219: Chapter 219 Mermaids Enter the Sect

Night, Wind Spirit Sect.

The night is like ink, and the starry river hangs low.

Deep in the Cangnan River Valley, the Wind Spirit Sect sleeps cradled by the water. The central main peak stands tall, and the Sect Main Hall and the teleportation Formation shimmer with azure light.

A Creation River rushes through the valley like a jade dragon, roaring as it falls into the cold pool, stirring up misty water vapor.

Lights flicker on both banks, and auras intertwine. On the east bank, the medicinal garden exudes a faint fragrance; the northern cliff's Scripture Pavilion is accompanied by the roar of a waterfall; on the west side, the Sword Pool occasionally emits cold glints and metallic clanging; on the south bank, the Artifact Pavilion's earth fire is faintly visible, with the rhythmic sound of hammering.

The entrance water pavilion is exquisite, reflecting the starry river. The Ten Thousand Flower Heavenly Steps wind like a ribbon of light under the moon. Above the river valley, the Creation Floating Island hangs over the torrent, with the Nine-Turn Corridor winding around it. The glazed roof of the Yuling Pavilion at the heart of the island absorbs the moonlight, flowing with soft light, while Spiritual Qi curls into mist, resembling a pearl in a fairyland.

The night breeze sweeps past, blending the fresh scent of grass and trees, the water vapor from the cold pool, the sharpness of Sword Intent, and the scorching heat of earth fire, swirling around the floating island, brewing the unique night rhyme of the Wind Spirit Sect's river valley.

In the courtyard of the Yuling Pavilion.

Ling Hao stands in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. The moonlight filters through the osmanthus branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on him. Chi Shuying accompanies him at his side, her pink cloud-patterned dress accentuating her mature and alluring figure.

She looks at the brightly lit peaks below and the orderly scene, nodding with satisfaction.

"Sect Master, the Foundations of the Pill Pavilion, Scripture Pavilion, Sword Pool, and Artifact Pavilion are all stable. The water pavilion on Guest-Welcoming Peak and the Ten Thousand Flower Heavenly Steps add even more scenery, and this Creation Floating Island and Yuling Pavilion are the finishing touches."

Chi Shuying's voice carries a hint of pride.

"The framework of the Wind Spirit Sect is complete, and its substance is gradually filling out. Given time, it will surely become something great."

Ling Hao's gaze sweeps over this nascent Sect, and the corners of his mouth curl into a satisfied arc.

"You have done well, Shuying. Your coordination efforts deserve the primary credit."

Chi Shuying suddenly turns to the side, the thin gauze of her pink cloud-patterned dress dancing in the night breeze. She moves closer to Ling Hao, and a faint fragrance enters his nostrils. Her peach-blossom eyes shimmer with waves of light, carrying a teasing smile.

"Sect Master is too modest. The inspection of the Sect is complete, but… Sect Master, it seems there is one place you have not yet inspected?"

The tail of her voice is frivolous and raised, the implication within self-evident.

Ling Hao understands, looking at this charming and mature Deputy Sect Master before him. The smile in his eyes deepens, and he pulls her slender waist into his arms:

"Oh? Where was left out? I ask Sect Master Chi to kindly instruct me."

Chi Shuying giggles, leaning into his arms, her fingertips drawing circles on his chest:

"Naturally, it is… Shuying's Immortal Cave. There, a heavy gift has been prepared for the Sect Master, which requires the Sect Master to handle it personally and verify it properly…"

Before the words finished, the two figures disappeared from the spot.

Inside the room, the warm jade lamp emits a soft glow. On the window paper, two figures are clearly silhouetted.

Chi Shuying's lazy and smiling voice drifts out through the window paper:

"…The Sect Master has been away for these days, and Shuying has missed you terribly. The entire Wind Spirit Sect, big and small matters, all require Shuying to manage; it is truly exhausting…"

Ling Hao's low laughter rings out, carrying a teasing tone:

"Oh? I see Sect Master Chi is full of energy, managing the overall situation with ease. Today, during the discussion at the Sect Main Hall, I didn't see the slightest hint of fatigue?"

