458: Chapter 458 Is it awesome?

In the center of the courtyard, beneath the osmanthus tree, two women of vastly different temperaments stood side by side.

On the left was Supreme Elder Lu Yao. She wore a deep green wide-sleeved robe over an ink-gray pleated skirt, her hair tied in a high bun secured by a silver crown and a slanted green jade hairpin. Her posture was as upright as bamboo or pine, and her dignified, elegant face was slightly tense, her lips pursed.

On the right was Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi. Dressed in a moon-white gauze robe and a light pink jacket-skirt, her hair was styled in a cloud-hanging high bun adorned with a white jade silk-tree flower crown, with a pearl chain draped over her forehead. She was gentle and smiling, her eyes brimming with mirth like peach blossoms reflecting off snow, radiating a soft and approachable beauty.

Both women had their hands hidden behind their backs.

Seeing Ling Hao enter, Supreme Elder Lu Yao smiled and spoke in a cool voice:

“According to bridal chamber customs, one must hide the shoes and hang the bells. The embroidered shoes are called ‘Tomorrow's Shoes.’ The Sect Master must wear them tomorrow morning to pay respects to the Elders and report to the Sect. On the night before the wedding, the bride's sisters hide them, and the Dao Companion must find them. This symbolizes the Dao Companion finding the path forward, ensuring she does not ‘walk barefoot into danger’ after marriage. If they aren't found, the Sect Master must go barefoot the next day, which is considered inauspicious.”

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi took over, her smile radiant:

“The bells are called ‘Heart-Linking Bells.’ They are a pair of small bells that the groom must personally tie onto the bride's right ankle on the wedding night. Tying the bells together symbolizes being of one heart, following each other step by step from then on.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping lightly over the courtyard.

“Both items are within the courtyard. We invite the Supreme to search for them.”

Ling Hao swept the area with his Divine Sense.

Except for the wing room, nothing in the courtyard could be hidden from him.

The items were not there. However, two spots felt off; while an ordinary Cultivator's Divine Sense might not notice, how could they hide from him?

There were two exquisite Divine Sense Illusion Formations hidden right behind the two women.

The corners of Ling Hao's mouth curled up. Applying a bit of pressure with his Divine Sense, he broke through their barriers and shattered the illusion Formations.

Supreme Elder Lu Yao was holding a pair of small red embroidered shoes in her right hand, while Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi held the pair of red-stringed ankle bells.

“Elders.”

Ling Hao took a few steps forward, his smile composed.

“The embroidered shoes are in Elder Lu's hand, and the ankle bells are in Elder Zhou's hand. Might I ask for them back?”

Supreme Elder Lu Yao was slightly startled and instinctively tried to hide her hand behind her back again, but Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi lightly bumped her shoulder.

“I told you we couldn't hide it from him.”

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi covered her mouth and chuckled, her gentleness tinged with a hint of mischief. “The Supreme's Divine Sense is truly formidable; I admit defeat.”

Supreme Elder Lu Yao pursed her lips and held the shoes up in the air, but she didn't hand them over.

“We can give them to the Supreme...”

Her voice was cool, yet it carried a slight tremor. “But... according to custom, you... you must...”

She wanted to ask for Spirit Stones, but asking a Supreme for Spirit Stones felt impossible to say.

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi picked up the thread, looking at Ling Hao with a beaming smile:

“You have to kiss both of us. One for each person, no skipping.”

Supreme Elder Lu Yao suddenly turned to glare at her, her ears turning beet red.

“You... you...!”

They had indeed thought of this, but she hadn't expected her to say it so bluntly.

What if they made the Supreme unhappy...

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi only smiled, but her gaze secretly flickered toward Ling Hao; within her flowing eyes, there was clearly a hidden sense of anticipation.

Ling Hao was stunned for a moment, then he burst out laughing.

The way the two were dressed for today's ceremony had indeed caught his eye.

He wasn't blind, nor was he someone who didn't understand romantic tension. He naturally saw it—the affection these two held, as well as their little schemes.

