Chapter 123 Don't hang up!

A few more days passed.

The morning light filtered through the window frames, casting soft spots of light within the main hall. On the massive white jade bed, the scene was quite charming and scandalous.

Xiao Ming slowly woke up from amidst the warm, fragrant bodies. He exhaled, and with a slight movement, he felt a warm, smooth touch and a bosom full of fragrance.

His left arm was lightly pressed down by Mo Qingzhu's long, straight jade-like legs, while his right palm covered Chi Lianer's plump and bouncy peaks. Yu Linglong was sprawled over him, fast asleep, her silky black hair falling like a waterfall across his chest. He truly had a beauty on each arm, enjoying the ultimate bliss, carrying a hint of the decadent charm of a king neglecting his morning court.

This debauched scene was only missing one line: "Today... there shall be no court!"

A lazy curve hooked at the corner of Xiao Ming's lips. After playing around for a while and eliciting waves of soft moans and playful pouts from the beauties beside him, he finally withdrew from that intoxicating gentle land with satisfaction.

Standing by the bed, looking at the beautiful women lying there in a tangle of jade-like limbs—a sight enough to make any man's Bloodline boil—Xiao Ming's eyes showed little indulgence. Instead, a flash of clarity and contemplation crossed them. These past few days of absurdity were for relaxation and a reward, but certainly not a permanent state.

"The Sect has settled down. Revered Master is in seclusion, and my status in the Sect... the rear base is also stable." He put on his robes and tied his belt, his gaze deepening. "It's time to go out and travel."

Staying in the Sect was indeed safe and comfortable, but without a "Child of Fortune" to harvest, no villain points coming in, the System silent, and his cultivation stagnating, it was not a long-term path. The Xuanhuang Continent was vast, where Opportunities and crises coexisted; that was the stage where he truly belonged.

With his mind made up, Xiao Ming no longer lingered on the warm and fragrant beauties behind him. With a slight movement, he quietly left the sleeping quarters and flew toward the main peak of the Sect—the Vice Sect Master's hall.

Before long, he arrived at the main peak.

The Vice Sect Master's hall still stood tall and majestic, exuding a grand authority. However, traces of the brief but fierce battle from not long ago remained on the square in front of the hall and the surrounding areas. A mixed aura lingered in the air: the cold Ghost Qi and murky Evil Qi had not yet fully dissipated. Deep within these unpleasant scents, one could faintly sense a trace of fire that was about to vanish but remained pure and blazing, making the Soul instinctively tremble—it belonged to Luo Hongyi's Phoenix Fire.

At the hall entrance, the guards were no longer those scheming War Demon Peak Disciples, but four Cultivators with steady auras, sharp gazes, and uniform attire with faint flame patterns embroidered on their chests. They stood straight like spears, their Devilish Qi pure and restrained. Clearly, their cultivation was impressive and they were strictly disciplined; they were likely direct confidants personally promoted or trusted by Luo Hongyi.

Seeing Xiao Ming approaching through the air, the four guards' gazes swept over him in unison, filled with scrutiny and vigilance. A cold-faced middle-aged Cultivator at the head took a step forward and cupped his hands. "Saint, the Vice Sect Master has ordered that she needs quiet meditation and reorganization lately and will not see outsiders for the time being. Please stop."

His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, carrying the detachment of official business.

Xiao Ming's expression remained unchanged, having expected this. He didn't say much, merely brushing his finger lightly across his storage ring.

A palm-sized crimson token appeared in his hand. An intricate "Luo" character in ancient seal script was carved on it, with a dark red shimmer flowing around the edges, faintly emitting the same Phoenix aura as the depths of the hall and the air.

This was the token Luo Hongyi had previously given him, allowing him to freely enter and exit the Vice Sect Master's hall and open the Restrictions. This token represented Revered Master's trust in him and, to some extent, served as a silent connection and bond.

Seeing this token, the four guards' gazes sharpened, and the detachment on their faces instantly vanished, replaced by respect. The leading middle-aged Cultivator immediately stepped aside, bowing his head in silence.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. Holding the token, he didn't spare the guards another look and walked slowly with his hands behind his back into the Vice Sect Master's hall, which had silently opened for him.

