She knew better than anyone that this wasn’t just a job, it was a tremendous opportunity!
The Spiritual Qi in Lisong Valley is far more dense than that in the Market, greatly beneficial for cultivation.
...
After exchanging pleasantries with Granny Li’s family, Chen Ye did not immediately return to Lisong Valley.
His real purpose for coming to Yunxi District was East Valley!
East Valley is the source of Chen Ye’s first substantial amount of Spirit Stones.
Demon Cultivators once cultivated Demonic Medicine here, and after they fled, these Demonic Medicines ended up in the Yunxi District market.
Previously, Chen Ye earned Spirit Stones by treating these Demonic Medicines.
And the Demon Cultivator behind East Valley is the Emotion Crossing Sect who abducted Qing Jun.
This person has always been a thorn in his heart.
"As the saying goes, know thyself and thy enemy, and you will be victorious in a hundred battles..."
Chen Ye mused internally, preparing to go alone, when unexpectedly, Qing Jun’s boisterous voice rang out:
"Qing Jun also wants to go to the Jade Lizard Association!"
The little girl had somehow snuck up beside him, clutching his coat corner tightly, her little face determined.
Chen Ye looked at her, his heart stirred.
Why was it, amidst chaos, that the Female Demon Cultivator chose to abduct Qing Jun precisely?
Logically speaking, Qing Jun’s True Dragon physique shouldn’t be detectable to a mere Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator—if Qing Jun’s identity were so easily revealed, this little girl would have been devoured, bones and all, long ago.
Perhaps... taking Qing Jun along might actually reveal some clues.
Thinking of this, Chen Ye changed his mind: "Alright, then Qing Jun shall accompany me as your master."
He turned to Zhiwei, but Zhiwei shook her head. She glanced at the lively Qing Jun, a flicker of guilt in her dark eyes, before regaining calm: "Master, I wish... to stay with Granny Li and learn some skills."
She wanted to learn some needlework from Granny Li so she could sew some clothes for her master with her own hands.
But for some reason, Zhiwei always felt she was secretly vying for affection, hence feeling a sense of guilt towards Qing Jun.
Of course, she wasn’t vying for affection!
After all, it’s idle time anyway...
Chen Ye did not insist, simply saying gently: "Very well. You stay here and don’t wander off."
In the end, those heading to the Jade Lizard Association were Chen Ye, Li Qiuyun, and the excited Qing Jun.
The streets of Yunxi District have regained some of their usual activity after the Beast Tide receded.
The three walked side by side, chatting and joking along the way, the atmosphere relaxed.
"Uncle Chen, walk steadily."
Li Qiuyun had, at some unnoticed moment, naturally linked arms with Chen Ye.
The girl’s eyes dodged, her eyelashes quivered.
It seems Uncle Chen only saw her as another junior to be cared for, like the two little girls...
But... but she was not a junior, nor a little girl!
The girl’s soft body subtly pressed against Chen Ye’s arm, feeling the warmth emanating from him, which brought a blush to her pretty face.
"Qiuyun, you..."
Chen Ye paused, what... despite it being a clear day, how could there be such a thunderbolt?
Li Qiuyun feigned confusion: "Uncle Chen, what’s the matter?"
Then she naturally hugged Chen Ye’s arm even tighter, but chuckled lightly:
"Qiuyun just wishes to express closeness to her senior..."
Her heart raced thunderously, never expecting she would be so bold.
But if she weren’t bold now, she’d truly be a "niece" for life!
"Sister Qiuyun, isn’t it hot holding my master’s arm?"
Qing Jun’s voice floated faintly from the other side.
The little girl had also come over, snuggling up closely and snuggling Chen Ye’s other arm, intentionally brushing her small head against him to push Li Qiuyun aside.
Li Qiuyun, amused and slightly embarrassed by her childish act, could only laugh: "Uncle Chen’s arm is so thick, it’s quite cooling to hold."
"Humph!" Qing Jun wrinkled her nose in defiance, hugging her master’s arm even tighter.
Annoyingly...
The master is still young, can’t have a master’s wife!
At least wait for Qing Jun to grow up... wait for Qing Jun to grow up before considering a master’s wife!
Chen Ye, sandwiched between the big and little "attachments," felt overwhelmed.
And not far off, Junior Brother Liu, who was patrolling the street, was taking in the scene.
Junior Brother Liu’s hand rested on his sword hilt, his fingers trembling slightly.
Watching his Senior Sister Li, whom he always imagined as aloof and composed, now acting like a sweet young girl clinging to an old man’s arm, chatting and laughing.
How did Senior Sister Li change like this?
What did Chen Ye do over these three months!
Making Senior Sister Li... actually vie for affection with a little girl!
"Senior Brother Liu!"
A fellow disciple beside him exclaimed, rushing forward to support the staggering Junior Brother Liu.
Junior Brother Liu, dizzy, forced himself to stand firm, barely smiling: "It’s nothing, probably just tired from patrolling the street too long today..."
However, no matter how unwilling, what can he do?
Junior Brother Liu gritted his teeth, now only daring to watch from afar, lacking even the courage to step forward and question.
"Chen Ye! If... if you ever wrong Senior Sister Li, I surely won’t forgive you."
In the end, he could only curse in his heart, to deceive himself.