After the sect competition, Zuo Yunmo and some elders were responsible for receiving the guests from various sects and clans who stayed behind, while Luo Jianqing and Mo Qiu went to the Lingyun Hall. Initially reluctant to enter, Mo Qiu was persuaded by Luo Jianqing, who whispered to him, “Since even my master didn’t notice, you can relax. The Sect Master probably just wants to ask you some questions.”

Reluctantly, Mo Qiu entered the Lingyun Hall.

Inside the Lingyun Hall, Elder Haoxingzi praised Luo Jianqing and even gave him many treasures, including a ground-level flying treasure ship. Despite the grand gesture, it was clear how pleased Haoxingzi was. However, in the end, he asked, “Jianqing, I don’t understand one thing. Why did you challenge Yan Su?”

Defeating Yan Su naturally brought fame, but no one would question not challenging him either.

Upon hearing this, Luo Jianqing respectfully replied, “Senior Sect Master, this matter involves an agreement between me and my master.”

At this, Haoxingzi curiously exclaimed “Oh,” and Mo Qiu, standing aside, also looked surprised at Luo Jianqing. However, to his regret, Haoxingzi didn’t inquire further, and since Luo Jianqing didn’t elaborate, no one knew what the so-called agreement was.

Next, Haoxingzi finally shifted his gaze to Mo Qiu. In an instant, the pressure belonging to a Great Ascension Stage elder pressed down on Mo Qiu like a thousand-pound mountain, forcing him down half an inch into the floor, catching Mo Qiu off guard, causing him to grunt and sink slightly.

Upon seeing this, Luo Jianqing exclaimed in astonishment, “Senior, what are you doing…?!”

Haoxingzi suddenly withdrew his pressure and laughed heartily, “Truly a rare spiritual body in ten thousand years. This friend Mo, your mental power is formidable, ranking among the best I’ve ever seen. There’s a special constitution known as the Spirit God Body. Individuals with this type of physique possess exceptionally strong souls, far surpassing others at the same level, with highly acute spiritual awareness. Today, you were the first to detect Yan Su’s demonic aura, which must be attributed to this.”

Luo Jianqing was stunned and turned to look at Mo Qiu.

Only he, Mo Qiu, and Qing Jun knew about Mo Qiu being a demon cultivator. Even Xuanlingzi hadn’t noticed. Previously, Luo Jianqing had assumed that demon cultivators were sensitive to demonic energy, but judging by Haoxingzi’s attitude, it seemed like there was more to it. Could it be that Mo Qiu was indeed a Spirit God Body?

The elegant and beautiful red-robed cultivator calmly said, “I see.”

Luo Jianqing: “…”

So composed?

Haoxingzi didn’t expect Mo Qiu to react so calmly, neither asking excitedly about the Spirit God Body nor showing any signs of excitement. However, after a moment’s thought, Haoxingzi realized that Mo Qiu, born in the Mo family in the frigid ice wilderness, must have matured and restrained disposition after enduring hardships.

Not dwelling on it too much, Haoxingzi secretly regretted that Mo Qiu belonged to the Mo family. As long as the Mo family remained silent, it would be difficult for him to recruit Mo Qiu to Taihua Mountain. Based on Mo Qiu’s remarkable performance in the competition arena earlier, even if he wasn’t in the later stage of Yuan Ying cultivation now, the Mo family wouldn’t let him go.

So Haoxingzi directly bestowed two ground-level treasures upon Mo Qiu, as a token of gratitude for saving Luo Jianqing thus forming a good relationship.

Luo Jianqing and Mo Qiu left the Lingyun Hall together. Before they could take a few steps, four or five cultivators in luxurious robes surrounded them. The leader, an old man with white hair, looked at Mo Qiu sharply for a long time before speaking, “I am the seventh ancestor of the Mo family. By seniority, I am your great-great-great uncle.”

Mo Qiu was taken aback by this revelation.

