415: Chapter 415 Half Moon Half Moon

Shi Qingxuan sat at the stone desk, her back straight as a pine, yet her gaze knew not where to land.

From childhood to adulthood, she had never shown a pleasant face to men, let alone had many opportunities to be alone with one. Sitting across from Ling Hao now, she actually didn't know what to say.

Ling Hao, however, was composed. Over a cup of tea, he chatted about everything from the scenery of White Rock Province to the interesting anecdotes of Cangwu Province, and from cultivation insights to local customs and sights. Shi Qingxuan gradually relaxed, occasionally responding with a few words, the curve of her lips deepening slightly.

Unknowingly, the sun began to tilt westward.

The two stood up and walked down the mountain path. Arriving before a quiet courtyard, Shi Qingxuan stopped and said softly:

"This is my residence. Supreme... please wait a moment."

Ling Hao nodded.

Shi Qingxuan turned and entered the wing room, closing the door behind her.

Ling Hao stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, listening to the faint sounds from inside. Before long, the door opened.

He looked up, and his breath hitched slightly.

Shi Qingxuan stood in the doorway, pale golden light and shadow streaming from behind her, outlining her figure like a dream or a phantom.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like a cold pond reflecting the moon; her nose was elegant, and her lips were a pale crimson. Her features were exquisitely carved and flawless, where her noble bone structure and stunning beauty perfectly unified at this moment. The silver-white sword scar at the corner of her eye had vanished, revealing a face beautiful enough to make heaven and earth lose their color.

She had changed into a pale apricot-yellow cross-collared ruqun. The neckline was slightly open, revealing a section of her lustrous white collarbone. The upper garment was cinched at the waist, perfectly outlining the curve of her slender waist that could be circled by a single hand.

The lower skirt was uniquely designed—the front hem was short, ending above the knee to reveal a large area of her white, jade-like thighs, while the back hem cascaded down like flowing water. As she walked, the skirt swayed gently, making those long, straight legs the focus of attention. From the base of her thighs to her toes, the lines were smooth and flawless, her skin glowing with a warm jade-like luster in the twilight, making it impossible to look away.

Her dark hair was half-tied and half-loose, with a white jade hairpin stuck diagonally in her bun and a few strands of hair falling by her cheeks; her pretty face was elegant and otherworldly. Her eyes held a hint of gentleness, and also a trace of... nervousness.

Ling Hao stepped forward and naturally took Shi Qingxuan's hand.

Shi Qingxuan's hand struggled slightly to pull away, but she could not break free.

"You look beautiful," Ling Hao whispered.

Shi Qingxuan looked up at him, her eyes shimmering like water.

Ling Hao raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing the strands of hair falling by her cheek, tucking them behind her ear. As his thumb brushed against her earlobe, he clearly felt her body tremble slightly.

Ling Hao lowered his head and kissed her.

Shi Qingxuan froze completely. Her eyes widened, her pupils contracting slightly, and the warm touch on her lips left her mind a complete blank.

His lips were very soft, carrying a faint scent of milk tea, as they pressed gently against hers.

She should have pushed him away.

But Shi Qingxuan's hands only gripped the man's lapels tightly, her fingertips turning white, yet she couldn't muster any strength.

Ling Hao's tongue gently traced the line of her lips, lingering at the slightly parted gap.

Shi Qingxuan's heart beat so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest, her ears burned hot, and she felt as if she were soaked in warm water or treading on clouds—her footing was unsteady, and she couldn't find a point of support.

She instinctively closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a startled butterfly.

Ling Hao's tongue pried open her teeth and explored inside.

A soft moan escaped Shi Qingxuan's throat, her body went limp, and she almost couldn't stand.

Ling Hao's hand reached out in time to support her waist, pulling her closer into his embrace. That waist was slender and soft; through the thin layer of clothing, he could feel the warmth of her skin and her slight tremors beneath his palm.

Shi Qingxuan was as inexperienced as if she hadn't lived for thousands of years as a Cultivator.

Her tongue clumsily dodged and then clumsily responded, as if she had no idea how to deal with such an invasion. Every gentle touch would elicit a more intense tremor from her.

Ling Hao's kiss gradually deepened, changing from probing to a full-scale conquest.

Hot breath and saliva intertwined.

Shi Qingxuan's breathing was completely disordered. Her fingers gripping Ling Hao's lapels slowly loosened and then tightened again. She was like a flower crushed by the spring breeze, leaning softly in his arms.

She thought dizzily—so this is what a kiss is.

So being this close to someone feels like this.

So being held in someone's arms provides this kind of peace of mind.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Revered Master, this Disciple has something to report—"

Shen Yunjie's voice stopped abruptly.

The three women were all stunned at the courtyard entrance.

Shen Yunjie was like someone hit by an immobilization spell, rooted to the spot. The expression on her face changed from surprise to bewilderment, and then quickly returned to normal.

Cen Xi stood behind her, her mouth open wide enough to fit an egg, her eyes bulging. Only one thought remained in her mind—what did I just see? What did I just see?!

Jiang Shiyu's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her gaze quickly swept between Ling Hao and Shi Qingxuan before she lowered her eyes.

The air froze for a moment.

"I didn't see anything!"

Shen Yunjie was the first to react. She turned to leave, dragging the stunned Cen Xi with her.

Cen Xi was pulled back stumbling, still muttering, "I knew it. Revered Master has been dressing up so beautifully lately; it must be because of Supreme Moonshadow..."

