Chapter 106: Identity Token

After tidying up the battlefield, he used the Fireball Technique to clean the area once more, making it look far less chaotic.

With the people of Yuling Sect and Chen Hao having departed, a new problem arose: two additional spots for soaking in the Purple Spirit Liquid had become available, so how should these be allocated?

It would be best to discuss this with Mu Jiuyin of Xianyin Sect!

Due to the battle between Chen Hao and Yuling Sect, plus the time Lin Zhangqing and his group spent cleaning the battlefield, nearly half an hour had quickly passed; Lin Zhangqing estimated that Mu Jiuyin would soon awaken.

He first shared his thoughts with his three Junior Sisters: regarding the remaining two spots, each sect should take one, and for Qingyun Sect, Zhao Mingxia should be the one to soak.

Upon hearing Lin Zhangqing say she should be the one to soak in the Purple Spirit Liquid, Zhao Mingxia was so delighted she went dumbstruck; it was only when Hu Yunna tugged at her that she finally came to her senses.

To be honest, she was utterly surprised; she had never imagined that Senior Brother Gao would give the final spot to her. Apart from her family, her master, and her Grandmaster, it seemed no one had ever treated her so kindly! Her heart felt warm, and the corners of her eyes grew slightly moist. She hadn't expected her own words to come true; by following Senior Brother Gao, she had actually managed to secure a chance to soak in the Purple Spirit Liquid.

Now she truly felt immensely grateful to Senior Brother Gao and secretly resolved that whenever the opportunity arose, she must repay him well.

After reaching a consensus within their own group, Lin Zhangqing led his three Junior Sisters over to the people of Xianyin Sect.

At that moment, Mu Jiuyin happened to wake up; after waiting a short while for her to clean herself, she walked over to stand before Lin Zhangqing.

"Many thanks to Senior Brother Gao for your protection and guardianship; this Young Lady is endlessly grateful!" Having spoken, she formally bowed to Lin Zhangqing.

Lin Zhangqing stepped aside to avoid accepting her bow; not wishing to waste time, he spoke directly: "Now that two extra spots have appeared, what does Senior Sister Mu intend to do?"

Mu Jiuyin looked deeply at Lin Zhangqing for a moment, then smiled lightly: "Hasn't Senior Brother Gao already made up his mind? Shall this Young Lady guess whether my thoughts align with yours?"

Lin Zhangqing hadn't expected Mu Jiuyin to speak this way, so he could only reply: "Please speak, Senior Sister; this Junior Brother will listen attentively!"

Mu Jiuyin smiled and said: "Senior Brother Gao is thinking that each sect should be allocated one spot, is that correct?"

Since Mu Jiuyin had already said as much, Lin Zhangqing naturally went along with it: "Senior Sister truly possesses a orchid heart and keen eyes; regarding such an arrangement, what is your opinion?"

Mu Jiuyin smiled lightly: "Why would I disagree with a spot gained for free? Is Senior Brother Gao planning to enter the Ziyang Pool himself this time? We others are willing to guard the Dharma for Senior Brother."

Lin Zhangqing shook his head and said: "I will not enter; let another Junior Sister go in instead!"

Mu Jiuyin looked at Lin Zhangqing with some surprise; this decision greatly exceeded her expectations. For the previous two opportunities to soak in the Purple Spirit Liquid, one could argue that enemies surrounded them, making it impossible to spare Lin Zhangqing, their top combat power.

Now that the situation around them was basically under the control of the two sects, he was still willing to yield this opportunity, showing that Lin Zhangqing possessed a very broad mind; of course, it could also be that his relationship with his three Junior Sisters was quite deep!

If it were the latter case, she would have to worry for her younger sister; although she did not know what relationship Xiao Xiao had with Lin Zhangqing, she knew that Mu Xiaoxiao definitely felt something different toward Lin Zhangqing.

Mu Jiuyin hurriedly confirmed: "Senior Brother Gao, do you truly intend to yield the opportunity to your honored Junior Sister? Are you worried about safety issues? Jiuyin can swear an oath that she absolutely harbors no intention of harming Senior Brother!"

Lin Zhangqing hurriedly denied this: "Senior Sister Mu, you misunderstand; this is due to reasons concerning this Junior Brother himself and has nothing to do with safety issues."

"Moreover, I have a suggestion: let the two Junior Sisters enter the Ziyang Pool together this time. I see that the Ziyang Pool is spacious enough; it is more than sufficient for two people to soak together."

"The sooner they finish soaking, the sooner we can leave; otherwise, if too much time passes, more people will be teleported in! At that point, another struggle will be unavoidable."

Mu Jiuyin nodded and said: "What Senior Brother Gao says makes sense; Jiuyin agrees, so let us proceed according to Senior Brother's wishes!"

She then turned to discuss with her fellow Junior Sisters who would claim the final spot! Of course, this no longer concerned Lin Zhangqing; shortly after, Mu Jiuyin, Mu Xiaoxiao, and Lu Yuling walked over, and one glance told Lin Zhangqing that the final spot would certainly go to Lu Yuling.

