Chapter 359 Senior Brother, Gazing at the Moon and Yearning for Love
“Ping’er, aren’t you going to make an appearance in front of our sect disciples?”
“No, I’ve never liked showing off. As the saying goes, I’m just an ordinary…”
“Heh heh… An ordinary dual spiritual root cultivator wouldn’t form a Heavenly Dao Golden Core.”
“…”
Ye Anping gave a helpless smile, cupped his fists in a salute, and under the gaze of Ye Ao and Kong Yulan, he flew away on his sword.
After Ye Anping was far away, Ye Ao’s aged eyes suddenly filled with emotion, and he couldn’t help but sigh:
“Sigh—This kid… is he really my son?”
Ten years ago, Ye Ao would never have dreamed that Ye Anping could go so far on the immortal path. Even seeing it with his own eyes now, he still felt a sense of unreality.
He even had the thought that “Ye Anping was born to Kong Yulan and some powerful cultivator,” but after glancing at Kong Yulan beside him, he immediately dismissed the idea.
His wife, after all, was two hundred jin before marriage. Even if those mighty cultivators were looking for maids, they definitely wouldn’t fancy his wife, even though she had now become a graceful and beautiful woman.
Kong Yulan looked at Ye Ao’s silly smile, frowned, and grabbed his ear:
“Old man, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing, nothing… Yulan, why don’t we put in some effort and give Ping’er a sister?”
Kong Yulan rolled her eyes at him, but after a moment of hesitation, she also waved to close the gate of the Tian Ge.
“How old are we? Still giving Ping’er a sister… We might as well cultivate properly. That way, we can at least help Ping’er in the future. Ping’er just felt we’d hold him back and didn’t want us to go with him to Hantian Kingdom.”
“Ah? At this age, how can we still cultivate…”
“Dual cultivation!” Kong Yulan’s brows furrowed, and she turned to walk towards the second floor of the Tian Ge. “Go wash yourself clean, I’ll be waiting in the room.”
“Oh…”
… …
After coming out of the Tian Ge, Ye Anping also made a round within the Hundred Lotus Sect, paying visits to the aunts and uncles who had watched him and Pei Lianxue grow up.
These people were almost all elders who had been in the sect since his parents founded it. Although their cultivation had almost stopped at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage, and there was no further progress possible, he still respected them from the bottom of his heart.
The Hundred Lotus Sect of the past, although its disciples did not achieve much in cultivation, the disciples and elders of the sect were like family, with no difference in status based on cultivation level.
There was no infighting, only treating each other like family.
This was probably one of the main reasons why many powerful cultivators liked to treat small sects as places to retire.
When Ye Anping returned to his pavilion on East Peak, it was already dusk.
He re-arranged the Spirit Gathering Array on the second floor, then sat cross-legged within it, beginning to feel the changes brought about by the Golden Core within his body.
The Golden Core in his abdomen was like a second sea of Qi, continuously purifying the wood and water spiritual energy in his meridians. As a result, many spells that previously required the aid of talismans could now be cast with just a wave of his hand and a gesture.
His spiritual sense, which could only extend to ten li, could now reach a hundred li away.
Most importantly, the upper limit of Yang Energy he could store in his meridians had increased significantly, so he didn’t have to worry about his Yang Energy erupting for a while.
Ye Anping had originally intended to abolish the Nine Yuan Heart Method he had learned after forming his Core and switch to another cultivation method, so he wouldn’t have to worry about Yang Energy outbursts in the future.
However, forming the Core took a little longer than he had anticipated, an extra six months.
Therefore, he didn’t have time to learn a new cultivation method at the moment.
Catching up to his junior sister as soon as possible was the top priority.
If only his junior sister, Feng Yu Die, and Xiao Yunluo were to encounter Gu Mingxin, their winning rate would be less than fifty percent, which was practically zero.
He didn’t want to be a step too late.
After cultivating for a while, Ye Anping slowly opened his eyes and called out:
“Xiao Tian.”
