85: Chapter 85 Pre-Battle Motivation

Moonshadow Sect, Sect square.

The rising sun illuminated the vast Sect square. 1,500 female Disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage stood solemnly, silent as the grave.

They wore moon-white or pale cyan Sect uniforms, their postures upright, their Auras refined, their gazes focused intently on the figure on the high platform—Sect Master Ling Hao. In those gazes was pure reverence and steadfast loyalty.

Ling Hao looked at the "ocean" of heroic female Disciples before him, and a surge of pride rose in his heart. He swept his gaze across the crowd, his voice steady and clear, carrying across the square:

"This time, we go to vindicate the Moonshadow Sect! To open a new chapter for the Qing State! Do you dare to follow this Sect Master into battle?"

"We are willing to follow the Sect Master to open a new chapter for the Qing State!"

Responding to him was a synchronized roar like a landslide or tsunami, a sound wave shaking the heavens and soaring into the clouds! The Battle Intent of the 1,500 female Disciples was instantly ignited, converging into an invisible, majestic Aura.

"Board the ships!"

Ling Hao waved his hand, his voice like a great bell.

Orders were carried out without hesitation! The Disciples immediately turned and flowed like a tide toward the five behemoths hovering at the edge of the square—the cloud whale ships!

Under the envious gazes of the remaining Moonshadow Sect Disciples, the five cloud whale ships roared and slowly rose into the air.

The massive hulls blotted out the sun, emitting a heart-stopping pressure as they parted the clouds and waves, piercing through the air toward the Tianhuo Sect!

This grand and magnificent scene instantly alarmed the Loose Cultivators and Cultivators from small Sects within a radius of hundreds of miles.

"Hiss—five ships! Last time they destroyed the Huoyan Sect, the Moonshadow Sect only sent one. They actually have five of these giant ships! Their foundation is truly unfathomable!"

A Loose Cultivator gasped, his voice trembling.

"Look at that direction... it's the Tianhuo Sect! Could it be that what the Sect Master Yueying said half a year ago about destroying the Tianhuo Sect... was actually true?!"

"Two Nascent Souls, plus these five giant ships... they might really have the capital to go head-to-head with the Tianhuo Sect!"

"Not necessarily!" someone immediately retorted. "The Wending Assembly is being held early at Mieyan Mountain, not far from the Tianhuo Sect. Perhaps the Moonshadow Sect is going to pay tribute? How could they dare to truly go to war with the Tianhuo Sect?"

"I can't miss this big show!"

"Let's go together! Let's see what the Moonshadow Sect is really planning!"

In an instant, many figures drove their escape lights, trailing far behind the cloud whale ships, swarming toward Mieyan Mountain.

A grand drama that would shake the entire cultivation world of the Qing State was about to unfold!

The night sky was like ink, the bright moon hung high, and the cold moonlight sprinkled upon the five giant cloud whale ships sailing through the clouds.

Inside the core cabin of the central flagship.

Ling Hao sat before the desk, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the rice paper spread out on the table. The ink was still wet, displaying two lines of poetry: "Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a hidden fragrance floats in the moonlight of dusk."

"Shuying, Shuying..."

He murmured softly. Since returning from Liuyun Temple, Chi Shuying had been avoiding him, just like Qin Zhaoxue had initially.

Over the past half year, he had been busy guiding Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, Du Yuqing, and others to Cultivate, improving the strength of the entire Sect, and indeed had no time to seek her out.

Ling Hao subconsciously rubbed his lower back. With Xiao He and the others reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage Perfection so quickly, he, as their Revered Master, had certainly "given his all" and exerted plenty of "effort."

"Revered Master~ may I come in?"

Chi Wanhe's charming voice came from outside the cabin door, carrying a hint of sweetness.

"Come in." Ling Hao replied.

The cabin door slid open, and Chi Wanhe slipped in lightly. She was draped only in a thin, cicada-wing-like veil. The moonlight spilled in through the porthole, outlining her graceful figure, with the scenery inside faintly visible, inviting wild imagination.

She smiled charmingly, her beautiful eyes darting around as she walked straight to the desk.

"Revered Master, Disciple has learned a new Move from a book and would like to ask Revered Master for some guidance~"

"Oh? What new Move?" Ling Hao asked with interest.

Chi Wanhe's gaze swept over the two lines of poetry on the desk, and the corners of her lips curled into a cunning and charming arc:

"Didn't Revered Master give us a 'pre-battle motivation' earlier? Today, how about this Disciple gives Revered Master a special 'motivation'?" Before the words left her lips, she had already quietly slid under the desk...

