Just as a few Outer Sect disciples were whispering to each other, pointing at Chen Ye.
A clear voice suddenly resounded behind them:
"Oh? What are you chatting about, so lively?"
The Outer Sect disciples heard the voice, their bodies stiffened abruptly, and the schadenfreude on their faces instantly turned to terror.
They turned their heads stiffly and saw a girl standing gracefully behind them, wearing a moon-white fox fur, her golden hair dazzling, her appearance exquisite. Her amber eyes were playful — it was Bai Susu!
"Bai... Junior Martial Uncle Bai!" The disciples were scared out of their wits.
"Get lost!"
The little girl was small in stature but big in temper.
Her willow eyebrows rose sharply as she waved her white soft hand, causing nine strands of Geng Metal Qi to appear out of thin air.
Then she abruptly threw them at the disciples.
"Ah!"
The disciples were caught off guard, and the Geng Metal Qi tore their skin until it bled.
Where else dared they stay? Like scared birds and animals, they scrambled and fled Baiqi Garden, fearing that the slightest delay would bring disaster upon themselves.
Bai Susu snorted lightly, raised her chin disdainfully, "A bunch of cowards!!"
She straightened the collar of her fur and walked into Baiqi Garden with elegant steps.
Inside the garden, Chen Ye was still engrossed in performing the Cloud Rain Technique and Ganlin Nourishing Technique, nourishing the languishing Demon Path spirit plants.
He was wearing the golden Taoist robe taken from the wooden rack in the hut; the robe fit him well, accentuating his upright posture and steady temperament.
Chen Ye hummed as he nurtured the spirit plants, simultaneously operating ten strands of Geng Metal Qi to level up quickly.
Indeed, though the power of Geng Metal Qi was somewhat insufficient now.
Yet leveling up was genuinely fast, steadily gaining ten points of proficiency at each attempt.
[Geng Metal Qi Limit Break: 680/800]
"Hmm? Was there a faint scream outside just now?"
Chen Ye furrowed his brows.
Though his Seven Luminaries Soul Nurturing Technique had successfully lit up Jupiter, it hadn’t reached Thousand-Mile Ear.
Earlier, he could detect movements when disciples were outside the courtyard.
But after they fled, he couldn’t hear them anymore.
However, this place is the Lingyin Sect, surely no one dares to commit a crime.
Thinking this,
Chen Ye happily continued to level up.
If simply casting spells, it would be incredibly tedious.
But watching the proficiency steadily increase is indeed a different kind of fun.
On the other side.
As Bai Susu stepped into the garden, she witnessed this scene.
A familiar figure in a golden Taoist robe stood amidst a patch of withered herbs, golden energy glimmers swirling at his fingertips...
Not more, not less, exactly ten strands!
Only her father could possibly perform the Ten Energy Simultaneous Technique!!
His use of Geng Metal Qi had reached perfection, with an indescribable familiar flavor, so similar to when her father guided her cultivation in the past!
And that golden Taoist robe was the style her father often wore, with cloud patterns stitched by her father himself.
His silhouette... was identical to her father!
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
Bai Susu’s amber eyes widened abruptly, all arrogance and indifference collapsed instantly, replaced by unbelievable shock.
Her petite nose twitched slightly, her eyes involuntarily reddened, and glistening tears rolled down like broken pearls.
"Dad... Dad?"
A cry, suffused with sobs and youthful innocence, escaped her lips.
She cared no longer, stumbled and hurried toward the golden silhouette, tightly wrapping her delicate arms around Chen Ye’s waist, burying her face into his broad back, and cried loudly:
"Dad! Susu missed you so much! They all said you were dead, Susu didn’t believe it! Susu knew Dad would come back! Woo woo woo... Dad!"
Chen Ye, while concentrating on his spell, was suddenly embraced from behind by a small figure calling him "Dad," and froze entirely.
He awkwardly ceased his spell, looked down at the golden-furred ball clinging close to him without letting go.
What... what is going on?
Wait, is this Bai Susu?
Done for!
Chen Ye’s vision darkened, feeling his blood nearly freezing.
