Chapter 157 Budding Green Rice

Lin Yue turned and walked toward Su Qingyuan's room.

Su Qingyuan had long been waiting inside; seeing Lin Yue enter, the tips of her ears instantly turned red.

Lin Yue stepped forward and pulled Su Qingyuan into his arms; the Azure Profound Sword Intent resonated with her Innate Sword Body, and their auras instantly melded together.

Su Qingyuan's cold demeanor gradually dissolved under Lin Yue's tenderness and dominance; she no longer resisted and actively responded to his intimacy.

Lin Yue's Golden Core power was far more tyrannical than during his Foundation Establishment; the Sword Intent of the Innate Sword Body was thoroughly stimulated, intertwining with Lin Yue's Sword Intent to form a brilliant light shield.

The next morning, Luo Ningshuang and Su Qingyuan's walking postures were slightly awkward.

A He came in carrying spiritual meals and, seeing their state, asked curiously, "Sister Ning Shuang, Sister Qingyuan, what's wrong? Did you not rest well last night?"

Luo Ningshuang's cheeks flushed red, and she gave Lin Yue a fierce glare but was too embarrassed to speak. Su Qingyuan lowered her head in shame, her ears turning completely red.

Lin Yue joked with a smile, "They practiced too hard and are a bit exhausted."

A He seemed to only half-understand, looking at Lin Yue and asking, "Husband, after breaking through to the Golden Core, have you become even stronger?"

Hearing this, Luo Ningshuang and Su Qingyuan's cheeks turned even redder.

A He blinked her innocent large eyes at Lin Yue, completely unaware of the deeper meaning.

Lin Yue looked at A He's innocent appearance and laughed inwardly; it seemed this "punishment" would have to continue.

He knew that only in this way could he completely dispel their jealousy and make them understand that no matter who else joined, their status in his heart would never change.

A He came to Lin Yue's room. She was dressed in a pale green dress with a Spiritual Plant hairpin in her hair, her cheeks wearing a shy blush like a budding Qing He.

Lin Yue looked at her innocent appearance, his heart softening. He stepped forward, gently took her hand, and said softly, "Don't be nervous, I'm here." His spiritual power slowly flowed into A He's body, soothing her emotions.

As their auras merged, Lin Yue's Golden Core Grade physique displayed astonishing power.

The spiritual power within A He's body was pulled by Lin Yue's power, circulating frantically, far exceeding the endurance limit of her Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Husband..." Tears welled up in the corners of A He's eyes as she went completely limp.

Lin Yue quickly restrained his power, pulled her into his arms, and whispered soothingly, "Alright, no more teasing, you should rest well."

A He leaned against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. "Husband... you really are... so strong..."

During these days, her affection for Lin Yue had grown deeper, but constrained by her status as his Revered Master, she never dared to express it.

Lin Yue saw through Liu Qingyan's thoughts and proactively stepped forward. "Revered Master, after breaking through to the Golden Core, I have comprehended a cultivation method that can assist others in raising their cultivation. I wonder if Revered Master would be willing to try?"

Liu Qingyan's heart skipped a beat. After a moment of hesitation, she finally nodded. She also wanted to take this opportunity to test her own state of mind.

Liu Qingyan was, after all, a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator; her composure far surpassed that of ordinary people.

But she also gradually lost her defense.

Lin Yue's physique, tempered by the Hongmeng Space and numerous battles, had long surpassed ordinary Golden Core Cultivators. Liu Qingyan only felt the spiritual power churning in her body, and even her Dao Heart was trembling slightly...

In the end, she also collapsed limp on the ground, panting for breath.

"Your physique... has actually reached such a formidable level..." Shock filled Liu Qingyan's eyes, along with a trace of hard-to-conceal bashfulness.

As a Golden Core Cultivator, she had never had such a moment of losing her composure.

Lin Yue smiled as he helped her up. "If Revered Master likes it, we can try often in the future."

Liu Qingyan's cheeks were crimson as she nodded gently, the estrangement in her heart completely dissipating.

...

The news that Lin Yue had brought back the Lei Family's medicine garden and recruited Ye Qingcheng as an ally spread throughout the Qingyun Sect in just half a day.

Golden Core Cultivators are the backbone of any Sect. Lin Yue's Breakthrough to the Golden Core made him the foremost among the Qingyun Sect's new generation of Disciples. According to Sect custom, if a new Golden Core Cultivator has achieved great merit, they must be appointed as an Elder, taking charge of a peak's affairs and enjoying the Sect's core resource tilt.

This matter concerned the Sect's Luck. Sect Head Xuan Chenzi immediately summoned all the Sect's Elders to hold an emergency meeting in the Discussion Hall, while also summoning Lin Yue to attend.

The Discussion Hall was solemn and dignified. The Spirit Gathering Bead floating at the ceiling emitted a soft glow, illuminating the Elders seated on both sides. Xuan Chenzi sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone as he said deeply, "I have summoned you all today for one matter. Disciple Lin Yue wiped out the Lei Family in Falling Thunder Valley, thwarted their final counterattack, and brought back the Lei Family's medicine garden and Golden Core Stage assistance. His merits are outstanding, and he has already broken through to the Golden Core Stage. According to the Sect's old precedents, he should be appointed as an Elder. What do you all think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Renxing, who was at the head of the left row, was the first to speak, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate gravity: "Sect Head, while there are precedents, each of our Qingyun Sect's seven peaks already has an Elder presiding over it, and the affairs within the peaks are in perfect order. There really is no extra mountain peak for a new Elder to take charge of. If we force an appointment, I fear it will trigger conflicts of interest between the peaks and instead shake the Sect's Foundation."