In the past, the Mo family hadn’t paid much attention to Mo Qiu. They didn’t mind when he didn’t return to the family. But now things were different. A Nascent Soul stage and three Core Formation stage cultivators cornered Mo Qiu. Seeing this, Luo Jianqing could only smile wryly, greet Mo Qiu, and then return to the Yuxiao Peak alone.

As he left, he could still hear Mo Qiu’s frustrated shout, “Luo Jianqing! Are you still my friend?!”

To which Luo Jianqing’s response was: Pick up the pace and leave quickly.

Amidst the verdant mountains, a streak of light swiftly soared through the continuous peaks, arriving at the central peak of Taihua Mountain, Yuxiao Peak. A handsome and elegant figure in green robes lightly waved his hand, causing the sealing formation capable of killing Nascent Soul stage cultivators to crack open slightly, allowing him to step inside.

With one foot on the soil of Yuxiao Peak, Luo Jianqing traversed through the dense bamboo forest. At first, he walked slowly, but as he progressed, his speed increased until he couldn’t hold back and flew forward.

However, when he reached the end of the bamboo forest and saw a figure in white, Luo Jianqing froze.

Under the brilliant golden sunlight, the bamboo leaves rustled, and the gentle breeze blew. The person wore a white robe, standing quietly in front of a bamboo house, hands behind his back, gazing at the sky. Delicate golden patterns lightly adorned the robe and sleeves, and as the faint breeze brushed against his face, his black hair swayed slightly, creating a graceful arc.

No matter how Luo Jianqing had imagined it, he never thought that when he returned, he would see his master.

He had thought that his master would still keep him locked in that bamboo house, not knowing when he would come out. Perhaps he would have to wait until he cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage, forcing his master out, unable to evade those heavy rites and rules.

But now, this person had actually come out.

Luo Jianqing felt bewildered at the moment, standing on the edge of the bamboo forest in a daze. Then, he felt a strong force pulling him. In the blink of an eye, he was brought forward by that force, arriving in front of Xuan Lingzi.

Through the closed door, Luo Jianqing could think of many things to say, but when he saw this person, he felt a bit scared.

The decades of master-disciple relationship made Luo Jianqing feel apprehensive involuntarily. His fingers trembled, unsure of what to say, but then Xuanlingzi suddenly grabbed his hand! Luo Jianqing froze.

Xuanlingzi asked, “Are you really not injured?”

Luo Jianqing was slightly stunned and subconsciously replied, “Just a minor injury, I’m fine now.”

Luo Jianqing wasn’t lying. At first, during the fight with Baiqi, he was completely unscathed. Later, during the match with Yun Rong, he sustained a superficial wound and was stabbed half an inch into his chest near the heart. The most serious injury was probably during the battle with Yansu, but it wasn’t entirely caused by Yansu. It was also because of his first use of the “Lotus Blossom Sword,” which rebounded some injuries from the powerful sword technique.

With Master Yuqingzi present, most of these injuries had already healed by now. A few days of rest would fully restore him.

However, Xuanlingzi frowned, pressed his fingers together, and placed them on Luo Jianqing’s palm. In the next moment, Luo Jianqing felt a cool sensation as a strange power pierced through his Lesser Mansion acupoint on his palm, slowly flowing through his body along the meridians.

The power was controlled extremely precisely, making Luo Jianqing feel refreshed but not harming him at all. After the power circulated through all the meridians in his body, it swiftly retreated from the Lesser Mansion acupoint.

Xuan Lingzi remained as indifferent as usual, but upon closer observation, one would notice his previously furrowed brow finally relaxing. He said, “The matter of soul possession, whether successful or not, will damage the soul. Especially for demonic soul possessions, if successful, the original owner’s soul will inevitably be destroyed, making it an extremely sinister method.”

After examining his disciple’s body, Xuan Lingzi naturally intended to retract his hand, but unexpectedly, Luo Jianqing grabbed it back. Xuan Lingzi suddenly froze, looking at his disciple in surprise. Against the backdrop of the lush bamboo forest, a smile adorned Luo Jianqing’s handsome face, his bright eyes curved as he gazed straight at Xuan Lingzi.

