440: Chapter 440 The Return

Xuan Ji faced Ling Hao, her expression solemn as she said: "Supreme Moonshadow, I know this is asking a lot. We are willing to offer everything the three races have left, and they can also acknowledge you as their Revered Master..."

She paused, her gaze falling on the three little ones, "...They are the last Bloodline of our three races. We hope they can join the Moonshadow Sect."

Yin Lan snorted coldly, her tone awkward as she said: "Don't think we are willing! It's just... if these children stay with us, there is only a dead end."

Her words were tough, but her eyes held deep reluctance. Oh, she's a tsundere.

Fei Yan glared at Yin Lan and smiled apologetically at Ling Hao: "This old thing Yin Lan just has that kind of straightforward personality. I hope you won't take offense, Supreme."

Mo Shuang stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said: "Mo Shuang is willing to follow Supreme Moonshadow and protect the three little Revered Masters."

Ling Hao did not answer immediately, but looked at Yue Xinlan. Yue Xinlan was slightly stunned, then said: "You don't need to consider us. If you are willing to accept them, then accept them. Or if you are unwilling because they are the Yao Race, then the White Rock Holy Land will take them."

Ling Hao shook his head and said peacefully: "Actually, I don't have any objections to the Yao Race. Right now, the Moonshadow Sect already has two Yao Race groups."

He looked at the three little ones and smiled, "Why not ask for their opinion?"

The three little ones were standing not far away, ears perked up, listening clearly.

Jin Linger was silent, her vertical pupils full of reluctance. You Ruo's eyes were already red, her small mouth pouting. Hua Lian gently bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting back and forth between the three Yao Ancestors and Ling Hao.

"We... don't want to leave the Old Ancestor..." You Ruo whispered, her voice choked with tears. Jin Linger and Hua Lian also nodded silently.

The three Yao Ancestors looked at each other, a flash of heartache in their eyes. But Xuan Ji hardened her heart, crouched down, looked at the three little ones levelly, and said softly: "Supreme Moonshadow is not a bad person. Following him will give you a better future in the Moonshadow Sect."

Fei Yan sighed softly and stroked Hua Lian's hair: "Most importantly... we cannot leave the rock cauldron. Soon, we will fall into a deep sleep. By then, who will take care of you?"

The three little ones trembled in unison. Jin Linger was silent for a long time, then finally nodded slowly, tears shimmering in her vertical pupils. You Ruo, teary-eyed, threw herself into Yin Lan's arms and said muffledly: "Old Ancestor... I will miss you..."

Hua Lian said softly: "Old Ancestor, we will come back."

The three little ones came to Ling Hao together. Jin Linger lowered her head; she looked like a little girl, but her voice was cold and clear. "Please... Supreme Moonshadow, take us in."

You Ruo looked up, tears still hanging on her cheeks, her expression fierce yet cute: "Good-looking male brother, I will be very well-behaved in the future!"

Hua Lian looked uneasy, her brows filled with the nervousness of a well-behaved girl afraid of being rejected, and said softly: "Please, Supreme, take us in."

A cold little girl, a fierce yet cute little girl, a well-behaved little girl.

Ling Hao looked at the three small figures in front of him and smiled: "My Moonshadow Sect has always accepted students without discrimination. You are sincere, and it just so happens that we are fated—I agree."

"Thank you, Supreme!" The three Yao Ancestors thanked him, hugging the three little ones, reluctant to part, their eyes full of reluctance and relief. Mo Shuang stood silently to the side, her eyes also a bit red.

Ling Hao watched this scene, feeling a warmth in his heart, and did not rush them. After a long time, Xuan Ji took a deep breath and signaled for Jin Linger to step forward. Jin Linger took out an ancient token from her bosom and handed it to Ling Hao with both hands.

Xuan Ji said: "Supreme Moonshadow, this is the secret token of my Golden-Scaled Black Python race. In the Xiangshen Mountain Range outside the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest, there are some resources and the Legacy of our race stored."

"This was set up by our race as a precaution after the alliance was signed back then. There aren't many resources, but the Legacy has been completely replicated."

Yin Lan also took a tiger-patterned token from You Ruo's hand and awkwardly shoved it to Ling Hao: "Here! It's the Nether Tiger race's! The usage is the same as theirs!" After saying that, she hugged You Ruo tighter.

Fei Yan smiled slightly, took a petal-shaped token from Hua Lian's hand, and offered it to Ling Hao with both hands: "This is the Soul-Devouring Demon Flower race's, please accept it, Supreme."

Ling Hao took them one by one and put them into his storage ring.

"By the way, Supreme, there is also this..." Fei Yan took out another object from Hua Lian's hand.

