Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

[Elder Jiu: Hmm? Why? Trying to slack off? Or did the prince of Xiling give you two treasures that were too valuable, and you've decided to stay and offer yourself in return?]

"..." Chu Ming thought to himself, "This Elder Wine is not bad, he's a good person!"

"..." Yun Nongyu was a little embarrassed.

Her original intention was to let Chu Mingkong know about the false information she had spread, but she didn't expect Elder Jiu to be so unrestrained and talk nonsense, especially in front of Chu Mingkong...

However, Chu Mingkong didn't say anything, so Yun Nongyu just pretended nothing had happened.

[Elder Xingjing: Yes, Elder Yun, why do you say this? Have you gained some insights into the way of star observation and intend to go into seclusion?]

[Yun Nongyu: To be honest, the subsequent advancement of the Way of Star Gazing will require the protection and assistance of the Queen Mother of the West. However, as you all know, the current situation is as follows... The Buddhist sect has learned a lot about the situation from Daoist Peng Bao. The vacancy at the high position urgently needs to be filled.]

I've explored many methods these past few days and decided to choose...

Yun Nongyu's mental transmission abruptly ended. The people on the Daoist side did not rush to ask, assuming that her decision was significant and required time to process, think deeply, and make a firm decision.

In reality, she suddenly "saw" her thighs about to be sprayed with hot, scorching slug.

Because she was still preoccupied with making contacts with the Taoist sect, she didn't have time to carefully examine what postures she could perform among those branches. In her haste, she didn't know what to do for a moment.

Chu Mingkong's eyebrows twitched; Yun Nongyu's perception was simply too frightening...

He gently placed the stunningly beautiful and otherworldly female Taoist down, then walked up to her and touched her cheek almost touching hers. Her face was fair and flawless, and her skin was as white and tender as snow.

Because of Chu Mingkong's action, the scene Yun Nongyu had foreseen instantly became clear. The numerous branches became the only choice at this moment, saving her from the dazzling confusion and directly telling her what to do next.

The woman, aloof yet gentle, exuded elegance. Without any unusual expression, she changed from sitting to kneeling, brushed her black hair aside, and calmly parted her red lips to accept his rage.

Communication between Taoist sects continues—

[Yun Nongyu: I have decided to choose the ancient witchcraft clan's method of advancement to reach a higher realm. Among the many traditions in the Daoist sect, the method of summoning deities is the closest to the original tradition of the witchcraft clan. Fortunately, the gift given to me by His Highness Chu has given me this opportunity... In the coming days, I will remain in Xiling in seclusion, choosing a day to advance and attempt an advancement. At that time, it should take place near the Abyss, so I will have to trouble everyone to take care of the affairs of the Daoist sect.]

Inside the cave, the dim campfire still cast shadows.

The shadows reflected on the rock face sometimes advance, sometimes retreat, sometimes engulf, sometimes remain unspitting out...

Chapter 200 Mutual Respect

Among the elders of the Taoist sect, some reside in Kunlun, while others wander about, seeking opportunities in various places.

"Is Xiaoyun telling me not to go out looking for wine anytime soon? Oh well, that's fine. I might have to go to Xiling to help her later. Suddenly she started practicing the Divine Invocation Technique and is already preparing to advance in rank so quickly... Is the Prince's treasury in Xiling that good? I wonder if they have any good wine." Elder Wine looked on with a greedy gaze.

The other elders naturally wondered if Yun Nongyu's statement was just a ruse to lure out the traitor.

Everyone knew that Yun Nongyu was exceptionally talented and naturally had a natural affinity for the Dao. She learned everything very quickly. It was just a pity that she had devoted herself to the Dao of Star Gazing, but after only a few days of practicing the Divine Invocation Technique, she was already preparing to advance to the next level!

This is truly news that evokes mixed feelings, yet one can't help but hope it's true. Even if there might be an element of deceiving an insider, she most likely genuinely intends to advance her cultivation level using ancient methods. The Queen Mother of the West, the leader of the Daoist sect, has indeed been "silent" for far too long.

and......

The Taoist method of communication is similar to the paper slips used by Tianya Tower, except that it does not require writing on the paper slips with fingers, but can directly form words with thoughts.

This "input method" eliminates the trouble of shaky hands when writing, but when there are fluctuations in one's consciousness and mood, these fluctuations will also be reflected in the handwriting formed by one's thoughts.

