The Palace of Embracing Simplicity is divided into front and rear halls.
Inside both halls, array formations are set up, allowing those in the rear hall to clearly observe the situation in the front hall.
The effect is far better than the surveillance systems from Chen Ye’s previous life.
When Chen Ye, leading Qing Jun who was curiously peeking around, entered the rear hall, the elder was leisurely sitting in a rattan chair with a cup of spiritually infused tea by his side.
He resembled a neighborhood old man sunbathing in his courtyard, rather than a Great Cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment.
"Little Friend Chen, young Qing Jun, you’ve come? This is a new type of Glazed Flower Tea I acquired, a specialty of your Lisong Valley."
Xu Henshan smiled warmly, inviting the two to come forward.
Qing Jun instinctively tightened her grip on her mentor’s hand, shrinking behind Chen Ye with a wary look on her little face.
Xu Henshan smiled and said, "If you don’t like tea, there are some pastries here."
He pushed a small dish beside him, adorned with exquisite desserts evidently prepared especially for Qing Jun.
The little girl looked at the osmanthus cake, then at her mentor, and only after Chen Ye nodded did she carefully step forward, accept the pastries, and softly say, "Thank you, grandpa."
This girl, though mischievous, is not foolish.
She only shows deference to her mentor and is so polite to others.
Chen Ye quietly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Qing Jun might say something outrageous again. Fortunately, the girl seemed to understand the situation a little.
"That’s better."
Xu Henshan, satisfied, clapped his hands and then turned his gaze toward Chen Ye, indicating him to look at the shimmering water mirror nearby.
In the water mirror, the scene from the front hall was clearly reflected.
"Do you see that boy with a vermilion mole on his forehead? He’s called Zhao Guanhai, with a Celestial Spiritual Root, the great-grandson of the Peak Master of Biluofeng. Even the Grand Elder personally looked at him, saying he has excellent perception, a Golden Core prodigy."
Following Xu Henshan’s direction, Chen Ye looked over.
The boy named Zhao Guanhai sat upright, his small face tense, listening attentively with a maturity and intelligence far beyond his years.
"Hmph, just a little old man, looks boring," Qing Jun muttered softly.
Xu Henshan laughed heartily and didn’t mind.
He pointed in another direction:
"Now, look at that little girl; her name is Zhang Chuxi. She’s even more exceptional. She’s the adopted daughter of the Fourth Elder, possessing a rare Spirit Body known as the Glazed Treasure Body, refined by the power of constellations."
The girl named Zhang Chuxi was young too, her facial features bore a cold elegance similar to Bai Susu, her skin was fair, and her eyes gleamed brightly.
"Oh."
Qing Jun’s reaction was still tepid, her little face showing no emotions, though she stealthily peeked at her mentor.
Xu Henshan couldn’t understand Qing Jun’s intention.
But Chen Ye was well aware.
This cheeky girl, what does she take her mentor for?
Immediately, a rush of blood surged to Chen Ye’s head.
He restrained himself...
He forced himself to calm down, starting to look at the two children with interest, especially Zhang Chuxi.
Zhang Chuxi was the adopted daughter of the Fourth Elder, and his Withering Prosperity Mysterious Light Sutra was obtained from the Fourth Elder.
There was some connection between them.
Hmm, she looks quite good but seems a bit arrogant. No wonder the little girl wanted to peek at her mentor...
Then, Chen Ye briefly observed Zhao Guanhai and thought to himself:
These two are probably among the most talented of the new generation in the Yan Kingdom, destined to be True Inheritors of the Spirit Hidden level in the future.
If Qing Jun continues cultivating within the Lingyin Sect, she will likely be of the same True Inheritance generation as them...
Xu Henshan, seeing Qing Jun’s lack of interest, stroked his beard and looked at Chen Ye intently:
"What do you think? These two are indeed rare geniuses in the sect. In twenty years, the Yan Kingdom will surely be their world."
Chen Ye cupped his hands in agreement, saying, "Indeed, they are dragons and phoenixes among people."
Xu Henshan shook his head, changing the subject:
"But in my opinion, Qing Jun surpasses these two. Though she appears naive... ahem, her nature is as pristine as before, yet she’s cunning and won’t suffer losses."
Qing Jun, upon hearing the compliment, proudly puffed out her little chest, "That’s right, that’s right, my nature is as pristine as before!"
Hmph, even if her mentor doesn’t praise her, there are others who will!
The little girl arrogantly folded her arms, disdainfully glancing at her mentor.
Chen Ye twitched his mouth slightly; does this girl even know what "nature as pristine as before" means?
He sincerely said, "Senior Xu, there’s no need to exaggerate. Lest Qing Jun becomes conceited."
The little girl was furious!
What’s the meaning of this, Taoist Chen?!
Tsk... always belittling her!
From today onward, she will never smile again; she shall be a cold Xu Qingjun.
Let her mentor regret thoroughly!
So, the little girl maintained a stiff face, not even sparing her mentor a glance, merely letting out a cold humph.
Xu Henshan chuckled, "Little Friend Chen, you’re quite the joker. Look at this fierce little face of hers; surely she’s not a fish in a pond!"
The old chap surely knows how to compliment a child, making the little girl almost lose her way while trying to maintain the fierce expression Xu Henshan spoke of.
But...
When the fierce little girl saw her mentor cupping hands and bidding farewell, her forced expression quickly collapsed.
"Thank you for your efforts, Senior Xu."
Chen Ye cupped his hands in respect, glanced once more at Qing Jun, who pursed her little lips, and spoke gently,
"Qing Jun, listen to Senior Xu, don’t be naughty."
"Hmph!" The little girl swiftly turned her head away, though the corners of her lips drooped unconsciously, and she was on the brink of tears.
Before Chen Ye could say anything, Xu Henshan’s hand trembled, and he quickly signaled to Chen Ye:
"Oh dear, Little Friend Chen! Why the rush? Stay in the rear hall with the little girl on the first day."
Hmm... this old chap is really fond of Qing Jun.
However, the old chap doesn’t realize that Qing Jun isn’t actually from the Xu Family... her physique was mistaken for a Spirit Body, preventing Xu Henshan from noticing anything unusual.