It was an ancient jade key flowing with water-ripple patterns, lustrous throughout, and cool to the touch. She offered it to Ling Hao with both hands and said softly: "I obtained this by chance when I traveled to the Southern Yanli Sea in my early years, and I have never known its use. I heard it is related to a hidden treasure in the Eastern Ming Cang Sea. Now I hand it to you, Supreme; you decide how to deal with it."

Hua Lian stood to the side, her large, dark eyes secretly looking at Fei Yan's profile, then secretly glancing at Ling Hao, her small hand subconsciously gripping the corner of Fei Yan's clothes.

Ling Hao took the jade key, probed it with his Divine Sense, and was slightly stunned. Inside the jade key, there was actually an ancient spiritual power map, marking the path to a "Sea Eye" in the Eastern Ming Cang Sea. However, most of the latter part was blurred. Next to the map was a line of ancient Yao script annotations—"Source of Life, Beginning of Creation."

Ling Hao thoughtfully stroked the jade key, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. Source of Life? Eastern Ming Cang Sea? Could it be the Child-Mother Sea? ...Another unexpected surprise. He carefully put the jade key away, looked at the three Yao Ancestors, and cupped his hands: "Please rest assured, I will take good care of them."

The three Yao Ancestors returned the salute in unison, their eyes filled with relief.

The sunset went down, and the sky of the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest was dyed a golden red. Ling Hao, with the three little ones and Mo Shuang, stood side by side with Shi Yunyu and Yue Xinlan, looking at the rock cauldron in the depths of the Forbidden Abyss that had regained its brilliance.

"Let's go." Ling Hao withdrew his gaze, "Return to the Holy Land." Everyone turned into streams of light and swept towards the direction of the White Rock Holy Land. The three Yao Ancestors watched their distant figures, remaining motionless for a long time.

...Time passed slowly. White Rock Holy Land, Canglan Peak.

In the courtyard, Chi Wanhe lay bored on the stone table, her chin resting on the back of her hand, her eyes unfocused.

Qin Zhaoxue leaned against a pillar, holding a Dao scripture in her hand, but hadn't turned a page for a long time. Du Yuqing sat upright with her eyes closed, seemingly Cultivating, but her Divine Thought had long since drifted away. Lin Xiwei stood by the railing, lost in thought while looking at the horizon.

Lu Changning walked over from under the corridor carrying a plate of freshly made snacks, and the sweet fragrance of the spiritual food spread through the courtyard. "Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters, try the Osmanthus Spiritual Cake I just made." Lu Changning placed the plate on the stone table.

Chi Wanhe lazily picked up a piece, took a bite, chewed twice, and then put it down. Lu Changning blinked: "Senior Sister, is it... not tasty?" "It's tasty." Chi Wanhe sighed, "But I have no appetite."

Qin Zhaoxue poked half her face out from behind the Dao scripture, the corners of her lips curling slightly: "Your Senior Sister is probably still wanting some cream to stir and eat." "Cream?" Lu Changning tilted her head, "What kind of cream do you want, Senior Sister? I can make it."

Qin Zhaoxue chuckled: "This cream—only Revered Master has it." Lu Changning was stunned for a moment, then seemed to remember something, her cheeks turning red, and she mumbled: "Second Senior Sister... you, you are talking about that..."

"Of course it's that. Little Changning associated it right away, how lewd!" Qin Zhaoxue smiled meaningfully. "I... I... didn't..." "Qin Zhaoxue!" Chi Wanhe sat up abruptly, flustered and exasperated, "What nonsense are you spouting! When did I ever want... want that!"

"Even if I wanted it, don't you guys want it?!" Du Yuqing remained sitting with her eyes closed, as if she hadn't heard anything, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

Lin Xiwei was still looking at the horizon and said indifferently: "Strange, why haven't Sixth Junior Sister and Seventh Junior Sister come over yet?" As soon as the words fell, two figures descended from the sky.

Xia Yingying was dressed in a light water-green gauze skirt, her face full of irrepressible joy. Shui Liuli followed behind her, the hem of her Xuanming Flowing Immortal skirt fluttering gently in the wind. "Sister Xinxi sent me a voice transmission, Revered Master is coming back soon!" Xia Yingying shouted as soon as she landed, her voice full of excitement.

The lazy atmosphere in the courtyard was instantly broken. Chi Wanhe stood up abruptly, Qin Zhaoxue closed the Dao scripture, Du Yuqing opened her eyes, Lin Xiwei turned around, and Lu Changning followed suit. The five women rose into the air, turning into streams of light and flying towards the mountain gate. Xia Yingying and Shui Liuli quickly followed.

In front of the mountain gate, Ling Hao's figure appeared from the sky. His green shirt was upright, his gait calm. Behind him followed Shi Yunyu and Mo Shuang, and further behind was Yue Xinxi holding a little girl's hand, with three little rascals circling around Shi Yunyu.