409: Chapter 409 The Attack on Water Glass

Outside Starfall Cold Jade Peak, a figure stood with his hands behind his back.

Ji Xuanming's expression was gloomy; he had seen the rainbow light when Ling Hao left just now.

When that figure in green robes flew out from Starfall Cold Jade Peak, their eyes had met, and he had also seen the trace of a smile in those eyes.

He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

A moment later, Shi Yunyu's figure appeared on the mountain path.

Ji Xuanming took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Lady Shi Ji."

Shi Yunyu looked at him with a calm gaze.

"Supreme Elder Ji, what business do you have with me?"

Ji Xuanming said in a heavy voice:

"Including the previous ones, I have sent dozens of messages. Why have you not replied?"

Shi Yunyu said indifferently, "I didn't see them."

A flash of anger crossed Ji Xuanming's eyes. Didn't see them? How could a Mahayana Cultivator not know when a communication talisman entered their body?

His gaze moved past Shi Yunyu, looking in the direction Ling Hao had left, and he sneered:

"What did you talk about with that Moon Shadow Sect Master all day today, My Lady? Are you planning to trade away the Sect's half of the Profound Immortal Cultivation Technique as well?"

Shi Yunyu's expression remained unchanged:

"It was just casual conversation, unrelated to the Sect's interests."

"Is that so?"

Ji Xuanming sneered, the jealousy and anger in his eyes almost erupting.

He had pursued Shi Yunyu for many years. Although it was initially for that half of the Profound Immortal-level technique, later it was for the other half...

However, with those two halves of the technique, he hit a wall no matter which one he wanted.

He usually prided himself as the second-in-command of the White Rock Holy Land; how could he tolerate an outsider getting there first?

"My Lady, do not lead yourself astray."

Ji Xuanming's voice was cold and sharp,

"That Moon Shadow Sect Master is not a member of our Sect; he has no right to read that half of the Profound Immortal Cultivation Technique. Moreover, he is a philanderer with countless female Cultivators around him. How could he treat you sincerely? He must be after the Cultivation Technique in your hands!"

Shi Yunyu's face darkened, her gaze as cold as frost:

"Moon Shadow Sect Master has never said he wanted to become my Dao Companion, nor has he ever shown the slightest interest in that half of the Profound Immortal Cultivation Technique!"

"Furthermore, if you are only here to say these things, you may leave."

Ji Xuanming suppressed his anger and changed his expression.

"Fine, let's not talk about that."

He softened his tone,

"Regarding the crisis of the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest, I have a plan. I have already achieved a Breakthrough to the Mahayana Realm, and I can certainly comprehend that half of the Profound Immortal Cultivation Technique now. My strength will surely increase significantly. Then, when the three of us take action together, our chances of success will increase considerably."

Shi Yunyu frowned slightly:

"You have already tried that Cultivation Technique; it has nothing to do with one's Realm. If there is no affinity, there is no affinity. Your desire to use it to reach the next level is nothing but a delusion. Supreme Elder Ji, there's no need to mention it again."

"As for entering the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest, I have decided that you will guard the White Rock Holy Land."

Ji Xuanming's face changed. "What?"

"In one month, after the preparations are complete, Supreme Moonshadow and I will enter the Demon Forest together. The Holy Land needs someone to guard it."

"You will stay behind."

"On what grounds?" Ji Xuanming said angrily. "I am a dignified Mahayana, how can I..."

"You are the weakest."

Shi Yunyu interrupted him,

"The True Demon Realm is restless, and the Cangyuan Main Rift to the west cannot be left unguarded. If you do not guard it and something goes wrong there, who will take responsibility?"

After a long while, Ji Xuanming gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. If I must guard it, I will."

He changed the subject, his eyes flickering:

"Since that's the case, I would like to study the half of the White Rock Cauldron Control Art in your hands, My Lady."

Shi Yunyu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"With only half, it is useless. Because it's impossible to control the rock cauldron with it."

She looked directly at Ji Xuanming:

"Or is it that you have the other half, Supreme Elder Ji?"

Ji Xuanming's expression remained unchanged. "No."

Shi Yunyu did not look away and continued:

"That half was originally obtained from a branch stronghold of the Niding Alliance in Baiyan Province. The other half couldn't be found despite searching everywhere. If we could obtain the full version, we could approach the rock cauldron and avoid interference from the three Mahayana Erosion Beasts. By using it to gather the Luck of Baiyan Province, our chances of success would increase greatly."

Ji Xuanming said with an air of righteousness:

"My Lady, there is no need for suspicion. This concerns the survival of the White Rock Holy Land. As a Supreme Elder, if I had it, I would naturally produce it. I only wanted to study the half of the White Rock Cauldron Control Art to see if I could complete it. Since you do not believe me, there is nothing more to say."

