61: Chapter 61 The Third Foundation Establishment Disciple Advances to a Third-Rank Sect

Deep within the hot spring mist, violent shaking suddenly shattered the calm surface of the water.

Large splashes of milky white water sprayed out, wetting the rocks by the spring's edge. The mist was violently stirred, rolling and steaming like boiling white smoke.

Chaotic ripples stacked layer upon layer, pushing toward the pool's bank, one circle pushing another, overflowing the stone edge before weakly sliding back.

The sun was high in the sky.

The thick, impenetrable white mist finally began to settle slowly after experiencing the upheaval.

Above the spring pool, the rich vitality of the spirit spring mixed with the unique cloying sweetness of passion and the faint saltiness of sweat, suffusing the air with an ambiguous and damp atmosphere.

Only tiny ripples remained on the pool's surface, gently spreading outwards in circles.

In the crystal-clear spring water, two figures were tightly entwined, rising and falling.

Ling Hao leaned lazily against the warm wall of the spring, his body half-submerged in the water.

Du Yuqing, like a satisfied cat, lay softly and limply against his broad, firm chest, as if she had melted.

The surroundings were silent, with only the gentle gurgling of the spring water intertwining with their long, slightly husky breathing.

Time seemed to have frozen in this warm, misty atmosphere.

After a long while, Du Yuqing's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes. Those eyes, usually so stubborn, were now soaked with a hazy, water-like mist, clearly reflecting Ling Hao's figure and filled with undisguised love and complete submission.

She tilted her flushed face slightly, resting her chin gently on his rising and falling chest, her voice husky and languid from the aftermath:

"Revered Master..."

Ling Hao did not speak; he merely lowered his head and planted a long, soft kiss on her sweat-dampened temple, a low rumble of a response escaping his throat:

"Hm?"

Du Yuqing curled the corners of her lips in satisfaction, snuggling further into his embrace like a small beast seeking warmth, and closed her eyes peacefully.

"Ding! Du Yuqing's loyalty has reached 100, triggering Heaven-Defying Fate. Her Bloodline has been upgraded from Holy Lotus Heaven Vein to Holy Lotus Ancestral Vein, and it has been raised to ten parts—fully Awakened!"

Holy Lotus Ancestral Vein:

Ancestral Vein Sacred Rite: Suppresses 30% of cultivation for those without an Ancestral Vein. (Maximum bypass of one major Realm).

Myriad Laws Return to Purity: Twelve-Petaled Chaos Lotus patterns appear on the body surface; attacks below a certain power level are reversed into Blood Qi to nourish the user.

Purifying World Red Lotus: Consumes Bloodline (recovers very slowly), 10x attack bonus.

Myriad Calamities Nirvana: Rebirth from a drop of blood...

...

Good grief... No need to worry about the Third Disciple's Bloodline Awakening anymore; the System just maxed it out directly.

Meanwhile, inside Changming Hall, the bright moon symbolizing Du Yuqing suddenly shone with immense brilliance, rising slowly from the edge of the galaxy, rotating slowly around the central blazing sun as if standing guard on either side.

On the silent, massive stone tablet in the depths of the hall, as if carved by an invisible giant pen, the three characters "Du Yuqing" suddenly appeared, shining with brilliant golden light, majestic and imposing!

"Hm..." Du Yuqing, immersed in the lingering warmth, suddenly knitted her beautiful brows, opened her eyes again, and looked at Ling Hao with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

"Revered Master... you... please don't do this anymore..."

Her voice carried a hint of unbearable panting, and her skin flushed with an unnatural crimson,

"Disciple... Disciple feels like something is wrong again... it's so hot..."

Ling Hao, whose fingers had been aimlessly adrift underwater, suddenly froze.

"Ahem..." A hint of mischief flashed in his eyes, immediately replaced by understanding,

"This time, it really has nothing to do with Revered Master. It is the power deep within your Bloodline that is boiling and transforming."

Du Yuqing instantly sensed the surging, vast, and mighty power within her body. That scorching heat originated from the depths of her Bloodline, carrying a newfound dominance!

She suddenly propped herself up from Ling Hao's embrace.

Splash—!

Crystal-clear water droplets, like pearls on a broken string, rolled off her full, delicate body.

Right there in the clear spring water, she sat cross-legged with composure, her five centers facing the sky.

