156: Yao Delong, who cultivates Yin and Yang values

Hard work pays off!

On the morning of the fifth day, Yao Delong rubbed his slightly sore waist and checked the System panel with a refreshed spirit.

The number in the yin-yang value column instantly made him feel that all his "hard work" had been worth it!

[Current yin-yang value: 246 points!]

Looking at this sum, which could be considered a "fortune," a gratified smile like that of an old farmer at harvest time appeared on Yao Delong's face.

Not only had his yin-yang value skyrocketed, but his Middle Golden Core Stage cultivation had also, over these past few days of high-intensity yin-yang harmony and personal cultivation,

Completely stabilized at the Peak. He was now only one suitable opportunity away from a Breakthrough to the Late Golden Core Stage!

"It's time to return to the Sect."

Yao Delong calculated in his mind. There was nothing left for him in Canglan City.

The Lin family's troubles were temporarily resolved, and the Asura Puppet was about to be fully repaired.

He took Lin Qingxue to bid farewell to Father and Mother Lin.

Her mother, Xia Ling, held her daughter's hand, her eyes full of reluctance as she nagged her to be careful on the road and to visit home often.

Father Lin, Lin Chengzong, still maintained a stiff face, clearly still brooding over his daughter selling her Magic Treasure to repay the Marquis's Mansion's debts.

He only gave a huff, which served as acknowledgment.

As for the younger sister, Lin Qingyao, she had already returned to the Moyang Sect a few days ago.

After saying goodbye to his Junior Sister's parents, the trio of Yao Delong's group headed straight for the Forging Workshop in the west of the city.

The burly man had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Yao Delong, he immediately led him to see the repaired Puppet.

The massive piercing crack on the Asura Puppet's chest,

Had been filled and sealed seamlessly with a dark red alloy that had a metallic luster.

Several reinforcement runes were engraved on the alloy's surface, flickering with a stable spiritual light.

Though not perfectly fused with the surrounding simple bronze material, it was exceptionally sturdy,

As if a thick breastplate had been placed on this ferocious Asura.

Several other large cracks had also received simple reinforcement.

"Young Master, please look!" The burly man slapped the sealed area hard, producing a dull "thud-thud" sound.

"A mixture of Profound Iron Essence and Earth Vein Fire Copper, supplemented with 'Immovable as a Mountain' reinforcement runes—I guarantee it's solid!

As long as it's not a full-power strike from a Late Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse, it will definitely hold up for a short time!"

Yao Delong nodded in satisfaction. This burly man's craftsmanship was indeed good and had met his expectations.

He readily paid the remaining four hundred and fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and waved his hand to store the repaired Asura Puppet into his storage ring.

"Let's go, back to the Sect," Yao Delong said to the two women, taking the lead toward the city gates.

Meanwhile, Liu Sha, who was waiting in ambush near Bique City, had a face so dark it looked like it could drip water.

He had taken several trusted aides and set up surveillance on several main paths leading to the Yin Yang Sect and outside Bique City for several days,

Yet he hadn't even seen a shadow of Yao Delong! Could this kid really fly through the sky or burrow into the earth?

"Elder!" A demonic cultivator in charge of intelligence rushed over and handed over a transmission Jade Slip.

"Just received a secret report from an undercover agent in Canglan City! A special secret signal left by the Saintess was discovered! The time... was just a few days ago!"

"Canglan City?!"

Liu Sha grabbed the Jade Slip, his Divine Sense scanning it. A flash of shock and disbelief crossed his blood-colored eyes.

"Ten thousand miles away! How could he have reached Canglan City so quickly? Did he not return to the Sect at all?"

A surge of anger from being toyed with rose in his heart. He immediately realized that his previous judgment might have been a major deviation!

Yao Delong hadn't just avoided returning to the Sect; he had instead run in the opposite direction to the even more distant Canglan City!

"Issue orders immediately!" Liu Sha said through gritted teeth.

"Deploy... no, order all personnel within the territory of the Ba Xia Dynasty

Who can reach the vicinity of Canglan City the fastest to assemble there!