Bai Susu?
The Lingyin Sect’s True Disciple, that quirky, ruthless little demoness, was hugging him calling him Dad?
If she realized she mistook someone, it might be awkward for her, but he’d be dead!
"Dad... Susu knew you weren’t dead... They all lied to me... Woo woo..."
Bai Susu sobbed uncontrollably, her delicate body trembled with emotion, arms squeezed tighter.
Twelve years ago, when Dad died, she was only nine!
She used to throw tantrums, blaming Dad for causing Mom’s death, never willing to be close to him.
But now having him back, she naturally wouldn’t let go.
Strangely... Dad seemed to have gotten slightly stronger?
Chen Ye nearly suffocated from her grip, dared not move.
"Uh, Junior Martial Uncle Bai?"
Chen Ye cautiously, using the gentlest voice possible, "Did you mistake me for someone else?"
As soon as he said this, the crying behind him abruptly halted.
"Dad... don’t you recognize Susu?" She asked cautiously, voice trembling.
"Junior Martial Uncle Bai, listen to me,"
Chen Ye tried to make his tone sound more sincere, afraid this golden-furred ball might tear him apart alive,
"Your late father, True Man Baili, was a renowned hero of Yan Kingdom, whom Chen greatly respected. But Chen is not True Man Baili — you indeed mistook someone."
Bai Susu suddenly grasped Chen Ye’s cloak fiercely:
"No! You are Dad! Your Taoist robe, your Geng Metal Qi, and... and your scent, they’re all exactly like Dad’s! You’re Dad! You just... just lost your memory, don’t remember Susu, right?"
Chen Ye: "..."
This is a big trouble.
This little girl, why is she so stubborn? And amnesiac? What kind of nonsense is this!
Although she looks like a child, she’s probably in her twenties, right?
At such an age, how can she be so impulsive?
However, Chen Ye had heard.
Ever since Bai Li died, this girl basically never stepped out of her home, always staying inside to cultivate, in seclusion for a full ten years...
It wasn’t until she reached Foundation Establishment at the age of nineteen that she left home.
It seems... she can’t be understood with common sense.
Chen Ye tried to explain, "Junior Martial Uncle Bai, this golden Taoist robe was something I obtained by chance. As for the Geng Metal Qi, there are quite a few disciples in the Lingyin Sect who cultivate this technique..."
"I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear it!"
Bai Susu suddenly covered her ears and shook her head vigorously, "You are my father! You just don’t want to acknowledge me! Cry... Father doesn’t want Susu anymore..."
"Actually... Junior Martial Uncle Bai, we have crossed paths before." Chen Ye turned around slowly.
The crying in his arms abruptly paused.
Bai Susu slowly raised her tear-streaked face, her amber eyes especially clear due to the tears, she stared at Chen Ye blankly, somewhat bewildered.
Then, she released her embrace from Chen Ye’s waist, stepping back slightly.
"Is it... you?"
Bai Susu suddenly remembered, pointing at Chen Ye, her amber eyes full of astonishment,
"You’re the Loose Cultivator from the Three Thousand Great Mountains... and Pill Master Hu’s courtyard? How are you here?"
Chen Ye’s heart skipped a beat, this little girl’s memory was unexpectedly good.
But her tone, how come it sounded so ominous?
He forced a nod: "Indeed, it is I. That day, Junior Martial Uncle Bai was as graceful as ever, and I had the fortune of observing from afar."
"That’s not it..."
Bai Susu finally spoke again, her voice no longer tinged with youthful sobbing but cold, filled with boundless disappointment.
Chen Ye secretly stayed on guard, afraid this little demoness would lose her temper.
But she had already reached Foundation Establishment, how could he be her match?
Thinking of this, Chen Ye decided not to make any move, in order to prevent the situation from escalating.
The suffocating pressure came swiftly and retreated just as quickly.
Bai Susu took a deep breath, her small chest rising and falling slightly.
Her amber eyes had regained their calm at this moment.
Upon seeing this, Chen Ye sighed in relief.
She glanced at the lone hut, then turned her gaze to Chen Ye, her tone indifferent: "Go inside."
