At the critical juncture of life and death, no one hesitated any longer.
The crowd erupted into a massive commotion, scrambling to transform into streaks of colorful light, rushing towards the Gate of Life one after another.
The Guardian of Lingyin Sect cast a final glance at Bai Susu, and seeing her nod, he led the remaining disciples away swiftly.
Finally, only Chen Ye and his companions, along with Xu Henshan carrying Qing Jun, remained on the scene.
The old man instructed the Xu Family cultivators to retreat first, leaving him alone with Qing Jun, clearly intending to speak privately with Chen Ye.
"Master!"
At this time, Qing Jun no longer needed to hide her relationship with Chen Ye, rushing to him like a bird returning to its nest.
She hugged Chen Ye’s leg tightly, her little silver-haired head nuzzling against his waist:
"This time, didn’t Qing Jun become a great hero?!"
Chen Ye lifted the little girl up in one swift motion: "Indeed, Qing Jun is the lifesaver of your master!"
The little girl giggled, squinting her eyes to look at her master: "Then Master, don’t you need to repay Qing Jun? Don’t you have to agree to one of Qing Jun’s requests?"
"Uh..."
Seeing the mischievous look on the little girl’s face, Chen Ye was at a loss, unsure whether to respond to her.
If she made an outrageous request, how would he handle it?
Xu Henshan observed the close bond between the master and disciple, his expression complex, and couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.
As long as Chen Ye was around, the Xu Family could never become a home for Qing Jun.
However, if Chen Ye were gone... this little girl might hold a grudge against the Xu Family for the rest of her life.
Even if he secretly assassinated Chen Ye, the little girl wouldn’t notice now; but when she attained greater cultivation in the future, she would inevitably suspect the Xu Family.
"Old man, you know very well. Your lifespan is nearing its end. Once you pass, the Xu Family people will continue their endless internal strife. Who would genuinely help Qing Jun cultivate?"
Bai Susu, holding her sword, watched Xu Henshan with an air of leisure,
"And Chen Ye has reached Foundation Establishment, with boundless prospects, and he has my support. Qing Jun will surely be able to cultivate stably..."
Chen Ye, upon hearing this, instinctively tightened his grip.
The silver-haired little girl in his arms immediately sensed her master’s tension, blinking her big eyes and nuzzling against his chest: "Master, don’t play dumb. You have to repay Qing Jun..."
Chen Ye chuckled helplessly; this little girl truly cared nothing for external matters, solely pondering her master’s repayment.
He patted the soft back of his young disciple: "We’ll talk about it once we’re out."
Bai Susu glanced at the master and disciple duo, then continued:
"Only then... will Qing Jun be able to avenge you in the future! If you wholeheartedly nurture Qing Jun, when she attains greater cultivation, how could she forget your kindness? After all, she is also a Xu family member. Even if she doesn’t wish to seek revenge, the Xu Family in the Ruins Country will still keep an eye on her."
These words struck the deepest obsession in the old man’s heart.
Three hundred years ago, when his mother died, he and his father were forced into exile, traveling far to the Xu Kingdom.
He never forgot the blood feud of those years.
But now, three hundred years later, only he in the current Xu Family remembered the hatred of the past.
As for the others, they were all vying for power and gain, each a useless waste.
Only Xu Qingshan had decent talent, yet his chance at Core Formation was still slim.
Now that his lifespan was nearing its end, there was no time to wait for the next generation of Xu family members, and just at this moment, he encountered Qing Jun...
This girl seemed to possess a Spirit Body, her bloodline mysterious, even beyond his comprehension.
And he didn’t even know whose descendant she was...
Xu Henshan remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "Alright then..."
He gave Chen Ye a deep look, waved his hand, and turned to the spatial passage:
"For now, I’ll let you and your disciple reunite. After some time, I’ll take Qing Jun to Lingyin Sect for proper cultivation!"
"Grandpa... Qing Jun will miss you!"
Qing Jun poked her head out from Chen Ye’s embrace, reluctant to call out.
Xu Henshan, upon hearing this, felt a great comfort in his old heart.
This little girl still understood gratitude.
He laughed heartily, stepping into the passage: "Then practice diligently! Don’t disappoint me!"
Once Xu Henshan’s figure vanished.
Qing Jun huffed, then nestled back into her master’s embrace, pouting:
"Old fox, who would miss him! It’s all his fault! Otherwise, Qing Jun would still be riding Yuanyuan in Lisong Valley!"
Chen Ye was taken aback, then chuckled: "So you were pretending just now?"
The little girl looked at her master in surprise: "Master, are you stupid?"
Chen Ye’s face darkened: "What kind of attitude is that?"
"Stupid is stupid!"
The little girl stretched out her small hand, pinching Chen Ye’s cheeks,
"Qing Jun has to act like she has a good relationship with the old fox, so he will obediently give Qing Jun Spirit Stones! If Qing Jun showed she disliked him, he might just kill my master!"
If it weren’t for her master, she certainly wouldn’t bother with such false pretenses!
Chen Ye was taken aback: "Do you despise Xu Henshan that much? I remember he treated you quite well..."
"So what?" Qing Jun replied with disdain, in a cold voice, "Do I need him to treat me well?"
"..."
At this moment, Chen Ye felt unfit to be an expert on little girls.
Until now, he seemed to have only begun to understand this little girl better.
Zhiwei looked at her master complexly, sighing inwardly.
Oh, Master, Qing Jun was never a cowardly little glutton.
She appears affectionate, but in reality, she is indifferent, never bound by anything.
In fact, even now, Lu Zhiwei sometimes doubts whether Qing Jun’s affection for her master is genuine.
Just like her pretense toward Xu Henshan.
Because only this way would Master selflessly cultivate her...
"Hmm? Master?"
As the black-haired little girl was sighing for her master, he lifted her up as well.
Her master, looking puzzled, said: "Zhiwei, are you sighing because Master didn’t hold you, only Qing Jun? Master will, of course, treat you both equally!"