83: Chapter 83 Half a Year

Time flies, and half a year has passed in a flash.

Since Liuyun Temple high-profilely announced its affiliation with Moonshadow Sect half a year ago, sparking a wave of discussion in the Qing State cultivation world, the expected thunderous retaliation from Tianhuo Sect and Earth Flame Sect has yet to arrive. The surface of the entire Qing State is calm, but undercurrents of unease surge beneath.

Some Cultivators speculate that Moonshadow Sect's display of two Nascent Soul Cultivators deterred the two Sects, making them hesitant. But more people scoffed at this.

“Stupid! Did you forget Ancestor Diyan's words outside Liuyun Temple about settling accounts at the Wending Assembly? Their current inaction is simply because the two from Tianhuo and Diyan reaped enough benefits in the Demon Subduing True Venerable's cave and are both in seclusion to digest them!”

As for Ling Hao's words, “One year? Threatening me? No need to wait a year; within half a year, I will personally go and dismantle your old nests!” This sentence was considered by the Qing State Cultivators to be nothing more than a mere boast.

Regardless, an oppressive feeling of an impending storm has already enveloped the Qing State.

In contrast, Moonshadow Sect is in a state of prosperity. Throughout the Sect, figures of female Disciples in uniform shuttle between magnificent buildings and spiritual mountains and waters, either sparring in the martial arts field with spiritual light flashing, tending to spiritual plants in the spiritual fields and herb gardens, or concentrating on enlightenment in the Scripture Pavilion... everything is in order and full of vitality.

Outside the Sect, the towering erosion suppression monument continuously purifies the erosion qi, protecting the area and earning the sincere support of countless mortals and low-level Cultivators nearby.

The mysterious tower of laws also provides a strong backing for the Disciples to fight against the Erosion Tide. Moonshadow Sect's influence is spreading in all directions at an alarming speed.

Houde Peak, Golden Lotus Workshop.

Golden Lotus Workshop covers a vast area with abundant Spiritual Qi. At its core, a huge Golden Lotus Pond shimmers, and in the clear water, countless phantom golden lotus platforms float, emitting a warm and soft light.

Around the lotus pond, quiet rooms and trial platforms are scattered like stars, and the air is filled with a refreshing, faint scent of lotus.

At this moment, the workshop is bustling with people. By the pond, dozens of female Disciples are concentrating on their cultivation.

Some are walking on water barefoot, leaving no ripples, with swaying lotus shadows confusing the mind and golden lotus patterns on their ankles glowing faintly.

Some are jumping lightly on special platforms, the silver bells on their ankles tinkling like immortal music, their dance graceful. Even better, some tap their jade feet in the air, golden runes appearing instantly to form a Formation, trapping and crushing hard target stones.

In the trial area, the atmosphere is tense. Elder Qu Qingzhu, in a green dress and tall like a bamboo, is presiding over the introductory trial of the Lingbo Jade Foot Art.

“Next, Hua Youyou.”

A good-looking and slightly nervous female Disciple stepped forward, took off her shoes and socks, revealing a pair of fair and delicate jade feet. She took a deep breath and carefully stepped into the Golden Lotus Pond.

The moment her toes touched the phantom lotus platform on the water surface—

Buzz!

Visible ripples centered on her toes rapidly spread! One circle, two circles... seven circles, eight circles!

Just as the ripples seemed about to fade, the ninth circle rippled out perfectly, its shape round and flawless, a perfect concentric circle.

“Nine concentric circles, Perfection! Excellent foot potential! Pass!”

Qu Qingzhu's eyes flashed with approval as she announced loudly. A burst of exclamation and envy immediately rose among the onlookers.

Hua Youyou looked delighted and leaped lightly out of the water.

Next, she stepped barefoot onto the nearby Heavenly Sound Steps, carved from special white jade and inscribed with complex runes.

With the first step, the steps emitted a slightly sluggish single note.

Second step, third step...

Her pace gradually stabilized, and her landing and posture quietly matched a certain mysterious rhythm.

Ding! Dong! Ling! Cong!

Beautiful notes began to play coherently, like a clear spring passing through a ravine, or pearls falling on a jade plate, the melody harmonious and pleasant, making one feel refreshed.

Stepping onto the last step, a complete and beautiful melody lingered in the air.

“The melody is clear, harmonious, and highly compatible! Pass!”

Qu Qingzhu nodded again.

Hua Youyou's face turned red with excitement. After bowing respectfully, she was led to the registration desk and officially obtained the qualification for cultivation.

On a high platform a little further away, Ling Hao stood with his hands behind his back, taking in the trial and nodding slightly. The threshold for this technique was not low, and those who could pass were indeed rare.

Huang Yutong stood by his side and reported in a low voice: “Sect Master, there are currently one thousand and twenty-three Disciples practicing the Jade Foot Technique, of which two hundred and seventeen have reached the Jade Bone Realm (Foundation Establishment Stage).”

Ling Hao said with satisfaction: “Very good.”

