In the early True Light stage, one's cultivation was considered quite high within the Dao Alliance.
Many smaller sects, even their sect leaders, might not possess such cultivation.
Even elders of major sects did not have my level of cultivation.
Yet, I had reached a realm that many could not touch in a lifetime, in just a few short years.
But I felt no pride whatsoever.
I knew clearly that my strength was still very weak.
When facing ghost cultivators and demonic fiends with a thousand years of cultivation, especially the remnants of the New Dynasty and ancient enemies, my current strength was still insufficient.
I still needed to progress, to improve.
Not for anything else, but solely to eradicate the remnants of the New Dynasty and destroy the Underworld forces.
To help Qing Dai fulfill her thousand-year wish.
I sat cross-legged in the room, continuously circulating my breath.
The twenty-two strands of true energy within my body spun ceaselessly. I believed that every ounce of effort would be rewarded.
Though, the rewards might come very late…
It wasn't until late at night that I slowly opened my eyes.
My mind was clear, my spirit refreshed, and my cultivation stable.
Stepping out of the room, Xiao Mei had not yet returned. I wondered where she had gone.
Paying her no mind, I left the room directly and headed into the mountains.
The path to the Nine Sages Mansion was now very familiar to me. In a short while, I saw the nameless large tree.
As usual, I circled it three times before proceeding inward.
With wisps of white mist appearing, I saw high walls and wide courtyards, "Nine Sages Mansion."
As I approached, I saw Dragon Granny standing at the entrance.
She looked at me with a smile:
"Young Master, you've arrived!"
"Dragon Granny!"
I cupped my fists in greeting.
"Please, come in! The Princess is in the backyard…"
I nodded.
Following Dragon Granny, I entered the Nine Sages Mansion.
Everything here was an illusion, ephemeral.
But under Qing Dai's augmentation of cultivation, everything here felt so real.
Yet, the servants all looked like paper figures.
Passing through the corridors, walking through the courtyard.
I arrived at the small courtyard where Qing Dai resided. Upon reaching it, the Twelve Demon Souls all flew out.
They were merely Qing Dai's subordinates and would not follow me inside.
After the Twelve Demon Souls appeared, Zi Shu said to me:
"Young Master Qin, we will wait outside."
I grunted "Mm" and walked straight in.
Dragon Granny only escorted me to the entrance and did not proceed further.
As I entered the small courtyard's gate, I saw Qing Dai, dressed in a blue robe.
Her figure was exquisite, and dressed in blue, she was like the tender green of early spring, giving off a fresh and ethereal feeling.
"Qing Dai!"
I called out excitedly.
Qing Dai also smiled at me, pursing her lips:
"Qin Ze, you seem to have become stronger again."
"It's passable. I've improved my cultivation these past few days since returning."
"..."
I smiled and stepped forward.
Since there was no one else in the courtyard, as soon as I approached, I impatiently embraced Qing Dai.
Qing Dai seemed slightly flustered, unsure of what to do.
She lowered her head slightly. Despite being a thousand-year-old female ghost, a faint blush appeared on her face.
"Oh dear! They are all outside!"
"They can't see!"
I whispered.
Since our relationship had progressed further last time, my boldness had increased significantly.
Although Qing Dai said this, she did not resist.
After a good few minutes, Qing Dai spoke again:
"Alright, have you had enough hugging? I have something important to tell you!"
"Not yet!"
Qing Dai: "..."
In any case, I missed her dearly. I just wanted to hold her.
Even though her body was cold, holding Qing Dai was like holding a block of ice.
But my heart was warm, very warm, and very sweet.
After a long while, I kissed her forehead and then reluctantly let go.
Qing Dai rolled her eyes at me, but a sweet smile bloomed on her face.
"You rascal! I'm a ghost, aren't you afraid I'll absorb your Yang energy?"
I looked at Qing Dai, my expression indifferent:
"Absorb it! Absorb as much as you want. At worst, I'll become a ghost and be your ghost husband."
"Nonsense!"
Qing Dai, however, stopped me.
Humanity was the pinnacle of all beings, possessing infinite possibilities.
If one truly became a ghost, they would lose many things.
Even, like Qing Dai, still being wanted by the Underworld, to fly together, would be much harder.
Once caught, it could even lead to eternal damnation…
But what I said was the truth.
If I were to die one day, I would fear nothing. I would only wish to be with Qing Dai.
She had waited for me for two thousand years. In this life, I did not want to fail her again.
I offered no further explanation, only a slight smile.
Qing Dai then continued speaking:
"Now, with the great war imminent, the Dao Alliance has gathered at the base of Sharp Peak.
And I have also received news.
The remnants of the New Dynasty have mobilized their forces and the Underworld powers, rushing towards Sharp Peak. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Furthermore, the overseas Heavenly Illumination Alliance, as well as forces from the Northeast and Tibetan Buddhist regions, have also joined the fray.
Although this time it appears to be a war against dark forces, once the fighting truly begins, it might be the largest war to defend the Dao in the past three hundred years."
Seeing Qing Dai speak with gravity and revealing the intelligence she had gathered,
I nodded. I had also learned some of this from my uncle-master.
I was aware that the Underworld forces and the Heavenly Illumination Alliance were both involved.
I had just not expected that forces from the Tibetan Buddhist region and the Northeast would also intervene.
But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be loosed.
The war between good and evil had begun.
As a person of righteous standing, I had no retreat, nor did I intend to back down.
This time, no matter how brutal and difficult it may be, I would contribute my own strength…