Lin Zhangqing took the initiative to speak: "Congratulations, Junior Sister Lu; after soaking in this Purple Spirit Liquid, you will surely have hope of reaching the Purple Mansion!"

Lu Yuling, with grace and composure, bowed to Lin Zhangqing and said: "Many thanks to Senior Brother Gao; the kindness Senior Brother has shown Yu Ling, Yu Ling will never dare to forget!" Lin Zhangqing, really not wanting to waste any more time, replied: "Junior Sister Lu, there is no need for such politeness; hurry and go in, lest complications arise again!"

The two agreed, then joined hands and entered the Ziyang Pool, quickly falling into a deep slumber.

After arranging for Chen Zi Ya and Hu Yunna to stay behind and guard the Dharma, Lin Zhangqing consciously moved farther away; since the vast majority of those around were female Cultivators, it was inappropriate for him to remain there! Today was already the ninth day in the Secret Realm; time had to be seized, for tomorrow would be the tenth day, and he did not know when he might be teleported out.

Moreover, he still needed to find the place where Wu Shiqi and the others had perished to retrieve their spoils, then rendezvous with Chu Yi, and finally spend some remaining time exploring the Central Region; there were still many tasks to accomplish.

Furthermore, the second batch of Purple Crystal Scorpions had just transmitted news of their success, but the two locations were not on a straight line; how could he naturally travel to both places? It was headache-inducing; he certainly couldn't separate from Chen Zi Ya and the others, could he? Yet, the later stages of the Secret Realm were increasingly dangerous, because those who survived until the end would have accumulated significant gains; killing just one or two Cultivators who lasted until the end would yield a full harvest! Therefore, before exiting the Secret Realm, he could not separate from Chen Zi Ya; protecting her was Lin Zhangqing's primary mission upon entering the Secret Realm, and he absolutely had to ensure her complete safety.

This truly put Lin Zhangqing in a difficult position.

Never mind; once Zhao Mingxia finished soaking and came out, they would head directly to the place where Wu Shiqi and his two companions from Tianxing Sword Sect had perished; whatever issues arose could be dealt with upon arrival!

Just then, Lin Zhangqing sensed someone approaching him; turning around, he saw it was Mu Xiaoxiao.

"Senior Brother Gao, why have you run over here all alone?" Mu Xiaoxiao approached and asked softly.

"Nothing much; over there, the vast majority are female Cultivators, so it is inconvenient for me to stay," Lin Zhangqing answered honestly.

Hearing this, Mu Xiaoxiao giggled incessantly; it took quite a while before she finally laughed enough.

Then, in a tiny voice, she said: "Master, others would be eager to squeeze in among us sisters; even the Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers of our sect are like that. Could it be that Master is shy?"

Lin Zhangqing didn't know how to respond to this, so he could only remain silent.

Mu Xiaoxiao spoke again: "I've noticed that Master seems somewhat reluctant to get close to Xiao Xiao; does this mean you won't come to find Xiao Xiao in the future either?"

Lin Zhangqing could only hedge by saying: "If I happen to pass by in the future, I should visit Xianyin Sect to take a look, but I certainly won't make a special trip."

"Moreover, with only this level of Qi Refining cultivation base, traveling outside is far too dangerous; it is better to focus on cultivation, improving one's cultivation base and strength, and leave other matters for later!"

Mu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said: "Then once Xiao Xiao reaches Foundation Establishment, I will go to Qingyun Sect to find Master."

Lin Zhangqing was startled and hurriedly replied: "No! You must wait until you reach the Golden Core Stage before coming to find me; this is an order, do you understand?"

Mu Xiaoxiao pouted and said: "Understood; Master is truly boring!"

After thinking for a while, she pulled a White Lotus Pendant from her bosom and handed it to Lin Zhangqing, saying: "Although I know Master probably won't come to find Xiao Xiao, I still want to leave this Identity Token with Master."

Lin Zhangqing hesitated for a moment but still accepted it; upon taking it, he felt a wave of warmth, knowing it must be a pendant carved from Second-Grade Warm Jade. The pattern on the pendant was a white lotus flower, and at the center, where the seed pod would be, were the two characters "Mu Three."

This type of item was typically given by an Elder to a newborn junior, because Warm Jade had the effect of slowly regulating and improving one's constitution, making it especially suitable for children to wear.

Could this Warm Jade Pendant be something Mu Xiaoxiao had worn since childhood? Lin Zhangqing knew this must be an item of great importance to Mu Xiaoxiao, so he tried to hand it back, saying: "Keep such an important item safe yourself; do not give it to others casually."

Mu Xiaoxiao did not take it back, instead saying: "It might take several hundred years for Xiao Xiao to cultivate to the Golden Core Stage! With this pendant by Master's side, whenever Master sees it, you will think of Xiao Xiao, and perhaps one day you will come to visit me!"

Lin Zhangqing knew Mu Xiaoxiao would not take it back; he sighed and solemnly stored it away.

(End of Chapter)