In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Under Ye Yun's diligent tutelage, Lin Xueyan and Gu Xiaoyue had both broken through to the second level of Transcendence.
As for their mastery of Profound Skills, Bai Xiaoxiao had quickly and proficiently grasped the Ice Shadow Art, making her power within the sect, among peers her age, second only to her senior sister.
Lin Xueyan could skillfully wield early-stage Sword Intent. Coupled with all the Profound Skills Ye Yun had taught her, her combat power was astonishing, allowing her to easily defeat opponents of higher cultivation.
Frankly speaking, the terror of their strength would be unbelievable if it were to spread.
Seeing that they now knew how to cultivate and improve themselves, Ye Yun felt at ease to enter seclusion, preparing to absorb the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus.
Unlike treasures that boosted comprehension like the Tongtian Flower, the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus focused on improving physique and even cultivation, with a power far more volatile than a Thousand Year Snow Lotus.
Even with his cultivation, it would take several days to absorb it completely and safely.
However, once absorbed, his strength would undoubtedly see a significant improvement.
Inside the cave, Ye Yun took out the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"I have a feeling that the Eastern Region is about to be in turmoil. I need to speed up my progress in strengthening myself..."
After all, recently he had offended the Nine Nether Demon Sect, the Bai family, and even the Fu Long Immortal Palace. Without sufficient strength, he might die miserably, and he wouldn't be able to protect his disciples.
With this thought, Ye Yun immediately began the absorption process, gradually guiding the power of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus into his body.
...
Two days later, in the Bai family's council hall on Misty Mountain.
Around the conference table gathered over a dozen Venerable experts. Presiding over the main seat was none other than the Bai family head, Bai Tianchen.
At this moment, everyone wore solemn expressions, listening to a report from an elder.
"The young lady's whereabouts have been found. She is currently within the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect and has seemingly become the disciple of the Ancient Dao Sword Emperor, Ye Yun."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but frown. Although the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect was not as powerful as their Bai family, it was still considered a dominant force in its region.
They all turned to look at Bai Tianchen, whose expression grew heavy.
"No wonder I couldn't find that little girl. She ran off to the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect. Does she really think that finding a master means she can defy the family's arrangements?"
At this point, a Venerable beside him couldn't help but knit his brows.
"Family Head, what should we do now? The Young Palace Lord of the Fu Long Immortal Palace is pressing us, wanting to marry the young lady as soon as possible."
"What else can we do? Of course, we bring her back!"
Bai Tianchen's gaze fell upon a seventh-level Venerable, and he spoke slowly.
"Guest Elder Li, I will trouble you to make a trip to the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect this time. Even if you have to tie her up, bring Xiaoxiao back."
His indifferent tone suggested he wasn't bringing his daughter back, but rather capturing an enemy.
In fact, it was precisely so. If Bai Xiaoxiao defied the family, let alone his orders, she would be no different from an enemy.
That Venerable was named Li Canjian. He possessed seventh-level Venerable cultivation and was the strongest sword cultivator among the Bai family's guest elders. He had comprehended high-level Sword Intent and was expected to reach peak-level Sword Intent within a hundred years. With his exquisite swordsmanship, he could contend with an eighth-level Venerable.
Upon hearing this, Li Canjian nodded and chuckled lightly.
"Family Head, rest assured. But what if the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect refuses to let her go? And her master, Ye Yun?"
"Refuse to let her go? Then use your sword to force them to release her!"
Bai Tianchen snorted coldly, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"As for her damn master, if he's sensible, so be it. If he's not, we'll disregard life and death!"
"What Ancient Dao Sword Emperor? The number one sword genius? A joke! Daring to oppose our Bai family will surely result in his death!"
With his words, Li Canjian felt reassured.
"Leave it to me. I will bring the young lady back very soon."
Although Misty Mountain was far from the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, with his Venerable cultivation, he could reach the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect within two days at full speed.
...
Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, Qingyun Peak.
Even though Ye Yun was in seclusion, Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao were diligently practicing their respective Profound Skills.
One day, during a break from their training, Lin Xueyan kept looking in the direction of the cave, constantly anticipating her master's emergence from seclusion.
According to the time her master had mentioned before going into seclusion, he should be coming out today.
At this moment, Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly said, "Senior Sister, do you... like Master?"
"Uh..."
Lin Xueyan was taken aback. Seeing Bai Xiaoxiao's earnest little face, her own cheeks flushed, but she slowly nodded.
"Yes, I like him."
"The kind between master and disciple?"
"No."
Lin Xueyan shook her head slightly, her gaze returning to the cave. She said with great determination.
"Master brought me out of despair, helped me get revenge, and gave me a reason to live. That's why I like him. No... I should say, I love him deeply."
Towards the end, her gaze returned to Bai Xiaoxiao. Despite her blushing cheeks, she offered her a meaningful smile.
Faced with her junior sister's unexpected frankness, Bai Xiaoxiao was stunned for a long time before sighing softly.
"Senior Sister, looking at Master's demeanor, he probably won't accept you, will he?"
"Who knows what the outcome will be until the last moment?"
Lin Xueyan's expression was firm, and she clenched her fists, stating resolutely, "One day, I will become Master's dao companion!"
After spending some time together, Bai Xiaoxiao understood why she had developed feelings for him. After all, their master was simply too good!
He was handsome, powerful, and gentle. Even she, who considered herself a well-behaved disciple, had to admit that Master was simply the ideal type from a dream.
She was silent for a moment, then suddenly said.
"Senior Sister, we've practiced for so many days. Shall we go to the martial arts field for an actual spar?"
During this time, to avoid disturbing their master's seclusion, they had only practiced the fundamentals and had not engaged in actual combat.
Lin Xueyan agreed readily, saying directly.
"No problem, but you're not allowed to report to Master if you lose!"
"Okay, please go easy on me, Senior Sister."
The martial arts field was a public space within the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect for disciples to spar and practice Profound Skills. It was like a vast plaza, with a large number of disciples present year-round.
This day was no exception, with many Heavenly Sect disciples sparring as usual. However, with the arrival of Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao, everything became extraordinary.
"Look, look! Aren't those the two disciples Elder Ye took in?"
"Lin Xueyan is here, so it must be them. But judging by their posture, are they going to spar?"
"How wonderful! To see two such beautiful girls fight!"
"I wonder what their cultivation levels are. I heard Lin Xueyan was at the sixth level of Innate before, right?"
"The sixth level of Innate at fifteen years old! Amazing!"
...
On the martial arts field, most of the disciples who were sparring stopped to watch.
Ye Yun's fame within the sect was undeniably number one. His two female disciples naturally attracted much attention, not to mention they were both stunning beauties.
Amidst the crowd, Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao clasped their fists at each other.
Lin Xueyan then took out the Qingyun Ancient Sword, instantly stunning the surrounding disciples.
"Holy crap! Isn't that Elder Ye's personal sword, the Qingyun Ancient Sword? When did it get passed to Lin Xueyan?"
"It really is! Elder Ye is too generous! That's a top-grade treasure sword!"
"Ahhh! I wish I could become Elder Ye's disciple too!"
Frankly speaking, this sword was the most precious one in the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, and it was outrageously extravagant to pass it to a disciple like this.
However, soon after Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao unleashed their Profound Energy, the crowd's shock shifted to their cultivation levels.