[Chapter 413: Traveling with Beauty]
After taking in the beauty of the Yellow Dragon Sanctuary, Linton and his group drove about 60 miles to Jiuzhaigou, a place that felt like a magical masterpiece of nature.
They were immediately captivated by its emerald lakes, whose crystal-clear waters shimmered in vibrant hues under the sunlight. The waterfalls were equally stunning. Every view in Jiuzhaigou seemed like a living painting, so enchanting that no one wished to leave.
Since Linton and Xu Qing had taken their relationship to the next level, Xu Qing openly moved into Linton's room. Of course, being a public figure, they still booked a separate room for her at each place, though she rarely stayed there.
She constantly presented as a tender, delicate woman, paying him gentle attention. Her eyes overflowed with affection, and occasionally, she'd playfully tease him, making Linton's emotional value skyrocket.
Linton, in turn, showed the mature charm and grace of a man, caring for Xu Qing meticulously. Throughout the trip, their relationship was as sweet as honey.
Besides their passionate and enduring nightly encounters, during the days when they explored the sights, the two were inseparable.
They held hands and walked barefoot into the shallow, shimmering water, immersed in a dreamlike, colorful world. At one point, Linton lifted Xu Qing onto his back and carried her through the cool stream, her laughter echoing through the valley. Later, they stood together beneath a vast waterfall that roared down from a great height, its spray glimmering like silver pearls in the sunlight, wrapping them in mist and warmth.
Influenced both by the beauty of the landscape and their joyous moods, Xu Qing exuded an even more stunning charisma and boundless energy.
Throughout the Jiuzhaigou trip, their intimate and romantic moments were everywhere, filled with Xu Qing's crystal-clear laughter.
Their vibe was indistinguishable from a couple deeply in love -- everyone envied what seemed like a match made in heaven. Even the young assistant was stunned, secretly wondering, "Has the boss really fallen under this woman's spell? Could the estate finally be welcoming a genuine lady of the house?"
---
Linton stayed there for a full three days.
According to Linton's initial guess, such a beautiful spot probably had ancient masters training in supernatural arts long ago.
Yet sadly, his spiritual scans revealed no traces or artifacts of any of that.
Leaving Jiuzhaigou, Linton visited Qingcheng Mountain next.
Then visited the Shangqing Palace, which was widely spoken about in mythology and fantasy novel circles.
The place was beautiful, and exploring it hand-in-hand with Xu Qing made their private moments perfect. But again, no sign of supernatural cultivation was found.
Next, he went to Mount Emei. Not only was it renowned for its majestic, picturesque, and spiritual natural scenery, but it was also a famous Taoist paradise and a Buddhist holy site, hailed as the "Buddhist Heaven."
Yet again, there was no trace of any cultivation artifacts or signs.
In Chengdu, Linton visited Qingyang Palace, said to be where Laozi once taught Taoism. Yet, the search yielded no answers.
Then they went to Beijing.
---
Meanwhile, Xu Qing, wherever they went -- whether Taoist temples or Buddhist shrines -- entered to pay her respects devoutly and made generous offerings.
Though she never said what she wished for, given Linton's cultivation level, he could hear clearly her heartfelt prayer each time: "Bless me and Linton with eternal love and happiness."
He made a decision to postpone his return to the U.S. by a day, asking his assistant to reschedule the flight.
That night, in the hotel's business suite, an intense encounter ensued...
...
After a long time, they rested. Xu Qing's cheeks flushed, and she habitually leaned on Linton.
"Darling, I heard you tell the assistant to delay our flight back to America by a day. Is something up?"
"I just remembered there's one more thing to handle."
"What is it? Do you need my help?"
"Of course, it's something we must do together."
"Together? What exactly?"
"Baby, I want to buy us a villa. Do you know a good place?"
"Buy a villa? For us? Really?"
"Yeah, that way next time I'm in Beijing, we won't need to stay at a hotel. But you'll need to manage it."
"That's awesome! Any preferences?"
"You decide everything. My only request is that we get the best."
"I'll have someone start looking right now." She got ready to make a call.
"Baby, look at the time. Let's wait till morning."
"Okay, no calls tonight. Let's keep playing."
"Alright, I'm ready to take the lead..."
Their sweet, joyful laughter echoed again...
---
The next day, they flew from Chengdu to Kunming, where Linton had arranged a private car and guide through the forestry department. Over five days, they explored Yunnan's breathtaking sights -- Stone Forest, Dali, Erhai, the snowcapped peaks of Quartz Dragon Mountain, and Lugu Lake. The mountains, lakes, and clouds formed a living painting, from crystal waters to glittering snowfields. Amid Yunnan's poetic beauty, Linton and Xu Qing shared many intimate moments.
Still, it was a disappointment that no signs of ancient cultivation practices or relics appeared.
This made Linton realize that time and the loss of spiritual energy in the world had almost completely erased traces of ancient cultivators.
Finding any related ruins, treasures, or materials now would demand extraordinary fortune.
His encounters with the cultivation quartz pendant in a past life and the spatial ring in the market this time were truly rare strokes of luck.
*****
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