not even recognize this granny?!”

A clear, spoiled, yet pleasant voice, like a silver bell, immediately came from the back of the crane.

Standing on the back of the Spirit Crane was a girl wearing a fiery red Flowing Immortal Dress.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old.

Her skin was like congealed fat, and her features were picturesque.

Her dark hair was tied into practical twin ponytails, flying wildly in the strong wind.

A dark red long whip was wrapped around her waist, and she wore a pair of Deerskin Boots; her whole person looked like a burning flame, full of youthful vitality and wildness.

The two mountain-guarding Disciples were covered in dust and dirt, about to get angry.

But the moment they looked up and clearly saw the girl's face, the anger on their faces instantly froze, replaced by an emotion called “dread.”

“Senior Sister Ye... Ye?!”

“It's Senior Sister Ye Linglong from Purple Bamboo Peak! She's back!”

The two Disciples shivered in fright, their swords nearly slipping from their grasp and falling to the ground.

Within the Thirty-six Inner Peaks of Taichu Holy Land, who didn't know, who hadn't heard?

There was a Chaos Devil King on Purple Bamboo Peak named Ye Linglong.

She was the fourth Personal Disciple of the Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak, Yun Yuzhen.

Although her cultivation was only the Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment, this girl was exceptionally talented, and her personality was notoriously fiery and spoiled.

Aside from that Senior Brother Su Ye of Purple Bamboo Peak who could keep her in line, everyone else who saw her was like a mouse seeing a cat.

“Hmph!”

Ye Linglong stood on the crane's back, one hand on her hip, looking down at the two men condescendingly.

“Consider yourselves sensible!”

“If you had been one breath slower in recognizing me, this granny's ‘Dog Beating Whip’ would have landed on you!”

After speaking, she flicked her wrist.

Snap!

A sharp crack.

A visible spark exploded in the air, scaring the two Disciples into shrinking their necks again.

“Senior Sister's lesson is apt, Senior Sister is mighty!”

“Welcome back, Senior Sister Ye, from your training!”

The two immediately bowed in salute, driven by genuine survival instinct.

Ye Linglong curled her lips, clearly uninterested in these Soft-Legged Shrimps.

Her beautiful eyes shifted, gazing past the majestic Mountain Gate, directly towards the faintly visible purple peak deep within Taichu Holy Land.

On her originally arrogant and willful face, a trace of infatuation and longing suddenly appeared, utterly incompatible with her personality.

“Three months...”

“This granny trained for three whole months in that godforsaken Barren Wilderness outside!”

“I wonder if Senior Brother has missed me...”

Ye Linglong muttered to herself, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of hair.

Thinking of Su Ye's exceptionally handsome face, and the eyes that always carried a hint of a naughty smile, she felt a tickle in her heart, like a kitten scratching.

“Also, what Senior Brother promised me before I left...”

“As long as I could Break through to the Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment, he would reward me with a ‘Special Tutoring’ session...”

Thinking of this.

Two suspicious blushes actually appeared on Ye Linglong's fair cheeks.

She knew.

Third Senior Sister Lin Waner often went to Senior Brother's room to receive “tutoring,” and every time she came out, her face was radiant as a peach blossom, and her cultivation had advanced greatly.

She had been coveting this for a long time!

“No, no, I can't wait!”

“I must see Senior Brother now!”

Ye Linglong patted the Crimson Fire Spirit Crane beneath her feet, “Little Red, charge for this granny! Target Purple Bamboo Peak!”

“Caw—”

The Crimson Fire Spirit Crane let out a mournful cry, seemingly protesting the name, but its body was honest; it flapped its wings, transforming into a streak of red light about to rush into the Mountain Gate.

“Senior Sister Ye, wait!”

Just then, one of the mountain-guarding Disciples seemed to recall something and shouted out, gathering his courage.

“What is it now?”

Ye Linglong impatiently pulled the Spirit Crane to a stop, glared back, “If you have something to say, say it quickly! If you have gas, release it quickly!”

The Disciple swallowed, carefully forcing a smile:

“Well... Senior Sister just returned, so you might not know.”

