478: Chapter 478 Preface to the Guanlan Gathering

Splashes erupted as one figure after another submerged into the warm water.

Their gauze dresses were soaked through, clinging to their bodies and revealing every curve, appearing almost transparent under the light of the spiritual lamps.

Chi Wanhe was the first to swim to Ling Hao, sitting directly onto his left thigh.

Shui Liuli followed closely behind, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder.

Jiang Tingyu unceremoniously claimed his right leg, while Jiang Wangqing leaned against his right shoulder.

Meanwhile, Tushan Baixue, relying on her petite stature, dove straight into Ling Hao's embrace, her five snow-white fox tails floating on the water like a white flower.

"Baixue, you are too cunning—"

"Junior Sister Baixue, when did you get in—"

"It's warm here!" Baixue retorted, shrinking further into Ling Hao's embrace with an air of justification.

Hua Youyou and Huang Yutong leaned against the edge of the pool, one on the left and one on the right.

Hua Youyou's white-silk-clad feet gently brushed against Ling Hao's calves under the water, her toes sliding up along his leg until Ling Hao caught them underwater.

"Youyou, you're getting bolder."

"It's all because the Sect Master spoils me."

Hua Youyou replied confidently, her ankle rotating gently within his palm.

The three members of the Merfolk Race were swimming in the water. Mo Yun swam over from the front, her fish tail splashing water onto Ling Hao's face.

She surfaced, wet hair clinging to her cheeks, her ample bosom rising and falling with her breath.

Ling Hao reached out, pulling her into his arms, and bowed his head to kiss her lips.

Mo Yun's fish tail wrapped around his waist...

"Sect Master～"

"Mm."

Ling Hao remained calm.

Soon, someone noticed something was wrong.

"Sect Master is biased!"

"Revered Master is biased!"

"That's right, biased!"

Ling Hao was submerged.

Submerged by soft arms and lips.

"You all—"

Ling Hao looked down at the marks on his body and smiled helplessly.

"Is this a... feast?"

"Yes, a... feast." All the women said in unison.

"This is what Revered Master chose yourself."

Ling Hao shook his head.

"You are truly not polite at all."

In a corner, Yu Lingshuang, Chi Shuying, and Tushan Bailing stayed together.

They watched the scene, teasing each other.

As the night deepened, the playful sounds in the pool were gradually replaced by lower whispers.

Someone had their wrist held in the water, someone was by the pool bank, and someone tilted their head back under the moonlight, exposing a fragile throat.

Others slid into the water, enjoying this moment of relaxation.

Yun Yanran kicked her white-silk-clad feet in the water before Ling Hao scooped her into his arms; she let out a cry of surprise, then buried her flushed face into his chest.

Hall Master Di Yunling emerged from the shadows, pressing against Ling Hao's back.

"Sect Master, let me give you a massage so you can rest briefly and relieve your fatigue."

"Mm."

Soon, Chi Shuying and Tushan Bailing swam over side by side.

"Sect Master, the reward tonight cannot be too little."

"That goes without saying."

The night deepened further, the water churning.

The moon rose to the center of the sky, then set behind the western mountains.

Ling Hao arrived beside Yu Lingshuang.

The expression on her face was her usual cold and helpless look. But her legs... wrapped around...

Well, very honest.

"You are like this every time."

"Like what?"

"It's just... coming to me only now. Although, fortunately, because I'm the last one, there are no other interruptions."

Ling Hao said nothing, only bowing his head to kiss her. Yu Lingshuang closed her eyes and held him tightly.

A lazy voice sounded.

"Oh my, as expected, the Sect Master is truly thoughtful."

Yu Lingshuang turned her head, looking shy and annoyed.

"Chi Shuying, shut up!"

"Why shut up? I don't see anyone's mouth being able to stay shut tonight."

...

A night of celebration, the sun rose in the east.

Gauze dresses and silk garments were scattered all around the pool—light cyan, goose yellow, deep purple, ink blue, primrose, moon white... like flower petals left behind after a grand feast.

Silk stockings were wrapped around bamboo branches, fox tails rested in wine cups, and fish scales lay among the bluestones.

The air retained the scent of wine and flowers, mixed with an ambiguous aroma of a certain scent, like an invisible veil covering every satisfied sleeping face.

Ling Hao leaned against the pavilion pillar, his chest covered in red marks and tooth marks.

Yu Lingshuang lay in his arms, moving lazily, her voice hoarse:

"Sect Master... there are still two days left."

Ling Hao opened his eyes, looked down at her, and raised an eyebrow: "What, worried I won't hold up?"

Yu Lingshuang chuckled, her fingers drawing circles on his chest: "Just reminding the Sect Master to know your limits, don't when the time comes..."

