Yun Yun's Longing

Yun Yun's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Anyone capable of obtaining Heavenly Flames was undoubtedly a peak powerhouse, so she might very well offend a Dou Huang expert.

Gu He hurriedly said, "Sect Master Yun, if you can help me find this person, I am willing to offer a Grade Six Pill. Furthermore, I will also waive the debt for the pill I previously refined for Young Sect Master Yan Ran."

His meaning was obvious: he was telling Yun Yun that she owed him a favor, and that favor could only be repaid with Heavenly Flames.

Yun Yun happened to owe Gu He a favor because of the pill refinement, so she could only nod. "All right. I will arrange for the sect's disciples to investigate. If there is any news, I will notify you immediately."

Gu He clasped his hands politely. "Then I must trouble Sect Master Yun."

"Sect Master Yun, I have prepared some fine food for tonight. Would you be interested in tasting it?"

Gu He invited her.

However, Yun Yun's heart was not here. She directly declined, "I'm sorry, but I have some matters to attend to tonight. There is no need to trouble Elder Gu He. If there is nothing else, Elder may return."

Faced with Sect Master Yun's words, Elder Gu He could only sigh helplessly. He had liked Yun Yun for far more than a day or two, but unfortunately, Yun Yun only regarded him as a friend and did not share those feelings.

Gu He gave Yun Yun's somewhat sorrowful face a meaningful look, then summoned his wings and vanished from the spot.

Yun Yun pursed her soft lips, returned to where she had been sitting, took out a jug of wine, and poured herself a cup.

She raised her snow-white neck and drank it in one gulp.

A rosy flush spread across Yun Yun's cheeks, and her eyes grew misty. Her crimson tongue lightly licked the wine from her lips as she murmured softly, "That man hasn't even come to the Misty Cloud Sect to visit me."

"Forget it. I happen to be bored tonight, so I'll go find him myself."

Yun Yun looked at the wine jug in her hand. A trace of excitement flickered across her flushed face. Perhaps reunions after long separations were the most joyful of all.

The setting sun glowed brilliantly, scattering streams of radiant light.

The last ray of sunlight shone deep into the Bamboo Forest, reflecting a scene as beautiful as a painting.

The Bamboo Pavilion on the lake was half-hidden amid emerald waters and mist, surrounded by red lotuses and green leaves, adorned by rippling light and the evening glow—exquisitely beautiful.

On a small boat in the center, Lin Che lay there with carefree abandon. His white robe had been replaced by an extremely loose outfit, and at a glance, his eight-pack abs were plainly visible.

Clear wine slipped from the corner of his lips and ran straight down along the lines of his abs.

If some lovestruck girl saw such a sight, she would surely rush over like a madwoman just to feel his abs for herself.

They must feel incredibly nice.

"Meaning steeped in sorrowful wine—how can one speak of life's affections..." Lin Che gazed at the sky, stretched lazily, then placed the wine gourd over his face and enjoyed the baptism of countless falling petals.

"Looks like you've been having quite a good time by yourself."

Lin Che opened his eyes and looked at the woman who had somehow appeared at the stern. He smiled faintly. "It has been many days since we parted, yet Sect Master Yun remains as beautiful and captivating as ever."

Yun Yun shot Lin Che a glance, snatched his wine gourd away, and said, "Haven't I told you many times? Drink less. It's bad for your health."

"Hehe, how can the Drunken Sword Immortal be without wine?" Lin Che sat up and shrugged. His loose robe slipped down with the movement, revealing his perfect physique.

Yun Yun's pretty face reddened slightly. She turned her head aside and said, "Can't you be a little more mindful? There are other people here, after all."

"Ah... sorry."

Lin Che adjusted his clothes again and leaned against the boat. With a slight movement of his fingers, the wine gourd in Yun Yun's jade-like hand uncontrollably flew back before him.

Yun Yun could not help covering her forehead with one hand as she began lecturing Lin Che. "Although the Drunken Sword Immortal drinks for pleasure, you still need to care for your body. I could smell the alcohol on you from far away."

Lin Che nodded with a smile, yet still took a sip in front of Yun Yun. He smacked his lips with lingering satisfaction before hanging it back at his waist.

"You broke through?"

Yun Yun sat down beside him and said, "Mm. I've already reached Five-star Dou Huang."

"You truly are clever and gifted, my lady. I imagine it won't be long before you break through to the Dou Zong realm."

"You really think Dou Zong experts are cabbages that anyone can break through to?" Yun Yun raised her brows and smiled.

Within the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Huang experts were already figures of overlord status. Breaking through to the Dou Zong realm was no easy task. Even Jia Xing Tian, the current guardian of the Jia Ma Empire, was merely at the peak Dou Emperor.

Judging by his situation, it would not be easy for him to break through to Dou Zong in this lifetime.

Even Yun Shan had paid the price of being controlled by the Soul Hall to break through to Dou Zong. That alone showed just how great a price had to be paid to shatter the barrier of the peak Dou Emperor.

Yun Yun did not want to think about so many things. She only wanted to live each day happily. Whether she could break through to Dou Zong depended entirely on fate.

When the time was right, she would naturally break through.

If she lacked the opportunity, then there was no use in being anxious.

"I already told you last time to stay here and cultivate. Doesn't the Misty Cloud Sect have so many elders? Even if you leave for a while, they won't say anything."

Yun Yun sighed. "Do you think being a sect master is easy? Although the elders handle the sect's affairs, there are still matters that some elders cannot make decisions on."

Becoming sect master did not mean she was no longer bound by restrictions.

Sometimes, the position of sect master was itself a shackle—a shackle that prevented one from acting freely. Even now, it was difficult for her to do what she wished.

The Dou Qi Continent was vast, and Yun Yun had always wanted to see it for herself.

Unfortunately, the Misty Cloud Sect was her shackle, leaving her unable to depart from the Jia Ma Empire at all.

That was why Yun Yun envied Lin Che. He was free and unrestrained, able to go wherever he wished without having to worry about the sect.

Lin Che gently patted Yun Yun on the shoulder. "No matter what you choose to do, I will support you."

"Thank you."

Yun Yun tucked the loose strands of hair beside her ear behind it, then looked into the distance. "When I arrived just now, I sensed the aura of a Dou Huang expert. Who came here?"

"A Dou Huang from the Snake People Clan, the Medusa Queen."

Lin Che did not hide it. Yun Yun would discover it sooner or later anyway, so there was no problem telling her earlier.

However, Yun Yun immediately grew uneasy. She hurriedly stood, drew her sword, and said, "What is she doing here? You should know about the relationship between the Snake People Clan and humans."

"There is no need to be so nervous." Lin Che grabbed her wrist and gently pressed it back down, smiling as he said, "We reached an agreement. I will help her break through to the Dou Zong realm, and she will give the Snake People Clan's Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to me."