Chapter 33: star ancient zither

"Hmm, it is indeed worth the risk, but this time, the location where the star ancient zither appears is not in our Southern Region," Fairy Youyue sighed softly, with a touch of helplessness.

"Instead, it has appeared in the Northern Region. The Disciples of the Nether Ghost Realm in the Northern Region are cold-natured and suspicious. And their Sect Master, Supreme Mingye, is even more brutal and warlike by nature, having long harbored the ambition to unify the Five Regions.

If we Elders were to go, I fear he would use it as an excuse to start a war with us directly."

"The Nether Ghost Realm in the Northern Region?" Star Song Queen raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat worried, "That is an extremely dangerous place."

Zither Immortal Yanwu pursed her lips, "Then what should we do? If we send young Disciples, will the difficulty be too great?"

Hearing these words, Fairy Qimeng pondered for a moment, her expression becoming serious.

"Esteemed Elders,"

After drawing everyone's attention, she continued,

"Although we are facing a very grave situation, we cannot retreat just because of danger. The appearance of the star ancient zither is crucial to us; we must find it."

Her voice, like a trickling stream, became a bit firmer, "As Sect Master, I cannot sit idly by. I will also go personally. If Supreme Mingye wants to cause trouble, I will stop him."

"Fairy, this is not a joking matter!" Star Song Queen hurriedly advised, "Supreme Mingye is an extremely dangerous figure; we cannot let you take such a huge risk."

"Indeed, Fairy," Zither Immortal Yanwu also said urgently, "We can send young Disciples, but you must think it through. The situation in the Northern Region is complex and ever-changing; it is not advisable to take risks."

The other Elders also expressed their concern, one after another, trying to dissuade Fairy Qimeng from her decision.

However, Fairy Qimeng still shook her head firmly, indicating that she had already made her decision.

Lin Chen, who was underwater, felt a wave of panic at this moment and inadvertently pinched Fairy Qimeng's fair, tender thigh.

Fairy Qimeng instantly felt a sharp pain and let out a slight exclamation.

"Alright~~, then that is decided," Sect Master Qi Meng quickly covered it up with a trembling voice, "The Sect will hold a grand competition in a few days to select the most outstanding Disciples to go to the Northern Region and seize the star ancient zither."

With the matter of the star ancient zither decided, the expressions of the Elders gradually returned to calm, and the previously relaxed atmosphere dissipated along with it.

Star Song Queen stood up elegantly from the lake water, her tall and curvaceous figure looming in the reflection of the lake, her tender skin adorned with crystalline dewdrops, making her even more charming and moving.

"Sect Master, since there is now a clear plan, I will return to arrange our Sect's affairs to ensure our Disciples can perform well in the competition."

Fairy Qimeng nodded, with a hint of firmness in her eyes: "Hmm, have the Disciples intensify their Cultivation, and the Sect grand competition will begin when the time is ripe."

"Yes, Sect Master." Star Song Queen smiled in response, then walked toward the shore.

The other Elders also stood up to bid farewell, one delicate body after another slowly rising from the lake water, overflowing with alluring charm.

Some were as slender as willow branches, with elegant curves; some were full and plump, with rounded breasts and perky buttocks; others had graceful, lithe figures with soft lines. Water droplets were crystalline on their delicate skin, making them appear even more radiant and moving.

With the final farewell, the lake water gradually returned to calm.

The Elders picked up their clothes on the shore, dressed neatly, bid each other farewell, and left the lakeside one after another.

In the end, only Lin Chen and Fairy Qimeng remained in the Spirit Dew Hot Spring.

Fairy Qimeng reached into the water with her fair hand and gently patted Lin Chen's shoulder, signaling that she could come out.

Lin Chen slowly stood up from the lake water, gently patted the water droplets off her body, and looked up at Fairy Qimeng.

A look of reproach appeared on Fairy Qimeng's face as she asked.

"Why did you pinch me just now?" Yet, she could not hide her concern for Lin Chen.

"It was an impulse; I couldn't help it." Lin Chen excused herself, then added mischievously, "Alright, let's get out quickly; if others come again, I won't be able to handle it."

Sect Master Qi Meng knew that these words of Lin Chen were merely a cover; Lin Chen was likely worried about her safety, hence resorting to such a desperate measure.

Thinking of this, Sect Master Qi Meng felt a bit of warmth, but she did not point it out.

"Hmm, let's go, we are returning."

The two graceful figures in the lake water swayed with the waves, their reflections in the shimmering light appearing exceptionally moving.

Lin Chen followed Sect Master Qi Meng to the shore and changed into the uniform of a Personal Disciple of the Xuan Yin Sect.

The Xuan Yin Sect's Disciple uniform was elegant and grand, containing the imagery of heavenly music flowing.

Lin Chen was dressed in moon-white-based clothing, covered with a layer of cloud gauze as thin as light smoke, which swayed gently with her steps, making her appear lively and ethereal.

Around her waist was tied a silver-edged silk ribbon, from which hung an identity jade pendant. The pendant was inlaid with the unique flowing light talisman pattern of Fairy Qimeng, clearly marking her status as a Personal Disciple.

The uniforms of Outer Sect Disciples were relatively simple, primarily light pink, symbolizing the status of basic cultivators;

Inner Sect Disciples had light cyan as the base color, covered with a thin layer of cloud gauze, appearing more restrained and steady.

As a Personal Disciple of Fairy Qimeng, Lin Chen held a lofty status in the Sect.

Lin Chen followed Fairy Qimeng out of the Spirit Dew Hot Spring and returned to her private courtyard along the winding path.

The surroundings were encircled by a lush green bamboo forest; a gentle breeze blew, making the bamboo leaves rustle, and moonlight filtered through the layers of bamboo leaves, casting fragmented light and shadows.

In the center of the courtyard, an exquisite pavilion stood quietly.

Fairy Qimeng pushed open the door of the pavilion and walked in with Lin Chen.

The interior layout of the pavilion was simple and elegant, decorated with ancient zithers and scrolls, and the air was still filled with the faint lingering echoes of music and the scent of books.

"You go back to rest first; you expended quite a lot of energy in the water today."

Fairy Qimeng said softly, her tone carrying a hint of concern. She raised her hand and gently pointed to the second floor, which was exactly where Lin Chen lived.

Lin Chen nodded; her tired body forced her to say no more, and she slowly walked up to the second floor along the wooden staircase.

She looked back and saw that Fairy Qimeng was already sitting cross-legged in front of the pavilion, her eyes closed slightly, and a faint layer of spiritual light began to slowly surround her body, clearly entering meditation.

Lin Chen gently pushed open the door on the second floor and walked into her own quiet space.

While downstairs, Fairy Qimeng sat quietly there, her breath gradually stabilizing, and she entered a peaceful dreamland during meditation.

The next morning, Lin Chen lay softly in the warm covers, her body not yet fully recovered from the fatigue of the previous day.

Just as she was enjoying this moment of tranquility, a System notification sound broke her peace.

"Ding—Little Master Lin Chen, your Villain Merit is running low. Please hurry to complete Villain Quests to obtain Merit; otherwise, you will be executed by the System in 5 days."

Lin Chen suddenly opened her beautiful eyes, her heart tightening. She gently stroked her forehead and muttered with a face full of helplessness:

"Sigh, how could I have forgotten about this? If I had known this, I shouldn't have suppressed Lin Fan; instead, I should have let him ruin the Master…"