So, she didn’t have to be so strong, didn’t have to bear so much; she could... just be a child.
Chen Ye saw this, and the corners of his lips couldn’t help but carry a hint of a smile,
This little girl pretends to be all grown-up every day, but she’s actually just a girl...
If she is a child, she would want the protection of adults.
"Master."
After a long while, Zhiwei finally spoke again, her voice no longer calm, with a hint of longing that even she hadn’t noticed,
"Then... then I ask Master to punish me."
"Hm." Chen Ye did not show mercy.
Actually, he didn’t want to punish Zhiwei.
But since Qing Jun had been hit, it wouldn’t be right to let Zhiwei off the hook.
...
After a round of punishment.
The big girl wasn’t like Qing Jun; she didn’t cry or scream, but that was within Chen Ye’s expectations.
Zhiwei’s nature was far more resilient than Qing Jun’s.
"This is... Sister Bai must have secretly slipped this to me before, I... I only found out after I got back."
Zhiwei said somewhat embarrassed, taking out a Storage Bag from her bosom.
She had accidentally discovered the Storage Bag while sorting out her clothes.
Intending to tell her master immediately, but afterward, Qing Jun had a tantrum, and then her master... she had forgotten for a moment.
Chen Ye looked at the Storage Bag in Zhiwei’s hand, his heart stirred.
Where did this Storage Bag come from?
Why didn’t Bai Susu give it openly if she wanted to?
Instead, she secretly slipped it into Zhiwei’s pocket...
But on second thought, it suited Bai Susu’s character.
Chen Ye opened the Storage Bag, and upon opening it, his expression froze.
Inside the Storage Bag was a Magic Sword gleaming coldly, quite familiar.
It was precisely Ji Yunting’s Tier One Upper Grade Magic Sword!
Thinking back, this was one of Chen Ye’s regrets.
At that time, he was overly concerned about his apprentice; as soon as Bai Susu arrived, he hastened back to check on his apprentice’s condition, forgetting to collect Ji Yunting’s spoils.
He didn’t care about the other Loose Cultivators he killed,
Firstly, those people had low cultivation, likely having no wealth;
Secondly, it was during his escape that he killed them, without the leisure to collect anything, most likely scavenged by other surviving Loose Cultivators.
But Ji Yunting was a Late-stage Qi Cultivation expert and a direct descendant of the Ji Family; he must have a considerable fortune.
Bai Susu so easily transferred the spoils?
But recalling that little golden-haired girl with her ’this miss is not short of money’ arrogant look, Chen Ye was relieved.
"Hm," Chen Ye nodded, did not immediately take the Storage Bag, but gently said, "Since it was given to you by Bai Susu, then it’s your fortune, keep it well."
Hearing this, Zhiwei was a bit surprised.
But she persistently shook her head, pushing the Storage Bag into Chen Ye’s hands: "Sister Bai probably wanted to give Master a surprise through me. It should be Master’s."
Suddenly, the big girl’s face lowered, staring at her toes.
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito: "Besides, Master is Zhiwei’s... fortune."
While speaking, the girl’s cheeks subtly tinged red.
Chen Ye was taken aback, not expecting such words from Zhiwei...
He no longer hesitated; indeed, strengthening his power is crucial now.
Chen Ye reached out to gently ruffle the girl’s fluffy hair, sighing, "Zhiwei has grown up."
The big girl bit her lip, quickly glanced at Chen Ye: "Master... just said that Zhiwei is just a child..."
Chen Ye was left speechless.
...
After ending the lesson for his two disciples, Chen Ye began to take stock of the loot.
First and foremost, what caught Chen Ye’s attention was undoubtedly the General Puppet Core gifted by Bai Susu.
He took a deep breath, carefully cradling the Puppet Core in his palm.
The General Puppet Core was only about the size of a fist, crystal clear, within which floated countless runes emitting faint light, visible to the naked eye.
Unfortunately, its surface was covered with fine cracks, with four especially hideous sword marks nearly piercing through the core.
Yet, despite its damage, the General Puppet Core is still Chen Ye’s most precious treasure at present.
It’s a Tier Two Magical Treasure!
"According to the Puppet Refining Technique, the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect has nine kinds of Puppet Cores. Each type of core has its own specialties. This seems to be the Divine Power Core."
Chen Ye carefully compared it against the records in the Puppet Refining Technique, barely recognizing the core in his hand.
The Divine Power Core is a type renowned for its strength.
Puppets refined with this type of core often possess immense strength, remarkable in close combat and fearless in battle.
Unfortunately, the core in front of him is too severely damaged.
Chen Ye attempted to channel a bit of Spiritual Power into it; the runes on the core faintly glowed before quickly dimming again.
"It seems, repairing this core will not be an easy task."
Chen Ye furrowed his brow slightly.
The complexity of a Tier Two Magical Treasure core far exceeded his expectations.
Even with the Puppet Refining Technique as a guide, the materials and methods required for repairs were beyond his current reach.
"However, if I use the Hundred Refining Technique to refine it, perhaps it can still be usable with some difficulty. If I want to restore it to its prime state, I’ll probably need to find a Second Tier Artifact Refiner."
This core has also been refined with the Hundred Refining Technique, reaching sixty-three refinements.
The Hundred Refining Technique has nine levels, every nine refinements being one level.
The cultivator from the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect who made this core had practiced the Hundred Refining Technique to the seventh level.
Chen Ye is currently only at the second level; however, with a proficiency panel, practicing the Hundred Refining Technique is a breeze for him.
After sorting out the Zombie Puppet Core, Chen Ye then started checking Ji Yunting’s Storage Bag.
No wonder he’s the direct descendant of the Ji Family!
Just in Spirit Stones, there are ninety-six pieces!
Additionally, there are various Magical Artifacts, materials, Pills, and with this Tier One Upper Grade Magic Sword, the value exceeds a hundred!