She also understood that under her concealment, the old man in front of her might not fully see through it.

But if the Old Prince saw her, he would definitely understand that she had given away her most precious thing.

At that time, the Old Prince would surely be infuriated.

With this thought, she smiled faintly, unafraid in her heart.

It wasn’t a fearlessness born of confidence in her own strength.

But rather a fearlessness that came from having no burden in her heart.

She trusted her own mouth, believing that even if faced against the Old Prince, she wouldn’t utter a single word she shouldn’t.

"Tell the Old Prince, I know what I’m doing!" Lin Qingyi said.

Upon hearing these words, the old man gave Lin Qingyi a serious look, then slowly nodded.

"As long as the lady understands!"

"Considering the time, the Old Prince’s exit from seclusion is not far off! I hope the lady makes up her mind soon and returns to the mansion!"

"Although the Old Prince has said he won’t interfere with you, letting you come and go as you please, giving you freedom! But everything you have was given by the Old Prince."

After saying this, the old man gave her a deep glance, finally withdrew his gaze, and bowed, saying, "Rest assured, my lady, as for the words spoken today, this old servant will report them back verbatim, and wait to personally report to the Old Prince when he emerges!"

Leaving the last sentence, the old man’s figure slowly disappeared in front of Lin Qingyi.

Watching the old man leave, Lin Qingyi’s eyes took on a few more contemplative expressions.

Various thoughts sprouted in her mind.

After a while, two clear moons rose in her bright eyes, bringing her out of her contemplation.

...

On the other side.

After sending off Ji Mingyue and Ji Minghao, Jiang Ning returned directly to his courtyard, also instructing Lv Yi, Qinghe, and a few others.

If guests arrived, they were to receive them, and let Jiang Li and Liuu Wanwan make an appearance.

He also knew that besides Ji Mingyue and Ji Minghao, there would likely be others coming.

But he did not want to waste time or exert effort on those people.

Sitting in the pavilion cross-legged, his heart and spirit instantly immersed inside his body, observing his inner self.

Jiang Ning sat cross-legged in the pavilion, his heart and spirit immersed within, observing his inner self.

He clearly saw that he had formed a personal inner world.

The red, gold, and silver flowers within his body each rested in the Spirit Platform, Dantian, and heart, the three resonating to form a perfect loop, Essence, Qi, and Spirit circulating incessantly, without leaking a trace.

The red Essence Flower at his heart erupted with hot Qi-Blood, surging like magma, yet completely confined within the meridians.

The golden Qi Flower within the Dantian spun, bursting forth with dazzling light, True Yuan condensing. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The silver Divine Flower in the Spirit Platform hung high, silver glow like a bond uniting the three.

The cycle of the three pathways was thoroughly interconnected, forming its own small world, wind and snow abruptly halted, air solidified, and all external chaotic energies were repelled.

At that moment.

He seemed to see within himself a world, seeing a golden sun and a silver moon of Taiyin suspended simultaneously, reflecting each other and coexisting harmoniously.

The sun emitted scorching light, while the Taiyin flowed with cool moonlight.

The two intermingled, forming a wondrous balance.

This inevitably reminded him of the night he encountered Lin Qingyi.

Within her body was a deep Power of Taiyin, while he possessed Pure Yang due to his practice of the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill.

Jiang Ning’s heart and spirit slightly stirred.

"Could it be that the merging of Yin and Yang that night not only relieved my fatigue but also invisibly strengthened my inner world?"

"Could my smooth entry into the Mixed Element Realm be aided by her as well?"

Recalling that night, ripples inevitably arose in his heart.

Then, he gathered his wandering mind, refocusing his heart and spirit on cultivation.

The Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method, under the trait’s enhancement, proved exceptionally efficient.

With a thought, the silver moon’s clear glow in the Spirit Platform intensified, echoing with the golden sun in the Dantian, the light of sun and moon intertwined, manifesting the phenomena of day and night alternation, Yin and Yang rotation within his personal inner world.

[Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method Experience Value +313]

[Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method Experience Value +311]

[Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method Experience Value +321]

...

The experience value had slightly increased compared to before.

Jiang Ning noticed that it wasn’t the cultivation technique itself that was more efficient, but rather the smooth circulation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit after his internal world developed its own cycle, which increased the speed of nourishing the "God," making the process of visualization and fusion with True Spirit fragments more fluid.

He further examined inwardly, seeing the silver moonlight softly shining upon his Divine Soul, with a faint, gentle aura wrapped within.

