The White Furred Ball clutched tightly onto Chen Ye’s cloak, its small body still trembling slightly:
"Qing Jun, I’m so hungry..."
Perhaps, others who heard these words would simply think the little girl had a big appetite, and that after experiencing life and death, the first thing she desired was food.
But Chen Ye understood, this wasn’t a simple hunger.
It was the most instinctive craving of Qing Jun in extreme fear and anxiety.
In those past years, she often went hungry, believing that being full was the happiest thing in the world.
Even if it was just a piece of taro, she would bury her little face deep into it, desperately gnawing at it.
It seemed that only by filling her stomach could she push out the fear, little by little.
This was the only "weapon" Qing Jun had to fight against fear, having no sense of security.
The murderous intent and hostility in Chen Ye’s heart, stirred up by Wang Po and the Demon Cultivator, dissipated instantly with this weak call.
"Very soon, Master will take Qing Jun for something delicious... Master bought a lot of tasty things at the Market before."
Chen Ye carefully lifted Qing Jun horizontally, fearful of touching her injured bones.
The girl felt cold to the touch, as light as a feather, with her broken arm hanging in an unnatural position.
True Man Sun sighed next to them, speaking in a deep voice: "This matter, indeed, was an oversight by the Lingyin Sect."
He paused, then continued explaining:
"These remnants of the Demon Path were originally used to temper the Inner Sect disciples. Unexpectedly, two were missed during the clearing. Guardian Chang Yan was supposed to wrap up the loose ends to ensure everything was foolproof."
"But... humph, Chang Yan actually let one of the slyest guys slip away! If it weren’t for an impulse of mine, this little girl might have met with disaster."
Chen Ye sensed the dissatisfaction in True Man Sun’s words, vaguely feeling that this involved some internal affairs of the sect.
He remained silent, an appropriate mix of lingering fear and gratitude showing on his face.
Seeing Chen Ye’s expression, True Man Sun refrained from speaking further on sect matters.
He turned his hand to take out a palm-sized, ancient and elegant Cyan Jade Compass.
On it, the Spiritual Light twinkled, and the runes were mysterious.
True Man Sun used two fingers like a sword, quickly inscribing several restrictions on the compass, muttering an incantation.
As his fingers moved, strands of Spiritual Qi visible to the naked eye spread from the compass, merging into the void.
Moments later, True Man Sun handed the Cyan Jade Compass to Chen Ye, saying:
"This is the Spirit Stabilizing Plate. I’ve infused it with Spiritual Power and set a simple protective array. You can rest assured and wait here for a moment, the disciples will come soon. Should there be any disturbance, this plate will alert you and can fend off a blow or two for you."
Chen Ye was greatly surprised, respectfully taking the Spirit Plate.
A gentle force seemed to emanate from it, even isolating the snowstorm outside.
"Thank you, True Man!" Chen Ye’s gratitude was sincere.
He had thought that a Foundation Establishment True Man like Sun, who stood so high, would mostly view ordinary people as ants.
He hadn’t expected this True Man to be so attentive and easygoing.
Perhaps sensing Chen Ye’s thoughts, True Man Sun, about to leave by sword, turned around and laughed aloud:
"What, boy, do you think we Foundation Establishment Cultivators are all some cold and ruthless monsters? Haha... rest assured, our Lingyin Sect is a reputable orthodox, we cultivate the path of immortals and seek longevity, not like the heartless and desireless Demon Path!"
Before finishing his words, a cyan-glowing Flying Sword appeared under the old man’s feet.
With a leap, he stood steadily on the sword, transforming into a stream of light along with Wang Po, swiftly chasing after the fleeing Demon Cultivator.
The speed of a Foundation Establishment True Man’s escape was far beyond what Qi Cultivation Cultivators could imagine.
Very soon, True Man Sun’s figure was no longer visible.
Chen Ye held Qing Jun, standing in the snow, watching True Man Sun depart, his heart filled with emotion.
...
The wind and snow grew fiercer, the world became a vast desolation.
Chen Ye’s gaze turned to the White Furred Ball in his arms.
The little girl was wrapped in a thick rabbit-fur coat, only her small, frostbitten face was exposed, red and flushed.
Her silver hair carried a few glistening snowflakes, making her phoenix eyes appear even more dark and bright.
"Master..." Qing Jun gently tugged at Chen Ye’s clothes, her small hand pointing to a rabbit roasting on the distant campfire, whispering, "Rabbit."
The snow was endless, the climate bitterly cold.
Without the replenishment of Spiritual Power, the campfire had long extinguished.
The poor rabbit above it was frozen stiff, stuck on the wooden branch, with a thin layer of snow frosting it, looking completely inedible.
He hugged the little girl tighter in his arms, speaking softly:
"That rabbit is frozen, it can’t be eaten. When we go back, Master will make you something better, okay?"
Qing Jun stubbornly shook her head: "Want... want to eat that one."
Chen Ye sighed inwardly, this child, still so stubborn.
He carried Qing Jun to the extinguished campfire, taking down the rabbit that was frozen like a rock.
"Too hard, too cold, eating it will make you sick."
"No!"
Qing Jun suddenly extended her good hand, grabbing one of the frozen rabbit’s legs with surprising strength,
"Qing Jun... Qing Jun will roast it herself!"
She struggled to break free from Chen Ye’s embrace, but due to the pain of her broken arm and her overall weakness, she only managed to wriggle futilely.
Big tears pooled in her eyes, refusing to fall out of sheer stubbornness.
"Silly girl."
Chen Ye found it both heartwarming and amusing.
A flash of Spiritual Light appeared at his fingertips, and a small warm flame danced there.
Instead of directly igniting the campfire, he first used the flame to melt the frost off the frozen rabbit, carefully removing parts that were clearly inedible.