Luo Jianqing deliberately elongated his voice, saying, “Master, you promised me that once I truly defeat all those who came to provoke me, you would teach me something that I’ve been pondering for a long time but have yet to solve.”

Xuan Lingzi’s eyes narrowed, and he coldly replied, “When did I promise you?”

Luo Jianqing’s voice was even colder than his, “But you didn’t deny it!”

Xuan Lingzi: “…”

In the forty-plus years he had been a master, Xuan Lingzi had never faced as much defiance as he had in the past two years. In the past, his disciple had been obedient and diligent, never causing him any worries. But in recent years… His ears slightly reddened, Xuan Lingzi forcefully shook his sleeve, turned away, and shook off Luo Jianqing’s hand.

Luo Jianqing was initially stunned, then walked to the other side of Xuan Lingzi and looked up at him.

Xuan Lingzi widened his eyes in surprise, then turned away again, and Luo Jianqing followed suit. They repeated this back-and-forth movement five times. Finally, Xuan Lingzi, overcome with embarrassment and anger, fiercely shook his sleeve, sending Luo Jianqing flying three meters away, saying, “When did you become so… shameless!”

Luo Jianqing landed lightly on his tiptoes and came back to Xuan Lingzi’s side. He didn’t respond to Xuan Lingzi’s words, just smiled as he looked at him. Seeing this, Xuan Lingzi’s icy expression gradually faltered, and he turned away once more.

This time, as Xuan Lingzi turned, Luo Jianqing suddenly spoke, “Wuyin, you said you would give me some time.”

The fingers hidden under Xuan Lingzi’s sleeve tightened suddenly, but he didn’t reply.

Luo Jianqing didn’t mind. He lowered his head, lips curving upwards, and whispered, “Today, I encountered a cultivator who is exceptionally skilled in illusions. He led me into an illusion where you said I had disgraced Yuxiao Peak, that you no longer recognized me as your disciple, that you wanted to kill me, and then… your sword pierced into my chest.”

Luo Jianqing was so engrossed in speaking that he didn’t notice, with each word he uttered, beads of sweat dripped down Xuanlingzi’s forehead. His body trembled slightly, and his palms under his sleeves were marked with bloody scratches, quickly healing and continuously reopening.

The surging spiritual power inside Xuanlingzi’s body kept raging, his eyes gradually turning red.

Luo Jianqing continued, “At that moment, I released my sword. I thought, since you wanted me dead, then even if I died, what harm would it do? I live in this world, with no parents, only you. If you also abandon me, then… what meaning is there for me to live?”

“Jianqing…” Xuanlingzi’s rough, hoarse voice softly rang out, as if it had been scraped over sandpaper.

Unconcerned, Luo Jianqing continued, “I’ve envied the days of demonic cultivators the most in my life. They live so freely, doing as they please. Even if they are wanton killers, at least they don’t have to bear the label of a righteous disciple like me forever, unable to even express love for the one they care about. Wuyin, I’ve thought about leaving the sect…”

Xuanlingzi’s pupils contracted, his eyes almost completely tainted with blood-red: “Jianqing!”

Luo Jianqing smiled, “But I couldn’t bear to. Not leaving the sect means… at least I am still your disciple. When others mention my name, they might associate it with yours, making it even more intimate…”

The sudden embrace caught Luo Jianqing off guard.

The fervent embrace came too quickly, leaving Luo Jianqing defenseless. After a moment, he slowly raised his hand to return the embrace. It started gently but gradually became tighter. Eventually, he exerted all his strength to hold onto Xuanlingzi, who did the same.

Xuanlingzi’s eyes were now completely blood-red, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth. The frenzied demonic influence gradually consumed his spiritual power. He seemed like a madman, fiercely clinging to his disciple as if wanting to merge him into his own body.

With a hoarse voice, Xuanlingzi repeatedly called out, “Jianqing… Jianqing…”

Luo Jianqing’s lips curled up, feeling suddenly relieved. He looked up, saying, “I’m here.”

