Chapter 762 Xiao Ling: No, you've come at just the right time.

The tender touch of their lips lasted for nearly ten minutes, until their breaths gradually became erratic, and the two slowly separated.

Dan Chen's small lips were kissed until they became alluringly engorged and red, like pink peaches covered in morning dew. Her eyes were filled with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, her eyelashes trembled slightly, still immersed in the tenderness of the moment, and a faint smile played on her lips, looking completely intoxicated.

Just as the two were savoring their tender moment, Xiao Ling's soul power was the first to detect the anomaly not far to his side. A faint aura, carrying a slightly sour smell, was lingering in the courtyard.

At the same time, both of them felt a sudden urge and subconsciously turned their heads to look. Their gazes passed over the lush bamboo and cypress trees beside the bluestone path and instantly settled on the hexagonal pavilion in the center of the courtyard.

Inside the pavilion, Cao Ying leaned against the vermilion railing, her slender hand supporting her smooth chin. Her long, dark dress cascaded to the ground, the embroidered patterns on the hem appearing and disappearing in the light and shadow.

Her eyes, which seemed to hold the autumn water, were half-closed as she looked at the two of them with a half-smile. There was a hint of barely perceptible anger hidden deep in her eyes, but her expression still maintained a lazy elegance, without the slightest sign of unease.

Noticing the two people looking at her, Cao Ying couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly. Her clear, bell-like laughter broke the tranquility of the courtyard.

She slowly straightened up, her tone slightly teasing, and looked at Xiao Ling, jokingly saying, "Hehe, I wonder if my footsteps disturbed your intimacy with Dan Chen? But judging from how engrossed you were just now, it seems I've come at a really bad time..."

Cao Ying's gaze was fixed on the two of them, and the playful and knowing look in her eyes made Dan Chen instantly realize that her intimate behavior with Xiao Ling just now had probably been seen.

Her already flushed face turned an even more alluring blush, and she was so shy that she was at a loss for what to do. Her fingertips unconsciously gripped the fabric of Xiao Ling's clothes, and she buried her head in his warm embrace, pressing herself tightly against his chest. She didn't even dare to glance at Cao Ying out of the corner of her eye, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Seeing this, Cao Ying couldn't help but giggle softly. Her clear laughter, tinged with a hint of teasing, echoed in the elegant courtyard.

The laughter made Dan Chen even more embarrassed. She tensed up even more in Xiao Ling's arms, her shoulders trembling slightly, making her appear even more uneasy.

Noticing the shy and helpless beauty in his arms, Xiao Ling's eyes flashed with doting affection. He then reached out and hugged her even tighter, gently patting her back to comfort her.

He looked up and met Cao Ying's slightly teasing gaze. For some reason, a classic scene from his past life suddenly flashed through his mind, and a calm and playful smile appeared on his lips.

He slowly extended his other free right arm, making a tentative invitation towards Cao Ying, his tone carrying a perfectly balanced mix of teasing and nonchalance.

"Cao Ying, you're joking. You've come at just the right time."

When Cao Ying saw that Xiao Ling not only showed no sign of the awkwardness she had expected, but also shamelessly said such "nonsensical" things, she felt a surge of helpless frustration, both amused and exasperated.

She could only sigh to herself. Oh well, this was the man she had been longing for. She couldn't get angry, she couldn't get angry.

Meeting Xiao Ling's burning, expectant gaze, and thinking of the longing she had been suppressing for him these past few days, the long-accumulated yearning finally broke through her last bit of restraint.

The anger in Cao Ying's eyes gradually faded, replaced by an unconcealable tenderness. Without further hesitation, she took the initiative to walk towards Xiao Ling. As her skirt swayed gently, the dark hem drew a graceful arc on the bluestone path.

As soon as he got closer, Xiao Ling stretched out his left arm and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Two warm bodies pressed tightly together. Cao Ying leaned against Xiao Ling's shoulder, the familiar faint fragrance of his body mixed with the scent of grass and trees lingering around her nose. The longing and grievances that had accumulated in her heart instantly vanished, leaving only a sense of security and peace of mind.

Xiao Ling felt the soft touch of the two stunning beauties in his arms, and the distinct yet equally elegant fragrance emanating from them filled his nostrils, making him feel a sense of satisfaction and tranquility.

He laughed heartily, then lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on Cao Ying's smooth forehead, his tone both playful and earnest.
"It's been so long since we last met, I need to give you all a good check. Have you been slacking off in your cultivation lately? Since you've all returned to the Pill Tower, I'll give you runners some pointers on the art of talisman cultivation, and I guarantee you'll advance your cultivation levels once again."