"Aiya! Sect Master is making fun of me!"

Chi Shuying gives a coquettish cry, and then her voice becomes sticky,

"Sect Master, why not start by unwrapping the gift first."

"Good."

Ling Hao's voice deepens, and the silhouettes on the window paper change their movements.

The sound of unwrapping a gift comes from inside the room,

"Hmm… Sect Master, do you like this gift?"

"Hmm, I like it."

"Then… is Shuying's position as Sect Master… still sitting firmly?"

Ling Hao chuckles lightly,

"You have bribed me so much, stable! Naturally, it is very stable!…"

Just then, crisp footsteps and a respectful call come from outside the room:

"Sect Master Chi, regarding the placement of the Sword Pool Formation eye on Taibai Peak…"

Before the words finished, the room door opened silently, and a soft suction force instantly pulled Gu Chunnuan, who was outside the door, inside.

"Ah!"

Gu Chunnuan exclaims, having entered the room.

"Elder Gu has arrived just in time. I heard that a few days ago, you also prepared a gift for the Sect Master, is that right?"

The room falls silent for a moment, and then Gu Chunnuan's voice comes out.

"Yes, Chunnuan also prepared a gift for the Sect Master."

...

The next morning, Wangyue Lake.

The morning sun rises, draping the vast Wangyue Lake in a layer of shimmering golden radiance.

This lake is as vast as the sea, with ten thousand acres of blue waves, misty and boundless, with no end in sight.

The lake's coastline is winding and beautiful, dotted with exotic flowers and plants, pavilions, and waterside structures. In the center of the lake, there are several islands with ethereal Immortal Qi, where jade towers and pavilions are faintly visible.

The entire Wangyue Lake area is covered by an extremely powerful invisible Formation. From the outside, one can only see ordinary mountains shrouded in clouds and mist; the lake scenery, the pavilions, and even the auras of the living beings within are perfectly hidden.

Only by stepping into the Formation can one see this earthly fairyland.

In the crystal-clear lake water, dozens of graceful figures swim freely. They possess the beautiful upper bodies of human women, with skin whiter than snow and hair like waterfalls, while their lower bodies are long fish tails covered in delicate scales, shimmering with seven-colored luster.

They play and chase in the water, their fish tails swaying to create strings of crystal-clear bubbles. Sunlight penetrates the water surface, refracting dreamlike halos on their beautiful bodies and gorgeous fish tails, full of exotic charm and primitive temptation.

Occasionally, a Merfolk surfaces, revealing an exquisite and flawless face, looking curiously at the black-clad figure on the shore, their eyes innocent and worshipful, yet carrying a hint of shyness.

The thin mist on the lake drifts gently with their movements, adding a touch of hazy beauty.

On the lakeside pavilion, Ling Hao stands quietly. The Merfolk Clan Chief Mo Yun and her daughter Mo Li come forward and bow respectfully, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe:

"Greetings, Moonshadow Heavenly Venerable!"

"No need for formalities." Ling Hao gestures with his hand.

Mo Yun presents a jade box with both hands, inside which lies a piece of fabric as thin as a cicada's wing, shimmering with flowing light, neatly folded.

"Heavenly Venerable's great kindness is impossible to repay. This is a piece of High Grade merfolk silk. Although meager, it is our heartfelt intention. We offer it first, and we will offer more later."

Ling Hao accepts the merfolk silk, which feels cool and smooth to the touch, truly not an ordinary item.

Mo Yun turns her gaze to her daughter, Mo Li, who stands beside her, slim and graceful with a slightly blushing face. A flash of determination and expectation crosses her eyes, and she says respectfully:

"Heavenly Venerable has opened up such a fairyland for our race to inhabit; the kindness is like a rebirth. My daughter, Mo Li, is quite clever and her appearance is passable… If the Sect Master does not mind, please let her serve by your side, pouring tea and water, and attending to your daily life. It would be a small token of gratitude from our Merfolk Race."

