141: Chapter 141 Twins Under the Moon, Enjoying the Moon and Watching Fish

Under the moon, the Twin Lakes reflected the vast river of stars.

On the water's surface, two nimble koi drifted into the cool lake water beneath the rock. They sank slowly, and amidst the rippling waves, the two koi seemed to truly come to life, their tails swaying gracefully as they chased and played in the moonlit ripples.

Beside the two koi, the shark-silk fabric spread a hazy and warm radiance in the water, like a bright moon fallen to the lake bottom, echoing the true lunar orb in the sky and gently swaying with the waves.

The reflection of the star trails on the lake surface, which had originally been only slightly rippling, now shattered, distorted, and shook violently, as if a giant stone had been cast into a mirror.

Two flowing silver star-rivers in the reflection stretched, spun, and entangled frantically, as if a giant hand at the bottom of the lake was manipulating these two silver celestial rivers.

Starfall Rock shook, and on the lake water at its edge, circles of tiny ripples fanned out toward the shore.

A crystal-clear drop of water slid silently along the surface of the rock and fell onto the lake below with a 'drip'.

In the lake, a startled fish suddenly darted out from under a large lotus leaf, churning the water in a panic and bringing up a string of fine bubbles.

Its movements were sometimes hurried and frantic, as if pursued by an invisible net; at other times, it slowed down, cautiously patrolling and testing in the shadow of another lotus leaf, its tail swaying gently and stirring up slight ripples.

After a long time—

Splash!

This fish with shimmering purple scales suddenly leapt from the water! Its vigorous figure traced a graceful arc in the moonlight, bringing up a large spray of crystal-clear water that pattered down onto the lotus leaf waiting below.

The rounded lotus leaf sank abruptly under the sudden weight and water droplets; its emerald surface was instantly filled with swaying moonlight and water, nearly capsizing!

But the lotus leaf possessed excellent resilience. After bending to its limit, it trembled and sprang back to its original shape, dripping with water.

The night wind by the lake suddenly let out a sob, scattering brokenly into the distance.

Splash! Splash!

As if on signal, the original purple-scaled fish exerted its strength to leap out of the water again! A waterfall-like curtain of crystal water poured down onto the already overburdened lotus leaf.

The sound of dense water droplets hitting was like a sudden downpour! The rounded lotus leaf was battered by this violent force of water, swaying wildly and bending deeply! The leaf's surface was instantly filled with swaying light, almost overflowing.

At the edges, the waterline slid down rapidly like broken pearls. Every downward bend seemed as if it would snap, yet it stubbornly sprang up at the limit, enduring the next wave of even more surging water...

Repeating like this, the lotus leaf trembled and surged violently in the moonlight and waterlight, like a green sail struggling in a gale.

After several leaps, the commotion of the fish jumping in the lake finally subsided.

The purple-scaled fish seemed to have exhausted its strength, sinking into the depths of the water to rest.

Only the center of the lotus leaf still held a full pool of lake water, swaying gently in the breeze. Occasionally, a plump water droplet would drip from the edge into the lake, making a long 'thud' sound.

On the lake surface, the reflected star trails rippled tenderly, rising and falling softly with the waves along with the true river of stars in the sky.

...

In the eastern horizon, a touch of fish-belly white quietly emerged.

The deep ink-blue was pushed away as it was stained layer by layer with gentle pale gold and orange-red.

The morning light was dim, piercing through the thin morning mist and falling gently on the two people. Ling Hao's large black outer robe had been draped over Lin Xiwei's smooth shoulders at some point, wrapping her up tightly, leaving only an exquisite small face visible—its coldness completely faded, stained with a moving rosy glow.

Lin Xiwei's long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. What met her gaze was her Revered Master's handsome face close at hand, and the tenderness in those deep eyes that could almost drown a person.

"How is it?"

"Watching this sunrise on the Starfall Rock of the Twin Lakes... is it beautiful?"

Lin Xiwei's gaze passed over Ling Hao's shoulder, looking toward the lake surface and horizon ignited by the morning sun, her clear eyes reflecting the flowing light:

"...Beautiful."

Her voice carried a trace of the softness of one who had just awakened.

Ling Hao chuckled, the arm around her tightening: "This place for discussing the Dao was chosen by Revered Master. Next time..."