The blood on his lips gradually shimmered with a hint of gold, but Xuanlingzi still held onto Luo Jianqing tightly, preventing him from noticing. This embrace, so tight that there was no gap, lasted for a long time. Finally, Xuanlingzi, with a hoarse voice, said, “Jianqing, I have something… to say to you.”

Luo Jianqing raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly, “Master, I also have something to say to you.”

Listening to Luo Jianqing’s pleasant voice, Xuanlingzi closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing. The terrifying red scene finally dissipated from his vision. As the horrific memories faded away, the blood-red color in Xuanlingzi’s eyes gradually disappeared.

Xuanlingzi whispered, “You go first.”

Luo Jianqing sniffed the faint scent of lotus, smiling softly, “You go first.”

Both of them remained silent for a while before speaking simultaneously—

“I love you!”

“I want you!”

Xuan Lingzi: “…”

Feeling the stiffness of the man’s body, Luo Jianqing couldn’t help but burst into laughter. The pent-up frustration and resentment that had plagued him for so many years finally dissipated at this moment. He released the embrace, looking up at his master.

At this moment, Xuanlingzi had returned to normal, except for a slightly pale complexion, there was nothing unusual about him.

Luo Jianqing’s eyes curved with a smile as he earnestly asked, “Master, do you agree with what I said earlier?”

After a long silence, Xuanlingzi asked, “What does… ‘上’ mean?”

Luo Jianqing widened his eyes, speechless.

A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo forest, emitting sparse sounds. The two of them stared at each other dumbfoundedly, and Luo Jianqing couldn’t help but swallow nervously. He tentatively asked, “Master, do you really not know what ‘上’ means?”

Xuanlingzi frowned slightly, his expression still indifferent, and asked in a faint tone, “Is it a kind of technique?”

Luo Jianqing burst into laughter. He persisted and asked again, but Xuanlingzi remained cold-faced and shook his head gently.

Pushed to his limit, Luo Jianqing finally asked loudly, “Don’t you really know what dual cultivation is?!”

In the next moment, Xuanlingzi raised his right hand, fingers together, and slowly placed them on the four-petaled Qinglian between Luo Jianqing’s eyebrows. This action left Luo Jianqing stunned, watching Xuanlingzi in confusion. Xuanlingzi’s slender phoenix eyes lowered slightly as he looked down at him and said in a cold voice, “Is it like this?”

Perplexed, Luo Jianqing furrowed his brows, about to ask again, but the next moment—

Boom!

A supremely pleasurable sensation swiftly flooded Luo Jianqing’s brain! It surged like a wave, crashing against every inch of his skin. It was a sensation that surpassed all others, overwhelming every touch and caress. The tingling feeling overwhelmed Luo Jianqing’s proud rationality, making him feel weak all over, his vision blurred, and he collapsed in Xuanlingzi’s embrace, his pants suddenly wet.

It was just an instant, but it felt like an eternity.

Lying weakly in Xuanlingzi’s arms, Luo Jianqing didn’t see that Xuanlingzi’s face also turned slightly red, his breathing becoming somewhat erratic.

The extremely pleasant sensation still lingered in Luo Jianqing’s body. He couldn’t even lift his fingers, and even though it only lasted a moment, the sensation was like a drug, making him willingly indulge in it, unable to extricate himself.

“Ha… ha…”

After breathing heavily for a long time, Luo Jianqing finally felt the ability to speak.

Feeling the dampness between his legs and the skin rubbing against the fabric made him emit involuntary moans, but he tried hard to suppress them. Trembling, Luo Jianqing pushed Xuanlingzi away, staggered back a few steps, unable to believe what had just happened. He stammered, “How could you…”

But as the words left his mouth, Luo Jianqing stopped.

His voice was hoarse and ambiguous, with a slight tremble at the end, filled with the aftermath of pleasure.

