Two sword lights, like shooting stars across the sky, shot towards the Snow Region Heavenly Pond.
Lin Zhao, riding one of the sword lights, suddenly heard a long-absent bell ring in his ear. It was the plot compensation, which greatly relieved him. This journey had been extremely perilous; if his master hadn't descended, he might not have returned. He rightfully deserved compensation from the system—
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on completing the [Savage Lands Rebellion] plot. You have received plot compensation rewards: Current level experience +400%, Charm +12, Golden Hair Comb Money +100, Reputation +50000, and an additional reward: [Shi Qing Bracers] (Sacred Artifact)!
...
With three consecutive cascades of golden light, Lin Zhao leveled up to 192. A long-awaited level-up!
The plot compensation rewards for this event were largely similar to those from the West Shu Rebellion, with the addition of a Sacred Artifact reward.
Opening his inventory, he found a pair of tea-white bracers with swirling streams of light, emanating a majestic aura. Their craftsmanship was exquisite and meticulous. With a flick of his wrist, their attributes shimmered into view—
[Shi Qing Bracers] (Sacred Artifact)
Type: Armor
Defense: 7200
Strength: +228
Stamina: +225
Agility: +222
Spirit: +220
Special Effect: Damage Reduction +10%
Special Effect: Damage Increase, own attack damage +100%
Special Effect: Toughness, increases user's HP cap by 50000
Special Effect: Power of Shi Qing, increases user's base attack power by 4500
Special Effect: Spell Resistance, reduces all elemental spell damage taken by 15%
Bonus: Increases user's attack power by 95%
Bonus: Increases user's defense by 93%
Requires Strength: 5000
Requires Level: 190
...
Another perfectly fitting piece of equipment. Among its effects, Lin Zhao's gaze immediately fell upon the "Power of Shi Qing" special effect. Just like the "Power of Kunpeng" from the Kunpeng Armor and the "Power of Ascension" from the Ascension Divine Ring, these "xx Power" traits directly added to base attack power.
As the name suggested, base attack power was added to the base, and then further amplified by the equipment's percentage bonus. Therefore, Lin Zhao highly valued this stat, as a higher base attack power undeniably led to higher damage output from his flying swords.
With a "clatter," he equipped the Shi Qing Bracers, replacing the Flood Dragon Scale Bracers. At this point, all of Lin Zhao's equipment was either Ghost Divine Artifact or Sacred Artifact grade, with the lowest being Ghost Divine Artifact. With a full set of top-tier gear, he still led the national server on the combat power rankings.
...
Snow Region Heavenly Pond.
At Lin Zhao's direction, the two sword lights descended at the foot of the mountain villa, and everyone ascended the steps.
"Young Master, you're back?"
A figure in a red dress gracefully floated down the mountain, her body shimmering with golden spiritual light. It was Liu Liying. Seeing Lin Zhao safe and sound, her face was filled with joy. However, upon seeing the white-clothed woman beside him, she felt an overwhelming sense of awe, as if gazing upon the Great Dao itself, and hastily knelt.
"Fan Goddess Liu Liying, greetings... greetings..."
She even began to tremble. Liu Liying was merely a humble manifestation of the Great Dao from the incomplete world of Bai Hua Tian Xia. The white-clothed woman before her was one of those who truly held dominion over the Great Dao in heaven and earth.
"Rise."
The white-clothed woman smiled gently. "I've heard about you from Xiao Zhao, Liu Liying. There's no need to be so formal, please rise."
"Yes!"
Liu Liying bit her red lip and stood by the roadside, unsure how to address the other woman, feeling that any title would be unworthy of her status.
"Liying?"
As everyone passed by Liu Liying, Lin Zhao, with one hand behind his back, beckoned her over with his finger, signaling her to follow.
For a moment, Liu Liying felt as if bathed in spring breeze and quickly followed Lin Zhao with small, dainty steps.
Midway up the mountain, a middle-aged胖子 sitting on a large rock and sharpening a spear suddenly let out a "Oh?" When he looked down the mountain, he saw Lin Zhao and his companions returning, accompanied by a woman emanating extraordinary aura.
Lu Qi had ascended. In the Upper Realm, he held a position of importance, being the foremost expert of the Mo Family Ancestral Hall below the fourteenth realm. In fact, with his combat prowess, Lu Qi was comparable to an ordinary fourteenth-realm cultivator. While the current patriarch was strong, he might not definitively win a one-on-one fight against Lu Qi.
However, Lu Qi had never met the Lord of the Eternal Secret Realm before. At this moment, he only perceived that the woman's cultivation and combat power were incredibly high. Just by looking at her, Lu Qi knew that ten of him combined would not be her match.
He crouched low, intending to sneak into the nearby bamboo grove and pretend not to see them.
"Senior Brother Lu Qi!"
Lin Zhao called out, causing Lu Qi to groan inwardly.
The胖子 turned and hurriedly performed a single-knee salute with a fist-and-palm clasp towards the white-clothed woman, trembling as he said, "Mo Family Ancestral Hall, Lu Qi, greetings, Lord Bing Lan!"
"Lu Qi, there's no need for such formality."
The white-clothed woman, addressed as "Bing Lan," smiled slightly and raised her hand. "I am visiting Xiao Zhao's hometown. You are from the Mo Family Ancestral Hall, so please don't mind me, nor should you feel constrained."
"Yes, thank you!"
