Even though he could stay in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, he had to return to the Lingyin Sect.
"Afraid."
Chen Ye admitted openly, then swiftly changed the topic,
"But my disciple is still in the Lingyin Sect, so I have to go back for sure. Besides... since True Inheritor Bai is returning, I naturally need to accompany her."
Bai Susu was momentarily stunned, then snorted coldly, "You’re quite good at flattery, is this how you usually coax your disciple? I see that little disciple of yours is quite similar to how I was back then."
Not just back then.
If Bai Susu was a Chaos Demon King, then Qing Jun was the Ultimate Demoness, both were on different levels.
Chen Ye chuckled mischievously, "This is not flattery, I have genuine loyalty to the True Inheritor!"
"I’ll take your word for it."
Bai Susu’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. She suddenly leaned over, her loose nightgown slipping slightly with the movement, revealing her round and fair shoulder,
"Since that’s the case, as a host, I shouldn’t be too stingy."
She reached out her hand, palm upwards, with a white scale lying quietly in it.
The scale was only the size of a fingernail, its edges sharp, engraved with complex and obscure natural patterns, faintly exuding a heart-palpitating dragon’s aura.
"This is..." Chen Ye’s pupils shrank slightly.
"Take it."
Bai Susu unceremoniously grabbed Chen Ye’s hand and pressed the scale into his palm,
"Years ago, the Lingyin Sect’s founding master once obtained a few dragon scales by chance at Lingyin Mountain. Yes, the legendary True Dragon Scales. Although these dragon scales are merely shed ones, they are still incredibly magical and, after being refined by the master, can withstand the full strike of a Golden Core True Man. Later, they came into my father’s possession, and then into mine..."
Chen Ye’s heart shook violently.
This piece of news hit him hard.
Firstly, it confirmed that the rumors about the founding master witnessing the True Dragon’s tracks were true.
Secondly, these dragon scales could withstand the full strike of a Golden Core True Man!
"No wonder... the second elder seemed unconcerned about you entering Songyang Cave Heaven. With the protection of dragon scales, even the Crossing Emotions Demon Venerable would have difficulty harming you, let alone Mei Suxin."
Chen Ye suddenly realized.
Bai Susu indeed deserves her title as Lingyin Sect’s first prodigy, receiving far more attention from the sect than Zhang Chuxi, even granting her such rare dragon scales for protection.
And now... she was giving this to him.
"Why? Surely True Inheritor Bai needs these dragon scales more."
Chen Ye hesitated, not out of greed for the dragon scales, but because they might hold great significance for Qing Jun. However, Bai Susu needed them far more than he did, so he thought to decline.
"Why ask so many questions?"
Bai Susu pouted, interrupting him impatiently,
"You’re my person; you hit the dog, you have to look at the owner. If you die carelessly in the hands of those scumbags, it would be a disgrace to me, the True Inheritor!"
She paused, as if feeling she hadn’t explained enough, then added fiercely:
"And if you die, who will entertain me in the future? Who will let me inspect their tail? As for me... I no longer need these dragon scales."
When it came to "tail."
Her gaze unintentionally scanned Chen Ye’s lower abdomen, her lips curling into a playful and teasing smile.
Chen Ye gripped the scale tightly and sighed, "If Susu ever wants to be entertained, feel free to find me."
"I told you not to call me Susu!"
Bai Susu glared at Chen Ye, turned her back, and pulled the blanket up to cover her delicate figure, her voice muffled as she spoke,
"Hurry up and get out, wait until I call for you next time before coming back..."
...
Upon leaving Bai Susu’s room, the night wind was slightly chilly, but the dragon scale warmed gently in his palm.
The dragon scale was originally cool, and its current warmth was probably Bai Susu’s body heat.
Bai Susu had worn the dragon scale for years, as it was her father’s heirloom, deeply cherished by her.
As for her saying it was unnecessary, she was likely just making excuses; after all, she was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, how could she not need a dragon scale capable of withstanding a Golden Core True Man?
"True Dragon Scale..."
Chen Ye chuckled softly and kept the scale safely close to him.
This Golden Furred Ball, although her words were sharp, she demanded him to be both a watchdog and inspect tails, her personality was truly infuriatingly vicious.
Yet at critical moments, she handed over a life-saving trump card without hesitation.
Returning to his own courtyard, the inside still lit with lamps.
As he opened the door, two pairs of eyes turned to him instantly.
Zhiwei sat at the table with a steaming bowl of reviving soup in front of her.
Qing Jun lay on the bed, idly swinging her fair little feet. The moment she saw Chen Ye return, she perked up.
"Master’s back!"
The little girl flipped off the bed like a carp and scurried to Chen Ye’s side, lifting her tiny nose to sniff him thoroughly.
"Eww... this smell..." Qing Jun wrinkled her nose in disdain, "It’s that Golden Furred Ball’s scent again! Master, did she bully you again? Did she hang you up and beat you?"
Chen Ye knocked her lightly on the forehead with annoyance, "Stop spouting nonsense! I went to discuss important matters."
"Important matters?"
Qing Jun covered her forehead in grievance, looking at him suspiciously,
"But... but Qing Jun suspects that Master was badly bullied!"
Indeed.
This little girl’s sixth sense was quite accurate.
But the master would never admit it, he straightened his face, "You want a spanking?"
"Yikes!"
Qing Jun nervously covered her backside, taking a few steps back fearfully, she pouted,
"Master is bullied by the Golden Furred Ball and wants to take it out on his disciple... then go ahead, hit Qing Jun, anyway Qing Jun deserves to be bullied..."
Solid!
Chen Ye’s fists clenched tightly, what on earth has this little girl been reading lately, speaking such strange lines.