Now.
Jin’er has reached Foundation Establishment and mastered an Ancient Divine Fire, so theoretically, her combat strength should be formidable.
But this girl has never learned the art of Magical Battle, so she might not be as strong as Qing Jun expects.
In Chen Ye’s eyes, Jin’er might be able to surpass Qing Jun with her Realm and Divine Fire, but she may not surpass Zhiwei.
"Speaking of which, Zhiwei is also about to reach Foundation Establishment. Yet as her master, I’m still at Foundation Establishment Third Layer... Truly a disgrace for a master!"
Chen Ye felt a bit ashamed.
Fortunately, he’s nearing the end of his training in the Heart-Burning Technique, and soon, he’ll smoothly reach the Middle Period of Foundation Establishment.
"Master!"
Qing Jun suddenly jumped up from the ground, grabbing Chen Ye’s arm,
"You finally came out! Qing Jun was about to starve!"
Even though she felt a bit sour inside, she didn’t show it, instead acting affectionately by snuggling up to Chen Ye, trying to assert her claim.
Chen Ye laughed, patting her head: "Alright, alright, I know you’re hungry. Let’s have a feast tonight to celebrate your Junior Sister."
"Celebrate?"
Qing Jun glanced at Lin Jin, who was following behind Chen Ye, with a slightly complicated expression.
At this moment, Junior Sister Lin,
was no longer as frail as before. Her once pale complexion now had some color. Although she still appeared fair, it was her natural skin tone, not due to a lack of vigor.
Especially the azure flame swirling around her, it was evidently extraordinary.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister."
Zhiwei also walked over, giving Lin Jin a gentle smile,
"Achieving Foundation Establishment, the great path lies ahead."
Jin’er seemed a bit surprised by the attention, managing a faint smile: "Senior Sister... thank you..."
Honestly.
After spending some time together, she had developed some feelings towards Zhiwei.
After all, Zhiwei as a Senior Sister was extremely competent.
Not only attentive and considerate but also gentle and caring.
Even if she was usually gloomy, under her Senior Sister’s influence, a lot of it melted away.
"Alright, alright, let’s not be so formal."
Chen Ye waved his hand broadly,
"Today is a good day, let’s skip cultivation and enjoy a good meal!"
...
Night fell, and Cangli Courtyard was brightly lit.
Steaming hotpot sat in the middle of the stone table, bubbling and releasing a fragrant aroma.
"I want that meat roll! Senior Sister, don’t fight me for it!"
Qing Jun’s chopsticks flew as she quickly snatched a piece of freshly cooked Spirit Beast meat, stuffing it into her mouth, her cheeks puffed with chewing.
Zhiwei helplessly shook her head, placing some freshly cooked greens into Lin Jin’s bowl:
"Junior Sister just came out of seclusion, have some Spirit Vegetables to freshen up."
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Lin Jin held her bowl with both hands, eating slowly, her cheeks flushed by the steam, adding a lively glow appropriate for her age.
The little girl couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose, secretly observing her master. Seeing Master smiling contentedly, her eyes shifted, and she suddenly picked up the largest rib, tossing it into Lin Jin’s bowl:
"Here, eat up! You need more meat to grow tall. Look at you so thin, hurry up and eat more."
Jin’er was stunned, looking at the greasy rib in her bowl.
She was unsure whether to eat the vegetables or the meat...
The little girl squinted her eyes: "Are you going to eat it, or not?"
That little girl!
How dare she show off at home!
Chen Ye glared at Qing Jun, knocking her on the head: "When offering Junior Sister food, be gentle, why so fierce?"
"Ugh... Master is biased!"
Qing Jun held her head, complaining in grievance,
"Qing Jun was just concerned about Junior Sister’s health! Master doesn’t praise me, but instead hits me... I can’t live like this!"
"Stop that nonsense."
Chen Ye rolled his eyes at her,
"Is that care or intimidation?"
"...Not at all."
The little girl pouted, feeling wronged, but dared not argue back.
Otherwise, being hit by Master in front of Junior Sister would be too embarrassing.
Seeing Qing Jun becoming downcast, Jin’er quickly lowered her head, picking up the rib and taking a bite.
"Senior Sister, it’s delicious," she said softly.
Qing Jun immediately cheered up, glaring at her master instead: "Junior Sister said she likes it, and Master still scolds me!"
This girl!
Give her an inch, she’ll take a mile...
But looking at his adorable disciple, Chen Ye couldn’t really get angry, so he ruffled her hair:
"Fine, fine, it’s all Master’s fault. Our Qing Jun is the most well-behaved child in the world!"
"Master has a good eye for choosing disciples!"
The little girl hummed happily, genuinely satisfied.
...
With a meal and drink finished, the leftovers were cleared away.
The group sat around the stone table in the courtyard, digesting. The night breeze gently scattered the day’s heat, bringing the fresh scent of pear blossoms.
Chen Ye sipped his Spirit Tea, his gaze falling on Lin Jin, his expression gradually becoming serious as he cautiously began:
"Jin’er, now that you’ve reached Foundation Establishment and fully mastered Cold Flame, your cultivation is among the best of your peers. But..."
He shifted his tone, becoming more solemn,
"Having cultivation without the skills to protect your path is like a child carrying gold bricks through a busy market, vulnerable to becoming prey for Evil Cultivators. You’ve never learned Magical Battle, nor how to wield this power in a fight. Should you face a true life-and-death crisis, you might not even use half of your power."
Lin Jin heard this, her initially relaxed body tensing slightly.
Magical Battle... fighting...
These terms instinctively made her feel aversion.
Her nature was already introverted and solitary, bordering on reclusiveness, disliking conflict and even more so those bloody scenes.
She just wished to quietly hide away and cultivate, not wanting to face the turbulent outside world.
"Master wants..." She lowered her gaze, voice tense, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her clothes.