Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 125 Susu is shocked, Zhiwei is confused

Bai Susu wasn't shy at all. She rubbed her flat stomach and said to Chen Ye with a matter-of-fact air:
"Hey! I'm hungry, hurry up and get me something to eat!"

As she said this, she subtly lowered her gaze, a hint of sadness flashing deep within her beautiful amber eyes.

Upon hearing this, Qingjun immediately bristled, standing in front of Chen Ye like a kitten guarding its food, and complained angrily:
"How dare you! You actually tried to steal food from Qingjun! Qingjun can cook for herself! Are you some little girl?"

Bai Susu couldn't stand being called small, especially by a silver-haired little girl who was a head shorter than her.

She immediately raised her eyebrows and said angrily, "Don't speak so rudely! What do you mean by 'steal'! Ha, do you think your master's cooking is that delicious?"

"Master's cooking is the best in the world!" Qingjun puffed out her little chest and announced with a proud look.

Bai Susu sneered disdainfully and shook her head: "You're ignorant! You've probably only ever eaten your master's food, but you don't know that there are countless heroes in the world, and there are many chefs who are better than him!"

Chen Ye couldn't help but find it amusing as he listened to the two young girls arguing endlessly about his cooking skills.

He looked at Bai Susu's adorable expression—feigning disdain yet secretly swallowing her saliva—and his heart stirred.

The threat from the Xu family is imminent. If Bai Susu, a true disciple of the Lingyin Sect and the future heir of the Bai family, could be on my side, even if it's just by not interfering, it would be a great help to me.

With that in mind, Chen Ye made up his mind to show off his skills today and completely win over this golden-haired little girl's stomach.

He cleared his throat and a gentle smile appeared on his face: "Since Uncle Bai is hungry, then I, Chen, will certainly serve you. I just don't know what kind of food Uncle Bai prefers? Today's ingredients are limited, so please forgive me if there is any inadequacy in our hospitality."

Bai Susu felt comfortable and at ease seeing Chen Ye's respectful attitude.

She raised her delicate chin, feigning modesty, and said, "Anything is fine, I'm not picky. But... if it's too awful, hmph! I'll pin you down like a mountain... cough cough."

Chen Ye understood his meaning, said nothing more, and turned to go into the kitchen.

But Wuzhishan?
This guy is actually stalking him?
Isn't it obvious that she overheard the story she told?
Chen Ye shook his head and began to focus on cooking.

He really put in a lot of effort today, taking out all the rare monster meats he had stored in his storage bag.

With her masterful culinary skills, the aroma of various ingredients mingled and filled the air in the Rakuri Courtyard, whetting everyone's appetite.

About an hour later, Chen Ye came out of the kitchen carrying several plates of delicate dishes.

Bai Susu's delicate nose twitched slightly, already drawn in by the alluring fragrance.

She quietly took a deep breath, only to feel the hunger in her stomach intensify, and her mouth began to water.

But she maintained a look of disdain on her face, though her amber eyes involuntarily glanced at the dishes on the table: "They look so-so..."

The menu is small, but every dish is exquisite.

Bai Susu picked up her chopsticks and carefully took a small piece of jade bamboo shoot and put it in her mouth. The crisp and refreshing taste made her eyes light up slightly.

Then, she couldn't wait to take another bite.

One bite after another, and it just never stopped.

Chen Ye also invited his two apprentices to come and eat.

"Hmph, you're not bad at all. Your skills are almost on par with the top chefs at Yunshang Pavilion."

Bai Susu put down the soup bowl and couldn't help but rub her stomach.

"From now on, this is exclusively for me! You're not allowed to give it to your apprentices! Especially you, my little apprentice!"

"Aow!" Qingjun roared.

“Damn it…” Zhiwei frowned.

Chen Ye sighed, a troubled look on his face: "I'm afraid there won't be time in the future..."

"Oh?" Bai Susu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with some displeasure.

Chen Ye then briefly recounted the Xu family's affairs, concluding with a wry smile, "I wonder if Uncle Bai knows about the Xu family? My little disciple is a descendant of the Xu family. The Xu family wants to forcibly take Qingjun back, and I'm afraid I've been extremely stressed out lately..."

After listening, Bai Susu suddenly realized why Chen Ye had been so attentive today; he needed her help.

But as the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him, and he who takes another's gift is bound to him." Aside from this one meal, she had been eavesdropping on Chen Ye's stories at Luoli Courtyard all this time...

That's it.