Chen Ye’s heart tightened.
This little demoness was so capricious, just now she was crying as if her life depended on it, and in the blink of an eye, she changed her face.
He had no idea what medicine she was selling in her gourd, but clearly now was not the time to resist.
He stayed silent and walked toward the hut as instructed.
The golden Taoist robe on him now seemed particularly conspicuous.
The interior of the hut remained simple and tidy.
Bai Susu followed him in, her small figure standing still in the slightly dim room’s center.
She looked around, her gaze lingered on the familiar spirit planting tools and Chen Ye’s golden Taoist robe for a moment, showing a flash of complex emotions in her eyes.
Finally, her gaze returned to Chen Ye, her voice cold as she spoke: "Since you are not my father, yet you wear his Taoist robe, use his Geng Metal Qi, and appear in his favorite place... Tell me, how should I deal with you?"
Chen Ye remained calm, explaining: "Junior Martial Uncle Bai, this Taoist robe was something I discovered here by coincidence, seeing it was clean and well-fitting, I took it for myself. As for the Geng Metal Qi, it is something I learned by chance. If there is any offense, I hope Junior Martial Uncle Bai will forgive me."
"Forgive?"
Bai Susu’s lips curved in a mocking arc,
"You have taken my father’s things, disturbed his peace, and... and made it all for nothing. Just a forgive, and you wish to dismiss it?"
She took a step forward, her small figure emanating a mighty pressure.
"However, seeing as this Taoist robe and my father somewhat resemble each other, and the Geng Metal Qi barely shows some semblance of essence..."
Bai Susu paused, her amber eyes narrowing slightly, holding a hint of danger.
"I have decided."
She stated one word at a time, her voice not loud,
"From today onward, you will be my, Bai Susu’s, servant. Stay here in Baiqi Garden, taking care of these spirit plants for me. Without my permission, you are not to step out of Baiqi Garden for a single step!"
Servant?!
Chen Ye was utterly dumbfounded.
No matter how much he calculated, he never expected Bai Susu would come up with such an absurd demand!
If she couldn’t have him as father, then she would make him a servant? What kind of divine logic is this.
"Junior Martial Uncle Bai, this... this might not be appropriate, right?" Chen Ye tried to argue, "I am a newly-appointed Sect Steward of Lingyin Sect, responsible for..."
"Steward?" Bai Susu sneered, cutting him off, "On Herb Peak, my word, Bai Susu, is more powerful than the Peak Master’s. I say you are a servant, so you are a servant. What, you have any objections?"
She slightly lifted her chin, saying coldly: "Those who follow me thrive, those who oppose me perish!!"
This little girl, quite the little edgelord...
Her figure was petite and exquisite, her snowy white fur coat’s fluffy fur soft and voluminous, making her already fair skin appear even lighter.
Her nose was elegantly prominent, her lips a naturally pink shade, needing no application to appear red.
Her small, soft white hands had slender fingers, slightly clenched, adding a touch of endearing naivety.
Clearly a cute Golden Furred Ball, but in Chen Ye’s eyes, she’s akin to a Demon King...
"Junior Martial Uncle Bai,"
Chen Ye took a deep breath, his tone weighed down a bit,
"Your father True Man Baili was a peerless talent of his time, honorable and upright, surely wouldn’t wish to see his daughter using power to oppress others, forcing a sect steward into servitude, right? If this gets out, wouldn’t it tarnish True Man Baili’s reputation?"
His words carried a risky gamble, trying to use True Man Baili’s reputation to subdue Bai Susu.
Sure enough, when her father was mentioned, a flicker of emotion passed through Bai Susu’s cold eyes.
She pursed her pink lips, fell into a moment of silence.
Seeing this, Chen Ye felt a slight hope kindling within.
However, Bai Susu’s next words sent him into an icy pit. "Reputation?"
She let out a sneer, her amber eyes showing a hint of obsession, "My father has been dead for twelve years! What good is that reputation now!"
"You, start calling me master! Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind making you into a handful of dust in this garden too, to accompany those withered spirit plants!"