118: Chapter 118 Even the Ancestor Has His Morning Lessons

Sparse shadows slanted, a subtle fragrance drifted.

Bamboo shadows swayed, the silhouettes sparse and graceful. The swaying bamboo leaves rubbed against each other, emitting a dense rustling sound. The night wind grew stronger, and the swaying of the bamboo shadows became increasingly rapid and wild. Deep within the bamboo joints, a faint yet clear "crack" sound occasionally emerged, like the sound of bamboo breaking.

A bamboo leaf fell, causing the water to shimmer. The reflection in the water was no longer just bamboo shadows and the stars and moon, but blurred, merging light and shadow. Wave after wave of gentle ripples spread out, completely blurring the boundaries and melting the stars and moon into an endless charm...

At the first light of dawn, the bamboo forest began to wake.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of bamboo leaves and the damp, earthy fragrance of soil.

Sunlight pierced through the layered bamboo leaves, scattering mottled spots of light onto the slightly damp soil, stone steps, and... Chi Shuying's delicate, smooth skin.

She lay on her side on the ground, which was covered with thick, soft bamboo leaves. Her misty pink long skirt was messily piled at her waist, revealing a pair of plump, rounded long legs.

One leg was slightly curled, pressing out an alluring curve of her buttocks, while the other stretched out lazily. Her toes were curled unconsciously, and her jade-like feet were stained with a few tiny bamboo leaves.

The morning breeze blew past, the pool was clear and shallow, and the bamboo leaves rustled. The rhythm remained the same, but it had a bit more fresh vitality than last night.

The bamboo branches that hadn't been crushed stood tall and stretched out, with crystal-clear dew drops gathered on the leaves, refracting colorful light in the sunlight.

As the breeze passed, the leaves swayed gently, and the dew drops rolled off, dripping onto the broad bamboo leaves below, making a "tap-tap" sound that was crisp and pleasant to the ear.

A full drop of morning dew happened to fall from the sky, landing in the hollow of Chi Shuying's delicate collarbone.

"Mmm..."

The cold sensation caused Chi Shuying to slowly wake up. Her long eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened those hazy phoenix eyes. The bewilderment of initial waking met Ling Hao's deep, smiling gaze.

Memories of the surging passion from last night flooded back in an instant.

Shyness and sweetness, like rolling waves, instantly overwhelmed Chi Shuying. Two blushes flew onto her jade-white cheeks, and she subconsciously wanted to pull up the thin gauze piled at her waist to cover herself. But Ling Hao leaned down first, his warm lips gently pressing onto the cold dew drop on her collarbone, kissing it away tenderly.

"It is dawn, Old Ancestor Shuying."

Ling Hao's voice carried the slight hoarseness of the morning, yet his smile was as clear as could be. "Today... do you still need to supervise the Disciples' morning class?"

Chi Shuying was made soft all over again by the warmth of his lips and that teasing "Old Ancestor." She glared at him in shy annoyance; that look was full of charm and had no deterrent power, instead appearing more like acting coquettish.

She braced her sore waist, wanting to sit up, but couldn't help but knit her beautiful brows and let out a soft "hiss."

Ling Hao chuckled, his arms steadily supporting her waist and back, easily lifting her up and letting her lean against the smooth, cool stone pillar.

"Snap!"

A few slender bamboo stalks nearby emitted a crisp snapping sound, and a few emerald leaves drifted down.

Ling Hao looked at the break, then at the luscious beauty in his arms, his mouth curling into a teasing arc: "It seems that the Bamboo Shadow Entwining Silk Power practiced last night... Old Ancestor Shuying has already reached the pinnacle, your power is truly extraordinary."

The red glow on Chi Shuying's face deepened. She raised her hand to hit him, but when her fingertips touched his solid chest under his black robe, she pulled back as if burned. In the end, it only turned into a soft, coquettish huff: "Hmph... You didn't put in any less effort! Sect Master Ling, aren't you going to help this Old Ancestor up? If we miss the morning class, the Disciples will think... Mmm!"

