Junior Sister Accompanying You to Fight Back

The Sect.

One month later.

Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun settled into the guest quarters.

With the materials exhausted and the main hall now structurally sound enough to shield against wind and rain, it could tentatively be considered complete.

The pond was stocked with fish, and Ning Qianqian often passed the time by fishing when she had nothing else to do.

Ning Kun, on the other hand, busied himself meticulously planning future constructions, circling the sect’s undeveloped lands daily to ponder their potential.

Every so often, he would report his thoughts to Chu Xingchen whenever the latter had a free moment.

The Spirit Gathering Array was also officially activated after the others had cleared the area.

Admittedly, though the system was stingy, the things it provided were of exceptional quality.

Once the array was activated, the density of spiritual energy instantly rose by several levels.

Li Yingling, the most sensitive to spiritual energy, spent the first two days frequently taking deep breaths, her face brimming with satisfaction afterward.

She looked almost like someone suffering from nicotine withdrawal.

The sight stirred a sense of nostalgia in Chu Xingchen.

Li Yingling also resumed her cultivation, which had been stagnant for some time. As a prodigy in immortal cultivation, her progress was astonishingly rapid—enough to leave Li Xingtian utterly dumbfounded.

Chen Baiqing, though young, was well-behaved and required little attention. When she grew weary of cultivation, she would sit by the pond and flip through books, exuding an air of serene elegance.

Not a trace of the bewitching demoness she once was could be seen in her now.

But today, a major event was unfolding.

Li Xingtian was preparing to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage and advance to the Golden Core realm.

The speed of his progress was downright terrifying—worthy of being recognized as a chosen seedling by the system.

Yet, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

The Blood Qi Spirit Stones were perfectly suited to Li Xingtian’s cultivation, and coupled with his relentless training over this period, he had barely paused for rest.

With his past life’s cultivation experience, attempting to reach the Golden Core realm was only natural.

Chu Xingchen spoke earnestly, "Master will refine a pill for you to lend a hand."

Li Xingtian’s expression was equally sincere:

"Master, I have experience in this. I’ll be fine."

With a sigh, Chu Xingchen accepted that his disciples didn’t hold his alchemy in high regard.

His second disciple did indeed have experience in breaking through to Golden Core—that much was true. If he had an excuse, then so be it.

The spirit herbs could be saved for Li Yingling’s breakthrough instead.

Breaking through to Golden Core wasn’t an overnight affair; it required time. By conventional wisdom, it would take at least a week.

So, after giving Li Xingtian an encouraging pat on the shoulder, Chu Xingchen turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Outside, Li Xingtian’s senior sister and junior sister both cast concerned glances his way.

Chu Xingchen said helplessly, "It’s just a breakthrough. Even if he fails, he won’t die. No need for such looks."

"Of course, it should succeed on the first try!" Li Yingling whispered, "Master, did you feed him any pills?"

"Your shidi said spirit herbs are expensive now, and such precious resources should be saved for when his senior sister breaks through."

Li Yingling’s eyes widened in outrage.

You scheming little brat, plotting against your senior sister’s life!

All that worry was wasted on you!

Chu Xingchen’s tone turned sharp. "Your expression is highly inappropriate."

Li Yingling hurriedly explained:

"Not at all! As his senior sister, I’m just deeply moved by his consideration."

Chen Baiqing watched the two with confusion. What was her senior sister so afraid of?

Master’s pills?

But the books said those were good things, didn’t they?

Still, Chen Baiqing wasn’t foolish. Faced with such an odd situation, she chose silence, wearing an innocent and harmless smile.

Chu Xingchen didn’t press Li Yingling for her rebellious words, instead turning his gaze toward the sect’s entrance.

Though the stone gate currently consisted of little more than two pillars, lacking grandeur, it was still the sect’s gate.

Zhao Wanqing of the Demon Suppression Bureau approached, clad in her official robes.

Spotting Chu Xingchen from afar, she first clasped her fists and bowed in greeting.

When she drew near, she repeated the gesture. "Senior, I hope you’ve been well?"

Chu Xingchen replied bluntly, "If you’re here for me, things probably won’t stay that way."

Zhao Wanqing’s expression flickered with embarrassment, but she quickly continued, "This time, it’s good news."

"Oh? Good news? Now you’ve piqued my interest."

"To express gratitude for your contributions in the Yuzhou City demonic cultivator incident, the sects of the Central Continent and the monarch have invited you to a banquet."

Chu Xingchen waved a hand dismissively. "A banquet? Not interested."

Traveling so far just for a meal? He’d rather spend the time figuring out how to earn more spirit stones or how to offload some of his magic treasures.

Zhao Wanqing pressed on, "This is an awards ceremony. Since you’ve established a sect here, you could also request certain privileges and subsidies."

Chu Xingchen glanced at Li Yingling’s uneasy expression and refused again:

"No need to say more. I’m not going."

Zhao Wanqing sighed and produced an envelope from her robes, handing it to him.

"If you change your mind, you can find me at the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Chu Xingchen took the envelope but didn’t open it, tucking it directly into his chest.

He turned to Li Yingling. "Don’t worry. As long as your master is here, no one can touch you."

Attending the banquet would mean traveling to the capital of Xuanwu Kingdom—the very place Li Yingling had struggled so hard to escape.

The home she had fled, choosing instead to endure hardship alongside Chu Xingchen on their journey here.

Li Yingling had thought she’d forgotten that place, but she hadn’t.

When Zhao Wanqing mentioned it, memories of the home that had imprisoned her throughout her childhood resurfaced.

The fear buried deep in her heart for over a decade surged back.

Even now, having embarked on the immortal path and mastered divine abilities, what haunted her most was her mother’s pale, lifeless face.

And the memory of herself, hiding behind a wall, too afraid to even say goodbye.

Back then, it had all felt like a dream.

A dream where, upon waking, her mother would stroke her head again, call her "Yuanyuan," ask if she was hungry, or if anyone had bullied her.

Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her head—just like her mother’s used to.

Li Yingling snapped out of her daze and looked up instinctively.

But it wasn’t her mother. It was her master, his face etched with concern.

"Master…" she murmured, only then realizing her voice was choked with emotion.

Chu Xingchen didn’t speak. He simply ruffled her hair gently and said,

"Master told you—as long as I’m here, no one can touch you. If you don’t want to go, we won’t."

"If you want to go back for revenge, Master will take you there today."

"Remember, your home is here now. Master and everyone here are your family."

Before Li Yingling could respond, she felt a small hand slip into hers.

She looked down to see Chen Baiqing, her expression solemn.

"Your shimei will go with you too," the little girl declared.