The Iron Sword sliced through the sea of clouds, descending towards the familiar Luoli Courtyard.
Qing Jun’s small face was pressed against Chen Ye’s back, her silver-white hair blown chaotically by the wind.
Throughout the journey, she was chattering to her mentor about the happenings at Baopu Hall.
"Stinky mentor, I learned nothing from the Xu Family’s heritage, but I did watch a bunch of little brats. That Zhao Guanhai, with a face as stiff as a coffin lid! Zhang Chuxi... hmph, her eyes are practically growing on top of her head! Baopu Peak is no fun at all!"
Chen Ye chuckled inwardly but also made a mental note.
Qing Jun had long been accustomed to getting along with Bai Susu and could already tolerate her temperament.
However, for her to describe someone as having "eyes growing on top of their head," that Zhang Chuxi must be even more arrogant.
Still, it’s unusual not to be arrogant.
After all, she is just a little girl, with a Golden Core adoptive mother, and a jade-based spirit physique...
But judging by Qing Jun’s attitude, at least she wasn’t bullied... it’s already good enough that she isn’t bullying others.
"The path of cultivation values persistence, Senior Xu has his plans. As for those two, you should play with them less to avoid any accidents."
Chen Ye comforted her warmly, his mind still lingering on the Heart Slaughter Cave.
That secret realm is perilous, the inheritance rigorous, requiring great perseverance and enlightenment to endure.
But Zhiwei... her mind is clear and resilient, her insight is rare, perhaps she is the most suitable choice?
But, how to approach the Mao Family, how to enter the Heart Slaughter Cave? The attitude of Patriarch Mao towards him is not exactly friendly.
Not to mention the matter with Mao Qingzhu.
"Mentor is daydreaming again, are you thinking about Senior Sister?"
Qing Jun, sharply aware of her mentor’s distraction, immediately squirmed in dissatisfaction, starting to show off like a little girl,
"Qing Jun was so well-behaved today! I didn’t even think of roasting the spirit deer! That old man... Senior Xu even praised me, saying my essence remains pure!"
Chen Ye felt it necessary to explain to Qing Jun, clearing his throat: "Qing Jun, do you know what ’essence remains pure’ means?"
"Of course, I know!"
Qing Jun proudly puffed out her small chest and explained solemnly,
"Essence remains pure means Qing Jun was born a saint! Even the old man could see it, but mentor can’t!"
Chen Ye nearly choked on his own saliva.
This girl’s skin is truly getting thicker.
"Uh..."
Chen Ye composed his words, trying to be tactful,
"Qing Jun, this term ’essence remains pure’ originally means someone is born with a simple heart, like a child’s uncarved mind..."
"..." The pride on Qing Jun’s face instantly froze.
She wasn’t actually silly.
Previously, she had never heard of this term and just misunderstood its meaning based on a literal analysis.
But hearing her mentor’s explanation, her little mind quickly turned.
"He... he actually called me silly! Called me dumb!"
The little girl was dumbfounded, recalling her proud demeanor in front of her mentor, she immediately banged her head against her mentor’s back.
It’s all Lin Jin’s fault!
If not for her, mentor wouldn’t be distracted, wouldn’t watch her joke.
Chen Ye, seeing her puffed-up look, could only shake his head helplessly: "Alright, alright, just take it as a compliment."
"I don’t care! Anyway, he lied to me!"
The little girl was fixated on this reasoning, holding her mentor’s waist, starting a new round of chatter.
Either badmouthing Xu Henshan or badmouthing Lin Jin.
Occasionally, she would feign casualness and say: "Hey, Mentor. You see, Senior Sister has grown up but still lives with you every day, isn’t that inappropriate?"
Chen Ye nodded: "That’s true, we’ll find you sisters a new courtyard someday. Can’t let Zhiwei live alone."
The little girl quickly laughed it off: "Hey hey, actually Senior Sister is still a child, she still needs Mentor’s company! Never mind, Mentor."
Chen Ye, amused, deliberately teased Qing Jun: "So, has Senior Sister grown up or not?"
The clever little girl replied: "Definitely not grown up! Otherwise, why would Mentor like Senior Sister?"
What twisted logic!
Chen Ye’s face darkened, and he playfully flicked the back of her little head with his finger.
"Ah!" The little girl winced in pain, rubbing her head with grievance.
Such a wicked mentor... loving to bully people!
She decided she would start holding grudges again!
As soon as they returned to Luoli Courtyard,
Qing Jun impatiently took Senior Sister’s hand to complain.
She recounted Xu Henshan’s words with embellishments, causing Zhiwei to hold back laughter, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
Then she leaned close to Senior Sister’s ear, glancing at her mentor, whispering something.
The little dark-haired girl’s expression grew increasingly grim, occasionally looking at Chen Ye with ambiguous eyes.
He didn’t eavesdrop on his disciples’ whispers, assuming they were badmouthing him, he sighed slightly.
He had worried about potential rifts in the sisters’ relationship, but thankfully, it seemed the conflicts were temporary, and their relationship remained strong.
As for Jin’er,
she was now secluded cultivating the Cold Flame, and Chen Ye planned to have the three disciples bond more once she subdued the Cold Flame.
After all, they were all his disciples, how could they see each other as enemies?
If because of him, it caused a rift between his disciples, then it would be his failure as a mentor.
"The path of seeking the Dao is long and arduous... mutual support is necessary after all."
Chen Ye sighed deeply.
...
The Eastern Sea was vast and boundless, the misty waves expansive.
The lands along its shores were divided into three regions: Lingxu Realm, Jin Xiao Realm, and Chang Yue Realm.
And within the Lingxu Realm, at the border between the Yan and Qi kingdoms, stands a majestic city by the sea, famed in Yan and Qi - Black Cliff City!
This city not only guards the throat of the two kingdoms but also faces the Eastern Sea directly, across from Jin Xiao Realm and Chang Yue Realm.
If someone offended a strong person, they could escape into the vast Eastern Sea, becoming untraceable.