134: Chapter 134 I Won't Leave If You Don't Give It To Me

Inside Yixiang Residence, the warm breakfast atmosphere was broken by a crisp voice. Everyone's gaze focused on Xia Yingying.

A flash of panic flickered in her round, almond-shaped eyes, and her fair little face quickly flushed crimson as her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes.

Ling Hao set down his jade chopsticks and looked at this pure-hearted little Disciple with a gentle gaze.

"Yingying, wanting to go out for experience is a good thing. However, how is your cultivation of the 'Spirit Source Heart-Cleansing Manual' that I assigned to you? Have you mastered the Heart-Cleansing Lotus protective technique?"

Xia Yingying tried to steady her mind and answered seriously:

"In response to Revered Master, Yingying practices the 'Spirit Source Heart-Cleansing Manual' diligently every day, and my mind is clear. I have also mastered the Heart-Cleansing Lotus, and... and can condense light lotuses around my body for protection for a short while."

She paused, her voice rising slightly with a bit of confidence, "Also, the Spirit-Borrowing Technique Revered Master taught me, Yingying can perform that too!"

"Oh?" Ling Hao's eyes showed encouragement. "Show it to me."

Xia Yingying nodded, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and formed an ancient and agile hand seal before her chest. A pure and flawless aura began to spread from her body.

Xia Yingying chanted softly, her voice ethereal like a clear spring in a mountain stream:

"Spirit sources draw together, the pure heart as the medium. True spirit of flora, illuminate the soul."

As her last syllable fell, dots of pale purple fluorescence gathered on a pot of Moon-Gloom Orchids quietly blooming by the window of Yixiang Residence. A flower spirit phantom composed of pure spiritual light and petals condensed into form!

The flower spirit was only the size of a palm, with transparent thin wings on its back. It emitted spiritual energy fluctuations equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, circled affectionately around Xia Yingying, and finally landed lightly on her outstretched fingertip, radiating a peaceful and serene aura.

"Well done." Ling Hao nodded in approval. "Where do you wish to go for your experience?"

Seeing that Revered Master seemed inclined to agree, Lu Changning, who was sitting next to Xia Yingying nibbling on a spiritual cake, couldn't help but look up and whisper:

"Revered Master, Junior Sister Yingying's personality is... just like mine used to be, and she has never traveled alone before. It's so dangerous outside; isn't it a bit inappropriate to let her go by herself?" Her eyes were full of worry.

Ling Hao looked at Lu Changning with a gentle gaze:

"Little Changning, flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand the wind and rain. Although Yingying has a soft personality, she is resilient inside. A fledgling must eventually leave the nest to spread its wings."

"Letting her see the wickedness of the world will actually be beneficial for tempering her Dao Heart. Didn't you also change a lot after returning from suppressing the Erosion Tide this time?"

Ling Hao turned his gaze back to Xia Yingying:

"However, as for the necessary protection, I naturally will not provide any less."

He flipped his palm, and a warm white jade pendant appeared, with profound runes flowing upon it.

Ling Hao handed it to Xia Yingying.

"This jade pendant contains one of my Divine Abilities and can block a fatal crisis for you once. But remember, it can only be used once. Wear it well; if the jade pendant shatters, no matter where you are, you will be instantly teleported back to the Sect. At the same time, this means your experience must end."

Ling Hao's tone became more serious, "I permit you to descend the mountain, but if this trip yields no gains, or if the jade pendant shatters because of your impulsiveness and recklessness... you will be punished upon your return. Do you understand?"

"Yingying understands! Thank you, Revered Master!" Xia Yingying took the jade pendant with both hands, tucked it away carefully against her skin, her little face full of seriousness and gratitude.

Deep within her Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi curled her lip:

"Hmph, with me around, how could I let anything happen to her?"

However, she secretly approved of Ling Hao's approach of letting her go to train while providing a safety net.

This flirtatious... bastard Revered Master might have an absurdly large harem, but when it came to teaching Disciples, there was nothing to complain about.

"Tell me your plan," Ling Hao asked.

"Yes!" Xia Yingying nodded vigorously, clearly well-prepared.

"Yingying took a mission at the Mission Hall to go to Beiyue Mountain near Chengyue City to clear out a few low-level Erosion Beasts that have become berserk due to erosion qi."

"After finishing that, Yingying wants to... head east to continue my experience and eventually go to Liuyun Temple on the east bank of the Qing River to find... find Sister Sisi!"

Her eyes shimmered with light.

