Because his disciple wanted to continue exploring the matter of the Ice Demon, he did not want to remove the Bingyuzong, a powerful aid with a wealth of experience. Otherwise, a cold and unfeeling person like his disciple would not be soft-hearted towards demonic cultivators, especially a group who had initially intended to use her as a sacrifice for their array…

In a way, his disciple’s cold and unfeeling nature could also be described as demonic, or, to put it more nicely, divine? If she truly was connected to the origin of ice, it would be even more understandable. Suddenly, his worries increased. Why couldn’t anything around him be simple? Even his most carefree little man was day by day thinking of riding his master and defying his ancestors.

He glanced at the little man, Lu Xingzhou, who was also stroking his chin and scrutinizing Dugu Qingli. Feeling Ye Tinglan’s gaze, he said, “If Qingli wants to try, then let her try. It’s no big deal.”

Ye Tinglan asked, “Are you sure there’s no problem?”

“Hmm, actually, you just have a natural resistance and distrust towards the Demonic Dao, always feeling that they are uncontrollable and prone to backfiring… But demonic cultivators are people, not monsters. They have ambitions and weaknesses. Once you understand them, they are often easier to control and utilize than ordinary people. Qingli won’t do it, but I can help. It’s indeed better to keep this matter in our own hands. I support Qingli’s idea.”

Ye Tinglan sighed, “How many clones do you have to do so many things?”

“I don’t have too many things to do anymore. Once the trials here are complete, I should return to the Dan Academy to continue my studies. If I can break through to the third rank, then communication will be in real-time and much simpler.”

Ye Tinglan nodded, choosing to trust the little man’s judgment. She said, “Even so, Qingli should first return to Tianyao Holy Land. Firstly, to create the appearance of being brought back to her sect, and secondly, you also need to go into seclusion to digest the resonance effect on your spiritual consciousness from what you just saw.” Her tone sharpened, “Look at you now, absent-minded. If you were to encounter an enemy, would you still have your Sword Heart?”

Dugu Qingli trembled and bowed, “Yes.”

Ye Tinglan felt a pang of pity. She knew that anyone who discovered they were “one” with a demon would not be able to remain calm. It was already quite good that Qingli could maintain a calm facade. After all, she was just an eighteen-year-old girl. She sighed, “I know this has been a great shock to you, but take heart. Know that so many people care about you; you are not alone.”

Dugu Qingli composed herself slightly, looked at her master, and then gave Lu Xingzhou a deep look, “I understand. Seeing the Ice Demon’s eyes just now indeed had a somewhat adverse effect on my mind. I will go back into seclusion now.” Without further hesitation, she elegantly flew away on her sword.

Lu Xingzhou watched her figure depart, still frowning in thought.

Ye Tinglan asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“I’ve been wondering why they didn’t just kill Qingli and seize the origin, but instead, they ‘bent the knee’. If we don’t understand this, we might make wrong judgments later.”

“Because in their hearts, Qingli might not be human.”

“Oh?”

“Humans cannot spontaneously become innate ice spirits… They wouldn’t even conceive of themselves becoming such a ruler. Therefore, they can only rely on the worship of a deity. Not only the Demonic Dao, but many other races are the same, seeking nothing more than a bestowal.”

“Their perspective is too narrow.”

“Narrow? But they are unconcerned about their ideals. Their pursuit is to turn the world into an icy purgatory.” Ye Tinglan said with some weariness, “Among the hundreds of races and thousands of paths in the world, humans, demons, monsters, all kinds of living beings… their desires are vastly different. It’s hard for you and me to empathize with everyone’s thoughts.”

Lu Xingzhou reached out to caress her brow, “You’re troubled again.”

Ye Tinglan glared at him, “How can I not be worried? This could affect Qingli’s entire life. What if, what if she really becomes the Ice Lord…?”

“At least this matter hasn’t reached its full climax yet.” Lu Xingzhou gently embraced her, “Have you ever considered that many things are just worries you’ve borrowed from the future?”

“Huh?”

