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In the 50th-floor area of Tianxing City, a teleportation array emitted a dazzling light as two figures stepped out.
A nearby white-robed disciple of the Xinggong glanced over as usual. His indifferent expression shifted when he recognized one of them. With a flattering look, he approached and said, "Deacon Ling, you've returned. Was the mission to the outer sea successful?"
The two who emerged from the teleportation array were Ling Yuling and Qi Yuan.
Ling Yuling, her expression lazy, barely acknowledged the subordinate's attempt at flattery with a casual "hmm." Instead, she turned to Qi Yuan, her gaze soft with affection. "Brother Qi, we've arrived at Tianxing City. Don't forget to visit me when you have time."
Ever since she had confessed her feelings to Qi Yuan on the deserted island, Ling Yuling had been in an unusually good mood. She even felt a bit reluctant to return to the city.
"Yuling, I'll come to see you. Don't worry."
Qi Yuan's reassurance made her smile.
"Yuling, you're finally back."
A woman in a yellow dress approached, her fair oval face showing both relief and reproach.
"Aunt Huang!" Ling Yuling brightened and eagerly threw herself into the woman's arms, resting her head against her chest.
Qi Yuan took a moment before recognizing the familiar face. "Friend Huang, how have you been?"
The woman was Huang Jing. It had been years since they had parted at the ruins of the Vulcan Sect.
Qi Yuan recalled something Ling Yuling had once mentioned. When he had been injured and unconscious in the ruins, he had a vague sensation of being kissed. As a cultivator in the middle stage of Jindan, Huang Jing's spiritual perception was far sharper than Ling Yuling's. Did that mean she had known what was happening? Was her resistance at the time intentional?
His thoughts raced, but Huang Jing's expression remained calm. Only a brief flicker of emotion crossed her eyes when she saw him. She smiled gently. "Fellow Daoist Qi, it's been years, yet you've already caught up to my cultivation level."
Huang Jing was genuinely surprised. Qi Yuan had reached the middle stage of Jindan in just a few years. Was he a peerless genius, or had he encountered some heaven-defying opportunity?
In the higher realms, there was a clear hierarchy of contempt, and though less obvious, it existed in the lower realms as well.
Qi Yuan smiled modestly. "I was fortunate to have some opportunities, and I've maintained a steady state of mind, which helped me catch up."
"Keeping a clear mind is always a good thing. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qi. If there's nothing else, I'll take my people back to report."
Huang Jing tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled before turning away.
"Brother Qi, don't forget to visit me!" Ling Yuling called out, afraid he might get distracted by other beauties and forget about her.
Qi Yuan nodded, assuring her he wouldn't.
After their figures disappeared, Qi Yuan transformed into a streak of light and left the city. For now, the sale of his treasures could wait. His priority was ensuring the safety of Xin Ruyin and Xiaomei as they attempted to form their elixirs.
Both women had benefited greatly from their time with Qi Yuan in the Chaos Star Sea, far more than Chen Qiaoqian and the others in Tiannan. Their cultivation progress was naturally faster. Still, since Yan Ruyan often traveled between both places, Qi Yuan had her deliver pills to Chen Qiaoqian, Dong Xuaner, and the others, ensuring their progress wouldn't fall too far behind.
**Hongxia Island**
Qi Yuan descended, consulting a jade slip to confirm the exact location before disappearing.
Moments later, he arrived at a quiet courtyard. Sparse yet serene, it had an air of tranquility. He sent a sound transmission note to announce his arrival.
A short while later, the defensive formation flickered slightly, and Yan Ruyan emerged, her slender figure moving gracefully as a fragrant breeze accompanied her.
When she saw Qi Yuan, her snow-white face lit up with joy. Her clear eyes sparkled as she teased, "Where did this scoundrel come from? If you don't leave, I'll have to take action."
Had Ruyan been holding back too much?
Qi Yuan moved forward with the confident stride of a dragon and a tiger, forcing her against the wall. He pinched her chin and smiled. "And if this playboy intends to do something evil, young lady, why don't you cry for help?"
Yan Ruyan's gaze turned shy, her cheeks dusted with pink. She bit her lips as if debating whether to actually call out, but Qi Yuan silenced her before she could.
Even though there were no outsiders here, if Yan Ruyan really cried out, who knew if some passing cultivator might rush in to play the hero?
Time blurred.
Eventually, Qi Yuan felt the silent signal from Yan Ruyan against his chest and let her go. He kissed her smooth forehead and asked, "How is Ruyin's elixir formation progressing?"
"With your Ice Heart Pill suppressing the side effects of her physique, everything should go smoothly. She's in secluded retreat now."
Qi Yuan extended his spiritual sense, detecting the stable spiritual energy within the courtyard's retreat chamber. His concerns about Xin Ruyin eased.
Feeling content, he decided it was time to act. Ling Yuling's kiss on the deserted island had momentarily eased his pent-up frustration, but seeing Yan Ruyan now, that tension returned.
He swept her into his arms, vanished into the courtyard, and casually activated the defensive formation behind them.
Only the lingering echoes of a startled scream remained.
"Scoundrel! Call Yuan Yao and Yan Li, or else..."
Qi Yuan's golden elixir exuded a faint mist, strengthening his physique. Though Yuan Yao and Yan Li needed to maintain their Yuan Yin bodies for cultivation, when Yan Ruyan and the others struggled to keep up with him, they often sought assistance.
**Three days later.**
Qi Yuan stood outside the courtyard, his body covered in faint red lip marks, his scent a mix of rouge and lingering fragrance. He had barely managed to put on his inner robe before Yan Ruyan had shoved him out.
Sometimes, being too strong wasn't necessarily a good thing...
"Ruyan, I haven't put on my outer robe yet!" Qi Yuan called out.
A sky-blue robe flew over the wall.
His face brightened as he caught it. It was a brand-new robe. Happily, he put it on and added, "Ruyan, get some rest. We spent three days in the courtyard."
"Get lost!" came her hoarse but furious voice.
Qi Yuan wiped the remaining lip marks from his face. Knowing he had lingered long enough, he turned to leave.
Staying any longer might lead to an unfortunate encounter with Ruyan's ice techniques, and while they had their uses, he preferred to avoid being on the receiving end unprepared.
Since Xin Ruyin's breakthrough was going smoothly, it was time to check on Xiaomei.
Determining the direction, Qi Yuan turned into a streak of light and vanished.
(End of Chapter)