309: Chapter 309 Senior Sister and the others did it! No worries!

"What, what did you just say? You want to engage in Dual Cultivation with me directly?! That's not how the traditional process works!"

"You should chat and interact with me more, then raise my favorability."

"After that, we occasionally exchange gifts or have daily interactions. When a special season arrives, you trigger a special romantic plot with me."

"We reminisce, we mutually acknowledge our feelings, and then you show me your special CG."

"How can you just come up and ask to Dual Cultivation with me directly!? That's not the traditional process at all!"

"But I accept!"

Ling Hao looked at the valiant woman before him, then glanced at the silent third Disciple beside her, and smiled:

"You... are certainly direct."

An Hongxiu put away her spear, wiped the sweat from her brow, and smiled brightly: "Cultivation is like a battlefield; if you see something you want, you must fight for it. I think you are excellent, and I want to be close to you. What is wrong with that?"

Ling Hao couldn't help but laugh. There was nothing wrong with that indeed. As expected of his eldest Disciple; just like her Revered Master, she went straight for the goal.

"Cough, since that's the case..."

Suddenly, Ling Hao turned his head to look at a cluster of lush ancient trees not far away.

After a while, the shadows of the trees stirred, and a figure in light green feather garments with a gentle temperament walked out, looking slightly embarrassed.

Gu Qingyao's face was flushed, and she forced a fake smile:

"Ahaha, Supreme, Senior Sister, and Fellow Daoist Du, so it was you all here... I just arrived, I didn't hear anything at all!"

Ling Hao looked at her behavior, which was like a thief shouting stop thief, couldn't help but shake his head, and sighed.

He didn't know if he was sighing at her lying, or sighing at the missed opportunity...

...

The next day, Stargazing Palace, the main courtyard.

The sun was warm, and a breeze swept through the courtyard, bringing with it the fragrance of grass and trees.

Ling Hao sat leisurely by the stone table, tasting the Nine-Flower Jade Dew Cake that Lu Changning had specially sent over.

The pastry was shaped like a budding jade lotus, crystal clear throughout, with a filling like flowing nectar vaguely visible inside. It emitted the crisp fragrance of spiritual fruit and the mellow aroma of spiritual milk, making one's mouth water.

Lu Changning, dressed in a lotus-root pink dress, stood obediently to the side, her slender fingers picking up a piece and gently handing it to Ling Hao's lips.

Ling Hao opened his mouth with a smile, tasting the pastry, and also the fingertips...

A lively, fragrant breeze rolled in.

"Good person Supreme!"

Yue Qianqian flew over like a happy bird, holding an oil-paper bag, and presented it to Ling Hao like a treasure:

"Hurry and taste this! The most famous Honey-Brewed Osmanthus Crisp in Wutong City!"

Here it comes again! This "good person" title...

Ling Hao took it with a stiff smile, picked up a piece of the golden, crispy pastry, and put it in his mouth. It was crispy and fragrant, sweet but not greasy, and rich with osmanthus scent. Ling Hao nodded and praised:

"Sweet, crispy, and the osmanthus scent is pure. It is indeed excellent."

"I'm glad you like it, Supreme!"

"Hmm, so fragrant!"

Yue Qianqian followed the scent and immediately saw the plate of Nine-Flower Jade Dew Cake on the table. Her almond eyes lit up like stars.

"Wow! This pastry is so beautiful! And the taste..."

She sniffed her little nose, intoxicated by the crisp fragrance, "It seems even more tempting than the Rosy Cloud Crisp I ate last time!"

She remembered the delicious taste she had outside the Guest Welcoming Hall and couldn't help but swallow her saliva, looking at Ling Hao eagerly:

"Can... can I taste it?"

Ling Hao smiled: "Of course you can."

Yue Qianqian immediately picked up a piece of Nine-Flower Jade Dew Cake and put it in her mouth. Instantly, the ultimate deliciousness bloomed on her tongue, making her squint her eyes in happiness and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Mmm—that's the taste! Except for the Rosy Cloud Crisp last time, I've never eaten such delicious pastry!"

She looked at Lu Changning with worship in her eyes:

"Sister Lu, you are so amazing! Can I learn to make this from you?"

Lu Changning looked at the somewhat messy stone table and said with difficulty:

"Here... I'm afraid there isn't enough space."

Yue Qianqian sensed an opportunity and immediately said:

"I know! There is a side hall in Stargazing Palace with a small kitchen that is rarely used. I'll take you there!"

As she said this, she took Lu Changning's hand and begged softly: "Sister Lu, teach me!"

Lu Changning looked at Ling Hao, seeking his opinion.

Ling Hao looked at Yue Qianqian's gluttonous appearance and nodded with a smile.

Only then did Lu Changning agree: "Okay."

The three of them arrived at the side hall. Lu Changning and Yue Qianqian were soon busy in the kitchen.

