Chapter 59: Senior, This Is Too Sudden

Although Qin Feiru harbored some doubts in his heart, he still answered respectfully.

"Reporting to Ancestor, a inventory was taken a year ago, and there are still more than ten million spirit stones left in the sect's treasury."

He paused, a hint of worry evident in his tone.

"However, now that the spirit stone veins have been seized by the Blood Fiend Sect, without this primary source of spiritual stones, these ten-plus million spirit stones probably won't last much longer."

Hearing that there were still over ten million spirit stones, a flash of light crossed Ancestor Qingli's beautiful eyes.

"In that case, inventory two million spirit stones and send them to me."

"Then summon Elder Li, Elder Xue, Elder Wu, and Elder Meng to come here. I have matters to assign to them!"

Qin Feiru was momentarily stunned, his doubts deepening.

"What about the matter concerning the spirit stone veins..."

He asked tentatively.

"Put it on hold for now!"

Ancestor Qingli said indifferently, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

A wave of shock and suspicion washed over Qin Feiru. He knew his ancestor's temperament all too well. She was someone who simply could not swallow a loss. It was always her making others suffer setbacks; when had she ever tolerated such blatant grievances? What had gotten into her today? How could she swallow this bitter pill dealt by the Blood Fiend Sect?

And why summon so many late-stage Core Formation elders? Furthermore, why inventory two million spirit stones? Two million spirit stones was by no means a small sum! What hidden meaning lay behind all this?

Despite his overwhelming confusion, he still gave a respectful reply.

"Understood, Ancestor!"

Ancestor Qingli then turned her gaze toward Elder Gu, her tone softening somewhat.

"Elder Gu, focus on recovering from your injuries. Do your best to adjust your condition to its peak within half a month."

"When the time comes, you will come here together with the other four elders."

The Joy Sect had nearly a hundred Core Formation cultivators, but only these five had reached the Great Circle of the late Core Formation stage. If these five late-stage Core Formation elders could all successfully step into the Nascent Soul stage, the strength of the Joy Sect would experience a tremendous leap. When that time came, what was the Blood Fiend Sect? Everything they had swallowed would be forced back out a hundredfold!

A sharp glint flashed in Ancestor Qingli's eyes. She had already formulated her plan. These two million spirit stones, combined with Lin Fan's extraordinary ability, would assist these five elders in breaking through! The moment they broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, all problems would be effortlessly resolved.

By then, not to mention a mere Blood Fiend Sect, even across the entire Chu State, the Joy Sect would stand as the supreme faction.

Thinking of this, the corners of Ancestor Qingli's mouth curved slightly, revealing a smug smile.

"Both of you may withdraw for now!"

Ancestor Qingli gently waved her sleeve, her voice ethereal yet carrying an undeniable majesty.

Qin Feiru and Elder Gu bowed respectfully and quietly retreated from the cave dwelling.

Within the vast cave dwelling, only Ancestors Qingli and Hongluan remained. The atmosphere instantly turned somewhat heavy.

"Junior Sister, go to Lin Fan's place and begin your breakthrough within these two days!"

Ancestor Qingli broke the silence first, looking at Hongluan with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Once your breakthrough is complete, have Elder Gu and the others begin theirs one by one!"

"However, just to be safe, it's best not to let Elder Gu and the others know about Lin Fan's ability!"

Ancestor Qingli's tone carried a hint of caution. After all, Lin Fan's ability defied the natural order too drastically; if word leaked out, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar.

Hearing this, Ancestor Hongluan fell into deep thought. She understood Ancestor Qingli's concerns, but how could they keep it hidden from Elder Gu and the others?

"If Elder Gu and the others all break through successively, they will inevitably grow suspicious. We need a solid justification, otherwise it will be very difficult to deceive them."

Ancestor Hongluan spoke slowly, her voice low.

Ancestor Qingli nodded, having already considered this point.

"Junior Sister makes a valid point. I recall that the founder of our Joy Sect left behind a Cold Jade Bed, upon which Daoist rhythms flow and spiritual energy is palpable."

