Chen Ye chuckled, "Earlier, Zhiwei rewarded Master with a kiss... How about Master giving the same reward, eh?"
"Master!"
Zhiwei was furious, crossing her arms and putting on a stern little face,
"It’s only natural for a disciple to assist her Master, how can one seek rewards? Besides... such actions are frivolous and disrespectful to a mentor! We’re still in a dangerous place, how can Master be distracted!"
The more she spoke, the more anxious she became, her porcelain-white face blushing with shame and anger, as she tightened her grip around her arms.
Little brat, such a double standard.
Chen Ye had this thought when his disciple’s eyes, as cold as a frigid pond, had already seen through her Master’s mind, her pink lips tight:
"My kiss on Master’s cheek was from sincere respect and affection! But Master sees it as a reward, is he trying to exchange it with his disciple?"
She spoke with utmost seriousness, exceptionally earnest.
Chen Ye initially thought she had a point, but then his elder disciple’s face suddenly turned cold, her jet-black eyes fixed on his face:
"Furthermore, does Master intend to follow the example of Taoist Zhang! To the point of... wanting to kiss his disciple."
"..."
This was unreasonable!
It must be the little girl, she led the elder sister astray!
Chen Ye felt greatly wronged, but he didn’t want to argue with his disciple.
Since his disciple was displeased, there was no need to force her, or he truly would become like Taoist Chen.
Chen Ye sighed,
"Alright, alright, Master cannot out-argue you."
But indeed, those words just now had really upset his elder disciple.
She was still quite indignant, turning her little face aside, leaving Chen Ye with only a cold profile.
Chen Ye rarely saw Zhiwei unhappy, and it made his heart sink.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out what had offended this little girl.
A girl’s heart is as mysterious as the depths of the sea!
Or does Zhiwei dislike him that much...
Chen Ye felt defeated, expecting his disciple to be happy, yet her reaction was completely opposite to his expectations.
"Ahem..."
He gave a dry cough, trying to ease the atmosphere,
"Master understands now, it was inappropriate words and actions on my part. Let’s leave it at that and never mention it again, okay?"
Silence.
Only the wailing sound of the wind passing through the blood-red reeds.
Zhiwei maintained her posture, her small shoulders slightly hunched, refusing to look at her Master.
This reaction made Chen Ye’s sense of defeat even heavier.
In the past, whenever he lowered his stance like this, Zhiwei would immediately take the opportunity to let it go. Although she might still sulk with a little pout, saying something like "Master, don’t do it again," she would never act like now, leaving no room for maneuver.
This girl... since when did her temper become so strong?
Chen Ye thought about it, although she was usually obedient and well-behaved, her age was nearing adolescence.
Biologically speaking, children at this age tend to be rebellious.
Could that be the reason?
Chen Ye’s mind was racing, his gaze landed on Zhiwei’s arms tightly holding herself, the little fists clutching her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white, yet it wasn’t simply anger, more like feeling wronged.
Just as he pondered this, wondering if he should further reflect on his actions towards his disciple, a rustling sound suddenly came from the edge of the reed field calmed by the gentle rain!
The sound was faint, almost undetectable against the moaning of the wind.
Chen Ye was on high alert, pulling the sulking Zhiwei behind him forcefully.
Although the Iron Sword lacked infused spiritual power, it was already being held silently in reverse behind his back.
Zhiwei was pulled so abruptly that her small body stumbled against his solid back, nearly gasping in surprise.
But seeing her Master’s tensed muscles, she immediately realized and let her spiritual power flow throughout her body, ready to act.
The rustling grew closer, and they could faintly hear a moist dripping sound.
Soon, out of the thick mist, a ball of white fur struggled out from between reeds taller than itself.
Its entire body was soaked, its fluffy white fur matted into clumps by mud, looking utterly miserable.
"Little White?? Did it just sneak out when I was running earlier?"
Zhiwei’s little face froze, she was about to go over and pick up Little White when Chen Ye pulled her back:
"Zhiwei, wait..."
Although Zhiwei was mad at her Master, she was always a sensible girl.
Upon hearing this, she immediately stopped and observed cautiously.
She was always sharp and instantly sensed something amiss.
Little White was agile, without accident, how could it end up in such a sorry state?
At that moment,
The little fox was terribly frightened, its round eyes wide open, and upon seeing Chen Ye and Zhiwei, its tense ears instantly relaxed.
It shook its muddy body and whimpered pitifully at Zhiwei.
Just at this instant, a foul and cold stench burst forth from the depths of the reeds!
The aura’s target was undoubtedly the just-relaxed Little White.
"Watch out!"
Zhiwei reacted swiftly, a flow of water light flashed, and the azure Water Element Shield instantly formed.
"Clang!"
A hideous snake head larger than a lantern suddenly lunged from the reeds, smashing into the Water Element Shield.
"Swoosh—"
Zhiwei’s Water Element Shield held firm against this impact before shattering into countless light particles.
During this time, the little fox, disregarding its aversion to Chen Ye, darted onto his shoulder, trembling.
"Hiss!"
The Demon Snake hissed, its pupils blood-red, and it abruptly opened its gaping mouth to bite at Zhiwei.
This beast turned out to be a Demon Snake at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer!
"Vile creature!"
Chen Ye shouted angrily, stepping forward and twisting his body, his shoulder and back muscles taut like bowstrings, the tip of his sword thrusting out directly.