Before she could finish, her lips were sealed by Ling Hao's kiss. It was just a brief and gentle peck, yet it carried the warmth of the morning light.

"Since the Disciples have the Disciples' morning class, the Old Ancestor should also have the Old Ancestor's morning class..."

Having said that, without waiting for her response, he kissed her deeply again, swallowing her unfinished words directly.

The sun was bright, shining on the skin of the broken bamboo stalks, quickly evaporating the meandering dew drops into misty vapor, leaving only a few faint marks.

...

The sun was high in the sky. At Tianyuan Peak, in the Sect Main Hall.

Inside the hall, light streamed through the high windows, illuminating the model of the continent with a round sky and square earth floating in the center.

The entire region symbolizing the Qing State was suddenly lit up!

Mountains, rivers, towns, and Sects were all shrouded in a faint layer of light.

Ling Hao stood in front of the model, with Yu Lingshuang and Chi Shuying on his left and right.

Huang Yutong, Qu Qingzhu, and Li Sumei stood quietly to one side. Ling Hao's five Personal Disciples were also all present, with only the newly inducted Xia Yingying absent.

Chi Wanhe's gaze carried a hint of mischievous curiosity as she swept her eyes over her Old Ancestor, Chi Shuying, pausing for a moment on the slightly slanted hairpin.

A flash of realization crossed her eyes, which then turned into a look of relief and amusement.

Oh~ No wonder I couldn't find the Old Ancestor last night... It seems that on the night of the Hundred Flowers Ceremony... it might have been the Old Ancestor who delivered herself to his door!

"Sect Master."

Yu Lingshuang's cold, clear voice broke the heavy silence in the hall.

"The latest urgent report. Within a three-thousand-mile radius of the Moonshadow Sect's sphere of influence, Erosion Tides have erupted one after another, and signs of Tier 3 Erosion Beast activity have been detected. The affiliated Sects and immortal cultivation Families have all sent urgent requests for help, imploring the Sect to take action and suppress them."

Her fingertip moved toward the western part of the Qing State on the model, the area marked "Golden Sands Land," her voice becoming slightly tense: "In addition, the Disciples previously stationed in the Hexi Region and the Heavenly Fire Lake have sent back news via a special secret method. In the core of the Golden Sands Land, it is confirmed that five Tier 4 Erosion Beasts have appeared! Furthermore, there is an extremely terrifying fluctuation, suspected to be... a Tier 5 Erosion Beast!"

Ling Hao frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Golden Sands Land. "What is the situation with the Disciples who went in for deep reconnaissance?"

Yu Lingshuang's cold, clear lips curled slightly. This man, to whom she had surrendered her body and heart, truly cared about the safety of his Disciples.

"They have already been urgently teleported back to the Sect via the tower of laws, and all of them are out of danger."

She paused, then added, "However, the tower of laws is likely... its core formation patterns are damaged and need to be rebuilt."

"It doesn't matter if the tower of laws is damaged; we can just rebuild it." Ling Hao waved his hand. "As long as the people have returned safely, that is good."

Yu Lingshuang nodded, her gaze falling back onto the location of Qingxiao Mountain on the model. "Based on the analysis of intelligence from all locations, this Erosion Tide should have already reached Qingxiao Mountain by now!"

"Qingxiao Mountain again?"

Chi Wanhe couldn't help but speak up. When she and her Senior Sisters swept through the Erosion Tide last time, the starting point was Qingxiao Mountain, and they fought all the way to the Golden Sands Land before stopping.

"Is this Hedong Region the only path for the Erosion Tide? It's truly disaster-ridden!"

She turned to Ling Hao, her eyes sparkling with eager Battle Intent, her gaze sweeping pointedly over Chi Shuying to the side: "Revered Master, this time, leave the Erosion Tide to us sisters and... the Old Ancestor!"

She emphasized the word "Old Ancestor."

