224: Chapter 224: Using the sect leader's lap pillow makes it easier to comprehend the Dao.

Hundred Flowers Peak summit, elegant courtyard. Strange rocks and spiritual plants, a cool breeze blowing. Looking out into the distance, Tianyuan Peak is towering, and the Twin Lakes are sparkling.

Yu Lingshuang sat upright in the main seat, possessing an inherent air of authority.

Yu Lingling sat by her side. Nangong Mei (Hong Shao) leaned lazily against the cushioned stone chair, pinching a spiritual fruit between her fingertips, beaming with smiles.

Baili Qiao (Zisu) sat with a dignified posture, her purple palace attire making her look gentle, though a trace of worry habitually lingered between her brows.

Yu Linglong sat casually opposite Yu Lingshuang, her charming peach-blossom eyes sweeping over everyone, a lazy smile on her lips, her gaze lingering on Yu Lingshuang for a moment longer.

"It's been half a year..."

Yu Lingling took a light sip of spiritual tea and sighed, "Thinking back to our embarrassment in Songhua County, it feels like a lifetime ago."

Nangong Mei lazily interjected:

"Indeed. Back then, we were so worried about a bit of healing resources that our hair was about to turn white. It's nothing like now, where there's plenty of Sheng-Sheng Creation Spring, and we can soak in the Five Elements Chaos Spirit Pool whenever we want."

She glanced at Yu Lingshuang teasingly.

"Although the contribution points were tight in the first few months, and exchanging our salary for contribution points wasn't enough, we had to take on missions to pay off the loans."

Baili Qiao smiled gently:

"Thanks to Junior Sister Ling Shuang and the arrangements of the Moonshadow Sect, those light tasks like tending to low-level medicinal fields, assisting in the construction of Formation bases, and patrolling the perimeter were just right for the state of our Disciples. The Disciples could recover peacefully while accumulating contribution points."

There was genuine gratitude in her eyes, "As of today, all the 'loans' for the resources we received in advance have finally been paid off with interest! And those Disciples, surely they will be able to pay them off soon too."

"Indeed."

Yu Lingling nodded, "The Disciples have recovered extremely well, and all of them have become Outer Sect Disciples. Their Spiritual Roots have improved, their Origins have been repaired, and their cultivation has progressed rapidly. The immortal-grade Cultivation Technique in the Scripture Pavilion, the practical training in the Heaven-Reaching Tower... all of this is far beyond the past."

Yu Lingshuang did not take credit, saying indifferently: "The resources are there. Whether they use them or study them is entirely voluntary. That the Hundred Flowers Peak Disciples can adapt and grow so quickly is the result of their own efforts."

"By the way,"

Nangong Mei suddenly sat up straighter, a trace of curiosity in her eyes, "Ling Ling, Qiaoqiao, don't you think that this Moonshadow Sect... well, some of the atmosphere is quite unique?"

She turned her gaze to Yu Lingshuang, "It's just as little Ling Shuang said, the Sect Master seems very 'popular' with the Disciples? Inviting Disciples and Elders to engage in Dual Cultivation is also done openly."

Hearing this, a blush also flew across Baili Qiao's dignified face, and she coughed lightly.

"And the cultivation speed of those Disciples who become the Sect Master's Dao Companions is faster than other Disciples."

Yu Lingshuang said frankly: "I know what you want to ask. The Sect Master did not give extra resources to those Elders and Disciples. The reason their cultivation grows faster after becoming Dao Companions is because of a Dual Cultivation Cultivation Technique that the Sect Master and their Dao Companions practice in the Cave Heaven."

"This is an important way to help the evolution of the Sect's Cave Heaven. The Sect maintains an open attitude towards this, and everything is based on mutual consent."

"Inviting... voluntary..." Yu Linglong immediately took over, looking at Yu Lingling with a smile that wasn't quite a smile,

"Junior Sister Ling Ling, I remember near the Scripture Pavilion last month, didn't I see you being 'invited' by someone to 'discuss' a newly acquired Sword Intent?"

Yu Lingling turned bright red instantly, and her ponytail seemed to stand up: "Senior Sister! That was... that was just the Sect Master passing by and giving me a few pointers on Sword Intent!"

She defended herself somewhat flusteredly.

Nangong Mei immediately added fuel to the fire: "Oh my, pointers on Sword Intent? What about you, Qiaoqiao? The other day, I saw you coming back from the direction of the Five Elements Chaos Spirit Pool on Houde Peak, glowing with health, and your aura was much more harmonious. Could it be that you also received 'expert guidance'?"

Baili Qiao's dignified image almost shattered, and she said shyly and angrily: "Hong Shao! You... what are you talking about! I was just... just having some insights while cultivating in the Spirit Pool!" Her earlobes turned red.

"Oh? Insights?"

Nangong Mei laughed until she shook, "Then what about you, Linglong? Wait... don't try to shift it to someone else like you just did. I have 'passed by' near your courtyard several times and faintly heard... well... some kind of low moaning that makes one's heart race? Could it be that you also had too deep an 'insight' while cultivating alone?"

The expression on Yu Linglong's face froze, her peach-blossom eyes widened, "Elder Nangong! Stop talking nonsense! That... that was Ling Hao helping me heal! Repairing the Golden Lotus Origin! It was proper, serious, healing!"

It was indeed proper healing, but as for the perks, Ling Hao certainly took his fair share.

"Oh~~~ healing, huh..."

Nangong Mei dragged out her tone deliberately.

Yu Lingshuang picked up her teacup, covering the slight curve of her lips.

