Collect Some Interest

Around the seventh month after the eldest senior sister's departure.

Two months prior, Cui Hao had successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Compared to the other disciples, his breakthrough had been particularly arduous.

Of course, Chu Xingchen had intentionally prolonged Cui Hao's Foundation Establishment period to ensure his foundation wouldn't lag behind Li Yingling and the others.

After all, those recognized by the system as "immortal seedlings" were practically cheating—cultivating faster and more solidly than ordinary disciples.

Chu Xingchen had even worried that Cui Hao might fail his first breakthrough, so he specially went out to purchase a decent-quality Foundation Establishment Pill to assist him.

This was mainly because that rebellious disciple Cui Hao had no appreciation for the pills Chu Xingchen refined.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly—Cui Hao broke through without even needing the pill.

The kid had been gloating about it for days.

However, since Cui Hao wasn’t recognized by the system as an "immortal seedling," he didn’t receive the innate divine ability that the system automatically bestowed upon others upon reaching Foundation Establishment.

Unlike cultivation techniques, divine abilities couldn’t be modified or repurposed.

The divine abilities of the main disciples didn’t suit Cui Hao at all, and there was no way to make do.

So, for now, Chu Xingchen could only think of a solution for him later…

He might as well start saving up spirit stones for Cui Hao—enough to buy him a decent weapon by the time he reached the Golden Core stage.

Chen Baiqing had now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, just a step away from breaking through.

Unlike Li Xingtian, after Li Yingling left, the sect had indeed become noticeably quieter.

Neither Chen Baiqing nor Lin Luoyu were the type to stir up trouble.

As for Cui Hao… the kid had the talent for mischief but not the seniority to get away with it.

Especially when facing Chen Baiqing—while Li Yingling could easily subdue Baiqing, Cui Hao stood no chance.

Pathetic.

Of course, it had to be said that girls were naturally more considerate. Unlike Li Xingtian, who seemed to vanish from the world after heading to the Central Continent, Li Yingling occasionally sent long letters detailing her adventures and the interesting things she had seen.

Whether she was only sharing the good news and hiding the bad, Chu Xingchen didn’t know. But from her letters, he could sense her joy.

If she was truly happy, then everything he had done was worth it.

Also… this "fortune magnet" really needed to be let out more often.

Every now and then, Chu Xingchen could feel Li Yingling’s cultivation feedback surging dramatically.

He had no idea what kind of incredible opportunities she was stumbling upon out there.

But the most important thing was that she remained safe.

Lately, with more free time on his hands, Lin Luoyu’s cultivation of the "Righteous Sword" had also been progressing smoothly.

For some reason… Chu Xingchen couldn’t shake the feeling that he was turning into some kind of lonely old man.

Hmm… maybe it was time for him to take a trip too. Perhaps he should visit the Central Continent.

After all, as any completionist gamer knows, optional quests are basically mandatory.

By the deep pool.

Chu Xingchen took a sip of the tea Chen Baiqing had brewed. "You’re close to Golden Core, aren’t you?"

Chen Baiqing tilted her head slightly but didn’t answer the question. Instead, she asked, "Does Master also want to go out?"

Chu Xingchen’s gaze lingered on her. He knew his third disciple’s appearance and maturity didn’t quite match, but he had only asked an unrelated question.

Yet Baiqing had immediately…

Chu Xingchen suddenly wondered—had all those times he’d tricked Baiqing with tall tales not worked because she believed him, but because she simply enjoyed being fooled by him?

Was she the one treating him like a child all along?

"Maybe?" Chu Xingchen replied casually. Regardless, he trusted Baiqing completely.

"If Master wants to go, Baiqing supports it," she said softly, lowering her head. "I’ll take care of our junior brother and sister."

"Hah, why does that sound familiar?" Chu Xingchen chuckled. "Trying to imitate your master at such a young age?"

Chen Baiqing smiled gently. "Because you taught me."

Warmth bloomed in Chu Xingchen’s chest. Baiqing was undoubtedly his little cotton-padded jacket—cozy and never drafty.

