A day later.
After finishing the secret technique training, only Cui Qing'er, the little fox, and a woman Lin Hao didn't recognize remained in the bedroom. The others had left.
The three women were all sitting cross-legged in meditation, clearly having gained significant benefits this time.
Lin Hao looked inward at his dantian, where the spiritual liquid had transformed into a mighty, unending river.
He had broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!
A sense of pride rose in his heart; his cultivation speed was unmatched in the Xuan Yin Sect.
Now, participating in the inner sect competition, breaking into the top hundred would be no problem.
If he could advance to the peak of Foundation Establishment, he might even challenge the top ten!
Of course, the most important thing now was to stabilize his cultivation and avoid arrogance and impatience.
While the three women were still meditating, Lin Hao closed his eyes again to digest the gains from his cultivation.
Another half day passed.
Jiang Shuyan awoke, the shackles that had troubled her for a year now shattered.
She had successfully broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!
Having been stuck at a bottleneck for a year without breaking through, she was surprised to have done so now.
Her eyes were filled with complex emotions, her heart empty and confused.
She had originally intended to seize the opportunity from him, but instead, she had gained nothing.
If this got out, how could she face anyone?
No, she had to find a way to make Jiang Mingfei keep his mouth shut when she returned, preferably forever.
She suddenly realized that the so-called opportunity Jiang Mingfei spoke of might be the man's cultivation method or his special physique.
Because she noticed that the man, who was originally at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, had already broken through to the late stage. Clearly, the man had gained more from this cultivation session.
Seeing the man still in meditation, a hint of killing intent rose in her heart.
If she smashed his head, she could avenge her humiliation and the princess's loss of innocence!
However, considering Lin Hao's identity and the fact that the Demon Lock Tower and the guarding elder were watching, killing him now would bring her big trouble.
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As she approached, the spiritual power in her palm dissipated, and she sighed heavily, "Forget it, I'll find another opportunity later."
She lightly stepped away from the cave dwelling.
Lin Hao opened his eyes, watching the departing figure, and murmured to himself.
"Good thing you changed your mind in time, or I would have had to destroy the flower."
Soon after, Cui Qing'er awoke, having gained considerable benefits, her cultivation nearly reaching the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
She got up to wake the princess but was stopped by Lin Hao's voice.
"Her cultivation is sealed, yet she can meditate. Clearly, it's a great opportunity. If you, a demon, disrupt the Demon Clan princess's opportunity, aren't you afraid of becoming a sinner among the Demon Clan?"
Hearing this, Cui Qing'er paused, her face showing complex emotions as she stared blankly at the man.
"After enjoying yourself and gaining so much, why are you still lingering here?"
Hearing the eviction order, a trace of resentment flashed in Cui Qing'er's eyes as she reluctantly said.
"Lin Hao, I advise you to be careful. The princess's status is noble. If the Green Mountain Demon King finds out you've defiled the princess's purity, even the Xuan Yin Sect Leader won't be able to protect you."
Lin Hao's lips curled into a sneer as he coldly replied, "You don't need to scare me. Do you think I'm foolish?
As a spy from the Demon Clan planted in the Xuan Yin Sect, your job is not only to plan the princess's rescue but also to ensure her personal safety at all times.
Now that something has happened to her, can you absolve yourself of responsibility?
Not just you, but all the Demon Clan insiders in the Xuan Yin Sect can't escape blame.
So we're all in the same boat. You'd better think about how to cover this up."
"By the way, compared to you, the Xuan Yin Sect is my home ground. Even if I offend that so-called Demon King, you'll be in trouble before I am."
Cui Qing'er was left speechless, a hint of anger on her fair face.
"Lin Hao, you're really heartless!"
"Right back at you."
Lin Hao waved his sleeve, ushering the woman out of the room, then walked over to the little fox.
"Your subordinates are gone, stop pretending."
Seeing the little fox still not opening her eyes, Lin Hao said nothing more and reached out to grab the woman...
The little fox jumped up, embarrassed and angry, "Lin Hao, can't you be less shameless?"
"Me, shameless?" Lin Hao pulled the woman into his arms, domineeringly saying.
"You eat my food, sleep in my place, and still linger here, and you call me shameless?"
"Who's lingering here?"
"If you're not, then why wake up early and not leave?"
"I just..." The little fox's voice trailed off, soft and tender.
"The women you brought are almost all from my Demon Clan. I really can't face them."
There was a hint of grievance in the little fox's tone.
...
At the Sect Leader's palace on Ethereal Peak.
Sect Leader Ouyang sat at the head seat, her phoenix eyes filled with affection.
"Xue'er, do you wish to participate in this competition?"
Ning Qingxue, the only disciple of the Xuan Yin Sect Leader, sat cross-legged on a cushion, with a sword lying flat on the small table in front of her.
She wore a black dress, her stunning face untouched by makeup, her eyes bright and clear.
"Will the two disciples of Ethereal Peak's master return?"
"They are on a secret mission and won't return," Sect Leader Ouyang said, her tone shifting with a smile.
Sect Leader Ouyang knew her disciple's proud nature well; few young talents in the sect could catch her eye.
If there were no opponents of interest in this competition, she might not be inclined to participate.
"Though those two youngsters from Ethereal Peak won't return, those old fellows in seclusion plan to have their disciples compete. You can use them to test your sword."
Ning Qingxue stood up, picked up the sword from the table, and clasped her hands in salute, "Thank you, Master, for allowing me. I'll go practice my sword."
Watching her disciple's departing figure, Sect Leader Ouyang's phoenix eyes were filled with shifting thoughts, leaving no one knowing what the sect leader was thinking.
...
"Lin Hao, come to my place, we need to talk."
After all the women had left, Han Liyue, unable to hold back any longer, sent a voice transmission to Lin Hao.
Elder Han is looking for me, what could it be? Lin Hao felt a bit puzzled and soon arrived at Han Liyue's residence.
Out of courtesy, he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Lin Hao pushed the door open and entered.
It was his first time at Elder Han's residence.
Upon entering, he saw draped curtains, walls covered in silk, a meticulously carved jade bed, embroidered quilts, and several sachets hanging from the curtain hooks, emitting a faint fragrance.
But Lin Hao distinctly smelled something unusual in the fragrance, indicating that Elder Han was quite the character.
He was about to ask when Elder Han spoke first.
"Sit."
Hearing this, Lin Hao sat cross-legged on a cushion, with a small incense burner on the low table in front of him, emitting wisps of purple smoke.
"Elder Han, what do you need from me?"
"Lin Hao, you've been here for quite some time. What do you think of me as a person?"
What does she mean by suddenly asking this? Lin Hao silently complained in his heart, could it be that her heart is stirring?
His lips curled slightly as he said, "Elder Han, you guard the Demon Lock Tower diligently, truly admirable."
Han Liyue gave him a soft look and said gently, "I don't want to hear these pleasantries. I want to know, what do you think of me... as a woman?"
"......"
Lin Hao looked up at the woman, seeing the thick allure on her face, combined with the lingering exotic fragrance at his nose, he instantly understood her true intention.