After returning to Upper Scenic Celestial by airship, there was nothing more for Zhang Yuan to do.

His life returned to its routine, the daily cycle of three points in a line.

Until three days later, Zhang Yuan received a talisman from Su Jingyao.

The two of them reunited at the tea house in Lin Xian Manor.

Although it had only been a few days, seeing Su Jingyao again, Zhang Yuan felt that this Little Junior Sister of Mingxiu Peak had matured quite a bit—a change in her aura.

He smiled as he poured a cup of hot tea for her and asked, "Have the results of the competition come out?"

"Yes."

Su Jingyao smiled slightly, her cheeks showing two shallow dimples: "I got third place in this competition."

"Congratulations!"

Zhang Yuan sincerely congratulated her: "You got what you wished for!"

Initially, Su Jingyao’s goal was merely to be in the top ten, hoping Zhang Yuan could help her secure a place in the top five.

Now, achieving third place had completely exceeded her expectations.

Certainly a result worth celebrating.

Actually, Zhang Yuan felt a bit of regret in his heart.

Earlier in the Cyan Profound Secret Realm, if he had taken a bit more risk and expanded the search area,

perhaps there would have been a chance to come in second or even first!

Of course, such thoughts only flashed briefly in his mind.

One must not be greedy!

"Thank you."

Su Jingyao said earnestly: "Zhang Yuan, without your help, I could never have achieved such an excellent result, nor defeated Yuan Zishan, fulfilling my wish."

Zhang Yuan finally understood why Su Jingyao’s aura had changed within just three days.

Overcoming Yuan Zishan was Su Jingyao’s greatest wish.

It could even be said to be her Heart Demon.

Now that the Heart Demon was removed, she had truly grown up and matured.

The resentment in her heart dissipated along with it.

Otherwise, Su Jingyao would not call Yuan Zishan by name but rather refer to her as a "wretch."

Cultivators cultivate spirit and heart, and Su Jingyao’s talent had always been strong. After this experience, her future was boundless!

Yuan Zishan essentially served as Su Jingyao’s whetstone.

"I dare not claim all the credit."

Zhang Yuan shook his head: "Your own efforts are also very important!"

"Yes."

Su Jingyao gently nodded her head.

This bright and beautiful young woman bit her lip lightly, then took out a White Jade Medicine Box and handed it to Zhang Yuan: "Zhang Yuan, this is a gift from me, please don’t refuse."

Zhang Yuan laughed: "I never refuse others’ gifts."

He accepted the medicine box and curiously opened the lid.

The item inside was very familiar to Zhang Yuan—Qilin Grass!

At least a few hundred years old Qilin Grass!

Su Jingyao explained: "This 530-year-old Qilin Grass was exchanged with Daoist Merit from the Daoist Vault, and is just right for you to cultivate the Six Harmonies Qilin Body."

Five hundred and thirty-year-old Qilin Grass!

Zhang Yuan was momentarily speechless.

He knew very well the value of such a Qilin Grass, over five hundred years old!

To know that earlier in the Cyan Profound Secret Realm, Su Jingyao had given Zhang Yuan the Thousand Threads Net.

The two of them agreed that this was his reward, and not to pay additional Daoist Merit to Zhang Yuan.

Now, Su Jingyao had given Zhang Yuan a substantial gift that he found hard to refuse!

Zhang Yuan was not a greedy person: "Senior Sister, this gift is too valuable."

"Call me Jingyao."

Su Jingyao blushed faintly and said softly: "This is nothing; actually, there is also a Thousand-Year Qilin Grass in the Daoist Vault, but it requires too much Daoist Merit."

A Thousand-Year Qilin Grass!

Zhang Yuan almost lost his composure on the spot.

The Daoist Vault of Upper Scenic Celestial is divided into an Outer Vault and an Inner Vault.

As an outsider Martial Artist, he could only exchange resources from the Outer Vault through the Merit Hall.

He wasn’t even qualified to view the Inner Vault.

It is said there is an even higher-level Secret Vault, available only for Elders and those at higher positions to access.

Zhang Yuan knew the Inner Vault’s treasures must be better than the Outer Vault’s.

Yet he didn’t expect there to be a Thousand-Year Qilin Grass!

If he could get that Thousand-Year Qilin Grass, Zhang Yuan was confident he could cultivate the Six Harmonies Qilin Body to the Great Success Realm.

Currently, his focus on this Body Refining Technique was equal to that of his main cultivation of Primordial Celestial Spirit True Method!

Unfortunately...

No Daoist Merit, no qualification!

"With this Qilin Grass, I am already satisfied."

Zhang Yuan weighed the Jade Box in his hand and smiled bitterly: "I don’t dare to hope for too much."

He didn’t even ask Su Jingyao how much Daoist Merit was needed to exchange for the Thousand-Year Qilin Grass.

To avoid unnecessary distractions!

Su Jingyao looked up at Zhang Yuan and suddenly said: "Zhang Yuan, I am leaving."

Zhang Yuan froze for a moment: "Where are you going?"

"Langya Heaven."

Like Upper Scenic Celestial, Langya Heaven is one of the four great Daoist Ancestral Courts.

But unlike Upper Scenic Celestial, Langya Heaven is both an Ancestral Court and the birthplace of the Daoist Lineage.

In ancient times, the Dao Ancestor ascended and became immortal in Langya Heaven!

Therefore, among the four great Ancestral Courts, Langya Heaven’s status is extremely lofty, surpassing the other "Three Heavens."

Su Jingyao, having achieved a top-three rank in this Nine Peaks Grand Competition, gained the qualification to cultivate in Langya Heaven.

Knowing that Langya Heaven’s cultivation environment is stronger than Upper Scenic Celestial, most Celestial Masters of Daoist Lineages either hail from Langya Heaven or have cultivated there. It is truly a Daoist Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.

Such an opportunity for Su Jingyao is not easily come by!

She also wanted to leave Upper Scenic Celestial for a few years to lay the foundation for one day reaching the Celestial Master Realm!

This was also related to Su Jingyao’s family background and her feud with Yuan Zishan.

Su Jingyao’s mother passed away many years ago, and later her father found a new Daoist partner.

This shouldn’t have been an issue; it’s very common.

However, the identity of her new Daoist partner was somewhat special.

She was Su Jingyao’s aunt, her mother’s biological sister.

And Su Jingyao’s aunt’s husband was sworn brothers with Su Jingyao’s father, and their daughter was Yuan Zishan.

Yuan Zishan is Su Jingyao’s cousin.

Yuan Zishan is only one year older than Su Jingyao, and their childhood relationship was decent.

But when Su Jingyao’s father and Yuan Zishan’s mother became partners, it was something that a newly grown Su Jingyao could not accept, leading her to become a sworn enemy with Yuan Zishan.

The resentment accumulated over time turned into a Heart Demon!

Now that Su Jingyao has rid herself of her Heart Demon, although she still harbored some resentment towards her father, she no longer bore hostility.

She was tired of life in Upper Scenic Celestial and wanted to be far away from that family trio.

Zhang Yuan quietly listened to this rather melodramatic story.

Finally, he understood Su Jingyao’s distress.

After confiding in Zhang Yuan, Su Jingyao seemed noticeably more relaxed, radiating the vitality of a young woman.

"Zhang Yuan..."

These were Su Jingyao’s last words to Zhang Yuan: "If you have the chance, come find me in Langya Heaven!"

Although he had long been used to farewells,

Su Jingyao’s departure still added a touch of gloom to his heart.

Zhang Yuan could feel Su Jingyao’s fondness for him.

But she restrained that feeling.

The path is long, and youthful romance is ultimately like water flower mirrors the moon!