281: Chapter 281 Disciple

Tianyuan Floating Island, Yixiang Residence.

The morning light was faint, filtering through the trellis entwined with wisteria and honeysuckle, casting mottled shadows.

In a corner of the courtyard, several orchids and green bamboos grew in a staggered arrangement, adding a touch of elegance to this small world. A primitive stone lantern stood quietly in the corner, and the wind chime hanging under the eaves occasionally emitted a clear, pleasant sound.

In the center of the courtyard stood a long green jade table, already laid with several plates of exquisite spirit pastries and seasonal fresh fruits, the faint sweet fragrance mingling with the fresh scent of vegetation.

Lu Changning was carefully placing the last bowl of perfectly simmered spirit rice porridge onto the table, the steam from the food rising in wisps.

At this moment, Yu Lingshuang, Yu Linglong, Chi Shuying, Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, Du Yuqing, Lin Xiwei, Lu Changning, and Xia Yingying were all seated around the table.

There was also a charming young woman in a pink, sheer dress standing gracefully in front of Ling Hao.

Her figure was exquisite and well-proportioned; though not plump, her curves were smooth.

The pink dress set off her snow-white skin, and her eyes were lively, filled with a cunning cleverness as she looked around. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she were always hiding some little secrets.

[Name: Hua Xiangrong]

[Age: 25]

[Spiritual Root: Void Spirit Root (Heaven-grade)]

[Physique: Void Saint Body]

[Cultivation: Golden Core 3rd Layer]

[Loyalty: 100]

Ling Hao looked up and down at the charming woman before him, speechless for a moment, and raised his hand to rub his temple.

"So, you are the first Disciple that Xiao He has newly accepted? You are my granddisciple?"

"That's right! Grandmaster!" Hua Xiangrong replied crisply, her large eyes blinking without a hint of fear.

"Then why didn't you say so when you volunteered at the Dao Assembly earlier?"

Hua Xiangrong blinked, looking innocent and justified as she said, "Doesn't Grandmaster like this? Second Martial Aunt said you definitely wouldn't mind!"

As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward Qin Zhaoxue, who was sitting quietly to the side, with a hint of 'pitiful' pleading.

Ling Hao followed her gaze to Qin Zhaoxue, who was sipping spirit tea. Sensing her Revered Master's gaze, she smiled at Ling Hao.

Ling Hao glared at her in annoyance.

Withdrawing his gaze, Ling Hao caught sight of Hua Xiangrong secretly exchanging a glance with Chi Wanhe. He immediately flicked his finger, tapping her on the forehead.

"The two of you, Revered Master and Disciple, are truly cut from the same cloth; neither of you lets me worry less!"

Although the tone was a reprimand, it was filled with doting and helplessness.

"Xiao He," he turned to Chi Wanhe, "Tell me, why did you decide to accept her?"

Chi Wanhe put down the snack in her hand, her pink cheeks slightly puffed out as she thought seriously before saying, "Revered Master, at that time, she was like a little tail, wandering outside the Talisman Pavilion for many days. No matter how I tried to drive her away, she was persistent. I didn't pay much attention to it, but that day, I suddenly had a feeling..."

"So I took her to test her Spiritual Root, and it turned out to be the same Heaven-grade Void Spirit Root as mine! So I..."

Ling Hao realized.

He hadn't expected that even taking an apprentice would involve such persistence; this style of doing things was quite in line with her lively nature.

"Alright," Ling Hao waved his hand and said to Hua Xiangrong, "You don't have to stand there anymore, sit down and eat."

"Thank you, Grandmaster!"

Hua Xiangrong smiled brightly, and without hesitation, she turned sideways and sat directly on Ling Hao's lap! The girl's warm, soft, and fragrant body pressed against him, carrying the cool morning dew and her own unique, sweet scent.

"Xiangrong!"

Seeing this, Chi Wanhe's willow eyebrows arched, and she immediately scolded, "What kind of behavior is this! Get up at once!"

Hua Xiangrong twisted her body, finding a more comfortable position, and looked up at Ling Hao with a cunning smile.

"It was Grandmaster who told me to sit down."

Yu Linglong and Chi Shuying looked at each other, both revealing amused smiles at the show, and Yu Linglong even covered her mouth and chuckled.

Ling Hao felt the warmth and elasticity from his lap and shook his head with a laugh, not pushing her away.