Before she could finish, Chi Wanhe poked her head out from the side, her hair messy, her face still flushed with lingering color:

"How could Revered Master not be able to! Revered Master is the most amazing!"

Chi Shuying also woke up, lazily propping herself up, the thin gauze sliding off her shoulder to reveal a patch of snow-white skin: "Xiao He is right. Haven't we all experienced the Sect Master's strength?"

The women woke up one after another, chattering away with constant laughter.

Ling Hao looked around—by the pool, inside the pavilion, by the bamboo forest, there was scenery everywhere.

He coughed lightly and stood up: "Ling Shuang, go and notify them."

"Yes, my Sect Master—"

For the next two days, Elders and Disciples came one after another.

The sunlight was brilliant, and Ling Hao sat on the jade platform. Looking out, the beautiful women were seated along the edge of the hot spring pool.

The scenery of the Guanlan Pavilion was magnificent!

Looking up, one could see towering mountains and ridges; looking down, one could observe lush forests and bamboo. Also, lush grasses obscured the secluded valley, with water droplets hanging on the tips of the grass, about to drip but not yet falling.

Where the clear spring flowed through the ravine, the secluded valley held pearls; amidst the hidden and revealed, a warmth flowed slowly down along the valley wall into the hot spring.

As the water rippled, the floating wine cups never ceased.

Ling Hao did not need to get up or reach out; the wine would flow to him on its own, and lips would press against his own. Wherever the floating wine cups went, fragrant nectar and fine wine entered his throat together. Surrounded by beautiful women, he lost track of time with every drink and every bite.

From the jade platform to the hot spring, from the hot spring to the grass, from the grass to the bamboo couch, and back from the bamboo couch to the jade platform.

In the blink of an eye, he watched the moon rise and fall, and the stars shift. As the night ended and dawn broke, he watched the beautiful women, languid and weak, their jade-like bodies reclining.

Good times are fleeting; how can this not evoke deep emotions?

All the sounds of the three days replayed in his mind: the sound of hot spring water, the clinking of wine cups, the laughter of women, the sound of gauze dresses falling...

After today, the scenery in the Guanlan Pavilion would disappear.

But there was one thing that could remain.

Ling Hao rose and walked to the table, picked up a brush, dipped it in the last unfinished cup of spiritual wine by the pool, and wrote on the paper—

"Preface to the Guanlan Gathering"

In the tenth year of Yueying, the year of Jiazi, at the beginning of late spring, we gathered at the Guanlan Pavilion on the shady side of Guanlan Mountain to hold a celebratory gathering. The beautiful women all arrived, young and old gathered together. Here, there are towering mountains and ridges, layers of jade peaks, lush forests and bamboo, and lush grasses; there are also clear springs flowing through ravines, and the secluded valley holds pearls, which we used for floating wine cups along the winding water, seated in order. Although there was no grandeur of bells, drums, and ritual music, every drink and bite was enough to express our deep feelings.

On this day, the sky was clear, and the warm breeze brushed against the skin. Looking up at the beauty of the jade peaks, looking down at the depth of the secluded valley, it was enough to roam one's eyes and expand one's heart, enough to enjoy the pleasures of sight and sound; it was truly delightful.

To be united with the beautiful women, spending the night together, some took from their own hearts, speaking within the jade pass; others entrusted their feelings, letting themselves go beyond the physical form. Although the depth varies, and the pace differs, when we were happy with what we encountered, temporarily satisfied, content and self-sufficient, we did not know the moon was about to set. When we became weary, feelings changed with events, and the lingering charm remained. What we once enjoyed, in the blink of an eye, became a thing of the past, and one cannot help but be moved by it. Moreover, life's length is determined by fate, and it all ends eventually. The ancients said: "The spring night is truly vast." Is it not painful!

Every time I see the way everyone invites me, I join in the agreement, taking my body into their midst, sharing the joy and satisfaction. I know that every day and night is cultivation, and whether swallowing or spitting, both are wonderful methods. The predecessors leave, and the successors come; in the blink of an eye, the outcome is the same. How joyful! Therefore, I list the beautiful women and record what was described. Although time changes and things are different, the way to enjoy ourselves has never changed. Those who climb the pavilion hereafter will also enjoy such ultimate pleasure.

The brush fell, the ink dried.

Yu Lingshuang's gaze fell on the article, and after a moment of silence, she said softly:

"If this preface of yours gets out, I'm afraid you'll be scolded to death."

"Of course this won't get out, it's just for you to see. Later on, whenever you see it, you can recall how awesome your Sect Master is."

Ling Hao folded the paper and put it into his sleeve, looking up at the spring scenery all over the mountains.

Absurd, but joyful.

"Narcissist! Vulgar!"