Seven years have passed without meeting, and now to invite him here is quite perplexing.
If Qing Jun’s mother intended to take him back, there would have been plenty of time over the past seven years, so why wait until today?
Chen Ye’s eyes slightly moved,
The little girl was constantly glaring at him with a fierce look, but when she saw her master noticing,
she quickly curved her eyes, which were as big as copper bells, into crescents, smiling sheepishly.
This White Furred Ball,
is good for nothing.
Greedy for food and timid as a mouse...
Yet, if she were simply taken away, Chen Ye would still feel reluctant to part.
Chen Ye pressed down the waves in his heart, revealing nothing on the surface.
Guided by the maid in late-stage Qi Cultivation, he led Zhiwei and Qing Jun slowly up the stairs to the private room on the second floor.
Inside the elegant room, a faint, elusive fragrance lingered at the nose.
By the window, a graceful figure stood by the railing, the same woman who downstairs silenced Ji Yueze with a word.
She slowly turned around, dressed in a plain, elegant skirt, with snow-white skin and jet-black hair, a delicate nose, and soft lips.
The pair of phoenix eyes, once filled with resolve and entrustment, now calmly rested on Chen Ye, with a gaze that carried an indescribably complex emotion.
"Taoist Friend Chen, please sit." The woman’s voice was gentle and pleasant, like clear spring water flowing.
Chen Ye sat down in the guest’s seat, while Zhiwei and Qing Jun obediently stood behind him on either side.
Qing Jun curiously observed the woman in front with her bright phoenix eyes and glanced surreptitiously at her master, her little face full of puzzlement.
Although she was not very old, she could sense the strange atmosphere between the two.
But...
How could the master know such a beautiful and powerful sister?
"I am Mao Qingzhu. I have met Taoist Friend Chen." The woman gave a slight salute, introducing herself, "Seven years apart, I didn’t expect Taoist Friend Chen to have raised these two disciples so well."
Zhiwei’s dark eyes suddenly lingered on the woman.
Bamboo, resilient and upright, noble among flowers.
Qingzhu... Qing Jun.
The name of her junior apprentice sister cleverly coincided with the woman before her.
Of course, it could also be that she was overthinking...
Chen Ye likewise clasped his hands: "Taoist Friend Mao overpraises. It is my duty as a teacher. I am curious as to why Taoist Friend Mao has invited us at this time..."
Mao Qingzhu smiled slightly: "Nothing else, just the joy of a reunion with an old friend."
She didn’t clarify her relationship with Qing Jun and didn’t even focus much on the little girl.
Chen Ye understood in his heart that this person likely had unspeakable hidden emotions and could not recognize her daughter, and he did not bring it up, only saying lightly: "So... it’s really just nothing else."
Mao Qingzhu silently sighed, choosing not to continue the topic.
She silently watched the little girl who was glancing around.
Seeing that although her figure was slender, her skin was fair with a hint of pink, full of vitality and not the least bit shy.
At a glance, Chen Ye had been raising them very well.
Seeing this, Mao Qingzhu felt a bit more affection toward the man in front of her, softly saying:
"Taoist Friend Chen, no need to be formal. Looking at you, you don’t seem very old. If you don’t mind, you can just call me Sister Qingzhu."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye’s heart stirred, but he feigned surprise: "Taoist Friend Mao is so young and graceful, probably younger than I..."
Mao Qingzhu lightly covered her mouth, laughing like a spring breeze hitting one’s face: "You jest, my dear friend. I am already thirty-seven years old; it is just that I know a little about beauty maintenance."
Thirty-seven?
Chen Ye thought to himself, this body of his is already forty.
But thinking again, he was only a little over twenty in his past life, so calling her sister wouldn’t be a loss.
Moreover, judging by her demeanor, she seems rather concerned about her age, and pointing it out would lead to awkwardness.
Thinking of this, Chen Ye decided to go with the flow, clasping his hands with a smile and saying: "So it is, then I shall boldly address you as Sister Qingzhu."
Mao Qingzhu indeed appeared young, looking at her figure and appearance, others would probably think she was in her twenties, hardly seeing her as a thirty-seven-year-old married woman.
Yet, this world is not like the previous world,; with Mao Qingzhu’s cultivation success, thirty-seven could indeed be considered very young.
"Ah, Brother Ye, you are too polite."
Mao Qingzhu’s smile was gentle and moving; her calling him "Brother Ye" was remarkably natural, as if the two had long been acquainted.
She gently raised her jade hand, and two ancient short swords appeared on the table.
The sword sheaths were dull and lusterless, the hilts black and plain, appearing utterly ordinary.
"Brother Ye, your two disciples have extraordinary aptitude, and their future accomplishments will be limitless."
Only then did Mao Qingzhu look at the two little girls, with a hint of appreciation in her eyes,
"Meeting for the first time, this pair of United Swords is given to them as a welcoming gift. These swords are a pair, named Canchen and Xiaohan. They can be used separately or together, with doubled power when united, ideal for them to cultivate together."
The two swords seemed ordinary, but since Mao Qingzhu chose to give them to her daughter, they certainly were not common items.
Chen Ye accepted them as if by right, not being the least bit shy.
He turned and handed the two swords to the two little girls, saying: "Thank Aunt Mao, won’t you?"
The two little girls each held a flying sword and simultaneously said crisply:
"Thank you, Aunt Mao!"
Mao Qingzhu smiled charmingly, softly saying: "Come closer, little girls, let Aunt Mao have a look."
Qing Jun and Zhiwei exchanged glances, slowly walking to Mao Qingzhu.
Mao Qingzhu crouched down, carefully examining Qing Jun’s eyebrows and eyes, seemingly with tears shimmering, though she managed to hold them back.
She reached out her hand, intending to touch Qing Jun’s cheek, her fingertips trembling slightly in the air, eventually gently landing on Qing Jun’s head, tenderly ruffling her hair.
"Good child..." Mao Qingzhu’s voice carried a hint of incomprehensible raspiness.
"Aunt Mao..." The little girl blinked, gazing at Mao Qingzhu intently.
Qing Jun had always disliked being touched, regardless of the person.
However, at this moment, being petted by the woman before her, she felt a faint sense of peace.
Oh...
This aunt is so beautiful and gentle, Qing Jun likes this aunt very much!
Hmm... Qing Jun is indeed a clever girl!
The little girl’s large eyes turned, staring at Mao Qingzhu, and asked on the spot:
"Aunt Mao, my master is so pitiful!!"
Mao Qingzhu was slightly taken aback, her eyes smiling:
"Is Master in trouble? Lacking Spirit Stones or something else... Qing Jun, just tell Aunt. Aunt will fulfill anything for your Master."
The little girl slyly feigned concern, "Really, anything? Aunt won’t lie to Qing Jun, right?"
The white furred ball pitifully twirled her fingers, her big watery eyes timidly looking at Mao Qingzhu.
Mao Qingzhu’s heart melted, she wished she could just stuff Qing Jun into a Storage Bag and run off with her.
Her voice, once gentle, now turned resolute, "Anything!!"
Chen Ye burst into laughter.
This girl, good thing he didn’t spoil her for nothing!
She even knows how to seek benefits for her Master.
Chen Ye naturally felt justified in accepting these benefits.
He’s been taking care of Mao Qingzhu’s daughter for seven years, so what’s wrong with accepting some perks?
The little girl sighed like a small adult.
She leaned close to Mao Qingzhu’s ear and whispered, "Aunt Mao, my Master is really pitiful too..."
Her voice was tiny, yet in this small elegant room, how could it escape Chen Ye’s ears?
Chen Ye suddenly sensed something was off.
"Master... no female cultivator has ever taken a liking to him, he’s been lonely for decades! So... could Aunt Mao be my Master’s wife?"
The little girl was completely unaware of the earthshattering words she uttered.
Instead, she was smug, as if Aunt Mao became Master’s wife.
Then they could see each other every day!
Mao Qingzhu nearly choked, the atmosphere in the room immediately froze.
She widened her beautiful phoenix eyes, incredulously looking at the astonishing little girl in front of her.
Then, as if seeking help, she turned towards the equally dumbfounded Chen Ye.
Despite Chen Ye’s thick skin, he couldn’t help but blush from Qing Jun’s shockingly innocent words.
He cleared his throat twice, hurriedly stepping forward, covering Qing Jun’s still chatterbox mouth.
"Sister Qingzhu, she’s just a child, just a child..."
Chen Ye awkwardly explained, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.
This white furred ball, what on earth is she thinking all day long!
Besides, am I really that pitiable?
What does it mean no female cultivator likes him... hmm?!