As soon as Mo Renxing finished, several Elders close to him chimed in: "Elder Mo's words are very true. The distribution of resources for each peak is already fixed. Adding another Elder to take charge of a peak lineage would indeed be difficult to coordinate." "Disciple Lin Yue may have merits, but his seniority is still shallow. It would be better for him to gain more experience for a while and wait until there is a suitable vacancy before discussing the appointment." "Indeed, taking charge of a peak at the Early Golden Core Stage might fail to convince the masses and instead cause dissatisfaction among other Disciples."

The words of these Elders seemed reasonable, but in reality, every sentence was targeted at Lin Yue. Many neutral Elders in the hall showed hesitation; they recognized Lin Yue's talent and merits, but they also feared Mo Renxing's faction and were even more worried about the issue of resource allocation.

Lin Yue stood in the hall, his figure upright in his green robe. Facing many doubts, his expression was calm and rippleless, and he did not speak to argue.

At this moment, Liu Qingyan in the right row slowly spoke, her voice clear and steady: "The Elders are mistaken. Who says the Sect has no place to be taken charge of? The Abyss of the East Sea is a Sect territory abandoned by our Qingyun Sect in the early years. Why can it not be handed over to Lin Yue to manage?"

"Abyss of the East Sea?" As soon as these words came out, the hall was suddenly in an uproar.

A white-haired Elder said in shock, "Is Elder Liu joking? That Abyss of the East Sea was long ago seized by the Sea Shark Cult, Black Wind Mountain, and other peripheral factions. The various forces are deeply entrenched and mutually restrictive; it is practically a lawless land of chaos. Furthermore, the sea area is dangerous and Yao Beasts run rampant. In the early years, our Sect tried to reclaim it several times, but all ended in heavy losses. Now it has long been listed as a forbidden land by the Sect. How can such a place be given to Lin Yue to manage?"

"Exactly, that place is a hot potato. Forget about managing it; whether one can come out of it alive is a big question."

"Elder Liu's move is perhaps inappropriate. Although Disciple Lin Yue is strong, if he is sent to take the Abyss of the East Sea, how is it different from sending him to his death?"

Voices of agreement rose again. Mo Renxing and the others showed even more mockery, thinking to themselves that Liu Qingyan was shooting herself in the foot.

Liu Qingyan, however, remained unshaken, her gaze fixed firmly on Xuan Chenzi in the main seat. "You only know the danger of the Abyss of the East Sea, but you have forgotten Disciple Lin Yue's abilities. At the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could crush a False Core and wipe out the Lei Family. Now he is at the Early Golden Core Stage, and he has several Golden Core assistants and Fellow Daoist Ye Qingcheng, who is proficient in Mechanism Art, by his side. Just because others cannot reclaim the Abyss of the East Sea does not mean Lin Yue cannot. Besides, although the Abyss of the East Sea is dangerous, it contains rich undersea Spiritual Veins and rare mineral veins. If it can be reclaimed, for our Qingyun Sect, it would be no different from gaining a treasure land, enough to support the Sect in rising to another level."

The hall fell into silence. Liu Qingyan's words hit the nail on the head, making many Elders feel moved.

Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard in thought, his gaze falling on Lin Yue, a flash of approval in his eyes.

He knew Lin Yue's potential well and understood the importance of reclaiming the Abyss of the East Sea for the Sect. After a moment of deliberation, he finally spoke to make a decision: "Elder Liu's words are very true. Although the Abyss of the East Sea is dangerous, opportunities and challenges coexist. Lin Yue, I bestow upon you the Sect's heavy treasure, the 'sea-suppressing bead'. This treasure can suppress the sea's malevolence and help you move freely under the sea. If you can reclaim the Abyss of the East Sea within half a year, I will formally appoint you as a Sect Elder, in charge of all affairs of the Abyss of the East Sea, and the Sect will fully support you in developing this place."

After saying that, Xuan Chenzi waved his hand, and a bead that was crystalline blue all over and emitting dense water-attribute Spiritual Qi slowly flew toward Lin Yue. Lin Yue reached out and caught the sea-suppressing bead, feeling a warm power flow into his body. He immediately bowed in salute: "Disciple thanks the Sect Head for his trust. I will certainly not fail my mission and will reclaim the Abyss of the East Sea to bring glory to the Sect!"

Mo Renxing and the others had ashen faces, but they could no longer find any reason to object.

Since the Sect Head had already decided and even bestowed a heavy treasure, if they objected further, it would be defying the Sect Head's will.

Seeing this, Xuan Chenzi announced in a deep voice: "This matter is settled. Lin Yue, you may first return to the East Peak to rest and prepare for the reclamation of the Abyss of the East Sea."

After the meeting ended, Lin Yue walked out of the hall with the sea-suppressing bead. Liu Qingyan, Ye Qingcheng, and the others were already waiting outside.

A He stepped forward quickly and said excitedly, "That's great! The Sect Head actually gave you the sea-suppressing bead. Reclaiming the Abyss of the East Sea will definitely be no problem now!"

Su Qingyuan and the others also stepped forward to offer their congratulations, their eyes full of support.

Lin Yue held the sea-suppressing bead in his hand, feeling the trust and support of the people around him, and a sense of heroic pride welled up in his heart.