Otherwise, it would be really hard to explain my transformation.
Of course, he wouldn’t tell Mao Qingzhu that his Evergreen Technique had now progressed from the Master level to the Enlightened level!
[Evergreen Technique Enlightened: 1/6400]
Enlightened, meaning understanding the profound mysteries.
This is not a mere enhancement but a qualitative metamorphosis!
Chen Ye quietly felt the changes within his body, his heart surging with emotion.
After the breakthrough, the Spiritual Power within his body, whether in quantity or purity, was far beyond what it used to be.
More importantly, after the Evergreen Technique reached the Enlightened stage, it granted him a brand new attribute—unceasing vitality!
The vitality within his body was more vigorous than ever, almost to an astonishing degree; ordinary flesh wounds could heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
This was an ability only Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivators would possess!
The most heaven-defying aspect was that his connection with the plants and trees around him became intimate. As long as there were plants around, he could absorb the Wood Spiritual Qi from them to quickly recover—such as in the case of severe injury or depletion of Spiritual Power.
"The Fourth Elder’s Cultivation Technique... is truly miraculous and extraordinary."
Mao Qingzhu’s gaze shimmered as if stars were scattered, unconsciously staring blankly at Chen Ye.
The man’s physique was well-proportioned and robust, not ostentatiously rugged but exuding a sense of heavy and grand power.
Yet, amidst what should have been a sharp, blade-like physique, there emerged a warm and inviting charm.
This graceful beauty suddenly felt her throat move slightly, her lips parted slightly, swallowing some silent saliva.
Her jade-like delicate face showed a trace of bewilderment, as if a fairy suddenly lost her composure under the moonlight.
Until Chen Ye cast a puzzled look at her.
Only then did she awaken as if from a dream, her pearly white, elegant face suddenly flushed with a touch of red.
Of course, Chen Ye had no idea.
The master-level Heavy Body Technique may not have enhanced his combat power, but it added much to his physique.
Plus, the Enlightened-level Evergreen Technique further made his temperament gentle and refined, naturally creating a near-perfect—or one could say "Limit Break"-level appearance.
And this,
was actually the reason Little Shuyao was fooled—though young, she was not foolish and understood beauty from ugliness.
"Sister Qingzhu, could it be that there’s something wrong with my cultivation?"
Chen Ye was shocked!
This is bad; Sister Qingzhu is a Foundation Establishment True Man, and she has always been elegant and composed.
For her to be stunned staring at him, could it be that there’s something wrong with his cultivation?
The more Chen Ye thought about it, the more sense it made.
After all, the Enlightened-level Cultivation Technique originally existed only in the game but now appeared in the Cultivation Realm, potentially conflicting with the rules of heaven and earth, normal cultivation practices.
"Ahem... it’s nothing, I was just lost in thought."
Mao Qingzhu awoke from her dream, realizing her gaffe, quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look at Chen Ye again, though her heart was fluttering.
What was happening to her?
Was she really losing her mind staring blankly at a junior?
No...
She couldn’t have zoned out!
She was merely thinking... thinking that, as they’re about to return to the Xu Family, it’s time for Brother Ye to interact more with female cultivators, so he could find a Dao companion in the future!
As Chen Ye was puzzled, a crisp bell sound, jingling and tinkling, echoed.
"Master, you... you actually emerged from seclusion!"
Qing Jun, gasping, hurriedly ran over from the direction of the back mountain.
Chen Ye’s eyebrows twitched; so, this little disciple was also at the back mountain.
He had just broken through and come straight to the inner courtyard, not expecting Qing Jun to be at the back mountain.
Seeing Qing Jun’s accusatory posture, Chen Ye immediately guessed what Qing Jun was thinking and asked:
"Where is your Senior Sister? Why didn’t I see Zhiwei when I emerged today?"
The little girl immediately turned red-eyed, gritting her teeth:
"I don’t know! I only know that Master was wrong, wrong is wrong! During these days, Qing Jun finally figured it out. Master was wrong!"
"Master was wrong?" Chen Ye looked at this little disciple rebelling against him, not angry but instead nodding inwardly.
