"...I heard from Senior Xu that Qing Jun has already reached Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. We need to prepare some spiritual materials for her Foundation Establishment. Ah, I wonder when Brother Ye will arrive..."
Mao Qingzhu slightly furrowed her brows, holding a brush, sketching and recording something.
In truth.
A few days ago, Xu Henshan had already informed Patriarch Mao Cheng of the matter regarding Baopu Peak and had particularly praised Qing Jun’s current cultivation.
Upon hearing this, Mao Cheng was naturally overjoyed.
But he also realized a problem. The Mao Family, being Qing Jun’s family, should prepare magical treasures and spiritual materials for her Foundation Establishment out of familial duty.
They certainly couldn’t push everything onto Chen Ye’s shoulders.
However, deciding what resources to prepare for Qing Jun was a headache for the Mao Family.
Common-grade items wouldn’t match Qing Jun’s status and wouldn’t reflect their importance.
High-grade ones were beyond what a middle-grade cultivation clan like the Mao Family could afford.
Thus, Mao Cheng decisively delegated this challenging task entirely to his daughter Mao Qingzhu, along with the key to the family treasury, leaving her with just one sentence:
"Handle it well, and don’t tarnish the name of our Divine Mist Valley."
"...Though the Ten Thousand Year Stalactite is gentle, its medicinal power is too potent. Despite Qing Jun’s special physique, she might not fully absorb it; this Essence Crystal is suitable for refining a Flying Sword, but it’s too sharp..."
Mao Qingzhu looked at the list filled with rare spiritual materials, shaking her head somewhat frustratedly.
In fact, the list recorded rare Foundation Establishment spiritual objects seldom seen in the outside world.
If the Loose Cultivators outside saw it, their jaws might drop. Yet, in the eyes of this young lady of Divine Mist Valley, it still seemed imperfect.
"And Brother Ye..."
Upon mentioning this name, the slight furrow in Mao Qingzhu’s brows relaxed, and she murmured,
"I heard he’s now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Ordinary magical treasures wouldn’t catch his eye. The Flowing Cloud Water-Avoiding Robe in the treasury is a Second Tier Middle Grade magical treasure, with astonishing defense, perfect for him; and that bottle of Taiyi Nourishing God Pill would greatly help stabilize his realm..."
As she calculated, she looked a bit annoyed out the window,
"It’s a pity Brother Ye won’t arrive for another two hours, and these things aren’t ready yet. If he sees my messy state, he’ll probably laugh at me."
She sighed, about to call Xiaoli in to help tidy up.
"Sister Qingzhu."
An warm, familiar male voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"?!"
Mao Qingzhu suddenly paused and turned around in a panic.
Seeing Chen Ye leaning against the door, smiling at her, she couldn’t help but feel flustered.
She hadn’t dressed carefully due to checking the treasury, and even had a bit of red powder on her sleeve.
This appearance was really not presentable.
"You... why are you here?! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t arrive for a while? I... I didn’t have time to..."
"My cultivation has advanced a bit, so my speed increased, and I arrived early."
Chen Ye said with a smile.
Since he studied the Duqing Escape Technique and broke through his realm,
His sword control skills had improved significantly, his speed far exceeding before, surpassing the Mao Family’s expectations.
Otherwise.
The Mao Family would have surely sent Mao Qingzhu to personally welcome him.
As for Mao Cheng, he has been in seclusion in the Heart Slaughter Cave, reportedly preparing to break through to the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment.
Thinking of Mao Cheng in seclusion, Chen Ye couldn’t suppress his longing and softly said:
"I couldn’t wait to see Sister Qingzhu, not even for a moment, so I hurried over at full speed."
Hearing these straightforward words, Mao Qingzhu’s heart skipped a beat, and her ears softened.
"Brother Ye..."
Her voice was soft, filled with both joy and grievance.
The grievance was... over the past six months, it seemed like Chen Ye had forgotten about her, not coming to visit.
Chen Ye sighed silently.
Seeing Mao Qingzhu’s expression, he could roughly guess what she was thinking.
But he was busy with many matters, helping Bai Susu eliminate Demon Cultivators.
And a trip to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District took a day of travel back and forth, making it hard to find time.
He reached out his large hand, grabbing her slender wrist that wanted to hide behind her, pulling her into his embrace.
"Sister Qingzhu, why have you become so thin?"
Chen Ye gently frowned, his large hand caressing her waist, speaking with a tone of heartache,
"Have you been neglecting to eat and sleep to prepare things for us? I don’t lack these external items. What’s most important is your well-being."
"No... no..."
Meeting after a long absence.
Mao Qingzhu was even more shy with this intimate contact.
Her pretty face buried in the man’s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her voice was slightly thin,
"I must consider for Qing Jun..."
"..."
Chen Ye sighed inwardly.
This foolish woman.
She considered much for Qing Jun, but that ungrateful little girl always saw her as a villain.
If it weren’t for Xiaoli coaxing Qing Jun away.
Otherwise, the little girl would have been glaring at her again.
"Sister Qingzhu, you work so hard for her. If that ungrateful girl knew, who knows how she’d gossip about you."
Chen Ye was somewhat helpless and straightforwardly explained.
This wasn’t Master slandering the little girl.
But the little girl was truly vile!
Mao Qingzhu shook her head, her eyes filled with warmth, softly saying:
"She’s mine... Although we can’t acknowledge it openly, I always want to give her the best. This is not only for the Mao Family’s face but also a bit of my own selfishness."
"Besides... since father has allowed me to go to Baopu Peak as an Instructor, I can’t go empty-handed. These can be considered... a gift for entering the peak."
Saying it’s to enter the peak, it sounded more like a dowry.