Fortunately, Lisong Valley will eventually fall into their hands.
You must know,
Lisong Valley is situated above the most abundant Spirit Vein in Peach Mountain District!
Not to mention anything else, just this piece of Spirit Vein land is extremely precious!
And afterwards,
They can rely on this top-grade Medicinal Garden to expand their influence within the sect - for example, that Glazed Flower Tea is actually a channel to approach the sect’s upper echelon.
Wei Cheng raised his teacup and smiled arrogantly:
"It’s not my wisdom, but Chen Ye’s foolishness! The cold disaster in Lisong Valley is severe, something manpower cannot solve; it requires a long time to rest and recuperate. If he forcefully keeps the Outer Sect disciples, even if this evaluation fails, the sect would understand—after all, he is new here... But at this moment, all the valley’s disciples have been expelled by him; the sect would see him as stubborn and self-willed..."
This is his heartfelt opinion.
The sect is aware of the cold disaster, and even if the governance of Lisong Valley is inadequate, it’s not Chen Ye’s fault.
But if he "drives away" disciples and invites a bunch of chaotic Loose Cultivators, causing the situation in Lisong Valley to deteriorate... the result would be very different.
And this is why Wei Cheng took away many disciples and deliberately released Demon Beasts secretly.
"Come!" Wei Cheng, in high spirits, raised his teacup to everyone and laughingly said, "We shall wait here for the good news!"
...
The next day.
Outside Lisong Valley, the sunlight was perfect.
A blue sword light, from the distant horizon, dashed across like a flowing rainbow, finally suspending steadily outside Lisong Valley’s Mountain Protection Array.
"Lisong Valley..."
On the sword light, stood a middle-aged cultivator wearing the attire of Lingyin Sect’s Guardian.
His face was stern, exuding an imposing presence without anger, and his aura was profound like the sea, evidently a powerful Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.
This person, named Bai Wuji.
He is a Guardian of Lingyin Sect, also responsible for evaluating the stewardship achievements in Peach Mountain District.
Of course,
The evaluation matter is just a convenient gesture...
His real purpose here is to find the Bai family’s eldest lady, Bai Susu, who has been missing since the battle of the Three Thousand Great Mountains.
And this Lisong Valley’s new supervisor, Chen Ye, is his most important clue on this trip.
Bai Wuji stood with his hands behind, coldly observing the Medicine Valley below.
The eldest lady, although kind-hearted and friendly.
But why does she repeatedly stand up for a Steward of unknown Loose Cultivator origin?
This matter is full of peculiarities!
"I must see which old scoundrel dares deceive my naive, sweet eldest lady!"
Bai Wuji sneered internally,
"If I find out you are deceiving her feelings, exploiting her kindness..."
Killer intent flashed in his eyes.
Actually,
The Bai family long wanted to investigate Chen Ye’s background, but were afraid of displeasing Bai Susu, thus continually delaying.
And now,
The eldest lady is missing, providing a perfect excuse to thoroughly scrutinize this person under the guise of evaluation!
Bai Wuji made up his mind, no longer hiding his aura; the overwhelming pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator instantly pressed towards the Mountain Protection Array below.
He expected his deterrence would make the people inside the valley hastily come to open the array.
Unexpectedly, at the moment his pressure descended, the Mountain Protection Array voluntarily opened a gate for him.
At the entrance, a man dressed in green Steward attire, standing tall, with handsome features greeted him:
"Lisong Valley’s supervisor, Chen Ye, welcomes Guardian Bai."
Chen Ye greeted Bai Wuji politely and evenly with a cupped hand gesture.
Bai Wuji, with a stern expression, coldly said: "You... cough cough cough, you are Chen Ye?"
Originally wanting to put Chen Ye in his place.
But upon seeing his appearance, Bai Wuji was dumbfounded.
This this this...
How can he resemble Brother Bai so much?
Could it be, an illegitimate son of Brother Bai?
Or does he have another brother?
"I am indeed!" Chen Ye cupped his hands.
Looking at this middle-aged cultivator in front of him, who was fiercely aggressive one moment and suddenly coughing violently at him the next, with a face alternating between blue and white and shifting gaze, Chen Ye was puzzled.
This Guardian...
Could he have some hidden ailment?
"Guardian?" Chen Ye looked at him, calling out tentatively.
"Ahem... Hmm."