In the original text, the two disciples tore apart their relationship, becoming life-and-death enemies.
But now, their sisterly bond was the same as before... making Chen Ye feel quite pleased that he had indeed changed many things since his transmigration.
"Of course, I’m right!" Qing Jun puffed out her little chest, clenching her fists, wanting to teach the master a lesson, "Senior Sister... she hasn’t come out of her room in a month! She doesn’t even talk to us, just knows how to cultivate every day! Master broke Senior Sister!"
As she spoke, her eyes turned red again, her voice full of grievance,
"And now, master is... is coaxing other little girls, are two disciples not as important as others? Why won’t you coax Senior Sister?"
"Brother Ye..."
Mao Qingzhu, holding Little Shuyao in her arms, worried if Little Shuyao would be hurt hearing this.
Moreover, as an outsider, it wasn’t appropriate for her to be present for matters between master and disciple.
"Sister Qingzhu," Chen Ye, seeing through her thoughts, turned with a gentle smile, "Leave it to me. You first take Shuyao to get familiar with the valley’s surroundings, don’t let her get frightened."
"Alright."
Mao Qingzhu couldn’t help but admire Brother Ye’s attentiveness. Having said that, she held the still somewhat bewildered Little Shuyao and turned to walk toward the Outer Valley.
The courtyard returned to its quiet state once again.
Leaving only Chen Ye, and the little disciple who was still puffing her cheeks, glaring angrily at him.
"Speak up," Chen Ye strolled over to the stone table, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and then leisurely opened his mouth, "Besides this, what else do you think your master was wrong about?"
"Master... shouldn’t have hit Senior Sister!"
Qing Jun, seeing Mao Qingzhu leaving, lost much of the courage she had finally mustered, but thinking of Senior Sister’s state, resolutely said with a stiff neck,
"Senior Sister is so good, how could she ever be wrong? Moreover... wasn’t it Aunt Mao who gave us the jade pendant first, so why didn’t master reprimand Aunt Mao? Master is being unfair!"
Chen Ye had to admit, Qing Jun’s words made sense.
The pity was, many things in the world aren’t solved by reason alone.
"Because your Aunt Mao is a Foundation Establishment True Man, and besides, for your upcoming baptism, you’ll still need her help. Plus, right now, your master still relies on her support. Even if I suffer because of her, I have nothing to say."
Chen Ye explained unhurriedly.
Moreover, Mao Qingzhu had greatly assisted him, not to mention, the Second Tier Flying Swords hanging at his two disciples’ waists were also thanks to her.
"Master is shameless! Master bullies the weak and fears the strong! Does having strength mean you can do whatever you want to Master?"
"It’s different. Initially, Aunt Mao gave this jade pendant because her daughter is under my care, and she was ultimately uneasy... besides, the other reasons I’ve already mentioned..."
"Master is making excuses."
"I’m not."
"But you are! With strength, you can do whatever you want to Master!"
"Alright. Take me to see your Senior Sister."
"Master is still... eh? What did Master say?"
The little girl was stunned.
Master actually admitted it!!
"Master indeed was at fault." Chen Ye sighed softly.
A master disciplining a disciple isn’t inherently wrong.
The real issue was with his approach.
As the saying goes, using kindness as bait is eviler than evil.
During his seclusion, Chen Ye realized this—the fact that he had manipulated the disciple’s feelings, coaxing her.
When the disciple came with affection, she was met with her master’s punishment and whip...
Chen Ye could not imagine how much Zhiwei’s heart hurt at that time.
That child, with a Purity Glaze Body, should not fear bodily pain.
Yet on that day, she hurt so much she could barely stand.
"Master admitted he was wrong..."
Qing Jun murmured, even doubting whether she heard him right.
She always believed that her master was someone who would never, ever make mistakes, let alone admit them.
Seeing the omnipotent master bow his head in front of her.
The grievances and anger born from her senior sister’s punishment were, at this moment, replaced by a more complex emotion.
It was a strange heartache, and also... a little pride.
Although Master could be bad and domineering at times, he also reflects and admits his mistakes.
Master is still the... best master in the world!