“In these past three months, some major events have occurred on Purple Bamboo Peak.”

“Major events?”

Ye Linglong raised an eyebrow, and an ominous premonition inexplicably rose in her heart.

“What major events? Did Senior Brother get injured? Or did Revered Master suffer Qi Deviation again?”

“No, no, neither of those.”

The Disciple quickly waved his hand, his face showing an expression that was both envious and gossipy.

“It's a happy occasion.”

“We heard that Peak Revered Master Yun recently accepted a new Closed-Door Disciple, who is your Fifth Junior Sister.”

“A new Junior Sister?”

Ye Linglong was stunned for a moment.

Purple Bamboo Peak had always been sparsely populated; besides Senior Brother Su Ye, there was only Second Senior Sister Ji Ziyue, Third Senior Sister Lin Waner, and herself, Ye Linglong.

No new people had joined for several years, so how did a Fifth Junior Sister suddenly appear?

“Not only that.”

Seeing Ye Linglong was interested, the Disciple grew bolder and spoke mysteriously:

“We heard that this new Junior Sister Lin Qianxue possesses a natural Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root, and even the legendary ‘Innate Sword Heart’!”

“She is supremely cold and refined, like the vast cold fairy descending to the mortal world.”

“The Inner Sect is now spreading rumors that Junior Sister Lin's beauty even rivals Peak Revered Master Yun!”

Hearing the words “Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root” and “supremely cold and refined.”

Ye Linglong's heart immediately sank with a thump.

A strong sense of crisis instantly shot from the soles of her feet straight to the Crown of the Head.

Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root?

Isn't that the same attribute as Revered Master?

Supremely cold and refined?

Isn't that Senior Brother's favorite type?!

She knew that although Su Ye was generally kind to everyone, Ye Linglong keenly sensed that he seemed to have a special... desire for conquest towards cold, elegant women.

For example, Revered Master.

And for example, Second Senior Sister.

And now there's another Fifth Junior Sister?

“Then... what about my Senior Brother?”

Ye Linglong's voice trembled slightly, and she tightly clenched the whip in her hand.

“How does he treat this newcomer...?”

The Disciple did not notice Ye Linglong's impending burst of jealousy, instead saying excitedly:

“Does that even need to be said?”

“Great Master Su Ye is famously protective and doting towards his Junior Sisters!”

“We heard that for the past half month, Senior Brother has been in Junior Sister Lin's Immortal Cave day and night helping her ‘Guiding Spiritual Qi’ to stabilize her Dao Heart.”

“Sometimes he stays for the entire night!”

“We're all saying privately that Great Master Su Ye truly dotes on this new little Junior Sister to the bone...”

Crack!

A crisp sound.

Before the Disciple could finish speaking, he noticed in horror that the handle of the horsewhip, forged from Profound Iron, had been crushed into two halves by Ye Linglong!

A terrifying Evil Qi erupted from the petite girl.

The surrounding temperature seemed to drop sharply at that moment.

“Good... very good...”

“Day and night...”

“Guiding Spiritual Qi...”

“Dotes to the bone...”

Ye Linglong gritted her teeth, every word sounding like it was squeezed out from between them.

In her pair of originally lively large eyes, fierce flames named “jealousy” were burning.

“Ahhh! This granny is furious!”

“I was only gone for three months! Three months!”

“And the house got robbed?!”

Back then, she exhausted every effort just to get Su Ye to look at her more—acting spoiled, being cute, and even learning cooking.

And what was the result?

This newcomer, after only a few days of joining, was already enjoying the treatment of “Overnight Tutoring”?

Why?!

Just because she has a Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root?

Just because she looks cold?

“No! Absolutely not!”

Ye Linglong stomped her foot fiercely, and the Crimson Fire Spirit Crane beneath her let out a miserable shriek, nearly having its bones broken by the stomp.

“Little Red! Full speed ahead!”

“Back to Purple Bamboo Peak!”

“This granny is going to see which Fox Spirit dares to steal my Senior Brother's affection!”

Boom!

This time.

Ye Linglong no longer held back any strength.

