Long Xingyu's Promise, Rose's Flattery, Return to Haoyue Branch Temple

!

The moment Ye Ling spoke.

Everyone present, even Li Xin, was stunned. Curiosity flickered in her beautiful eyes, but she said nothing more and merely stood to the side, watching silently.

She was relieved. Based on the two or three years she had spent with Ye Ling, she knew he would never agree to Long Xingyu's offer. Yet for some reason, just moments ago, her heart had been in turmoil, as though someone important was about to leave.

Since everything was fine now, she would just lie low.

Hearing this, Long Haochen felt somewhat disappointed. It seemed he would not be able to continue cultivating with Brother Ye in the days ahead. It was painful.

As for Long Xingyu, he looked at Ye Ling in confusion. He was not angry, merely curious. What he had offered was an enormous temptation—how could Ye Ling resist it? "Give me a reason."

"Teacher Long." Ye Ling had nearly called out Long Xingyu's name, but ultimately decided to play it safe. Instead, he asked, "Teacher, if the Assassin Temple had tried to recruit you in the past and offered abundant resources that could have allowed you to reach your current level faster, or even go a step further, would you have chosen to join the Assassin Temple?"

Long Xingyu froze for a moment before answering directly, "No. After all, the Knight Temple is my home."

After saying that, he understood Ye Ling's meaning and immediately came to a realization. "I understand. In that case, you should remain at Haoyue Branch Temple."

After saying this, Long Xingyu seemed to think of something, a smile flashing through his eyes as he came up with another approach. "However, if you are willing, during the time I am teaching Haochen, you may also come find me. I can offer you some guidance then."

Ye Ling nodded at Long Xingyu's words. "Then thank you, Teacher. With your guidance on the path of cultivation, I will have much greater assurance of reaching Ninth Rank in the future, perhaps even becoming a Divine Seal Knight!"

Long Xingyu smiled upon hearing Ye Ling's words, amusement glinting in his eyes. Very good. He was extremely satisfied with what Ye Ling had said. Wasn't this the humility from the Ten Knight Commandments?

It had been displayed to perfection!

A good thing!

A very good thing!

At the same time, Long Xingyu believed that Ye Ling had likely figured out his true identity. From that barely audible "Long" earlier, to his question about the Assassin Temple poaching him, and finally those humble words, everything had made it abundantly clear.

Mm!

Attentive. Truly attentive!

"Let's go, Haochen." Long Xingyu left with Long Haochen. He intended to carry out some more in-depth training!

Having been apart from his "son" for so long, he naturally had to nurture him properly. Once he had trained him thoroughly and Haochen was resting, he could take the opportunity to visit Haochen's mother—his beloved, Bai Yue.

At the thought of Bai Yue, Long Xingyu sighed, feeling as though some nonexistent thing was about to grow on his head.

Before leaving, however, Long Xingyu took out an item and handed it to Ye Ling, asking him to deliver it to Nalan Shu.

After Long Xingyu and the others left, Instructor Balza gave Ye Ling a deep look. He seemed regretful, but said nothing more and simply departed.

Only Li Xin remained. She immediately grabbed Ye Ling and winked at him. "Little brother, why didn't you leave with that knight? He looked pretty strong." Li Xin spoke as she said this.

Hearing that, Ye Ling shifted his demeanor. He suddenly turned around, grabbed Li Xin's jade-like hand, and looked at her with utter sincerity. "Actually, Haoyue Branch Temple and all that are secondary."

"What I can't bear to leave behind is you, Sister Xin'er—my good sister who's about to be mine!"

After saying this, a peculiar emotion flashed through Ye Ling's eyes.

"Enough, enough, little brother. Don't be like that. You're scaring me." Li Xin broke free from Ye Ling's demonic grasp and looked at him strangely.

This guy was reliable when it mattered. Why was he so improper the rest of the time?

Though that was normal. If he acted serious all the time, he would not be Ye Ling.

"Going?" Li Xin asked.

"Let's go. I might return once later, but for now, it's best to leave first." Ye Ling replied to Li Xin.

He planned to return later not because he intended to develop in Odin Sub-Temple long-term, but because of something that would happen in the future.

Mm, around the time of Long Haochen's Sacred Awakening, the Wolf Demon race would launch a large-scale invasion, even bringing the Ninth-Order peak Wolf Demon God with them. Fortunately, Long Xingyu would be there at the time. Otherwise, the casualties would be terrifying.

Even so, nearly thirty percent—perhaps even half—of the residents of Odin Sub-Temple would die. Ye Ling did not want such a thing to truly happen. He had grown attached to this place, and besides, fighting the demon race was something he ought to do in the first place.

Still, he had to leave. Staying in Odin Sub-Temple would not allow him to improve his strength, while Haoyue Branch Temple was still useful to him for now.

So, he chose to return first.

"Mm." Li Xin nodded. Then she stretched out her hand, and a dazzling rose-red magic formation appeared. The next moment, a pink unicorn radiating the fragrance of roses emerged from the formation.

It stood beside Li Xin.

This was Li Xin's Demon Beast Partner, the Rose Unicorn, Rose.

Rose was Li Xin's most important companion.

However, the moment she saw Ye Ling, she instantly abandoned Li Xin. Stretching out her large head, she nudged Ye Ling as though trying to flatter him. She liked Ye Ling very much as well.

Li Xin: "."

Hey, whose Demon Beast Partner were you? I was your master! I was still standing right here! Was this really okay?

"Sister Xin'er, this is charisma. You can't learn it." Seeing Li Xin's speechless expression, Ye Ling smiled and stroked Rose's head.

This only left Li Xin even more helpless, but she said nothing more. She flipped onto Rose's back and said irritably, "Get on."

"Haha." Ye Ling laughed, then climbed on directly and wrapped an arm around Li Xin's slender waist, pressing close to her.

Li Xin's little face reddened, but she said nothing. Rose broke into a run, and they quickly headed back.

The gates of Haoyue Branch Temple.

Ye Ling and Li Xin quickly returned.

Rose was incredibly fast, and the Haoyue Branch Temple was not far from the Odin Sub-Temple. Odin Town was a satellite town of Haoyue City, practically right next to it.

When the gate guards saw the two of them returning, the Crescent Knights did not say much and merely opened the gates in silence.

Well, trying to stop Hell Rose was practically asking to be used as a training dummy. Who would be stupid enough to get themselves killed like that?

Not long after they entered, Li Xin put Rose away as well. Once she had done so, she looked curiously at Ye Ling and asked, "Little brother, what are you planning to do next? Come with me to see Uncle Nalan?"

"I'm going to the Testing Hall."

"What are you going to the Testing Hall for?"

"To get tested, of course. I've broken through to True Knight and already have Inner Spiritual Power. I just don't know what level I'm at yet."

"??? What did you just say?" Li Xin was stunned!

PS: Please vote, brothers!