Fairy Gu reclined back on the soft bed, gently sipping a mouthful of spirit tea,
"But she certainly counts as an outstanding talent; if she were in my Huayue Mansion, she would inevitably be a hidden dragon... It’s just a pity, the world least lacks unripe talents."
Chen Ye maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief.
Excellent.
This is called cleverness being mistaken for cleverness.
If Fairy Gu were a fool, insisting on the ’twelve years old,’ he would indeed have a hard time explaining. But this woman is too clever, too confident in her own deductions, which instead makes it unnecessary for Chen Ye to say more.
However.
If Huayue Mansion insists on investigating, Chen Ye is not afraid.
After all, the Xu Family is Xu Henshan’s territory, and Xu Henshan early on concealed Qing Jun’s information, mixing truth with falsehood, making it most difficult for others to detect the truth.
"Fairy Gu, what do you mean by this? Qing Jun has me to watch over her; she will definitely grow up smoothly."
Chen Ye smiled, seeming not to hear the threatening tone in her words.
Fairy Gu’s face was indifferent, and she sighed softly:
"Instructor Chen, I have no ulterior motives. I just don’t want to see such good talent languish in a small, remote sect. Why not let Xu Qingjun join Huayue Mansion?"
The key issue is indeed with Xu Qingjun.
Fairy Gu thought to herself.
If the Xu of Yan knows that there is such a prodigy within them, they will certainly not miss the chance.
In time, Xu Qingjun would truly have the backing of Xu of Yan.
However, because Huayue Mansion has various schemes against Yan Kingdom, Xu Qingjun staying in Lingyin Sect is a thorn in their side, binding their hands and feet.
Rather, before Xu of Yan finds out, they should directly bring Xu Qingjun into the mansion.
If she is disloyal, they might kill her directly, saving Xu of Yan from having another great prodigy.
If she has no ulterior motive, she would become a future pillar of Huayue Mansion — truly a win-win.
Chen Ye lightly rubbed the tea cup, giving a wry smile:
"Fairy, I appreciate your good intentions, but..."
"But what?" Fairy Gu squinted slightly, "Could it be Instructor Chen thinks my Huayue Mansion is not on par with Lingyin Sect?"
"Not at all, not at all."
Chen Ye waved his hands repeatedly, sighing,
"Huayue Mansion is a leader in the Lingxu Realm; to be able to join it is the dream of countless cultivators. It’s just that the girl’s character is peculiar and doesn’t like being too far from home."
This, of course, is Chen Ye’s fabrication.
The Ruins Country is a mix of fish and dragons, even in Huayue Mansion, there’s an undercurrent, too dangerous.
Sending a genius girl like Qing Jun to Huayue Mansion.
Chen Ye can be 100% sure that old monsters in Huayue Mansion would set their sights on Qing Jun... Although Huayue Mansion is a thousand-year-old fairy mansion, it is precisely because of this that it’s unknown how many demon figures are hidden within.
What are demon figures? Old and undead, seeking immortality by any means necessary.
"Is that so..."
Fairy Gu smiled slightly, not angry,
"Then Instructor Chen, do not regret it. An unripe talent is not terrifying. Since Instructor Chen has given up Huayue Mansion’s protection, next... let’s see what fate holds for them."
"Oh? Fairy Gu underestimates my disciples too much."
"At that time, Instructor Chen should not cry."
The stunning girl revealed a rare playful smile, only it’s not at all attractive.
...
Luoxiao Grotto Heaven, dense forest outer perimeter.
"Wheeze... wheeze..."
A strange friction sound echoed in the tranquil forest.
Only to see a sturdy demon tiger moving peculiarly across the leaf-covered ground.
Look closer.
It turned out that at the tiger’s head position, a small figure one-fifth the height of the tiger’s head was single-handedly gripping the tiger’s head, like dragging a big bag, striding forward uninhibited, wheezing as it went.
"Master told me to patrol the mountain~"
"Catch a big bug for dinner~"
Qing Jun hummed a completely off-key tune she heard from somewhere, her mood extremely good.
"The demon beasts in this mountain are really polite,"
Qing Jun stopped, thumping the two-thousand-jin white-striped tiger on the ground, making the earth shake,
"Just as I thought of making a cushion for Master, it jumped out on its own."
"Senior sister, what’s this called?"
Zhiwei followed behind, looking at the second tier middle period demon beast on top of whose head was a big lump already knocked out — Black Thunder Tiger — helplessly said: "This is called... seeking one’s own demise."
