349: Chapter 349 A Setback

Inside the pavilion.

Ling Hao took out an ice jade hairpin, its body pure white and carved with intricate cloud patterns, and handed it to Yu Zhaohua.

The body of the hairpin looked as if it had captured a segment of solidified, deep night sky; it was a mysterious black, yet under the light, it flowed with extremely faint, ice-blue starlight. The head of the hairpin was cleverly carved into a simple, abstract, layered swirling cloud pattern. Under the refraction of the moonlight, the edges of the cloud patterns would diffuse a faint, moon-white halo, serene and mysterious.

Yu Zhaohua's eyes landed on the hairpin. She watched it quietly for a moment, then raised her eyes to look at Ling Hao, her cold, clear brows knitting together slightly.

A moment later, she reached out, calmly took the hairpin, and tucked it into her sleeve.

"Thank you, Sect Master."

A trace of surprise flashed through Ling Hao's mind.

This reaction... it was neither like nor dislike. Frowning yet accepting? Was it out of respect for the Sect Master's status? His thoughts flickered, and he glanced at the System interface.

[Name: Yu Zhaohua]

[Age: 5090]

[Spiritual Root: Innate Void Spiritual Root]

[Physique: Great Void Returning Silence Dao Physique]

[Cultivation: Void Tempering, 8th Layer]

[Loyalty: 90]

If she truly had no feelings for romantic relationships, then this 90 points of loyalty was likely purely due to her sense of belonging and responsibility to the Moonshadow Sect as a whole, without a shred of personal sentiment.

Ling Hao withdrew his thoughts, looked out the window, and invited her warmly:

"The spring scenery is lovely lately, with flowers in full bloom. Why not walk around with me? Sitting for long periods to Cultivate also requires relaxing the mind to better comprehend the flow of the Heavenly Dao."

Yu Zhaohua raised her eyes, her ice-blue pupils reflecting Ling Hao's figure.

She stood up, her tone indifferent:

"Since the Sect Master invites, I shall comply."

The two stepped out of the Spring Pavilion and walked slowly along a path dotted with blooming flowers. A breeze brushed against their faces, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees and the dampness of the lake in the distance. Before long, they reached the side of Jinxi Pond on the east side of Twin Lakes.

The midday sun poured onto the shimmering lake surface, and the exquisite Taihu stones paved at the bottom of the lake refracted thousands of golden fragments, a beautiful sight to behold.

"Grand Elder Yu, what do you think of the scenery here?"

Ling Hao stopped and pointed to the magnificent view before them.

Yu Zhaohua cast her gaze toward the lake:

"The lake water is clear, the light on the stones reflects the sun; it accords with the principles of nature. It is acceptable."

Ling Hao: "..."

He gave a light cough, caught a pink petal blown down by the wind, and used his fingertips to gently pin the flower into her silver hair.

"This flower is delicate, truly matching the Grand Elder's icy skin and jade bones."

Yu Zhaohua looked at the petal, then at Ling Hao, seemingly confused by his meaning, and only said:

"Flowers bloom and fall, seasons change; this too is the Heavenly Dao."

Ling Hao: "..."

With a wave of his hand, a painted boat appeared by the lake.

"Grand Elder Yu, shall we go boating together?"

On the other side of the lake shore, several young Disciples happened to pass by, their giggles and exclamations carrying over.

"Look! It's the Sect Master!"

"The Sect Master's black jade cloud-patterned robe today really makes him look..."

"If I could get a glance from the Sect Master, I would be willing to not Cultivate for three days..."

"Shh! Don't disturb the Sect Master and the Grand Elder! But... the Sect Master's profile is truly handsome..."

"Look, the Sect Master is pinning a flower for the Grand Elder! I'm so envious..."

Several Elders and young girls had flushed faces, their eyes glued to Ling Hao with infatuation, their admiration plain to see.

This peerless charm, which would usually make ordinary female cultivators swoon, did not stir even a ripple in Yu Zhaohua's eyes.

On a small boat hidden under weeping willows nearby, Yu Lingshuang, Yu Linglong, and Yu Lingling appeared. An invisible barrier of magical power perfectly isolated their presence and voices; this was Ling Hao's handiwork.

"Revered Master... she really has no reaction at all."

Yu Linglong looked through the barrier at the shore and shook her head with a light laugh.

Yu Lingshuang's cold gaze watched as well, and she whispered: "As expected."

Yu Lingling bit her lip slightly.

After the boat ride, Ling Hao led Yu Zhaohua to the Rouge Valley on Qiu Cheng Peak, to the Rainbow Bridge on Yingxia Peak to watch the sea of clouds churn, and to outside the Pill Pavilion on Chunyang Peak to admire the red clouds...

