Though he looked young, he faced the earth-shattering magical battle just now without fear, with a demeanor of calm and dignity.
"Disciple pays respect to the Fourth Elder!"
Zhao Li and a group of Lingyin disciples, having narrowly escaped death, awakened as if from a dream, and bowed deeply in greeting.
"No need for formality. This journey to the grotto heaven must have startled you all."
The Fourth Elder nodded slightly, her voice gentle. Then she looked at Chen Ye and praised,
"Instructor Chen, you managed the timing of that communication jade talisman quite well."
Chen Ye, with a very thick skin, immediately replied solemnly:
"Fourth Elder, your foresight is unparalleled. I knew that you, elder, must be nearby and would never let these petty scoundrels harm the seedlings of our Lingyin Sect."
In reality...
He merely thought that since it would be wasted otherwise, he might as well crush the jade talisman upon returning, just in case.
Seeing the Fourth Elder’s praise, he went along with it and took the opportunity to flatter her.
The Fourth Elder smiled slightly, growing more and more fond of Chen Ye.
Of course.
She was not pleased by Chen Ye’s flattery, but rather by his performance in Hunyuan City which she had seen firsthand.
In the Fourth Elder’s heart,
Chen Ye was destined to be a pillar of the Lingyin Sect in the future, especially considering his close relationship with Bai Susu.
The Fourth Elder glanced at the beautiful girl beside her and spoke warmly, "Chuxi, won’t you greet Instructor Chen and your fellow disciples?"
"..."
Zhang Chuxi bit her lip in discontent, suppressing her internal reluctance.
She gracefully folded her hands and bowed toward Chen Ye with a junior’s respect, her voice crisp as she said,
"Chuxi greets Instructor Chen. Welcome back, Instructor and fellow disciples, from your triumphant return."
The girl’s voice was as clear as a nightingale, accompanied by a gentle smile. Anyone who saw her would laud her as a well-mannered and genteel young lady.
But in her heart...
Yesterday’s enmity was like a thorn in her back!
Back then, when Chen Ye tricked her innocence, he made her commit numerous foolish actions willingly.
And over time, Zhang Chuxi had gradually realized the truth.
Damn it!
This bastard was clearly toying with her on purpose!
Especially remembering how she insulted Chen Ye with passion at first, her face flushed with heat... She thought she was humiliating Chen Ye, but actually, she fell right into his trap!
This despicable, shameless, disrespectful old rogue!
"Chuxi has grown lovelier and has learned the rules very well."
Chen Ye laughed softly, taking half a step forward.
As he approached, Zhang Chuxi’s body trembled ever so slightly under her wide sleeves.
Chen Ye naturally reached out, placing his hand gently on the girl’s soft head.
It seemed like a fond caress from an elder, but his fingertips carried a control that only Zhang Chuxi could understand.
"Isn’t that right, Chuxi?"
His tone was light, withdrawing his hand casually after just a touch.
Zhang Chuxi’s body stiffened slightly, her breath catching for a moment.
She forcibly suppressed her inner turmoil, looking up with a flawlessly obedient and sweet smile:
"Instructor praises too highly. Chuxi always remembers the instructor’s past... comprehensive guidance."
The Fourth Elder observed this scene, nodding in satisfaction.
Her daughter had always been proud and looked down on ordinary cultivators, even rarely admiring Lingyin True Inheritors.
Now, however, she was so respectful and polite to Chen Ye, showing that Chen Ye truly had extraordinary charm in instructing disciples, even Chuxi was convinced.
"Enough with the formalities already."
The Fourth Elder’s gaze swept over Zhiwei, Qing Jun, and Jin’er. With her Golden Core stage abilities, she easily noticed the impressive potential hidden within these three girls, elevating her already high evaluation once more.
Indeed.
Her insistence on bringing Chen Ye to Baopu Peak back then was a correct choice.
If Chuxi could exhibit even half the performance of Chen Ye’s three disciples in the future, she would be more than satisfied.
"Instructor Chen, you and your disciples have shone brightly in the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven this time, not only quashing the spirit of the Ruins Country but also bringing much honor to our Lingyin Sect. The elders are all very pleased, and once back in the sect, there will surely be rewards."
The Fourth Elder turned and walked to the main position on the ship, waving her sleeves,
"This place is not suitable for a prolonged stay. Set sail at full speed; we’re heading back to the sect!"
"Yes!" Zhao Li and the others responded, immediately activating the spiritual ship’s array.
Qing Jun peeked out a small head from behind Chen Ye, her eyes bright and spirited as she looked at Zhang Chuxi, then moved closer to Zhiwei and whispered:
"Senior Sister, Zhang Chuxi seems so obedient... She always looks so obedient, but Qing Jun thinks she pretends even better than Senior Sister..."
Zhiwei’s face turned dark, and she gently knocked Qing Jun on the head: "Hush. Junior Sister Zhang is also considered Master’s disciple, show some respect."
Strictly speaking, the disciples of Baopu Peak are all considered Chen Ye’s disciples, especially Zhang Chuxi, who was fully instructed by Chen Ye.
"Ouch..."
The little girl pouted with grievance.
She clearly spoke what was in Senior Sister’s heart, so why did Senior Sister hit her?
Such a hypocritical Senior Sister!
It seems that among Master’s three disciples, only she is the most obedient and honest one!
As for Jin’er...
The little girl stealthily whispered to Jin’er, "Junior Sister, what do you think of Zhang Chuxi? Qing Jun thinks she’s a bad woman! Even worse than Gu Tangyin!"
Jin’er blinked her big eyes, confused: "Huh? Senior Sister Zhang seems very nice?"
Sigh.
Jin’er is even more of a fool! She can’t even see Zhang Chuxi’s wolfish ambitions.
Qing Jun sighed.
It seems the burden of protecting Master ultimately falls on her shoulders!
...
In the Lingyin Sect, the sea of clouds churned and the bells rang melodiously.
The spiritual ship, under the welcome of the sect disciples, landed in the square in front of the mountain gate.
The sect’s upper echelons did not go back on their word, offering extremely generous rewards to the disciples who shined in the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven this time.