Chapter 977 - 457: Sect’s Generous Reward; Jiaming’s Arrangements

"Suit yourself, suit yourself! Anyway, that quota was given to you by the Grand Elder. If you can’t get it to sprout in the end and waste such a heaven-sent bargain for nothing, and later run into a strong enemy and suffer for it, this True Inheritor won’t be lending you a shoulder to cry on!"

"Relax, I absolutely won’t let you down."

Chen Ye let out a speechless laugh.

Bai Susu raised her hand and activated the Purple Gold Order Token. That Profound Vessel Spirit Gourd’s remnant seed sank into the jade box and fell into Chen Ye’s hand. She explained:

"Without the protection of the Grotto Heaven, the remnant seed’s Spiritual Essence will inevitably be lost over time. Fortunately, it takes several decades, even over a hundred years, just to lose a little. You have more than enough time to slowly mull it over."

At this point, one Third Tier treasure and five Second Tier treasures had all been selected.

"Let’s go, we’re returning fully loaded, back to Cangli Courtyard."

Chen Ye patted his Storage Bag and looked at the golden-haired girl beside him with a smile.

"Hmph, you sure made out like a bandit."

Bai Susu gave a soft snort and naturally hooked her arm through his. The two of them stepped out of that miniature Grotto Heaven together, turning into two streaks of Flowing Light as they flew toward Cangli Courtyard.

...

When Chen Ye and Bai Susu returned to Cangli Courtyard, before they even stepped through the door, they faintly sensed that the atmosphere in the backyard was a bit...subtle.

The two exchanged a glance and quickly walked into the backyard.

Under the old pear tree, the Grand Elder was sitting upright and dignified, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were terribly conflicted.

Opposite the Grand Elder, Qin Jiaming was resting her chin in both hands, those moist, watery eyes smiling as she looked at the Grand Elder, her bearing gentle and seemingly pure.

Hearing the commotion, the few people in the courtyard all turned their heads to look over.

Qin Jiaming’s beautiful eyes lit up, and her voice carried a pitiful note:

"Big brother, you’re finally back! As soon as this Grand Elder came, he just kept staring at Jiaming and asked all sorts of strange questions. He scared Jiaming half to death."

Upon hearing this, the corner of the Grand Elder’s mouth twitched fiercely, and the veins at his temples seemed to bulge faintly.

Scared half to death?

Why did he feel like the one who’d been scared half to death was himself?

Vaguely,

he actually felt a trace of threat coming from this girl...yet on the surface, her cultivation was only at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!

Seeing Qin Jiaming immediately cling to Chen Ye the moment he returned, Bai Susu shifted her body sideways, quietly blocking in front of Chen Ye as she let out a cold laugh:

"Miss Qin, you jest. The Grand Elder is a senior of our Lingyin Sect, of high virtue and prestige. He merely came to pay a visit to our distinguished guest; what ulterior motives could he have? Besides, Miss Qin is also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator...there’s no need to act like a mortal and make such a fuss over nothing, is there?"

Hearing this, Qin Jiaming’s expression was so, those clear eyes brimming with moisture, looking as if she truly felt wronged yet was humbly accepting the lesson:

"Sister Bai’s rebuke is right. It’s Jiaming who, after reincarnating, hasn’t been cultivating for long. My willpower is lacking, I’m a bit too delicate. From now on, with Sister Bai and big brother by my side to teach by word and deed, Jiaming will definitely train hard."

This needle-wrapped-in-cotton speech made Bai Susu’s fists clench.

This Demoness, if you’re going to admit fault then just admit fault—yet every word still clings to Chen Ye like glue!

"Ahem!"

The Grand Elder gave two heavy coughs, cutting off the clash between the two girls.

He stood up and gave Chen Ye a deep look, his gaze holding a hint of sympathy:

"Alright, since you’ve finished choosing your treasures and come back, this old man won’t linger here and disturb you any longer. Chen Ye, Miss Qin’s identity is special. Since she’s willing to stay here in your Cangli Courtyard, you must take good care of her. Whatever cultivation or daily needs Miss Qin may have, you may directly submit them to the Sect. You must not slight our distinguished guest in the slightest."

Chen Ye instinctively cupped his hands. "This disciple obeys."

But he immediately realized belatedly.

Wait a second?

What exactly did this old man’s words mean?

So after this,

Qin Jiaming would be living in Cangli Courtyard?

"Grand Elder, Cangli Courtyard is quite simple and crude. I fear it might be too shabby for..."

"It’s not shabby at all, not in the slightest!"

Afraid he might back out, the Grand Elder flicked his wide sleeve, turning directly into a brilliant long rainbow. With a speed at least twice as fast as when he’d arrived, he shot straight up and disappeared into the sky above Lisong Valley.

Only a faint transmission echoed in Chen Ye’s ears:

"Chen Ye, those who are capable should do more! This girl is of immense consequence. Throughout the Sect, only you have old ties with her, and only you can keep things under control. This is the Sect’s highest-level secret. I’m off to sit at the frontlines; you’re on your own now!"

What the hell did this asshole mean by that?

Chen Ye’s head was pounding.

"Why should it be like this!"

At his side, Bai Susu was the first to react. Her eyes went wide in disbelief as she stared in the direction where the Grand Elder had vanished,

"She’s a...a dignified distinguished guest! There are so many empty top-tier Cave Mansions she could live in, yet she just has to squeeze into your tiny little Cangli Courtyard?"

The key point was,

this was Cangli Courtyard! Chen Ye’s home!

She, the legitimate Lingyin Sect prodigy, the "one of the family" in the Elders’ eyes, hadn’t even officially moved in for a long stay yet—so why should this Demoness who popped up out of nowhere get to steal a march on her?!

Hearing Bai Susu’s questioning, Qin Jiaming lowered her gaze and let out a soft sigh.

On that pure face with a hint of baby fat, a trace of sorrow surfaced as she said gently:

"Jiaming...also doesn’t know what the Grand Elder means. But here, the only person Jiaming knows is big brother."