A sharp gleam flashed in Ancestor Qingli's eyes as she hit upon a brilliant idea.

"Later on, you can directly bring this Cold Jade Bed into Lin Fan's cave dwelling. We will announce to the elders that we have discovered the secret of the jade bed, and that cultivating upon it greatly increases the probability of a breakthrough."

Hearing this, Ancestor Hongluan's beautiful eyes lit up.

"The Cold Jade Bed left by the founding ancestor is indeed no ordinary object, and the sect elders all know of this treasure. Using it as a pretext is indeed very fitting."

She nodded in agreement.

This Cold Jade Bed was one of the supreme treasures of the Joy Sect. Normally, it was enshrined within the forbidden grounds of the sect. Using it now to cover up Lin Fan's ability could be considered putting it to good use.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan was in quite a pleasant mood. He and Su Xingyue had returned to their cave dwelling. Just as they reached the entrance, a graceful figure approached them step by step.

It turned out to be Nangong Miaoyu.

She was dressed in a long purple gauze dress that outlined her graceful and enchanting figure, with several blooming peonies embroidered along the hem, adding a touch of regal elegance. Walking with light, swaying steps, her raven-like hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back, held simply by a jade hairpin, yet exuding an even greater allure. Her skin surpassed snow, her brows were like painted brushstrokes, her delicate nose was upturned, and her red lips were enticingly tender.

That pair of eyes was utterly captivating, seeming to contain an endless ocean of stars, easily causing anyone to inadvertently drown within them.

Clearly, Nangong Miaoyu had carefully dressed up.

A wave of fragrant breeze swept past, carrying a faint, refreshing scent that gladdened the heart and refreshed the spirit.

"Lin Fan, you've finally returned."

Nangong Miaoyu's voice was honeyed and enchanting, seeming imbued with a magic that set hearts fluttering.

"Are you looking for me, Senior?"

Lin Fan was slightly startled, a trace of confusion in his heart. Nangong Miaoyu had broken through only recently; pushing her cultivation to the Great Circle of the late Core Formation stage would still require a considerable amount of time. Shouldn't she be cultivating diligently in her cave dwelling to raise her cultivation as fast as possible? Why run over here all of a sudden, and dressed up so beautifully? What could her purpose be?

"Of course I have a reason, and a very important one at that."

The corners of Nangong Miaoyu's mouth curved slightly into a mysterious smile.

"What reason?"

Lin Fan grew even more puzzled.

"This matter is of great significance. This is not the place to speak of it."

Her alluring eyes shifted as she glanced at Su Xingyue and spoke.

Lin Fan hesitated briefly: "Then Senior, please accompany me to the inner chamber of the cave dwelling!"

"Brother-in-law, once you're done talking with her, I have something to discuss with you too!"

Seeing Lin Fan about to leave, Su Xingyue quickly stepped forward and tugged at his sleeve. A trace of reluctance lingered in her eyes, as if she had words she desperately wanted to tell Lin Fan.

Lin Fan smiled at her: "Alright, once I finish discussing matters with Senior, I will come find you!"

Shortly after, Lin Fan and Nangong Miaoyu entered a private chamber inside the cave dwelling.

"What business does Senior have with me that requires such secrecy?" Lin Fan asked.

To his surprise, Nangong Miaoyu tapped her waist pouch, and a talisman flew out from her storage bag. She pressed the talisman onto the stone door. A flash of light rippled across the talisman, and a faint shimmering barrier enveloped the entire stone door. Lin Fan recognized that this talisman was of a high grade; not only could it isolate sound and block spiritual sense, but it also prevented others from entering.

This only heightened Lin Fan's curiosity.

"Senior... this is..."

"Don't call me Senior, call me Miaoyu..."

Lin Fan: "???"

"I've missed you..." Nangong Miaoyu bit her lower lip and whispered.

"Wait... Senior... this is too sudden... what are you doing... no, stop..."