In the pond,
Lin Yaoyao finished dressing herself in the water and leaped out, sitting on the shore with her back to her master.
"My master really did come to spy on me bathing."
As Ye Kong approached Lin Yaoyao from behind, he gazed at her stunning back and gently called out, "Disciple!"
Lin Yaoyao, hearing her master's voice, reluctantly turned around.
Her red dress was half-wet, half-dry, outlining her enchanting figure.
Water droplets glistened on her exquisite face, making her resemble a lotus flower emerging from the water, evoking an irresistible feeling of affection in anyone who laid eyes on her.
Ordinary people would be immediately captivated by Lin Yaoyao's exquisite beauty and fall under her spell.
"My disciple is tempting me again!"
Ye Kong glanced and quickly averted his gaze.
"Here, your reward for reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."
Lin Yaoyao was taken aback. "You're not here to watch me bathe?"
Looking at the object in her master's hand, Lin Yaoyao couldn't help but furrow her brows.
"What is this thing?"
Lin Yaoyao took the item from her master and examined it closely in her hand.
Upon recognizing its shape, Lin Yaoyao's face flushed red.
"This... This... This..."
Her blush, like peaches washed clean by water, was enough to make any man's heart race uncontrollably.
"My disciple's allure is too powerful!"
If anyone else saw this, the entire Xinghe Sect would be in an uproar.
"I'm leaving, disciple. Take your time studying it." Ye Kong said, turning to leave.
This item was meant for cultivation, and he hoped his disciple wouldn't misunderstand its purpose.
Lin Yaoyao stood there, stunned, before angrily throwing the Purple Phoenix Spirit to the ground.
"That可恶的 master, how could he give me such a thing? What does he take me for?"
"Even if I die outside, I'd rather jump into the pond than use this!"
"I don't need a partner, and I don't need this!"
Lin Yaoyao was furious, stamping her feet violently.
The Purple Phoenix Spirit, after being stamped on a few times by Lin Yaoyao, underwent a transformation.
It turned into a crystal-clear sphere, emitting purple gas that entered Lin Yaoyao's body.
Instantly, Lin Yaoyao felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility, and her anger dissipated.
The world seemed to have fallen silent.
Calmed down, Lin Yaoyao looked at the horn-shaped item lying on the ground, emitting a faint purple light.
She crouched down to pick it up, and as soon as it touched her hand, she felt a warm current flowing through her arm into her heart.
"I didn't expect my master to have truly prepared a treasure for me, not a horn..."
"I misjudged my master..."
A warm feeling welled up in Lin Yaoyao's heart as she held the Purple Phoenix Spirit, feeling a sense of closeness.
Part of the warmth came from her master, and part from the Purple Phoenix Spirit.
"Ah, my master has indeed gone through a lot of trouble. To get this cultivation treasure, he must have begged favors from many people, expending valuable connections."
Thinking of this, Lin Yaoyao felt touched.
Her master had prepared so much for her, yet she had scolded him before.
Feeling ashamed, Lin Yaoyao's expression turned complex as she gazed at the Purple Phoenix Spirit, which had once again transformed into a horn-shaped object.
"Mr. Horn..." Lin Yaoyao couldn't help but feel speechless.
This item was indeed good, but it was prone to causing misunderstandings.
"Well, I'll use it myself, and no one will see."
Lin Yaoyao put away the treasure and dived back into the water for cultivation.
Ye Kong returned to his fishing spot and continued casting his line.
...
In the Xinghe Palace,
Luo Yangtian stood on the starry river, facing away from the crowd. Below him stood the leaders and disciples of the eight peaks.
The Beast Taming Peak had damaged the Lingmai (Vein of Spiritual Energy) of the Xiaoyao Peak, affecting the entire Xinghe Sect.
Crucially, the Lingmai was also the key to sealing the demonic sect's patriarch, and its damage could not be tolerated.
Luo Yangtian had to gather them to discuss countermeasures.