“The reason you’re worried now is because Qingli is still young and only at the third rank of cultivation. What if she reaches the first rank, or even surpasses it, and can stand on her own, perhaps even stronger than you? Would you still need to worry about her then?”

Ye Tinglan said, “That’s true, but how can a master not be concerned…?”

Lu Xingzhou whispered in her ear, “Hey, you’re her grand-aunt.”

Ye Tinglan retorted stubbornly, “Can’t a grand-aunt care about her grand-niece?”

Lu Xingzhou said, “You should believe that Qingli’s talent is unparalleled. Now, the third rank is not a good time to deal with this matter. When she reaches the first rank, it might even be her ultimate opportunity. If you are worried, you should find a way to help her quickly break through to the first rank; that’s the proper course of action.”

Ye Tinglan leaned on his shoulder and whispered, “You’re right.”

“Besides, even if she is the Ice Lord, I think you had a similar premonition a long time ago. You also told me that her thoughts and education were instilled by you. Even if she becomes the Ice Lord, she will still be the adorable Qingli. Your worries are merely fear that demonic nature will cover Qingli’s true self. This is precisely why you should focus on enhancing the strength of her spiritual consciousness. That is the essence; everything else is trivial.”

Ye Tinglan thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Although I know you’re just comforting me… but with your words, one after another, it seems I’m truly not as worried anymore.”

Lu Xingzhou whispered in her ear, “By then, she should be worrying about you. Oh, Master is so old, and still doesn’t have a man to cherish her.”

Ye Tinglan let out a giggle, “You’re so talkative. Don’t I have a man who cherishes me?”

“Yes, you do. But her Master doesn’t.”

Ye Tinglan bit her lower lip and murmured seductively, “Then cherish her Master now.”

They had discussed it before setting off; now she was to “play the role” of the Tianyao Holy Lord accompanying her young lover. Ye Tinglan was quite happy to play this “role.” While she didn’t want to be with her young lover as the Holy Lord in public, couldn’t she satisfy both their desires in private?

No matter when, Lu Xingzhou always provided the best emotional value, including the comfort he just offered. Even though she knew it was just comfort, that was all she needed. Before meeting Lu Xingzhou, the Holy Lord was always full of worries, but after meeting him, she rarely felt that way. Sometimes she wondered if the need for a sycophant by a monarch’s side was for this very reason.

Lu Xingzhou reached out and lifted her veil, revealing luscious red lips, her eyes full of charm and allure. A moment ago, he had wondered if she would once again adopt that lofty demeanor. But facts proved that embracing someone high and mighty and watching them transform from dignified to seductive was the most intoxicating psychological experience for a man. Especially after just exerting pressure over the entire scene, to turn around and lean into his embrace in her own imperial carriage, allowing him to lift her veil, was like a bride in the bridal chamber shyly waiting for her groom to unveil her.

Lu Xingzhou could not suppress himself and kissed her.

Ye Tinglan closed her eyes, responding softly, “Carry me into the cabin.”

Ye Tinglan’s imperial carriage was essentially an airship, over ten zhang long, with intricate dragon and phoenix carvings adorning its exterior, presenting a majestic appearance. Inside, there were luxurious cabins, like large rooms, complete with beds and bedding.

Lu Xingzhou carried her into the cabin, and soon they tumbled onto the large bed. As the sash loosened, the magic robe was parted, and the man buried his head within. Ye Tinglan embraced the man’s head, looking down at his eager expression, her eyes filled with tenderness, yet also a hint of shame. In this place, dressed like this, she truly felt she was dragging the Tianyao Holy Lord’s dignity through the mud.

At this moment, the affairs of Tianshuang Kingdom were basically concluded, and the so-called “outer trials” had come to an end. After so much time out, far exceeding the original return deadline, he hadn’t seemed to trial anything specific. His alchemy skills had hardly improved, and there was only a short period when he was forced to read some alchemy books belonging to the Tianyao Holy Land. That time, he said he would “test the Jinshi method later,” but afterwards, because his disciple came to visit, everything was forgotten… From the perspective of a mentor guiding a disciple, he was completely unqualified. Never mind, if the mentor was unqualified, she had already compensated him with this; what more did he want…?

