Chen Ye’s face darkened as he reprimanded, "You little fox, you’re too wasteful! Do you know how precious these Spiritual Peaches are? They are the top-tier peaches from Peach Mountain District! And you just took one bite and tossed it? Seems like you’re asking for another lesson, aren’t you?"
Upon hearing the word "lesson," the little white fox froze, and its whole body began to tremble.
Chen Ye felt pleased; this little fox must be remembering its experiences in the Grotto Heaven.
Let’s see if it dares to act out now!
The little white fox suddenly raised its head, glaring at Chen Ye, a bit of peach juice still at the corner of its mouth, yet its eyes brimmed with murderous intent!
It kicked its hind legs, and its small body transformed into a white blur, lunging towards Chen Ye with both front paws emitting a faint Spiritual Light, actually attempting to strike Chen Ye!
But the Spiritual Light flickered briefly and then extinguished with a "poof."
The little white fox stared in astonishment at its limp paws, losing all strength mid-leap, and fell towards the ground.
Chen Ye, quick-eyed and agile, grabbed its fluffy nape, hoisting it into the air.
"Oh? As a spirit pet, you dare to attack your master?"
He watched the little creature, helplessly squeaking in rage, and couldn’t help but be amused.
This little fox, perhaps it’s forgotten its own capabilities after just one nap?
With a cold smile, Chen Ye rummaged through his Storage Bag, pulling out a collar, waving it deliberately before the little white fox’s eyes.
The little white fox’s eyes widened further, its hind legs kicking frantically, clearly resisting.
But Chen Ye didn’t care in the slightest, briskly fastened the collar around the little fox’s neck.
This collar was a peculiar Magical Artifact he obtained from the Storage Ring.
Though only a First Tier Magical Artifact, it was not something the little fox could easily break free from.
After fastening it securely, he placed the little fox back onto the table.
"Chee chee chee! (I’ll kill you!)"
The little white fox cried mournfully, its tiny paws despairingly clawing at the collar.
That damned thing... not again!
She was the Saint Heir of the Refining God Sect, the greatest prodigy in the Yan Kingdom in a thousand years.
Why was she being collared by some backwater medicinal farmer from Yan Kingdom?!
"Look, doesn’t the collar make you look cute? From now on, behave, don’t waste food, and certainly don’t lay a paw on your master. Understand?"
Chen Ye chuckled, gently tapping the little white fox’s head.
"Chee chee! Chee chee chee! (Shameless mortal! Despicable wretch!)"
"Hmm?" Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, "Little Bai, don’t forget, I can understand what you’re saying."
"Gulp!"
The little white fox was struck with terror, covering its mouth as Chen Ye’s expression darkened.
This bastard, how could he understand fox language!
Wait, what did he just call her? Little Bai?
She, poised to ascend to the pinnacle of the immortal realm, was being given such a common... animal name by this ignorant medicinal farmer?
The little white fox rolled its eyes and fainted in sheer anger.
"This creature sure has a temper." Chen Ye frowned, weighing the seemingly lifeless little fox.
Even Zhiwei couldn’t bear it anymore. She stood up, cradling the fainted little white fox in her arms, speaking softly:
"Master, Little Bai is just recovering from serious injuries, its health is fragile. Also, it’s just a small fox, don’t bully it."
Actually, she was quite fond of the little white fox.
She once worried it might take human form.
But such an ordinary little fox would need a hundred years to do so, wouldn’t it?
In a hundred years... would she still need to worry?
Lu Zhiwei was confident.
Seeing his disciple protecting the little white fox, Chen Ye had to relent.
Besides, if he were to tame the little white fox, his methods would be quite harsh.
That kind of scene wasn’t suitable for his disciple to witness.
Perhaps another day, away from his disciple, he would properly tame the little white fox.
This little thing now even dared to strike its master!
Zhiwei saw that her master was still upset and suddenly said, "Master, the little white fox has a good relationship with King Vine. Even if you want to discipline the little white fox, it should be done later."
Chen Ye was taken aback, realizing Zhiwei wasn’t merely protecting the little fox?
With Zhiwei’s reminder, his eyes lit up: "Hmm? Now that the Grotto Heaven has disintegrated, King Vine should be in the Three Thousand Great Mountains now..."
