This sudden scene seemed to freeze the surrounding air for a moment.
Xue Chengjun, ready to watch the show, felt as if he had been struck by lightning, finding it utterly unbelievable.
Chen Ye was merely a mediocre cultivator, a medicinal farmer who knew a bit of Spirit Plant Technique, so why would Kong Hongxuan...
However, before he could figure it out.
Kong Hongxuan, who was just showing great respect to Chen Ye, turned his head and coldly glanced at him: "Who allowed you to linger here, spying on the secrets of our Jade Lizard Association? Get lost now!"
Xue Chengjun trembled all over, as if waking from a dream.
He glanced at Kong Hongxuan and the numerous Jade Lizard Association members behind him, feeling unwilling but only dared to respond timidly.
Under everyone’s gaze, he returned home in embarrassment.
Upon pushing open the door, he saw Lin Qiongyu leaning by the window, her moist eyes gazing out.
The young female cultivator’s black hair was loosely tied in a bun, a few strands falling around her cheeks, adding a touch of lazy allure.
Seeing Xue Chengjun return in such a state, a hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes, but she quickly put on a gentle smile, her voice as soft as water: "Chengjun, you’re back."
Xue Chengjun watched her gaze out the window, feeling an inexplicable discomfort in his heart.
He grunted in response, walked to the table, and downed a cup of cold tea.
Lin Qiongyu moved gracefully to his side, softly asking, "Just now... you weren’t disrespectful to Senior Chen, were you?"
Xue Chengjun paused, his eyes flickering.
When he went to notify Chen Ye earlier, he indeed appeared more respectful than usual on the surface, but his words had a hint of a sarcastic undertone... probably not easy to hide from those with keen observation.
He hesitantly nodded, his voice somewhat dry: "I... I think not."
Lin Qiongyu, being astute, understood immediately after seeing his demeanor.
She softly sighed, her tone carrying a hint of reproach: "Chengjun, why are you still so impulsive?"
"I’ll go apologize to Senior Chen later..." Xue Chengjun grumbled as he drank another cup of cold tea.
"No need to rush."
Lin Qiongyu frowned slightly, contemplating for a moment before saying,
"If you’re humble now after being arrogant, it would make us seem too opportunistic. Besides, this matter isn’t clear yet, no need to be hasty. Let’s wait a few days and see the situation."
She walked to the window, looking once more in the direction of Chen Ye’s small courtyard.
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze.
"Qiongyu, do you think this Chen Ye could be the loose cultivator from the slum area before? They both have the surname Chen, and both come from the slum area." Xue Chengjun suddenly became nervous.
Lin Qiongyu showed a bit of impatience.
Initially, she was dissatisfied with Xue Chengjun’s tendency to offend people for small benefits.
Now, he’s finally afraid?
She gave a faint smile: "How could there be such a coincidence in the world? There are many loose cultivators skilled in Spirit Plant Technique... Moreover, the two look completely different, so don’t overthink and mess up your own plans."
Having said this, she went straight back inside, seizing every minute for meditation practice.
Leaving Xue Chengjun alone to pace nervously.
Hearing Lin Qiongyu’s words, he suddenly saw the light.
Kong Hongxuan, may not truly apologize from the heart!
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but lean on the window to gaze.
Secretly hoping...
As for what he was hoping for, only heaven knew.
...
After Xue Chengjun left, the authority on Kong Hongxuan’s face was perfectly restrained, regaining some respectfulness.
With doubts swirling in his mind, Chen Ye still maintained his composure on the surface: "What does Hall Master Kong mean by this?"
Kong Hongxuan cupped his hands again towards Chen Ye, his tone still sincere:
"Taoist Friend Chen, we’ve been disrespectful before, it’s our fault for being blind, and I hope Taoist Friend can forgive us. This is a small gift, not enough to show our respect, but please accept it as an apology."
As he spoke, he signaled his subordinate to present a delicate jade box, neatly packed with fifty spirit stones inside.
This gesture was fairly generous indeed.
"This small gift is not enough to show respect; I hope Taoist Friend Chen will accept it."
Kong Hongxuan carried a warm smile, giving Chen Ye no chance to refuse,
"Additionally, the president heard of your exceptional Spirit Plant Technique and specially invited you to meet at Cloud Clothing Pavilion in three days. At that time, the Spirit Plant Master from Lingyin Sect will also be present, to jointly diagnose the Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng."
Chen Ye laughed coldly in his heart, this was no invitation, but clearly a treacherous banquet.
The Jade Lizard Association sought him out, no doubt having discovered that Chen Ye was handling spirit medicines polluted by Demonic Qi for the Stone Mirror Association, wanting him as a backup.
If he refused, Kong Hongxuan might turn hostile on the spot.
But if he agreed and failed to cure it, Kong Hongxuan would undoubtedly retaliate afterward.
He pondered for a moment and did not agree outright, merely nodding ambiguously.
Seeing this, Kong Hongxuan said no more, and left with his people.
Walking far from Shunshui Street, his close confidant quietly asked: "Hall Master, just like that? That lad doesn’t know how to appreciate favors and dares to put up airs!"
"Like that?" The sincere smile on Kong Hongxuan’s face had long disappeared, replaced by a chilling sneer, "He might not dare to come!"
He snorted coldly: "The president merely wants to be cautious, fearing that even the master from Lingyin Sect might be helpless, which is why this person is also invited, as an additional insurance. If he’s sensible enough to come, hopefully, he can cure the Mysterious Ginseng, then everyone will be happy. If he doesn’t come, or comes but can’t cure..."
A cold gleam flashed in Kong Hongxuan’s eyes: "As long as the Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng is unharmed, why would the president care about a mere medicinal farmer? When that time comes, however he disrespects me today, I’ll make him crawl tomorrow! Won’t I have him in my grasp then?"
The confidant felt a chill all over, the Hall Master’s endurance was far beyond his imagination!
But, what if Chen Ye actually cures it?
The president’s plan to prepare Spiritual Medicine and refine Foundation Establishment Pills concerns the path of cultivation, there’s no room for Hall Master to act arbitrarily.
Moreover... the old man Ye from Herb Pavilion is also a Spirit Plant Master, yet he was helpless.
The Spirit Plant Master from Lingyin Sect is merely an Inner Sect disciple’s follower at most.
If not, why would the president feel uneasy and still invite Chen Ye?
...
After seeing off Kong Hongxuan.
Chen Ye rubbed the jade box with a calm gaze.
Of course, he understood the lurking danger and tactics, but after careful consideration, he still decided to venture into this treacherous banquet.
The Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng is a main material for Foundation Establishment Pills, its importance is self-evident.
The president of the Jade Lizard Association, Luo Heng, would naturally value it, there’s no reason to antagonize a cultivator capable of healing the Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng for a subordinate’s mistake.
And the Disease Removal Saber perfected, more than sufficient for treating first-tier Spirit Plants.
"I just need to secure a little more time for stable development."
Chen Ye made up his mind, waiting for the Outer Sect competition of Lingyin Sect, planning to join Lingyin Sect as a Spirit Plant Master.
All problems would be resolved effortlessly.
Once becoming a disciple of Lingyin Sect, even if he offended Luo Heng himself, there might still be room for maneuver, let alone just a Kong Hongxuan?
He glanced at the panel,
[Skills: Disease Removal Saber Technique Perfection: 220/400; Fostering Technique Great Success: 120/200; Cloud Rain Technique Great Success: 120/200;]
Among the Three Spirit Plant Skills, both Fostering Technique and Cloud Rain Technique were only 80 proficiency points away!
Chen Ye decided, within the next three days to practice the Three Spirit Plant Skills to Perfection!