460: Chapter 460 This... isn't very convenient, is it?

Hou Xiaojie's expression suddenly turned a bit strange, and he scratched his head: "Brother Ape... ahem, he's living a very comfortable life now."

"He usually helps Su Wan tend to the Spiritual Plants in the herb garden. Oh, right, Su Wan is incredibly skilled at Alchemy now, and Elder Xie treats her like the apple of his eye."

"Brother Ape wanders around the different peaks whenever he has nothing to do, especially where there are many female Disciples. He chats with them, bragging about how back in the day..."

"Uh, mostly bragging about how amazing he is, and by the way... slightly putting you down, Brother Tian. He says you're his little brother, calling you 'Little Ye,' making those Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters laugh until they're doubled over."

"He's quite the sensation in the Sect now, even more popular than many Inner Sect Disciples."

Ye Tian felt the veins on his forehead throbbing, feeling both annoyed and amused: "That guy! I think he's asking for a beating!"

Ye Tian closed his eyes and expanded his spiritual sense. After a few breaths, he finally sensed the Dragon Ape's aura.

At this moment, the Dragon Ape was surrounded by a few young female Disciples, regaling them with stories with great enthusiasm.

As soon as this guy heard Ye Tian say he wanted to take him out for training, he shook his head like a rattle-drum: "Not going, not going!"

"Little Ye, you go play by yourself!"

"Fighting and killing outside is so boring; how can it compare to the comfort of the Sect?"

"There's food and drink, people to chat with, and I can even plant flowers..."

"Hey, that Junior Sister, look at this Moonlight Orchid, isn't it exceptionally vibrant? This was personally tended to by yours truly, Lord Ape!"

Looking at the Dragon Ape, who was so happy he'd forgotten all about home, Ye Tian was completely speechless.

Fine, this guy has truly put down roots in the Liuli Xuan Sect and started living a retired life.

Too lazy to try and persuade him further, he turned to find Su Wan.

By the side of the Spiritual Qi-filled herb field on Danding Peak, Ye Tian saw that familiar figure.

The other person was rolling up their sleeves, carefully loosening the soil for a few Spirit Medicines. Their profile, illuminated by the sunlight, appeared very focused and gentle.

"Su Wan." Ye Tian called out.

The person turned around, and upon seeing Ye Tian, a happy smile instantly bloomed on their face: "Brother Ye! You're back!"

Saying this, they stood up, brushed the soil off their hands, and walked over.

However, when Ye Tian clearly saw the person walking over, he froze instantly, his eyes wide open.

The Su Wan before him was still wearing the same rough cloth clothes convenient for work, but their figure seemed much more slender and delicate compared to the "young man" in his memory.

Most importantly, that face, which originally carried a hint of childishness and heroic spirit, now had soft lines and picturesque features. Although she wore no makeup, she clearly exuded the fresh beauty and elegance of a young girl.

Especially those eyes, clear and bright, now curved into crescents because of her joy.

This... this is clearly a young woman!

How could this still be the "little brother Su Wan" who traveled with him and whom he treated like a younger brother?

Only then did Ye Tian suddenly recall that back then, Su Wan was always a bit reserved, reluctant to have physical contact with others, and spoke in a soft voice.

Later, in the Sect, she was also always solitary, staying in the herb garden or the Alchemy room.

He had actually always assumed, based on his first impression, that she was just a somewhat introverted young man, and never thought deeply about it!

"Ye... Brother Ye? What's wrong?"

Su Wan's cheeks flushed with a faint red hue under Ye Tian's intense gaze. She lowered her head, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, and twisted the corner of her clothes with her fingers.

"Uh... no, nothing."

Ye Tian snapped back to reality. Realizing he had been acting inappropriately, he quickly withdrew his gaze, though his heart was churning with waves of emotion.

He recalled some details of their time together, and everything suddenly became clear.

So that's how it was... No wonder...

However, Ye Tian quickly let it go.

Traveling outside, it was perfectly normal for a young woman with no cultivation to disguise herself as a man to protect herself.

Everyone has their own secrets and circumstances; why delve into them?

He smiled, his tone returning to normal: "I heard your Alchemy has improved rapidly, and even Elder Xie has nothing but praise for you. Congratulations."

Seeing that Ye Tian didn't press for questions and his expression quickly returned to normal, Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief, though a trace of inexplicable disappointment flitted through her heart.