The Spiritual Qi of the Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment fully erupted, and the Crimson Fire Spirit Crane transformed into a crimson bolt of lightning, charging madly towards Purple Bamboo Peak with an unstoppable Aura.

The speed was so fast that it even dragged a long sonic boom cloud across the sky.

Only the two mountain-guarding Disciples were left standing there, trembling and exchanging glances.

“Senior Brother... did we... say the wrong thing?”

“It's over... Purple Bamboo Peak is probably going to be turned upside down.”

...At the same time.

On the small path descending Purple Bamboo Peak.

Su Ye was walking leisurely, playing with a crystal clear Jade Slip in his hand.

It was an Earth Rank Movement Technique called the Profound Ice Art, which he had casually taken from Revered Master's table just before leaving, capitalizing on her state of mental chaos.

He was preparing to give it to that girl, Lin Qianxue, to practice.

“This Movement Technique is graceful and elegant; it really suits Light Snow's temperament.”

“Coupled with her Innate Sword Heart, the title of the number one Female Sword Immortal in the Cultivation World will surely be hers.”

As Su Ye was thinking, his brow suddenly furrowed slightly.

His powerful Divine Sense keenly captured a familiar yet ferocious Aura rapidly approaching his location.

“Hmm? This Aura is...”

“Fire attribute? Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment?”

Su Ye was stunned for a moment, then seemed to recall something, and the expression on his face instantly became vivid.

“Oh dear...”

“Calculating the days, that girl should be back.”

Before he could react.

A red afterimage was already whistling through the sky, arriving.

Accompanying it was a loud shout, laced with both sobs and fury:

“Su Ye!!!”

“You heartless scoundrel!!!”

Boom—

Before the gigantic Crimson Fire Spirit Crane could land, a small, red figure leaped directly down from a hundred meters in the air.

Like a human cannonball, she hurtled straight toward Su Ye.

If this were an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they would probably be smashed into meat paste on the spot.

But who was Su Ye?

A great Cultivator of the Nascent Soul Second Heaven, and he possessed the Supreme Bone.

Not only did he not dodge, but he shook his head helplessly, opened his arms, and steadily caught this "little meteor" descending from the sky.

Bang!

A soft fragrance filled his embrace.

The enormous impact only caused Su Ye's robes to flutter slightly.

Immediately after.

Just like an octopus.

Ye Linglong wrapped her legs tightly around Su Ye's waist, locked her arms around his neck, and hung completely onto his body.

“Wuwuwu... Senior Brother...”

The Little Devil Girl who had just been aggressively looking for a reckoning.

The moment she saw Su Ye, her fierce demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by a belly full of grievances.

She buried her face in Su Ye's chest, rubbing wildly like a puppy, threatening to smear tears and snot onto Su Ye's immaculate white robe.

“Are you abandoning me?”

“Did you forget your old love because you found a new one?”

“Is that Lin Qianxue person... prettier than me? Is she better behaved than me?”

While crying and complaining, Ye Linglong hammered Su Ye's chest with her small fists.

Although she didn't use Spiritual Qi, it was still genuine physical strength, resulting in dull thudding sounds.

Su Ye was caught between laughter and tears.

He freed one hand and skillfully supported a certain part of Ye Linglong to prevent her from falling, while using the other hand to gently pat her back, as if comforting a child.

“Alright, alright, stop making a fuss.”

“We're on the mountain path; what will people think if they see this?”

“How can this be called making a fuss?!”

Ye Linglong suddenly lifted her head, revealing a pair of red, swollen eyes, staring intently at Su Ye.

“I heard everything!”

“You spend every night in that newcomer's Immortal Cave!”

“And you even... you even Guiding Spiritual Qi for her!”

When she said the phrase “Guiding Spiritual Qi,” Ye Linglong's face flushed red like a ripe apple, her eyes showing both jealousy and a hint of eager anticipation.

“Senior Brother is playing favorites!”

“I want guidance too!”

“I want it now! Right here!”

Hearing these outrageous words, Su Ye nearly choked on his own saliva.

This Fourth Junior Sister is as... uninhibited as ever.

“Ahem, ahem...”