Luo Jianqing immediately coughed, and didn’t notice the darkening of Xuanlingzi’s eyes and the reddening of his ears upon hearing his voice.

Quivering, Luo Jianqing struggled to accept what had happened, and before Xuanlingzi could notice the abnormality beneath him, he rushed away, quickly returning to his bamboo house and closing the door.

This time, it was Luo Jianqing who fled in panic, leaving Xuanlingzi standing there in shock.

However, Luo Jianqing didn’t know if this was really the authentic dual cultivation method. Xuanlingzi’s spiritual consciousness hadn’t actually entered his body; it was just forced in by the powerful spiritual power of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, merging with his own spiritual consciousness. If it was truly the dual cultivation method, Xuanlingzi shouldn’t have been able to hide his emotions like this. He should have lost control just like Luo Jianqing did.

This was the embodiment of strength being paramount. Regardless of how Luo Jianqing thought about it, he couldn’t have imagined that he would lose due to his cultivation level.

That night, Luo Jianqing didn’t come out, and Xuanlingzi also returned to his bamboo house, closing his eyes to meditate and suppress the surging heat within him.

By midnight, Mo Qiu finally escaped from the old folks of the Mo family. He wanted to go up to Yuexiao Peak, but remembered the restrictions there, so he shouted Luo Jianqing’s name at the foot of the peak for half an hour without anyone responding.

But soon, the elders of the Mo family chased after him again. “Mo Qiu! We won’t force you to marry a direct lineage woman. Come back!”

Mo Qiu mouth  twitched and dashed away once more.

At the evening of the next day , Mo Qiu finally returned to Yuexiao Peak with Luo Jianqing accompanying him this time. Along the way, Mo Qiu complained grumpily, “I shouted for you yesterday evening, why didn’t you respond? I almost got caught by those old folks and forced into marriage!”

Upon hearing the words “yesterday evening,” Luo Jianqing’s face flushed, but his tone remained serious, “I was in meditation.”

Furrowing his brows, Mo Qiu retorted, “I sent you a voice transmission.”

Luo Jianqing replied, “…I was deeply focused on my meditation.”

Mo Qiu fell silent.

Throughout the whole night, no matter how Luo Jianqing tried to meditate and calm himself, he couldn’t forget the pinnacle-like sensation he experienced. He didn’t know how Xuanlingzi felt, but he felt completely unable to reach that kind of sensation, feeling like he was drowning in it.

After returning to Yuexiao Peak, Mo Qiu bid farewell and left after just one day.

Initially, Luo Jianqing wanted to persuade him to stay, but Mo Qiu’s expression darkened. “I don’t want to be tied back to the inexplicable Mo family and marry a stranger. I can’t stay on Taishan Mountain any longer. Luo Jianqing, I have some matters to attend to in Yunzhou this time. If you need anything, you can find me in Yunzhou.”

Luo Jianqing nodded, “Alright, take care on your journey.”

Seeing Mo Qiu taking a step away, Luo Jianqing stopped him with a puzzled look. Before he could speak, Mo Qiu lowered his voice and asked, “Do you really… like your master that much?”

Surprised, Luo Jianqing smiled, “Yes, we have already confessed our feelings to each other.”

Mo Qiu fell silent for a moment before saying, “If even the rumored Elder Xuanlingzi has set aside worldly customs for you, then he must genuinely like you. Luo Jianqing, but you’re at a disadvantage. Xuanlingzi has been cultivating for over three hundred years, which is over three hundred years older than you.”

Luo Jianqing chuckled, “So what? For cultivators like us, three hundred years is just a blink of an eye. Nascent Soul stage cultivators have a lifespan of five thousand years, and Mahayana stage cultivators have a lifespan of three thousand years. I’m just in the Foundation Establishment stage now, with only eight hundred years of lifespan. Relatively speaking, I still have a short lifespan and need to focus on cultivation.”

Mo Qiu still didn’t turn around, asking with a strange tone, “Three hundred years is just a blink of an eye?”

Luo Jianqing nodded, “Indeed, just a blink of an eye.”