The moment she closed her eyes and focused, a pure and vast aura erupted from her delicate body. Above the entire Moonshadow Sect, the wind and clouds changed color.

Countless phantom images of golden lotus flowers bloomed out of thin air.

They radiated a pure, glazed luster, layered and stacked, filling the firmament. Each one was as large as a mountain, shining with holy, flawless light, slowly rotating!

Golden rays of light cascaded down like a waterfall, enveloping the entire Sect.

Wherever the rays passed, plants grew wildly, flowers bloomed in competition, withered branches sprouted buds, and the world was filled with an intensely rich aura of life and the holy Dao charm that purifies all things!

The Disciples bathed in the golden light felt their own blood and Qi increase significantly.

All the Disciples could not help but stop what they were doing, gazing at the boundless sacred scene of the lotus sea that covered the entire Sect, appearing like a divine miracle.

In the spring pool.

Ling Hao wore a doting smile on his lips, his burning gaze appreciating the perfect delicate body before him, set against the backdrop of Holy Light and lotus shadows.

"Viewed from the side, a peak; from the front, a ridge; varying in height and distance."

Every curve and turn was a favorite gift from the Creator—plump and luscious, holy yet alluring, like a ripe peach on a branch, waiting to be plucked.

"Ding! The Sect now has three Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples; the Sect Master's cultivation has increased to Foundation Establishment Layer 10!"

"Ding! The requirements for promoting to a Third-Rank Sect have been met; the Sect Rank has been raised to Third-Rank. Bonus: Nascent Soul Dao Mark Resonance for twelve hours."

???

The System notification that suddenly exploded in his mind forcefully dragged Ling Hao's gaze away from the beautiful scenery.

What the heck? Three Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples?

Chi Wanhe and Du Yuqing are definitely two...

But isn't Xiaoxue still stuck at Qi Refinement Layer 10?

Ling Hao thought, and Qin Zhaoxue's information panel immediately appeared before his eyes:

Name: Qin Zhaoxue

Age: 22

Spiritual Root: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth-grade Spiritual Root

Physique: Heavenly Yin Physique

Cultivation: Qi Refinement Layer 10

Loyalty: 99

Qi Refinement Layer 10!

Then who is this third Foundation Establishment Stage Disciple? Ling Hao was completely bewildered.

He hurriedly brought up his Sect Master panel:

Name: Ling Hao

Age: 20

Realm: Foundation Establishment Layer 10 (With one thousand Qi Refinement Stage Disciples in the Sect, can upgrade to Golden Core Layer 1)

[Sect] | [Members] | [Mall] | [Cave Heaven]

Moonshadow Sect (Third-Rank)

Sect Master: Ling Hao

Sect Population: 5525 (Golden Core Stage 2, Foundation Establishment Stage 3, Qi Refinement Stage 999, Qi Induction Stage 3666)

Sect Area (3D Mini-Map): Radius of 3000 Li

Sect Main Buildings (3D Mini-Map): Sect Main Hall, Courtyard Residences, Sheng-Sheng Creation Spring, Mountain Protection Array Taiyin Cycle Array, Scripture Pavilion, Pill Pavilion, Talisman Pavilion, Artifact Pavilion, Nine-Turn Corridor, Spirit Fields, Spirit Mines, Affairs Department, Mission Hall, Cave Heaven Blessed Land, Golden Lotus Workshop...

Sect Prestige: 752525

Sect Spirit Stones: Low-Grade Spirit Stone 52234567, Mid-Grade Spirit Stone 13891

Main Quest: One thousand Disciples reach Qi Refinement Stage (999/1000), Reward: Nascent Soul Dao Mark Resonance for twelve hours

[Fourth-Rank Sect Promotion Requirements]

Standard Strength: Golden Core Stage Disciples ≥ 3

Promotion Reward: Cave Heaven Tower, Joyous Pavilion, Marrow Cleansing Pool upgrade, Achievement System unlocked.

The panel clearly stated there were three Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples! It seemed the System was not mistaken.

Ling Hao suppressed his doubts and immediately switched to the [Members] roster, quickly browsing through it.

"Found it!"

Ling Hao's gaze locked onto a name:

Name: Lin Xiwei

Age: 20

Spiritual Root: Earth, Earth-grade Spiritual Root (Yin and Yang, recessive special Spiritual Root)

Physique: Samsara Body

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Layer 1

Loyalty: 88