Her own Old Ancestor had now been truly "certified and stamped" by Revered Master; within the Qing State, that was a genuine Soul Transformation Stage combat power!

Dealing with a Tier 5 Erosion Beast would be more than enough.

Ling Hao, however, slowly shook his head: "No, this time... I will go to Qingxiao Mountain with you all."

The eruption of this Erosion Tide was filled with unusual strangeness everywhere. Whether it was the timing and intensity, or the appearance of a Tier 5 Erosion Beast... one had to know, since the erosion qi began to spread, the Qing State had not yet seen a Tier 5 Erosion Beast.

Behind this, I fear it is not just the aura of a natural disaster.

Ling Hao's gaze was like lightning as he swept over the women in the hall: "Xiao He, Yu Qing, Huang Yutong, Qingzhu!"

The four women who were called perked up and responded in unison: "Here, Revered Master (Sect Master)!"

"The four of you, lead three thousand Foundation Establishment Disciples and accompany me to the front lines of Qingxiao Mountain!"

"Yes!"

Ling Hao's gaze then fell on Chi Shuying on his left, his eyes sweeping over the plump curves under her skirt as if unintentionally: "Shuying, why don't you just stay..."

Chi Shuying's jade-white cheeks instantly flushed, but she spoke directly: "Sect Master, rest assured, I am fine!"

"I think you should still..."

"Sect Master!" Chi Shuying was somewhat shy.

Ling Hao took in the strange gazes around them, understanding in his heart.

"Fine, just pay attention."

Ling Hao then turned to Qin Zhaoxue and Lin Xiwei: "Xiaoxue, Xiwei!"

"Disciple is here!" Qin Zhaoxue responded gently, and Lin Xiwei also raised her eyes. "The two of you, along with Xiao Changning and Sumei, will command one thousand elite Foundation Establishment Disciples and be responsible for clearing all Erosion Tide and Tier 3 Erosion Beast threats within three thousand miles of the Moonshadow Sect!"

"Command accepted!"

Finally, Ling Hao's gaze turned to Yu Lingshuang at his side: "Ling Shuang."

Yu Lingshuang's eyes were clear and bright: "Sect Master, please instruct."

"You will sit in command of the Sect's hub and coordinate the overall situation!"

"Yes."

Ling Hao looked around at everyone and added: "Everyone, you must ensure the Disciples are fully prepared with Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and protective Magical Artifacts! This battle is no small matter; survival comes first! Also..."

He paused for a moment and emphasized, "When facing battle, you must base your actions on the battle formations taught by the Sect, support each other, and do not act rashly!"

"We will strictly obey the Sect Master's (Revered Master's) orders!"

Everyone responded in unison, then quickly dispersed to summon their respective Disciples.

Ling Hao walked out of the magnificent hall door and stood on the top of Tianyuan Peak.

Outside the hall, the daylight was like water. He looked toward the direction of Qingxiao Mountain, his gaze seeming to pierce through ten thousand miles of clouds, staring directly at the churning darkness.

The Sect's blessing had already covered the entire territory of the Qing State! This meant:

Qingxiao Mountain battlefield: The four Golden Core Stage individuals, Wanhe, Yu Qing, Huang Yutong, and Qingzhu, all possessed Nascent Soul Stage cultivation within the Sect's Domain! Plus the Nascent Soul Stage (Soul Transformation Stage) Chi Shuying... that was enough to cope!

Surrounding clearance: The Golden Core Stage Zhaoxue and Sumei were equivalent to two Nascent Soul Cultivators! Xiwei (Golden Core Level 3) and Xiao Changning (originally Foundation Establishment Level 8, now Golden Core Level 8) were also powerful combat forces. Yu Lingshuang had also recovered to Soul Transformation Level 6, and within the Sect's range, she was directly at her previous Peak combat power. Sitting in the hub, controlling the overall situation, there would be no mistakes!

"Both Erosion Tides... all started from the Golden Sands Land..."

Ling Hao muttered to himself, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, "This place must have something strange!"