Mo Qiu slowly turned around, looking at Luo Jianqing with a complex gaze, and said in a low voice, “But for some people, three hundred years of time is what they dream of.”

Perplexed, Luo Jianqing furrowed his brows, then suddenly realized, “You mean cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan? Indeed, for them, time is precious. But considering the entire Xuantian Continent, being able to live peacefully until the end of one’s life is a blessing. The brutal battles between the two races were so bloody and cruel, surviving is truly fortunate.”

Mo Qiu chuckled meaningfully, “Indeed, being alive is a blessing.”

After exchanging a few more words, Mo Qiu finally left. Before leaving, he infused a red light into Luo Jianqing’s arms and then flew away, leaving behind a playful remark, “I knew it all along, you righteous cultivators are all about that conservative style. Since you’ve found happiness with your partner, as one of the few who knows, I’ll give you a gift. Luo Jianqing, no need to thank me! Hahaha!”

As he finished speaking, Mo Qiu had already flown several miles away, gradually disappearing from sight.

Luo Jianqing shook his head inexplicably with a smile, then gently unsealed the red light, revealing a very ordinary book.

Looking at the words on it, Luo Jianqing read, “Spring Breeze Collection?” What kind of technique is this? Could it be some kind of…”

His voice abruptly stopped as he stared blankly at the book’s naked and explicit illustrations, his face flushing red. Even though he often teased his conservative master, Luo Jianqing’s openness was still far from that of Mo Qiu, a demonic cultivator.

Clutching the thick book tightly, Luo Jianqing angrily muttered, “Mo! Qiu!”

Luo Jianqing instinctively wanted to destroy the book, but then he suddenly heard Xuanlingzi’s calm voice from a few days ago—”What is ‘topmost’?”

Luo Jianqing’s lips curved into a smile as he suddenly put the book into his storage ring.

This time, he flew up to Yuexiao Peak and didn’t return to his own bamboo house. Instead, he went to the side and lightly knocked on Xuanlingzi’s door, softly saying, “Master, disciple has a question about cultivation and wants to read some books from your shelf.”

From inside the room came Xuan Lingzi’s cold voice, “Come in.”

Lou Jianqing entered the room and didn’t immediately sneak the book inside. Instead, he walked straight to Xuanlingzi’s . Xuanlingzi was in meditation with his eyes closed, and Luo Jianqing kept staring at him, refusing to avert his gaze. As he continued to stare, Xuanlingzi’s ears gradually turned red. He coughed lightly, opened his eyes, and furrowed his brows, asking, “What book do you want to read?”

Luo Jianqing shook his head, “Master, I didn’t hear clearly the sentence you said to me the other day.”

Xuanlingzi was momentarily stunned, not reacting immediately.

Luo Jianqing continued, “Master, it’s about that sentence, how… do you feel about me?”

Xuanlingzi’s ears turned completely red, which Luo Jianqing didn’t notice. He shook his fingers lightly, and Xuanlingzi composed his voice, calmly saying, “Go and read the book you want.” With that, Xuanlingzi closed his eyes again, seemingly intending to continue his meditation.

Luo Jianqing’s eyes flickered, and he sat directly beside Xuanlingzi, causing the latter’s body to stiffen. He leaned forward, smiled gently, and whispered, “Master, you haven’t said yet, how… do you feel about me? You seemed to imply that you were pleased with…”

“Go and read the book!”

Xuanlingzi’s spiritual power pushed Luo Jianqing to the bookshelf. By the time Luo Jianqing turned back, the white-robed elder had already disappeared into the bamboo house, hiding somewhere. Seeing this, Luo Jianqing sighed helplessly, then reached into his storage ring and took out the book.

Looking at the five words “Spring Breeze Collection” on the cover, Luo Jianqing blushed and quickly stuffed the book into the shelf.

After doing all this, Luo Jianqing randomly picked up another book, browsing through it while waiting for Xuanlingzi to return. Unfortunately, as the sun set and the moon rose, Xuanlingzi still hadn’t returned. At this moment, Luo Jianqing suddenly understood something. He put the tattered book back, left the bamboo house, and walked away.