After saying that, he tightened his arms around the two women's slender waists, and walked briskly towards the master bedroom deep in the courtyard with a hint of impatience.

Thinking back to his time in the Ancient Clan's Heavenly Tomb, he could only pass the long hours with tedious cultivation. Even after leaving the Heavenly Tomb and staying in the Ancient Clan, although he could be with Xun'er day and night and often be intimate, Xun'er had not yet broken through to the Dou Sheng level, and he could not cross that bottom line, which left him with a sense of unsatisfaction.

Now, with two kindred spirits by his side, and in such a quiet and private setting, Xiao Ling naturally wanted to vent and satisfy the emotions that had been building up in his heart for so long.

Hearing Xiao Ling's high-sounding words and feeling his hands wandering restlessly around their waists, his fingertips gently caressing them with a warm touch, both women felt their cheeks flush and inwardly curse.

Based on their understanding of Xiao Ling, they naturally knew that his claims of "checking cultivation" and "giving pointers" were just excuses, and they already knew what he was going to do next.

However, they were no longer the naive and innocent girls they once were. Moreover, they had been separated from Xiao Ling for a long time, and now that they were reunited, their longing and excitement were intertwined. They wanted to express their feelings and spend some time together.

In this situation, there was no need to be reserved. Dan Chen's cheeks, buried in Xiao Ling's arms, grew even hotter, while Cao Ying glared at him reproachfully, but her eyes held an irresistible tenderness as she snuggled even closer into his embrace.

As the heavy sandalwood door of the master bedroom creaked shut, it shut out the tranquility of the courtyard from the outside world, completely concealing the three figures inside.

As Cao Ying and Dan Chen's talisman master mentor, Xiao Ling naturally had to do his best. He not only had to impart the core insights of talisman master cultivation and explain in detail the methods for advancing one's natal talisman seal, but also had to personally guide them in refining soul power and condensing runes, so as to help the two beauties reach a higher level in talisman master cultivation.

There was no other way; Xiao Ling had always been a man of great principle and extremely dedicated.

Even if it means "enduring hardship" for myself, the patient guidance and selfless sharing in such a private atmosphere is something I'd gladly undertake. After all, witnessing the growth of these two talented individuals firsthand makes this "sacrifice" worthwhile...

However, unlike the tender and relaxed atmosphere on Xiao Ling's side, another elegant courtyard in the Pill Tower was already bustling with activity.

Xuan Kongzi had already gathered with Yao Chen and several old friends from the Pill Tower, including another giant of the Pill Tower, Tian Leizi, all of whom were top experts who had interacted with Yao Chen in the past.

At first, Yao Chen handled the situation with ease. He was a man who had seen many storms, and now he was a genuine Dou Sheng powerhouse. Although the pressure of the Saint Realm surrounding him had been greatly reduced, it still made everyone present unconsciously show some politeness and awe.

Only old friends like Xuan Kongzi and Tian Leizi dared to joke around freely, their conversation showing no restraint and full of the warmth of old friends reuniting.

But when a figure dressed in a plain white dress slowly stepped into the elegant courtyard, Yao Chen's calm and composed expression suddenly softened.

The person who came was none other than Yao Chen's former lover, another giant of the Pill Tower, Xuan Yi. She was still as aloof and ethereal as he remembered, her skirt fluttering lightly without a trace of worldliness. However, the moment her eyes looked at Yao Chen, the usual distance disappeared, replaced by a complex and unfathomable emotion.

Looking at Xuan Yi's familiar face, Yao Chen recalled the various entanglements of the past. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and his originally fluent speech paused slightly. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

As he watched the figure in black slowly approaching, a sly glint flashed in Xuan Kongzi's eyes, and a plan had already formed in his mind.

He remained as easygoing and carefree as ever, laughing loudly at Xuan Yi, his cheerful voice causing the wind chimes in the courtyard to tinkle. Then, he pointed at Yao Chen beside him, his tone carrying a hint of self-satisfaction and teasing.
"Haha, Xuan Yi! Look who this is! I didn't lie to you when I sent someone to inform you, did I? That old bastard Yao Chen is indeed not dead; he's still standing here alive!"

As soon as Xuan Kongzi finished speaking, he immediately turned his head to look at Yao Chen, pointing his finger directly at Xuan Yi who was walking slowly towards him, his tone carrying a hint of urging, as if he were enjoying the spectacle even more.

