Lin Qiongyu thanked profusely, almost kneeling on the ground again.
Chen Ye quickly supported her and laughed, "Now that I have received the sect’s reward, my status is different from that of an ordinary Guardian. Perhaps I can let you become a disciple of the Lingyin Sect."
"Me?!" The girl’s pupils contracted, her delicate and beautiful face flushed with excitement.
Chen Ye nodded, "After all, you are Jin’er’s sister. Since Jin’er has become my personal disciple, how can I let you continue to be a servant?"
Since Chen Ye had already taken Jin’er as his personal disciple, he would sincerely teach Jin’er and not let Jin’er’s sister continue to serve as a slave, as such a situation would ultimately hurt Jin’er’s self-esteem.
Lin Qiongyu bit her tongue sharply, bringing herself back to clarity.
She raised her pretty face, her eyes misty with tears, "Master, no! Qiongyu is of humble fortune; being able to serve by your side is already a great blessing, I do not wish to become a disciple of the sect."
Chen Ye sighed and pointed to Jin’er, "In the future, Jin’er will also cultivate in the Lingyin Sect. If you remain a servant, what will Jin’er think? Girls at her age are the most sensitive."
The girl’s heart was pounding as she followed the flow, saying:
"Since it’s like this, I’ll follow the master’s wishes... But by the master’s side, Qiongyu is still the master’s servant."
She hadn’t expected that Chen Ye would really consider things from Jin’er’s perspective.
It seemed the master valued Jin’er greatly...
...
Having settled everyone, Chen Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down by the stone table in the courtyard.
Li Qiuyun had already brewed a pot of spirit tea for him. She handed him a cup and sat opposite Chen Ye, looking at his slightly tired expression and couldn’t help but smile softly, "Uncle Chen, you’ve really gotten yourself into quite the predicament."
With a new disciple, a close maidservant, and those two troublesome little girls, Luoli Courtyard might be even busier than the market in the future.
Thinking of that maidservant, Li Qiuyun glanced at Uncle Chen with worries, lightly biting her lip. Wouldn’t such a simple man like Uncle Chen be... deceived by a wicked woman? She actually had some impression of Lin Qiongyu, and her reputation was not good.
"It’s a long story."
Chen Ye picked up the teacup and gave a bitter laugh.
Looking at the neat little courtyard, he sincerely said:
"However, thank you. If it weren’t for you coming over to look after things regularly, this Luoli Courtyard would have been desolate long ago."
"Between you and me, there’s no need for thanks."
Li Qiuyun waved her hand and looked at Chen Ye curiously, asking,
"What do you plan to do next? Now that you’ve established your Foundation, has the sect made any arrangements? After establishing a Foundation, one usually remains in the sect for several years before being sent elsewhere..."
Foundation Establishment cultivators receive more attention from the sect.
Especially someone like Chen Ye, who came from being a Loose Cultivator. After reaching Foundation Establishment, the sect would not dispatch them away so soon but would rather have them stay in the sect for long-term cultivation to foster a sense of belonging to the sect.
"Hmm, I’ve already taken care of it at the Ministry Hall."
Chen Ye nodded, sipped the tea, and spoke with a calm tone,
"The Sect Master has favored me by upgrading my Guardian status to Grade A."
"Grade A?!"
Li Qiuyun was stunned. A Grade A Guardian was the pinnacle of Guardians; beyond that was the level of a Peak Master, someone eligible to enter Dubhe Hall!
Ordinary cultivators, after Foundation Establishment, would take thirty years to rise to Grade B without major contributions, and another sixty years to reach Grade A from Grade B.
In other words, for a forty-year-old Foundation Establishment cultivator to reach Grade A, they’d have to endure until they’re 130! Even for Foundation Establishment cultivators, they’d start entering old age by then.
She couldn’t help but exclaim with envy, "No wonder it’s Bai Susu... Just by saving her, you’re directly promoted to Grade A Guardian. It’s unbelievable."
Yet Chen Ye felt a bit uneasy about it. This Grade A Guardian status was truly conspicuous.
But the benefits were undeniably real.
Earlier, he skimmed through a document, finding out he could now accept five Inner Sect Disciples and twenty Outer Sect Disciples.
He could even assign these disciples to Lisong Valley, much like Wei Cheng back then, only he could assign more disciples with higher status.
Hmm... it seems his Lisong Valley has become an organized unit after all.
Additionally, from now on, Luoli Courtyard belongs to him. Even if he dies, it can be inherited by his disciples.
As for other benefits, they are numerous and difficult to enumerate one by one.
Seeing his composed demeanor, Li Qiuyun admired him even more.
Uncle Chen... truly reliable.
Suppressing her chaotic thoughts, she reminded:
"Having Grade A benefits is a huge blessing, but as the saying goes, ’the tree that stands out in the forest is easily blown by the wind.’ Uncle Chen, you’re now in the limelight, favored by the True Inheritor Bai. Who knows how many people are watching you in secret? Please be careful!"
"I understand. However, times have changed. If they wish to make a move again, they’ll have to weigh their options carefully."
Chen Ye nodded, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Li Qiuyun immediately felt reassured. She knew Uncle Chen always handled matters prudently and didn’t really need her reminder.
Except for... matters concerning women.
She deliberated for a moment, feeling very hesitant.
But when she thought of Uncle Chen being played by a wicked woman, she steeled her heart:
"Uncle Chen... there’s something I’m not sure if I should say or not."
"Between us, just speak your mind." Chen Ye was puzzled.
"That maidservant you brought back... Lin Qiongyu."
Li Qiuyun’s tone hesitated, somewhat faltering,
"When I was in the market, I heard some things about her... not very good reputation. She..."
Chen Ye knew what she wanted to say, nothing more than Lin Qiongyu working as a dancer at the Cloud Clothing Pavilion in her past and the incident with Xue Chengjun.
He waved his hand, interrupting her, "I understand. Her past was not a good one."
Seeing Chen Ye’s attitude, Li Qiuyun couldn’t say much more, only feeling anxious inside.
Oh, Uncle Chen, Uncle Chen, beauty is a bone-chilling blade. Throughout the world, countless heroes have perished because of it.
Especially since you’ve been focusing solely on cultivation, how could you know the horrors of beauty?
Merely by herself, who knows how many talented disciples have fought over her, with some even ending their cultivation paths...
"As long as Uncle Chen knows in his heart..."
Li Qiuyun made up her mind, raising her teacup as a toast, suddenly smiling broadly, and half-jokingly said,
"Seems like from now on, I should start calling you Guardian Chen."
Chen Ye laughed, raising his cup as well, clinking it in the air with her, "Heh, then you’ll have a Guardian Uncle from now on. My dear niece..."
"Uncle Chen!" The girl was exasperated, her cheeks blooming with redness, "How annoying... In that case, when I guide Uncle Chen in the future, don’t be embarrassed being taught by a junior."
Guide?
Chen Ye was taken aback, where had he heard this before?