214: Chapter 214 Matcha Mini Cakes

Deep in the ocean.

The light-chasing moon ship transformed into a silver rainbow, carrying Mo Yun and her party, along with Gan Wenzhu and the others, as it sped toward Nanzhao City.

Ling Hao, meanwhile, took Xia Yingying and switched to a more exquisite and compact cloud ship, landing on the sea surface and leisurely sailing toward the shore.

Along the way, Xia Yingying pulled Ling Hao down into the deep ocean several times.

Well, it seems his little Disciple was completely captivated by the scenery beneath the ocean.

...

Dusk, between sea and sky.

The cloud ship hovered over the emerald waves; they were already very close to the coast.

The molten-gold sunset hung at the horizon where sea met sky, dyeing the vast ocean surface into a burning orange and magnificent purple.

The drifting clouds looked like they were on fire, and ten thousand rays of rosy light poured down, dancing amidst the rippling waves and shattering into billions of leaping golden foils.

The sea breeze, carrying the scent of salt and freedom, brushed against the ship's hull and stirred the light gauze hanging from the pavilion at the bow.

Inside the pavilion, beside a warm white jade table, Ling Hao reclined on a soft couch covered with snow-furs, toying with a cup of spirit tea that exuded a delicate fragrance, his gaze cast distantly toward the magnificent molten-gold sunset.

Opposite the table, Xia Yingying sat upright, playing the zither.

She was dressed in a light water-green merfolk silk dress, her sleeves fluttering gently in the sea breeze and rosy light, like a tender lotus just blooming amidst the ripples.

Her pure and beautiful face appeared exceptionally soft in the twilight glow, her almond eyes lowered as Xia Yingying gazed intently at the ancient nine heavens ringing jade zither on her lap.

Her slender, jade-like fingers plucked the strings, and clear, ethereal music flowed out, interweaving with the whispers of the waves and the murmurs of the wind, as if resonating with this heaven and earth.

The zither music was at times like a clear spring flowing over stones, and at other times like pine winds passing through a deep valley, adding a touch of ethereal charm to this magnificent painting of sea and sky.

After a few songs, the sunset sank completely below the horizon, leaving only the brilliant afterglow across the sky.

A bright, clear moon rose quietly from the eastern sea, and its cold, clear moonlight fell like light gauze, instantly replacing the warm rosy light and enveloping the entire sea and sky.

The moonlight gently outlined Xia Yingying's figure, coating her in a hazy silver radiance, pure and untainted by dust.

That posture of focused zither-playing was breathtakingly beautiful under the moonlight.

Ling Hao's gaze fell upon her, a ripple flashing deep in his eyes.

At that very moment, the zither music under Xia Yingying's fingers abruptly broke for an instant; although she immediately continued and finished the song, that slight pause was clearly audible.

"Qing Shang, is she still sleeping?" Ling Hao asked, setting down his teacup, feigning casualness.

"Yes," Xia Yingying said, her fingertips lightly pressing the strings, the lingering notes echoing, "Sister Qing Shang is still sleeping."

"And what of the 'Twin Soul Metamorphosis Scripture'?" Ling Hao asked again, his gaze deep.

Xia Yingying looked up, the moonlight illuminating her clear eyes.

"Replying to Revered Master, this Disciple has already Cultivated it to Major Achievement."

"And your Sister Xinxi?"

"Sister Xinxi, she has also reached Major Achievement!"

Xia Yingying's eyes suddenly lit up with anticipation. "Revered Master, since you ask like that... does it mean Sister Xinxi and I can separate before reaching Soul Transformation?"

Thinking of Yue Xinxi being able to reshape her Physical Body, her tone was full of excitement.

Ling Hao slowly shook his head: "Not yet. Major Achievement in the Cultivation Technique is only the Foundation. Soul separation still requires you to reach the Soul Transformation Breakthrough and for your Foundation to be completely stable. After returning to the sect, you must condense your Nascent Soul as soon as possible and aim for the Nascent Soul Stage."

"Yes, this Disciple understands."

Xia Yingying replied obediently, but the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.

She stood up. The moonlight, like water, poured down from behind her, and the sea breeze blew, pressing her thin gauze dress tightly against her exquisite, shapely body.

Although not as voluptuous and full as Chi Shuying, she possessed a unique charm of budding maturity; her slender waist and slightly undulating curves outlined a different kind of allure under the moon.

Xia Yingying walked slowly to Ling Hao's soft couch, knelt down with her knees together, reached out with her slender arms, and gently wrapped them around Ling Hao's waist.

She lifted her small face, the moonlight clearly reflecting the blush on her cheeks, her almond eyes brimming with moisture, a mixture of shyness and a kind of desperate determination.

"Revered Master..." she said, her voice trembling slightly, "...take Yingying."

Ling Hao's body noticeably stiffened. The young girl's warm, soft body pressed against him, and that unique body fragrance, sweet as a peach and pure as new snow, instantly entered his nostrils.

He lowered his head, meeting those eyes that were clear yet held a trace of ignorant desire. Innocence and temptation intertwined at this moment, forming the most primal attraction.

Ling Hao couldn't help but immediately rise to the occasion.

"Did your Sister Xinxi teach you this?"

Ling Hao's voice deepened; such a direct invitation was not something his ignorant little Disciple would be able to say.

Originally, Ling Hao had thought that this time he would inevitably have to take the initiative and properly fulfill his duty of guidance.

"No... no!"

Xia Yingying's small face turned even redder, and she shook her head urgently to deny it.

Ling Hao shook his head; with such a reaction, she still claimed it wasn't.

Deep in the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi's remnant soul rolled her eyes dramatically and roared silently.

'Hmph! It's all because of the huge commotion you caused in that small courtyard in Nanzhao City last time, making it impossible for me to cover it up! And it's because you deliberately created this opportunity for a man and a woman to be alone at sea!'

'You old fox... your intentions are practically written all over your face! I... I am being forced to accept my fate!'

Xia Yingying bit her lower lip and explained softly: "Revered Master, this nine heavens ringing jade zither... it... it can sense the seven emotions and six desires of the people nearby. Just now... just now when Yingying was playing the zither..."

"Ahem..."

Ling Hao rarely showed a trace of embarrassment. So, was that the reason the music broke off just now?

"Then, little Yingying, what... what did you sense?"

Xia Yingying gathered her courage, looked directly into Ling Hao's deep eyes, and said the most direct words in the most innocent tone: "Yingying sensed that... Revered Master, you... you want to eat Yingying."

Ling Hao was slightly stunned, then a knowing and pleased arc curled at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes became incomparably deep.

"That is indeed true,"

he chuckled, his voice husky, and reached out to gently stroke her burning cheek, teasing, "Yingying, you are just like a piece of... sweet and delicious matcha cupcake that one just can't help but want to swallow in one bite..."

"Matcha cupcake?" Xia Yingying blinked blankly.

Before the words had even faded, Ling Hao had already leaned down.

"Let me check if your 'Twin Soul Metamorphosis Scripture' has truly reached Major Achievement."

Xia Yingying obediently closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling gently like butterfly wings, and she tilted her chin up slightly.

Deep in the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi let out a long sigh of resignation, the light of her soul body fading completely, as if she were sealing herself off.

...

He made his move. This romantic Sect Master, in the end... made his move. And she was the one who pushed him to it.

Wait, what did he say? 'Twin Soul Metamorphosis Scripture'?!