"Elder Nangong also seems to have been running to the yin-yang enlightenment tree often lately, and it seems you even gave someone a lap pillow?"

Baili Qiao, Yu Linglong, and Yu Lingling all focused their gazes on Nangong Mei.

Nangong Mei couldn't laugh anymore. She clearly remembered setting up a concealment Formation.

However, she didn't know that Yu Lingshuang controlled the Sect's grand Formation, and there was little in this Sect that she didn't know.

"Cough... that is just because when resting one's head on the Sect Master's knees, it is easier to comprehend the Dao Rhyme."

Everyone: "..."

Just then, several figures appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.

"Revered Master, Deputy Sect Master, Elders."

Leading them was Baili Qiao's Personal Disciple, Baili Rou, who had a gentle temperament and a graceful figure. Behind her followed several female Disciples.

The lively and spirited Zhujin, the cold-tempered Bai Zhi, and the slightly shy Shu Lan.

Baili Rou led them to bow respectfully, then she seemed a bit hesitant, her cheeks slightly flushed, wanting to speak but stopping.

Baili Qiao's expression was gentle: "Rou'er, what is it?"

Baili Rou bit her lower lip and whispered: "Reporting to the Sect Master, Elders... the Disciples... have recently heard the Senior Sisters on other peaks... often... often talking about the Sect Master..."

"Oh?" Nangong Mei lazily propped up her chin, becoming interested, "Talking about what?"

Zhujin was outspoken and interjected: "They always love to talk about the little daily things of being with the Sect Master, like how gentle and patient the Sect Master is when guiding them in cultivation, and how approachable the Sect Master is when meeting them in the Mission Hall..." She paused, her voice lowered,

"We also... also often hear them sharing with each other... more private matters, like... the feelings of the Sect Master inviting them to... to Dual Cultivate..."

Bai Zhi's cold voice added: "They also... always love to ask us indirectly if the Sect Master has... has... with us Disciples of Hundred Flowers Peak... um..."

She couldn't continue, her gaze glancing quickly at the sitting Yu Lingshuang, the meaning self-evident.

Shu Lan was so shy she lowered her head, her ears turning red.

Baili Qiao looked at the shy and embarrassed appearance of her Disciples, understanding in her heart, a helpless smile appearing on her gentle face.

Seeing this, Yu Linglong looked at Yu Lingshuang with a teasing expression, deliberately raising her voice: "Yo? Why stop when you get to the key part? What are you afraid of? Your Deputy Sect Master used to be the Sect Master of your Linglong Blessed Land! What is there that you dare not say in front of her?"

Nangong Mei immediately followed up, her gaze wandering over the faces of the young female Disciples, especially resting on Baili Rou with a teasing meaning: "Exactly! Rou'er, with you all looking like this, do you feel troubled? Or... have you actually secretly thought about it in your hearts?"

Being asked by Nangong Mei like this, Baili Rou's face instantly turned as red as a ripe peach, her fingers twisting the corner of her clothes, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "Elder Hong Shao... Disciple... Disciple dare not..."

Seeing her Disciple's appearance, which was like a girl having her first crush, how could Baili Qiao not understand?

Handsome in appearance, powerful in strength, approachable, a kindness akin to a rebirth, granting one the Dao, and exceptionally understanding of a young girl's heart... ask, which female cultivator wouldn't like that?

Let alone those Disciples, even them...

Baili Qiao smiled with relief and said softly:

"Silly girls, what is there to be afraid of? The Sect Master... well, he is indeed a very charming person. If you... if you have that intention, then go for it. The rules of the Moonshadow Sect are like this; everything is voluntary, no need to worry too much."

Her words could be considered an indirect response to the concerns the Disciples might have had previously.

Yu Linglong, fearing no chaos, egged them on from the side, raising an eyebrow in Yu Lingshuang's direction: "Hear that? Your Revered Master has spoken! Don't hold back, go ahead and 'snatch the man' from your beloved Deputy Sect Master! See who can snatch him!"

Once these words were spoken, suppressed giggles immediately rang out in the courtyard. Even the usually cold Bai Zhi couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile. Nangong Mei laughed until she shook, and Yu Lingling couldn't help but laugh either. Baili Rou, Zhujin, and Shu Lan were even more too shy to lift their heads.

There was no expression on Yu Lingshuang's cold face; she just picked up her teacup and took an elegant sip, as if the surrounding chatter about her "man" had nothing to do with her.

Outside the Moonshadow Sect.

The winds and clouds of the Cangwu region were quietly surging beneath this superficial calm.

The Wanxian Dynasty's Supreme Old Ancestor Di Fuling had returned, her pressure as a second-tribulation Loose Immortal shocking all directions. There was also news from unknown sources that the Wanxian Dynasty had another Old Ancestor at the seventh level of Undergoing Tribulation.

If true, the Wanxian Dynasty would be the only force in the Cangwu region with two combatants at the Undergoing Tribulation level.

Now, the Wanxian Dynasty's influence was expanding rapidly, and its control over the surrounding areas was greatly strengthened.

Wan Shou Mountain and the Wutong Divine Dynasty had both sent people to probe, but returned in defeat.

Inside the Qifeng Palace of the Wutong Divine Dynasty, Empress Su Fengyi was not only troubled by the Wanxian Dynasty's affairs but also annoyed by the petty actions of the Four Great Families...

And Wan Shou Mountain was overwhelmed by the Erosion Beast Tide coming from the White Rock State in the west, and internal problems had also arisen.