The eldest disciple chimed in, "So, by the little white fox’s name, we can ally with King Vine. King Vine is a mid-Foundation Establishment stage demon plant, with several Foundation Establishment stage demon-eating vines under its command, making it quite powerful. Moreover, the environment of Lisong Valley is well-suited for King Vine."
With Zhiwei’s explanation, the more Chen Ye thought about it, the more feasible it seemed!
Although King Vine is a demon plant, even mundane plants can be transplanted, let alone a Foundation Establishment stage demon plant!
Before, within the Grotto Heaven, King Vine couldn’t move freely because the area was full of restrictions and arrays.
Once King Vine’s forces are fully absorbed,
Chen Ye would not only have the foundations of Lisong Valley and the Wei Family but also several Foundation Establishment stage subordinates!
This force would rival a mid-sized Cultivation Clan!
Inferior to the Xu Family, but not losing to the Ji Family!
Chen Ye couldn’t help but lift his eldest disciple up, raising the dark-haired little girl high: "Worthy to be the master’s good disciple, meticulous and insightful!"
"M-Master! Zhiwei is not a child anymore..."
Zhiwei was deeply embarrassed; only little children get lifted high.
She instinctively extended her small hands, pressing against Chen Ye’s sturdy chest, trying to struggle, but couldn’t muster any strength.
Yet she forgot she was holding a little fox in her embrace.
"Chee!"
Another mournful squeak rang out as the feigning-unconscious little fox fell to the ground, rolling its eyes and truly fainting this time.
Chen Ye kicked the little white fox away and lifted her higher, bursting into hearty laughter: "If you’re not a child, who is? In three years, it’ll not be too late to say this again."
As her body rose, the girl’s usually indifferent face became tinged with crimson, spreading from her cheeks to her pale earlobes.
Her ink-black hair cascaded like fine silk.
She pressed her lips together, trying to appear stern, but her trembling lashes kept her from maintaining that seriousness.
This demeanor, where had the poise and stability of the senior disciple gone?
It was clearly an adorable little girl, at wits’ end.
Chen Ye couldn’t resist stealing a kiss!
"Mm... Master..."
...
Qing Jun awoke to find the best part, the peach tips of her Spiritual Peaches, gone, her small mouth trembling, nearly on the verge of tears.
No matter how Chen Ye explained, the little girl refused to believe him:
"Master is lying! How could a fox only eat the peach tips? It must have been Master who ate them! Clearly, Master is the glutton, always calling Qing Jun greedy!"
Unable to convince her, Chen Ye gave up.
He finally understood.
In the little girl’s eyes, who ate it wasn’t important, but it had to be Master who did! This way, it proves Master is greedier than her!
An unreasonable little girl!
Chen Ye sighed, helping his two disciples pack their belongings.
During this, he also mentioned to them about returning to Luoli Courtyard.
Though reluctant to leave Lisong Valley, the two disciples also missed Luoli Courtyard, so they weren’t too saddened.
"Master, Master! Can we take Granny Li with us?"
Qing Jun switched moods, from previously glaring at her master to now clinging to his arm, shaking it vigorously.
Chen Ye was startled: "Going to Lingyin Sect, how could we bring Granny Li? Do you want to bring Yuanyuan as well?"
Qing Jun was delighted: "Master, Qing Jun knew you had mind-reading skills!"
Chen Ye: "...Could it be that it’s not that Master has mind-reading skills? But that a certain little disciple is too silly, putting all her thoughts on her face."
Qing Jun was shocked: "Master, you must have mind-reading skills!"
Fine.
Master nodded helplessly: "Yes, Master does have mind-reading skills."
"That’s better!"
The little girl sweetly curved her eyes, rubbing her small face against her master’s arm.
Chen Ye’s face darkened: "Xu Qing Jun! Did you not wash your face after eating the Spiritual Peach?"
"Mm... Even though Master has mind-reading skills, why make your disciple embarrassed? Master is so bad! Master is Taoist Chen!"
The little girl retorted, quickly wiping the dirt from her face onto her master’s sleeve.
Zhiwei suddenly interjected quietly: "Master, since we can’t bring Granny Li, then... we can’t bring Lin Qiongyu either, can we?"
Chen Ye nodded: "Hmm. Wait a moment..."
Lin Qiongyu... Lin Jin?
Chen Ye’s expression changed!