Su Ye coughed awkwardly twice. Feeling the elastic, delicate body of the girl in his arms and her unrestrained dependence, his heart warmed slightly.

Although Purple Bamboo Peak had few people, every Junior Sister was precious to him.

“Who said I was playing favorites?”

Su Ye reached out and gently pinched Ye Linglong's slightly baby-fat cheeks; the texture was excellent.

“When you returned from your training, you not only Broke Through to the Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment, but your Foundation is also extremely solid.”

“I, your Senior Brother, am very gratified.”

“Really?”

Ye Linglong sniffled, the tears in her eyes instantly stopped, and she looked at Su Ye expectantly.

“Of course, it's true.”

Su Ye smiled slightly, a smile like a spring breeze, instantly breaking through Ye Linglong's defenses.

“As for that Lin Qianxue person...”

“She is your Fifth Junior Sister. She is young, just entered the sect, and doesn't understand the rules.”

“As the Senior Brother and the Senior Disciple, it is natural for me to take extra care in guiding her.”

“You are a Senior Sister, how can you be jealous of a Junior Sister?”

These words were spoken with righteous confidence and were completely watertight.

Ye Linglong was momentarily stunned by his persuasion.

It seems... that's true?

I am the Senior Sister!

If I nitpick over a newly arrived little girl, wouldn't I appear petty?

“Then... then fine.”

Ye Linglong pouted, reluctantly accepting the explanation.

But soon, as if she had discovered a new continent, she vigorously sniffed Su Ye with her small nose.

Sniff, sniff—

Sniff, sniff—

The next second.

Ye Linglong's expression changed.

It became extremely strange and suspicious.

She leaned close to Su Ye's neck, sniffed carefully again, then suddenly looked up and shouted, pointing at Su Ye's nose:

“Wait!”

“Senior Brother, why do you smell of... milk?!”

“And it's the kind... the kind that smells really good, like ice heart jade purity porridge!”

Su Ye's heart skipped a beat.

That smell must have clung to him when he was feeding Revered Master porridge earlier.

Is this girl part dog? How is her nose so sensitive?

Before he could come up with an excuse.

Ye Linglong leaned in closer, and this time, her gaze became sharper.

“And...”

“Beneath this milky scent...”

“Why is there also a hint of... cold, subtle fragrance?”

“This smell... this smell...”

Ye Linglong frowned, deep in thought.

This smell was too familiar.

Cold, noble, and carrying a faint medicinal scent.

Suddenly.

Her eyes widened abruptly, and she looked at Su Ye in disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost.

“This... this is Revered Master's scent?!”

“Senior Brother! Did you just go to Cold Jade Palace?!”

“You... you actually dared to provoke that Demoness?!”

In Ye Linglong's impression, Revered Master Yun Yuzhen was a terrifying existence who never smiled and punished people with Wall-Facing Contemplation at the slightest provocation.

Senior Brother actually smelled entirely of Revered Master?

That was too terrifying!

Su Ye secretly thought: That was close.

Fortunately, this girl's thought process was straightforward, and she only assumed he had "provoked the Demoness," without thinking further.

If she knew that he had just threatened that "Demoness" while pinning her down on the cold jade bed... this girl's worldview would probably collapse.

“Ahem, well...”

Su Ye maintained a calm expression and spoke nonsense with a straight face:

“I just heard that Revered Master's old illness flared up again.”

“As the Senior Disciple, naturally I had to go and serve medicine, showing filial piety.”

“Since you're back, let's go back to the Peak first.”

“You should also go and meet your newly arrived Fifth Junior Sister.”

Su Ye didn't want to dwell on this topic and immediately changed the subject.

“Hmph, if I have to meet her, I'll meet her!”

Ye Linglong jumped down from Su Ye's body, smoothed out her slightly messy skirt, and reverted to her proud and pampered Little Princess appearance.

However, one of her hands was still firmly hooked around Su Ye's arm, her whole body pressed against him, as if afraid he would run away.

“I want to see exactly how many noses and eyes that Lin Qianxue has.”

“If she dares to steal my Senior Brother...”

