Wang Hao didn’t continue speaking, but the meaning in his eyes was already obvious.
One of the most obsequious disciples perceived Wang Hao’s insinuations against Chen Ye while praising Wei Cheng.
He quickly stepped forward to agree:
"Indeed! I would like to see how long he can last without us! In a month, when the sect’s Guardians come to inspect, let’s see how he explains himself!"
His words were far more direct and aggressive compared to the previous disciples who were more reserved.
Wang Hao nodded in satisfaction.
Unexpectedly, a disciple let out a long sigh at this moment, rubbed his sore waist, and complained with a face full of worry:
"But ever since those old farmers were recruited by Steward Chen, all the hard labor in the Wei Family’s Peach Garden has fallen on us. Exhausted every day, where’s the leisure? I... I kind of miss the days in Lisong Valley."
These words immediately resonated with many disciples.
"Senior Brother Wang..."
A female disciple who appeared to be the youngest and usually the most timid hesitated for a long time before softly saying,
"Moreover, Lisong Valley is, after all, the sect’s direct Medicinal Garden, and its Spirit Plant production concerns the entire Peach Mountain District’s Pill supply. I’ve heard that... the new Steward Chen seems to have caught True Inheritor Bai’s attention."
She paused and, in a quieter voice, expressed her underlying concern:
"What if... I mean, what if he really has those sky-reaching abilities and revives the Medicinal Garden... That achievement would far surpass anything we can accomplish in the Wei Family’s Peach Garden. By then, he would be on the rise, and we..."
It’s important to know that these disciples chose to go to the Spiritual Peach Garden not because its status was higher than Lisong Valley; on the contrary, the Spiritual Peach Garden’s status was much lower than Lisong Valley.
They were simply avoiding responsibility.
In the Spiritual Peach Garden, though it was tougher and more exhausting without achievements, they wouldn’t be reprimanded.
But if...
Chen Ye indeed managed to govern Lisong Valley well, it would be an enormous achievement.
It might even bring these disciples back to the main sect and possibly allow them entry into the Inner Sect!
"Li Tao! You’re just timid!"
Wang Hao suddenly turned his head, glaring fiercely at the young junior sister, and sternly reprimanded,
"Revive it? Do you think he’s some immortal? Even Steward Tian couldn’t handle that mess! Besides, without us, he’s just a solitary figure! What could he use to save it?"
Another disciple quickly chimed in: "Exactly! Right now, following Steward Wei, with the Wei Family behind us, that’s a tangible benefit! Stop thinking about those unrealistic things; that Chen guy can’t stir up any waves! Let’s go!"
He said, pulling the junior sister, who still wanted to say something, along with him out of the shop.
Though they spoke confidently, the junior sister’s words struck like a small stone, causing all the disciples deep anxieties.
...
The second floor was dedicated to selling special materials.
"Daoist friend."
Divine Calculator looked at Chen Ye’s calm demeanor, stroked his goatee, and praised,
"You have quite a temperance, my friend. Anyone else might have already reacted. Haha, these Qi Cultivation Middle Period disciples dare to gossip behind a Qi Cultivation Late Period cultivator’s back... they truly don’t know what’s what, as if our Divine Sense is just for show?"
"Why overly concern yourself with these Outer Sect disciples?"
Chen Ye smiled faintly, handing a list full of materials to the steward on the second floor, "Ten of each of these items."
The steward took the list, and his face immediately filled with a broad smile:
"So it’s Steward Chen visiting us, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner. We have everything you need here at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, and I’ll fetch them right away for you!"
Steward Chen?
Divine Calculator paused, recalling the conversation of those Outer Sect disciples earlier.
A bold thought flashed in his mind.
He looked at Chen Ye and tentatively asked, "May I ask, Daoist friend... are you the newly appointed overseer of Lisong Valley, Chen Steward?"
"Indeed, I am." Chen Ye admitted openly.
"Oh?"
Divine Calculator chuckled,
"No wonder those kids dared to gossip behind your back; newborn calves aren’t afraid of tigers. Lisong Valley is a hot potato and not easy to handle."
These words seemed empathetic but were also probing.
How could Chen Ye not hear the deeper meaning in his words?
He merely smiled faintly, noncommittal: "Just minor matters, no need to trouble yourself, Daoist priest."
At this time, the steward had gathered all the materials Chen Ye needed, packed them into a Storage Bag, and respectfully handed it over.
Chen Ye accepted it, glanced casually, and settled the remaining Spirit Stones.
This time, he invested heavily again, spending another hundred Spirit Stones to purchase numerous materials.
In combination with that Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer Iron-Horned Demon Bull, it would surely bring him a surprise.
However, the Spirit Stones were ultimately insufficient.
Currently, only 300 pieces remain.
To earn money through Alchemy, he’d have to wait until the first batch of Silver Scale Flowers matured a month later in Lisong Valley.
...
Upon returning to the valley entrance, Chen Ye took out the azure Array Hub Jade Token, infused some Spiritual Power, and the invisible Mountain Protection Array opened a passage only wide enough for two people.
"Oh? A Wood-Yin Commanding Qi Array?"
As soon as Divine Calculator entered the valley, he sensed the presence of the array, and a glimmer of surprise flashed in his squinting little eyes,
"No wonder it’s the handiwork of the Lingyin Sect, a Mountain Protection Array of this level is truly unique in the entire Peach Mountain District."
"Thank you, Daoist priest." Chen Ye led the way to the Outer Valley’s residential area that had been ravaged by Demon Beasts.