Earlier, when this thunder tiger leapt out from the forest, thunder in tow, majestic and intimidating.
It had just landed and was immediately surrounded by the master siblings on three sides.
Even though it was a Foundation Establishment fourth-layer demon beast, it couldn’t resist the combined forces of the master siblings, regrettably suffering defeat.
"Senior sister Qing Jun, this tiger is so big..."
Jin’er stepped forward, cautiously poking at the thick fur on the tiger’s belly, her eyes bright,
"The fur is so soft, warm."
"Right, right!"
Qing Jun rolled up her sleeves, revealing slender white arms, her eyes gleaming as she gestured enthusiastically,
"I’ve got it! This tiger skin can be laid on the hard stone bench for Master! Master always sits there drinking tea, it must be uncomfortable for his bottom. With this, Master won’t be cold in winter!"
"And also, the tiger bones can be used to make wine! I read in a book that tiger bone wine is great for strengthening bones and muscles. Master’s body is weak, I saw him secretly rubbing his waist before! He needs good nourishment!"
Thinking about this, Qing Jun was quite angry.
It must be because of the torment from True Inheritor Bai!
Master’s not usually like this, and at that time, True Inheritor Bai had just returned to the sect!
"...As for the meat, I’ve read that, Senior Sister, isn’t this thunder tiger meat supposed to be chewy? Should we roast it and eat it?"
Qing Jun continued to chatter away.
But didn’t notice,
the dark-haired girl’s face darkened, she rubbed her temples and said coldly:
"Don’t make wild guesses. Master’s in good health because of his cultivation!"
"Huh? What..."
The little girl didn’t catch what her senior sister meant at first.
After thinking for a moment, she realized it referred to Master rubbing his waist.
She murmured, "Qing Jun was just casually saying, why does Senior Sister care so much?"
"..."
Senior Sister remained silent, turning her head away,
"I’m not bothered... I just... just feel sorry for Master."
"Since Master’s in great health, why is Senior Sister feeling sorry for him?"
The clever little girl suddenly became insightful again, with a look of realization she exclaimed,
"Ah! Qing Jun knows now! Senior Sister is deceiving herself!"
"..."
"..."
The air suddenly became deathly silent.
Even the incessant cicadas in the dense forest had their voices strangled by a terrifying aura at that moment.
A chilling wind blew past.
Though it was high noon with the sun blazing, the temperature suddenly dropped by ten degrees, making one feel plunged into an ice cave.
"Gulp."
Jin’er swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
She turned her head somewhat stiffly, looking at her Senior Sister.
Only to see Zhiwei’s eyes, as clear as autumn water, now seemingly dyed with ink, deep and devoid of any sparkle.
"Ugh!"
Jin’er’s face turned pale with fright, instinctively shrinking back, hiding behind the giant tiger head, only daring to peek with big terrified eyes.
So... so scary!
The usually gentle and soft Senior Sister, why did she suddenly turn into something like the man-eating ghost mother in legends?!
Qing Jun, Senior Sister!
You made a big blunder!
How could you touch Senior Sister’s sore spot!
First, it was the demon tiger seeking death, now it’s Qing Jun, Senior Sister seeking death!
Even the fearless Qing Jun was intimidated by the low-pressure atmosphere.
She blinked her eyes, looking at the now-darkened Senior Sister, her legs trembling.
Filthy mouth! Serves you right for speaking carelessly!
The look on Senior Sister’s face now seemed ready to stew both Qing Jun and the tiger together...
"Um... Senior Sister? Qing Jun was just joking!"
Qing Jun stuck out a little tongue, trying to play cute and get by,
"Senior Sister is so magnanimous! Surely won’t get angry, right?"
Zhiwei didn’t speak, quietly giving Qing Jun a glance.
That glance, contained three parts indifference, three parts sarcasm, and four parts casual murderous intent... the coldness was for her heart, the laughter for herself, the murderous intent for True Inheritor Bai.
Clang—!
The sound of the Gourd Sword being unsheathed, never so crisp, so sharp.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
The sword light descended like a waterfall, so fast one could only see its shadow.
In just three breaths.
Zhiwei sheathed her sword.
The entire motion was completed in one swift move, without a single drop of blood staining her white gown.
With a rustling sound.
The unconscious Black Sha Thunder Tiger, was already thoroughly done.
The tiger skin was perfectly peeled, its bones separated cleanly, its meat cut neatly into pieces.
"How could I be angry with you, Qing Jun?"
Senior Sister smiled gently, the warmth in her smile gentle and tender.