364: Chapter 364 I Want to Go Back to Baiyan Prefecture

Deep within the White Rock Holy Land, an isolated peak was hidden amidst the clouds and mist. Ji Mitai stood respectfully outside an Immortal Cave on the peak, reporting matters from the outside world to a middle-aged man dressed in black robes with cloud patterns, whose face bore a dignified expression.

Suddenly, a vast and overwhelming aura of terrifying Divine Might swept across the entire Holy Land, only to slowly recede a moment later.

A look of fanaticism and surprise, identical to that of all the Outer Sect Disciples, immediately appeared on Ji Mitai's face.

"It is Lady Shi Ji! Lady Shi Ji has returned from the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest! Her Divine Might is unparalleled; to think she could retreat unscathed from such a death trap!"

He habitually offered his praise, expecting to see the usual pleased expression on the Old Ancestor's face.

Sure enough, Ji Mitai saw a great laugh appear on the Old Ancestor's face...?

Wait, why was he laughing?

Ji Mitai was somewhat puzzled, but perhaps it was because his praise was just that good.

Ji Xuanming flipped his hand and took out a jade bottle, entirely translucent white and wreathed in cold Qi, with intricate ice patterns carved onto its surface.

The jade bottle hovered and flew to the front of Ji Mitai.

"Take this bottle of Nine-Turn Ice Soul Erosion-Melting Pill to Starfall Cold Jade Peak and give it to Lady Shi Ji to heal her injuries."

Ji Mitai received the jade bottle with both hands. It felt bone-chillingly cold to the touch, and he was startled.

"Healing injuries?! Lady Shi Ji... is she injured?"

"But Lady Shi Ji..." Ji Mitai hesitated.

As the Cultivator closest to the Mahayana Stage within the Holy Land, who among the upper echelons of the Holy Land did not know the Old Ancestor's feelings for Lady Shi Ji?

It was just that Lady Shi Ji would never accept anything at all from the Old Ancestor.

Ji Xuanming did not answer, only turning his back and leaving behind an unfathomable silhouette.

"Go."

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

Ji Mitai dared not ask more, bowed in acknowledgment, and turned into a streak of light, flying toward Starfall Cold Jade Peak.

During the flight, another question surfaced in his mind.

In the past, whenever something happened to Lady Shi Ji, the Old Ancestor would surely go personally to inquire after her well-being. Why would he have him deliver the medicine on his behalf today?

...

Moonshadow Sect, below Haoran Tower, in the courtyard.

A few spiritual plants dotted the area. In the center, around a wide green jade stone table, sat Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, Lu Changning, Xia Yingying, Shui Liuli, and other Personal Disciples of Ling Hao, as well as Huang Yutong, Yue Xinxi, and others.

Various exquisite pastries were placed on the table, their fragrance overflowing.

Lu Changning and Yue Qianqian were busy pouring tea for everyone. Chi Wanhe picked up a lotus-shaped pastry and laughed delicately:

"Little Changning and Qianqian's skills are truly getting better and better. This Moon-Essence Dew Cake melts in the mouth, is sweet and refreshing without being cloying, and is rich in Spiritual Qi!"

Qin Zhaoxue nodded gently, savoring a pale green spiritual tea jelly with appreciation in her eyes:

"It is indeed excellent. The heat and the ratio of spiritual ingredients are just right."

Shui Liuli ate while curiously studying the spiritual patterns inside the pastries. Huang Yutong sat to the side, enjoying hers quietly with a smile on her lips.

Xia Yingying ate in small bites, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

Yue Xinxi sat beside her, with a few pastries in front of her, but she appeared somewhat distracted, her gaze drifting, not tucking in with relish as she usually did.

Ling Hao's gaze swept over her, and he smiled.

Women, after all, always have those few days every month when they are in a bad mood; he did not think much of it.

The pastries gradually ran out, and everyone thanked Lu Changning and Yue Qianqian one after another.

"Many thanks to Little Changning and Qianqian for the hospitality. Today's tea and pastries were truly wonderful!" Lin Xiwei said as she pulled Du Yuqing to stand up.

"That's right, thank you very much. We have matters to attend to, so we will take our leave first."

"It is a pity that your Third Senior Sister went to Tianyuan Capital City, Qianqian, otherwise she would have been able to taste this today."

The other women also stood up, thanked them, and left one after another.

Just then, Yue Qianqian suddenly gave a cry of "Ah!" and tapped her head in annoyance.

"Oh no, oh no! There is still a pastry warming in the kitchen! I was so busy eating that I almost forgot!"

Her cute appearance caused the women to chuckle again.

Xia Yingying watched Yue Xinxi leave in silence and followed closely behind her.

Soon, Yue Qianqian carefully walked out of the kitchen carrying a white porcelain plate, which held a few steaming pastries.

"Ah... they have left?"

When Yue Qianqian came out, she only saw Ling Hao sitting alone in the courtyard.

