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 Qingshe, 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 Qinghe left, she had never returned.
Qingshe didn't know if she was cultivating in seclusion and had lost track of time.
Qingshe 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 Qingshe 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 Yingling had given her a new task assignment.
"Here are spirit stones for you. Go cultivate."
For Qingshe, 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. Qingshe could easily crush him.
Naturally, don't ask why she didn't compare herself to Li Yingling.
She was the Eldest Senior Sister, naturally possessing her unique qualities. Qingshe could understand this.
It was just a pity that this Eldest Senior Sister had cultivation but not a shred of emotional intelligence.
Li Yingling 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!]
Qingshe still remembered the damage those two words had caused her that day.
Someday, when her cultivation rose high enough, she would make Li Yingling 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, Qingshe turned and headed toward the cultivation room.
For that day to come, Qingshe would have to put in even more arduous effort.
Qinghe's pearls of wisdom, she remembered to this day.
However, when Qingshe passed through the main hall and reached the residential area, her feet refused to move forward.
If asked who Qingshe both loved and feared, Chen Baiqing would definitely be on the list.
She still remembered how Chen Baiqing had taught her to read.
But she also remembered what Chen Baiqing's tea tasted like.
Since Chen Baiqing liked the design of the deep pool in Yuzhou 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 Yuzhou City.
But it was better than nothing. At least Chen Baiqing 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 Xingtian. Li Xingtian 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 Yuzhou City were now placed beside the small pool.
Chen Baiqing elegantly brewed tea. Across from her, Cui Hao's face was full of anticipation. Lin Luoyu 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 Qingshe had tasted Chen Baiqing'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. Qingshe 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, Qingshe slowly made her way toward Chen Baiqing and the others.
Chen Baiqing naturally noticed Qingshe's movements, just as Qingshe had guessed.
Since Qingshe was recognized by her master, Chen Baiqing could certainly accept Qingshe as well, provided she had a normal mind.
Chen Baiqing also naturally understood Qingshe's intentions.
Before Qingshe could shamelessly open her mouth to ask, Chen Baiqing poured a cup of tea and gently pushed it in front of Qingshe.
Qingshe's eyes brightened: "Thank you."
Chen Baiqing shook her head slightly: "No need. You've worked hard on the sect's construction lately."
Qingshe suddenly felt that Chen Baiqing before her was actually quite adorable.
As long as she didn't teach her to read, Chen Baiqing was definitely a truly good person!
Chen Baiqing 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 Junzi 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 Baiqing'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 Baiqing glanced at Cui Hao's empty tea cup, then picked up the teapot and poured him another half cup.
Although he knew Cui Hao was most likely just flattering his.
But she liked hearing these words, so he was rewarded.
Qingshe said nothing, silently savoring his tea. He didn't have any special feelings about Chu Xingchen at the moment.
After all, they hadn't interacted much. Her favorability was temporarily lower than Chen Baiqing, 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.
"She's arrived. I'll let Baiqing introduce you in a moment."
Everyone present naturally recognized that this was Chu Xingchen's voice.
Chen Baiqing 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 Xingchen stepped through the gate and naturally saw everyone, so he smiled and said to Xie Lingyu beside him:
"Perfect timing. Little Baiqing is right here."
A gentle smile appeared on Xie Lingyu's face as she greeted everyone:
"It's been a long time."
Cui Hao stood up: "Martial Aunt Xie, long time no see."
Lin Luoyu followed closely, also greeting Xie Lingyu.
Chen Baiqing'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 Baiqing, days without her master were truly very, very long.
Chu Xingchen walked forward, reaching out to gently pat his thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket:
"Little Baiqing, long time no see."
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