The elders of the Taoist sect examined the handwriting of Yun Nongyu's last message. It was generally neat and pleasing to the eye, but the details revealed distorted, embarrassed, bewildered, and helpless emotions.

Elder Yun must have been struggling with a decision at that time. He wasn't interested in the summoning technique, but for the sake of the greater good, he had no choice but to persevere.

"Cough cough cough..."

From a cave on the outskirts of the Abyss, came the sound of a woman coughing. Her voice was muffled and had a thick, sticky quality.

"Your Highness, I have wasted a lot of your power and essence. It was really... a bit too much."

Yun Nongyu apologized, but Chu Mingkong also felt a little guilty, especially when he saw her white blindfold and her pure and beautiful face stained with his body heat and breath, which tainted that Daoist beauty. Chu Mingkong felt even more apologetic, and it was Yun Nongyu who apologized.

"It's alright... No, Master Yun, there's no need to apologize. Your apology will only make me feel more guilty and ashamed."

Chu Mingkong had mixed feelings, but he didn't stand there dumbfounded. He took out the cleaning supplies he carried with him from his storage ring. Because of the presence of Zuo Qiuchi, Feng Ying, Rong'er, and Jin Yu, Chu Mingkong often had to help them clean their faces.

Unexpectedly, this thorough preparation came in very handy at this time and with this particular person.

First, he gently patted the soiled area with clean water, and then wiped it clean with a handkerchief. This process was almost muscle memory for Chu Mingkong. No woman in the manor had not experienced this service, after all, they had all been sprayed with Chu Mingkong's spray on their faces.

However, Chu Mingkong felt that he and Yun Nongyu hadn't reached that level of affection yet, and this situation had inexplicably arisen.

The cleaning work was completed quickly, but this did not affect the meticulousness of the process. Chu Mingkong did not slack off in the slightest. How could he be distracted or careless when it came to stroking the beauty's delicate face?

However, Yun Nongyu's blindfold couldn't be cleaned as easily.

"Master Yun, this blindfold..."

"Your Highness need not worry. I can change it when we get back. This aura is indeed a bit unfamiliar, but the power of the 'Su Nu Jing' and 'Xuan Nu Jing' is familiar to me."

Yun Nongyu gently shook her head. She felt that she had received Chu Mingkong's thoughtful care for no reason, and merely thanking him verbally seemed a bit perfunctory.

Coincidentally, Yun Nongyu saw the "sequel" in her premonition: a woman cleaning a man's mouth.

Since His Highness had cleaned her up so meticulously, she couldn't possibly be perfunctory in return. Although this was based on Slaanesh's premonition, she hadn't expected it to come in slightly useful.

Chu Mingkong was just about to help her up when Yun Nongyu suddenly grabbed his hand, and before he knew it, she began a series of actions he couldn't refuse...

He knew that Yun Nongyu's precognitive abilities must have started again.

What kind of magic is this? It's so unorthodox!

The jade slip fragments that had been crushed earlier suddenly returned to their original positions, reverting to their original state.

Seeing this, Chu Mingkong changed the subject, saying, "Master Yun, wasn't that Daoist sect's communication just now a way to spread false information and deceive the mole within?"

Yun Nongyu's voice was somewhat hoarse and muffled, occasionally punctuated by breathy sounds:

"Hmm...yes, but it's not exactly fake news. I do have plans to advance my rank."

"I see. No matter what happens, I will do my best to protect Daoist Yun. I can't guarantee anything else, but as long as I'm here in this Abyss, no one can hurt you."

This is how people with high emotional intelligence (EQ) speak; people with low emotional intelligence (EQ) speak as follows:

In this abyss, I, Chu, can escape wherever I want, I am invincible!

As expected, Yun Nongyu expressed her gratitude once again.

This situation is really strange. Why has such a subtle and awkward situation turned into such a respectful and polite one?

Chu Mingkong was a little worried that if he really had to start cultivating later, Yun Nongyu might treat him politely—

"Your Highness, I am ready. Please come in."

[Your Highness, I feel my cultivation is progressing smoothly. Thank you for your dedication to Nongyu.]

"Your Highness, I'm sorry, but you've given me far too much cultivation essence. I can't absorb all of it. Please place it elsewhere in Nongyu's possession."

