230: Two women meet

Outside Yao Delong's serene and elegant courtyard on Luoxia Peak.

A fierce but restrained sword light descended from the sky; it was Yao Delong, returning from Earth God Ravine.

As soon as he landed, his powerful Divine Sense keenly detected two familiar yet subtle auras within the courtyard.

One aura was scorching like fire, carrying a hint of natural allure—it was Liu Rumei.

The other aura, however, made Yao Delong slightly pause—

It was as cold and clear as the moon, yet contained the pressure of a recently achieved, not yet fully stable Nascent Soul!

This aura... it was Junior Sister Lin Qingxue!

"Clear Snow has come out of seclusion? Broke through to Nascent Soul?"

Yao Delong was pleasantly surprised, but then a hint of doubt arose,

"How did she and Rumei end up together?"

A not-so-good premonition quietly emerged.

He pushed open the courtyard door, and the scene before him confirmed his premonition.

In the courtyard, beneath a lush spiritual flower tree, two peerless beauties sat by a stone table.

On the left was Liu Rumei, in a fiery red dress that outlined her breathtaking curves.

She leaned languidly against the stone table, her eyes naturally exuding charm as they shifted.

She was holding a spiritual fruit, smiling enchantingly.

On the right was Lin Qingxue. She wore an elegant, moon-white long dress.

Her temperament was as cold and pure as a snow mountain lotus, and the aura of her recent Nascent Soul Breakthrough still carried a hint of sharp Sword Intent.

This added a few touches of heroism to her already beautiful face.

At this moment, she held a cup of spiritual tea, seemingly calmly conversing with Liu Rumei.

However, deep within her clear, cold eyes, there was a hint of imperceptible scrutiny and... vigilance.

Between the two women, the atmosphere seemed harmonious, but in reality, undercurrents surged, and the air felt as if an invisible string was taut.

"Senior Brother!"

"Delong!"

The two women almost simultaneously noticed Yao Delong entering.

Their faces instantly bloomed with joyful smiles, and they both rose to greet him.

Lin Qingxue was a step faster. Her cold demeanor melted like ice and snow the moment she saw Yao Delong.

It transformed into a flood of tenderness. She naturally took Yao Delong's left arm and asked with concern:

"Senior Brother, you're finally back! I came to find you as soon as I came out of seclusion, but you weren't here.

This Junior Niece Liu said... she's a... friend you met outside?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "friend" slightly, her beautiful eyes looking at Liu Rumei with inquiry.

Liu Rumei was not to be outdone. With light lotus steps, she moved with a waft of fragrance.

She very naturally took Yao Delong's right arm.

Her full bosom brushed against his arm, and her voice was utterly charming:

"Delong~ you're back! This Junior Martial Uncle Lin is truly amazing, already a Nascent Soul Senior at such a young age!

Your Luoxia Peak truly produces outstanding talents!"

While praising Lin Qingxue, her body pressed even closer to Yao Delong.

The implication of claiming ownership was self-evident.

Yao Delong instantly felt his scalp tingle, as if he were in the center of an invisible battlefield!

An Asura Field! A true Asura Field!

Yao Delong's left and right arms were caught in completely different gentle paradises.

On the left was a cold, secluded orchid; on the right, a passionate rose.

Two distinctly different body fragrances wafted into his nostrils, and the sensation from his arms made his heart flutter.

However, beneath the seemingly intimate actions of the two women, invisible blades and swords seemed to be ready to cut him in half!

"Cough..."

Yao Delong lightly coughed, forcing himself to remain calm, a perfectly timed joyful smile on his face.

"Clear Snow, you're out of seclusion? You broke through to Nascent Soul! That's wonderful!"

He first looked at Lin Qingxue, his eyes gentle and sincere, filled with genuine joy.

Lin Qingxue felt the affection in his gaze, and her heart sweetened.

The arm she was holding relaxed slightly, but she still showed no intention of letting go.

Yao Delong then looked at Liu Rumei, his smile unchanged, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence:

"Rumei, you're here too. This is my Junior Sister Lin Qingxue, whom I've watched grow up since childhood."