Bai Susu thought to herself.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"The Xu family? The Xu family from Moon Rhinoceros Lake? They do have a few good-for-nothing disciples in the inner sect. This matter is indeed a bit tricky, after all, blood ties are a factor..."

She paused and continued:
"However, there is still room for maneuver. If you were a Foundation Establishment True Person, the Xu family would be eager to acknowledge you as their master! Do you really think they want your little disciple that much? The Xu family is a large family, and they are only concerned with their own interests. They don't want their 'direct line' bloodline to fall into the hands of an unknown spiritual plant master. It's better to raise it up for marriage alliances."

She spoke so logically that Chen Ye couldn't help but change his opinion of her.

It seems that Bai Susu, despite her seemingly eccentric and willful nature, is actually quite shrewd and sees through the intricacies of these families' affairs.

"So... it's still a matter of not being strong enough."

Chen Ye had a headache.

For independent cultivators, being a spiritual plant grower in a sect is a coveted, secure job. It may not offer much career advancement, but it provides a stable and peaceful life.

Play with the flowers, tend to the grass.

No need to fight to the death, and occasionally you can even steal a few spiritual plants, life is quite comfortable.

But in the face of such a family, he's basically just a farmer who knows how to cultivate immortality.

"Don't be discouraged, after all, I ate a meal from you."

Bai Susu changed the subject, a sly smile appearing on her face.

"Don't worry, I guarantee Xu Qingsong won't bother you for the next two months at Lingyin Sect! During this time, you can eat and drink as you please, and go see Mao Qingzhu if you need to. She's not your child; she's the one who should be worrying about her!"

……

After eating and drinking her fill, Bai Susu hummed a tuneless melody contentedly as she swayed and left Luoli Courtyard.

She had barely left when there was another knock on the gate.

When Chen Ye opened the door, he saw Zhou Mingyuan, the steward of Bencao Peak.

"Deacon Chen, how have you been?" Zhou Mingyuan still had that cheerful look on his face, but there was a hint of something more meaningful in his eyes when he looked at Chen Ye.

"Deacon Zhou, please come in." Chen Ye welcomed him to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard and personally brewed him a pot of spiritual tea.

Zhou Mingyuan didn't stand on ceremony. He took a sip of tea, then took out a jade token and a small pill bottle from his storage bag and pushed them in front of Chen Ye.
"Deacon Chen, this is your reward for taking care of the Hundred Wonders Garden. Peak Master Pang said that Deacon Chen has made great contributions and has specially approved fifty contribution points, plus a Mind Concentration Pill, as encouragement."

Fifty contribution points, one Mind-Concentrating Pill!

Chen Ye was overjoyed. Contribution points, needless to say, were the sect's hard currency.

This Mind-Concentrating Pill is an extremely rare first-tier pill.

It is specifically designed to hone one's divine sense!

Among independent cultivators, many would fight tooth and nail for the Spirit Condensation Pill.

"Thank you for your kindness, Peak Master Pang, and thank you for your trouble, Deacon Zhou." Chen Ye sincerely bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Taking this opportunity, he inquired of Zhou Mingyuan:
"Besides the Wonderland, are there any other missions planned?"

Zhou Mingyuan pondered, "There's never a shortage of work within the sect, but high-paying missions like the Hundred Wonders Garden are rare..." "The pay is easy to say, but do you know if there are any missions to Moon Rhinoceros Lake?" Chen Ye inquired.

Since Mao Qingzhu was late in arriving, he had no choice but to go to her himself.

While we're at it, let's also inquire about Qingjun's constitution.

The surrounding towns and markets of Lingyin Sect extend from west to east.

This is Yunxi Ward, located in Chengping County.

Located in Taoshan Ward, Yuexihu Ward, Guangan County.

Then there's the Lingyin Sect in Nanhe County.

Therefore, Lingyin Sect is actually very close to Yuexi Lake Town, only a four or five-day journey away.

"Moon Rhinoceros Lake Inn?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingyuan showed a hint of surprise. He looked Chen Ye up and down before saying:
"There are tasks available at Moon Rhinoceros Lake, but Moon Rhinoceros Lake is not like Cloud Creek. It's a mixed bag, with cultivation families and sects having deep-rooted connections and complicated relationships. It's best to avoid going there unless absolutely necessary."

"However, the Herbal Pavilion in Yuexi Lake is currently short-staffed, so Steward Chen could take on a job there. The others are all tough jobs with little pay."

Yunxifang was established by the Lingyin Sect and is directly under its jurisdiction.

However, other wards such as Yuexihu Ward are different; they are not exclusive to any one particular ward.