She looked up, her smile brightening again: "It's all thanks to Elder Xie's teaching, and you bringing me back, Brother Ye... By the way, Brother Ye, do you need something?"

"Oh, I'm going home for a trip and came to see you all. Seeing that you're all doing well, I'm relieved."

Ye Tian said gently: "Study hard with Elder Xie. The path of Alchemy has limitless prospects."

"Mm! Brother Ye, you be careful on the road too."

Su Wan nodded vigorously, looking at Ye Tian with eyes that seemed to hold a thousand words, which finally condensed into just one sentence.

Leaving Su Wan, Ye Tian went to visit his old friends: Lei Zhen, Luo Qiushui, Leng Feng, and Liu Ruyan, one by one.

They gathered together, chatting about the fun times from the Outer Sect Grand Competition and going on missions together, filled with laughter.

Everyone was genuinely happy for the achievements he had attained and sighed at the dangers he had experienced during these days.

Finally, Ye Tian thought for a moment and flew towards Yaoguang Peak.

On the way, Ye Tian heard some Disciples discussing something.

"What do you think is wrong with Senior Sister Shui?"

"What do you mean, what's wrong?"

"Don't you know? Ever since Senior Sister Shui returned from the Imperial Capital, she's been like a different person. She doesn't even Cultivate anymore, just wandering around all day, like she's lost her soul."

"No way? I remember Senior Sister Shui used to be very diligent in her Cultivation; did you see wrong?"

"Uh... maybe..."

The scenery of Yaoguang Peak was beautiful, with abundant water vapor.

Ye Tian didn't have to spend much effort to see that figure by a pond filled with blooming water lilies.

At this moment, Shui Qingdie was sitting alone by the pond, her chin resting in her hands, absentmindedly watching the koi swimming in the pond, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, looking as if her mind was elsewhere.

She didn't even notice when Ye Tian walked up behind her.

"Senior Sister Shui?" Ye Tian called out.

"Ah!"

Shui Qingdie was startled and turned around abruptly. Seeing it was Ye Tian, her beautiful eyes instantly lit up.

She stood up almost instinctively, her cheeks flushing red, and stood there somewhat at a loss: "Ye... Junior Brother Ye? Why, why are you here?"

Looking at her appearance, and associating it with what he had just heard about her being "distracted since returning, not Cultivating, and wandering around the peak every day," Ye Tian understood in his heart, feeling somewhat amused, yet also having an inexplicable feeling.

"I'm going back to the Ye family for a trip to see my mother and clansmen. I came to say goodbye before leaving." Ye Tian said directly.

"Back to the Ye family?"

Shui Qingdie's eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped forward and grabbed Ye Tian's arm: "I want to go too!"

"Huh?"

Ye Tian was stunned. He looked down at the expectant Shui Qingdie, his mind unable to process it for a moment: "You... why are you going?"

"I... I'm going to have fun! To see Mother Ye!"

Shui Qingdie said righteously, her cheeks turning even redder, but her gaze didn't waver. She tightened her grip on Ye Tian's arm, as if afraid he would run away:

"I heard the scenery of the Northern Region is different from our Central Province, and I've never been there! Take me with you, Junior Brother Ye~"

The last part was drawn out, with a hint of coquettishness.

Ye Tian was completely confused by her sudden action and request.

Going back to his own home, and bringing along a fellow Senior Sister? This... what is this all about?

He tugged his arm, but couldn't pull it away.

"This... isn't that a bit inconvenient? The journey is long, and besides..."

Ye Tian tried to find an excuse.

"What's inconvenient about it! You're so powerful now, could there still be any danger? I can take care of myself! I promise I won't cause you any trouble!"

Shui Qingdie immediately interrupted, her little mouth pouting slightly, mist beginning to cloud her eyes, in a posture that said 'if you don't agree, I'll cry for you to see.'

Looking at her like this, and thinking back to when she saw him being assassinated at the Imperial Capital banquet, how she was clearly terrified yet still blocked in front of him, the refusal ultimately didn't come out.

He sighed, somewhat helpless: "Alright, alright, stop shaking, my arm is going to break. I'll just take you with me."

"Really? Great!"

Shui Qingdie instantly broke into a smile through her tears, almost jumping for joy. She shook the arm she was holding, her eyes curved into crescents, with no trace of the appearance of about to cry from just a moment ago.

Looking at her brilliant smile, Ye Tian suddenly felt that taking her along seemed... not bad? At least the road wouldn't be too boring.