Far better than Li Yingling’s unpredictable, leaky version.

He teased, "Heh, don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been secretly upset that I always took your eldest senior sister and second senior brother out but never you, right?"

Chen Baiqing’s expression flickered with conflict before she finally nodded.

"Just… a little," she admitted, looking like a child caught misbehaving.

Just as she had from the very beginning, Baiqing refused to lie to Chu Xingchen about anything.

The realization struck him—had he been unconsciously neglecting her?

Chen Baiqing was too well-behaved. She never fought for attention, never bothered him. She simply stood quietly, waiting until he needed her.

She had never asked for anything, never complained.

Every time Chu Xingchen saw her, she wore that same gentle smile, her eyes bright with quiet happiness.

But had he forgotten that maybe—just maybe—she wanted more attention?

Chu Xingchen grinned. "In that case, Master will make it up to you!"

Baiqing’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"This time, I’ll take you with me."

"What about junior brother and sister?"

"We’ll find a good place for them. Especially Cui Hao—he’s been slacking off too much lately. Even after taking so long and relying on pills to break through to Foundation Establishment, he still acts smug."

Chu Xingchen’s expression turned serious. "That kid needs a lesson in humility!"

Chen Baiqing tilted her head curiously. "Then, Master, where are we going?"

"The Central Continent!"

---

Tianyan Sect.

Qinghe meticulously recreated Chen Baiqing’s tea-brewing motions, repeating them with utmost precision. In her mind, she recited Baiqing’s teachings—"You must brew with your heart."

After much practice, she finally executed the intricate steps flawlessly.

As steam curled from the freshly brewed tea, a sense of pride swelled in Qinghe’s chest.

When she put her mind to something, she could master it easily! Aside from the technique, the tea leaves and water were Tianyan Sect’s finest—top-tier ingredients.

Seated across from her, Bai Xuanling poured himself a cup and took a sip under Qinghe’s eager gaze.

"Well? How is it?" Qinghe pressed.

Bai Xuanling gave his honest verdict: "Next time you waste my tea like this, I’ll grind your horns into powder and drink that instead."

Qinghe’s face fell.

"But I followed everything exactly! The motions, the heat—why isn’t it working?"

Bai Xuanling replied impassively, "Don’t overthink it. Sometimes, you’re just bad at something. No need to blame external factors."

Qinghe: "…"

Wasn’t that just outright bullying?!

Bai Xuanling didn’t say anything further, instead turning his gaze toward the training chamber where Xie Lingyu was secluded, attempting her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.

The chamber was still enveloped in a spirit-gathering formation Bai Xuanling had set up, with spiritual energy swirling like white mist around its exterior.

This was already the third day of Xie Lingyu’s preparation to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm.

Qinghe downed the last of his tea in one gulp before speaking:

"Don’t worry. Even that wild brat Chu Xingchen managed to cultivate a Karmic Nascent Soul in the Southern Continent. Our Lingyu is definitely stronger than him."

Bai Xuanling shifted his gaze to Qinghe. "A Karmic Nascent Soul… isn’t something you can achieve just by having enough spiritual energy."

"Then that kid just got lucky!"

"Perhaps." Bai Xuanling didn’t bother explaining further to this rather dim-witted dragon.

Sometimes, a dismissive response was the best solution—especially when dealing with certain individuals, or in this case, certain dragons.

A streak of rainbow light suddenly streaked across the sky, heading straight for Bai Xuanling.

With a glance, he raised his hand and summoned the talisman.

The talisman dissolved into shimmering light, twirling around his fingertips.

After a moment, Bai Xuanling’s expression turned slightly exasperated as he muttered,

"Finally, this kid shows up. Who knows what he’s been dawdling over along the way."

"Still, not too bad. At least he made it in time."

Qinghe’s curious gaze followed—who had arrived?

Bai Xuanling let out a cold laugh and looked at Qinghe. "What are you staring at? Looking for work?"

The moment he heard this, Qinghe swiftly covered his eyes with his hands.