Missing the Tea Brewed by Third Senior Sister

Chu Xingchen's smile deepened as he stepped forward:

"I never expected our dear senior disciple Li to be so eager to become the sect leader. Since that's the case, there's no need for your junior siblings to vote—I, as your master, hereby decree that you shall take the position. I’ll happily assume the role of Grand Elder instead."

"This conveniently fills the long-vacant position of Grand Elder in our sect."

Li Yingling reacted swiftly, standing up with a look of disdain:

"Master, you wish! I’m not taking the sect leader position. I’d have to clean up after you every day, and with so many disciples, you’d better handle it yourself."

Chu Xingchen chuckled. "Now you understand how exhausting being a sect leader is? And here you were, always accusing me of slacking off before."

"Were you not?" Li Yingling picked up the teapot from the table and deftly poured a cup for Chu Xingchen as he took his seat at the head of the table.

The sect’s administrative affairs were few—or rather, there were practically none under normal circumstances.

However, there were still procurement matters to handle. Back in Yuzhou City, cultivating spirit plants and managing consumables had also fallen under official duties.

Even these relatively minor tasks were usually handled casually during idle chats between Chu Xingchen and Li Yingling.

Naturally, these chats often revolved around what additional trinkets they could purchase.

Whenever Chu Xingchen agreed to her whims, Li Yingling would beam with delight, praising her master’s wisdom before pouring him another cup of tea.

Back then, she had thought her master had it easy as sect leader—just waving his hand to approve purchases, with little else to do.

But after taking charge herself and watching the sect’s spirit stones drain away bit by bit from the treasury, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.

So perhaps, beneath his carefree exterior, her master had been refining pills to the point of obsession.

Chu Xingchen glanced at the steaming tea and instinctively asked,

"What do you want this time? I returned in a hurry, and the places I visited were practically barren—I really didn’t bring anything back for you."

Li Yingling shook her head slightly, then pointed at the letter on the table from Chen Baiqing:

"Master, did you know Third Junior Sister has gone to the Eastern Victory Divine Continent?"

"Mm, I received word of it."

"Master… what do you think? Should we bring her back? If she knew you’d returned—"

"No." Chu Xingchen cut her off with a shake of his head. "Let her see the world. There’s value in wandering beyond these walls—her life shouldn’t revolve solely around her master and the sect."

Chen Baiqing was obedient, and Chu Xingchen cherished her deeply.

But her existence shouldn’t be confined to brewing tea for him and serving as his little comfort.

She was talented, bright, and deserving of a broader horizon—a future far more glorious.

Ideally, her master would simply be there to share a quiet conversation whenever she needed respite.

Li Yingling studied her master’s calm expression, then lowered her gaze to the letter on the table.

Truthfully, her master must have felt reluctance too…

But more than anyone, he wanted his disciples to grow and flourish.

Her master always knew the right words to say, the kind that warmed the heart.

Yet more often than not, it was his quiet, unspoken choices that bound the sect together.

If it were up to Li Yingling, she doubted she could act with the same selflessness.

"Now that you’re back, Master, you won’t disappear again in a few days, will you?"

Li Yingling shifted the topic, her tone teasing:

"At least you used to take your disciples along. Now you just vanish on your own."

Chu Xingchen eyed her expression and lightly flicked her forehead.

"This time, I’ll be focusing on your cultivation. If you dawdle any longer, Li Xingtian might reach the Nascent Soul realm before you."

This wasn’t an empty threat. One reason for his return was to personally oversee the sect. Without him, even if Li Yingling dedicated herself to cultivation, managing the sect would inevitably divert her focus.

Not everyone was like Li Xingtian—some matters would always require her attention.

As for the demonic affairs, he had already reported them to Lv Xuan and Bai Xuanling.

Though he lacked concrete evidence, both had assured him they would treat the matter seriously and collaborate with the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.

Chu Xingchen could have continued his investigation, but that wouldn’t have been the most efficient path.

Returning to the sect, reassuring his disciples, and guiding their cultivation—that was the optimal choice.

After all, his initial goal had only been to gather information. He never expected to single-handedly dismantle a system-acknowledged calamity.

The system still offered rewards for disciples advancing to the Nascent Soul realm.

Completing this stage would unlock the next phase of system missions—perhaps even ones tailored to counter the impending catastrophe.

And once they reached Nascent Soul, would the system grant them additional boons?

Qi Condensation techniques, Foundation Establishment divine abilities, Golden Core spiritual treasures…

What might the Nascent Soul realm bring?

Moreover, while his system-granted abilities allowed him to bypass many traps, he couldn’t match the intelligence network of the Tianyan Sect.

For now, prioritizing his disciples was the right decision.

"Ha! As if Second Junior Brother could surpass me." Li Yingling snorted, then softened her voice as she met her master’s gaze.

"But if you ever need help, Master… you can tell me. Even if my cultivation isn’t up to par, my mind is sharp. I might just offer a fresh perspective."

Chu Xingchen: "…"

"Your suggestion is noted. Let’s revisit it another time." He took a sip of the tea she had poured.

Li Yingling watched her ungrateful master, wanting to say more, but in the end, she only murmured,

"If there’s ever a problem… you can talk to me."

Chu Xingchen smiled faintly in acknowledgment.

With a wave, Li Yingling bid him farewell and left with Zhang Miaoyu in tow.

Alone in the hall, Chu Xingchen sat quietly for a while before finally picking up Chen Baiqing’s letter.

A short while later, a soft chuckle escaped him.

By the pond, Cui Hao sat solemnly on a stone chair.

Across the stone table, San Dong mirrored his grave expression.

Rarely had San Dong seen Cui Hao so serious. After a pause, it ventured cautiously,

"You… what’s wrong?"

Cui Hao’s gaze shifted to San Dong. Under its nervous stare, he sighed.

"I miss Third Senior Sister’s tea."

He wondered… if she was truly safe and well.

Though she was stern with him, that sternness was a privilege reserved for those she cared about.

And despite her youth, as a senior sister, she had always been more than adequate.

At least, that was what Cui Hao sincerely believed.