(System Interface)

Name: Ling Hao

Age: 21

Realm: First Level Golden Core

[Sect]|[Members]|[Mall]|[Grotto-Heaven]

Moonshadow Sect (Rank 3)

Sect Master: Ling Hao

Sect Population: 15,236 people

Nascent Soul Stage: 2 people

Foundation Establishment Stage: 1,568 people

Qi Refinement Stage: 4,526 people

Qi Induction Stage: 7,052 people

Sect Range: Three thousand miles radius (3D mini-map)

Main Buildings: Sect Main Hall, Courtyard Residences, Sheng-Sheng Creation Spring, Taiyin Cycle Array, Scripture Pavilion, Pill Pavilion, Talisman Pavilion, Artifact Pavilion, Array Pavilion, Nine-Turn Corridor, Spiritual Fields, Spiritual Mines, General Affairs Office, Mission Hall, Grotto-Heaven Paradise, Golden Lotus Workshop... (3D mini-map)

Sect Reputation: 1,752,525

Sect Spirit Stones:

Low-Grade Spirit Stones: 5,223,456,756

Mid-Grade Spirit Stones: 1,389,104

Main Quest:

Three Disciples reach the tenth level of Foundation Establishment (2/3)

Reward: Tribulation Platform

Rank 4 Sect Promotion Conditions:

Standard Strength: Golden Core Stage Disciples ≥ 3

Promotion Rewards: Tower of Grotto-Heaven, Hehuan Platform, Marrow Cleansing Pool upgrade, Achievement System opened.

In just half a year, with the help of cheat-like cultivation, Grotto-Heaven Paradise, Marrow Cleansing Pool, and other Heaven-Defying resources, Moonshadow Sect's strength has skyrocketed! The number of Foundation Establishment Disciples has exceeded 1,500. Ling Hao's Personal Disciples have made even more rapid progress.

Chi Wanhe: Tenth Level of Foundation Establishment, Great Perfection!

Du Yuqing: Jade Bone Realm Great Perfection (Foundation Establishment Perfection)!

Qin Zhaoxue: Eighth Level of Foundation Establishment!

Lu Changning: Third Level of Foundation Establishment!

Lin Xiwei: Eighth Level of Foundation Establishment!

Such a grand occasion made Ling Hao extremely satisfied. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the number of Golden Core True Persons in Moonshadow Sect would exceed the total of all other Sects in the Qing State!

At this time, a female Disciple with a delicate face and blushing cheeks ran forward, her eyes filled with expectation and shyness as she bowed respectfully:

“Sect Master, this Disciple is still unable to grasp the two lines of the Jade Foot Technique Mind-Cultivation Technique: ‘Sitting backward on the lotus platform to receive the jade dew, the arch of the foot hooks the moon to draw the heavenly tide.’ I beg the Sect Master to clarify the confusion.”

Character Panel:

Name: Yun Yanran

Age: 25

Spiritual Root: Water and Fire, Earth Grade

cultivation：Jade Bone Realm Minor Achievement

Loyalty: 96 (Core Disciple)

Ling Hao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the noisy surroundings before landing on a nearby vacant quiet room.

“It's too noisy here. Follow me to the quiet room, and I will explain it to you in detail.”

The door of the quiet room closed quietly, and the Formation light isolating the inside from the outside lit up silently.

Huang Yutong looked at the closed door of the quiet room and subconsciously lowered her head, her gaze falling on the black silk stockings under her skirt that outlined beautiful curves.

This was an outfit that became popular throughout the Sect after Elder Xuemei (Qin Zhaoxue) promoted it. The Sect Master... seems to particularly favor them. Her heart stirred slightly, and she also quietly walked toward the quiet room.

...

Three hours later, Ling Hao walked out of the Golden Lotus Workshop feeling refreshed and composed, feeling his thoughts were clear and his Sea of Consciousness was bright.

“Guiding several Disciples in a row, I am truly... tireless in my teaching.”

He touched his chin and muttered to himself with a hint of playfulness.

Looking at the “Soul Transformation Dao Mark Resonance” option on the System interface, Ling Hao's eyes flashed with brilliance.

Half a year has passed since the last trip to Liuyun Temple. Is it time to settle the final account with those two old things, Tianhuo and Diyan?

Or should I wait a bit longer? Wait for Xiaoxue or Xiwei to also reach the tenth level of Foundation Establishment, and wait for Xiao He and the others to pass the Four-Nine Minor Heavenly Tribulation?

Forget it, there's no need!

A cold arc curled at the corner of Ling Hao's mouth.

I will personally deal with those two old things, Ancestor Tianhuo and Ancestor Diyan! Ling Shuang and Shuying will be responsible for wiping out their Golden Core Elders! Xiao He, Yu Qing, and the others will lead the Foundation Establishment Disciples to go on a killing spree!

One-year agreement? Bullshit! I said I'd hit you in half a year, so I'll hit you in half a year!

He stopped, took out a sound transmission talisman, and injected spiritual power:

“Ling Shuang, are you free? Come to Xuanyin Peak.”

Just after putting away the talisman, Ling Hao suddenly turned his head and looked outside the Sect, frowning.

“People from Liuyun Temple? What are they here for again?”