He specifically emphasized "watched grow up since childhood," indicating their deep relationship.

At the same time, he gently squeezed Liu Rumei's hand, conveying reassurance.

Liu Rumei was exceptionally intelligent and immediately understood Yao Delong's meaning.

Although she felt a bit sour, seeing that he didn't deny their relationship.

And even offered comfort, her competitive spirit also waned a bit. She gave Yao Delong a coquettish glare:

"So it's Junior Martial Uncle, no wonder her temperament is so extraordinary and refined. Hello, Senior Sister Clear Snow."

She then released Yao Delong's arm and gracefully bowed to Lin Qingxue.

Lowering her posture, she offered a way out of the awkward situation.

Lin Qingxue saw Liu Rumei actively backing down and heard Yao Delong frankly introduce her as his "Junior Sister whom he watched grow up since childhood."

Her displeasure largely dissipated. She was inherently cold-natured.

Not a jealous person, but seeing such an intimate beauty next to her Senior Brother had instinctively made her feel threatened.

Now seeing Yao Delong's candid attitude and Liu Rumei's sensibility, she also released his hand.

She nodded slightly to Liu Rumei: "Junior Niece Liu, there's no need for such formality."

The invisible smoke of battle seemed to temporarily dissipate.

Looking at the two beauties who had temporarily "ceased hostilities," Yao Delong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that the flames of this Asura Field had been temporarily suppressed.

He immediately seized the opportunity to steer the conversation towards serious matters.

Which was the most urgent issue at hand—the candidates for the God Burial Abyss Secret Realm.

"Clear Snow, it's good that you're here,"

Yao Delong's expression became serious, his tone grave.

"This time, with the opening of the God Burial Abyss Secret Realm, I can bring five people in.

Currently, four people have been initially decided: you, Junior Sister Lin Shishi from Spirit Water Peak,

Junior Brother Xiao Huohuo from Chiyan Peak, and his Nascent Soul Perfection guard."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two women:

"Lin Shishi and Xiao Huohuo are both newly in the Golden Core Stage, with limited combat power.

Our side's Nascent Soul combat power currently only consists of you, Clear Snow, and Xiao Huohuo's guard.

Now, there is still one last spot, and it would be best if it were a Late Golden Core Stage or even Nascent Soul Stage combatant.

Only then can we have an extra layer of protection in the Secret Realm."

He looked at Lin Qingxue:

"Junior Sister, you often gain experience and have a broad perspective. Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingxue's clear, delicate brows slightly furrowed, and she fell into contemplation.

Luoxia Peak was famously sparsely populated. Revered Master Leng Yuekui had a cold and aloof personality.

She cultivated in seclusion year-round. Aside from her and Yao Delong, the two Personal Disciples.

The other Disciples in the peak were ordinary Inner Sect Disciples uniformly assigned by the Sect.

Their strength mostly hovered around the Foundation Establishment Stage, completely inadequate for significant use.

"Nascent Soul Stage... and someone trustworthy..."

Lin Qingxue's mind quickly flashed through familiar and unfamiliar names.

Finally, it settled on a figure. Her beautiful eyes lit up, and she looked at Yao Delong:

"Senior Brother, I thought of someone! Senior Sister Han Yun from Jinxin Peak!"

"Han Yun?" Yao Delong had no impression of this name at all.

"Yes!" Lin Qingxue nodded affirmingly, explaining:

"Senior Sister Han is the only daughter of Senior Martial Uncle Mu Xianglan, the Peak Revered Master of Jinxin Peak!

Her talent is extremely high; she is already at the Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivation!

In terms of strength, among the Sect's peers, she is definitely among the top! However..."

Her tone paused slightly, carrying a hint of regret.

"A few years ago, during the Sect's true Disciple promotion assessment, Senior Sister Han advanced through all challenges.

Her performance was extremely brilliant, but at a critical moment in the final round, she encountered malicious interference from a Demonic Sect spy.

This led to her failure at the last hurdle, preventing her from successfully being promoted to a true Disciple.

She now serves as an Elder within the Sect."