Focus on monitoring the main roads leading out of Canglan City! Especially the direction toward the Yin Yang Sect! You must block him for me!"

His subordinates left to carry out the orders. However, Liu Sha felt a bit uncertain.

Most of his elite forces had been deployed by him to block the path back to the Sect. Now, hastily redirecting them to Canglan City,

The personnel were scattered and time was tight. Whether they could block that slippery kid was truly hard to say.

On the other side, Xue Jiu, who harbored dreams of a "two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone fortune" and a "grand reward for saving the Saintess,"

Also received the same intelligence—the Saintess's secret signal had appeared in Canglan City!

"Canglan City?"

Xue Jiu rubbed his chin, his eyes darting around,

"What is this kid doing taking the Saintess to Canglan City? Could it be... whatever, he eventually has to return to the Yin Yang Sect anyway! Canglan City is too far!"

He immediately began to analyze:

"Elder Liu Sha must have received the news too. He has many subordinates and will surely move them in large numbers to Canglan City to surround him!

But Canglan City has roads in all directions, and that kid is slippery.

What if he slips away, or if he's not even in Canglan City anymore?

No matter how many people Elder Liu has, they can't cover such a vast area!"

"And what about me?"

Xue Jiu weighed his pitiful "funds" and even more pitiful connections.

"Mobilize those hidden Nascent Soul Elders?

Don't be ridiculous. They could crush me with a single finger; who would listen to the orders of a tiny Golden Core?

The Sect Master's personal order? They'd have to recognize it first! They might even find me a nuisance!"

"Instead of looking for a needle in the haystack of Canglan City and competing for credit with Elder Liu's people, why not..."

A flash of cunning light crossed Xue Jiu's eyes.

"Go straight to the final stop—waiting outside the Yin Yang Sect's mountain gate! That kid is carrying the Saintess; he must eventually return to the Sect!

As long as he goes back, he must pass through the mountain gate!

If I ambush him on the mandatory path and wait for the rabbit to come to me, wouldn't that be more secure? I can also avoid a conflict with Elder Liu's people!"

"Yes! That's what I'll do!" Xue Jiu slapped his thigh, feeling like he was simply a Genius.

He immediately changed direction, no longer heading for Canglan City, but rushing straight toward the area where the Yin Yang Sect's mountain gate was located,

Preparing to find a hidden spot to peacefully be a "camper."

Outside Canglan City, in a secluded spot.

Yao Delong summoned his colorful Flying Sword, and the sword body grew with the wind until it was spacious enough.

"Come up." Yao Delong habitually extended his hand to the demoness.

However, the demoness stood in place without moving, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yao Delong.

She then glanced at the slightly cold-faced Lin Qingxue, her red lips pursing slightly,

With a trace of imperceptible... grievance and accusation in her eyes.

The meaning was more than clear: Senior Brother, are you really going to take this demoness with you on the sword? And let her sit right next to you?

Yao Delong was stunned for a moment, then realized, laughing inwardly—was his Junior Sister... jealous?

Just as he was about to explain, Xin Yuelan, on the side, seemed to have discovered something interesting.

A flash of cunning light crossed her red pupils. She deliberately swayed her waist and took a step forward.

Under the stunned gazes of Yao Delong and Lin Qingxue, she grabbed Yao Delong's arm!

"Oh my~ Young Master!"

Xin Yuelan's voice instantly became soft and sweet, with a hint of seductive charm.

She even deliberately pressed her body closer to Yao Delong.

"My cultivation has been sealed by you, so I can't fly by myself!

I don't care, I want to sit on your Flying Sword! It's only safe if I sit right next to you!"

As she spoke, she shot a provocative glance at Lin Qingxue, as if to say:

Look, I'm holding your Senior Brother's arm!

Where had Lin Qingxue ever seen such a display? Her nature was cold and reserved; even her jealousy was subtle.

Now, provoked by Xin Yuelan's blatant "show of force" and that sweet, cloying tone,

She was suddenly both ashamed and angry, her pretty face turning bright red as she pointed at Xin Yuelan: "You... you have no shame!"