Lu Qi, holding his Pear Blossom Spear, retreated to the side sheepishly. While the white-clothed woman before him was indeed beautiful, possessing a beauty that could "overturn the fish and geese" and exuding an ethereal aura, surpassing even Liu Liying, Xu Zhi, and Lin Wanhua in appearance, Lu Qi dared not utter another word, fearing that his old habits might resurface and lead to his immediate demise.
At noon, Liu Liying and Dong Cang prepared a delicious feast.
Lin Zhao personally took charge of simmering the fish soup. As he stoked the fire by the pot, his beautiful master sat beside him, watching her youngest disciple busily tending to the pot, offering no help but smiling with narrowed, beautiful eyes.
"Xiao Zhao."
She looked at Lin Zhao and asked with a smile, "Do you find it arduous?"
"No."
Lin Zhao pursed his lips and said, "Master, to be honest, in my childhood, the norm was to go hungry. It was unusual to suddenly eat one's fill. The pot usually held nothing. Being able to cook every day is actually a sign of good times."
"Mm."
The beautiful master smiled and nodded. "That is indeed the case."
Just then, a child rushed into the kitchen. It was Zhang Luobai, with the sword Liu Cheng on his back and a book bag slung across his waist. He had a happy expression. "Master, you're back!"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "School's out?"
"Mm!"
Zhang Luobai stood up straight and performed a customary bow according to Confucian etiquette. "Reporting to Master, I have diligently completed my studies over the past three days and have not neglected my sword practice. Zhang Luobai faintly feels that I am close to touching the threshold of the third realm. Soon, I may become a renowned third-realm Great Sword Immortal!"
Lin Zhao covered his forehead and chuckled. "You're embarrassing me, you're embarrassing me. You're making a spectacle for Master."
He covered his face and said, "Zhang Luobai, be serious!"
"Yes!"
Zhang Luobai straightened up again, then tilted his head to look at the white-clothed woman beside Lin Zhao. "Master, who is this super beautiful elder sister? She's simply... even more beautiful than Sister Xiao Jiu'er!"
Lin Zhao coughed and said, "Call her Grandmaster, or... call her Master's Master!"
"Yes!"
Zhang Luobai quickly bowed. "Grandmaster is so beautiful, calling her Grandmaster doesn't sound right. I'll call her Master's Master! Please, Master's Master, accept the bow from your disciple's disciple, Zhang Luobai!"
With that, the mischievous child plopped down on his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Alright, alright..."
Lin Zhao's forehead was covered in black lines.
The white-clothed woman smiled and nodded. "Zhang Luobai... a good name, and good potential. Go play now, and let Master's Master have a good chat with your Master."
"Yes, Master's Master!"
Zhang Luobai scampered away. Outside, his voice could be heard asking Zhuang Yirong to spar, and the two children began to playfully tussle.
...
At this moment, a trace of water transport approached outside Tian Ran Ju. It was Lin Xingchu, the River God of the Washing Sword River, accompanied by several other water deities. A golden cape trailed behind her, carrying the water transport of a river, appearing incredibly sacred.
Lin Zhao covered the pot of fish soup and went out with his master. He immediately cupped his fists and said, "Aunt!"
Then, he quickly introduced, "Master, this is my aunt, Lin Xingchu, the River God of the Washing Sword River. Aunt, this is my master..."
"Mm."
Lin Xingchu respectfully cupped her fists. "Lin Xingchu, greetings, Divine Lord."
The white-clothed woman smiled and nodded. "Thank you, River God Consort, for protecting Xiao Zhao all these years. I am in the Upper Realm and have too many limitations. Without your protection, Xiao Zhao's Dao would likely not have been so smooth."
"Your Ladyship flatters me."
Lin Xingchu said, "As Xiao Zhao's aunt, I have merely done what was within my ability."
"Mm."
The white-clothed woman smiled with dimples.
Just then, a sword light came from Fusu Great Wall. It was Lin Wanhua, invited for lunch. Upon seeing the white-clothed woman, Lin Wanhua's heart trembled. The sword Dao pressure emanating from her was overwhelming. Lin Wanhua's sword heart was incredibly dim, an experience she had never encountered before.
"Lin Wanhua of Fusu Great Wall, greetings, Divine Lord!" she respectfully cupped her fists, bending her slender waist.
"Sword Immortal Lin, there's no need for such formality."
The white-clothed woman smiled sweetly. "You govern Fusu Great Wall and have integrated the Dao of half the Fusu Sword. You are, in a way, a half-disciple of Ding Muchen, and I am Ding Muchen's master. Therefore, you and I are also like family."
"Yes!"
Lin Wanhua respectfully cupped her fists, then her pretty face flushed. This was not right. If things were counted this way, wouldn't she be a generation lower than Lin Zhao? This was unacceptable!
Not long after, the two freeloaders arrived.
Su Shanjun and Han Buyu arrived together.
As soon as Su Shanjun entered, he plopped down on his knees before the white-clothed woman.
"Ah?!"
The white-clothed woman was surprised. "Su Shanjun, why is this necessary?"
Su Shanjun's expression was resolute. "You are Xi Ge's master. I am Xi Ge's brother. A brother's master is also my half-master. Lin Su, the Mountain Lord of Tianchi Mountain, greets my half-master!"
The white-clothed woman couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, Muchen has mentioned you to me many times. Since we are family, there's no need for such formality."
"Great!"
Su Shanjun stood up. "Lin Zhao's fish soup is quite good. You can try it later."
"Mm."
The white-clothed woman smiled and nodded.
Lin Zhao looked astonished. Using my cooking skills to gain favor, you truly live up to your name, Su Shanjun!