Lu Tingni looked at the pair of yin-yang fish in Chu Ge's hand with some curiosity. She couldn't see anything extraordinary about the item.
But unlike Lu Tingni, Lu Fuyao recognized it. Her expression tightened at once, and she spoke up:
"Senior Brother, this item is far too precious. We—"
"Junior sister!"
Chu Ge interrupted with a deliberately stern tone, his brows knitting slightly.
The moment he put on such an expression, an invisible pressure rose with it.
Lu Fuyao immediately became a little uneasy, and even the usually lively Lu Tingni felt a twinge of nervousness at Chu Ge's frown.
"I…" Lu Fuyao hesitated.
"Hold out your hand."
Chu Ge spoke again, his tone carrying a sense of command.
"Junior Sister, you don't want to be punished by the Holy Land for disobeying a direct disciple's order, do you?"
Hearing this, Lu Fuyao dared not speak further, yet she still didn't move.
Seeing this, Chu Ge directly took the hand of this gentle junior sister, spread open her palm, and placed one yin-yang fish into it.
This sudden, forceful action not only failed to make Lu Fuyao feel displeased—
on the contrary, deep in her heart, a strange, stimulating sensation surged forth because of Chu Ge's domineering treatment.
Chu Ge did not notice the change in Lu Fuyao at all. He turned instead to look at Lu Tingni.
This usually lively junior sister obediently and proactively extended her hand, spreading her palm open.
Chu Ge smiled knowingly and gave the other half of the yin-yang fish to Lu Tingni.
At this very moment, Shui Qianrou swayed her full, graceful hips and walked over gracefully.
"Master."
The two sisters called out softly when they saw her.
Shui Qianrou nodded, her bearing as composed and dignified as ever.
"Martial Aunt, junior sisters, I'll take my leave now. If you ever have free time, you're welcome to visit me at the Taihuang Hall."
Chu Ge spoke with a smile, secretly casting a glance at Shui Qianrou. She shot him an annoyed look in return.
Chu Ge merely smiled back. Under the gazes of the three women, he turned and descended the scenic Shuiyue Peak.
He did not linger over this peak of breathtaking scenery and even more beautiful people.
There was plenty of time ahead—his interactions with these three would only grow more frequent. There was no need to rush this moment.
"Safe travels, nephew."
Seeing how decisively Chu Ge left, Shui Qianrou did not try to keep him.
The short period of being alone together earlier in the pill-refining room had invisibly brought her closer to Chu Ge, so she couldn't even be bothered to utter perfunctory words of polite retention.
Chu Ge's figure gradually faded into the distance. Shui Qianrou stared for quite a while before she finally came back to herself. Only then did she realize that her two disciples were still at her side, and she inwardly thought, This is bad.
Turning her head, she saw that both disciples were still staring at the path down the mountain. Her irritation immediately flared.
"Still looking? He's already gone far away and you're still staring—your eyeballs are about to fall out!"
Shui Qianrou scolded irritably. Whether she was truly angry or just a little jealous, even she couldn't quite tell.
The two sisters were startled back to their senses by the rebuke. Lu Fuyao hesitated, wanting to speak but not knowing how to begin.
Meanwhile, Lu Tingni's eyes rolled about, as if she were scheming something.
"This item is by no means ordinary. You must not waste it."
Shui Qianrou reminded them, glancing at the yin-yang fish in their hands. A faint, barely noticeable smile curved at the corner of her lips.
Though the yin-yang fish was indeed a rare treasure, it was still far inferior to the ring Chu Ge had given her.
Hmph, at least you still have a conscience, you brat.
Thinking this, her right hand unconsciously rubbed the ring on the middle finger of her left hand.
"Now that you have the items your senior brother gave you, that Windsilk Spirit Radiant Bamboo is no longer needed. Later, send a message to the Inner Sect Hall and have the task reward changed."
"For now, your master will return to cultivate."
With that, Shui Qianrou left first.