158: Chapter 158 Boating on the Qingjiang River

The Qing River stretched for ten thousand miles, like a winding jade ribbon laid out between lush, green mountains. The fields on both banks were crisscrossed with paths, emanating a faint spiritual light.

In the distance, strange peaks stood tall, and from time to time, waterfalls and springs cascaded down from cloud-shrouded summits, splashing up thousands of piles of broken jade, with rainbow light faintly appearing.

The river breeze brushed past, carrying the freshness of water vapor and vegetation, making one feel relaxed and happy.

A seven-story cloud boat Magic Treasure was sailing steadily in the middle of the river.

The hull was massive, with spiritual wood as its frame, inlaid with reinforcement and defensive formation patterns, and the carved Dragon on the bow was lifelike.

Inside an elegant pavilion on the fourth floor, there were only Ling Hao and Xia Yingying.

In front of them was a small white jade table, and Ling Hao was leaning casually on a soft couch by the window, leisurely sipping spiritual tea.

His gaze swept across the magnificent landscape painting outside the window, and he nodded slightly: "The scenery of this Qing River does have a bit of spiritual charm."

Since they were already here, Ling Hao decided to take his two disciples out for a relaxing trip.

However, Chi Wanhe had just received an urgent distress message from a Junior Sister at a resonance dao tower in the Hedong Region and had rushed off, so only he and Xia Yingying remained in the pavilion now.

Xia Yingying was wearing her signature light water-green gauze dress, standing prettily by the window, admiring the passing scenery.

The river breeze blew in slowly, stirring the thin gauze dress, outlining the young girl's slender, exquisite waist and slightly thin figure. The clear breeze blew against her body, causing the clothing to cling tightly, further revealing the flatness of her chest.

Ling Hao's gaze swept over inadvertently, and a trace of regret could not help but cross his heart.

This girl... her Celestial Spirit Body is truly blessed by heaven, but it is a pity that her figure... it really is a pity.

"Revered Master, the scenery on both banks is so beautiful!" Xia Yingying turned around, her almond eyes curving into crescent moons, her face overflowing with pure joy.

Ling Hao put down his teacup and smiled gently: "Mm, the scenery is indeed good. On this trip down the mountain for training, Yingying, do you have any special feelings?"

Upon hearing Revered Master ask about the training, the smile on Xia Yingying's face faded a little, and she walked to Ling Hao's side with a trace of guilt, whispering: "Revered Master... Yingying feels that she is so useless... always getting lost. This time, I must have caused Senior Sister a lot of trouble during the training."

And also, I caused Xinxi to consume a lot of Soul Power to help me find the way...

This last sentence was muttered in her heart.

Hm?!

Xia Yingying sensed her Sea of Consciousness; it was calm and tranquil.

Xinxi seems to have fallen into a deep sleep again?

"Being directionally challenged is a natural trait, not a fault." Ling Hao looked at her dejected little face and naturally reached out his hand to stroke her head in comfort.

However, Xia Yingying was standing a bit too close, and Ling Hao was leaning on the couch; the length of his arm was slightly awkward, and he didn't quite reach her. Ling Hao's movement paused, and getting up now would seem deliberate, leaving him feeling slightly embarrassed.

Xia Yingying, however, keenly perceived Revered Master's intention. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she obediently bent down, actively bringing her little head under Ling Hao's palm.

Not only that, she took the opportunity to sit sideways on Ling Hao's lap, her petite body leaning into Revered Master's warm embrace, her back pressing tightly against Ling Hao's chest.

A faint body fragrance entered the tip of Ling Hao's nose. The scent was pure, carrying an ethereal aura like the sky clearing after rain. This was the most essential clear spiritual Qi of the Celestial Spirit Body.

The delicate body in his arms was warm, soft, and light, her hair carrying the slight warmth of sun exposure, as obedient as a fledgling bird returning to its nest.

"Revered Master,"

Xia Yingying's voice came out muffled, "Yingying has already reached Foundation Establishment, yet I am still so clumsy, not even able to recognize the way... Am I really that useless?"

Ling Hao's palm rested naturally on her soft dark hair, gently comforting her: "Silly girl, what kind of talk is that? Every person has their strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has things they are good at and things they are not. So what if you are directionally challenged? You were able to understand good and evil and gain knowledge during your training; that is what is most important."

While speaking, Ling Hao was already calculating rapidly in his heart.

