If today he acts too ruthlessly, and Bai Susu returns to settle accounts later...
Thinking of that female demon’s cold gaze, Zhou Ziang couldn’t help but shiver. The malicious words that were about to escape his lips suddenly took a turn:
"Indeed, you have quite the pleasing appearance. No wonder even the ever-aloof True Inheritor Bai looks at you differently and doesn’t hesitate to petition the sect for resources on your behalf."
"Instructor Chen, you are quite the celebrity in our Lingyin Sect. Having the protection of True Inheritor Bai, helping you win fame, shielding you, and allowing you to thrive on Baopu Peak—how envious we all are."
These words were spoken with great skill.
No dirty words were used, yet every word implied that Chen Ye rose to power through a woman, suggesting his reputation and resources were "granted" by Bai Susu.
Zhao Yushuang furrowed her brow as she listened and was about to reprimand him.
But Zhou Ziang quickly stepped in, bowing towards Zhao Yushuang:
"Junior Sister Zhao, this is for your own good, Sister."
"How important the Tianzi Pill Room is nowadays? It is for those with genuine skills. Instructor Chen, who is usually... busy tending to flowers and teaching children, probably doesn’t have much energy to delve deeply into the Alchemy Dao."
"Without the guiding hand of True Inheritor Bai beside him... if this batch of pills were to fail, the loss to our Danxia Peak is minor. But if it injures the precious body of Instructor Chen, how would we explain when True Inheritor Bai returns?"
Seeing Zhao Yushuang’s intent to defend him, his heart burned with jealousy.
Doesn’t Junior Sister Zhao realize that such top-grade pills are not something an ordinary person can produce?
This Chen Ye, coming from humble beginnings without a renowned mentor, how could he suddenly possess top-notch alchemy skills after joining Lingyin Sect?
No need to guess, it’s evident.
It must be Bai Susu secretly providing pills to Chen Ye to bolster his fame.
That little demoness, used to being unruly, would do anything without surprise.
The surrounding disciples glanced at each other, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
His words had struck a chord with them.
Which of these disciples is not envious of Chen Ye?
Why should they toil away, becoming charcoal by the furnace, while that Chen gets to sip tea and admire flowers in Cangli Courtyard, with a beautiful female disciple at his side and even a true disciple fawning over him?
Indeed.
Even the little, adorable Qing Jun, in the eyes of these disciples, could be considered a stunning female disciple...
"Hmph, clinging to her master at such an age..."
A disciple thought sourly, seeing that fair-skinned, delicate and fragrant young girl, who wouldn’t want to get close?
The little girl became alert.
Huh?
Why does something feel off?
Not only is Taoist Chen being coveted now, but even Qing Jun is being eyed!
The little girl felt puzzled and baffled.
She was just a little girl clinging to her master!
Qing Jun sneaked a glance at her master, only to see that her previously indifferent master suddenly looked displeased, casting an unhappy look at certain disciples.
And these disciples were the ones sizing her up.
Qing Jun pouted internally: "Annoying old Taoist Chen! What does it matter to you if others look at Qing Jun! Hmph! Master truly is the most overbearing Taoist in the world..."
Though thinking this, she hugged her master even tighter.
Chen Ye took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure, and smiled: "Has Guardian Zhou finished speaking?"
Zhou Ziang was taken aback, thinking Chen Ye was angry, feeling even more smug.
He chuckled lightly: "Zhou has nothing more to say."
"Since Guardian Zhou has finished, let me give Guardian Zhou a piece of advice."
Chen Ye couldn’t be bothered to argue back; he simply pointed a finger at Zhou Ziang’s face, appearing red-gold, and sighed,
"Guardian Zhou, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve been trying to refine the Red Gold Bone Forging Pill lately to break through your bottleneck, right?"
Zhou Ziang frowned, wearing a forced smile: "So what if I am?"
Chen Ye calmly explained:
"To pursue the overpowering medicinal effect, you aggressively used three flavors of true fire to extract the main herb, red gold sand, forsaking the cold marrow liquid to neutralize the fire toxicity. Unfortunately, haste makes waste."
"Now, do you not feel your dantian burning with heat every midnight and noon, with this heat gradually rising up your meridians to your face?"
"Your face is not red-gold because you’re on the brink of a breakthrough, but because your body is filled with fire. If you continue like this, your proud cultivation level will turn out like refined pills—just for the sound."
Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent.
With each sentence from Chen Ye, Zhou Ziang’s face paled further.
All precise!
Word by word, not a single error!
Zhou Ziang opened his mouth to refute but instinctively touched his cheek, unable to utter a single word.
Cold sweat poured from his forehead.
If this continues... isn’t he on the brink of disaster?
Chen Ye looked at his state but did not add insult to injury; he sighed lightly:
"Guardian Zhou. If I were you, I’d immediately go back to dissipate my cultivation and expel the poison. Even if I fall a small tier, it’s better than having my dantian explode and perishing. I’ve said what needs to be said, Guardian Zhou, take care of yourself."
He pulled the little girl off his lap and took her hand.
After showcasing his understanding of alchemy, he couldn’t be bothered with these people and continued walking towards the mountain top.
Zhao Yushuang was momentarily stunned, then quickly followed.
She thought to herself.
Instructor Chen, not only is his alchemy superb, but even his insight is so sharp... He can easily spot others’ problems, probably after a lifetime of studying the Pill Scripture.
In addition, he handles things nonchalantly and calmly; if it were anyone else, they’d seize the opportunity to humiliate Zhou Ziang, leaving him utterly disgraced.