He intentionally drew out his tone, looking down at her, "It will be up to you to choose, Xiao Wei. How about it?"

Rosy clouds instantly flew across Lin Xiwei's cheeks again. She hid her face in his chest before giving an extremely soft reply:

"...Mm."

Just then, the faint shouts and laughter of Disciples at morning practice came from the distant lakeshore.

Lin Xiwei's body stiffened! Although the Moonshadow Sect consisted entirely of female Disciples besides her Revered Master, as an Elder, if she were seen embracing Revered Master like this on Starfall Rock...

"Mas... Revered Master!"

Lin Xiwei's voice was panicked as she subconsciously tried to break free from Ling Hao's embrace.

Ling Hao held her even more securely, his low laughter sounding above her head:

"Don't panic. Last night... I casually set up the World-in-a-Hand Array. In the eyes of others, this Starfall Rock is just a patch of ordinary water mist, hazy and vague. No one can see a thing, nor can they hear the slightest sound."

With a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his mouth, Ling Hao added:

"So rest assured, the elegant matter of you admiring the moon and watching the fish with Revered Master here last night... these Disciples will not know of it."

Hearing this, Lin Xiwei's tense body finally truly relaxed. She buried her burning cheeks deep into her Revered Master's warm neck, listening to the steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the crisp scent on his robe completely envelop her.

That reassuring warmth seemed to isolate her from all the troubles of the world.

"Ding! Detected Lin Xiwei's loyalty has reached 100%, triggering a Heaven-Defying Fate Change! The Samsara Body has transformed and evolved into the Yin-Yang Samsara Saint Body!"

Yin-Yang Samsara Saint Body: Heart of the Samsara Array, Yin-Yang Twins, tracing causes to glimpse effects—

"Ding! Achievement 'Spring and Autumn on the Rock' completed. Spring and Autumn on the Rock: Discuss the Dao by the rock ten times."

Ling Hao glanced at the achievement interface.

[Achievement] Current Buffs: Attack Power +70%, Defense Power +45%...

Tsk, even this kind of strange achievement exists—

---

Outside Chengyue City.

The thin mist had not yet fully dispersed. The morning light was dim, gilding the ancient city walls with a layer of pale gold. Merchants and farmers who had risen early were already entering and leaving the city gates, carrying the unique vitality of early morning.

Xia Yingying, Zhao Hongyi, and Ye Qinglan stood outside the city gate.

"Little Sister Yingying, we'll part ways here!" Zhao Hongyi, dressed in fiery red martial attire, smiled brightly and patted Xia Yingying's shoulder firmly.

"Once Qinglan and I reach the Moonshadow Sect, if we can join the Sect, we'll be able to see you there! When that time comes... hehe, I might have to call you 'Little Senior Sister Xia'!"

She winked mischievously.

Ye Qinglan also rarely showed a very faint smile, nodding slightly to Xia Yingying: "Little Sister Yingying, take care on your journey."

"Mm! Sister Zhao, Sister Ye, you take care too! See you at the Moonshadow Sect!"

Xia Yingying nodded vigorously, her round almond eyes full of reluctance and sincere blessings. She waved at the two of them.

Zhao Hongyi and Ye Qinglan said no more. They turned toward the south in the direction of the Moonshadow Sect, summoned their Flying Swords, and turned into two streaks of light, quickly disappearing into the morning mist.

Watching the direction they left in, Xia Yingying let out a soft breath and turned to head east.

This time I should go find Sister Sisi. If Sister Sisi knows I've joined the Moonshadow Sect and even became a Disciple under True Venerable Yueying, she will definitely be happy for me!

'Sigh...'

In the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi let out an incomparably melancholy sigh.

'This silly girl is alone again...'

She was torn. Should she just take over the body?

Thinking of Xia Yingying's off-the-charts talent for getting lost, Yue Xinxi felt a headache coming on. Last night at the inn, she had watched with her own eyes as this girl went out to find water to drink, only to nearly wander into the stables!

Perceiving that Xia Yingying had already mounted her sword light and headed east, Yue Xinxi was stunned.

Eh, the direction is right this time. Could it be—there's hope?

In that case—let's wait and see.

Just in case—after all, she had given her a good cram session last night on how to identify directions using the sun.