Instantly, he felt a gentle warmth spread from his brow, and Xiao Tian emerged directly from his brow, holding a wooden hammer and nails.
*“Hmm? What’s wrong? I’m decorating my new home…”*
Ye Anping didn’t know how to comment. He had truly felt Xiao Tian’s annoyance these past few days, often hearing the pattering sounds in his spiritual sense.
“Sigh…” He let out a sigh and said, “Go to Senior Sister Feng’s place first and tell her I’ll be there as soon as possible. If you encounter Gu Mingxin beforehand, try not to get entangled. Run first, and wait for me to arrive before dealing with it.”
Xiao Tian twisted its eyebrows upon hearing this, and it finally remembered the black “relative” it had seen at the Imperial Sect, asking:
*“Gu Mingxin? She’s going to Hantian Kingdom too?”*
“Mm…”
*“Anping, I wanted to ask you for a long time, how do you know what will happen where? The Heavenly Scroll of the Dao doesn’t even mention it.”* Xiao Tian floated in front of Ye Anping, giving him a flirtatious look, and said, *“Give me a hint, and I won’t tell Yu Die.”*
“No.”
*“Woohoo…”* Xiao Tian pouted unhappily, crossed its arms, and turned its head away, *“Hmph!”*
Ye Anping’s brows furrowed. “It’s no use throwing a tantrum, hurry up and go!”
*“But…”* Xiao Tian looked at the wooden hammer in its hand, *“My new house isn’t finished decorating yet.”*
“Go!”
*“Got it!… Why are you so fierce…”* Xiao Tian pouted its lips, circled Ye Anping’s head again, stood on his shoulder, and kissed his face, *“Chu~~ Anping, take good care of yourself while I’m gone~”*
?
“Hurry up and leave!”
*“Woo~~”*
Xiao Tian pouted in dissatisfaction, but said nothing more. It drilled into Ye Anping’s forehead, took a travel bag, slung it over its shoulder, and flew out of the pavilion window.
Ye Anping walked to the window and watched it fly away before sighing and touching his face.
“… …”
Perhaps it was because he had been focused on forming his Core during the previous period, but he hadn’t noticed it yet.
But just now, the kiss from Xiao Tian was different from before.
In other words, it had a physical sensation.
Although there was still a gap compared to human contact, it was no longer like a gentle breeze brushing past, but more like touching a ball of soft and warm cotton…
He still remembered how Xiao Tian could previously squeeze out of Xiao Yunluo’s navel.
At that time, Xiao Yunluo hadn’t felt anything at all.
Moreover, when Xiao Tian used to perch on top of his head, if he didn’t deliberately pay attention, he would easily forget that it was still on his head…
“…Was it because I and Feng Yu Die formed our Cores? Never mind.”
Ye Anping pondered for a while, then stopped thinking about it. It wasn’t a problem anyway, and in a sense, it was a good thing.
Then, he stood up from the Spirit Gathering Array, walked to the desk in the room, took out his brush and ink, and began to draw and write on the paper:
—Hantian Kingdom Incident, Strategy Plan…
… …
A full moon slowly rose to the center of the starry sky curtain. Ye Anping made a rough plan, packed his luggage, and walked out of the pavilion door.
Upon seeing the full moon in the sky, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of emotion:
“Xiyue…”
His childhood crush should be around twelve years old now.
He seemed to see Xiyue’s delicate face reflected on the silver surface of the moon.
However, the next moment.
Si Xuanji’s face suddenly appeared, kicking Xiyue off the moon.
“… …”
After all, that heartless old woman used the alias “True Person Tian Ji” and toyed with him for two and a half years, then dumped him…
Ye Anping’s face immediately darkened, and he quickly shook his head, casting aside the杂念 in his heart:
“Junior sister and Yunluo are more important!”
Saying so, Ye Anping stepped onto his flying sword and flew towards the Hundred Lotus Sect’s guest hall.