He cupped his hands and said stiffly:

"Then we shall follow your plan. You two go to the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest, and I will guard the place. However—"

He looked up, his eyes full of gloom:

"If it fails and the White Rock Holy Land is destroyed, you will be the sinner of the White Rock Holy Land and the sinner of Baiyan Province!"

With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.

Shi Yunyu stood where she was, watching him leave.

Those eyes, as gentle as water, were as deep as an abyss.

"You'd better not have that other half of the White Rock Cauldron Control Art... otherwise..."

...

Night, the Canglan Peak courtyard.

Candlelight flickered, enveloping the room in a hazy, warm glow. Ling Hao pushed open the door and entered with light steps.

He walked through the outer room, went around the screen, and was about to head to the inner chamber when he saw the gauze curtains on the bed half-drawn. A slender figure lay on her side, the thin quilt outlining her exquisite curves.

Ling Hao's lips curled up as he chuckled, "Xiao He is quite impatient today..."

Without stopping his pace, Ling Hao went around the screen and clearly saw the person on the bed—

It wasn't Chi Wanhe.

The young girl wore an extremely thin moon-white gauze dress, as light as mist and as thin as a cicada's wing. The gauze was almost transparent, like morning mist enveloping her newly matured body, hazily revealing every contour beneath.

The candlelight shone from the side, casting every curve of her slender figure onto the gauze. It was as clear as a painting, yet as hazy as looking at a flower through water.

Moonlight spilled down, and her silver hair was scattered about. A few strands rested on her shoulders and hung over her chest, the ends just barely touching her curves. Some strands fell beside her cheeks, making her small face look even more charming. Others were spread across the pillow, winding like a stream.

Her shoulders were rounded and small, her collarbones delicate. Moving further down, her chest rose and fell slightly. The curve wasn't large, but it was just right, softly propping up the thin gauze and leaving two faint marks at the highest points. Like flower buds about to bloom, they weren't quite clear through the morning dew, leaving much to the imagination.

The gauze clung to her skin, tapering down along the curves of her chest. Her waist was so slender it could be held in one hand. Where the thin gauze adhered, the smooth lines of her waist were faintly visible, without a hint of excess flesh.

Further down, the hem of the dress spread out, revealing a pair of legs.

Those legs were long and straight, glowing with a soft, warm luster under the candlelight. One leg was slightly bent, and the thin gauze had slipped from the side of her leg, bunching at the back of her knee, revealing her entire calf and a portion of her thigh.

Her feet were bare, resting on the dark edge of the bed, making them look glowingly white. Her arches curved gracefully, and her long, slender toes were slightly curled, painted with a pale pink polish that looked like ten tiny pearls in the candlelight.

Looking closely, there were faint blue veins on the tops of her feet, thin and barely visible through the thin skin.

The faint fragrance of a young girl filled the air.

The scent was extremely fresh, like a newly bloomed flower bud in spring covered in morning dew, or like a wild orchid by a mountain stream being swayed by the wind.

Moonlight soaks the silver strands, thin gauze covers the jade branch. A faint fragrance floats in the dark night, as a spring breeze lingers in the room.

Ling Hao stared in a daze, and his respect rose solemnly.

Seeing Ling Hao enter, Shui Liuli's purple eyes immediately lit up. Overjoyed, she rolled over and sat up. The thin gauze slipped a bit from her shoulder, revealing a patch of even whiter skin. Unaware, she called out sweetly:

"Revered Master~ You're finally back~"

Ling Hao suppressed himself a little and said:

"Liuli? Why is it you? What are you doing in your Revered Master's room?"

If he remembered correctly, tonight was supposed to be Chi Wanhe's turn.

Shui Liuli jumped off the bed and ran to him barefoot.

She looked up, her purple eyes shimmering with light, and held up a slip of paper triumphantly:

"Eldest Senior Sister has already lost you to me~ So tonight, it's this disciple's turn to accompany Revered Master~"

Ling Hao took the slip of paper; it had "Chi Wanhe" written on it. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry—when they were playing cards that day, they actually used this duty roster as a stake?

He looked down at the blushing small face before him. Shui Liuli had leaned in even closer, her body beneath the thin gauze almost pressing against his arm, and her scent became even more intense.

Ling Hao reached out, his thumb gently stroking her slightly warm cheek. Her skin was as delicate as fresh snow, and the spot his fingertip touched immediately turned a faint pink.

He chuckled, "You little rascal, was this premeditated?"

"Aren't you afraid of Cangming being here?"

"She said she's going into a deep sleep for a while, so she won't see!"

Shui Liuli rubbed against his palm like a satisfied kitten and muttered softly, "This disciple has waited for this day... for a long time..."

The candlelight flickered, reflecting two tiny points of light in her eyes.

"We were interrupted by Third Senior Sister last time. Tonight... Revered Master, you belong to me!"