His words were urgent and harsh, directly accusing Chen Ye of being indifferent to the suffering of others and taking advantage of the chaos for personal gain.
Although Li Qiuyun also disliked Junior Brother Liu’s aggressive manner, the questions he raised were indeed the same doubts in her heart.
Previously,
If Chen Ye hadn’t seen the disciples of the Lingyin Sect, it would have been understandable if he did not intervene on behalf of Lin Qiongyu.
But having seen them, why didn’t he lend a helping hand?
And... there were three corpses lying at his doorstep.
She remained silent, only staring coldly at Chen Ye, waiting for his explanation.
At the same time, she secretly observed the wounds on those corpses, becoming more and more shocked.
The penetrating wounds caused by the Gold Series magic had smooth edges with concentrated spiritual power, indicating the caster’s mastery over the spells.
Even Junior Martial Uncle Bai’s skills might not compare to his!
This person... absolutely wasn’t as simple as he appeared!
Junior Brother Liu saw that Chen Ye remained silent, assuming he felt guilty and increasingly smug, sneering:
"What? Have nothing to say? Hmph! You loose cultivators, enjoying sect protection and the market peace daily, when danger arises, you only care for your own lives, selfish and despicable!"
Saying this, he unabashedly started scavenging the corpses of those Tribulation Cultivators,
"These people, you probably killed them in the chaos. If so, why not contribute them to the sect?"
"Villain! That’s Qing Jun’s treasure!"
Seeing this, Qing Jun, fueled by an unknown courage, suddenly dashed out from behind Chen Ye, angrily exclaiming.
Chen Ye silently cursed the little girl,
Regardless, it wasn’t the little girl’s possession.
Clearly, these were Chen Ye’s spoils of war!
Junior Brother Liu’s scavenging paused, and he flew into a rage: "Where did this brat come from, daring to be so rude?!"
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Qing Jun.
Li Qiuyun was about to intervene when she saw a long whip lock Junior Brother Liu’s arm.
Unexpectedly, Junior Brother Liu could not break free.
This person’s spiritual power seemed superior to his!
Chen Ye wielded the Bone-Scraping Whip, firmly restraining Junior Brother Liu, and said leisurely:
"Taoist Friend Liu should know, desire is a double-edged sword. Why mimic the peacock, flaunting before Taoist Friend Li?"
His words bluntly revealed the secrets within Junior Brother Liu’s heart.
Junior Brother Liu even felt the neighboring disciples eyeing him with varied glances, some mocking.
Being young and impetuous, he immediately felt his blood boiling, about to rebuke.
Chen Ye interrupted again: "Are sect disciples just bullies? But if, one day, I surpass Taoist Friend Liu, what would you do?"
Some disciples nearby couldn’t help but tease:
"Ah Liu, is your body really that weak? How come your spiritual power is inferior to a loose cultivator’s?"
"Yeah... isn’t this Taoist Friend also at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer? How come you’re being suppressed by him? You better not really get outdone!"
Under the Great Success Realm Qi Concealment Technique,
Chen Ye simply utilized spiritual power, and these Qi Cultivation Middle Stage cultivators couldn’t discern his true cultivation level.
While mocking Chen Ye,
Junior Brother Liu felt carefree, but when the tables turned, he couldn’t tolerate even a bit, angrily exclaiming:
"Ha! He’s only twenty years older than me! His cultivation is just at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, how could he possibly surpass me?"
Saying this, he was about to summon his Flying Sword to act.
But at this moment,
A black-furred little one emerged from behind Chen Ye.
Her face was tense, her dark eyes calmly studying Junior Brother Liu, her voice clear yet logically precise:
"Esteemed Immortal Master, the market was raided, we are all victims. Master acted to slay the Tribulation Cultivators, both for self-preservation and to eliminate threats for the people. According to the unwritten rules, these three were slain by my Master, and their possessions rightfully belong to my Master, as per the conventions of the cultivation realm! As a Lingyin Sect disciple, to accuse without reason and seize goods, how are you different from those Tribulation Cultivators? If word gets out, wouldn’t it tarnish the Lingyin Sect’s reputation? Furthermore, you just claimed that loose cultivators are selfish, but aren’t your actions no different from what you accuse them of?"
Her speech left Junior Brother Liu flushed, tongue-tied.
He belatedly realized his impulsiveness, hesitating as his hand rested on the Flying Sword.
"Hmph, even a child understands better..." Granny Li snidely remarked from not far away.
"You! And who’s child might you be?"
Junior Brother Liu, consecutively belittled by a young one and an elderly woman, grew furious with shame.
Yet considering the consequences, he eventually retracted his Flying Sword, glaring fiercely at the big girl.
The big girl was unfazed by his menacing stare, her expression calm, her gaze indifferent.
Yet, while speaking, she seemed a bit shy.
She bit her lip before speaking softly:
"I... I am also Chen Ye’s child..."
Li Qiuyun intercepted Junior Brother Liu, shaking her head, saying:
"Junior Brother Liu, don’t bully the elderly or young. Besides, the Outer Sect Grand Competition is coming soon, don’t let small matters affect the sect assessment."
The first sentence pointed out Junior Brother Liu’s misconduct, while the second highlighted the implications.
The Outer Sect Grand Competition?
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye’s heart stirred.
Calculating the time, it was indeed approaching.