A moment later, Chi Wanhe poked her small face out from under the desk, her red lips moist, her eyes hazy, with a triumphant look as if asking for credit:

"Revered Master~ is this pre-battle 'motivation' satisfactory?"

Ling Hao looked down at his Disciple, whose eyes were filled with spring water, and a satisfied smile rose on his lips:

"Mm, this Revered Master is very satisfied." He reached out and gently stroked the top of her head. "Alright, get up, get ready..."

Chi Wanhe was about to get up.

Outside the cabin door, another mature and charming voice with a unique tone rang out:

"Sect Master, Shuying has something to request, may I come in?"

Shuying?!

Ling Hao's brows furrowed slightly. Why did she have to come at this time?

Old Ancestor?!

Chi Wanhe under the desk froze instantly, her small face deathly pale, her eyes filled with panic. If she were caught by the Old Ancestor in this state hiding under the Revered Master's desk... that would truly be... she would die of shame!

"Sect Master?"

Outside the door, Chi Shuying's voice carried a hint of confusion, seemingly wondering why there was no immediate response from inside.

Ling Hao looked down, meeting Chi Wanhe's pleading, watery eyes that screamed "Refuse! Refuse her quickly!"

His brows suddenly arched, and a wicked smile curved his lips.

Chi Wanhe felt a sense of foreboding! What exactly is Revered Master doing---

"Come in." Ling Hao said loudly.

Aaaah!!! Damnable Revered Master!!! Chi Wanhe wanted to bite him again, and this time she meant it!

The cabin door opened, and Chi Shuying walked in gracefully. Today, she was wearing a thin, pink-mist flowing-cloud dress, which made her figure appear even more exquisite, adding a touch of mature charm compared to her usual self.

She saw Ling Hao sitting behind the desk at a glance, as well as the two lines of poetry on the desk— "Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a hidden fragrance floats in the moonlight of dusk."

Good poem!

Chi Shuying's heart stirred, and a ripple spread within her. Did the Sect Master... know I would come, and write this specifically?

Ling Hao raised his eyes, his expression calm:

"Shuying, what do you seek me for?"

Chi Shuying took a deep breath, as if having made up her mind, and walked toward the desk with light steps. The half-year of distance had allowed her to clearly see her own heart. Coming here tonight was to...

Ling Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, not stopping her, just watching her with composure.

Under the desk, Chi Wanhe was so nervous she dared not breathe, her nose filled with the familiar scent of her Revered Master, her small face flushed red from nervousness and embarrassment. Hearing the footsteps getting closer, she was anxious and pinched Ling Hao's thigh hard!

Ling Hao's body stiffened imperceptibly, but he remained calm on the surface. Seeing it had no effect, Chi Wanhe steeled her heart and bit down, not too lightly and not too heavily!

"Hiss..." Ling Hao couldn't hold back and let out a faint gasp.

Chi Shuying paused, stopping a few steps away from the desk: "Sect Master, are you...?"

"Cough, it's nothing." Ling Hao cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "You can just stand there and speak."

Chi Shuying looked at Ling Hao's slightly strange expression, then glanced at the low desk, her doubts deepening. She steadied herself, her cheeks slightly red, and finally said the words she had been brewing for a long time:

"Sect Master... tonight... can Shuying... stay?"

How can this be?!

Chi Wanhe under the desk was shocked and trembled all over, her head bumping against the bottom of the desk with a "thud"!

This abrupt sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet cabin.

Chi Shuying subconsciously let a strand of Divine Sense sweep under the desk.

Boom! Chi Shuying's cheeks instantly turned as red as if they were dripping blood! She... she actually... in front of a junior... said such things, and even caught...

She was so ashamed and furious that she could no longer stay. She turned around abruptly and rushed out of the cabin door as if fleeing, even forgetting to close the door.

Ling Hao was also stunned. He had thought Chi Shuying was looking for him for serious business, but he hadn't expected it to be for... this kind of "serious business." He shook his head helplessly and reached out to pull the embarrassed Chi Wanhe, who was about to smoke with shame, out from under the desk.

"Revered Master..."

Chi Wanhe had just stood firm, her voice still carrying a sob.

Ling Hao was about to comfort her, but when he looked up, he saw a small head poking in from the open cabin door—it was Qin Zhaoxue, who had come to peek out of curiosity after hearing the commotion!

And behind Qin Zhaoxue, Lu Changning, who had turned her head at the sound, also happened to lock eyes with the disheveled Chi Wanhe, whose face was flushed red, and the helpless-looking Ling Hao inside the cabin!

Big eyes staring at small eyes, for a moment, the air seemed to freeze.