She knows well that Ling Hao is the greatest reliance for the survival of her tribe. This act is both sincere gratitude and an attempt to get closer to him.

Upon hearing this, Mo Li lowers her head even further, her long eyelashes trembling uncontrollably. She remembers the terrifying power Ling Hao displayed that day—splitting the earth, causing rivers to surge, and creating a lake out of thin air with a wave of his hand. Besides awe, the slight longing and heartbeat she had felt before grew even stronger.

Ling Hao's gaze sweeps over Mo Li, who is dressed in a deep blue merfolk silk dress. He looks at Mo Yun and says sternly:

"Clan Chief Mo, if the Merfolk Race truly wants to establish a footing here and gain long-term protection and development, relying solely on serving or offering treasures is not the fundamental way. The doors of the Wind Spirit Sect or the Moonshadow Sect are always open to you."

"As long as your clansmen can pass the trial of the Nine-Turn Corridor or the Ten Thousand Flower Heavenly Steps, they can formally join the Sect and enjoy all the resources and cultivation of the Sect."

Hearing this, Mo Yun's graceful face reveals bitterness and despair:

"Heavenly Venerable's kindness is appreciated by Mo Yun. It is just that… the Holy Land has been destroyed, and the Foundation for our race's reproduction is gone; we are destined to perish. Why waste your Sect's resources? We only ask to spend our remaining years in this Wangyue Lake, and we will be satisfied."

She thinks of the blood coral that only had its roots left, the black hole that had sucked away the spiritual milk, and the calcified corpses of her clansmen all over the ground, and her heart aches like it is being cut by a knife.

"That is incorrect. As long as there is life, there is hope. If you can join the Sect to cultivate and improve your Realm, extending your Lifespan, you will have more time and strength to explore ways to solve the continuation of your race."

"Whether it is finding an object to replace the Holy Land or exploring the path of Bloodline transformation, strong cultivation is the Foundation. Perishing is inevitable, but to give up hope voluntarily, isn't it too early?"

These words are like a thunderclap, exploding in Mo Yun's heart. Having been in despair for too long, she had almost forgotten the word "hope". Improving cultivation, extending Lifespan, finding new possibilities…

This is indeed a path she had never dared to think of before! A glimmer of light ignites in her eyes:

"This… is this really possible? Can we… can the remnants of an alien race like us really…"

"Of course you can."

Ling Hao answers decisively,

"The Moonshadow Sect does not distinguish between races; it only values the heart and potential. As long as you pass the test, you are Disciples of our Sect. Your pearl-forming secret technique and your control over water elements are all unique assets."

Ling Hao's words deal a huge shock to Mo Yun and the Merfolk Elders behind her. They look at each other, their eyes rekindling with unprecedented hope.

Just then, the sound transmission talisman on Ling Hao's waist suddenly lights up, and Yu Lingshuang's cold voice comes through:

"Sect Master, my Revered Master and Senior Sister have arrived at the Sect's mountain gate."

Ling Hao raises his eyebrows, somewhat surprised:

"Hmm? So early? Wasn't it agreed for noon?"

He turns to Mo Yun and the others and says:

"I have guests visiting, I will go first. Regarding joining the Sect, Clan Chief Mo can discuss it carefully with your clansmen."

After speaking, his figure instantly disappears from the pavilion.

Mo Yun and the others bow hurriedly to see him off. Watching the direction where Ling Hao disappeared, Mo Yun's heart surges, and she cannot calm down for a long time.

She looks at her daughter, Mo Li, whose eyes are sparkling with longing, and then looks around at the vast and peaceful Wangyue Lake…

"Perhaps… there really is such a glimmer of hope?…"

She mutters to herself.

Recalling what she had heard in these days, a thought quietly takes root in her heart.