"Sister Sisi saved me in the wilds back then and even gave me directions to the Moonshadow Sect. I... I want to go thank her!"

Sisi?

Ling Hao couldn't help but recall her sword dance that night, and his own sword dance that night...

Ling Hao nodded and said:

"Repaying kindness is very good."

Then, something occurred to him, and he frowned slightly as he looked at Xia Yingying:

"However... Yingying, it's a long journey with many turns. Are you... sure you won't get lost? Do you need me to prepare a more detailed route map for you?"

Xia Yingying's lack of a sense of direction was already known throughout the entire Sect.

Hearing this, Xia Yingying immediately straightened her back, her almond eyes flashing with the 'confidence' of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator as she patted her chest and guaranteed:

"Revered Master, don't worry! Yingying is in the Foundation Establishment Stage now! I can fly high and see far, it's not like walking on the ground before! I definitely won't get lost!"

Looking at her naive yet confident appearance, a hint of amusement and worry flickered in Ling Hao's eyes. Ultimately, he didn't discourage her further, only reminding her once more:

"Very well, as long as you have confidence. Be careful on the way; caution above all else."

With his jade pendant and that Yue Xinxi inside her, there shouldn't be any major problems.

"Yes, Revered Master!" Xia Yingying was overjoyed; she couldn't wait to go outside and soar on her sword.

After breakfast ended and everyone dispersed, Ling Hao called out to Chi Wanhe, who was about to go find Du Yuqing for a spar.

"Xiao He."

"Revered Master?" Chi Wanhe leaned over, charming and agile.

Ling Hao used sound transmission.

"It's Yingying's first time descending the mountain, and the journey is long; I'm ultimately uneasy. You must follow and protect her in secret throughout the trip. Unless it's a life-or-death moment, you must not show yourself to intervene. You must personally see her safely arrive at Liuyun Temple on the east bank of the Qing River and join up with Liu Sisi before you may leave."

Chi Wanhe's eyes darted around, and then she gave a playful smile, also replying via sound transmission: "Understood, Revered Master! I guarantee to deliver our cute little Junior Sister safely and completely to Liuyun Temple, to..."

She deliberately dragged out her tone, enunciating each word: "Mistress~ Liu's~ side!"

"Cough!"

Ling Hao was choked into a light cough by her deliberately drawn-out and clearly teasing address of "Mistress Liu."

He glared at Chi Wanhe, his gaze carrying a warning that 'this little girl's skin is itching for a lesson,' but in the end, he didn't say anything to refute her.

"By the way, if your Junior Sister gets lost..."

Ling Hao was still a bit worried and set a preemptive scenario.

"Don't show yourself for the time being, she has in her body—"

That night, at Fuqu Courtyard.

The moonlight was like water. Chi Wanhe, in a pink gauze dress like a moonlit elf, clung to Ling Hao's embrace, her lotus-like arms wrapped around his neck as she said coquettishly:

"Revered Master~ Your Disciple is going to protect Junior Sister Yingying in secret, and I don't know when I'll be back... You mustn't forget your Disciple!"

She tilted her little face up, her eyes shimmering with a hint of craftiness.

"I don't care, this time you have to... prepare more spiritual fluid for your Disciple to use on the road!"

Looking at the willful appearance of the beauty in his arms, who seemed like she 'wouldn't leave without the spiritual fluid,' Ling Hao helplessly and dotingly pinched her pert nose.

"Fine, fine, fine, as you wish."

A light flashed in his palm as he handed over an object as thin as a cicada's wing, with a mischievous smile.

"Come, put this on and let Revered Master have a good look... it will also add some 'attack speed' to your escort mission."

Chi Wanhe took the 'garment' that was clearly extraordinary at a glance. Her pretty face instantly flushed red, and her eyes became so seductive they almost overflowed with desire.

"Revered Master~ You're teasing your Disciple again..."

Despite her words, she still carried a sense of shyness and anticipation as she turned and walked gracefully toward the inner chamber.

"Where are you going? Can't you just change here?"

"Revered Master~"

A moment later, Chi Wanhe's low whispers, half-scolding and half-joyful, came from the room: "Revered Master... this... this garment is so thin... don't... don't stare like that..."

Ling Hao responded with a low, smiling voice: "...Hmm? Didn't you say you wanted to be well-prepared? This will definitely satisfy you, my Disciple."

"Revered Master..."

On the window paper, two overlapping shadows swayed with the candlelight, swaying, swaying, swaying...