Suddenly, a thought flickered in his mind, and he looked up towards the entrance of the valley.
He saw that the tranquil Mountain Protection Array unexpectedly rippled, and a golden transmission talisman pierced through the array, flying straight to him.
"Chen Ye, the manager of Lisong Valley, hurry to the valley entrance to welcome the Sect Steward."
The talisman conveyed a strange but polite voice.
"Someone from the sect?" Chen Ye raised his eyebrows slightly. He knew this must be the follow-up from Bai Wuji’s assessment that day.
Where there is reward, there is punishment.
If he hadn’t managed Lisong Valley well, he would surely have been reprimanded by the sect.
But now, he had successfully managed Lisong Valley, and correspondingly, he should receive rewards from the sect.
He comforted his two apprentices with a few words and then led Li Qiuyun to the valley entrance.
Outside the array, a cultivator dressed in the attire of the Lingyin Sect steward was already waiting respectfully.
Behind this person was an Inner Sect disciple wearing a sky-blue Taoist robe.
This person happened to be an acquaintance of Chen Ye’s.
Named Duan Ling, he was once an Outer Sect disciple of Yunxi District.
Half a year ago, during the Outer Sect competition, he successfully entered the Inner Sect.
At that time, he was at the Qi Cultivation Seventh-Layer; now, he had reached the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, exuding a calm aura.
Seeing Chen Ye, he cupped his hands in salute, his attitude courteous, even purposefully lowering himself.
Chen Ye’s heart stirred. He remembered Duan Ling as being stable in character, unlike Junior Brother Liu, Zhao Qing, and others.
In the past, he had not shown Chen Ye any courtesy, but his attitude was at least neutral, neither warm nor cold. After all, as Inner Sect disciples, their future prospects were far higher than ordinary stewards, and there was no need to deliberately curry favor with them.
But why was he here at Lisong Valley today and even showing deference to him?
"Senior Brother Duan, long time no see!"
Li Qiuyun’s eyes lit up at seeing a familiar face, and her expression showed rare hints of girlish delight.
"Junior Sister Li."
Duan Ling responded, his gaze falling on Li Qiuyun as he congratulated her,
"Hmm? Junior Sister Li has already broken through to the late period of Qi Cultivation. It seems that in the Outer Sect competition in six months, you can smoothly ascend to the Inner Sect. Congratulations, Junior Sister, on your promising path."
"Senior Brother flatters me. It’s merely a stroke of luck to break through to the late period of Qi Cultivation."
Li Qiuyun’s eyes curved, surprising Chen Ye:
"Qiuyun, I didn’t expect you and Taoist Friend Duan to be acquainted..."
The young woman glanced at Chen Ye, her nod casual and indifferent:
"Steward Chen, why do you say this? Senior Brother Duan and I both hail from Yunxi District, so naturally, we have a good relationship."
Uh...
Wasn’t Li Qiuyun previously quite socially anxious? Hadn’t he seen her interact with Duan Ling before?
Moreover, Li Qiuyun’s temperament was truly peculiar.
Ever since that incident at Xiaguang Garden, for some reason, her attitude towards him had become much colder.
Chen Ye sighed, though he did not mind.
He turned his gaze towards the unfamiliar sect steward opposite him.
This steward was friendly, watching them with a smile as they warmed up to each other.
Only after the conversation did he step forward, cupping his hands and saying:
"Steward Chen, I’ve long admired you! I am Li Dong, a steward from the Precepts Hall."
Li Dong’s face held a warm smile, his demeanor perfectly balanced, showing respect as a fellow steward without appearing overly sycophantic.
Chen Ye breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that Bai Wuji hadn’t sabotaged him; otherwise, the steward sent by the sect wouldn’t be so polite.
He smilingly welcomed the two into the valley.
"Steward Chen, you truly amaze us fellow colleagues!"
As they entered the valley, Li Dong couldn’t help but genuinely admire the sight of abundant vitality filling the valley, saying,
"Who in Herb Peak is unaware of the mess that was Lisong Valley? And there’s Wei Cheng, who always leverages his seniority to act superior and must have given you quite some trouble. Yet in your hands, in just a month, it has been revived! Nowadays, the entire sect is talking about your miraculous methods!"
His praise was not only pleasing but also inadvertently revealed a lot of information, further indicating that he and Wei Cheng were not on the same side.
"Steward Li, you flatter me. It’s merely some simple Spirit Plant Techniques, just a lucky chance."
Chen Ye clicked his tongue. Li Dong certainly knew how to speak flattering words.
Managing just a Medicine Valley, according to Li Dong’s words, became a topic of discussion in the entire sect—truly outrageous...
"Why be so modest, Steward Chen?"
Li Dong chuckled. Though his words were indeed exaggerated—after all, Guardian Bai’s evaluation only concluded yesterday, and after the sect’s discussion, he rushed over without delay—the news hadn’t yet spread.
However, in his view, once this matter was known, it would certainly stir up considerable discussion within the sect.
Li Dong retrieved a Jade Scroll sealed with a golden stamp from his Storage Bag and read out loud,
"Outer Sect Steward Chen Ye, having managed Lisong Valley for one month with outstanding governance, restoring the Spirit Plants in the garden to full vitality, has achieved remarkable feats. As reported by Bai Wuji, and resolved by the sect’s Precepts Hall, it is rated as excellent! Therefore, 200 lower-grade Spirit Stones and one Top-Grade Magic Robe are especially bestowed!"
As he spoke, he respectfully offered a Storage Bag with both hands to Chen Ye.
Chen Ye was astonished.
The 200 Spirit Stones were not of great importance; once the sect bestowed rewards, Spirit Stones were always secondary.
Just like last time when Chen Ye managed Baiqi Garden, the primary reward was that Concentration Pill.
Only, this time, the Top-Grade Magic Robe far exceeded Chen Ye’s expectations.
In terms of value, this Top-Grade Magic Robe was probably worth five or six hundred Spirit Stones!
As Chen Ye accepted the Storage Bag, he did not forget to exchange pleasantries:
"Thank you, sect, for your rewards and the favor of the elders and guardians. However... isn’t this reward rather too generous?"
Li Dong’s expression was one of admiration: