"Master, can we really... really go on that big Immortal Ship together?"
Qing Jun’s small face was filled with excitement and unease, her little hands tightly clutching Zhiwei’s hem as her bright phoenix eyes blinked at Chen Ye.
Zhiwei, on the other hand, appeared much calmer. She brought over a stool, stepped on it, and quietly helped Chen Ye tidy up his hair bun.
Chen Ye smiled and patted Qing Jun’s head, "Of course, it’s true. From now on, you will follow Master and cultivate well in the Immortal Sect, striving to become powerful immortals soon!"
"Okay!"
Qing Jun jerked her head, shaking off Chen Ye’s hand.
A bright smile blossomed on her little face as she happily shook her bell.
Before the departure, Chen Ye took his two disciples to bid farewell to Li Dageng’s family and Hee Qi.
Granny Li held the hands of the two little girls, her eyes full of reluctance, constantly reminding them to listen to their master, study hard when they reach the Immortal Sect, and not to play around.
She also stuffed their small pockets full of various snacks, afraid they might go hungry on the way.
Dark Old Man patted his chest, assuring Chen Ye not to worry, as he would take good care of Chen Ye’s small courtyard on Shunshui Street, waiting for him to return after successfully completing his studies.
Hee Qi, hearing that Chen Ye was taking his disciples to Lingyin Sect, marveled incessantly, praising Chen Ye for his responsibility and saying the two little girls were fortunate.
He wanted to give some Spirit Stones as a token for the journey, but Chen Ye politely refused.
"Ah, I will also return to the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District later. Brother Chen, when you have the chance, come find me..."
Hee Qi handed his address in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District to Chen Ye.
After some farewell exchanges, Chen Ye finally led his two disciples to the plaza at the center of the market, under the envious or complex gazes of the neighbors.
A lot of people had already gathered on the plaza.
Apart from Chen Ye, the newly appointed steward, most were disciples of Lingyin Sect.
These disciples were either promoted to the Inner Sect or returning from completing their tasks.
Besides them, there were also Loose Cultivators watching the excitement.
At this moment,
a massive blue-black Spiritual Ship, like a small mountain, quietly hovered above the plaza.
The body of the ship was engraved with intricate runes, emitting a faint Spiritual Light, while the bow was carved with a lifelike giant crane, its head held high, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Chen Ye and his two disciples all looked up at this magnificent Spiritual Ship, also feeling a bit of aspiration in their hearts.
"Steward Chen!" a crisp female voice came from behind.
Chen Ye turned around, only to see Li Qiuyun standing not far away, looking delicate and charming.
Today, she was still wearing a sky-blue Taoist Robe, her graceful figure faintly discernible beneath it.
Seeing Chen Ye arriving with two little girls as exquisite as jade carvings, she was first stunned, then a knowing smile flashed in her eyes:
"I didn’t expect these two little girls to also head for the sect... Rest assured, Steward Chen, I will help you take care of them."
Chen Ye cupped his hands in return, "In that case, I will be troubling you, Taoist Friend."
Qing Jun shrank behind her master, her big eyes constantly evaluating the beautiful elder sister before her.
Although not as pretty as Auntie, but... but she’s so fat!!
The little girl was shocked.
Attending Lingyin Sect for advanced studies indeed allowed families to accompany.
After all, Lingyin Sect was vast and not stingy in providing residences for its disciples.
But generally, stewards did not take families with them to the sect to avoid trouble.
And the Junior Brother Liu next to her despised Chen Ye for bringing two "burdens" along, considering him a Loose Cultivator who got lucky and still took himself seriously! Going to the sect as if he was on a sightseeing tour? Not afraid of being laughed at!
Junior Brother Liu cursed inwardly, looking at Chen Ye with increasing disdain but refrained due to Li Qiuyun’s presence.
Yet, he smiled, "Steward Chen, I apologize if I have offended before, and I hope you overlook past grievances. Wish you a smooth journey to the sect!"
Chen Ye nodded slightly and then turned back to talk with Li Qiuyun.
Seeing Chen Ye ignoring him like this, Junior Brother Liu’s face darkened.
Especially when he saw Li Qiuyun chatting with Chen Ye, her eyes inadvertently showing a hint of softness and amusement, which made something stick in his throat.
Senior Sister... Senior Sister actually smiled at that old man!
No worries, it’s just three months together...
Chen Ye easily saw through Junior Brother Liu’s petty thoughts and suddenly smiled at Li Qiuyun:
"Taoist Friend Li, we have known each other for many days, always addressing each other as Taoist friend or steward; it seems a bit too distant."
Li Qiuyun didn’t think much, pondered slightly:
"Indeed... In that case, I’ll call you... Brother Chen?"
"Sister! No way!"
Qing Jun protested unhappily, peeking out her little head from behind Chen Ye,
"If you call Master, Brother, then Qing Jun should call Sister, Auntie!"
Li Qiuyun suddenly realized and bashfully lowered her head, "Then I’ll call you Uncle Chen?"
Chen Ye nodded, "That works. Qiuyun, could you help us board the ship?"
His calling her Qiuyun felt very familiar,
Even this cold-faced senior sister felt a bit shy, but seeing Chen Ye’s forthrightness, his age being over a decade older than hers,
She secretly scolded herself for overthinking.
At this moment, a long bell sound came from the Spiritual Ship.
Then, a flash of Spiritual Light followed, and a middle-aged cultivator with a clear complexion appeared at the ship’s bow, announcing loudly, "The time has come, all stewards and disciples heading to the sect, board the ship quickly!"
The voice wasn’t loud but clearly reached everyone’s ears.
Hearing this, everyone dared not delay, hastily presenting their Identity Jade Tokens and queuing up before the descending light ladder on the ship.
Li Qiuyun then discarded her inner peculiars, leading Chen Ye and the others as they boarded the ship with the crowd.
Leaving Junior Brother Liu standing there dumbfounded.
Chen Ye, actually called Senior Sister Qiuyun by name??
He suddenly had a bad premonition.
Three months later, will Senior Sister Li still be the same Senior Sister Li as today?
...
Chen Ye followed the crowd, stepping cautiously.
The light ladder seemed illusory but was solid as the ground when stepped upon.
Soon, he was on the expansive deck of the Spiritual Ship.
The Spiritual Ship slowly ascended, with the scenery of Yunxi District gradually receding beneath.
On the deck, many cultivators stood, most of them excited, full of expectations for the new life in the sect.
Chen Ye found a relatively quiet corner, silently observing the immense Spiritual Ship.
The interior of the ship was extraordinarily spacious, with intricately carved decorative beams and pillars, adorned with exquisite decor, far beyond a typical Flying Magical Artifact.
"Set sail!"
With the command from the Inner Sect disciple at the bow, the Spiritual Ship shuddered lightly before swiftly ascending, piercing through the sky toward Lingyin Sect’s mountain gate.
The outline of Yunxi District beneath them gradually diminished, eventually turning into a blurred black dot, disappearing into the vast sea of clouds.
It was Qing Jun and Zhiwei’s first time on such a huge Flying Magical Artifact; their little faces were filled with novelty and excitement.
They clung to the porthole, curiously observing the fast-retreating sea of clouds and mountains outside.
"Master, are we flying now? Higher than the birds!" Qing Jun exclaimed excitedly, her cheeks flushed with thrill.
Zhiwei, watching the ever-changing scenery outside the window, remained silent.
The older girl hasn’t been happy these past few days...