Everywhere they went, there were Disciples or Elders attracted by Ling Hao's demeanor, casting admiring glances and whispering.

However, regardless of the surroundings, regardless of Ling Hao, Yu Zhaohua's reaction remained the same—calm, objective, and without a ripple.

It was as if, in her eyes, everything in this world, including Ling Hao himself, was merely an objective phenomenon existing within the operation of the world.

At night, in the courtyard of the Spring Pavilion on Hundred Flowers Peak.

Back in the courtyard, Ling Hao felt extremely helpless.

For an entire day, he had exhausted all his methods, from gifting a hairpin, to admiring scenery, to pinning a flower, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, with no progress at all.

His gaze fell on the spirit fruits placed on the table, and Ling Hao suddenly remembered something. He flipped his hand and took out a fruit that was shrouded in Spiritual Qi and shaped like an ice sculpture.

"This item is called the Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Fruit, a rare treasure nurtured by the ten-thousand-year cold Qi in the deep cold pool of Xuanyin Peak."

He held it gently with his fingertips and handed the spirit fruit to Yu Zhaohua's lips.

"This fruit is born in extreme cold and perfectly matches the Yin Qi. It has miraculous effects for stabilizing the Void Tempering stage. Grand Elder Yu, why not try it?"

Behind the flower tree, Yu Linglong raised an eyebrow and said:

"Yo, feeding her by hand? The Sect Master's offensive has escalated."

Yu Lingshuang's gaze narrowed slightly. Yu Lingling held her breath nervously.

Yu Zhaohua's gaze fell on the spirit fruit inches away, and she shook her head calmly:

"Thank you, Sect Master, but there is no need."

"Revered Master! If you truly wish to experience romantic feelings, you shouldn't..."

Yu Lingling realized it was inappropriate as soon as the words left her mouth and stopped abruptly. She met Yu Zhaohua's gaze, her face flushed, and she explained in a panic:

"Ling Ling... I just happened to pass by and saw Revered Master here..."

Yu Zhaohua watched her quietly, then glanced at Ling Hao, her ice-blue eyes seeming to see through everything, yet she did not point it out.

She was silent for a moment, then her gaze fell back onto the Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Fruit, and she opened her mouth slightly.

Taking it from Ling Hao's hand, she calmly took the cold spirit fruit into her mouth.

The fruit flesh melted upon entering her mouth, turning into a strand of pure cold-type spiritual power that flowed into her abdomen.

"It is indeed a good item. Thank you, Sect Master."

She nodded in thanks, her tone flat and without waves, as if the act of being fed was no different from taking it herself.

Ling Hao looked at this cold, stunning face with no emotional fluctuations and sighed.

"Grand Elder, please rest well."

He bowed and turned to leave.

"Pfft—"

Behind the flower tree, Yu Linglong covered her mouth tightly, her shoulders shaking violently as she held back laughter, her toes tapping irregularly. The corner of Yu Lingshuang's cold lips also curled into a slight arc.

This scene was rare to see. After all, no matter which Elder or Disciple in the Sect faced such an offensive for a day, even if they didn't fall immediately, they wouldn't have absolutely no reaction at all.

Ling Hao's figure flickered, and he appeared in front of the two.

Looking at the rare, frustrated expression on his face, Yu Linglong's eyes danced with mischief.

"Oh my, our Sect Master, who has walked through ten thousand flowers, has finally encountered a difficult problem today, hasn't he?"

There was also amusement in Yu Lingshuang's eyes as she comforted him.

"Sect Master, you have already done your best..."

Ling Hao looked at the two in front of him, then looked back at the Spring Pavilion courtyard. Yu Zhaohua was talking to Yu Lingling.

Ling Hao spread his hands, made a helpless expression at Yu Lingshuang and Yu Linglong, and sighed.

"Your Revered Master... is indeed... an extraordinary person."

Damn it, it seems I was too subtle this time? Should I be more direct next time?!

Inside the pavilion.

Yu Zhaohua savored the sweetness of the spirit fruit.

The cherry blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the spring breeze was gentle, yet it could not blow even half a bit into her heart, which was as lonely as ancient black ice.

Yu Lingling's voice came faintly:

"Revered Master, if you truly wish to experience romantic feelings, perhaps... you should follow the Sect Master's wishes more?"

Yu Zhaohua asked in return:

"Follow his wishes? Meaning whatever he says, I agree to?"

Yu Lingling: "..."

She was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Seven days later, Tianyuan Peak.

It was the end of spring and the beginning of summer; the vegetation was lush and full of vitality.

Yu Lingshuang and Yu Linglong stood side by side on the peak, watching the massive Moonshadow Sect fleet turn into streams of light, breaking through the clouds and speeding toward the western horizon.