This matter is beyond the expectations of that Emotion Crossing Sect Demon Cultivator!
"Still not taking action?"
Xu Xinming’s voice was icy, tinged with impatience,
"My power won’t last long. If we miss this chance and draw the Cultivators of the Emotion Crossing Sect’s attention, you and I... will both die here!"
Chen Ye hesitated, fearing that Xu Xinming was planning to use the altar to trick him.
Upon hearing the urging, his thoughts stirred, and he manipulated Cyan Wisdom Puppet to step forward, approaching the Demon Pool.
He plucked the matured golden lotus seed.
Surprisingly, the picking process was unusually smooth.
As soon as the golden lotus seed touched Cyan Wisdom Puppet’s fingertips, it automatically detached, lying steadily in its palm, before being handed to Chen Ye.
A warm and pure force instantly flowed from his palm, bringing clarity to his Divine Soul that had been agitated by the Heart Evil Technique.
Good stuff!
Chen Ye felt a surge of joy and quickly secured this invaluable lotus seed into his Storage Bag.
He turned his head to look at Xu Xinming on the altar, wanting to say something, but saw she had already turned away, leaving him only a cold and aloof back.
"Now that you’ve got what you came for, why don’t you just leave?" Her voice was still cold and emotionless as she waved her hand to put away the entire Purifying Heart Lotus for some other use.
Chen Ye shook his head: "If my apprentice doesn’t come out, how can I leave?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xinming’s previously calm face quickly showed a hint of irritation.
This man, why is he so persistent?!
"So annoying!"
Xu Xinming unleashed a silent roar in her heart.
She knew that unless she handed Xu Qingjun over, this man would never give up.
But the problem is...
"Forget it."
Xu Xinming sighed helplessly, a flash of cunning passing through her eyes.
Since it can’t be helped, let’s just create a fake one.
She looked at Chen Ye and said impatiently: "She’s right where the Purifying Heart Lotus was earlier. If you go there, you’ll see her."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye was overjoyed, and without further argument, he quickly turned and rushed back the way he came.
When he returned to the cave, he indeed saw a small silver-haired figure curled up on the ground, seemingly asleep.
"Qingjun!"
Chen Ye strode forward, scooping the small figure into his arms, nervously inspecting her.
"Master..."
The Qingjun in his arms slowly awoke, rubbing her sleepy eyes, looking at Chen Ye in confusion,
"I... I don’t know what happened, I seemed to have fallen asleep, and when I woke up, I was here. That beautiful lady... she didn’t trouble you, did she?"
Seeing that she was safe, Chen Ye’s worried heart finally settled.
He shook his head, speaking gently: "It’s okay now, Master is here. Let’s go home."
Qingjun obediently leaned her little head against Chen Ye’s chest, speaking in her unique soft and sweet voice:
"Alright, hurry and take me away from this dreadful place, Master, let’s go quickly!"
Holding the unharmed Qingjun in his arms, Chen Ye hesitated no more, identified the direction he came from, and with one hand holding his apprentice and the other recalling Cyan Wisdom Puppet, he swiftly dashed towards the cave’s exit.
With the path already cleared on the way in, the journey back was much smoother.
Soon, a speck of light appeared at the end of the passageway.
As Chen Ye carried Qingjun out of the dark entrance, Li Qiuyun and Gao Ming, who were waiting outside, almost simultaneously approached him.
"Uncle Chen! Are you alright!"
Li Qiuyun, seeing Chen Ye’s pale face and the blood at the corner of his mouth, was full of worry, quickly stepping forward to check him over, her beautiful eyes full of concern.
"Master is hurt?"
The Qingjun in Chen Ye’s arms also lifted her head timely, extending a small hand to touch Chen Ye’s face.
"It’s all Qingjun’s fault for making Master worry."
The little girl settled comfortably in her master’s arms.
Even though this man was smelly and strong... sitting in his arms was still quite comfortable.
Li Qiuyun smiled slightly: "I didn’t expect, that now Qingjun cares so much about her master..."
"Steward Chen, you... what happened?"
Gao Ming, standing by, looked at Chen Ye’s disheveled state, then at the unharmed girl in his arms, his eyes filled with doubt.
In East Valley, aside from Demonic Qi and Resentful Spirits, there’s nothing else.
Chen Ye is in the Late Period of Qi Cultivation, so how could he be injured?
"No worries, it’s just that the Resentful Spirits inside surged, and I accidentally got injured protecting Qingjun."
Chen Ye casually explained, and this explanation eased Gao Ming’s suspicions.
The Resentful Spirits inside East Valley do indeed surge from time to time.
Getting injured protecting this delicate girl was understandable.
Chen Ye handed Qingjun to Li Qiuyun, cupped his hands towards Gao Ming, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you, Taoist Friend Gao, for leading the way today. I have urgent matters, so I won’t stay longer. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll share a drink with Chairman Luo."
Seeing that Chen Ye didn’t want to say more, Gao Ming naturally didn’t dare to ask further, promptly responding respectfully: "Steward Chen, you’re too kind, take care."
Chen Ye nodded, without further delay, led Li Qiuyun and Qingjun, swiftly leaving this place of trouble.
...
On the way back to the Jade Lizard Association’s residence, the atmosphere was somewhat silent.
Li Qiuyun looked at Chen Ye’s pale face, wanting to ask several times but not knowing where to start.
As for Qingjun, she was unusually quiet, obediently being held by Li Qiuyun, only those big, bright phoenix eyes, from time to time, containing complex and incomprehensible emotions, secretly glanced towards Chen Ye, who was walking at the forefront.