...That's a rather strange idea.

Chu Mingkong calmed himself down, put away his strange imaginings, and asked with concern:

"By the way, how are you feeling, Daoist Yun? I just tried circulating those two original scriptures. Is it able to suppress the influence of Slaanesh?"

Yun Nongyu stopped what she was doing, carefully sensed and probed, and said uncertainly:

"It seems to work, but I'm not sure if it's the effect of the essence of my power, or if it's because of what Slaanesh guided me to do earlier, which satisfied the backlash and temporarily stopped it..."

"What should I do?"

"Let's see if Slaanesh's influence will get out of control again for no reason. If all goes well, I will carefully study those two original scriptures after we return. Then, I will trouble Your Highness to take some time to cultivate with me, would that be alright?"

If things don't go smoothly, she will still inexplicably emit strange Daoist auras, and then I will have no choice but to accompany her to complete the entire cultivation process in the Abyss.

"Whenever you have time, Master Yun, just let me know."

Afterwards, Chu Mingkong waited patiently with Yun Nongyu in the cave to see if the situation would continue to spiral out of control. It seemed that the antidote had indeed had some effect, and for the time being, there was no further backlash from the effects of the evil spirits.

It seems it's time to return to Tianya City; I haven't even gone to say goodbye to my master's wife yet.

"Your Highness, the backlash from Slaanesh seems to be quite deep on you, and it's hard to shake off. My mouth is a little tired; may I rest for a moment...?"

"...I will try my best to control myself. Let's go back to Tianya City now."

--------

(PS: I finally reached the 18-word attendance target for this month! It was slower than the month before last; I think I reached 18 words around the 20th before.)

Chapter 201 Lying in the middle, sleeping on both sides

In Qingxin Mansion, in Xiao Yunhan's courtyard.

When they settled in for the night, Shen Xuejun did not have her disciple build a separate courtyard. Instead, she stayed in Xiao Yunhan's room, and the two beautiful and aloof master and disciple shared a bed.

And in the middle of them were two adorable little girls.

The little girl was already fast asleep. The kitten snuggled into Shen Xuejun's arms, its warm little paws squeezing the beautiful woman's fingers. Although Shen Xuejun's scent was unfamiliar, the kitten felt a sense of familiarity with the size of this little bundle of milk. It snuggled closer without any discomfort. It was rare for the shy kitten to sleep so soundly in the arms of a strange, beautiful woman on its first night.

Jiao'er is actually just a baby, and her sleeping posture is similar to that of a cat. However, she seems to prefer nibbling on her little fists. At this moment, she is also leaning against Xiao Yunhan's arm, sleeping soundly.

As for the cold and beautiful master and apprentice sandwiched between the babies, their attention was all on the little ones, and they hardly slept at all.

Suddenly, Xiao Yunhan sensed that her master was reacting; she seemed to be sensing something.

"Master, what happened?" Xiao Yunhan asked softly, her voice drifting in the stillness of the night.

“A very ancient aura has emerged from the Abyss.”

"Ancient... aura?" Xiao Yunhan's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, but the delicate child in her arms sniffed, and she regained her composure.

"It must be that Mingkong and that elder from the Daoist sect did something, leaving a trace of their aura." As Shen Xuejun spoke, her gaze fell on the cat, and the beautiful woman's slender fingers, held by the little paws, gently stroked the cat's face.

"Is this a good thing or a bad thing?" Xiao Yunhan was more concerned about this.

Since Xiao Yunhan encountered a bottleneck, she has learned a lot about ancient times. Judging from the existing records, ancient times seemed to be wonderful and full of spiritual energy.

However, the opportunity brought by the Yin Time allowed Xiao Yunhan to have actual contact with people from ancient times. She discovered that ancient times seemed quite Yin and were not at all as wonderful as she had imagined.

“Mingkong was able to emerge from the Abyss unhurriedly, which means everything is alright. Yunhan, you also need to pay close attention to your condition. You must not be reckless in cultivating your soul, and do not inhale or exhale the demonic energy of heaven and earth indiscriminately.”

"Disciple understands." Xiao Yunhan did not ask why, even though she had some doubts in her heart.

......

The journey back to Tianya City took a little longer than expected because they discovered a secluded pool in the mountains along the way, so Chu Mingkong accompanied Yun Nongyu there to freshen up.