227: Chapter 227 This concerns the future of the sect

Just on the other side of a sparse bamboo grove.

Xia Yingying squatted on the ground, her small hands cupping her cheeks, her delicate brows knitted into a little knot as she muttered to the existence in her Sea of Consciousness:

"Senior Sister Xinxi, do you think... should I send a voice transmission to Fourth Senior Sister? I... I can't find my way back again..." Her tone was pitiable.

In the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi's Divine Thought rolled her eyes in annoyance:

"Yingying, your talent for getting lost is truly unparalleled! Just say it if you want me to 'guide' you..."

"Or, you could just ask a Junior Sister for directions."

Xia Yingying mumbled,

"If a Junior Sister finds out that a Senior Sister like me is still getting lost, I..."

"Hmph, the whole Sect knows already, what are you still worried about?"

"Eh? Wait... Someone's coming! It's your Revered Master!"

As soon as the words fell, Ling Hao's figure appeared before her. Looking at this confused Disciple, he shook his head helplessly:

"Let's go, I'll take you back."

"Revered Master!" Xia Yingying's small face instantly bloomed with a brilliant smile as she hopped over happily.

Just as she got close to Ling Hao, her petite nose twitched a few times like a puppy's.

"Hmm?"

She tilted her head in confusion, her clear, large eyes blinking as she pointed at Ling Hao's lapel and asked: "Revered Master, you... smell like Elder Ximen! It's fragrant, and also a bit... hmm... like the smell of sunshine, and a bit cool..."

Ling Hao couldn't help but laugh. Only then did he remember that he had forgotten to clear away the lingering Sun-Moon Dao Body aura of Ximen Huaping and... some other traces.

Xia Yingying tilted her head, looked at Ling Hao, and suddenly stuck out her pink tongue to lick her lips. Her eyes were bright as she blurted out:

"I want some too!"

Immediately, she seemed to realize something was wrong and quickly covered her small mouth, her large eyes blinking as she explained:

"Ah! No, no! It's... it's Senior Sister Xinxi who said she wanted this scent!"

In the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi's Divine Thought fluctuated violently, and a gritted-teeth shout came through:

Xia Yingying!!! You idiot! When did I ever say that!!!

Although, she did indeed sometimes...

Ahhh, she definitely didn't!!!

...

Morning light dawned, and the fragrance of enticing food filled Yixiang Residence. A long table was already laden with an array of breakfast dishes.

Lu Changning was busy at the kitchen stove. The steamer was steaming hot, and a new batch of crystal-clear shrimp dumplings was about to be served.

On the table were several exquisite snacks. There was Jade Marrow Spirit Rice porridge emitting the fresh scent of spirit grains, Hundred Flower cake sprinkled with bits of spirit fruit, golden and crispy Dragon Whisker Spirit Fish rolls, and several plates of emerald green, Qi-filled stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

Ling Hao's Disciples were already seated around the table. Chi Wanhe rested her chin on her hand, her gaze turned toward the direction of Xuanyin Peak, and she pouted:

"With the Junior Sister's absentmindedness, she probably got lost in some bamboo path again, right? She went to get something and hasn't returned after so long."

Qin Zhaoxue heard this, and a hint of helpless amusement appeared on her cold face as she gently shook her head: "Just get used to it."

Lin Xiwei's gaze turned to Du Yuqing, and she asked softly: "Third Senior Sister, last night... did Revered Master stay with you?"

Du Yuqing put down her jade chopsticks and shook her head: "No."

As soon as the words fell, a crisp and happy call came from the sky: "I'm back!"

Everyone looked up and saw Ling Hao descending gracefully with a jubilant Xia Yingying. Xia Yingying's small face was flushed; she was clearly very excited about being flown back by her Revered Master.

Chi Wanhe's eyes darted between the two, and she drew out her tone teasingly:

"Oh—Revered Master~ don't tell me you... 'found' our Junior Sister halfway and 'instructed' her along the way?"