He didn't summon the Xiaoyao Peak because it was too weak and unnecessary.
"Qin Wuyi, do you know your crime?" Luo Yangtian asked coldly.
"I acknowledge my guilt, Your Excellency!" Qin Wuyi replied, bowing his head. After being reprimanded by the Elder, he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Now that the Lingmai of the Xiaoyao Peak has cracks, affecting the entire Xinghe Sect, what do you propose we should do, everyone?" Luo Yangtian asked.
"Since it was the Beast Taming Peak that caused it, let them fix it," Chen Changqing suggested.
Whoever did it should handle the aftermath.
Luo Yangtian nodded slightly and said softly, "Qin Wuyi, Qin Shou, what do you say?"
"Disciple is willing to repair the Lingmai," Qin Shou replied, bowing.
"Good, then you will be in charge of guarding the Lingmai of the Xiaoyao Peak," Luo Yangtian immediately ordered.
"Yes!" Qin Wuyi responded.
"Also, strengthen our defenses during this time. The demonic sect may take advantage of this to attack our Xinghe Sect," Luo Yangtian added.
If the demonic sect learned of the damaged Lingmai, they would surely infiltrate and release the imprisoned demon patriarch!
"We understand!" everyone replied.
"Furthermore, since this incident originated from the Beast Taming Peak, the responsibility of guarding the Xiaoyao Peak also falls to you," Luo Yangtian continued.
The Xiaoyao Peak was too weak to defend itself.
"Your Excellency, but..."
Qin Wuyi's words were cut off by Qin Shou.
"Your Excellency, it's no problem."
Luo Yangtian nodded and said, "Alright, go and prepare. We must not let the demonic sect infiltrate; otherwise, when the demon patriarch emerges, the Xinghe Sect will be destroyed!"
"Yes!" everyone replied, withdrawing.
"Disciple, disciple, you're being foolish. Repairing the Lingmai takes a long time, and during that period, you'll have to stay at the Xiaoyao Peak," Qin Wuyi said irritably.
"Master, guarding the Xiaoyao Peak is just a cover. I want to take this opportunity to build a septic tank at the foot of the Xiaoyao Peak," Qin Shou grinned slyly.
Qin Wuyi was stunned by his disciple's words.
"You sly fox, your intentions lie elsewhere," Qin Wuyi chuckled.
The two returned to the Beast Taming Peak to make preparations.
...
In Lianyun Prefecture, the Demon Music Palace,
Palace Master Xu Bubai, clad in a black hood, sat on his throne, his voice cold.
"Is the information from the Xinghe Sect true?"
The black-clad figure kneeling below him replied truthfully, "Yes, Your Majesty. Our spies have confirmed that the Lingmai of the Xiaoyao Peak is severely damaged, affecting the entire Xinghe Sect.
"Especially the Xiaoyao Peak, which only has two people—a Foundation Establishment-level waste of a peak master and a similarly inept disciple."
"Excellent!" Xu Bubai looked at everyone and announced, "Send my secret order to Black Tiger and Black Dragon to control the master and disciple of the Xiaoyao Peak.
"Summon the Ten Shadows to infiltrate.
"Once we've completely destroyed the Lingmai of the Xinghe Sect, the patriarch can emerge from his seclusion!" Xu Bubai's voice trembled with excitement as he spoke.
This was a golden opportunity!
After so much preparation, the Demon Music Palace had finally waited for this chance.
"Our demonic sect has finally received the chance to rescue our patriarch!"
"Yes, after waiting for so many years, we've finally achieved it. Once the patriarch emerges, the Xinghe Sect will surely perish!"
The elders of the Demon Music Palace exclaimed excitedly.
"Black Cloud, go and give the orders," Xu Bubai said.
"Yes!" Black Cloud replied, turning to leave.
Xu Bubai tapped his armrest thoughtfully, muttering, "The patriarch has been suppressed by the Xinghe Sect for so many years; it's time for him to emerge."