Chapter 497

Chapter 497: Nobody Wants It? Then It’s Mine
When Yu Zhao followed Senior Ling Long out of that sealed space, the sky was already bright.

Sunlight fell over the pavilions and towers of the cave residence, giving them a layer of golden light.

In the distance, a few servants were sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard with brooms.

The moving and the still scene matched each other and felt very peaceful.

Yu Zhao followed Senior Ling Long to the main courtyard. Not long after, she saw Ancestor Sui Bian and Old Daoist Hei limp in.

The two of them were in a sorry state. Old Daoist Hei’s already ragged robe had been torn until only a few strips of cloth were left hanging from him, fluttering in the wind.

Yu Zhao was startled and asked: “Ancestor, what happened to you two…”

[Weren’t they only going to gather herbs? Why did they look like they had just forced their way through Ghost Gate Pass?]

Ancestor Sui Bian tossed the spirit herbs onto the main table, then flopped down into a chair, leaning back and stretching his legs out.

Because they were in Senior Ling Long’s cave residence, he had returned to the way he usually looked when using his clone technique. Even such a casual and improper pose did not seem strange on him, but instead gave off a free and unrestrained air.

Only, the moment he opened his mouth, that feeling was ruined as he complained: “Ling Long, those things you raised are way too fierce. I, your Ancestor, almost did not make it back.”

Old Daoist Hei looked sadly at the strips of cloth on his body and said: “This old Daoist’s treasure of hundreds of years is gone too.”

Senior Ling Long gave a short laugh and said: “You really treat that rag you have worn for eight hundred years as a treasure?”

Old Daoist Hei was not convinced as he muttered: “Why wouldn’t it count? I already built feelings with it.”

Other than Madam, that robe had been with him the longest.

Just as he finished talking, a black shadow swung down toward his face.

His hands were fast. He caught it in one grab.

Looking closely, it was a brand new dark robe.

It looked plain at first glance, but silver lines were sewn over it that would only shine under sunlight. Those lines joined together into a high level defensive formation. One look told him it was not cheap at all.

Old Daoist Hei’s eyes lit up as he asked: “For me?”

Senior Ling Long’s face stayed cold as she said: “Who said it was for you? It is just some trash I did not want.”

Old Daoist Hei clutched the dark robe like he had picked up a treasure, grinning from ear to ear as he said: “If no one wants it, then it is just right for me!”

After that, he yanked off the last few strips of cloth on his body. He was about to throw them on the floor, but then thought of something, and carefully laid them on the table instead. Then he shook out the robe, preparing to put it on right there in front of everyone.

Senior Ling Long’s brows shot up. She grabbed the teacup on the table and flung it at him as she shouted: “Get out and wash up. Don’t embarrass yourself here!”

Old Daoist Hei dodged the teacup and grumbled: “It’s not like I mind.”

Seeing Senior Ling Long’s impatient face, he could only hug the strips of cloth and the new robe in his arms and mutter to himself as he walked out.

When he passed by Yu Zhao, he suddenly stopped. Staring at her in surprise, he said: “Eh, Yu Zhao, your aura…”

Yu Zhao smiled slightly and said: “Thanks to Senior Ling Long’s guidance, this junior has indeed gained something.”

Ancestor Sui Bian also came over, looked Yu Zhao up and down, and nodded in satisfaction as he said: “Not bad, not bad. It seems Ling Long’s guidance helped you a lot.”

Then he turned and said to Senior Ling Long with gratitude: “Thank you, Ling Long.”

Senior Ling Long only glanced at them lightly and said: “I happen to feel a connection with Yu Zhao. I just gave a few casual pointers. It has nothing to do with you two.”

Ancestor Sui Bian at once changed his tune and said with a fawning smile: “Yes, yes. Yu Zhao’s luck is really good to meet a Senior as upright and generous as you, who does not hide her skills. It is truly her honor!”