Ling Hao sat in the courtyard, listening to the slight noises coming from inside and Yue Qianqian's occasional exclamations, a gentle smile on his lips.

Before long, plates of steaming various pastries flew out from the kitchen window one after another, landing on the stone table in front of Ling Hao.

There were not only Nine-Flower Jade Dew Cake and Honey-Brewed Osmanthus Crisp, but also Sparrow Feather Crisp that Yue Qianqian had thought of on a whim, and so on.

Seeing the pastries piling up higher and higher, Ling Hao smiled helplessly toward the kitchen:

"With so many, how can I finish them alone?"

Lu Changning's voice came from the kitchen, "Revered Master, I called Senior Sister and the others over."

Immediately after, Yue Qianqian's voice also came, "I also called Senior Sister, Your Majesty, and Revered Master!"

Not long after, Chi Wanhe landed first, dressed in a pink dress.

"Revered Master! I heard there is a new pastry from Junior Sister Changning?"

Behind her followed Qin Zhaoxue, Du Yuqing, as well as Yue Xinxi and Xia Yingying.

After a while, An Hongxiu and Du Yuqing arrived side by side. Their aura hadn't dissipated, so they must have gone to spar somewhere again.

Lan Zhiwei and Lin Xiwei arrived, still whispering about the unfinished Formation topic when they got there.

Gu Qingyao was the last to arrive, her gaze sweeping over Ling Hao with a subtle expression.

For a time, the courtyard was filled with beautiful women of all kinds. Delicate, gentle, heroic, cold, quiet, confused...

Beauties of different temperaments gathered together, surrounding the fragrant pastries.

Ling Hao scanned the crowd and noticed two people were missing, so he asked Gu Qingyao:

"Qingyao, why don't I see your Your Majesty and your Revered Master?"

Gu Qingyao respectfully replied: "Replying to Supreme, Your Majesty and the National Revered Master seem to have important matters to discuss and could not spare a Clone to attend, so they won't be coming."

As she was speaking, Lu Changning and Yue Qianqian also came out with the last few plates of pastries.

Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Suddenly, Chi Wanhe's eyes rolled, and she picked up a piece of Sparrow Feather Crisp, handing it to Ling Hao's lips coquettishly:

"Revered Master~ taste this, it's delicious!"

Just as Ling Hao opened his mouth to eat it, Qin Zhaoxue also handed over a piece of Nine-Flower Jade Dew Cake. Then came Du Yuqing, who picked up a piece of Icy Jade Plum Blossom Cake and offered it to Ling Hao.

Following that were Lin Xiwei, Lu Changning, Xia Yingying... Even Yue Xinxi tsundere-ly handed over a piece of Hibiscus Thousand-Layer Jelly.

An Hongxiu seeing this, laughed heroically and also picked up a piece of pastry and leaned forward.

"Supreme, thank you for saving us in the Immortal Finger Mountain Secret Realm!"

As she spoke, she delivered the pastry to Ling Hao's mouth.

Ling Hao was a bit dazed. Gratitude... required feeding? But the pastry was already at his lips, and under the gaze of everyone, it didn't seem right not to eat it, so he had to open his mouth.

Just after swallowing, Lan Zhiwei next to him also picked up a piece of pastry and said with a faint smile:

"Supreme, thank you also for your help at Immortal Finger Mountain." The reason was equally high-sounding.

Gu Qingyao watched from the side, dumbfounded. Eldest Senior Sister An Hongxiu had confessed yesterday that she wanted to Dual Cultivate; given her personality, that was one thing, but how could this Third Junior Sister, who was always calm and rational, also...?

Before she could digest it, Yue Qianqian also came up with a grin, picking up a piece of pastry.

"Supreme, thank you for giving me so much delicious food before!"

Gu Qingyao was shocked and complained wildly in her heart.

This works too?! I gave you so much delicious and fun stuff before, why didn't I see you come to thank me, Senior Sister?!

She suddenly realized that the surroundings had been quiet for a moment, and everyone's eyes were focused on her intentionally or unintentionally.

I... do I have to do it too?

Gu Qingyao looked around and was shocked to find that with Your Majesty and Revered Master absent, except for herself, every woman present had fed Ling Hao!

Gu Qingyao looked at Ling Hao's amused gaze, and feeling the strange looks from her Senior and Junior Sisters, she gritted her teeth and, as if she were facing death, picked up a piece of pastry, walked to Ling Hao, and forced herself to be calm:

"Supreme, thank you for saving Revered Master. Please... please eat."

Her voice was a bit unnatural.

She wailed in her heart. I hope Your Majesty didn't notice this scene... Otherwise, there would inevitably be...

Wait, no, Senior Sister and the others did it too! No need to fear!

...

High above the Wutong Divine Tree

Su Fengyi and Ye Xinglan stood side by side, taking in the lively scene in the Stargazing Palace courtyard below.