Chapter 45: The Saintess Pays a Visit

While Li Tianyuan was at the Ye family residence in Lin'an City, a solitary figure appeared outside the towering Lingyun Sword Peak, a place that rarely received outsiders.

The newcomer possessed a slender, graceful figure, skin as smooth as congealed suet, and a peerless beauty that could topple nations. Standing atop the summit of Lingyun Mountain, she gazed into the distant sea of clouds, her beautiful eyes deep and enchanting.

This person was none other than Murong Mingyue, the Saintess of the Lingxiao Sacred Land.

Ever since she witnessed the heaven-defying swordsmanship and innate talent displayed by Jiang Yuli at the Haotian Sword Pagoda, she had been burning with the desire to visit Lingyun Peak. She wanted to see what kind of eminent master could possibly nurture such a young and formidable sword cultivator.

Therefore, the moment she finished her seclusion and cultivation at the Haotian Sword Pagoda, she inquired about the location of Lingyun Sword Peak and hurried over.

"I heard that thousands of years ago, this Lingyun Peak was one of the Nine Upper Peaks of the Sacred Land. Looking at it now, it truly possesses an extraordinary aura. The spiritual Qi is dense, and the environment is serene and secluded—truly a sacred ground for cultivation."

Sweeping her gaze across the surroundings and taking in the mist-shrouded Lingyun Sword Peak, Murong Mingyue murmured softly to herself.

Without further delay, she flew through the air toward the peak of Lingyun Sword Peak.

At this moment, the summit of Lingyun Sword Peak was enveloped by a protective array designed to keep outsiders out. However, as the Saintess of the Sacred Land, Murong Mingyue had no need to worry about such barriers; she passed through unhindered and unimpeded.

Before long, she descended onto the spacious plaza before the Lingyun Hall.

The scene that met her eyes left her momentarily stunned.

Although the peak housed various grand and majestic structures, it was utterly desolate and appeared exceptionally lonely. If not for the three characters "Lingyun Hall" inscribed on the grand hall ahead, Murong Mingyue would have thought she had come to the wrong place.

"The Junior Sister Jiang whose swordsmanship talent defied the heavens comes from this very place?"

Murong Mingyue looked at the profoundly quiet Lingyun Sword Peak with a sense of bewilderment. This was completely different from what she had imagined, far exceeding her expectations.

She had originally assumed that a place capable of producing a monstrous swordsman-genius like Jiang Yuli would surely be bustling with powerful figures, with disciples inhabiting the entire mountain, each one incomparably proud.

Instead, not a single soul was to be found throughout the entire mountain gate. It was lifeless and deathly quiet, looking almost as if it had been abandoned.

However, since she had already arrived, Murong Mingyue shook off her astonishment and thought no more of it.

With light, graceful steps, she walked toward the Lingyun Hall ahead.

Yet, just as she reached the middle of the plaza, Murong Mingyue suddenly halted, her gaze locking onto an ancient green tree standing ahead.

The ancient tree was lush with foliage, its twisted and vigorous branches resembling coiling dragons. It bore no flowers, only thousands of leaves that emitted a faint tea fragrance, instantly making one's mind feel clear and ethereal.

More importantly, the leaves on the ancient tree were crystal clear and emerald green, dreamlike and illusory, with vague traces of Dao rhythms flowing around them and celestial melodies echoing in the air.

"Could this be... the legendary Dao-Enlightenment Tea Tree?"

Seeing this, Murong Mingyue widened her beautiful eyes, her pretty face filled with shock.

As the Saintess, how could she have never heard of the legends surrounding the Dao-Enlightenment Tea Tree?

However, one had to know that innate spiritual roots like the Dao-Enlightenment Tea Tree were extremely rare in this world, existing mostly in legends and deemed utterly unique.

Yet right now, one such tree stood upon Lingyun Sword Peak, and judging by its massive branches and foliage, it had probably grown for several thousand, or even tens of thousands of years!

