168: Are you the master of the fairy island?

Half a year passed in a flash, time flew like an arrow.

In the deepest part of Tianxing City, within the palace suspended above the sea of clouds, accessible only to the Twin Saints.

Two figures sat cross-legged on futons, their auras harmonious and profound, no longer showing any signs of weakness.

Ling Xiaotian and Warm Qing slowly opened their eyes.

They had each consumed a Blood Qi Pill, which not only replenished their depleted Qi and blood but also made their faces appear several years younger, restoring their youthful charm.

"We've recovered almost completely," Ling Xiaotian said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the authority of one long in a position of power.

Warm Qing nodded, a glint of sharpness in her eyes.

She took out a communication token, tapped it lightly with her fingertip, and a streak of spiritual light entered it.

Moments later, the teleportation array in the center of the main hall glowed brightly, and a slender figure stepped out.

It was Ling Yuling.

Today, she was still clad in a moon-white male cultivator's steward robe, her demeanor cool and her steps steady.

"Mother, Father!"

When Ling Yuling saw that not only her mother but also her father, who had been in seclusion for a long time, were present on the futons, a genuine joy instantly appeared on her cool face.

She quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

But then, she noticed something was amiss.

Her mother's expression was calm, but her father's face held a complex expression she had never seen before, like reluctance mixed with guilt.

"Jade Spirit, come and sit," Warm Qing patted the futon beside her.

Although Ling Yuling had doubts, she still obeyed and sat down.

She could sense that her parents summoning her today was no ordinary matter.

Ling Xiaotian looked at his daughter's clear and bright eyes, filled with filial affection and expectation; his lips moved, but the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.

In the end, it was Warm Qing who spoke.

Her voice was very calm, without a ripple.

"Jade Spirit, your father and I have found a Dao Companion for you."

Boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Ling Yuling's mind.

Her entire body stiffened, and the color instantly drained from her face.

"...Why?"

Her voice was dry, tinged with a tremor.

Warm Qing looked at her, her gaze unwavering.

"For Star Palace, and for you."

"This person's strength is unfathomable, even surpassing your father and me. The resources and treasures he controls are even beyond imagination. Forming an alliance with him will make Star Palace's position impregnable, and no one will be able to shake it again."

Warm Qing hastily explained Lin Feng's value, trying to make her daughter accept the reality.

Ling Yuling's fingernails dug deeply into her palms.

Her mind was in chaos.

Dao Companion...

For any female cultivator, this was the most important event in her life.

Yet, her parents had made the decision for her without consulting her in the slightest.

A huge wave of disappointment and grievance surged in her heart.

But as she looked at her parents, seeing the heavy pressure they bore as the Dominators of the Chaotic Star Sea, that grievance was forcibly suppressed.

She was born in Star Palace, enjoyed the glory and resources it provided, and naturally had to bear responsibility for Star Palace.

She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound steady.

"Is that person... very strong?"

She looked at her father, the man who, in her heart, was like a Heavenly God, omnipotent.

"Could it be, stronger than Father?"

A blush of embarrassment appeared on Ling Xiaotian's face.

He avoided his daughter's gaze, his voice a few shades lower.

"Yes... he is a tiny bit stronger than your father."

He paused, then quickly added, "But Jade Spirit, don't be afraid! If... if that person dares to bully you in the future, even if your father has to sacrifice this old life, I will definitely get justice for you!"

His words lacked conviction.

Warm Qing watched from the side, sighing inwardly, but did not expose her husband's bravado.

She took out a delicate jade box from her Storage Pouch and placed it in Ling Yuling's hand.

"Ling'er, inside are some things Mother prepared for you, Magic Treasures and Medicinal Pills. Keep them safe."

Her tone softened a little as she held her daughter's cold hand.

"After this journey, you will no longer be Ling Yuling, the Star Palace steward, but his Dao Companion. You must learn to read the room, temper your personality, and absolutely not offend him."

Warm Qing began to meticulously instruct her on how to conduct herself, and even the way of a wife.

As Ling Yuling listened to these words, her cheeks flushed, but her heart felt cold.

She just nodded silently, remembering every word her mother said.

Ling Xiaotian listened from the side, feeling increasingly uneasy.

He suddenly stood up, interrupting Warm Qing's words.

"Enough!"

He walked to his daughter, squatted down, and looked directly into her eyes.

"Jade Spirit, listen to your father. You will go to his Immortal Cave today, and if... if you are not satisfied with him in any way, you will come back!"

His voice was resolute.

"Even if it means a mutual defeat and damage to our Star Palace foundation, your father will absolutely not let you suffer the slightest grievance!"

Warm Qing looked at her husband, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes, finally turning into a sigh.

"Ling'er, go. Dress up well before you go."

Ling Yuling looked at her parents before her, one resolute yet full of guilt, the other rational yet secretly caring.

Her eyes reddened, and she nodded.

"Daughter... understands."

She stood up, took one last deep look at her parents, and turned to step into the teleportation array.

A flash of light, and her figure disappeared.

Inside the main hall, only the two silent figures remained.

...

A little less than half a day later.

Above a suspended immortal island, where Spiritual Qi was abundant and immortal cranes danced.

Ling Yuling's figure appeared at the edge of the island.

She had reverted to female attire.

A white and blue flowing immortal dress gently swayed with the mountain breeze, outlining her graceful and alluring curves.

Her long hair, like a waterfall, was simply tied up with a jade hairpin, revealing a beautiful face that was exquisitely clear, yet with a hint of coolness.

She had prepared herself mentally and accepted her fate.

However, as she truly stepped onto this immortal island, her heart still stirred.

The Spiritual Qi on the entire immortal island was so rich that it was no less than that of the sacred hall where her parents resided.

The pavilions, terraces, and exotic flowers and plants on the island were all exquisite.

But ever since she set foot here and her Divine Sense swept across, she had not detected the aura of any living person other than herself.

Such a vast immortal island was actually owned by only one person.

The strength and status of this future Dao Companion were probably even more terrifying than her mother had described.

A thought suddenly popped into Ling Yuling's mind.

Since this island belonged to that person, how was she able to teleport in without permission?

Had her mother made arrangements beforehand? Or...

Just as she stood at the entrance of the Immortal Cave, her mind filled with thoughts, hesitating whether to ask for an audience.

A familiar voice, carrying a hint of playfulness, suddenly sounded from behind her without warning.

"Ling Daoyou, long time no see."

This voice!

Ling Yuling trembled all over, as if struck by lightning.

She spun around abruptly.

Not far away, a man in green robes was looking at her with a smile. That handsome face, those eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts, were the source of her frequent awakenings from nightmares over the past half year.

Qinglian Hermit!

The man who, in the restaurant on Wanming Island, had taken advantage of his drunkenness to act frivolously with her in every way, even... even burying his face in her chest!

Ling Yuling's head buzzed, a complete blank.

Her lips trembled, almost unable to make a sound.

"Qing... Qinglian Senior... You... How are you here?"

Lin Feng looked at her astonished expression, the smile on his face growing wider.

He slowly stepped forward, each step seeming to land on Ling Yuling's heartbeat.

He walked in front of her, his gaze sweeping over her flustered, pretty face, finally resting on her slightly rising and falling chest.

"Besides me, is there anyone else on this island?"

He asked back with a light chuckle.

Ling Yuling felt a heavy blow, staggering back a step, her face deathly pale.

He... he is the owner of this island?

He is the... Dao Companion her parents arranged for her?