Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 296 Night Soaring

Ye Tinglan paid a heavy price for her demonic possession.

The "uncle" ordered the sect leader's niece to put her legs together and squeeze them together hundreds of times before they both collapsed onto the couch, embracing each other to rest.

"Is there something wrong with you..." Ye Tinglan nestled against his shoulder, both amused and exasperated: "Most people would hesitate a bit when faced with this kind of ethical dilemma, but you're just more excited!"

"Our situations are different!" Lu Xingzhou said matter-of-factly, "Before, you had so many identities, it was troublesome. Now, no matter what your identity is, whether you have to pretend to be the Holy Lord in public, or Mr. Ye Zhuoyu of the Pill Academy, or Junior Sister Yan Junyuan Muyu, I can call you all 'Junior Nephew' now. It's simple and doesn't require much brainpower. Elder Feng is such a good person! Oh, by the way, he is..."

"They've already accepted you as an unofficial disciple, yet you don't even know who they are!" Ye Tinglan chuckled. "Grandmaster Feng's name is Feng Ziliu. It's said that he was a remarkable figure in his youth, but later, for some unknown reason, he became disheartened and retired long ago. After that, he only cared about the Scripture Pavilion and didn't concern himself with anything else. No one knows what level of cultivation he's at now. Anyway, there's no need to test him. If he's at the first rank, his lifespan should be coming to an end soon. If he can continue to live longer, then he's undoubtedly at the super-rank."

“He’s a man with a story to tell…” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “Luckily, he’s not from the Qing generation.”

Ye Tinglan: "?"

Lu Xingzhou said in a low voice, "We met by chance, and I will definitely repay him for helping me."

Ye Tinglan smiled and said, "It's good that you have this thought. You just broke through to the third rank, and your inner demon tribulation still needs your junior niece to help you get rid of it. You're thinking about repaying a superior rank person all the time. Hmph."

Lu Xingzhou then smiled and climbed Tianyao Peak: "Don't you need to help with the super-grade stuff? At least help relieve the itch, right?"

"Get lost, you're just asking for trouble."

Lu Xingzhou knew that Ye Tinglan had to be purposeful in her actions. For example, this time she brought him into the bedchamber to solve the aftereffects of her inner demons, not because she was itchy.

He was worried about whether the thought of hiding the little white hair had been resolved. He tried to examine himself internally countless times and it seemed that there was really no problem. He finally felt relieved and sighed, "It's so good to have a backer. If I were a rogue cultivator, I would have developed some aftereffects but not realize it. Sooner or later, something bad would happen."

Ye Tinglan smugly hummed twice: "That depends on what kind of backing you have."

With the world's best support right here, is your little hussy at home still clamoring to be your support? Is she even qualified?
Lu Xingzhou could easily tell who she was referring to, and with a wry smile, he buried his face in the mountains: "My wife is the best..."

"Not her junior niece anymore?"

"So it is..."

…………

"Sect Master," someone reported from outside the door, "the disciples' sparring match has been decided, and the other two substitutes have also been selected."

Ye Tinglan sat lazily in front of the dressing mirror, Lu Xingzhou combing her hair from behind. Hearing this, she tried to sound aloof: "Oh? Who is it?"

"One is Xiao Qingya, and the other is Lu Nuonuo."

Lu Xingzhou's hand trembled, and he almost pulled out a single hair from Ye Tinglan's head.

Ye Tinglan was also very surprised: "Although Lu Nuonuo is extremely talented, she is only a fourth-grade upper-level. The elders have been insisting on a third-grade one. What is the principle?"

"They said that just being a mascot would be enough to make them appear holy in front of the people of the holy land."

"...How vulgar! Does our holy land need this kind of public display of holiness?"

"Uh... so, rejection?"

"If you really want to show your prowess in front of others, you should at least be at the third rank. Pass on my order to send Lu Nuonuo into the Yaochi Secret Realm for three days of training."

"……Yes."

Lu Xingzhou whispered, "You let Qingli meditate for three days one minute, and then you let Anuo study for three days the next. What are you up to?"

Ye Tinglan hummed, "His deep love and care for his disciples."

Lu Xingzhou didn't believe a single word.

Of course, judging from Ye Tinglan's tone, the so-called Yaochi Secret Realm should be one of the top cultivation secret places in Tianyao Holy Land, which should be considered a great fortune for Anuo. Of course, he would not be tactless and refuse on Anuo's behalf. Perhaps Anuo's third-grade fortune lies here.

He then said, "What about me? Will you give me a secret realm too?"

Ye Tinglan said irritably, "In terms of spiritual energy alone, isn't this place enough for your cultivation?"

Lu Xingzhou embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, and the two admired their intimate reflection in the mirror.

"In terms of spiritual energy alone, there are many places to cultivate, such as the Danxia Secret Realm or even the Scripture Pavilion. But I'm looking for a different kind of training, like Qingli's Ten Thousand Swords Tomb, which sounds perfect for honing her sword intent. The Tianyao Holy Land has a profound foundation; surely there's something suitable for me there?"

Unable to resist the little man's persistent pleading, Ye Tinglan had no choice but to say, "Yes, yes, yes, the ability to deduce the five elements and harmonize the power of water and fire is suitable for you. However, this Five Elements Ruins is adjacent to the Ten Thousand Swords Tomb, so you should be careful not to accidentally enter the Ten Thousand Swords Tomb area. That kind of sharp sword intent is not suitable for you, and you are more likely to be injured by it."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Qingli is here, so they can help each other. How could something go wrong so easily?"

