Early morning.
The major construction of the sect had basically concluded, though some time was still needed before it would be completely finished.
However, the framework of the large wooden structures was completed, so that pure, tremendous noise had finally ceased.
For people, those noises might have been bearable, but for Qing She, it was somewhat of a torture.
As the noise decreased, her perception of the outside world was finally no longer trembling and shaking.
The wood-chopping work had also become more spirited lately.
Unfortunately... ever since Qing He left, she had never returned.
Qing She didn't know if she was cultivating in seclusion and had lost track of time.
Qing She gently swayed her tail, gazing leisurely at the main hall that was now completely topped with a roof.
The interior work was delicate work. Although Qing She considered herself clever, she couldn't use her tail to carve those extremely exquisite decorations.
So her work had come to an end here.
Now, the sect's leader Li Ying Ling had given her a new task assignment.
"Here are spirit stones for you. Go cultivate."
For Qing She, this was good news. As long as she demonstrated sufficient cultivation aptitude and her cultivation base grew deeper, she would still be valued and put to good use.
Take someone like Zhou Ping, for example—nothing but a cultivation good-for-nothing. Qing She could easily crush him.
Naturally, don't ask why she didn't compare herself to Li Ying Ling.
She was the Eldest Senior Sister, naturally possessing her unique qualities. Qing She could understand this.
It was just a pity that this Eldest Senior Sister had cultivation but not a shred of emotional intelligence.
Li Ying Ling had used the simplest yet most humiliating two characters to express her opinion about the sect's guardian beast's combat power being comparable to the sect's mascot.
[Ridiculous!]
Qing She still remembered the damage those two words had caused her that day.
Someday, when her cultivation rose high enough, she would make Li Ying Ling look at her with new eyes and make her fiercely apologize for her childish and shallow judgment back then.
At that time, she would certainly smile and let bygones be bygones.
After all, the realm of the strong is something the weak can never understand.
Thinking this, Qing She turned and headed toward the cultivation room.
For that day to come, Qing She would have to put in even more arduous effort.
Qing He's pearls of wisdom, she remembered to this day.
However, when Qing She passed through the main hall and reached the residential area, her feet refused to move forward.
If asked who Qing She both loved and feared, Chen Bai Qing would definitely be on the list.
She still remembered how Chen Bai Qing had taught her to read.
But she also remembered what Chen Bai Qing's tea tasted like.
Since Chen Bai Qing liked the design of the deep pool in Yu Zhou City, Cui Hao had the idea to dig a small pool here. Its size naturally couldn't compare to the one at the sect in Yu Zhou City.
But it was better than nothing. At least Chen Bai Qing could raise some fish for barbecue experiments again.
The small pool was fed by living water, drawn from underground.
This work was done by Li Xing Tian. Li Xing Tian seemed particularly familiar with underground conditions.
It was just unclear where he had accumulated such experience.
The residential area's construction wasn't particularly extensive, so it was already completed. San Dong had also moved into the house she had been longing for, one where the roof could open and close.
The original stone table and chairs from Yu Zhou City were now placed beside the small pool.
Chen Bai Qing elegantly brewed tea. Across from her, Cui Hao's face was full of anticipation. Lin Luo Yu sat properly to one side, gently turning the pages of a book.
San Dong had also apparently been invited. Since she was too small, sitting on a chair was the same as not being there at all.
So she was the only one sitting on the table.
In her arms, she held a piece of Moon Essence, happily absorbing its power with a look of pure enjoyment.
It had been a long time since Qing She had tasted Chen Bai Qing's tea.
Before, when she didn't see it, she didn't crave it. But now that she saw it being brewed again, she suddenly felt somewhat thirsty.
Tsk, although the guardian position sounded somewhat like a gatekeeper.
But at least she was one of their own, personally recognized by the Sect Master. Qing She naturally understood that people in the sect had always been quite tolerant of their own.
Besides, she had worked through wind and rain during the sect's construction without ever slacking off.
Asking for a cup of tea couldn't be too much, right?
Thinking this, Qing She slowly made her way toward Chen Bai Qing and the others.
Chen Bai Qing naturally noticed Qing She's movements, just as Qing She had guessed.
Since Qing She was recognized by her master, Chen Bai Qing could certainly accept Qing She as well, provided she had a normal mind.
Chen Bai Qing also naturally understood Qing She's intentions.
Before Qing She could shamelessly open her mouth to ask, Chen Bai Qing poured a cup of tea and gently pushed it in front of Qing She.
Qing She's eyes brightened: "Thank you."
Chen Bai Qing shook her head slightly: "No need. You've worked hard on the sect's construction lately."
Qing She suddenly felt that Chen Bai Qing before her was actually quite adorable.
As long as she didn't teach her to read, Chen Bai Qing was definitely a truly good person!
Chen Bai Qing distributed the tea cups to everyone, including the sect's current mascot, San Dong.
Cui Hao took the tea cup, gently took a sip, and his expression instantly became relaxed.
His own sect was indeed more delightful the longer he stayed. An interesting and not rigid master, an Eldest Senior Sister who was clever and quirky yet reliable, and a Second Senior Brother with a fierce appearance but a genuinely kind heart.
And a Third Senior Sister who brewed delicious tea and was very cute.
This wasn't cultivation at all... this was clearly enjoying life.
Cui Hao genuinely considered this place his home and treated everyone in the sect as family.
He brought up a topic his Third Senior Sister liked most:
"Master should be coming back soon, right? Last time at Jun Zi Mountain, didn't he say he'd return in about a month? It's been nearly two months now. He wouldn't go out to have fun without us, would he?"
Chen Bai Qing's gaze lifted slightly at these words:
"In this world, there aren't many things that can be decided so definitely. Master might be busy right now. If you want to play, you can certainly go by yourself. No one's stopping you."
Cui Hao's tone grew serious as he replied earnestly:
"That's different. With Master leading and without Master leading—how can those be the same?"
Chen Bai Qing glanced at Cui Hao's empty tea cup, then picked up the teapot and poured him another half cup.
Although she knew Cui Hao was most likely just flattering her.
But she liked hearing these words, so he was rewarded.
Qing She said nothing, silently savoring her tea. She didn't have any special feelings about Chu Xing Chen at the moment.
After all, they hadn't interacted much. Her favorability was temporarily lower than Chen Bai Qing, who would hand her tea.
The scene suddenly fell silent for a moment. Then, in the next instant, everyone's gaze turned toward the main gate.
"He's arrived. I'll let Bai Qing introduce you in a moment."
Everyone present naturally recognized that this was Chu Xing Chen's voice.
Chen Bai Qing immediately stood up, habitually smoothing her dress. But this time, she didn't actively go to find her master. She stood obediently in place.
Chu Xing Chen stepped through the gate and naturally saw everyone, so he smiled and said to Xie Ling Yu beside him:
"Perfect timing. Little Bai Qing is right here."
A gentle smile appeared on Xie Ling Yu's face as she greeted everyone:
"It's been a long time."
Cui Hao stood up: "Martial Aunt Xie, long time no see."
Lin Luo Yu followed closely, also greeting Xie Ling Yu.
Chen Bai Qing's smile was the purest, her eyes filled with joy as she looked at her master:
"Master, long time no see."
Although they had been separated for less than two months, for Chen Bai Qing, days without her master were truly very, very long.
Chu Xing Chen walked forward, reaching out to gently pat his thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket:
"Little Bai Qing, long time no see."
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