This was the lingering resonance of Taiyin left from the previous Yin-Yang fusion, which was naturally refined by his Pure Yang internal world, transformed into a unique nutrient nourishing his Divine Soul.

At this moment, this aura slowly merged into the point of light at the brow center of his Divine Soul, making it ever more radiant.

"Indeed beneficial," Jiang Ning realized in his heart. "Though the Power of Taiyin is cold, the interdependence of Yin and Yang can actually enhance the source. Lin Qingyi’s unique constitution unexpectedly aligns with my cultivation path."

He ceased further thoughts and focused on cultivation.

In his internal world, the sun and moon moved towards harmony, where the fusion of gold and silver light subtly gave birth to chaotic Qi, further stabilizing the boundary of the domain.

Qi-Blood surged like a Red Dragon through his meridians, True Yuan flowed like golden liquid along his veins, and Divine Thought, like silver light, permeated everywhere, significantly hastening the cycle.

Unbeknownst to him, noon had arrived.

Jiang Ning opened his eyes, a flash of gold and silver gleaming briefly in his gaze, then looked at the panel.

[Skill]: Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method (Three times limit-breaking 30128/40000)

Experience Value has surpassed thirty thousand, progressing swiftly.

He then sensed himself, where his internal world grew more stable; though the domain’s range hadn’t expanded, its internal structure was tighter, enhancing the efficiency of Essence, Qi, and Spirit circulation slightly.

"At this speed, the limit can be broken again by tomorrow." Jiang Ning was confident, "By then, the Spirit Platform Cave Illumination True Self Method might change again, possibly pushing the evolution of the internal world further."

He stood up and stretched his limbs, with a breeze naturally swirling around him, the snow gathering but not touching his clothes.

The First-grade Mixed Yuan Realm granted him not only an increase in power but also a leap in the level of his life—forming his own heavens, with an endless cycle, gradually shedding dependence on the external world.

Afterward, he ambled leisurely toward the front hall.

Without probing the outside world, he instinctively knew that lunch was about to start.

On this festive day, a new day, he didn’t want to miss it.

Having reached this stage, he wasn’t in such a hurry anymore.

His heart had been tense for so many days; it was time for a rest.

Along the way, as he proceeded, the snow around him, the snow on treetops overhead, was drawn by an invisible "field" or "domain."

Gathering towards him.

Like it was subjected to some sort of magnetic force.

Yet, when they approached him, they seemed to be repelled by an invisible domain, unable to come close.

In the main hall of the National Master Mansion, sunlight pours through the carved window lattice onto the square table, dispelling the cold of winter.

"Time to eat!"

Lv Yi walked in carrying a steaming bowl of stewed chicken soup, its rich aroma instantly filling the room.

Zhong Ling followed closely behind, holding a plate of crispy, golden spring rolls, the savory scent making Little Dumpling rise on tip-toes, drooling.

Jiang Li and Liuu Wanwan also set several dishes on the table.

The braised pork was glistening red.

Steamed perch shimmered with silver.

And a plate of vibrant stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

Su Qingying carried out the last dish from the kitchen, crystal shrimp dumplings.

Thin as cicada wings, wrapping the plump shrimp, translucent and bright.

"Wow! Shrimp dumplings!" exclaimed Little Dumpling, clapping hands, his short legs pushing up the chair to climb onto the seat.

Jiang Yiming sat obediently beside him, his gaze drifting unconsciously towards the braised pork on the table.

Practicing all morning, he felt the pangs of hunger.

Jiang Ning was already seated.

He smilingly reached out to give Little Dumpling a shrimp dumpling, "Eat slowly, be careful it’s hot."

Little Dumpling, cheeks puffed up, mumbled indistinctly, "Thank you, little uncle!"

Liuu Wanwan served Jiang Li a bowl of chicken soup, then gave Jiang Yiming a piece of braised pork.

At this moment, Jiang Li looked at Liuu Wanwan, his eyes filled with a smile.

Su Qingying quietly sat beside, eating small bites of food, occasionally looking up at Jiang Ning, with a trace of warmth in her eyes.

Lv Yi and Zhong Ling chatted softly, occasionally picking food for Little Dumpling and Jiang Yiming.

The noon sunlight outside reflected gentle rays off the snow.

Inside, family gathered around, talking and laughing, a warm atmosphere flowing through the air.

Jiang Ning gazed at the scene before him, his heart at peace; this is the moment he desired.