"Eldest Senior Sister!"
"Senior Sister Ye!"
Everyone crowded around.
"Oh my, you've finally come out!"
Zhao Ling'er leaned in, examining Ah Yao, "Are you alright, Eldest Senior Sister? You look so energetic!"
"I'm fine!"
Ah Yao replied crisply, even raising her little arm to gesture, "There were some fire-breathing birds and very fast wolves inside, but Fourth Junior Sister and I beat them all away!"
Her words drew a burst of laughter from the crowd, and at the same time, they cast looks of admiration toward Ye Ling'er.
Being able to protect the youngest Eldest Senior Sister in the Secret Realm for a full month and keep her so happy was truly extraordinary.
Ye Ling'er shook her head slightly, a hint of softness flashing in her eyes: "Eldest Senior Sister is very formidable; she was a great help."
She wasn't being polite; Eldest Senior Sister's pure Qi and the magic of the Lotus Platform had indeed played a key role in breaking the "illusion array."
About half an hour later, in the direction of the core area, the light curtain fluctuated again.
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli walked out side by side.
The two were relatively neat in appearance, but a trace of faint fatigue remained between their brows after high-intensity battles and exploration.
"Senior Sister Liu! Senior Sister Gu!"
The Disciples bowed, their eyes filled with reverence.
Being able to venture deep into the core area and return safely was a symbol of strength in itself.
Liu Ruyan smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over all the returning Disciples. Seeing that no one was missing, her expression visibly relaxed: "You have all worked hard, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters. It seems everyone has gained something."
Gu Luoli nodded slightly, her cold gaze falling on Ah Yao. Seeing her bouncing around, a flash of joy also crossed her eyes.
With this, all thirty-plus Disciples who first entered the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven had returned safely.
Just as the Disciples were gathered in the square, excitedly discussing their experiences in the Secret Realm and comparing their gains—
"Hum..."
From the direction of the main hall, the invisible barrier that had shrouded it for a month dissipated quietly like water ripples.
Immediately after, a dao rhyme that seemed to encompass all things slowly permeated the air, instantly enveloping the entire Jade Pool Immortal Palace!
This dao rhyme carried a supreme majesty.
It made all the Disciples who felt it, regardless of their cultivation level, feel awe, causing them to stop talking involuntarily and look toward the main hall in unison.
Yun Yun, who was talking to the returning Disciples, had her expression sharpen, and then she showed joy: "The Palace Master has come out of seclusion!"
In the West Courtyard guest house, Empress Qingxuan, who was leaning by the window reading, paused her fingertips, and the book closed silently.
She looked up toward the main hall, a flash of brilliance appearing in her lazy eyes: "Finally came out..."
In the East Courtyard, Empress Ling Shuang, who was trying a new round of dessert making, paused her movements, her gaze involuntarily cast toward the main hall.
The main hall doors opened silently under the gaze of everyone.
A figure with hair Like Snow, dressed in moon-white palace attire, walked out slowly.
It was Gu Han, who had been in seclusion for over a month.
Her appearance remained cold and ethereal, but looking closely, one could find some differences.
Her eyes were deeper, as if they contained the destruction and rebirth of an entire galaxy.
The aura around her was more restrained and harmonious, and with every gesture, a dao rhyme seemed to permeate around her.
Clearly, in this month of seclusion, Gu Han had made significant progress in refining the Donghuang Bell, and her Cultivation had also improved.
Gu Han's gaze calmly swept over the Disciples gathered in the square, lingering for a moment especially on Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, Ye Ling'er, and Ah Yao, whom they were protecting in the middle.
Seeing that although the Disciples were slightly dusty, they were all high-spirited and had solid auras, clearly the training effect was excellent.
A hint of satisfied laughter flashed in her eyes.
"It seems you have not wasted this month."
Gu Han's clear voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Greetings, Palace Master!"
The Disciples saluted in unison, their voices loud, carrying heartfelt respect and excitement.
The Palace Master has come out of seclusion!
And her aura seems even more powerful than before she went into seclusion!
"No need for formalities."
Gu Han raised her hand slightly and turned her gaze to Yun Yun. "Yun Yun, how was the result of this training?"
Yun Yun stepped forward and reported: "Reporting to the Palace Master, thirty-three Disciples entered the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven, and all have returned safely, all with considerable gains."
"In addition, the injured Disciples have been arranged to go to Danxia Peak for treatment."
"Very good."