Qin Zhaoxue, who was to the side, set down her teacup, her gentle voice carrying a teasing tone: "Senior Sister, what kind of Disciple have you accepted? Before she's even warmed up, she's already competing with you for the Revered Master?"

"Alright," Ling Hao said, his gaze sweeping over Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, and the other women, "In the future, when you accept Disciples, you must inform me first, understand?"

He sighed inwardly; not knowing anything and then getting into a Dual Cultivation with a granddisciple without realizing it—this feeling of being kept in the dark was truly unpleasant...

But on second thought, the secret thrill brought by such a taboo status made his heart heat up.

Especially after the Dual Cultivation was completed, the little enchantress under him would suddenly say in a delicate voice, "Grandmaster..."

That feeling, it was really...

"Looking at your expression, Revered Master, it seems like you are saying the opposite?"

Yu Linglong's eyes rippled, and she deliberately drew out her tone.

Ling Hao glanced at her, casually picked up a 'Jade Bamboo Shoot' as thick as an arm from the table, and swiftly stuffed it into Yu Linglong's slightly open red lips.

"Just you with the loose tongue!" He huffed, "Eat your food!"

Yu Linglong was stunned for a moment, then charm flowed from her eyes. She opened her sandalwood mouth, her pearly teeth lightly tapping the tip of the bamboo shoot, her tongue slowly curling over the edges of the bamboo shoot, her movements gentle and seductive, as if she were tasting the world's greatest delicacy.

While licking it leisurely, she stared directly back at Ling Hao with those soul-stealing eyes, and only after taking half of the jade bamboo shoot into her mouth did she gently withdraw it, her tongue lingering over her lips with an unsatisfied expression, leaving behind a provocative look.

Ling Hao's eyes darkened slightly, and he transmitted his voice: "I will deal with you next time!"

Yu Linglong's lips curled up, and she returned a look that said, "I await your arrival."

Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, Du Yuqing, Lin Xiwei, Lu Changning, and Xia Yingying watched this scene with various expressions; some were thoughtful, some had slightly flushed cheeks, but they all obediently replied, "Yes, Revered Master."

After breakfast, Yu Lingshuang, Yu Linglong, and Chi Shuying were the first to stand up and bid farewell. They were the Deputy Sect Master of the Moonshadow Sect and the Sect Master of the Wind Spirit Sect, respectively, both shouldering heavy responsibilities.

Ling Hao waved his hand and sent the other Disciples off to Cultivate, leaving only Xia Yingying behind.

Watching Chi Wanhe pull Hua Xiangrong by the ear as she scolded her all the way into the distance, Ling Hao withdrew his gaze and looked at the petite sixth Disciple before him, nodding with satisfaction.

"At the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul. The Breakthrough to Soul Transformation will be in these few days, right?"

Xia Yingying nodded obediently: "Replying to Revered Master, yes."

"Hmm," Ling Hao said warmly, "When you break through, you must notify me in advance. At that time, I can prepare to completely separate you from Sister Xinxi in your Sea of Consciousness and reshape a Physical Body for her."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yingying's apricot eyes instantly brightened, and her face bloomed with joy: "Really? That's great!"

She immediately cheered in her Sea of Consciousness: "Sister Xinxi! Did you hear that? You will soon have your own body!"

Deep in the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi was silent for a moment before a faint response came: "Hmm."

Xia Yingying noticed a hint of dullness in her tone: "Sister Xinxi? Are you not happy?"

Yue Xinxi's voice carried a hint of awkwardness: "No."

"But..." Xia Yingying wanted to continue asking, but was interrupted by Ling Hao's voice from outside.

"Alright, little Yingying, you go too, and prepare for the Breakthrough with peace of mind."

"Yes! Revered Master, this Disciple takes her leave!"

Xia Yingying suppressed her doubts, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.

Deep in the Sea of Consciousness, Yue Xinxi's Divine Soul phantom sat hugging her knees, her mood indescribably complex.

She was looking forward to having a body of her own and getting rid of this state of being a parasite, yet deep down, she was vaguely resisting it.

Once she had her own Physical Body, would she still be able to be like this, borrowing Yingying's body to be with him...

Pah! Who, who wants to be like that with him! She shook her head vigorously, driving away that absurd thought, but the annoyance lingered.

The Yixiang Residence returned to tranquility. Ling Hao walked alone to the edge of the courtyard, his gaze passing through the clouds and mist of the floating island, landing on the magnificent Moonshadow Sect below.

His thoughts moved slightly as he communicated with the System.

"System, upgrade the Sect to Rank 7!"