Is there really such a treasure in this world

Chu Xingchen gazed at Chen Baiqing, his face softening into a warm smile.

That face still carried traces of the past. If Chen Baiqing had been a budding beauty before her departure, now she had blossomed into an elegant young woman.

Her peach-blossom eyes, now fully opened, still retained their familiar charm, and she had grown considerably taller.

While it was rare for cultivators to remain unattractive after refining their immortal path, standing out even among immortals was rarer still.

At the very least, the Chen Baiqing before him was exceptional.

Yet beauty often followed similar patterns—what truly set the highest apart was temperament.

Though Chen Baiqing bore the epithet "Enchantress of Heaven," her demeanor was far from seductive. She had always carried an air of refined grace, speaking with gentle tact and moving with dignified poise, evoking the image of a noble lady.

She exuded an aura of pristine purity, like the snowflakes drifting down at this very moment. But her peach-blossom eyes never held a foolish gaze—instead, they brimmed with calm contemplation.

Chen Baiqing had never been a mere decorative vase. Even before she had stepped into the limelight, Chu Xingchen had already formed his judgment of her.

Li Yingling frequently sent letters, most of which were filled with praise for Chen Baiqing—sometimes half a letter would be dedicated to extolling her virtues.

Clever, composed, never reckless, understanding gains and losses while also mastering the art of reading people.

Li Yingling was willing to entrust her back to Chen Baiqing without hesitation.

Her usual attire leaned toward simplicity, favoring muted tones over flamboyant colors—especially the violet gown she wore now.

"Welcome home," Chu Xingchen said with a light chuckle. "You’ve grown so much, this master almost didn’t recognize you."

Cui Hao studied Chen Baiqing with a scrutinizing gaze, as if struggling to believe his third senior sister had transformed so completely. He swallowed the words he had meant to say.

Chen Baiqing strode forward, greeting everyone before locking eyes with Xie Lingyu. She blinked slightly, as if posing a silent question—one that could only be understood without words.

Xie Lingyu’s lips curled into a faint smile. The once-reserved Chen Baiqing now seemed to carry a hint of playfulness. Without responding with any gesture, she simply said:

"It’s been a long time. Welcome back."

Chen Baiqing dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment before lifting her gaze to her master.

"I’d believe it from others, but not from you, Master."

Chu Xingchen gave her another glance. "Your voice has changed too, and you seem livelier now. So, how were these past few years? Interesting enough? And where’s Yingling? Didn’t she return with you?"

"Not bad, though nothing compares to being by your side," Chen Baiqing replied with a soft laugh. "Eldest Senior Sister still has unfinished business. She might return later, but I couldn’t wait to see you again, so I came ahead."

Chu Xingchen nudged Li Xingtian’s shoulder. "Then your timing is quite fortunate. Today happens to be your second senior brother’s breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm."

"Hmm…" Chen Baiqing nodded lightly, her gaze flickering toward Li Xingtian as she chose her words carefully. "I saw the celestial phenomena above the sect from afar and guessed it was Second Senior Brother emerging from seclusion. I hurried my steps—otherwise, I’d have been even later."

Li Xingtian studied the Chen Baiqing before him, a trace of relief washing over him. Compared to his own lingering resemblance to a demonic cultivator, his third junior sister had grown from a tiny figure into someone mature and dependable.

An inexplicable sense of pride swelled in his chest.

Li Xingtian allowed a small smile. "Third Junior Sister, you didn’t face any hardships outside, did you?"

"None," Chen Baiqing answered, meeting his gaze. Her second senior brother hadn’t changed a bit.

His smile was still as fierce as ever—but then again, he had always been undeniably good to everyone in the sect.

Chu Xingchen’s smile deepened. Though Chen Baiqing no longer looked like a young girl, he reached out habitually and ruffled her hair gently.

"Come, let’s chat by the pond. No need for everyone to stand around here. Your fifth junior brother was just reminiscing about your tea."

Though it had been years since she last had her head patted, Chen Baiqing instinctively lowered it, murmuring softly:

"Of course, Master."