Bai Wuji snapped back to reality, realizing his lapse, and hurriedly put on a stern face, attempting to restore his guardian’s dignity.
But for some reason, looking at the face in front of him, he just couldn’t summon that sense of authority.
What kind of Immortal Cultivation Realm joke was this?
How could he dare show any attitude in front of Brother Bai...
Even if this person wasn’t Brother Bai, the similar appearance always made him mutter uneasily in his heart.
Bai Wuji could only dryly say, "You’re... good. The sect evaluation is routine. Lead the way."
"Yes, please, Guardian."
Though feeling strange inside, Chen Ye still maintained the appropriate level of respect.
He turned his body and intended to lead the way from the front.
However, just as he took a step, Bai Wuji’s slightly awkward voice came from behind:
"Hold on."
Chen Ye paused, looking back.
He saw Bai Wuji expressionless, just like Lin Jin, who coughed lightly and waved his hand casually:
"Forget it, I have been here before, perhaps more familiar with it than you. I will lead the way, you just follow behind."
Letting Chen Ye lead the way for him?
Bai Wuji just felt a chill down his spine.
Especially the silhouette of this Chen Ye, almost identical to Brother Bai!
Hmm... just a little taller than Brother Bai.
After he spoke, he didn’t give Chen Ye a chance to reply, hands clasped behind his back, striding into the valley with great strides.
"..."
Chen Ye looked at his manner of reversing roles and the self-assured attitude, utterly speechless.
This Bai Family, definitely has hereditary mental illness?
Each one more abnormal than the last!
And soon after their figures vanished at the valley entrance.
A concealed hillside outside Lisong Valley.
Two cultivators dressed in Wei Family attire were observing everything happening at the valley entrance from afar, using a special made water mirror magical artifact.
"Did you see? Did you see?" One of the cultivators excitedly nudged his companion, "It’s Bai Wuji, the Guardian from the Bai Family!"
"I saw!" The other cultivator exclaimed in wonder, "Look at his bearing, he’s up to no good! See, that Chen person comes to greet him, but Guardian Bai didn’t even glance at him, just with a stern face, barges in, making that Chen person follow behind like a bullied daughter-in-law, taking small steps!"
"Heh heh, there’s a good show to watch." The first cultivator sneered, "I’ve long heard that everyone in the Bai Family thinks highly of themselves, with notoriously foul tempers. That Chen person is probably in big trouble this time! Quick! Let’s go back and report this good news to the Stewards!"
...
"Here, supplies the Market’s lower grade Spirit Plants, why are they growing so unevenly? Look at those few, the leaves even have signs of insect damage! How are you managing this?"
Bai Wuji quickly regained his composure, cleared his throat, pointed to the adjacent flourishing ordinary medicinal fields, and asked coldly.
Chen Ye noticed the voice, knowing this Guardian was picking faults, feeling even more puzzled.
He never offended the Bai Family, right?
Could it be, the Wei Family secretly bribed this Steward?
Chen Ye steadied his mind, "Reporting to the Guardian, this place encountered a cold disaster beforehand, and the earth power was severely damaged. Since I took over, although I tried my best to recover it, ultimately the time is still short, inevitably some oversights occur. However, I assure you, within a month, this place will be as good as new."
"Within a month?" Bai Wuji snorted coldly, inwardly nodding with approval.
Not bad.
Though he was nitpicking, he actually understood Chen Ye’s management was already commendable.
Moreover, this person used to be just a Loose Cultivator, but now facing his criticism as a Foundation Establishment True Man, he remained neither servile nor overbearing, handling it appropriately.
Thinking thus, Bai Wuji’s heart, but verbally he didn’t relent, "You say it so easily. I want to see how you can guarantee it!"
"..."
Chen Ye’s gaze shifted, suddenly seeing a fluffy white little fox dozing off in the medicinal field.
He frowned secretly, wasn’t this the little fox Qing Jun picked up?
Damn it!
This Bai Wuji is already targeting him, if Bai Wuji discovers a demon beast napping in the Spirit Field, he might seize the opportunity to find fault!
"..."
Chen Ye fixed his eyes on the little fox, while Bai Wuji secretly watched Chen Ye.
Hiss?
Could it be he overstepped?
This Chen Ye seems a bit displeased?
Moreover,
Secretly, a little girl quietly squinted her eyes.
The clever little girl had already noticed this strange Guardian was peeking at her master!
"Despicable! Master, why do even men approach you!"