"It's because Qingli is here." Ye Tinglan in the mirror rolled her eyes. "Today she inexplicably challenged you in public. I think it's because of our relationship that Qingli has been holding back her anger and has been wanting to beat you up for a while, which is why she couldn't hold back. Go to the Sword Tomb alone to be by her side, don't get beaten up. In today's battle, you were clearly inferior to her, and it was in the Sword Tomb, a place that suits her performance. If you get beaten up, no one can save you."

"If she wants to hit me, I'll just let her hit me and that'll make me feel better..."

"I hope so." Ye Tinglan glanced at her reflection in the mirror, then stood up with satisfaction. "That's fine. I dragged you to the trials, but you didn't really learn anything. Now that we've come to the Tianyao Holy Land, the main purpose is to make up for the cultivation you've missed these past few days. Many places here are a blessing for you. Cultivation level isn't the only thing; you need to make the most of it and not waste any more time on..." "Waste on what?"

Of course, it was wasted on matters of love and sex. But by "matters of love and sex" here, she specifically meant her affair with Ye Tinglan. To say it out loud would be tantamount to saying, "Don't be intimate with me these next few days," and Ye Tinglan could never say that.

Besides, today's intimacy was clearly orchestrated by Ye Tinglan herself, who brought him into the dormitory and planted the seeds of pleasing the Dragon-Turtle Divine Beast—all so that he could come again in the future…

Ye Tinglan's face flushed, and she could only retort, "Why are you shutting me up? Anyway, if you're thinking about all sorts of things these next few days and end up getting beaten up during the competition, don't blame me for not letting you touch me!"

"You really want me to go to the grand competition?"

"Otherwise what? Aren't you a member of my Tianyao Holy Land? Even if we start counting from Yuan Muyu, you are."

“…Yes, that’s me.” Lu Xingzhou hugged her and said with a smile, “If someone beats you up, I’m not allowed to touch you…but what if you beat someone else up?”

Ye Tinglan's face flushed red. Even though she was alone in her own bedroom, she still secretly glanced around like a thief, then lowered her voice and said, "If you can perform well and help Tianyao Holy Land regain its glory in the East Sea and protect my reputation... then when you come back, Master will reward you with an extra progress point."

Lu Xingzhou blinked. At first glance, he couldn't understand what the reward was, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized what the progress meant.

Now the two of them have done a lot of things, even just had sex... If they were to go any further, what would that be?
Lu Xingzhou felt like he'd been injected with adrenaline and immediately made a pledge: "I guarantee to complete the mission. If I lose, I'll bring my head upon myself!"

"What would I do with your head? If you lose, I'd rather you cut off your little head and give it to me."

Lu Xingzhou was both amused and exasperated: "That seems to affect your happiness."

"Get out of here." Ye Tinglan pushed him toward the door. "Get lost. Staying here for too long will only arouse suspicion. I'll avoid suspicion by not taking you to the Five Elements Ruins. A disciple will lead the way."

Seeing that the door was about to open, Lu Xingzhou pointed to his face: "Let's give each other a farewell kiss."

Ye Tinglan pouted her red lips and kissed him on the cheek.

The soft touch vanished in an instant, and soon the bedchamber door opened. The Holy Lord had already donned a veil, concealing his red lips, and regained his aloof and dignified demeanor: "Have you remembered what I said today?"

Lu Xingzhou followed behind, bowing and scraping: "I've got it. Thank you for your guidance. I look forward to the day when I make even greater progress."

Ye Tinglan gripped his slender hand, almost wanting to smash his head in.

The disciple beside him bowed with considerable envy, saying, "Sect Master."

Ye Tinglan said expressionlessly, "This is Lu Xingzhou, an unofficial disciple of Grandmaster Feng, and also a member of our Holy Land. He will soon represent our Holy Land in the Sea Grand Competition. You will take him to the Five Elements Ruins and introduce him in detail, without any mistakes."

The disciples bowed and said, "Yes."

An aged voice came from the air: "No need for them to lead the way, I will lead it myself."

With a flash, Mr. Feng Ziliu appeared before everyone.

Ye Tinglan politely bowed to him: "Grandmaster Uncle has always lived a secluded life in the Scripture Pavilion, detached from worldly affairs. How come you have time for such a trivial matter as leading the way today..."

"If I don't train my disciples, who will?"

Ye Tinglan couldn't help but blurt out, "What did Grandmaster Uncle see in this person?"

"He chose to save lives and injure others. When fighting Qingli, there were clearly more violent methods, yet he chose to heal." Feng Ziliu sighed softly. "More importantly, this person possesses the Soaring Technique. Do you think I'm too old and blind to see that?"

No, who is Fuyao?

Lu Xingzhou didn't react for a moment, then heard Ye Tinglan say calmly, "Her name is now Yuan Muyu."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

It's a pity that after knowing each other for over ten years, this is the first time I've learned Yuan Muyu's real name.

He still thought they were a couple, and he didn't even notice such obvious estrangement. Love really does make people stupid.

"I don't care what kind of fish she is," Feng Ziliu said. "Your sisters have been at odds for ten years, which has had a significant impact on the Tianyao Holy Land. Now that there is an opportunity for reconciliation, I won't let you miss it."

Ye Tinglan was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Grandmaster Uncle has gone to great lengths."

Feng Ziliu waved his hand, took Lu Xingzhou's arm, and rode away on the clouds.

Once in mid-air, Lu Xingzhou was about to express his gratitude when Feng Ziliu spoke first: "What's with the aura of dual cultivation of the Charming Maiden Mystic Art on your body?"

Lu Xingzhou felt a chill run down his spine. Was this something he could say?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I've been in Xiamen these past few days, so updates have been a bit inconsistent. Please forgive me. I'll be back the day after tomorrow, and I'll update more frequently then.

(End of this chapter)