"Sigh..."

Yue Qianqian looked down at the cracked pastries, her little face falling. "I made them with Red Crystal Honey and Cloud Ridge Spiritual Wheat. I wanted them to set into the shape of jade beads, but they were kept warm for too long, and the honey inside expanded from the heat, bursting the skin..."

Her tone was full of frustration.

The pastries were shaped like full, round, snow-white steamed buns, except for a slight crack in the middle from which a dark red, viscous syrup with a unique, sweet fragrance slowly seeped out, like a shy maiden revealing her heart.

Ling Hao looked at this familiar and alluring sight, which reminded him of the White Jade Glutinous Rice Dumplings that Lu Changning had made for him for the first time, back when the red bean filling slowly flowed out...

That night, when Little Changning became one with him, the taste was just as sweet and intoxicating.

"Does this pastry have a name?"

Yue Qianqian shook her head. "No, I created it myself. But... I don't know if it tastes good."

By the end, Yue Qianqian was a little insecure.

Ling Hao smiled slightly and pointed at the pastry. "This thing is as translucent white as jade, the crack looks like a door just opening, and the nectar within is like an offering. Why not call it 'Jade Gate Offering'?"

"Jade Gate Offering? That sounds nice!" Yue Qianqian's eyes lit up, her frustration swept away. Like offering a treasure, she pushed the plate toward Ling Hao. "Good Supreme, hurry and taste it to see how it is!"

Ling Hao took one and took a gentle bite.

The outer skin was chewy and carried the fragrance of wheat, while the inside was warm, viscous, and silky Red Crystal Honey, sweet with a strange hint of saltiness—a unique texture.

"Hmm... chewy on the outside and moist on the inside, a blend of sweet and salty; it has a unique flavor. It is truly not bad," Ling Hao praised sincerely.

Looking at the bright smile that bloomed on Yue Qianqian's face due to the praise, with a little bit of syrup still on her petite cherry lips, she looked exceptionally alluring.

Ling Hao's heart stirred, and he suddenly laughed. "The pastry has been tasted. I also have a 'pastry' here that I would like to invite Qianqian to sample as well."

"Really? Where is it? Where is it?" Yue Qianqian immediately perked up, looking around curiously.

Ling Hao smiled mysteriously, took Yue Qianqian's hand, and said, "Come with me." With that, he led her into the kitchen next door.

Soon, a clattering sound of tinkering came from inside the kitchen.

A moment later, Yue Qianqian's voice, filled with deep confusion, drifted out.

"This... is it really edible?"

Ling Hao's voice carried a smile: "Why wouldn't it be? Come, have a taste."

Then came Yue Qianqian's slightly dissatisfied complaint: "Ugh... so hard! It's both salty and bitter! It doesn't taste good at all!"

Inside the kitchen, Yue Qianqian was seen holding a pitch-black, stick-like object in her right hand, with a small piece clearly bitten off the tip. She puffed out her little cheeks and looked at Ling Hao. "Good Supreme, what kind of Purple Sheath Yam is this? You don't know how to make pastries at all! You are a liar!"

Ling Hao smiled nonchalantly and sat down on a low stool nearby.

"Well... this indeed doesn't taste good."

He changed the subject and coaxed, "However, I have another ready-to-eat, delicious pastry that is guaranteed to be better than the last one."

"What is it?"

Yue Qianqian's curiosity was immediately piqued.

"Come here first," Ling Hao pointed to the spot in front of him. "Sit in front of me and let me pat your head."

Although Yue Qianqian didn't understand why, she still followed his words and walked in front of Ling Hao, sitting down obediently, lifting her little face, looking as if she were ready to be plucked.

Ling Hao reached out and gently stroked her smooth hair, his movements gentle.

"Good..."

Outside the kitchen, one could occasionally hear intermittent whispers from within.

"How is it? Does this taste better?"

"Ugh... it is a little bit better than that black thing from before, but it is still a bit salty and bitter..."

"As long as it tastes better than before, it is fine. Remember, this pastry cannot be bitten; you must taste it slowly and carefully..."

"Mm... I know..."

...

On the edge of Tianyuan Floating Island, the wind brushed past jagged rocks, emitting a whimpering sound.

Yue Xinxi stood alone by the railing, her dark hair lifted slightly by the wind, and her elegant, light green Ru dress outlining her slender back. She gazed at the churning sea of clouds beneath the floating island, her eyes somewhat vacant, lost in thought.

"Sister Xinxi?"

A voice came from behind her. Xia Yingying walked gently to her side and looked at her with concern. "You have been standing here for a long time. Ever since we were in the courtyard earlier, I have felt that you seem... very unhappy? Is there something on your mind?"

Yue Xinxi did not answer immediately, remaining silent for a moment.

The sound of the wind wove between the two of them.

After a long while, she finally spoke softly, her voice almost blown away by the wind.

"Yingying..."

"I want to return to White Rock Province."