Negotiate? His face was rubbed into the ground, what is there to negotiate?

His gaze swept over Mao Qingzhu and then at Chen Ye, their attitudes were already clear as day.

Further negotiation would only increase their humiliation.

"Hmph!" Xu Qingsong snorted coldly, "Carry them! We're leaving!"

The followers dared not delay and quickly carried the four wailing companions back to the flying boat.

The old man sighed, at this point, he no longer maintained his posture, his voice hoarse:

"Our skills are inferior, we admit it. It's just that Qing Jun, that child, is ultimately of our Xu Family's bloodline. The clan blessing concerns her future path, we hope the steward... would consider the child's future."

Indeed, the old douche is just an old douche.

Able to put on airs while relying on his seniority, yet also capable of lowering his stance and compromising, truly thick-skinned!

Chen Ye looked at the old man, internally criticizing him, and said with a smile, "Naturally, I understand. That's why I have Sister Qingzhu, taking Qing Jun back for the blessing.

The old man shook his head, glanced at Xu Qingsong, who was boarding the boat with an unhappy expression, and continued, "Taoist Friend Chen, Xu Family matters are far more complex than you think. This time, we truly wish the best for Qing Jun. Qingsong is, after all... Qing Jun's brother; how could he harm her?"

Mao Qingzhu bit her lip slightly, her eyes somewhat evasive.

Chen Ye glanced at Mao Qingzhu.

It seems that deep down, Sister Qingzhu still cares, as the Xu Family spread rumors of her infidelity, but she cannot voice her suffering.

He cupped his hands, "Then I hope the elder can speak honestly, I am willing to listen in detail."

The old man leaned on his cane, his eyes distant:

"The Xu Family has stood in the Yan Kingdom for hundreds of years, naturally having a foundation. Three hundred years ago, when the Xu Family moved from the Ruins Country, they brought with them part of the clan's secret technique inheritance, known as the Xu Family True Seal, which is only passed down to direct descendants. However, as these three hundred years have passed since the Xu Family settled here... the direct lineage numbers less than one-fifth of the collaterals."

Chen Ye listened and understood somewhat.

No more than the collateral Xu Family members also want to learn this Xu Family True Seal.

The old man continued, "And the transmission of the Xu Family True Seal, due to... certain reasons, loses some power with each transmission. This is the reason it's not taught to the collaterals."

Chen Ye, meticulous in thought, immediately inferred some meaning from the old man's words.

He sneered, "The elder means to say... that Qing Jun is said to be of the direct line, but is actually collateral. If she returns to the Xu Family, she might be used by the collateral line to seek the True Seal inheritance?"

The old man smiled bitterly:

"Indeed. It's not that Qing Jun has such a critical role in the main-collateral conflict. Rather, her ambiguous status easily becomes a fuse for the intensifying conflict."

"Bastards... What makes you think Qing Jun is of a collateral bloodline? I look down on every one of you Xu Family people!" Mao Qingzhu gritted her teeth silently, filled with resentment.

The old man twitched at the corners of his mouth.

That year, Mao Qingzhu had been cultivating in Dragon Sleep Mountain, not of the Xu Family, surely not a servant, right?

Or is it...

This Steward Chen was a servant in Dragon Sleep Mountain nine years ago? That's impossible, they had already thoroughly investigated Chen Ye, just didn't expect this person's Concealing Qi skills were extraordinary.

"What a Xu Family..."

Chen Ye sneered internally, again and again.

Looking at the seemingly compromising but actually step-by-step manipulative Foundation Establishment elder, he shook his head and said,

"Elder, please return; your Xu Family dispute has nothing to do with me. Besides, with Sister Qingzhu around, she will surely keep Qing Jun safe."

"You..." the old man furrowed his brow, "Aren't you worried that Qing Jun, returning to Dragon Sleep Mountain, will be plotted against by the collaterals?"

Chen Ye had long seen through the old man's tactics, using softness since the hard approach didn't work.

However, his mind was resolute.

Since Mao Qingzhu wanted to bring Qing Jun back to Dragon Sleep Mountain, she must have been fully prepared.

If he didn't trust Mao Qingzhu, he would have hesitated upon hearing the old man's words.

But...

Chen Ye's lips curled slightly, "How could I dare trust that the elder is speaking truthfully?"

"What do you mean?" The old man was displeased.

"Heh, since you believe Qing Jun is of collateral bloodline, the collaterals too likely think there was some strong man among their number... So, in other words, they would consider Qing Jun as one of their own. They might even know of Qing Jun's extraordinary talents and, with the Mao Family as support, might want Qing Jun to lead the collaterals to rise..."

Chen Ye spoke faintly, thoroughly causing the old man's expression to darken.

Chen Ye also doubted how Qing Jun's identity could influence the Xu Family True Seal's inheritance?

Perhaps these collaterals believe Qing Jun is one of theirs and just want to compete for the inheritance for her.

