After visiting Lin Jin, Chen Ye, carrying a heavy heart, returned to the Inner Valley.
The two disciples had already gone to recuperate with Bai Susu.
After wandering in the Grotto Heaven for half a year, not only the two disciples but even Chen Ye was physically and mentally exhausted, longing for a seven-day and seven-night sleep.
Especially the disciples who were still tender little girls?
Though they said nothing, their bodies could no longer bear it.
At this moment, the large courtyard was left with only him.
Chen Ye sat wearily by the stone table, massaging his temples, lost in thought.
Currently, what concerned him most was his accusation - consorting with Demon Cultivators.
It was precisely because of these accusations that he was forced to adventure in the Grotto Heaven.
But now, he had safely brought Bai Susu back, and logically, the sect wouldn’t continue to pursue it...
Chen Ye felt somewhat uneasy, but thinking of Bai Susu’s vague expressions of closeness, he forced his heart to settle.
Bai Susu, oh Bai Susu, this time I’ve saved your life, you should at least put in a good word for me within the sect...
Despite saying so,
Chen Ye actually knew well, if not for his appearance this time, Bai Susu would probably still be safe.
Because in the original plot, five hundred years later, Bai Susu did not fall but became a Nascent Soul True Monarch!
No matter what the original trajectory was, at least in the current timeline, he indeed saved Bai Susu’s life.
"Tsk tsk... Next, the Yan Kingdom is likely to see turmoil again. The Ninth Layer Heaven of Songyang Cave Heaven appearing is sure to shock the Cultivation Realm of Yan Kingdom. Such a magnificent Celestial Palace, everyone feels there’s a great opportunity there! However, Bai Susu has already shifted public attention to the Emotion Crossing Sect, packaging her and me as victims... Well, indeed we are victims."
Chen Ye tapped the stone table with his fingers, silently contemplating.
The subsequent ripples from Songyang Cave Heaven would mostly not fall on him and Bai Susu.
Yet, since he emerged from the Ninth Layer Heaven, he would more or less attract some people’s attention.
Fortunately, he was already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, capable of standing alone, unafraid of petty threats.
The only worry was Lisong Valley.
His three disciples all resided in the valley, and should any mishap occur there, it would deeply regret Chen Ye.
As the saying goes, it’s easier to dodge a spear in the open than a hidden arrow...
"Qingzhi."
He called softly.
A figure in green silently appeared before him.
The green-clad puppet before him no longer bore its initial sternness.
Its left arm carried several deep, terrifying sword scars, and large scorched marks from magic attacks were on its chest.
The days Chen Ye was away from Lisong Valley showed it had experienced one bitter battle after another.
If not for Qingzhi guarding Lisong Valley.
The Wei Family’s underhanded tactics would have been enough to wear Lisong Valley down.
"Qi Cultivation Perfection... is becoming somewhat insufficient."
With a thought, Chen Ye took out a bronze skull from his Storage Bag.
It was the bronze warrior puppet obtained from Ten Thousand Puppet Sect.
Holding the skull in his palm, he couldn’t help but reminisce.
No doubt, it was a Second Tier Magical Treasure!
Capable of being large or small, it could be worn at the waist, far surpassing Qingzhi in flexibility.
However,
With Chen Ye’s current abilities, he had no need for the bronze warrior as protection.
But Lisong Valley needed a Foundation Establishment battle force to oversee it.
For instance, during the past half year, although Lisong Valley had a First Tier Grand Array, the array lacked flexibility, and the Wei Family needed only to call people to blockade outside.
Qingzhi’s injuries resulted from frequent harassment by a group of so-called Tribulation Cultivators outside Lisong Valley; it took action to suppress them only to be countered.
Though Lin Jinghua had reported to the sect, by the time sect cultivators arrived, days had passed, would those "Tribulation Cultivators" foolishly wait in place?
If the sect was attentive, the matter could be resolved easily.
But with Chen Ye trapped in the Grotto Heaven, and Mao Qingzhu confined by the Mao Family, no one within the sect could support Lisong Valley; coupled with interference from the Wei Family and Xu Family, would the sect members care?
Chen Ye sneered, putting away the puppet.
"The Lingyin Sect is unreliable... As the Yan Kingdom’s conflicts intensify, Lisong Valley must be fortified! Ultimately, I can’t stay in the valley indefinitely..."
...
After a moment of settling his thoughts.
Chen Ye took out all his gains from the Grotto Heaven expedition and checked them one by one.
From Wei Shu, the cloaked man of Ten Thousand Puppet Sect, Ji Yuanliang... the storage magical artifacts of several cultivators contained mountainous resources.
Spirit Stones, Pills, Magical Artifacts, Materials... the total value would make any Foundation Establishment Cultivator envious.
There were approximately ten thousand Spirit Stones alone!
It was no doubt a huge fortune, even sufficient to purchase three or four decent lower-grade Second Tier Magical Treasures.
"These items with sect characteristics or family insignia can’t be easily shown."
Looking at several among the magical artifacts, Chen Ye frowned slightly,
"I must find a Formless Ghost Market to sell them all off, exchanging for clean Spirit Stones."
As for the ordinary resources, they could be sold gradually at major markets.
Planning complete, Chen Ye prepared to make a trip to Peach Mountain Market to dispose of the basic resources.
Before departing, he remembered something and casually asked Lin Jinghua, who was busy directing medicinal farmers’ work in the Outer Valley.
"Elder Lin, how’s that girl Qiongyu lately?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Jinghua showed a wry smile and sighed:
"Director, during the days you were absent, that girl... sigh, she often went to the market. I asked her, but she wouldn’t tell. Thinking about it, she probably has something important."
"Going to the market?"
Chen Ye furrowed his brow, suppressing his discontent, he nodded,
"Alright, I’m just heading to Peach Mountain Market, I’ll bring her back then."