Chen Ye understood the admonition in his words and knew that he meant well.

However, he was determined to do something about Mao Qingzhu.

"Thank you for your guidance, Deacon Zhou. I will remember it."

Chen Ye bowed and thanked him, but he had already made up his mind.

Seeing his reaction, Zhou Mingyuan didn't try to persuade him any further. After chatting for a few more minutes about anecdotes from the sect, he got up to take his leave.

Before leaving, he walked to the courtyard gate, suddenly turned back, and said with a touch of emotion:

“Deacon Chen, I really thought you were just an ordinary person. I never imagined you actually had a connection with Master Bai…”

As he said this, he looked Chen Ye up and down with a strange look in his eyes.

Chen Ye felt a chill run down his spine. Could it be that Zhou Mingyuan still thought he was... offering himself up as bait?

"Fine, let them think what they want."

Chen Ye shook his head, too lazy to explain.

After seeing Zhou Mingyuan off, Chen Ye returned to his cultivation room.

He took out the jade bottle from his storage bag and poured out a pill the size of a pigeon egg, pure white, and emitting a faint fragrance. It was the Mind-Concentrating Pill.

This elixir is of exceptionally high purity, far surpassing ordinary elixirs. Chen Ye dared not be negligent, immediately sat cross-legged, adjusted his mind, and put the elixir into his mouth.

The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a refreshing sensation rushed into his mind, instantly invigorating his somewhat weary soul.

Chen Ye quickly composed himself, activated the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique, guided the pure medicinal power, and visualized Jupiter in his sea of ​​consciousness.

This time, with the help of the Concentration Pill, the visualization process went much more smoothly.

After breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining, Jupiter has become solid, no longer the illusory image it was at the beginning of visualization.

But this is only the beginning of the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Method.

After that, you need to visualize Jupiter. Only when you visualize the nine star rings can you then visualize the Moon and the Sun.

[Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique, Minor Success: 41/100]

It increased my proficiency by a full ten points!

The first ring of Jupiter is already faintly visible.

……

Night had fallen, and the croaking of frogs began to rise in the Pear Blossom Courtyard.

However, Chen Ye did not begin his cultivation practice immediately after finishing his usual cultivation.

He was hunched over his wooden desk, writing furiously by the dim light.

On the table, there were more than a dozen sheets of paper covered with writing, and a few worn-out charcoal pencils were scattered around.

He was completely absorbed in his work, his brows slightly furrowed, yet he wrote with incredible speed, the soft scratching of his pen sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

After what seemed like an eternity, he straightened his stiff back, let out a long sigh, and rubbed his sore eyes.

Outside the window, the moonlight was already setting in the west.

"Squeak-"

The door to the cultivation room was gently pushed open a crack, and Zhiwei's small figure appeared in the doorway.

She had gotten up in the middle of the night, but was drawn to the light emanating from the cultivation room.

Through the crack in the door, she saw her master's back as he hunched over his desk, writing furiously. The lamplight cast a long shadow of him on the mottled wall, making him appear somewhat lonely.

Just a few days ago, when Master broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining, he seemed so energetic, but in these few days, he looks much more haggard.

"Master, what's wrong with you..." Zhiwei called softly, her voice tinged with worry.

Hearing the sound, Chen Ye turned around, gathered the papers on the table, arranged them into a thick stack, and carefully tied them with a thin hemp rope.

He smiled and handed the bundle of papers to Zhiwei:

"Afterwards, Master will be away for a while, and his return date is uncertain. In the evenings, when Master is not around, you should take this booklet and tell stories to Qingjun. Remember, you must read them aloud."

Zhiwei took the heavy booklet, puzzled: "Get out?"

She was puzzled. Was her master going on a long trip?

Why had he never mentioned it before, and why did he write down these stories and instruct her to "tell them out"?
"Don't worry, I'll be back in a few days after completing the sect's mission," Chen Ye reassured him.

Oh, it's a sect mission...

Zhiwei nodded silently and hugged the booklet tightly to her chest.

Chen Ye was relieved to see that she accepted it.

He certainly wasn't doing this out of the ordinary.

He was worried about his two apprentices.

During the day, Bai Susu's reaction clearly indicated that she had overheard his story.

In that case, if she comes again later, she will hear the rest of the story from Zhiwei.

I only hope that she will take better care of her two apprentices because of this.

“But the Lingyin Sect is not like Bishui Street… Even the Xu family wouldn’t dare to abduct people within the sect, otherwise they would have secretly taken my disciple away long ago.”

(End of this chapter)