… …
In a boudoir in the guest hall, Li Longling was currently sitting cross-legged within the Spirit Gathering Array, infusing her entire body with spiritual energy.
Although thanks to the talisman diagram Ye Anping had engraved in her body with his “Physiotherapy Spell” six years ago, she could see the sun rise and set through the eyes of birds and beasts, as Ye Anping had said at the time, that was still a compromise.
With her current Mid Foundation Establishment Qi Sea, she could only maintain the spell for about four to five hours at most each time.
For nearly half the day, she couldn’t see.
And it seemed that capitalizing on this, she had been assassinated once or twice almost every month for the past six years.
The employers of those assassins were mostly enemies her father had made. Because they couldn’t afford to offend her father, they had to endure it in the past. After her father died, they had swarmed out like hornets.
One after another, endless stream, there was no way to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots.
If her father hadn’t left her many loyal Chi Long Mansion Guards, she might have already followed her father to the afterlife after Ye Anping left…
However, even with the protection of the Chi Long Mansion Guards, every night, Li Longling would still instinctively feel afraid.
That feeling was like walking blindfolded on a path full of traps and sharp blades, never knowing what she would step on next.
Several times, she had wanted to give up, even curling up in bed and refusing to go out.
But every time she thought of Ye Anping, she would muster the courage to greet the dawn of the next day.
Cultivators on the immortal path needed a Dao heart. Without a Dao heart, cultivators could easily go astray.
What used to support her Dao heart was her father, Li Feng.
And now, her Dao heart was to repay Ye Anping’s kindness. Until this kindness was repaid, she had to grit her teeth and persevere.
“Hoo…”
Tap tap—
Two light footsteps stealthily entered the room with the wind.
Li Longling, with her sharp senses, immediately twitched her ears, instinctively thinking that an assassin had arrived. But after thinking that she was in the Hundred Lotus Sect, she felt a little more at ease.
She turned her head towards the birdcage to her back left and asked:
“A’Feng… Who is here?”
The Fire Phoenix standing on the birdcage glared at Ye Anping, who had climbed in through the window, causing Ye Anping to stop awkwardly five feet away from Li Longling.
Although this Fire Phoenix wasn’t as “talkative” as Si Xuanji’s parrot, its gaze was much more vivid than A’Niao’s: If you take another step closer to my mistress, I’ll peck you to death!!
As expected of a phoenix, just based on this aura, it was much more imposing than that old woman…
Ye Anping said helplessly:
“It’s me.”
Upon hearing Ye Anping’s voice, Li Longling finally relaxed completely. After thinking for a moment, she asked with a hint of playfulness:
“Is it Young Master Ye of the Hundred Lotus Sect? Or Young Master Jiang of the Dragon Slaying Society? Or Young Master Ye of the Xuan Xing Sect? Or Young Master Yun of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect?”
Ye Anping didn’t expect her to ask this and chuckled:
“Just consider me Young Master Ye of the Xuan Xing Sect.”
“So…”
Then you’re here to discuss important matters with me, not just to visit…
Li Longling felt a little disappointed, slowly stood up, and turned to walk towards him.
However, the room was not lit, and it was pitch black.
If not for the eyes of a Core Formation cultivator, one might not be able to see anything.
But Li Longling showed no signs of a blind person feeling her way around. She naturally came to the round table in the room, took out a Spirit Stone Lantern, and lit it.
“Is it better like this?”
“No need, I can see.”
“I can’t see.”
Li Longling pouted, raised her hand slightly, and the Fire Phoenix that was originally on the birdcage landed directly on her arm.
“A’Feng doesn’t see very well at night. I also have a cat named A’Mao, but I didn’t bring it with me this time.”
Ye Anping’s eyebrows slightly raised:
“Sect Master Li cultivates the Beast Taming Art?”
“Mm.”