Perhaps I should find a way to make a cultivation version of a compass? Otherwise, this is not a sustainable situation.

"Tell me, what was your biggest gain from this training?"

The thought flashed by, and Ling Hao quickly changed the subject to prevent his disciple from continuing to dwell on it and becoming unhappy.

Mentioning gains, Xia Yingying's attention became focused, and leaning in Ling Hao's embrace, she said seriously: "Yingying understands, the outside world is different from the Sect... The Senior Sisters in the Sect are all very kind, but it is not necessarily the same outside."

She recalled the battle at Yinfeng Gorge and the encounters on the road: "Like Big Sister Zhao and Big Sister Ye, although it was a chance meeting, they were kind-hearted and would think of protecting me when encountering danger."

"But the rogue cultivators encountered at Chisha Ravine, and that bad person who threw Yin thunder randomly in the market, they could harm others at will for the sake of treasures, and their eyes were greedy and terrifying..."

Ling Hao nodded; this was exactly what he wanted Xia Yingying to understand.

The Sect is the Sect, and the outside world is the outside world.

Those who can pass the sixth turn of the Nine-Turn Corridor all have their own bottom lines in character and have clean minds. Therefore, inside the Sect and outside the Sect are two completely different worlds.

"So, Yingying, do you understand? You must be careful when you are outside in the future."

"Furthermore, you must cut the weeds and dig up the roots, shake the egg yolk until it breaks, and split the earthworm vertically—"

"Mm..."

Xia Yingying nodded her little head and agreed. Xinxi had also told her about cutting the weeds and digging up the roots.

Although it felt a bit cruel, what Revered Master said must be right!

"By the way, Yingying also met a beautiful big sister..." Speaking of this, Xia Yingying puffed out her cheeks, and a rare trace of annoyance appeared on her little face, "Hmph! Too much! She looked so beautiful, like a fairy, but she actually lied to me! She made me take such a long detour!"

"Barefoot? Like a fairy?" Ling Hao's heart stirred, and a lazy, charming figure instantly appeared in his mind, "Yingying, the person you are talking about, is she wearing a moon-white dress, draped in golden gauze, with golden bells tied to her ankles, and a small mole at the corner of her eye?"

Xia Yingying looked up in surprise: "Revered Master, how did you know? That's her!"

Ling Hao was instantly dumbfounded, unable to laugh or cry; so it really was Yu Linglong...

A dignified Body Integration Stage True Saint, actually teasing his own disciple?

"This Yu Linglong was Ling Shuang's former Senior Sister. Later, Revered Master will help you teach her a lesson. How dare she bully my little Yingying; she really deserves a beating!"

Xia Yingying's little face was surprised.

"Ah? Yu Linglong... is she Senior Sister Ling Shuang's Senior Sister?"

"Mm."

"Then... then let's just forget it," Xia Yingying quickly shook her head, "Since she is Senior Sister Ling Shuang's Senior Sister, she shouldn't be a bad person; maybe she was just joking with me... Revered Master doesn't need to teach her a lesson for my sake."

Hearing his disciple being so sensible, instead speaking up for the "liar," a warmth surged in Ling Hao's heart, and the arm holding her tightened, "This Yu Linglong likes to tease people; if she dares to bully my disciple, I must let her know how powerful I am."

Xia Yingying felt the protectiveness in Revered Master's words, and her heart felt warm. She rubbed comfortably in Ling Hao's embrace, like a small animal that had found a safe nest.

Just at this moment, a slightly stronger river breeze blew in through the window, carrying the chill of water vapor. Xia Yingying instinctively shrank deeper into Ling Hao's warm embrace, seeking shelter.

"Hm? Revered Master?"

Xia Yingying moved her body in confusion, looked up with her little face, and asked curiously, "On your body... are you hiding some kind of Magic Treasure?"

Ling Hao: "..."

The air instantly fell into a subtle silence.

Ling Hao looked at that innocent, pure little face, and a throb of emotion welled up.

Soon, Ling Hao steadied himself, suppressed it, coughed, and put on a serious face.

"Ahem, yes, this is Revered Master's Magic Treasure, a supreme treasure for suppressing the Sect. However—"

Before Ling Hao could finish, Xia Yingying's eyes lit up, "Is it that powerful? Then let Yingying have a look—"

After saying that, Xia Yingying turned around directly in his arms and reached out her hand.

?!!!