Yunxi District’s Outer Sect Grand Competition should have started two months ago, delayed due to the celestial tribulation anomaly.
Now that the strongest aftermath of the celestial tribulation has passed, Lingyin Sect will not delay the grand competition any longer.
He suddenly felt a bit curious about Bai Susu, that little mischievous girl he encountered in the Three Thousand Great Mountains, and wondered if she would come to join in the fun.
Afterwards,
The group of Lingyin Sect disciples did not linger; although the demon beasts on Shunshui Street had been cleared out, other places still required additional manpower.
As they departed, these disciples recalled the scene just now and couldn’t help but express their amazement:
"We always hear Junior Martial Uncle Bai talk about it, but who would have thought this person has two kids... They can’t possibly be his biological daughters, could they? In that case, Senior Sister Li could... ahem ahem."
"How could that be? They’re probably just disciples. Still, those two girls are so adorable, especially the dark-haired one, so smart, always with a serious little face, I just want to give her a good kiss..."
Of course, it was a female disciple who said this, which instantly resonated with the other disciples.
"Indeed! There aren’t any kids as cute as them in Lingyin Sect. I like the one with white hair, she’s so lovely and charming..."
"Ah, Senior Sister Li, why don’t you just marry him? That way you can be around the two kids every day..."
These disciples were mostly in their early twenties.
In Chen Ye’s past life, it was the age to be in university.
Right now, they are under the protection of the sect,
their love for cute things hasn’t yet been worn down by life’s hardships...
"All of you, shut up!" Li Qiuyun shouted futilely.
But,
those two kids are indeed adorable; she herself couldn’t possibly have such cute children...
...
After resolving a conflict,
Chen Ye couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Even though he had the cultivation level of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, which counted as somewhat powerful among loose cultivators, he still appeared inadequate compared to these major sects.
Yet... if I can’t beat them, can’t I just join them?
Chen Ye has a cheat ability, so why should he continue struggling as a loose cultivator?
Joining a sect directly, wouldn’t that be great?
Though there are wars between sects from time to time,
it’s still more peaceful than the drifting life of a loose cultivator.
Moreover, Chen Ye joined under the identity of a Spirit Plant Master; even if a sect war broke out, he would mostly stay in the rear as support.
After the Lingyin Sect disciples departed, the bustle of the market gradually subsided.
Only the cold wind carried snowflakes, blowing over the ruins, adding a sense of desolation.
Lin Qiongyu, however, returned, standing before Chen Ye with a complex expression.
Since that night at the Cloud Clothing Pavilion,
the way this young female cultivator looked at Chen Ye always carried a different hue.
But after Chen Ye’s recent decision to turn a blind eye,
those colors dimmed to the extreme, leaving only fatigue and a trace of bitterness.
She didn’t understand why this man, who could be so gentle and patient with his disciples, even willing to do anything for their safety, would be so cold to her.
She took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in her heart, lowered her head, and handed a package to Chen Ye, which was Xue Chengjun’s belongings.
"Senior, this is... Xue Chengjun’s magical artifact and belongings."
"You’re giving up on them? They’re worth quite a number of Spirit Stones."
Chen Ye was somewhat surprised and asked back.
Even though Xue Chengjun appeared impoverished usually, as a demon hunting cultivator of the Stone Mirror Association, he often did some private jobs with Tian Feng.
All his assets combined were at least thirty or forty Spirit Stones, which was a considerable fortune for an ordinary loose cultivator.
Lin Qiongyu tightly held an inconspicuous pill bottle in her hand; it was the life-saving pill she fought hard to retain,
she softly said, "I’ve given up on them. Qiongyu only wants this Profound Yin Pill. Although this is nowhere near a hundred Spirit Stones... in the future, Qiongyu plans to return to her hometown; the remaining Spirit Stones..."
"In that case, forget the rest. I’m not inclined to pursue this matter further," Chen Ye interrupted her.
Originally, he demanded a hundred Spirit Stones just as a form of pressure; he never thought Lin Qiongyu could actually pay it back.
A hundred Spirit Stones is an astronomical figure for a regular loose cultivator!
He even thought that Lin Qiongyu might just find a way to flee the next day or outright refuse to pay.
But to his surprise, Lin Qiongyu had actually gradually paid back two Spirit Stones, and today she brought Xue Chengjun’s belongings to offset the debt.
Could it be... she’s bewitched?
Chen Ye pondered internally. Looking at Lin Qiongyu’s dejected and lost appearance, she didn’t seem to be faking it.
Just like Chen Ye thought, Lin Qiongyu indeed seemed somewhat bewitched.
She held onto the Profound Yin Pill, dazed, and returned to her already dilapidated tiny home next door, beginning to quietly pack her few belongings.
The interior was simple and cold, in stark contrast to Chen Ye’s side, where the atmosphere was warm with the antics of two disciples.
"Lin Qiongyu, oh Lin Qiongyu..."
She slumped on the cold bed’s edge, muttering to herself, filled with endless self-mockery and confusion.
The young female cultivator sighed lightly, folded the last few pieces of clothing, and placed them in her bag. She took one last look at this courtyard,
turned silently, and stepped into the gradually fading wind and snow.
At this moment, she couldn’t help but recall being mocked by other female cultivators in the Cloud Clothing Pavilion:
"Lin Qiongyu, this is all you’re capable of, living off men without feeling disgusted!"
"Indeed, it’s disgusting..."