"Yao Chen, look! This is your old flame whom you haven't seen for many years! Now that you've been reborn, you're a Dou Sheng powerhouse, and your situation is completely different from before. Shouldn't you make some kind of response? You can't let Xuan Yi's feelings go to waste!"

He paused, deliberately lowering his voice slightly, but just enough for the two of them to hear clearly, and continued to reveal:
"Back then, Xuan Yi was a goddess adored by countless people in the Pill Tower. Many top experts flocked to her, yet she only had eyes for you, wasting so many years of her life. And let me tell you, all these years, Xuan Yi has never stopped trying to find out about you. Even when everyone thought you had vanished, she never gave up. Such affection suggests that she still cares about you. You must seize this opportunity!"

Xuan Kongzi's words caused Yao Chen's expression to change slightly. His lips twitched uncontrollably, and his calm and composed demeanor vanished. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. To defend himself seemed deliberate, while to acquiesce was too ambiguous. He could only stand there, his eyes darting around.

Xuan Yi, who had been somewhat dazed, was instantly jolted awake by these words. All her complex emotions vanished, replaced by a hint of anger.

She glared sharply at Xuan Kongzi, her voice laced with a hint of angry rebuke: "You old fool! Can't you keep your mouth shut? If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"

Faced with Xuan Yi's angry rebuke, Xuan Kongzi didn't care at all. Instead, he stroked his long beard, his smile deepening. After chuckling, he immediately took a few steps back, giving the two of them some space to be alone.

Seeing this, Tian Leizi and the others around them exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes then revealing a hint of amusement.

They were all old people who had stayed in the Pill Tower for many years, and they had naturally heard about the entanglement between Yao Chen and Xuan Yi back then.

Seeing this, they all tacitly retreated, leaving the central area of ​​the courtyard empty, leaving only Yao Chen and Xuan Yi, and a subtle silence filled the air.

A quiet silence spread through the center of the courtyard. Xuan Yi and Yao Chen looked at each other, their gazes meeting with a complex mix of emotions that were hard to define. There was the surprise of a long-awaited reunion, the感慨 of the years, and a touch of unspoken melancholy.

Yao Chen's Adam's apple bobbed several times, but he ultimately couldn't break the silence first. Xuan Yi watched his hesitant expression, the light in his eyes dimming slightly, and he sighed softly.

"Seeing you like this now, you really do have some of the flair you had when you won the Alchemy Competition. I had a feeling back then that someone like you would not fall easily, and it seems my prediction was right. In that case, I can say that I have put my mind at ease."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the restrained Saint Realm aura emanating from Yao Chen, and added, "By the way, you are now a Dou Sheng expert. Although this congratulations comes a little late, it is still something to celebrate. Congratulations, Yao Chen."

Back then, Xuan Yi truly fell for Yao Chen. At that time, Yao Chen was the most dazzling rising star among alchemists in Zhongzhou, and Xuan Yi was a favored daughter of heaven, admired by all. She rejected the advances of many talented young men for Yao Chen, and even humbled herself to express her love. Even though he repeatedly declined her on the grounds that he was "focused on teaching his disciples," she never truly gave up.

But later, Yao Chen encountered a life-or-death crisis and disappeared without a trace. The long years passed like flowing water, and the repeated disappointments and waiting eventually wore down Xuan Yi's stubbornness.

She had already figured it out. The reason why Yao Chen rejected her and focused on teaching his disciples was partly due to that, but more importantly, it was because he already had someone else in his heart.

Even now, when Xuan Yi recalls those days, a ripple still stirs in her heart, but that fervent affection has long since settled with time, and she has let go of it, with no lingering attachment.

Hearing Xuan Yi's relieved tone, Yao Chen felt an inexplicable sense of ease, as if a huge boulder that had been weighing him down for many years had been lifted.

The slightly tense lines on his face gradually softened, a relaxed and easygoing smile spreading across his lips. His gaze towards Xuan Yi became more open and composed.

“I am Yao Chen. I have survived many near-death experiences at the hands of the Soul Palace. I will not perish so easily. I accept your blessing.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the still aloof and ethereal face of the man in black robes.

"So many years have passed, and you, Xuan Yi, have become even more refined and elegant, surpassing even your former charm. I will soon be engaging in in-depth cooperation with the Pill Tower to jointly pursue development. From now on, we will be colleagues, and should look after and support each other. I look forward to your guidance in our future interactions." (End of Chapter)