After passing a few familiar turns, he walked at an unhurried pace directly toward the depths of the inner hall. He knew Revered Master must be there, as that was her resting place.

Unlike the warm and lazy atmosphere of last time, the inner hall was now solemn and quiet. The warm jade floor was polished to a shine, and a very faint scorched scent still lingered in the air, mixing with expensive cold sandalwood incense to create a unique and oppressive majesty.

Luo Hongyi was not reclining on the bed as usual. She stood with her back to the hall door, in front of the massive spiritual window at the end of the inner hall that overlooked the Sect's sea of clouds and distant mountains. Her fiery red dress was still dazzling, outlining her breathtaking curves, but now that red no longer seemed majestic and powerful; instead, it exuded a strange and alluring impulse. The morning light filtered through the window frames, casting a pale golden outline around her. Her hair fell like a waterfall to her waist, with a simple red jade hairpin partially pinning back her silky black hair.

Hearing the almost inaudible footsteps behind her, Luo Hongyi did not turn around immediately, but her elegantly lined chin seemed to lift imperceptibly.

"You've come." Her voice rang out, pleasant yet authoritative, carrying a hint of superiority and an inexplicable intimacy unseen by others, echoing in the empty hall like the clinking of jade.

Xiao Ming was not surprised. He stopped and stood several yards away from Luo Hongyi, his posture composed as he nodded slightly. "Revered Master."

Luo Hongyi slowly turned around.

That incomparably beautiful face came into view, the cinnabar tear mole under her left eye appearing exceptionally clear in the morning light. Her gaze fell on Xiao Ming, deep and calm, as if she could see through one's heart, yet revealing little emotion.

Xiao Ming paused and got straight to the point. "Revered Master, I have come to report something."

"Oh?" Luo Hongyi's brow arched slightly, showing a hint of curiosity and doubt. "Tell me, what is it?"

Xiao Ming's gaze was calm, and his tone was steady yet firm. "The overall situation of the Sect is now settled. I feel that my own cultivation and experience are still shallow. Staying in the Sect for long, while peaceful, is like a frog in warming water—it is of no benefit to my cultivation. Therefore, I have decided to go down the mountain in a few days to travel, gain experience in various places, seek Opportunities, and temper myself."

Xiao Ming thought for a moment and added, "If there are matters in the Sect that need handling later, they can be assigned to those few people on my peak."

Luo Hongyi seemed unsurprised, merely leaning casually against the jade railing by the window in a lazy posture. She gave Xiao Ming a meaningful look and joked, "I personally have nothing to worry about, but before my silly Junior Sister went into seclusion, she entrusted me to take good care of you. If you were to die out there..." She then raised her hand slightly, tapping her jade-like finger toward Xiao Ming's forehead. A hazy phantom of a small Phoenix darted from her fingertip and merged into the space between Xiao Ming's eyebrows, forming a faint red Phoenix-like mark there.

Xiao Ming felt a strange burning sensation on his forehead. It wasn't a sharp pain, but a warm, seemingly living current waking up under his skin, quickly gathering and heating up between his eyebrows. He subconsciously raised his hand, his long fingers lightly touching the warm Phoenix Mark. Beneath his fingertips, he could faintly feel a very light, tiny, and profound pattern slightly protruding and glowing under the skin, like a sleeping crimson star being quietly lit.

At the same time, Revered Master's familiar and cold voice, carrying an almost imperceptible hint of teasing, rang directly in the depths of his mind, adding:

"Oh, by the way, here's a 'little toy' for you. It can save your life three times at critical moments... so you don't lose your life after just a few days of wandering out there and tarnish my prestige."

Her tone sounded as casual as if she were saying the weather was nice today, but Xiao Ming could still feel the underlying concern.

"Don't die."

Three words—concise, direct, and even a bit teasing—yet they struck heavily against Xiao Ming's heart.

The slight heat on his forehead gradually faded as if it had never appeared, but the mark containing vitality was now quietly buried. Xiao Ming lowered his hand and gave a deep bow to the peerless beauty leaning against the window.

"Rest assured, Revered Master!"

He knew this was not just three life-saving opportunities, but also Revered Master's seemingly casual yet heavy protection and inexplicable expectation.