Chapter 676

Chapter 676: Golden Ling’er’s Intent

While Ye Yun pondered how to address the concerns regarding Golden Ling’er and Jin An, Golden Ling’er rushed to him, pointing at the golden bell in her hand emitting a golden glow. She chuckled, "Elder, what do you think? Ling’er has already refined this golden bell to the level of setting up a Deceptive Array, and it can conceal its aura! Just like how you can emit the aura of the Golden Core stage, Ling’er can now hide her presence without being detected."

"What?" Ye Yun stared at the excited Golden Ling’er as if finding relief from a vexing problem. He smiled and asked, "Ling’er, can you demonstrate it for me? I’m curious."

"Of course! Even if you hadn’t asked, Ling’er would’ve done it anyway," Golden Ling’er replied, eyes sparkling. With a wave of the golden bell and a melodious chime, she vanished from Ye Yun’s sight. He focused on sensing the surroundings but detected only a faint trace of her presence. Satisfied, he said, "Alright, Ling’er, deactivate the array."

"Elder, how did I do?" Golden Ling’er asked eagerly, glowing under Ye Yun’s approving smile.

"Impressive. Without preparation, even I might’ve missed it," Ye Yun nodded. Though he couldn’t detect her, the Ancestor of the Sword Path would see through the illusion instantly.

Since the Ancestor was an exception within the Xumi Treasure, Golden Ling’er’s Deceptive Array could shield her and Jin An from any Nascent Soul cultivator’s notice. Relieved, Ye Yun felt they’d be safe as long as the Ancestor didn’t interfere.

"Stop bothering the elder, Ling’er. Your trick only fools ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. In his eyes, you’re completely exposed," Jin An remarked, watching them chat.

"Hmph! Senior Brother Jin An knows nothing! Ling’er’s array is powerful," she retorted, though his criticism sparked a mischievous idea.

"Since you doubt me, I’ll snatch your wooden sword mid-practice. Let’s see how you manage then!" The golden bell chimed again as she vanished. Guided by the Ancestor’s perception, Ye Yun sensed her tiptoeing toward Jin An, who swung his sword obliviously.

Seizing the moment Jin An’s blade struck the ground, Golden Ling’er dropped the array and yanked the sword from his grip. But when she tried to reactivate the illusion, only the bell trembled silently.

"Oh no! I drained all my true qi!" Golden Ling’er’s neck flushed crimson as she stammered, "This low-quality Immortal artifact consumes so much! Even Father’s ivory dagger wasn’t this wasteful—six uses emptied me!"

"How can I trust you in battle if you make such errors?" Jin An sighed. "In a life-and-death fight, that mistake would kill you."

Ye Yun intervened gently, "Don’t scold her. She’s young. With time, she’ll become remarkable."

"I fear she’ll perish before maturing," Jin An muttered, then added sternly, "Ling’er, never repeat this recklessness."

"Mm!" Golden Ling’er nodded vigorously, grateful for Ye Yun’s defense.

"Go rest. I’ll call you later," Jin An said, resuming his sword drills. Relieved, Golden Ling’er retrieved a low-grade Immortal Spirit Stone to replenish her energy.

"I must recover fast. Another lecture from him would be unbearable." Crushing the stone, she inhaled streams of immortal spirit energy, exhaling murky impurities.

"Immortal Spirit Stones are wonderful! They restore qi, cleanse the body—even non-cultivators could reach the Seventh Level of the Nascent Soul stage by consuming these!"

She glanced wistfully at the stone fragments, remnants of her limited stash. Within the Xumi Treasure, she’d gained Ye Yun’s gifted Immortal artifact and some fortune, including these stones. Jin An had found fewer, but her luck in the ancient temple had granted her hundreds, making her momentarily wealthy.

"Still not enough," she sighed, checking her storage pouch. Maintaining the Deceptive Array required too many stones. Relying solely on her qi was risky—what good was hiding if danger struck?

Noticing her frustration, Ye Yun asked, "Ling’er, are you short on Immortal Spirit Stones?"

"Yes! In battles, I can’t sustain the array long. I’m only First Level Nascent Soul—my true qi reserves are low," she admitted, then hastily added, "But don’t offer yours! I won’t accept!"

"Why?" Ye Yun frowned. He’d expected her to eagerly accept.

"The Immortal artifact was your gift already. Even shameless Senior Brother would blush if I took more!" Golden Ling’er insisted, bowing her head.

"Don’t drag me into this!" Jin An retorted. "I’ll repay the elder’s kindness with my life if needed."

"Consider it a loan. Repay me later," Ye Yun said, admiring her integrity. Unlike Wan Xue—whose hidden greed the Ancestor had exposed—Golden Ling’er’s sincerity warmed him. He’d once considered aiding Wan Xue, given her rare physique’s potential, but her ambition warned him away.

"Fine… But I’ll repay every stone!" Golden Ling’er agreed, cheeks pink under Ye Yun’s concerned gaze.

"Just don’t default," Ye Yun joked, summoning ten top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones. Their potent aura hinted they’d soon nurture heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

"Ten top-tier stones—worth a thousand low-grade ones!" Jin An gaped. "Elder, if you claim to be a wandering cultivator, I’ll never believe it. Your sect must be mighty."

"Let’s leave it at that," Ye Yun deflected. Each stone rivaled a low-quality Immortal artifact’s value.

"Ling’er, repay this debt!" Jin An ordered.

"No deadline. Return them when able," Ye Yun assured.

"Okay… But don’t expect much. These could last me a decade. The one you miss must be extraordinary," Golden Ling’er murmured, heart aching at the gulf between their futures.

"Who said I miss anyone? Jin An’s rumors again?" Ye Yun asked awkwardly.

"I assumed! Someone so remarkable must have admirers," Jin An said. "If I were you, I’d embrace their affection!"

Golden Ling’er glared as Jin An pantomimed encouragement. Flustered, he swung his sword, baffled that Ye Yun—despite his power—lacked a companion.

"Elders think differently. It’s natural," Jin An concluded inwardly.

Meanwhile, Golden Ling’er brightened at Ye Yun’s denial, stashing the top-tier stones and resuming cultivation with renewed vigor.