180: Chapter 180 Winter Ceremony Preparations (Part 1)

Atop Haoran Tower.

The portal of the grotto-heaven shimmered with a faint light, and Ling Hao's figure appeared atop Haoran Tower. He extended his palm, and a crystalline snowflake landed lightly on it.

The snowflake melted upon touching his skin, leaving behind a refreshing coolness that seeped into the heart.

"It's snowing."

Looking out, the entire Moonshadow Sect was covered by a fine layer of white. Whether it was the jade pavilions or the lush green peaks, all were draped in an elegant silver coat.

Moonshadow Sect was located in the south where the climate was hot; naturally, there was usually no snow.

This snow was not naturally formed, but was created by the Sect to build an atmosphere for the Winter Ceremony, using Black Mysterious True Water to form clouds and drawing cold Qi from the earth veins to condense it.

His gaze swept across; above the upturned eaves of the main buildings on each peak, bottles of Black Mysterious True Water, shimmering with a deep blue light, were hanging.

Wisps of cold Qi from the earth veins rose from the bottle mouths, merging into the thin clouds high above, continuously condensing into crystalline ice shards.

With a flash of his figure, Ling Hao arrived at Chunxi Peak.

"Yes, just like that. Place a few more Spiritual Lamps here; it will be brighter at night."

"We also need to hang Black Mysterious True Water bottles here..."

Chi Wanhe was directing the Disciples in setting up the decorations.

The Disciples shuttled between the halls and corridors, hanging Spiritual Lamps and colorful banners, and laying out silken fabrics of rosy light, their faces brimming with joy and anticipation.

Ling Hao did not disturb them and strolled to an open plum grove on the back mountain of Chunxi Peak.

Where there is snow, there must naturally be plum blossoms.

Those here were the Disciples of the Spiritual Plant Hall from Houde Peak.

They removed their shoes and socks, revealing pairs of fair and beautiful jade feet, and stepped into a patch of spiritual mud with a strange dark-gold luster.

This mud was no ordinary substance; it was called "Wu Earth Spiritual Soil," containing rich earth vein vitality and the power of creation.

"Ah..."

A female Disciple stepped into the mud, and the warm, tingling sensation from the center of her foot made her let out a soft cry. She then felt wisps of gentle and mellow energy surge through her Yongquan Acupoints into her Meridians, nourishing her body and even greatly benefiting the stabilization of her Dao foundation and the harmonization of her spiritual power.

This mud-treading was actually a rare form of cultivation!

They stepped barefoot on the spiritual soil, circulating their Cultivation Techniques to guide their own pure Pure Yin Qi while carefully mixing Sheng Sheng Creation River water with the Pure Yin Qi to irrigate the roots of the plum trees.

Their movements were gentle and pious, their cheeks flushed with a faint blush—whether from the circulation of spiritual power or the wonderful sensation brought by the life-sustaining spiritual mud.

Ling Hao's gaze swept over this scene full of vitality, finally landing on two figures at the edge of the plum grove.

Zhao Hongyi, in a fiery red martial outfit, stood tall and straight, treading the spiritual soil with several Disciples. Ye Qinglan, in a green dress with a cold temperament, stood quietly to the side, spiritual light flickering at her fingertips as she carefully checked the irrigation of each plum tree's roots.

Name: Zhao Hongyi

Age: 46

Spiritual Root: Earthly Spiritual Root (Fire, Earth)

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Level 5

Loyalty: 90 (Core Disciple)

Name: Ye Qinglan

Age: 55

Spiritual Root: Earthly Spiritual Root (Wood, Water)

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Level 5

Loyalty: 90 (Core Disciple)

Ling Hao nodded slightly; these two women had once gone on a trial with his young Disciple.

"Sect Master!"

Zhao Hongyi was sharp-eyed and was the first to spot Ling Hao. She greeted him in pleasant surprise, a bright smile on her face. Ye Qinglan also quickly stopped her actions and gave a respectful bow, her cold eyes filled with deep admiration: "Sect Master."

"There is no need for such formalities." Ling Hao smiled gently, his gaze sweeping over their bare feet, which were covered in Wu Earth Spiritual Soil but appeared even more lustrous. "Are you getting used to life in the Sect?"

Zhao Hongyi laughed heartily,

"In response to the Sect Master, we are very used to it! The Sect is rich in Spiritual Qi, and the Senior Sisters treat us very well. It's thousands of times better than when we were Loose Cultivators!"

Ye Qinglan also nodded gently,

"We are deeply grateful to the Sect Master and the Sect for taking us in and granting us this Opportunity."

She paused and asked, "I wonder... how has Senior Sister Yingying been lately? Since joining the Sect, we have been busy with miscellaneous tasks and cultivation, and haven't had the chance to see her yet."

Ling Hao nodded: "Yingying is doing well. These past few days, she has been at the Dao Evolution Plateau practicing her newly acquired 'Three Stars Reflecting Spirits' technique. Once her lessons for today are over, you may go find her to catch up."

Zhao Hongyi and Ye Qinglan glanced at each other, both seeing a hint of a smile in the other's eyes.

They had a deep impression of that innocent and dazed yet extraordinarily powerful Junior Sister.

"Senior Sister Xia has exceptional talent and the personal guidance of the Sect Master; her progress must be rapid," Zhao Hongyi praised sincerely.

"Mhm." Ye Qinglan also responded.

Ling Hao looked at these two who had formed a bond because of Xia Yingying and had now become Core Disciples of the Sect, his lips curling slightly:

"The Sect's Winter Ceremony is approaching. At that time, every peak will have celebrations, as well as demonstrations of techniques, discussions on the Dao, and grand feasts of spiritual food. It will be very lively. You should also relax and participate fully."

Zhao Hongyi's eyes instantly lit up remarkably,

"Really, Sect Master? We... we can participate too?" Although Ye Qinglan did not speak, her suddenly brightened eyes also betrayed her inner anticipation and excitement.

Ling Hao chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the other Spiritual Plant Hall Disciples who had also stopped their work:

"Naturally. You are all Moonshadow Sect Disciples, and the Winter Ceremony is a time for the entire Sect to celebrate together. Everyone can participate."

"Even if I didn't say it, the Hall of Deacon will announce it later."

"That's wonderful!"

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

Cheers immediately broke out, and the Disciples' faces were flushed with excitement.

Ling Hao encouraged them a few more times, reminding them not to forget to circulate their Mind-Cultivation Techniques while treading the Wu Earth Spiritual Soil to maximize the cultivation effect. Only then did he drift away under the respectful gazes of the Disciples.

As Ling Hao's figure disappeared, Zhao Hongyi excitedly grabbed Ye Qinglan's arm:

"Qinglan, did you hear that? The Winter Ceremony! We can participate in the Winter Ceremony!"

Ye Qinglan nodded vigorously, a smile blooming on her cold face.

"Alright, let's work hard too. Besides Chunxi Peak, there are plum groves in other places that need irrigation."

Three days later.

Seventy-two routes of plum groves, ten thousand plums in full bloom!

On the originally bare branches, red plums were now hanging everywhere.

The petals were layered, and against the backdrop of the early snow, they were strikingly red. A rich, exotic fragrance filled the crisp air, wisps of it refreshing the heart.

Blood-petaled Wondrous Plums reflect the white snow; a hidden fragrance floats around the jade branches.

This plum grove, jointly stimulated by Pure Yin Qi, Sheng Sheng Creation River water, and Wu Earth Spiritual Soil, became the most stunning prologue before the Winter Ceremony.