After a cup of tea, a white figure flew through the bamboo forest and straight into the bamboo house.

Xuanlingzi sighed softly, a hint of helplessness appearing on his cold and elegant face. He lit a moonlight lamp with a flick of his sleeve, then walked toward the bamboo couch. However, before he could take a few steps, he heard a soft knock on the door behind him.

Xuanlingzi suddenly froze and turned around, only to see the door gently pushed open by the handsome young man. The young cultivator stood under the moonlight, with a clear and delicate face, looking at his master in the bamboo house with clear eyes, murmuring, “Master, Jianqing… wants to sleep with you.”

The voice was pure and innocent, devoid of any complex emotions.

Everything was no different from thirty years ago.

Xuanlingzi assigned a bamboo house to Luo Jianqing and instructed him to cultivate there. That night, the timid little Luo Jianqing came to Xuanlingzi’s room and tried to sneak into bed, only to be scolded by the stern master. However, after the scolding, they still ended up embracing each other to sleep.

Xuanlingzi looked at the tall young man with a complicated expression, while Luo Jianqing smiled back at him, his gaze calm. The two stared at each other for a long time. Xuanlingzi couldn’t help but soften his voice, sighing, “If you insist on defying my orders, then… what can I do about you?”

That night, the two, who hadn’t slept for several days, lay down on the bed together, side by side.

Luo Jianqing was no longer the child he was thirty years ago. He couldn’t roll into Xuanlingzi’s arms to sleep anymore, but slowly, his hand crept up Xuanlingzi’s waist, and his body moved closer. After a long time, Xuanlingzi frowned slightly and let out a helpless sigh.

He reached out and embraced his disciple’s waist, pulling him closer.

It had been thirty-one years since they last met, and Luo Jianqing had never slept so peacefully since. He felt like he had returned to the safest and warmest place in the world, sleeping deeply in that person’s arms. The faint fragrance of lotus surrounded him, and the warmth of that person enveloped him.

In the end, even Xuanlingzi, who hadn’t slept for many years, fell into a deep slumber.

Moonlight bathed the master and disciple, everything seemed to return to many years ago.

From then on, Luo Jianqing neglected his own house and spent his days cultivating and recuperating in Xuanlingzi’s bamboo house. Xuanlingzi initially scolded him a few times, but in the end, he silently accepted everything, looking at his disciple’s feigned loss with a hint of indulgence.

However, this time, Luo Jianqing didn’t stay on Mount Taihua for long. Ten days later, a ragged young man arrived at the gate of Mount Taihua. The two disciples guarding the gate were about to reprimand him to stop, but they found out that this was actually a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Upon seeing the senior brothers of Mount Taihua, the Foundation Establishment cultivator cried out in joy, “I’m back, I’ve finally come back!” After being separated for months, even Luo Jianqing had forgotten that he once kicked Li Xiuchen, who seemed inconspicuous, down the mountain.

Li Xiuchen finally returned to Mount Taihua, but after enduring such great hardships, he accidentally missed the once-in-seven-years sect competition. He should have focused on cultivation to consolidate his cultivation base. However, just half a month after returning to Mount Taihua, he hastily bid farewell to the elders of Haoming Peak and left, traveling day and night.After Li Xiuchen left, Jie Zizhuo immediately sent a disciple to inform Luo Jianqing. Jie Zizhuo didn’t think much of it, just assuming that Luo Jianqing was a bit curious about that annoying Li Xiuchen, so he showed a little concern for his recent situation.

However, when Luo Jianqing learned that Li Xiuchen had anxiously left after resting for only a few days, he slowly furrowed his brows and returned to his bamboo house to pack his things. That night, before Xuan Lingzi could settle down after extinguishing the moonlight lamp, he saw a pair of clear, light-colored eyes.

Xuan Lingzi was startled, only to hear Luo Jianqing saying, “I’m going out.”