But the direct line naturally feels reluctant...

This old man is indeed a cunning old fox!

"You... you're talking nonsense!"

The old man was so choked by Chen Ye's words that his face turned ashen, and the hand holding the cane trembled slightly.

He realized he had underestimated this steward with a Loose Cultivator background.

Whether it's power, wit, or his ability to twist words and deceive, they far exceeded his imagination.

His strategy to pull in and divide turned out to be full of loopholes in front of this person!

...

One matter was settled.

The Azure Luan Flying Ship had long disappeared into the sky, leaving behind only a mess.

Chen Ye looked at the spot where the flying ship vanished and said wearily:

"Taoist Friend Duan, please clean up the aftermath. Additionally, send a message to Wang Hao and have him keep a close eye on the movements by Moon Rhinoceros Lake."

"Yes!" Duan Ling accepted the order without any hesitation and turned to organize the Spirit Plant Cultivators in the valley to tidy up the chaotic valley entrance.

At the valley entrance, only Chen Ye and Mao Qingzhu remained.

"Brother Ye..."

The mountain breeze brushed through her waterfall-like black hair, with a few strands sticking to her fair cheeks.

Her eyelids drooped, and those clear, autumn-like eyes brimmed with mist, resembling raindrops on a green lotus, shedding the sharpness of battle, leaving only a gentle yearning to speak but pausing.

The person before her had nurtured her "daughter" for nearly a decade and had protected them with all his might in times of peril... How could she not feel her heart surge with emotion?

Chen Ye was puzzled: "Sister Qingzhu, what's wrong with you? Rest assured, I will not let Qing Jun be taken by them."

"No, it's I who owe you an apology." Mao Qingzhu murmured, "It's my fault for entrusting Qing Jun to you, weighing down your path of cultivation. By now, you should have..."

"Did... did I?"

Chen Ye was even more bewildered. When did the little girl ever affect him?

On the contrary, although she seemed mischievous, she was actually very well-behaved and never disturbed his cultivation.

"With this kind of disposition, you will definitely suffer greatly in the future."

Mao Qingzhu sighed softly.

She gazed at Chen Ye's gentle and refined features, her worry deepening.

Everything about Brother Ye was good, except he never sought anything in return, never cared about the price he had paid.

At this moment, he was still thinking of comforting her.

Such sincerity, if encountered by a Female Cultivator with ulterior motives...

Wouldn't he end up being hooked like a fish with its mouth wide open?

She didn't want her sworn brother to become the legendary turtle Cultivator in the future.

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy Mao Qingzhu felt about entrusting Brother Ye to someone else.

"By the way, Sister Qingzhu must be aware of the internal conflicts within the Xu Family, right? Why don't you tell me about it?" Chen Ye suddenly said. Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never lose a battle.

"I've heard a little, but I only know there's some discord... That year I was in seclusion for cultivation." Mao Qingzhu recalled, embarrassedly smiling, "So the Xu Family's conflict has grown this intense."

Damn it!

He shouldn't have trusted this Sister Qingzhu.

Seeing Mao Qingzhu's blank face, Chen Ye was shocked.

She dared to bring Qing Jun back without knowing anything.

Hopefully, this Sister Qingzhu wouldn't end up like Qing Jun, strong in appearance but weak inside.

Seeing Chen Ye worried, Mao Qingzhu quickly adjusted her expression, lightly twisted her hair, and smiled warmly:

"Brother Ye, don't worry. Sister Qingzhu is also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. If anyone dares to obstruct me, I'll just take Qing Jun and fight my way out! Besides... though my father doesn't like Qing Jun, he won't just sit by and watch."

No matter what, what is meant to come will come.

In the Inner Valley.

The two little girls had long since been washed clean, white and tender.

Sitting idly by the stone table, resting their chins on their hands, utterly bored.

"Elder sister, did it hurt when Master hit you?" The little girl asked curiously. It had been so long since she was last hit with the Bone-Scraping Whip that she could barely remember how it felt.

"It didn't hurt." Said the older girl, glancing at her small hands.

Sure enough... Master still couldn't bear to hit her.

Clearly, he had mastered the force, and it only hurt for a brief moment at the time.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile foolishly.

"Elder sister?"

The little girl squinted her eyes, finding it very strange. Elder sister is scary! Why did she suddenly start smiling foolishly?

Clearly, elder sister is not stupid at all...

"Ahem, by the way, Qing Jun, are you going to Dragon Sleep Mountain?" Zhiwei quietly changed the subject.

"Yes." The little girl sat on a bench, swaying her little feet which couldn't reach the ground, "Qing Jun really wants to go out and play... Anyway, I'll be back in Lisong Valley in a month. Qing Jun won't miss you guys at all!"

"Really?"

Before she knew it, Master was behind her, pinching her wet little cheeks,

"But Master will miss Qing Jun..."

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