Ye Linglong waved the small fist in her other hand, revealing two sharp little canine teeth.

“I'll let her know the power of Purple Bamboo Peak's Fourth Senior Sister!”

On the mountain path of Purple Bamboo Peak leading to Cold Jade Palace.

Clouds steamed and glowed, and Spiritual Qi turned into mist.

Green bamboos swayed on both sides with the wind, making rustling sounds, seemingly whispering or greeting the passersby.

Su Ye walked with his hands behind his back, his steps light, his demeanor so leisurely it was as if he were strolling through his own backyard.

Beside him, a small, fiery red figure was clinging tightly to his arm.

That was Ye Linglong.

This girl was like a kitten worried its owner would get lost again, practically hanging entirely on Su Ye.

“Senior Brother, is Revered Master's temper... alright now?”

As they got closer to the palace at the peak that exuded biting cold, Ye Linglong's previously arrogant Aura gradually wilted.

She retracted her neck and asked somewhat guiltily.

The Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak, Yun Yuzhen, was famously aloof and strict.

Back then, because Ye Linglong mischievously burned a patch of Purple Bamboo Forest, Revered Master punished her by making her soak in the cold pond for three days and three nights.

The bone-deep cold still made her shiver whenever she thought about it.

Hearing this, Su Ye's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

Temper?

After that "porridge feeding" session just now, Revered Master's current temper probably makes her want to kill someone.

But, as long as he held onto those ten thousand shadow recording stones, this proud Phoenix could only be an obedient canary.

“Don't worry.”

Su Ye extended his other hand and patted Ye Linglong's hand reassuringly.

The touch was warm and delicate, carrying the unique vitality of a young girl.

“Revered Master, the old lady... has been 'Cultivating Morality' recently, and her temper is excellent.”

“Really?”

Ye Linglong blinked her large eyes suspiciously.

“Truer than pure gold.”

Su Ye spoke nonsense with a straight face, “And Revered Master dotes on you the most. When she sees you've returned, she'll surely be overjoyed.”

As the two spoke, they had already arrived in front of Cold Jade Palace.

This was a palace carved entirely from Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.

It was crystal clear throughout, emitting a faint blue ethereal glow.

The surrounding temperature was extremely low; even the air seemed about to freeze.

If an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived here, they would likely be frozen to the point where their Spiritual Qi circulation was impeded.

But Ye Linglong possessed a Fire Spiritual Root. At this moment, a red glow faintly appeared around her body, like a small furnace, resisting the cold.

As for Su Ye.

For him, possessing the Supreme Bone, this bit of cold was merely a gentle breeze, even slightly refreshing.

“We're here.”

Su Ye stopped and looked up at the tightly closed Cold Ice Jade Gate.

Above the gate, a lifelike pattern of Luan and Phoenix Singing Together was carved.

Inside this gate was the Forbidden Ground of the entire Purple Bamboo Peak, and the sleeping quarters of the one known as the “Taichu Holy Land's Number One Cold Beauty.”

“Gulp.”

Ye Linglong nervously swallowed and instinctively hid behind Su Ye.

“Um... Senior Brother, why don't you knock first?”

“I... I'm a little scared.”

Seeing the usually lawless Little Devil Girl looking so timid right now, Su Ye couldn't help but laugh.

“What is there to be afraid of? With your Senior Brother here, if the sky falls, your Senior Brother will hold it up.”

After speaking, Su Ye did not respectfully bow and knock on the door as he usually would.

Instead, he waved his large sleeve.

Rumble—

The dragon severing stone gate, weighing ten thousand catties, slowly opened a crack under Ye Linglong's terrified gaze.

“S-Senior Brother?!”

Ye Linglong's eyes were practically popping out of her sockets.

This was Revered Master's sleeping quarters!

Opening the palace gate without summons was a crime of great disrespect!

Was Senior Brother crazy?

However.

Before she could react, Su Ye had already stepped inside, his clear voice echoing through the empty palace:

“Disciple Su Ye, accompanied by Fourth Junior Sister Ye Linglong, specifically comes to pay respects to Revered Master!”