Xuan Lingzi coldly asked, “Why?”

Luo Jianqing said, “There are some matters to attend to, Master. I must leave, tomorrow.”

Xuan Lingzi’s face remained expressionless, only saying coldly, “You’re on the verge of breaking through to the mid-Yuan Infant stage, you should be focusing on your cultivation and advancing. It’s not appropriate for you to hastily leave Mount Taihua at this time.”

Luo Jianqing frowned, “But I have to go.”

Xuan Lingzi’s eyes narrowed, “You’re not allowed.”

Luo Jianqing pursed his lips, “Why not!”

Xuan Lingzi said, “The North Dipper Remnant, you almost lost your life; the battle at Flowing Flame Valley, you were in danger again; and going to the Ten Thousand Beast Ridge, you even encountered a ninth-rank demonic beast. Jianqing, if you leave again, I…”

A hot and passionate kiss sealed Xuan Lingzi’s next words, leaving him wide-eyed. It was just a brief kiss, but Luo Jianqing’s arms tightly embraced Xuan Lingzi, rolling him over and pinning him down on the bed, gazing down at the bewildered master.

Luo Jianqing’s long hair cascaded down, gently brushing against Xuan Lingzi’s face. Moonlight illuminated this exquisite and delicate face, even Xuan Lingzi couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned, only to come back to his senses when his disciple’s lips kissed his own.

Xuan Lingzi, who had never encountered a demonic temptation, simply lay quietly on the bamboo bed, allowing his disciple to kiss him. But as the kiss deepened, Xuan Lingzi gradually narrowed his eyes, suddenly reaching out to pull Luo Jianqing closer.

“Um…”

Caught off guard by the sudden closeness, Luo Jianqing opened his lips in surprise, as his disciple’s tongue gently explored his mouth, sucking on his plump lips, causing Luo Jianqing to emit an unbearable low moan.

The enchanting atmosphere gradually filled the bamboo house, moonlight shining over Mount Taihua.

Unknown to the rest of Mount Taihua, their revered Xuan Lingzi and their most respected senior disciple were engaged in such taboo acts. They kissed each other passionately, as if releasing decades of suppressed love. After the kiss ended, Luo Jianqing sat on Xuan Lingzi’s waist, panting heavily.

Xuan Lingzi looked at him indifferently, his only sign of emotion revealed by the red tips of his ears.

Luo Jianqing chuckled softly, saying, “Master, I’m leaving Mount Taihua…”

Xuan Lingzi looked at him for a long time before saying, “Are you sure… you must leave?”

Luo Jianqing nodded heavily, “Yes.”

Xuan Lingzi fell silent for a while before silently nodding in agreement.

The two embraced each other and fell asleep, seemingly lost in slumber. But moments later, Xuan Lingzi suddenly raised his finger, about to touch Luo Jianqing’s brow. Luo Jianqing quickly grabbed his hand, angrily whispering, “What are you trying to do!”

Xuan Lingzi looked at him, asking again, “…really, you must leave?”

Luo Jianqing remained silent.

The next day, Luo Jianqing got up and left. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back, squinting his eyes and threatening, “From now on, without my consent, you’re not allowed to touch my brow!”

Xuan Lingzi was astonished, “Are you ordering me?”

Luo Jianqing snorted, “Yes!”

“Without consent…” Xuan Lingzi instinctively said, “We can’t dual cultivate without your permission?”

Luo Jianqing blushed suddenly, turned around, and left, leaving Xuan Lingzi bewildered.

At this moment, Luo Jianqing had already left Mount Taihua and chased after Li Xiuchen, catching up to him after three hours of flying. Seeing this disheveled young man, Luo Jianqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, but gradually, he couldn’t help but touch his own lips and murmur, “If it weren’t for the competition for opportunities, it would be so nice to stay on Mount Yuxiao forever.”

Half a month later, Luo Jianqing followed behind Li Xiuchen and arrived at the Cloud Province, a hundred thousand miles away from Mount Taihua.