But it also meant that it was indeed time to return, and there were many more things to do. Gu Zhanting had a pile of messy affairs, and who knew what new tricks Gu Shaoli would pull after returning, or what Gu Zhanting had done during his absence. The battle with the Demon Emperor revealed that her old injuries had long since healed, and the demon race was showing signs of resurgence. It was unknown if a new round of southern advancement was brewing. Yuan Muyu was aggressively forming alliances with various demonic factions, and it was unclear what strategic goals she was pursuing. Zhao En had fled with injuries, hiding somewhere to recover. This was a person from the Ancient Realm, powerful and knowledgeable in many secret techniques unknown to modern people. Once healed, who knew what kind of storm he would stir up? And behind this, the issue of flaws in the passage between the Ancient Realm and the human world had emerged, and it was unknown if new unforeseen events would arise. The matter of the Ice Demon was still unresolved, an unstable bomb that could detonate at any time.

These numerous issues caused a surge of irritation and frustration within Ye Tinglan, and she yearned for an outlet to release them. Intimacy between a man and a woman was an excellent way to indulge freely and cast away worries. Watching the little man gently nibble, a strange light flickered in Ye Tinglan’s eyes, and she whispered, “You can… be a little more forceful.”

Lu Xingzhou was momentarily stunned by her words, then immediately increased his intensity. The magic robes were further parted, and as the pristine inner lining was lifted, something sprang forth. Ye Tinglan felt a slight pang of pain and let out a soft groan. Her arms around the man tightened, even causing Lu Xingzhou a little discomfort. Sensing her unresisting feedback, the man’s actions became even bolder. Unconsciously, all barriers were removed, revealing a pristine expanse.

Lu Xingzhou was momentarily stunned, not expecting this ascetic-looking Master to be a ‘white tiger’… This momentary lapse brought Ye Tinglan’s thoughts back slightly. She gently reached out to shield herself and whispered, “Xingzhou…”

Lu Xingzhou hummed in response, “Hmm?”

Ye Tinglan softly said, “The union of yin and yang, Master is not… unwilling now. It’s just, for your own good, it’s best not to do it now.”

Lu Xingzhou roughly understood what she meant. Ye Tinglan was at the peak of the Super Grade, while he was merely at the Fourth Grade. At this moment, their union, with such a vast difference, would be more than enough to propel him to the Third Grade, but it would be an excessive waste. It might even cause harm due to the impact of the immense primordial yin.

Lu Xingzhou felt a little wronged. You told me to be rough, which was completely following orders. But then, with the arrow on the string, you suddenly say no; isn’t that just messing with someone? To be honest, they had been intimate every day during this period, but he hadn’t dared to go further. Who could he complain to about being so pent up?

Ye Tinglan noticed the man’s slight grievance, and a tender look flashed in her eyes. She whispered, “Be good… Master will help you?” She rolled over, pinning the little man beneath her. As she lightly kissed him, her slender hand reached towards his “boat.” Lu Xingzhou lay still.

With the “number one hand in the world” doing this for a man, Ye Tinglan also felt immense shame internally, yet her thoughts involuntarily drifted. So many chaotic and troublesome matters. Fortunately, with the involvement of the little man before her, many issues had been resolved with his assistance, especially his divine connection with Sihan. Now, Gu Zhanting should be the one with a headache. The troublesome Yuan Muyu, too, because of Lu Xingzhou’s presence, led to some interesting subsequent developments, possibly preventing the worst outcome. Lu Xingzhou participated throughout the matters of the Demon Emperor and the Ice Demon, offering advice.

Thus, many worries dissipated. Despite being in a period of great upheaval, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace. He deserved this reward. At this moment, the Holy Lord’s magic robes were still disheveled and open, the Holy Lord herself gently kissing, her hand stroking his “boat.” The man’s psychological experience was unparalleled; all the efforts, hardships, and exhaustion of these days were worth it.