"Shut up!" Shen Yunjie barked in a low voice.

The three figures quickly disappeared outside the courtyard gate.

Once they were far away, Cen Xi broke free from Shen Yunjie's hand and said, "Look, Eldest Senior Sister, they were actually kissing!"

Shen Yunjie kept a stern face: "Do not speak nonsense."

"Senior Sister, you saw it too, didn't you?" Cen Xi said righteously.

Shen Yunjie was silent for a moment, then gave a soft "Mm."

Jiang Shiyu's gaze drifted toward the evening clouds in the distant sky, who knows what she was thinking.

...

At the edge of the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest.

The dense canopy blotted out the sky, blocking the sunlight and leaving the forest as dark as twilight. The scent of decaying leaves mixed with damp moisture permeated the air.

Two figures descended from the sky and landed at the edge of the forest.

Liu Ruyan wore a fiery red dress, which was particularly eye-catching in front of this dark green forest. She looked deep into the dense woods, a trace of wariness flashing in her peach-blossom eyes: "The Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest stretches for tens of thousands of miles, with the three great Yao Races each occupying a region. You've been in here before; do you still remember the way?"

Ji Xuanming's face was gloomy as his gaze swept over the forest: "The last time I entered, I encountered a Mahayana Stage tiger yao. I fled for my life, and while attacking wildly, I seemed to have destroyed an altar. That direction... should be toward the north-central area."

Liu Ruyan was thoughtful: "The Netherworld Saber-Toothed Tiger clan? You encountered them? A Mahayana Stage... Tiger Ancestor? How did you escape?"

Ji Xuanming's expression became even more unsightly:

"It couldn't have been the Tiger Ancestor, otherwise I would have been dead long ago! I attacked blindly and destroyed the altar, which seemed to have broken something. They stopped bothering with me after that. I only managed to escape by using my life-saving trump cards."

Liu Ruyan nodded and didn't press further, only saying:

"Lead the way. Let's first go to the place you visited before."

The two figures flashed and vanished into the depths of the forest, quickly swallowed by the thick shade.

...

For the next half month, the White Rock Holy Land was calm, though as for the undercurrents...

Ling Hao frequently visited Starfall Cold Jade Peak to "discuss" the details of the trip to the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest and resisting the Erosion Beast Tide with Shi Yunyu. Occasionally, when Shi Qingxuan was free, they would stroll through the mountains together, sipping tea and discussing the Dao. These matters were known only to a few, and outsiders could not see them.

Naturally, Ling Hao had several encounters with Shi Qingxuan's three Disciples and, as an Elder, even gave them gifts.

Shen Yunjie received a jade pendant that nourished the Divine Soul and kept Heart Demons at bay during cultivation; Cen Xi received an Immortal-grade Flying Sword, its blade as blue as if it had been washed, matching her lively and straightforward personality perfectly; Jiang Shiyu received a roll of Plain silk that could withstand a full-strength blow from the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, yet was so light and soft it could barely be felt.

The three were both surprised and delighted. Their impression of him was already good, and now their favor toward this "Grandmaster" soared.

The news spread.

The Moonshadow Sect Disciples sat around a table, chirping away.

"Have you heard? The Sect Master is going to become Dao Companions with Sect Leader Shi!"

"It's a good thing. With the two Sects allied, cooperation will be even more seamless in the future."

"Then... Sect Leader Shi seems like a different person? Is this her True appearance?..."

"You forgot, Sect Leader Shi merely restored her True appearance. I heard she used a Secret technique to conceal her looks in her early years just to make it easier to govern the Holy Land."

"Then why now..."

"Does that even need asking? A woman beautifies herself for the one who appreciates her, after all!"

On the other side, the White Rock Holy Land Disciples were also gossiping.

One Disciple sighed: "So Sect Leader Shi was actually this beautiful? I joined the Sect late and never saw her true face."

A tall, thin Disciple shook his head: "I haven't seen it either. I heard from the Senior Brothers that she used to have a scar at the corner of her eye and never bothered to hide it. Now, though..."

"What about now?"

"Now she's unbelievably beautiful."

"Right, I caught a glimpse from afar at the Sect meeting the other day and almost didn't recognize her."

Someone said sourly: "No matter how beautiful she is, she belongs to Supreme Moonshadow now."

"What luck Supreme Moonshadow has!" A round-faced Disciple said in grief, slapping his thigh.

"He comes to White Rock Province, and not only does he spirit away our Sect Master, but even Lady Shi Ji treats him... how are the rest of us supposed to live?"

"Do you think in the future, the female Elders and female Disciples in the Holy Land will also..."

Someone whispered, and before the sentence was finished, someone else took over.

"Why wait for the future? There are already signs now!"

A tall, thin Disciple lowered his voice, his face full of grief and indignation.

"Senior Sister Liu, whom I've admired for three years, took one look at Supreme Moonshadow at the Martial arts arena yesterday and has been distracted ever since. Today she even ran to Canglan Peak to deliver Spiritual tea! Delivering Spiritual tea! When has she ever given anything to a man!"

"That's nothing!"

The round-faced Disciple got even more excited, "My little Junior Sister, who just joined half a year ago, keeps saying 'Supreme Moonshadow this' and 'Supreme Moonshadow that' every day. She doesn't even come to ask me about my best sword techniques anymore!"

"It's over, it's over... life is no longer worth living!"

For a time, wails, arguments, and sighs rose and fell one after another.

Half a month passed quickly.