Li Longling sat down at the table and had the Fire Phoenix watch Ye Anping, saying:
“I originally followed my father to practice sword arts, but since I can’t see, although it’s not impossible, I can’t control the sword arts. So, a few years ago, I collected some beast taming techniques and raised some spirit pets, which also helped compensate for my visual impairment.”
“This is not a bad path.”
“It’s a pity that the ceiling for beast tamers is quite low. If you can’t tame a powerful spirit pet, it’s useless…”
Li Longling said this and shook her head. She knew Ye Anping liked to speak his mind, so she got straight to the point and asked:
“Young Master Ye, what business do you have to discuss with me?”
This girl is really smart. She has learned almost all of Li Feng’s strengths in dealing with people…
Ye Anping couldn’t help but sigh, so he spoke directly:
“Sect Master Li, I have something I’d like to ask for your help with.”
“Please speak.”
“I hope you can accompany me to the Northern Region.” Ye Anping nodded and requested, adding, “This trip will likely take more than half a year. I will guarantee your safety, and I will provide you with compensation after the matter is concluded.”
Li Longling found his words to be quite distant, but after thinking for a moment, she didn’t interrupt and asked:
“…Compensation?”
“How about a Flood Dragon of Pure Water? As the Sect Master of Chi Long Mansion, you must not be short of spirit stones or rare treasures. All I can offer is something I know.”
“… …”
Li Longling couldn’t help but sigh. Compared to a Flood Dragon of Pure Water, what she wanted was obvious, but listening to Ye Anping’s tone, she felt it wasn’t the right time to say it, so she nodded and agreed:
“Alright.”
“You agreed just like that? You should at least negotiate the price. This is my visit, you should name your price.”
“Young Master Ye, you are too kind. If I don’t name a price, won’t you benefit? Do you want me to name a price?” Li Longling pondered for a moment and then asked, “Is it because I agreed too quickly that you don’t trust me?”
“Of course not, but this trip to the Northern Region is bound to be fraught with danger… You…”
Li Longling smiled and interrupted:
“What danger is there when I’m by my benefactor’s side? For the six years you were away, I faced danger every single day. So many people in the Four Domains want my life.”
“… …”
“Let’s not talk about these depressing things. When do we depart?”
“Now.”
“Ah?”
“Things are a bit urgent. I’ll explain the details to you on the road.”
Ye Anping stood up and took a step forward, intending to pick up Li Longling and fly away on his sword. However, he was immediately met with a fierce glare from the Fire Phoenix. Helplessly, he cupped his fists and asked:
“…Sect Master Li, do you have other matters?”
“I didn’t get to see Sect Master Ye today. I thought… wouldn’t that be improper? Coming to the Hundred Lotus Sect, according to etiquette, I should pay my respects to the Sect Master…”
“My father doesn’t care about these things. Just pay your respects to me.”
That’s not what I meant! I wanted to hint to your parents about a possible marriage alliance between the Hundred Lotus Sect and Chi Long Mansion…
Li Longling pursed her lips, somewhat helplessly, and nodded:
“Ah—Alright, I’ll pack my things.”
“Why the sigh?”
“Young Master Ye…” Li Longling said with a hint of grievance, “Sometimes you are truly oblivious to romantic feelings. Is it intentional? Or do you really not know?”
Ye Anping shrugged helplessly and smiled, “Just assume it’s the latter.”
“Then it’s intentional. Oh well…”
Li Longling shook her head, holding the Fire Phoenix, and walked back to the Spirit Gathering Array to pack the rare treasures placed there.
…
Ps: The daily progression is a bit slow.
The author has finally finished writing the detailed outline today.
Tomorrow’s chapter will focus on the Old Loli’s thousand-year-old maiden heart, and then we’ll enter the main storyline in the Northern Region.
This time, the junior sister will be in command, and the senior brother will assist with Sister Li.
—Hantian ice and snow accompany the Fire Phoenix, the Golden Dragon hunts in the north against the blood python.
The second arc of the book, witness its unfolding.
