Long Time No See

Chu Xingchen, impressed by Cui Hao's ingenious design, led the applause without hesitation.

This time, Li Yingling reacted faster than Chen Baiqing, joining Chu Xingchen's clapping almost instantly.

Chen Baiqing was slightly slower, and her applause was much lighter.

Compared to her junior brother, her master naturally held greater importance. As the third senior sister, the most she could do was clap with less enthusiasm.

San Dong also clapped joyfully, with full force and a particularly loud sound, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

Though she didn’t understand much else, it was clear that San Dong truly loved the design.

Lin Luoyu glanced at Cui Hao and sighed softly to herself, refraining from joining the applause.

After all, Cui Hao had contributed greatly to the debate on scholarly matters, spending days with his nose buried in books.

Daoist Yuyang didn’t clap either. As a guest, Cui Hao could be considered a host here.

It was acceptable for family to tease their own, but as an outsider, doing so would be extremely impolite.

Faced with the applause, Cui Hao shyly lowered his gaze to the flowers at his feet.

San Dong was slightly puzzled. Everyone had clapped, and the sect leader had even praised Cui Hao effusively, yet Cui Hao kept his head down, his smile seeming somewhat forced.

After a moment of thought, San Dong concluded that Cui Hao, ever the diligent worker who never sought credit, simply wasn’t used to such public praise.

Truly, that was just like him.

Once the applause died down, Chu Xingchen moved on without further comment.

Though the roof’s purpose seemed baffling, San Dong’s delight made it worthwhile.

It wasn’t exactly a mistake, but teasing Cui Hao and watching him squirm was still amusing.

The boy was thick-skinned—getting him flustered was no easy feat.

Daoist Yuyang studied the structure a moment longer and couldn’t help but think, "Like master, like disciple…"

Had Chu Xingchen built something like this, Daoist Yuyang might not have been surprised.

San Dong didn’t leave with the others, choosing instead to decorate her first house a little more.

With a cheerful wave, she bid farewell to Chu Xingchen and the rest.

Beyond the residential area, the distant hills blanketed in flowers came into view.

Daoist Yuyang had to admit that the scenery here was exceptionally pleasing.

Compared to other sects that prioritized spiritual energy by building in desolate, uninhabited wastelands with swirling sands, this place was undeniably elegant.

But… for cultivators, what use was beauty alone?

Daoist Yuyang could sense the scarcity of spiritual energy here. He wondered if Chu Xingchen was the type to prioritize aesthetics over practicality.

Yet Chu Xingchen sometimes came across as stingy and frugal—hardly the sort to splurge on whims.

On the way to the main hall, Daoist Yuyang finally couldn’t hold back his question:

"This place is beautiful… but the spiritual energy seems rather thin."

Chu Xingchen replied leisurely, "This humble one has his own methods. Once construction is complete, I’ll invite you back, Brother Yuyang."

With a slight nod, Daoist Yuyang said no more.

Before they reached the hall, they encountered Li Xingtian.

Dressed in black martial attire, he walked briskly around a corner and spotted his master and senior sisters.

His eyes lit up with pleasant surprise as he hurried forward to greet Chu Xingchen:

"Master, it’s been a while. Have you finished your business?"

Chu Xingchen studied Li Xingtian’s perpetually stern, intimidating expression. Strangely, after seeing it so often, he now found it quite endearing.

Casually slinging an arm over Li Xingtian’s shoulder, he said,

"Not yet. Major sects love dragging things out."

Li Xingtian’s lips curled slightly—a rare display of emotion for him.

"That’s how it is. But don’t worry, Master. Everything in the sect is running smoothly."

Chu Xingchen patted his shoulder with a smile, then turned his gaze to the hall nearing completion.

This visit was merely a brief stop. The matters at the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect weren’t fully resolved.

Given Lv Xuan and Bai Xuanling’s temperaments, they likely wouldn’t summon him back unless absolutely necessary.

But he couldn’t leave things entirely to them. His presence sometimes gave Lv Xuan and Bai Xuanling more room to maneuver.

Perhaps by his next return, the sect at Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge would be fully established.

Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.

Today, Yanyun wasn’t sparring with Bai Xuanling as usual. Instead, the two sat together on white jade chairs, leisurely brewing and sipping tea.

It wasn’t that Yanyun feared pain or had grown weary of being beaten—the main reason was Xie Lingyu’s arrival.

Even if Chu Xingchen wasn’t here, there was always the risk of Bai Xuanling borrowing a few of his cutting remarks.

If Bai Xuanling delivered them instead of Chu Xingchen, the effect would be the same—her dignity would be thoroughly shredded.

A short break to reflect on her shortcomings wasn’t a bad idea.

A small white jade table held three teacups.

Bai Xuanling took a sip without hesitation, savoring the flavor before suddenly missing the tea Chen Baiqing used to brew.

But she didn’t dwell on it. With a faint smile, she turned to her beloved disciple:

"Weren’t you in seclusion? What brings you to the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect today? Looking for your sweetheart? Bad timing, I’m afraid."

Xie Lingyu took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly in resignation.

"Can’t I be here to see you, Master?"

Bai Xuanling raised a brow. "Oh? Little Lingyu has grown up so much she even misses her master now."

Xie Lingyu, unfazed by her master’s teasing, stood up decisively.

"If Master is busy, I won’t disturb you further."

Bai Xuanling reached out, pulling Xie Lingyu back into her seat with a sigh.

"With such thin skin, how will you ever banter with your sweetheart? Will you turn and leave every time he says something?"

Xie Lingyu inhaled sharply again, fixing Bai Xuanling with a firm stare.

"Stop making things up. I don’t have a sweetheart."

Bai Xuanling nodded knowingly, then turned to Yanyun. "Do you believe that?"

Yanyun tilted her gaze, catching Xie Lingyu’s warning look, and chose to sip her tea in silence.

Bai Xuanling didn’t press further, her tone suddenly serious.

"Fine, you said it yourself. Next time that boy shows up, I’ll chase him out on sight."

"Chase out who? Who’s so unlucky?"

The voice of the "unlucky one," Chu Xingchen, drifted in from outside.

Bai Xuanling and Xie Lingyu both turned toward the door.

Chu Xingchen walked in through the door with a bright smile, his eyes brimming with curiosity as he glanced around. A hint of delight flickered across his face when his gaze landed on Xie Lingyu.

"It's been a while, Lingyu," he said warmly.

Xie Lingyu was about to rise and respond when Bai Xuanling's teasing look arrived right on cue. Even Yanyun raised an eyebrow slightly, watching with amused interest, as if observing a couple preparing for a date.

Still, Xie Lingyu stood up, her eyes meeting Chu Xingchen's. Her voice was soft as she replied,

"Yes, it has been a long time."