"This little girl is quite diligent."
Chen Ye watched the scene, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
It’s just that Jin’er’s cultivation speed today far exceeded his expectations...
It must be said.
Among his three disciples, the one with the most potential for short-term explosive growth is the third disciple, Lin Jin.
"Master... is junior sister about to reach Foundation Establishment?" the little girl widened her eyes, staring at her junior sister in surprise.
How long has it been!
How is she already on the verge of Foundation Establishment?
I’m still at the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation, and senior sister is still at the Ninth Layer!
"As expected... She seems to have just begun her cultivation, but she is almost symbiotic with the Cold Flame. It had roamed the world for countless years before entering Jin’er’s body and had accumulated there for over a decade. Now, upon refining it, it’s like water converging into a deep pool, resulting in a swift breakthrough."
Chen Ye explained, noting that in the original text, Jin’er achieved Fake Pill status in one step!
According to his analysis,
at least between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, Jin’er’s cultivation speed will far surpass that of the other two disciples.
She might... even catch up to me!
"How can she be so powerful, then Qing Jun... isn’t Qing Jun still the weakest disciple?"
Qing Jun lay on Chen Ye’s shoulder, murmuring quietly, her expression dejected.
But she couldn’t take her eyes off Lin Jin, her curiosity evident.
She asked, "Master, you always say the Cold Flame is within junior sister, but what exactly is this Cold Flame, a type of Spiritual Fire? Is its name really just Cold Flame?"
"Of course not... This flame’s origins are unknown, seemingly an ancient Spiritual Fire, its true name unclear, hence it’s referred to as Cold Flame."
After Chen Ye finished speaking, he transmitted his voice to the girl on the stone platform,
"Jin’er."
Lin Jin’s eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Master..."
She attempted to get up, but her body staggered, almost falling into the magma pool.
"Careful!"
Chen Ye’s figure flashed, instantly appearing by her side, catching her.
His touch was met with a chilling coldness, starkly contrasting with the surrounding heat.
"How could you be so careless?"
Chen Ye glanced at her with a hint of reproach,
"One must know their limits in cultivation, don’t overexert yourself."
"I’m... I’m fine..."
Lin Jin leaned into Chen Ye’s arms, savoring the long-lost warmth, a barely noticeable smile on her lips,
"Just... a bit tired..."
"Hmph!"
Qing Jun followed behind, watching the scene, her little mouth pouting to the point it could hang an oil bottle.
Another embrace! Another embrace!
Master has never held me like this!
This stoic gourd must be pretending!
She angrily kicked a pebble on the roadside, which flew into the magma pool, causing a tiny splash of fire, instantly swallowed.
Suddenly, she didn’t feel like being the obedient disciple anymore.
"Damn it... Master always calls Qing Jun a little demoness, so why should Qing Jun be obedient?" The little girl wrinkled her soft eyebrows, as if having an epiphany!
Exactly.
Being obedient, that’s the senior sister’s role.
Why should Qing Jun be obedient?
With this thought,
Qing Jun quickly ran over, squeezed between the two of them, and forcefully removed Chen Ye’s hand from Lin Jin’s arm, then reached out her hand:
"Master! I want to support her too! Junior sister is weak, as her senior sister, I should take care of her!"
"Alright then." Chen Ye smiled with satisfaction, letting Qing Jun support Jin’er.
"Oh my, junior sister, your hands are so cold, did you secretly eat popsicles?"
Qing Jun exclaimed in faux surprise,
"No worries, senior sister is quite warm, just perfect for warming you up!"
The little girl affectionately lifted Jin’er in her arms.
Though she may appear small, she is quite strong!
Chen Ye’s satisfied smile froze on his face; what on earth was this kid babbling about? The more the words sank in, the stranger they seemed.
Lin Jin was at a loss; she wasn’t used to such close contact, but as it was her senior sister with whom she was already familiar,
she didn’t resist, only whispering, "Thank you, senior sister."
"No need to thank me! I am the most understanding senior sister under the heavens!"
