"Why didn’t Master confirm whether Wei Shu was dead before leaving in such a hurry?"
Zhiwei, who had advanced to the late stage of Qi Cultivation, stood on a flying sword. Though her figure was still somewhat unsteady, she could now keep a stable pace about ten feet behind Chen Ye.
The little girl had long studied the Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique, so sword control was naturally a piece of cake for her.
Her black hair fluttered lightly in the rushing wind, and her small palm-sized face showed no emotion, her voice cold and indifferent.
Chen Ye looked at her and felt uncomfortable, wishing she was still the soft and coquettish Zhiwei he was fond of.
What a troublesome big girl!
Did she take the wrong medicine lately?
Always acting cold and distant with her Master.
Chen Ye pretended to speak in a low tone, "Zhiwei, a true man never looks back at an explosion."
The words sounded out of place, an old joke he occasionally heard in his previous life.
"..."
Zhiwei pursed her lips; once again, her Master was speaking in riddles she didn’t understand.
"Since Master doesn’t wish to tell Zhiwei, then forget it..."
She turned her head away, her snow-white cheeks puffing slightly before quickly flattening again, her voice growing even colder.
Her small frame stood rigid, a picture of stubbornness as if to say, "This girl is not curious at all."
Chen Ye was actually in a good mood, finding it amusing to see his little disciple look cold yet somewhat unhappy, so he quickly dropped the joke, slowed down the pace to ride alongside her, and seriously explained:
"Zhiwei, though we didn’t see anyone from the Xu Family just now, they’re still a part of the Lingyin Sect’s power. They are likely following behind Lingyin Sect. And that Xu Henshan is a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Great Cultivator. If we act recklessly for the sake of merit, we might attract Xu Henshan’s attention, which would lead to endless troubles."
For cultivators of that realm, Chen Ye always kept a respectful distance, not daring to seek presence in front of them.
What if, with one sweep of Xu Henshan’s Divine Sense, he discovers us?
"Xu Henshan..."
Zhiwei unconsciously repeated the name, her gaze slightly focused.
That withered, sinister old figure appeared in her mind.
Aunt Mao and Master had both said Qing Jun might have come to Songyang Cave Heaven with Xu Henshan.
Yet, she hadn’t seen Qing Jun among the Xu Family’s ranks outside the Grotto Heaven that day...
Seeing the young girl looking dejected, Chen Ye knew she secretly missed her junior sister deeply, even if she never said it aloud.
He laughed openly, "Zhiwei, do you trust your Master?"
The girl with black hair raised her eyes slightly, nodding gloomily.
"Then just wait for Master to bring Qing Jun back. Hmph! She’s Chen Ye’s disciple, no one can snatch her away."
Chen Ye patted his chest confidently, wanting to reassure the little girl.
"But..."
Zhiwei’s voice carried a soft nasal tone, sounding dejected.
"That Xu Henshan is a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivator, a whole realm above Master... Considering Qing Jun’s talents, the Xu Family treasures her like a jewel, how could they let her go easily?
Her trust in Master was unquestionable, but the gap was a tangible chasm that couldn’t be crossed by mere faith.
She could believe Master might defeat early Foundation Establishment cultivators, but this...
Chen Ye sighed deeply in his heart. Indeed, Xu Henshan was an insurmountable peak looming ahead.
Yet his face showed no signs of hesitation or discouragement.
With a thought, he suddenly slowed his Escape Light.
Ahead, the shadowy outlines of several towering black silhouettes that reached the clouds began to emerge—Stone Tablet Forest was approaching...
Seeing this,
Chen Ye didn’t rush forward but landed on the ground, turning to face Zhiwei, who was hovering next to him.
Night had deepened, and the cool moonlight fell over the vast sea of blood-red reeds, also casting its glow on Zhiwei.
The moon granted her black hair a silvery gloss, and she stood quietly on the flying sword, her snow-white little face under the moonlight appearing even more translucent, like a finely crafted but chilly jade beauty.
She seemed too fragile, too beautiful...
"And Xu Henshan?"
Chen Ye scoffed disdainfully, trying hard to maintain his dignity.
"Pshaw, he’s just an old decaying husk barely hanging on. Your Master is full of vigor and has a bright future ahead. Why would I be afraid of him?"
Besides, if he were just an ordinary Qi Cultivator, Xu Henshan considering Qing Jun as part of the Xu Family and their future hope wouldn’t easily allow him to take her away.
But if Chen Ye were a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a remarkable Alchemist, the result might be different.
After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators were few and far between in the Xu Family, and to them, Foundation Establishment cultivators were a force worth recruiting.
Therefore, Chen Ye wasn’t entirely pessimistic.
Moreover, surely not everyone would oppose him, right?
Chen Ye believed it couldn’t be so coincidental that the whole world was against him. He wasn’t some cursed child of destiny.
As long as he showcased his value, Xu Henshan would think twice before making things difficult for him.
"Hmm..."
Zhiwei responded gloomily, clearly not convinced by his reasoning, her small shoulders slumping a bit.
Ever since she was little, she and Qing Jun had depended on each other, so it was no wonder she was unhappy.
At the end of the day, Zhiwei, despite her sometimes aloof appearance, was still a little girl who missed her sister deeply.
Having emotions was perfectly normal.
Stubborn girl...
Chen Ye would rather have the stubborn girl continue her pretense of cool indifference than see her looking so wilted—it made his heartache.
However, what kind of person was Chen Ye?
The foremost expert on girls in the cultivator world!
Chen Ye’s voice suddenly lowered, his tall figure almost hunched over with weariness:
"Sigh, Zhiwei, Master really misses Qing Jun."
As he spoke, he slowly crouched down, wrapping his arms around his knees like a wronged child.
To outsiders, Chen Ye would never show such vulnerability.