A large number of disciples are busy reconstructing the Outer Sect.
Although the Emotion Crossing Sect is likely to attack again, for now, the elders of the sect have invited experts from the Spirit Treasure Sect to reconstruct the Outer Sect’s array.
Thus, the reconstruction of the Outer Sect has been put on the agenda ahead of schedule.
"Master... our home..."
Qing Jun lay on Chen Ye’s back, gazing at the devastation below, lost in thought,
"Could Lin Jin, that taciturn fellow, have already been beaten to death?"
"Don’t talk nonsense."
Although Zhiwei’s voice was calm, her small hand unconsciously gripped her master’s sleeve,
"Junior Sister Lin is endowed with Cold Flame, and with the array left by our master, she should be fine."
No matter what she thinks of Lin Jin,
Lin Jin is still her master’s disciple, and Zhiwei hopes more than anything for Lin Jin’s safety.
"Don’t worry, Jin’er is blessed."
Chen Ye comforted her and urged the Jade Treasure Sword to fly a bit faster.
He had heard in Black Cliff City that the Outer Sect was breached, and Lady Meichan was severely injured by a disciple possessing Spiritual Fire. That disciple was most likely Lin Jin.
If that was true, Lin Jin faced a Demon Cultivator at the late stage of Foundation Establishment!
Soon, a familiar pear blossom forest came into view.
However, this forest had also been ravaged beyond recognition.
One half was charred like coal, as if scorched by intense fire;
the other half was covered with thick, solid ice, exuding a chilling aura.
The small courtyard was the only structure still standing, though its protective array flickered weakly and dimly, it stubbornly remained upright in the midst of the ice and fire, uncollapsed.
"Our home is still there!" Qing Jun exclaimed with joy.
Chen Ye also felt a weight lift from his heart,
He could sense the presence of life within the courtyard.
He immediately guided his sword down, landing at the courtyard gate.
"Jin’er? It’s your master." Chen Ye called softly.
"Creak—"
A moment later, the courtyard door opened a crack.
"Guardian Chen! You’ve finally returned!"
The first to appear was Lin Qiongyu, looking a bit haggard, her eyes bloodshot but lighting up with joy upon seeing Chen Ye.
"Where’s Jin’er?"
Chen Ye nodded in response, looking past her into the house.
Lin Qiongyu quickly stepped aside, her voice choked, "Jin’er... Jin’er is inside. She... she’s badly hurt."
Chen Ye’s heart clenched as he hurried inside.
The interior was dimly lit, filled with a dense medicinal aroma.
On a simple wooden bed, Lin Jin lay quietly, her face pale as paper, nearly blending into the white sheets beneath her.
She was covered with a thick quilt, yet her frail body was visibly trembling.
Beside the bed lay the Top Grade First Tier longsword Chen Ye had given her, its blade covered with fine cracks, on the verge of breaking.
"Guardian Chen, earlier..."
With tear-filled eyes, Lin Qiongyu hesitated, unsure of how to continue, before choking out,
"Earlier, the sect’s array was breached, and the Outer Sect was invaded by Demon Cultivators. Among them was a Venerable who slaughtered several peaks, and then..."
Chen Ye listened calmly, understanding the situation.
In short,
After Lady Meichan arrived at Herb Peak, Jin’er’s Spiritual Fire was provoked, erupting and gravely injuring Lady Meichan.
But Jin’er herself suffered severe backlash.
Later, she was in a coma for a full half month, and even now, she remains bedridden, spending most of her time in deep sleep.
"After the sect elders learned about this, they initially wanted to bring Jin’er to the Inner Sect for proper training. But you know Jin’er’s temperament; no matter what, she didn’t want to leave home. Once the elders knew she was Guardian Chen’s disciple, they didn’t insist, and later sent many healing Spiritual Medicines, otherwise Jin’er’s injuries would have been far more severe." Lin Qiongyu continued to explain.
This was within Chen Ye’s expectations.
Once Lin Jin’s talent was revealed, the sect would naturally value her greatly.
Previously, Chen Ye was worried that his disciple’s talent being exposed would attract unwanted attention from powerful figures.
But now, he no longer needed to worry about such matters.
"But... so True Man Ye acted at Herb Peak?" Chen Ye said with relief.
This was truly fortunate.
After Lady Meichan was injured and astonished to encounter such a miraculous girl, she directly informed the Demon Lord of the Emotion Crossing Sect.
Fortunately, True Man Ye acted at that exact moment, slaying several Venerables and severely injuring the Demon Lord.
