"It seems I need to pay a visit to the Mao Family..."
On the way back to Luoli Courtyard, Chen Ye intentionally inquired about Mao Qingzhu’s whereabouts.
According to the disciples in the sect, Mao Qingzhu was currently under house arrest by the Patriarch Mao.
Chen Ye’s feelings were complicated; he somewhat missed Sister Qingzhu’s gentle guidance.
Moreover,
when he entered Songyang Cave Heaven, the entire Lisong Valley relied on her protection to remain safe from the Wei Family.
However, she got involved because of him and was placed under house arrest by the Patriarch Mao. This favor made it impossible for Chen Ye to ignore.
He understood well that the Mao Family had always harbored resentment towards Mao Qingzhu because of the Qing Jun matter. Additionally, the Mao Family was a reclusive family with only one disciple cultivating in the Lingyin Sect, never wishing to cause trouble.
Yet now, Mao Qingzhu was frequently intervening in sect matters for a male cultivator... To be frank, if Chen Ye were the Patriarch Mao, he would also feel uncomfortable.
"This matter cannot be approached recklessly."
Chen Ye quickly calmed down.
If he rushed in, not only would he fail to rescue her, but he might even worsen Mao Qingzhu’s situation.
Lost in thought, he unknowingly returned to Luoli Courtyard.
"External troubles can be managed, but what should I do about my apprentices? They are getting older, and their thoughts are becoming increasingly strange..."
Chen Ye sighed, looking up to see an elderly figure waiting with a cane.
"Elder Xu." Chen Ye’s heart tightened, and he stepped forward to greet with a cupped fist salute.
He had known for a while that Xu Henshan hadn’t returned to the Xu Family and had come straight to the Lingyin Sect. Xu Henshan had settled in the Yan Kingdom with his father in his youth and joined the Lingyin Sect, staying for nearly a hundred years; he could indeed be considered a disciple of the Lingyin Sect.
This time, upon returning to the sect, many speculated it was due to the nearing end of his life, prompting nostalgic feelings, and he wished to spend his last years in the sect.
The Lingyin Sect naturally welcomed him, especially since the current Fourth Elder was Xu Henshan’s fellow disciple, and they shared a deep bond.
The old man noticed Chen Ye’s vigilance, sighed softly, and said, "Chen Ye, I’m here without any hostility."
Chen Ye humbly responded, "Junior understands. If senior wanted to take action, you need not feign civility with me."
Xu Henshan smiled approvingly, "I know you are a sensible person. I don’t have much time left, and the only concern I have is Qing Jun’s cultivation."
Chen Ye listened attentively.
Only then did the old man continue, "I won’t forcibly take her away. I just wish to discuss with you about letting Qing Jun occasionally go to the Inner Sect for cultivation and pass on the Xu Family inheritance to her. What do you think?"
This made Chen Ye dissatisfied.
The little girl was still young; what if she got bullied in the Inner Sect?
Although he was unwilling, he couldn’t express it and had to reply tactfully, "Qing Jun is still young; there’s no rush for now..."
Xu Henshan seemed to sense his dissatisfaction, his tone slightly stern, "Chen Ye, Qing Jun is not that young! Though she is your apprentice, the path of cultivation is more than just arduous practice. As she grows older, she should gain more experience. You spoil her too much; how will she withstand the future trials?"
Chen Ye was startled by these words.
He had never thought he might be overly indulgent.
But upon reflection, he realized he almost always kept his apprentices by his side, never allowing them to go out to experience the world, or even interact much with outsiders.
Perhaps... it was exactly because of this that his apprentices’ possessiveness toward him grew stronger.
After all, their world consisted of only a handful of people, with little scenery to behold.
Seeing the change in his expression, knowing he had taken in some of what he said, Xu Henshan said no more but simply remarked, "Think carefully about this. Qing Jun possesses extraordinary talent. If she is confined and wasted, wouldn’t that be regrettable? I’ve said all I need to say!"
He came with sincerity, without coercion or enticement.
After speaking, he left behind a Sound Transmission Jade Pendant and was about to leave.
Chen Ye fiddled with the Sound Transmission Jade Pendant, pondering silently, "Perhaps it’s time to let the apprentices go out and experience the world, gain experience, and grow. Besides, honestly speaking... the Xu Family’s inheritance would be nothing but beneficial for Qing Jun."
In the original storyline, the two apprentices were supposed to undergo life-and-death trials in the Cultivation Realm before finally reaching the peak.
With this in mind, Chen Ye suddenly called out loudly, "Elder Xu, please stay."
Xu Henshan paused slightly in surprise. He didn’t expect Chen Ye to grasp the key point so quickly, recognizing that this young man being favored by the Bai Family indeed had his exceptional qualities.
Chen Ye candidly said, "Senior, your words indeed make sense. Qing Jun has extraordinary talent and should not be confined to this small corner of Luoli Courtyard, sitting in the well contemplating the sky. It was I... who misunderstood earlier."
He sighed inwardly, realizing he had let his emotions cloud his judgment.
In the vast world of cultivators, whose disciples stay by their master’s side every day?
Even within the sect, other cultivator disciples engage in magical battles, take on sect missions, and cultivate in the Sect’s Secret Realms.
Since Xu Henshan decided to pass on the Xu Family inheritance to Qing Jun, what reason did he have to refuse? It was merely reluctance toward the little girl.
"It’s settled then." Xu Henshan nodded with a smile, "Today is not like the past; both of us are in the sect. If Qing Jun wishes to return, it only takes half a two-hour."
Hearing this, Chen Ye breathed a sigh of relief.
This was akin to sending Qing Jun to school, where she could return home every evening...
In fact, the apprentice should indeed start school and interact more with peers.
After a round of discussion, they finally deliberated the details of Qing Jun’s cultivation.
Among the Inner Sect Twelve Peaks, there was one known as Baopu Peak.
This peak was very special, dedicated to teaching children the same age as Qing Jun in cultivation. The cultivators on Baopu Peak had deep backgrounds and were descendants of various Foundation Establishment cultivators of the sect.