"Ugh..."
Qing Jun covered her head, tearfully glaring at her master,
"Master hit Qing Jun again! Qing Jun will hold a grudge!"
Chen Ye, with an indifferent demeanor, closed his eyes, too lazy to pay her any mind.
This girl, if not disciplined for a day, would climb the walls.
Besides, he always needed somewhere to vent, didn’t he?
The little girl, seeing her master ignoring her, turned around angrily and clung to her senior sister’s arm for comfort: "Senior sister, look! Master bullied me again!"
Zhiwei helplessly patted her head, speaking softly, "Master surely has his reasons, Qing Jun, don’t be so troublesome."
The little girl was furious: "What reason can there be to hit me?!"
Zhiwei spoke confidently, "To hit is to be close, to scold is to love. Do you see Master hitting others randomly? He only hits Qing Jun."
"Hmm..."
The little girl was tongue-tied for a moment.
It seemed like there was some truth to that reasoning.
Was it because Master liked her so much that he bullied her?
Just like herself; didn’t she also want to bully Master? Just that she couldn’t beat him.
Zhiwei saw Qing Jun’s mind lagging and then glanced at the meditating master. Her heart, however, was not as calm as her appearance.
She always felt that Master’s aura had changed and was not as pure as before.
Exactly... what was wrong?
The Spirit Carriage sped steadily, passing through the endless mountain ranges.
About half a day later, the scenery ahead gradually changed.
Below the clouds was no longer mortal towns but a valley shrouded in dense mist.
The mist had a faint azure color, filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, and one could vaguely see exotic flowers and grasses appearing and disappearing in the mist.
"Is this the Divine Mist Valley?" Qing Jun curiously poked her head out.
She and Zhiwei had never been to Divine Mist Valley before.
Only Chen Ye had been here a year ago because of Qing Jun’s affair.
However, back then he could only seek the Mao Family’s help.
But now, he was a Foundation Establishment Second Layer Lingyin Guardian, roughly having Bai Susu and Xu Henshan as backing.
"Yes."
Chen Ye opened his eyes, extended his Divine Sense, but it was blocked by the mist in the valley, unable to probe too far.
"The array here is profound, worthy of being the Mao Family’s stronghold."
The Spirit Carriage slowly landed on a platform at the valley entrance.
A female cultivator dressed in a light azure gown, with a delicate appearance, had been waiting there.
"Greetings to Guardian Chen, and the two junior sisters."
The female cultivator stepped forward, saluting the three of them gracefully, her voice gentle,
"The Family Head ordered me to await your arrival here. Please follow me."
Chen Ye nodded, leading the two disciples to follow behind the female cultivator into Divine Mist Valley.
Upon entering the valley, the mist hit them in the face, the air was refreshing, clearing their minds.
The path within the valley was winding, with towering cliffs on both sides, covered with vines and blooming with light purple flowers.
Occasionally, they could see some female cultivators of the Mao Family shuttling back and forth in the mist. Upon seeing Chen Ye and the others, they only glanced curiously before leaving in a hurry, appearing quite distant.
"This place... seems to lack some Yang energy?"
Chen Ye frowned secretly. After cultivating the Withered Glory Mystical Light Sutra, he was extremely sensitive to changes in vitality and always felt the valley had slightly heavier Yin Qi, lacking some masculinity.
The leading female cultivator seemed to have noticed his strangeness, explaining softly:
"Divine Mist Valley is shrouded in mist all year round, with many Yin Spirit Plants growing inside the valley, hence the imbalance. However, the Inner Valley has Yang Streams converging, so the Yin and Yang balance is suitable for quiet cultivation."
Could this be the reason why the Mao Family has abundant Yin and insufficient Yang?
Chen Ye knew that there were almost no men in Divine Mist Valley, only Mao Cheng, who had injured his foundation years ago...
As they spoke, the mist ahead opened up, revealing a relatively open valley.
In the center of the valley was a pool of emerald green water, with steam rising, and a few exquisite bamboo houses built on the shore.
The female cultivator stopped and pointed to one of the bamboo houses:
"Guardian Chen, this is the guest area of the Outer Valley. Please rest here for a while. I will report your arrival, and later someone will guide Junior Sister Qing Jun to the Inner Valley."
After speaking, the female cultivator saluted and left, her figure soon disappearing into the enveloping mist.
Chen Ye led his two disciples into the bamboo house.
The interior was simple yet elegant, fully furnished, with a faint sandalwood fragrance in the air.
"Master, it’s so quiet here." Qing Jun curiously looked around; this place was completely different from the bustling Baopu Peak.
Chen Ye nodded: "The Mao Family has always been secluded for cultivation, and the disciples within the valley often focus on their training, so it is naturally quiet."
Not long after, the female cultivator returned, followed by a middle-aged nun with an even more serene demeanor.
"Greetings, Guardian Chen. Nephew Qing Jun, I was sent by the Family Head to guide you to the Calm Hall for preparation for the Heart Slaughter Cave trial."
The middle-aged nun bowed slightly, her gaze falling on Qing Jun.
Upon hearing she was leaving her master, Qing Jun’s little face fell immediately, grabbing onto Chen Ye’s sleeve: "Master..."
Chen Ye knew that Qing Jun must leave this time.
Besides, although the little girl was this clingy, as a master, he felt a sense of achievement, but he also knew it was not conducive to her growth.
So he said gently, "You’ve come all the way here, and you still need your master to accompany you?"
"Oh..." The little girl pouted. Stubborn Master, she wished her master could accompany her for life!
The middle-aged nun, seeing this, was slightly relieved.
She had heard from the Family Head that this little girl was very difficult, but now, she seemed obedient.
Politely, she said, "Guardian Chen, Divine Mist Valley is an important place of the Mao Family. Please rest assured while staying here for the next few days and do not wander around the Outer Valley to avoid activating prohibitions and causing unnecessary misunderstandings."
These words seemed polite but were, in fact, a house arrest order.