Ling Hao glared at her in annoyance and flicked his finger lightly against her smooth forehead:

"You girl, what are you thinking about all day? Am I that unbearable in your eyes?" His tone carried a touch of feigned anger, but it could not hide the pampering in his eyes.

Xia Yingying nodded vigorously at this moment, adding: "Eldest Senior Sister is right! Revered Master definitely didn't 'do that' with me!"

She said this so bluntly that even Du Yuqing and Qin Zhaoxue couldn't help but smile.

Ling Hao immediately looked at Chi Wanhe with an expression that said 'See what I told you': "Hear that? I..."

However, Xia Yingying's next sentence caused his expression to instantly freeze.

The little girl said with certainty:

"However, I can smell Elder Ximen's scent on Revered Master... hmm, a very clear scent! So last night, Revered Master was definitely with Elder Ximen."

Ling Hao: "..."

He was speechless for a moment, a trace of embarrassment at being exposed flashing across his face. He could only helplessly rub Xia Yingying's head, which earned him a confused blink from her.

Chi Wanhe had an 'I knew it' expression and covered her mouth to giggle.

Just at this moment, a fragrant breeze drifted over. Chi Shuying, Huang Yutong, and Lin Shihan arrived together, followed by Yu Lingshuang.

Unexpectedly, even Yu Linglong arrived uninvited, walking barefoot with gold bells jingling on her ankles. She swept her beautiful eyes over the table of delicacies and sat down in an empty seat with righteous confidence—clearly here to freeload.

The breakfast, with its subtle yet lively atmosphere, soon ended.

Ling Hao put down his jade chopsticks, his gaze slowly sweeping over the beauties surrounding him.

Yu Lingshuang's cultivation had already reached the first level of Void Tempering. Within the Sect, by utilizing the power of the Moonshadow Grotto-Heaven, her Realm could be temporarily raised to the Great Perfection of Void Tempering.

This was already the limit that the Grotto-Heaven Middle Stage could support. If she could advance to the Late Stage, its power would certainly go a step further.

Yu Linglong had the cultivation of Body Integration Great Perfection, but when she looked at Yu Lingshuang, a flash of complexity crossed her eyes. She, who was originally at the ninth level of Body Integration, had now been surpassed by her Junior Sister.

Although Chi Shuying was busy with the affairs of the Wind Spirit Sect, her cultivation had not lagged behind and had already reached the fifth level of Body Integration. Over the past half year, she had often 'found time' to come to Ling Hao to 'discuss important matters'.

The Disciples had also made their own progress. Chi Wanhe and Lin Xiwei were at the fifth level of Soul Transformation, Qin Zhaoxue at the fourth level of Soul Transformation, Du Yuqing's Undying Realm (Body Refining) Foundation was solid, Lu Changning was at the third level of Soul Transformation, and even the latest Disciple to join, Xia Yingying, had steadily entered the Nascent Soul Stage.

Chi Wanhe, having eaten her fill, habitually hugged Ling Hao's arm and shook it gently, looking up with her small face to ask: "Revered Master, are you... still going to the Mortal World mirror platform today?"

Ling Hao's thoughts stirred, and he brought up the System interface:

Main Task: Establish a Branch Sect (must be at least 100,000 miles from the Main Sect)

Reward: Sect Luck System module unlocked (requires Sect to reach Rank 6)

Rank 6 Sect Promotion Conditions:

Nascent Soul Stage Disciples ≥ 5 people

everlasting light tablet registered Golden Core Stage and above Disciples ≥ 5000 people (4999 / 5000)

Complete Main Task [Establish Branch Sect]

[Promotion Reward: Earth Vein Rebirth]

"Naturally, I must go. Deep communication with Disciples concerns enlightenment of the Dao, how can I be slack? This is the very Foundation of the Sect's future."

He spoke with a straight face, as if stating some profound truth.

Chi Wanhe's pretty face flushed slightly, and she spat lightly, but she hugged his arm even tighter.

Yu Linglong rolled her eyes at the side, cursing inwardly: This bastard, speaking so righteously!