Qing Jun held her head high, carrying Lin Jin as she walked outside,
"Hurry, hurry! It’s so hot here; senior sister will take you back for some chilled spiritual melons!"
Uh...
It still seems quite harmonious?
Chen Ye mused silently.
...
After returning to Cangli Courtyard and settling Lin Jin, night had already fallen.
As Chen Ye stepped out of the room, he saw Qing Jun sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, holding a stick and poking a hapless little white fox.
The little white fox curled into a ball, angry but unable to speak, only able to whimper pitifully.
Chen Ye was taken aback; when had the little white fox returned?
Before, it wasn’t seen at Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
And upon returning to Luoli Courtyard, it was still missing.
Chen Ye assumed the little white fox had fallen victim to the Demon Cultivator but unexpectedly saw it today.
"What’s going on here? When did the little white one return?" Chen Ye asked curiously.
"I don’t know. The little white one was all dirty, so it must have been running wild outside. When it came back, it even tried to steal my spirit melon!"
Qing Jun poked the little white fox with disdain.
The little white fox did look quite miserable; its once white and fluffy fur was now a dull gray, a clear sign of having roamed outside for many days.
Chen Ye wasn’t surprised the little white fox found its way to Cangli Courtyard.
Previously, in Lisong Valley, the little white fox followed Qing Jun’s scent to find its way there.
He pondered to himself:
"This creature, I always knew it was Qing Jun who attracted it... but what exactly draws it to her? Could it be injured and need Qing Jun to heal it?"
While the thought seemed absurd, upon reflection, it made some sense.
Previously, when it needed Qing Jun for healing, it sought her out, and after recovering, attempted to discreetly escape.
Now, injured again, it had no choice but to return to Qing Jun’s side.
"Of course, it might not be injuries. There could be other reasons... Hmph, what do they think this place is, my Kindness Hall? Coming and going as they please."
Chen Ye’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he approached the little white fox, grabbing it by the scruff of its neck.
The little white fox’s body stiffened, its four paws dangling helplessly, its big, watery eyes looking pitifully at Chen Ye, letting out appeasing "yip yip" sounds.
"Enough of that. Where’s the collar I gave you?"
Chen Ye chuckled coldly,
"You little thing, you’re cleverer than anyone else. Last time you slipped away without a sound, and now you’re back all bedraggled. Do you take this place for my Kindness Hall?"
"Squeak!"
The little white fox instantly knew it was in big trouble.
When it sneaked off before, it had long since gotten rid of the humiliating collar around its neck.
The little white fox scraped its claws against the ground in unease but had no choice but to harden its resolve and act pitiful.
It whimpered in grievance, its little paw pointing at its grimy fur and then at its belly, indicating it was miserable and starving.
"You want food?"
Chen Ye raised an eyebrow,
"Fine, but we need to set some rules. To prevent you from running off, I want you tied in the courtyard to guard the door, got it?"
The little white fox’s fur bristled in indignation.
But, after all, it wasn’t the first time being tethered...
It glanced at the rope, a flash of humiliation in its eyes, but looking at the watchful Qing Jun and then touching its empty stomach, it ultimately nodded in reluctant submission.
"Glad you know your place."
Chen Ye casually tied a rope around its neck, fashioning a neat bow, then tossed it a spirit fruit,
"Eat up."
The little white fox clutched the spirit fruit, nibbling at it with tearful eyes.
It, the distinguished... ahem, even as a Spirit Fox, had fallen to this state; life as a fox truly was tough!
However.
Keeping in mind that Chen Ye might be tethering it at the sect entrance one day, the little fox’s spirits lifted again.
Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west!
"Master, you’re too kind to it!"
Qing Jun grumbled in discontent,
"Such an ungrateful little creature should starve for three days and nights!"
"Alright, it’s still a life, after all."
Chen Ye chuckled,
"Moreover, keeping it might prove useful."
He hadn’t forgotten that this little fox could not only seek treasures but also sense certain unique auras.
Though it appeared down and out now, a skinny camel was still larger than a horse; you never know when it might come in handy.