"Hey..."

Little Shuyao's lips slowly curved upwards, revealing two small, rabbit-like white teeth.

She quickly smiled at Chen Ye, then pursed her lips and lowered her head.

"Huh? Is this child greeting me?"

Chen Ye was uncertain whether to praise Little Shuyao for her politeness.

He had visited Hee Qi's home once before and noticed the little girl was very timid.

Only after becoming well-acquainted with Hee Qi did he understand the reason behind Little Shuyao's timidity.

In his younger, more headstrong days, Hee Qi had an arrogant nature and had formed a deadly enmity with someone.

Later, the enemy came to seek revenge. At that time, Shuyao was only about four or five years old, unaware of the dangers of the human heart, lively and playful.

While playing outside, she personally led this man filled with Evil Qi into the house, watching helplessly as her mother died in a pool of blood.

Fortunately, the avenger had a bit of conscience and did not harm Shuyao, leaving immediately after the murder.

This incident profoundly affected both Hee Qi and his daughter. Perhaps that's why, later in the shantytown, this Qi Cultivation Late Period cultivator treated others kindly, influenced by this event, not wanting to form enmities anymore.

Looking at this timid little girl, Chen Ye's heart softened.

He had always been defenseless against cute creatures.

"Shuyao, do you remember the Jade Pendant Uncle gave you?" Chen Ye smiled warmly as he approached.

Hearing the words "Jade Pendant," Little Shuyao instinctively touched her neck, where a pendant with a soft, warm luster was hanging.

She nodded, but her small hand instinctively gripped the pendant tighter.

This was the Heart-Calming Jade Chen Ye once gave to Hee Shuyao.

"Let Uncle tell you a secret."

Chen Ye lowered his voice, wearing a mysterious expression,

"That Jade Pendant is actually a Magical Artifact. As long as you think of your father in your heart, it can let your father sense whether you are safe from afar. That way, your father will feel at ease."

Little Shuyao's eyes widened slightly, filled with incredulity.

"However," Chen Ye changed his tone hesitantly, "the pendant seems a bit cold now, maybe it'll make your father think Shuyao is cold too."

As he spoke, he pointed convincingly at his chest, gently guiding, "For instance... using Uncle's and Shuyao's body warmth to heat the pendant. Why don't...you give it a try?"

Saying so, Chen Ye squatted down, spreading his arms, waiting for Little Shuyao to come forward.

Little Shuyao looked at him and then at the cold pendant in her hand.

Puffing her tiny lips slightly, she seemed to be in a mental struggle.

"Brother Ye, why are you...so skilled at this?"

Mao Qingzhu was astonished. She thought that Brother Ye was indeed impressive, winning over girls was just a piece of cake for him.

Shuyao hadn't interacted with them much these days, yet a few words from Chen Ye moved her heart.

She chuckled, "But this child is very shy, probably won't fall for it..."

Before she finished speaking, Little Shuyao slowly walked up to Chen Ye, hesitantly stretching out her arms to hug Chen Ye's neck.

"Sister Qingzhu, what are you saying?"

Chen Ye grinned proudly, picking up the fragrant little dumpling, raising his eyebrows at Mao Qingzhu,

"You...you're cheating, it doesn't count!"

Mao Qingzhu felt embarrassed and annoyed, remembering her earlier confident judgment.

"How am I cheating? If Shuyao enjoys her time in Lisong Valley, then Taoist Friend Hee should be more at ease in the Three Thousand Great Mountains."

Chen Ye gently rubbed the back of Little Shuyao's head, smiling warmly,

"Isn't that right, Little Shuyao?"

Only then did Little Shuyao realize she had been tricked, her little face instantly turned red.

But having already "thrown herself into his arms," how could she back down now?

She could only mutter softly, "Uncle, you're not a good person...put Shuyao down..."

Alright, everyone said he was the bad guy, huh?

Chen Ye sighed, not putting Little Shuyao down but instead turning, lightly passing the fragrant, soft little bundle into Mao Qingzhu's arms.

Mao Qingzhu instinctively reached out to catch her. Perhaps because she was escaping from Chen Ye's arms, Little Shuyao wasn't as resistant as before, immediately hugging Mao Qingzhu tightly, as if afraid Uncle would snatch her away again.

"Alright, Sister Qingzhu, I'll leave this child to you."

Chen Ye clapped his hands, indeed, this little girl was so sweet-scented.

"You..."

Mao Qingzhu feigned anger, giving him a side glance, Brother Ye, always so improper...

She hugged Little Shuyao tightly, once again focusing her gaze on Chen Ye, seriously asking,

"Brother Ye, are you...really at Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer?"

"Yes," Chen Ye nodded, not hiding it, "After a month of seclusion, I was lucky enough to make a breakthrough."

"Lucky?" Mao Qingzhu couldn't help but smile bitterly at his words.

The leap from Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer to Ninth Layer had trapped countless cultivators, causing them to spend years, even decades without progress, yet to him, it was merely a light "lucky" remark?

She carefully scrutinized Chen Ye, growing more amazed the more she looked.

Although Chen Ye's aura was still restrained, his every movement exuded an impeccable Dao charm.

His Spiritual Power was condensed as if it were substantial, creating an indistinct resonance with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. This was not a trait a typical Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer cultivator could possess, clearly showing extraordinarily solid foundations!

"Brother Ye, the Cultivation Technique you practice must be extraordinary, right? Could it be the one given by the Fourth Elder?" Mao Qingzhu couldn't help but ask.

"Yes." Chen Ye smiled, attributing it to the Cultivation Technique gifted by the Fourth Elder.

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