How could this not shock her?

"This Lingyun Sword Peak looked utterly ordinary and desolate, yet it actually harbors such a rare and peerless heavenly treasure as the Dao-Enlightenment Tea Tree. It is truly mind-boggling!"

"It seems one should never judge anything purely by its appearance. The Master of Lingyun Peak must certainly be a supreme expert. No wonder he was able to cultivate a peerless swordsmanship genius like Junior Sister Jiang!"

Murong Mingyue clicked her tongue in silent wonder.

Upon seeing the Dao-Enlightenment Tea Tree, Lingyun Sword Peak instantly transformed in her eyes, becoming unfathomable and shrouded in an aura of profound mystery.

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard on Lingyun Sword Peak:

"Wonderful! I've finally reached the mid-stage of the Yin-Yang Realm!"

Jiang Yuli exhaled a breath of stale air, slowly opening her eyes to reveal an expression of excitement and thrill.

After several days of relentless cultivation without rest, she had naturally and smoothly stepped into the mid-stage of the Yin-Yang Realm, significantly increasing her overall strength.

She then stood up, intending to go out for a stroll.

She had always kept her master's teachings close to her heart. Cultivation required a balance of work and rest, advancing step by step. Now that she had broken through a minor realm, it was only natural to relax appropriately.

"Whoosh!"

Pushing open the door, a gentle breeze swept through, disarraying the wisps of fine hair across her forehead.

In the sky, clouds rolled leisurely, cranes danced, and celestial mist drifted, resembling a masterpiece of a traditional ink-wash painting.

Jiang Yuli stretched lazily, looking up at the picturesque scene at the horizon, which inevitably brought her master to mind.

It seemed her master often liked to gaze quietly at the rolling clouds at the horizon in just this manner, pondering the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

"I wonder how Master is doing, and when he will return?"

Jiang Yuli muttered softly to herself. For some unknown reason, having not seen her master for just two days, she felt an extraordinary sense of longing.

Shaking her head, she cast those thoughts aside and walked toward the Lingyun Hall.

Just as she arrived at the plaza, Jiang Yuli spotted a figure standing in the middle of the area in a daze, seemingly lost in a trance.

"Huh?"

"Isn't this the Saintess Mingyue whom I met at the Haotian Sword Pagoda the other day?"

As Jiang Yuli drew closer, she realized that the figure was indeed a breathtakingly beautiful woman, standing with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing up at the ancient tree overhead.

Her robes drifted in the wind, her figure was slender and graceful, her skin surpassed snow, and her features were exquisite. She looked like a celestial immortal descended from the nine heavens, exuding an aloof and refined temperament that made others hesitant to profane her.

Even though this was only her second time seeing this Saintess, Jiang Yuli could not help but be struck by her breathtaking beauty.

Seemingly sensing someone approaching, Murong Mingyue finally snapped out of her trance. Turning around and seeing Jiang Yuli, a smile immediately bloomed on her face.

"Junior Sister Jiang, we meet again!"

Jiang Yuli nodded back at Murong Mingyue, then asked with a hint of puzzlement: "Oh? Senior Sister Murong, why have you come to our Lingyun Sword Peak?"

"I made this special trip specifically to pay my respects to your honored master and seek guidance on the sword dao!"

Murong Mingyue smiled faintly, offering a soft explanation.

"To pay respects to my master?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yuli came to a sudden realization, followed by a regretful smile. "Senior Sister Murong, you've come at rather an inopportune time. My master is currently not on Lingyun Sword Peak!"

"Your honored master is not here?"

Murong Mingyue arched her slender brows, looking somewhat surprised.

"Yes, Master left the Sacred Land two days ago due to some matters!"

"Oh! Then do you know when your honored master will return?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Master didn't mention a specific timeframe; it could be tomorrow, or it could be much later."

Jiang Yuli shook her head and replied with a tinge of disappointment.