Gu Han nodded, her gaze sweeping over the Disciples again. "The gains from the training belong mostly to the individuals; this is what you deserve."
"But remember, while improving Cultivation and obtaining resources are important, Heart-Nature, the camaraderie of fighting side by side with fellow Disciples, and the realization of one's own path are equally important."
Her voice was peaceful, but every word struck the hearts of the Disciples.
It made many Disciples who were originally immersed in the joy of gains look solemn and thoughtful.
"Go down and rest."
Gu Han said finally, "In two days, the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda will reopen."
"At that time, I hope you can transform your gains from the Secret Realm into a more solid Foundation."
"Yes! We will follow the Palace Master's teachings!"
The Disciples responded in unison, their voices full of high fighting spirit.
The Myriad Phenomena Pagoda is reopening!
Their tenfold Cultivation time is coming back!
The Disciples gradually dispersed with excitement and anticipation, and the square returned to emptiness.
Gu Han was just about to turn and leave when two figures appeared at the edge of the square almost simultaneously.
One purple, one blue, both peerless in elegance.
Empress Qingxuan walked over, her purple long dress dragging on the ground, her black hair like a waterfall, with her usual lazy smile on her face.
Her gaze, however, fell burningly on Gu Han, especially lingering for a moment on the Profound Heart Bracelet on her wrist, and her smile deepened.
"Congratulations to Sister for coming out of seclusion, your Cultivation has advanced another level."
Qingxuan's voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying sincere congratulations and a hint of intimacy that only Gu Han could understand.
Empress Ling Shuang was still in her ice-blue palace attire, her expression cold, but those ice-blue eyes fluctuated slightly when they touched Gu Han.
She nodded slightly, her voice seeming a bit softer than usual: "Fellow Daoist Gu, congratulations."
Gu Han looked at the two who came together, and the feeling of relaxation she had because of coming out of seclusion suddenly became subtle again.
This month of seclusion was quiet, but what needed to be faced had to be faced eventually.
"Thank you both for your concern."
Gu Han returned the salute with a calm expression. "During my seclusion, thank you both for your understanding and for not causing any trouble. This Gu thanks you here."
These words were polite, but actually contained a hidden reminder.
You didn't make trouble while I was in seclusion, very good, I hope you can keep it up.
Empress Qingxuan seemed not to hear the subtext, smilingly stepped forward, and naturally approached Gu Han's side: "What is Sister saying? I am a guest, so naturally, I must follow the host's rules."
"Now that Sister has just come out of seclusion, I have many things I want to tell you. Why not go to my place and sit for a while?"
Empress Ling Shuang saw Qingxuan's posture that was almost sticking to Gu Han, and her brows frowned imperceptibly.
But thinking of Blue Star's advice to "plan slowly," she forcibly suppressed the displeasure in her heart and said coldly: "Qingxuan, Fellow Daoist Gu has just come out of seclusion, why be in such a hurry?"
Qingxuan turned her head and glanced at Ling Shuang, the smile in her eyes undiminished, but the tone carried a bit of playfulness: "Sister Gu has just come out of seclusion and needs to digest her gains properly."
"Besides..."
She turned her head back, her gaze falling on Gu Han's face, her voice lowered, with an ambiguity that only the three of them could hear: "Is there any need to distinguish between you and me, Sister Gu?"
These words were pointed, instantly making Gu Han think of the various things that happened the night Qingxuan broke into the main hall, and her earlobes uncontrollably heated up slightly.
Although Empress Ling Shuang didn't know the specific details, seeing Gu Han's instantly reddened earlobes and Qingxuan's triumphant look, she guessed that it was probably unusual, and the feeling of irritation in her heart rose again.
Seeing that the atmosphere was about to become subtle again, Gu Han took a deep breath and decisively interrupted: "I suddenly remembered that there is something that needs to be handled. As for other things, let's talk about them another day."
After speaking, she nodded slightly to the two, not giving them another chance to pester her, turned, and walked back into the main hall.
The hall door closed slowly behind her, isolating Qingxuan's meaningful smile and Ling Shuang's slightly stiff cold face.
Empress Qingxuan looked at the closed hall door, the corners of her lips hooked into a shallow smile, "Can hide from the first day, but not the fifteenth, Sister Gu..."
Empress Ling Shuang snorted coldly, a flash of determination in her eyes.
"It seems that just waiting won't work; she has to think of other ways."
"Perhaps... that box of'Snow Lotus Pastry' that she had practiced for a long time, is it time to give it away?"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"