All of Ancestor Sui Bian’s pent-up complaints turned into flattery. He poured out good words by the basketful.

Old Daoist Hei thought of his own useless junior who was still who-knows-where practicing swordsmanship and could not help humming jealously.

In the end, Senior Ling Long kicked him out impatiently, and only then did he honestly go down to wash up.

He had dragged his feet when leaving, but he came back quite fast.

Ancestor Sui Bian was only halfway through bragging about how he had cleverly fought a demonic beast when Old Daoist Hei walked back in with a prideful stride and said: “I’m back.”

Three pairs of eyes swept over him at once.

And then there was only silence.

Old Daoist Hei had been quite pleased with himself. But when he saw the three of them staring at him without saying a word, he began to feel guilty and looked himself over from head to toe.

His belt was tied right, his pants were on, and his shoes were there.

He did not feel anything was wrong.

Ancestor Sui Bian was, after all, the person closest to Old Daoist Hei, and he was the first to fail to hold back his laughter as he burst out: “…Pff! Hahahahaha, Old Hei, no, Little Hei, I haven’t seen you shave in hundreds of years. I almost forgot you actually look like this!”

Yu Zhao tried to hold back her laughter, but the slight curve of her eyes still exposed how she really felt.

No wonder Old Daoist Hei never bathed or shaved. Who would have thought that under that dirty, bearded face was a fresh and charming baby face.

He did not look like an Ancestor at all, but more like a young disciple who had just entered the sect.

Old Daoist Hei let out a short sound, then unconsciously touched his chin and gave a scream that shook heaven and earth: “Ling Long! What did you do to me!”

Senior Ling Long leaned back slightly and said: “Nothing much. I only added a kind of incense to your room. You do look much easier on the eyes now.”

Old Daoist Hei reached up in fear and touched the top of his head. When he found that his full head of hair was still there, he let out a breath of relief and ran his hand through his hair, but his face was still full of anger as he shouted: “What right did you have to shave my beard! Do you know how long I have been growing it?”

Senior Ling Long answered with only two cold words: “It was ugly.”

“Even if it was ugly, you still…” Old Hei only got halfway through the sentence. When he saw Senior Ling Long take out a whip, he swallowed the rest of his words and said: “Actually, I have not liked it for a long time either. Shaving it off is pretty good.”

Only then did Senior Ling Long put the whip down in satisfaction.

She looked at them and said: “The Tu Clan and a few other clans who work closely with them are searching for you everywhere. For now, it is best if you do not run around. As long as you stay in my cave residence, no one will dare touch you. If you go out, I can’t say what will happen.”

Old Daoist Hei muttered unhappily under his breath: “Staying here just means being beaten to death by you. I might as well be beaten to death by someone else.”

Senior Ling Long sent him a cold look and said: “Hm?”

Old Daoist Hei’s expression stiffened. He quickly raised his voice and said: “I think Ling Long’s idea is very good! Sui Bian, didn’t you want to teach Yu Zhao your avatar technique? You can teach her right here. If you run into problems, we can even help you think of solutions.”

Yu Zhao looked hopefully at Ancestor Sui Bian.

Ancestor Sui Bian nodded carelessly and said: “Sure.”

[Anyway, the one getting whipped would not be him.]

Old Daoist Hei stared at him in shock, looking as if he had been betrayed.

Ancestor Sui Bian avoided his gaze and said to Yu Zhao: “There is no time like the present. Come, come, I will teach you right now.”

Old Daoist Hei watched as Ancestor Sui Bian led Yu Zhao away. He wanted to follow, but a sharp gaze stopped him.

“Hehe, Ling Long…” He wanted to back down, but saw Ling Long pick up the whip and stand up.

Senior Ling Long lifted the whip and said: “That robe you are wearing has a special defensive array on it. Come, let’s go test how strong it is.”

Old Daoist Hei’s face changed as he cried out: “That is not necessary… Don’t, don’t drag me! Ah, ah, put me down, I can walk on my own!”