Meanwhile, Lady Meichan, due to her serious injuries, was recuperating in the rear and accidentally escaped with her life.
"Yes. Perhaps, True Man Ye was also drawn by Jin’er’s Divine Fire..."
Recalling the past, Lin Qiongyu still felt a lingering fear.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
If her sister was so incredible... wouldn’t she too benefit? In the future, she might not need to serve as someone else’s maid and could perhaps achieve something on the path of immortality.
Who wishes to be a maid if they can cultivate to immortality?
Besides, she didn’t feel her aptitude was that poor; she just lacked resources before.
During her days cultivating at Herb Peak, she realized many people had worse aptitude than herself!
"Master..."
The conversation among several people made the unconscious Lin Jin gradually aware.
The girl’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes carried a hint of gloom, rather dim.
"Master... you’re back..."
Behind the master were two bright and shiny little girls, curiously looking at her.
One was charming and cute, the other cool and ethereal, both were the pride of heaven, a stark contrast to herself, a useless person who spends her days bedridden.
After several days apart, their cultivation seemed to have advanced further.
With jewels and treasures all over them, it’s clear they possess a pile of Magical Treasures.
Lin Jin silently withdrew her gaze, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the broken Magic Sword on the bed.
Disappointed?
She wasn’t disappointed. She had long thought Chen Ye wasn’t genuinely accepting her as a disciple, only wanting a dog to toy with.
"Silly girl, what are you thinking?"
How could Chen Ye know Jin’er was thinking like this?
He only thought Jin’er was feeling a bit inferior.
Chen Ye gently tapped her nose:
"You are also the master’s disciple. How could the master not take care of you? If it weren’t for you risking everything to guard the home this time, the master would probably have to sleep on the street when he returned. Speaking of which, the master needs to thank you."
Lin Jin lowered her head, her voice faint, "This... this is what Jin’er should do."
After all, since she’s a dog, she has to faithfully guard the house.
Otherwise.
She would lose even the last bit of her worth.
"Alright, don’t think too much, go to sleep now."
Chen Ye tucked the corners of her quilt,
"Master will stay here with you and leave only after you fall asleep."
The girl’s eyes moved slightly, she closed her eyes, and responded with a soft "mm".
"Hmph... just pretending to be pitiful."
Qing Jun muttered softly from behind, angry that this silent gourd knew the master’s soft heart and put on such a pitiful act.
Lin Jin kept her eyes tightly closed, seemingly unaware of Qing Jun’s words, but her small fists under the covers involuntarily clenched.
Was she pretending to be pitiful?
It seemed like it, yet it also seemed not.
She only knew her body felt uncomfortable, so she didn’t want to move or muster the energy.
But if she forced herself, she could probably still smile a bit, to appear healthier.
So clearly, she was pretending to be pitiful after all.
"What are you saying!"
Chen Ye was even more upset, this disciple had no heart, didn’t know how hurtful her words were.
He flicked Qing Jun’s forehead hard,
"Apologize to your Junior Sister quickly! Jin’er had her Cold Flame activated forcibly, her organs felt like they were burning, you don’t know how painful it was. Yet here you are being sarcastic!"
"Alright, alright, Qing Jun apologizes!"
Qing Jun’s forehead hurt, she pouted, reluctantly said to Jin’er,
"Junior Sister, I’m sorry, Qing Jun said the wrong thing."
She didn’t care about others’ feelings.
Despicable master, for someone else, hit her!
Lin Jin still had her eyes closed, breathing steady, seeming already asleep.
But Chen Ye knew she was awake.
He sighed, said no more, silently patting her quilt, gently, repetitively, like soothing a child.
The room quieted down, only the sound of light breathing could be heard.
After a long while.
"Master..."
Qing Jun tugged at Chen Ye’s sleeve, whispered,
"I’m hungry."
Ha!
Evil little girl, not worthy of having the master cook for her!
Chen Ye glanced at Qing Jun, transmitted, "The master is also hungry, Qing Jun go and cook for the master."
The little girl habitually nodded, turned to leave, then realized something wrong.
She wanted to eat the master’s cooking, how did it become her cooking instead?
Alas, forget it.
She couldn’t hold back just now, revealing her true nature before the master, better slip away while she can!
Chen Ye watched Qing Jun’s guilty look, clenched his fist.
This girl... needs more education.
Just right, start practicing with Zhang Chuxi.
These two are mischievous dumplings, need a strict master to teach them a good lesson!!