The System interface quietly emerged:

[Name: Supreme Elder Lu Yao]

[Age: 9752]

[Spiritual Root: Wood-Water Spiritual Root]

[Physique: Green Bamboo Spirit Physique]

[Cultivation: Fifth Level of Undergoing Tribulation]

[Favorability: 75]

[Name: Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi]

[Age: 9854]

[Spiritual Root: Water-Ice Spiritual Root]

[Physique: Frost Moon Spirit Physique]

[Cultivation: Sixth Level of Undergoing Tribulation]

[Favorability: 72]

Favorability scores of 75 and 72 were higher than those of initiates who had just passed the sixth turn of the Nine-Turn Corridor.

Perhaps there was opportunism, admiration for the strong, or appreciation of beauty, but there was certainly a degree of sincerity as well.

The moonlight was perfect tonight, the Dao Companion ceremony was complete, and the courtyard was filled with a sweet atmosphere; it was understandable that they wanted to share in some of that sweetness.

Ling Hao glanced at the wing room behind them.

“Do the two Grand Elders truly wish for this?”

The meaning in his words was self-evident—weren't they afraid the Sect Master would find out? Acting like this on her wedding night, wasn't this essentially 'cuckolding' their own Sect Master?

Supreme Elder Lu Yao lowered her gaze and said softly:

“The wing room is protected by a Formation. To maintain the sense of surprise, it can only be viewed with the naked eye; Divine Sense cannot penetrate it. The Formation has not been removed yet...”

She couldn't refuse, so she decided to go all the way.

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi followed up:

“Supreme, we only ask for one kiss. It won't take much time.”

Ling Hao laughed inwardly. It wouldn't take long, but it was still 'cuckolding' in the end.

“Fine.”

Without hesitation, he took a large stride forward.

He first walked up to Supreme Elder Lu Yao. She turned her head slightly. Ling Hao reached out, gently tilted her chin up to face him, leaned down, and kissed her lips.

The moment their lips met, Supreme Elder Lu Yao's entire body trembled, and the embroidered shoes in her hand almost slipped.

Simultaneously, Ling Hao's right hand inconspicuously covered the softness on her chest, giving a gentle squeeze through the deep green robe. Supreme Elder Lu Yao let out a muffled groan but didn't dodge; instead, she leaned forward slightly, allowing that hand to knead as it pleased beneath the fabric.

The kiss wasn't long, but it was enough to completely throw her breathing into disarray.

Ling Hao pulled back and whispered in her ear:

“Elder Lu, it's very soft.”

Supreme Elder Lu Yao's entire face turned beet red, her neck and ears included.

Ling Hao turned with a smile to Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi.

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi was more open; she tilted her face up slightly and closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering.

Ling Hao wrapped one arm around her waist and lowered his head to kiss her lips. His other hand didn't stay idle either, sliding down her waistline to rest firmly on her rounded, perky buttocks, giving them a gentle knead through the gauze robe.

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi's body went limp, and she nearly pressed herself against him. She showed no resistance; instead, she pushed her hips slightly into his palm.

They broke the kiss. Ling Hao also whispered in her ear:

“Mmm, very supple.”

Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi opened her eyes, her gaze filled with joy.

She placed the pair of small red-stringed bells into Ling Hao's palm.

“Tonight... tie them on for the Sect Master. Tie them tight, don't let them fall off.”

She even reached out to give Ling Hao a gentle push.

“Go on, don't keep the Sect Master waiting.”

Supreme Elder Lu Yao regained her composure and solemnly pressed the embroidered shoes into Ling Hao's hands, whispering:

“Tomorrow... remember to put them on the Sect Master.” Her voice still carried the lingering tremors from moments ago.

Ling Hao gripped the shoes and bells and turned toward the wing room door.

After a few steps, he suddenly looked back and smiled.

“I've received both your feelings.”

Under the moonlight, Supreme Elder Lu Yao and Supreme Elder Zhou Zhi were both momentarily stunned. Then, the corners of their mouths curled up in unison, their eyes reflecting the red silk and lanterns of the courtyard, sparkling like a pond filled with spring water.