Ding!
New disciple, goodwill increased by one! Chen Ye imagined a playful sound in his mind.
That’s just like him!
Everything was within expectations, advancing methodically.
After today, Lin Jin’s defenses should definitely drop a little.
With time, he would definitely have another disciple under his knee who revered his teacher!
After handling the matter with Lin Jin, a weight lifted off Chen Ye’s heart.
He stepped lightly, returning home.
Upon entering, he wasn’t greeted by the usual laughter and chatter, but by an unusual tranquility.
By the table in the courtyard, Mao Qingzhu smiled gently, elegantly pouring tea for the two young girls.
Zhiwei was as usual, quietly sipping her tea, no different from before.
As for Qing Jun, she too was elegantly silent like her senior sister...
"Master, you’re back."
The little girl stood up, performed a flawless greeting, and smiled sweetly, her behavior graceful and proper.
"Xu Qingjun."
Chen Ye sensed something was off, fixed his gaze on the lady-like disciple, and called her name.
"Ah, is Master going to praise Qing Jun?" Qing Jun’s eyes sparkled, becoming even more affected, making Chen Ye’s hair stand on end.
"Did you do something mischievous again?" Chen Ye suspiciously eyed her.
"..."
The little girl’s fair cheeks turned crimson instantly, feeling so angry that it seemed steam could be seen rising from her head,
"You, you, you, Master, what do you mean! Can’t Qing Jun be a lady? Can’t Qing Jun be well-behaved?"
"Master has serious doubts about that." Chen Ye said with a straight face.
"How infuriating!"
Those words made the little girl seethe with rage, her large, watery eyes almost spitting fire.
Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!
She stomped her foot, clenched her little fist, and pounded on Chen Ye’s thigh like a little girl giving a massage.
But even though she was hitting her master, Qing Jun’s eyes were turning red, and her little mouth pouted in grievance, almost as if she was about to cry in anger.
Watching this scene, Mao Qingzhu felt distressed.
She had reunited with Qing Jun after a long time and undoubtedly spoiled her, even feeling some dissatisfaction with Chen Ye upon seeing this.
How could Brother Ye be like this?
He’s being too insensitive... Qing Jun was just trying to be well-behaved to make him happy, wasn’t she?
Mao Qingzhu looked at the little girl, who was pounding Chen Ye’s thigh with her tiny fist while teardrops twirled in her eyes, feeling pained and about to speak when Chen Ye suddenly sighed:
"Alright, alright, stop hitting me, your three-legged cat technique is about to break your master’s leg."
"You... you said it!" Qing Jun sniffled, unable to help herself from biting her master’s leg, "Master doesn’t like Qing Jun! Master, do you have another disciple outside?"
Chen Ye was startled, did this little girl have spider senses?
Thankfully, judging by her demeanor, it seemed she was just speaking casually.
Chen Ye calmed down, pinched her soft cheek:
"Compared to Qing Jun behaving properly, Master actually prefers the Qing Jun who comes dashing in like a flying sword as soon as she sees Master return. Hmm... the original Qing Jun is still better."
"Ugh..."
Qing Jun raised her little face, her long eyelashes trembling wetly, her voice hesitant yet hopeful,
"So, Master likes the real Qing Jun more?"
"Of course."
Chen Ye promptly lifted her, placing her steadily in the crook of his arm, not forgetting to flick her forehead lightly,
"Master doesn’t want to see Qing Jun aggrieve herself by doing things she doesn’t want to just to please me."
"Qing Jun isn’t trying to please Master... Master is a narcissist."
The little girl hugged her master’s neck, burying her face in his shoulder, mumbling in a muffled voice, yet thankfully, she cheered up quickly.
With just a few words, Chen Ye had her brimming with unconcealed joy.
Seeing this scene, Mao Qingzhu, who had initially felt critical, was filled with embarrassment.
It seems she was in the wrong.
Today she had whimsically taught Qing Jun some manners, intending to make up for the neglect in guidance.
But as Brother Ye said, most important is making Qing Jun happy!
It’s just that...
However, with how emotional Qing Jun became with just Chen Ye’s words, sometimes joyous, sometimes tearful, it was clear her emotions depended entirely on her master’s words.
Mao Qingzhu noticed this, a slight frown on her brow.
Brother Ye’s two disciples, they might rely too much on their master...
Mao Qingzhu’s thoughts whirled around, while Chen Ye had already put down the little girl in his arms.
He looked at the two disciples with a serious expression and said, "Alright, stop playing. Today, Master plans to start alchemy, both of you, perk up and help me here."
Chen Ye had always intended to train his disciples in various aspects, including alchemy.
Today,
Chen Ye’s Qi Nourishing Pill was about to break its limit!
This was the best opportunity to teach his disciples.
Witnessing the process of Pills’ skill progress from perfection to breaking limits, such an opportunity was unattainable for any cultivator entering the Alchemy Dao.
Only Chen Ye, with his proficiency panel, could allow his disciples to glimpse a bit.
"Alchemy? Brother Ye, you also know alchemy?"
Mao Qingzhu was slightly surprised upon hearing this.
She thought internally: Indeed, nearly every Spirit Plant Master has the idea of practicing alchemy, believing they have a profound understanding of medicinal properties. Yet they don’t realize that the path of alchemy is vast and profound, not something that can be grasped with just some pharmacological knowledge.
Although she wasn’t optimistic, she maintained a smile on her face:
"Actually, I’m also somewhat skilled in the Alchemy Dao. When I was in Divine Mist Valley, I even refined an upper-grade Qi Nourishing Pill. Brother Ye, would you like me to give you some pointers?"
Saying this, the big dumpling had some expectations, mischievously winking at Chen Ye: