263: Chapter 263 The Seven Innate Cycles

Moonlight, like water, soaked the quiet Linglong Pavilion.

Jade bamboo grew slanted by the pond, their segments as white and translucent as jade. As the night wind passed, the tips of the bamboo drooped toward the pond's surface, their slender leaves like delicate jade toes lightly tapping the cold water. Ripples spread across the surface, causing the reflection of Yangyuan Peak to sway slightly.

"You... you really are just as Junior Sister said, so fond of..."

From beside the pavilion came Yu Linglong's whispered voice. Her tone was disdainful, yet it seemed to carry a hint of pride.

"Fond of what?"

“Hmph... Pervert!”

“Heh, if I'm a pervert, then you, who likes a pervert... are also a pervert.”

“Sharp-tongued...”

The voices gradually faded, and the moonlight grew hazy.

...

The wind picked up slightly, and the jade bamboo by the pond carved shallow marks upon the ink-jade water surface. The reflected solitary peak was repeatedly teased and sliced in the water, its cold, hard silhouette becoming blurred and rippling in the waves.

Bamboo shadows overlapped in the water. The wind pressed the bamboo low, their bodies dipping into the water, gently covering the reflection of the entire mountain peak from summit to base.

In a moment when the wind paused, the bamboo tips suddenly sprang up, bringing with them strings of water droplets that sparkled like shattered jade under the moonlight.

Beside the pavilion, voices were heard once more.

“Alright, that's enough... Wait! What are you trying to do!”

“No waiting! Naturally, I'm doing what I want to do!”

...

As the moon sank in the west, the giant shadow of the solitary peak was stretched long, crossing a sunken corner of the pond and probing into the embrace of Linglong Pond.

A sudden wind rose, and rain fell upon the courtyard. The rain disturbed the mirror-smooth water surface, and the reflected image of the peak was submerged by the shattered droplets, becoming blurred and indistinguishable.

When the bright moon, hiding behind the clouds, set against the western mountains, everything merged into the rain, including the figures and voices within the pavilion.

Clouds and mist drifted around the peak's summit, and the rain gathered into a turbid torrent, turning into a waterfall that rushed down toward Linglong Pond. The pond water surged, accepting its only source of inflow.

At daybreak, the first ray of pale golden morning light pierced the blue-gray sky, gently spilling over the cold pond.

The water surface was as smooth as before, reflecting all things. Jade bamboo, dewdrops, white clouds, the solitary peak...

That cluster of jade bamboo, having weathered a night of wind and rain, had its leaves drooping, with water droplets hanging from the tips, sparkling in the morning light.

In the damp patches by the pond, moss quietly unfurled, emitting a cold, faint glow. The scent of the previous night had already dissipated from the air, replaced by the natural fragrance emitted by the moss.

Upon the pond water, a bamboo leaf drifted down.

“Tap.”

Ripples spread out, and the reflection of the mountain peak was once again gently crushed.

[Ding! Detected that Yu Linglong's loyalty has reached 100%, triggering Heaven-Defying Fate Change! Reward: Innate Luck — Golden Lotus Dao Mark]

Golden Lotus Dao Mark: Treading upon earth veins produces golden lotuses; a hundred miles of mountains and rivers shrink to an inch. Compatibility with the Great Dao of Space is increased, making the comprehension of related Dao laws twice as effective with half the effort.

[One of the achievements for the Seven Innate Lucks has been completed; please keep up the good work.]

Seven Innate Lucks: Heavenly Decree Jade Gate, Heavenly Pillar Dao Bone, Golden Lotus Dao Mark, Soft Jade Dao Seal, Lotus Platform Throne, Jade Cauldron Dao Fetus, Kunyu Twin Peaks.

Reward: Hidden (Unlocks after completing three achievements)

Yu Linglong's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around; the air still seemed to drift with that faint, lingering fragrance from last night.

A morning breeze brushed past, carrying the crisp scent of the mountains, completely blowing away the remaining traces of intimacy.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling upon the sleeping profile of Ling Hao beside her. The morning light outlined his smooth features.

A thought naturally crossed Yu Linglong's mind.

“He actually looks quite good.”

Her eyes inadvertently swept over the ambiguous marks on her body, and Yu Linglong whispered:

“Lucky you.”

Just as she was about to get up, she saw the corners of Ling Hao's mouth curl up slightly. Though the curve was shallow, it clearly carried a hint of a smile.

Yu Linglong gave a soft huff and made a move to leave.

“I'm leaving. Today I still have to handle a pile of Sect affairs for you. I truly have a life of toil.”

As soon as she moved her body, she felt a tightening around her waist. She was firmly encircled by a powerful arm, and warm breath brushed against her ear.

“For today, let Yutong and Youyou handle your share for a while. You should just rest peacefully.”

The deep voice and familiar embrace made Yu Linglong involuntarily lose herself in them.

“Rest? Rest for what?”

Yu Linglong raised an eyebrow and gave his chest a light poke with her fingertip.

“Last time you promised to give me a foot massage every seven days, but what happened? Either you were held back by some Junior Sister, or a Heavenly Tribulation was imminent, or the Wanxian Dynasty was causing trouble. Great Sect Master Ling, haven't you broken your word a bit too often?”

Ling Hao chuckled, his arm tightening a bit more.

“So you still remember this and are angry because of it. Then why didn't you say so last night?”

“Last night...”

A blush rose to Yu Linglong's face. Was she supposed to say she was too excited last night that she forgot?

“Last night was my generosity, but you still deceived and teased me today. I have no choice but to settle old scores.”

“I'm going to spread the word about your foot fetish to everyone, so all the Disciples in the Sect know. Let's see if they'll be disgusted by you!”

“Oh, there's such a good thing?!”

Ling Hao lowered his head, his nose almost brushing her forehead hair. “I was just worried I didn't have enough.”

“Perhaps you could even give some Disciples extra lessons, just like how you taught Hua Youyou.”

“You...”

Yu Linglong hadn't expected Ling Hao to be so thick-skinned. Was he really not afraid of the Sect Disciples knowing about his special hobby?

“Your hand, don't move around...”

“Then you move your feet.”

“...”

The two whispered and played in the morning light until finally, Ling Hao picked up the blushing Yu Linglong and walked steadily toward the inner chamber to settle her down for a rest.

As Ling Hao stepped out of Linglong Pavilion, he saw Ximen Huaping already standing quietly under the corridor, waiting.

“Elder Ximen, why didn't you send word when you arrived?” Ling Hao asked.

Ximen Huaping's gaze shifted slightly between Ling Hao and Linglong Pavilion, with a knowing smile:

“How would I dare disturb the Sect Master and Deputy Sect Master's... important business?”

Ling Hao laughed heartily upon hearing this and teased, “If Elder Ximen is interested, you could join in as well.”

Ximen Huaping hurriedly shook her head, a helpless, bitter smile appearing on her face:

“Sect Master, please do not joke. With such conduct, I fear this Elder would be beaten to death on the spot by the Deputy Sect Master.”

She paused for a moment and said seriously, “Sect Master, Heavenly Venerate Wanshan and Heavenly Venerate Fengwu have sent word.”

Ling Hao restrained his smile and nodded. “In that case, let us head over there now.”