Chen Ye was even angrier, "You little girl, all you do is talk nonsense!"
Qing Jun, mouth covered, could only make "mm-mm" sounds, her big eyes still spinning around, clearly not convinced.
Zhiwei, standing to the side, also had a slightly flushed face, gently pulling at Qing Jun’s coat, softly saying, "Qing Jun, don’t talk nonsense!"
Mao Qingzhu took quite a while to regain her composure, looking at Chen Ye’s embarrassed appearance, then at Qing Jun’s defiant attitude.
Finally, she couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, "Poof, Brother Ye, your disciple is truly adorable..."
Her laughter was full of joy, clearly genuinely happy.
Of course, Chen Ye understood.
It was because Qing Jun spoke those words; if it were any other child, Mao Qingzhu might have put on a cold face right then.
Mao Qingzhu looked over to Zhiwei, seeing the black-haired girl’s stern face, but also noting the care she had for her junior sister.
Involuntarily growing fond of her as well, "This must be Zhiwei, I presume, truly a promising child."
Afterwards,
She took out another Jade Scroll from her Storage Bag, handing it to Chen Ye.
Before she could speak, Chen Ye was already startled.
A Jade Scroll!
Only Cultivation Techniques at the Foundation Establishment Stage and above could be stored in a Jade Scroll.
Seeing Chen Ye’s expression, Mao Qingzhu knew he recognized its worth, smiling slightly:
"Brother Ye is now at the Sixth-Layer of Qi Cultivation, so I assume you’ll soon gather your Divine Sense and break through to the Late-stage Qi Cultivation. This is a Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique, a superior method for tempering the Divine Sense, but should be useful for Brother Ye at this stage."
"I promised Qing Jun to fulfill Brother Ye’s request. Regardless, I have failed, so let this technique compensate Brother Ye and also... express my gratitude."
Chen Ye accepted the Jade Scroll, feeling a cool sensation permeating into his Sea of Consciousness, invigorating his spirit.
Divine Sense Techniques have always been invaluable.
Moreover, the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique was no ordinary Divine Sense Technique.
This Mao Qingzhu truly has a generous hand!
This technique, a secret art of the Mao Family.
Chen Ye was also familiar with it from the game as one of the must-practice Cultivation Techniques!
"Brother Ye needn’t be polite, I am very fond of these two little girls, just hoping Brother Ye continues to treat them well, not allowing them to suffer any grievances."
Mao Qingzhu’s tone carried a sense of forlornness.
She hesitated, then couldn’t resist taking out two exquisite brocade boxes from her Storage Bag, handing them to the two girls, "These are some little gadgets for you, see if you like them."
Qing Jun accepted her box and curiously opened it, inside was a small and delicate silver bell, intricately engraved with an Evil Exorcism Talisman Array, emitting a crisp and pleasant sound when gently shaken.
The little girl’s eyes lit up, joyfully picking it up and shaking it.
Zhiwei also opened her box, finding a warm Jade Pendant inside, slightly warm to touch, carved with a peace-inducing Talisman Array, exuding a faint Spiritual Qi.
She silently stored the Jade Pendant, nodding slightly towards Mao Qingzhu to express her thanks.
"Sister Qingzhu, we’ve disturbed you long enough today, it’s time for us to take our leave."
Seeing that Mao Qingzhu seemed not to have more to say, Chen Ye rose to leave.
He could feel Mao Qingzhu carried many burdens, and today’s brief meeting with Qing Jun was already the limit.
Mao Qingzhu nodded, not asking them to stay, only giving Qing Jun a deep look, softly saying, "Brother Ye... I’ll leave it to you."
"It’s my duty," Chen Ye replied.
Once Chen Ye led the two disciples out of the room, only then did the gentle smile on Mao Qingzhu’s face fade away, replaced by a sense of fatigue.
She walked to the window, looking at the retreating three figures below, with her phoenix eyes glistening with moisture.
"Miss..." The maid appeared behind her without notice, softly calling out.
In private, the maid addressed her as Miss, not Madame, because the maid was a confidant brought from the Mao Family.
"No worries. Observing their interactions with Chen Ye, it’s clear he hasn’t mistreated them,"
Mao Qingzhu didn’t turn around, standing quietly by the window, her voice steady,
"Besides. He’s already the Spirit Plant Steward of Lingyin Sect, able to provide Qing Jun... a stable environment."