His palm was warm—just like the hand he had once extended to her, unchanged through time.

By the pond, atop stone chairs and tables.

Li Xingtian’s breakthrough had been momentous, and those farther away or weaker in cultivation naturally arrived later. By now, everyone who could come had gathered.

San Dong remained the only one seated at the table, though his expression seemed somewhat shaken—

As if he had been startled by something.

Lin Luoyu had halted her own cultivation breakthrough to congratulate her second senior brother, never expecting her third senior sister to return as well.

Only Zhang Miaoyu looked slightly disappointed—her most respected leader had not come back.

Though she was comfortable in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, the time spent with her leader had always been the happiest.

Chen Baiqing moved with practiced ease, her gestures even more graceful than before.

"I recall you never liked wearing this color before," Chu Xingchen remarked curiously.

Chen Baiqing’s voice was soft. "Senior Sister picked it for me. She said since I’ve grown up, I should dress like it—and that this color suits me, so everyone would know I’m no longer a child."

Chu Xingchen chuckled. "If anything, it’s your eldest senior sister who still treats you like one."

"Being a child isn’t so bad," Chen Baiqing said, sliding a freshly brewed cup of tea toward him. "But Baiqing would rather be someone useful."

Cui Hao watched the teacup with eager eyes and interjected:

"Third Senior Sister is valiant and poised, handling affairs flawlessly! If anyone asks who’s the most reliable in the sect, I’d nominate you without hesitation!"

Chen Baiqing shot him a glance, ignoring the blatant flattery, and silently pushed a cup of tea his way to shut him up.

"Thank you, Third Senior Sister."

Cui Hao accepted it gleefully, showing no reservation.

Third Senior Sister had grown up—but she hadn’t become a different person. To him, she had simply gone from petite to tall.

He had already bowed to her when she was small; now that she was taller, he’d just keep bowing.

He took a sip, and the familiar taste flooded his senses once more.

Ah, nothing beats Third Senior Sister’s tea.

After distributing tea to everyone, Chen Baiqing retrieved items from her spatial ring.

"I returned before Eldest Senior Sister, so she entrusted me with delivering everyone’s gifts."

With that, she began handing them out, starting with the smallest—

In every sense of the word, the sect’s mascot: San Dong.

San Dong’s eyes widened in disbelief as Chen Baiqing placed a massive, pitch-black stone on the table, its surface gleaming with intense lunar essence.

"Thank you. San Dong likes it very much."

He hugged the giant stone happily.

After spending so long with the sect, his instinctive formality toward its members had faded considerably.

Perhaps it had realized that within the sect, there was no need for formalities—good things were naturally shared among everyone. San Dong loved this dynamic, both receiving gifts and giving them in return.

It didn’t matter if they were cheap or expensive; what mattered was the sincerity behind them.

Each item was unique, carefully prepared by Chen Baiqing and Li Yingling according to everyone’s preferences.

Soon, the gifts were distributed, reaching Li Xingtian.

He hesitated slightly. Strictly speaking, as the senior brother, was it appropriate for him to accept gifts from his junior sister?

As if sensing his reluctance, Chen Baiqing spoke up:

"These were prepared by me and the senior sister together—or rather, the senior sister contributed more. Besides, these are tokens of goodwill. Does Second Brother mean to distance himself from me just because I’ve grown a little taller?"

Hearing this, Li Xingtian no longer hesitated and accepted the gift from Chen Baiqing.

It was a dazzling white martial robe, perhaps a bit too ornate for his taste.

It was fine, though Li Xingtian generally preferred black clothing.

"This robe was custom-made by the senior sister through a grandmaster craftsman, and I contributed the illusionary enchantments." Chen Baiqing pointed to the gem-studded embellishments on the robe and continued,

"While it might not affect high-level cultivators, it’s more than enough to disorient those of lower cultivation."

"The robe can subtly alter the appearance of energy—not its essence, but its presentation. For example, it can make red light appear white."

Li Xingtian’s pupils trembled slightly at these words…

Such a treasure actually existed in this world?!