31: Chapter 31 Entering the sect

He turned his steps and walked over, speaking directly to the shopkeeper, whose face was wrinkled with smiles, "Boss, I'll take all of these candies."

The shopkeeper was stunned, then his old face crinkled into a chrysanthemum-like smile, "Alright! You are generous, customer! I'll wrap them up for you right away!"

Xia Qingyue watched quietly from the side, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes. She saw that Ye Changge was dressed plainly and did not seem like someone who would be extravagant. Besides... why buy so many candies?

Ye Changge paid the Spirit Stones and took the large bundle of candy skewers wrapped in oil paper. Turning around, he saw Xia Qingyue still standing obediently in place, waiting for him.

He suddenly found it somewhat amusing. This True Disciple Fairy of the Lingxiao Sect, standing there quietly waiting, actually looked a bit like his little daughters back home, eagerly hoping for snacks.

He pulled out a skewer and handed it to her, "Fairy Xia, would you like to try one?"

Xia Qingyue was slightly taken aback. She had never eaten such things in her life. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and gently took it.

She mimicked the child she had seen earlier and took a small, careful bite. "Crunch." The candy coating crackled. It was very sweet...

Afterwards, he treated her almost like one of his own children. Whenever he bought trinkets for his own children, he would always pick up an extra one for her as well.

Xia Qingyue was always stunned at first, but then she would silently accept them and whisper her thanks. She followed Ye Changge and ate street snacks she had never tasted before. She even crouched in front of a spirit pet stall for a long time, watching the fluffy "Cloud-Tuft Rabbits."

With every new and novel experience, the spiritual energy of her "Ice Heart Sentiment Forgetting Art" would tremble slightly. Xia Qingyue became more and more certain in her heart. Following this person was indeed the Opportunity for her Breakthrough.

They wandered like this until the sun slanted to the west. Ye Changge took her into a clean and tidy inn and asked for two adjacent upper-floor rooms.

After going upstairs, he pushed open the door to his room. Turning back, he found that Xia Qingyue was still following behind him, looking as if it were only natural for her to enter the room with him.

Ye Changge's footsteps faltered, and he turned around with some helplessness, "Fairy Xia, your room is next door."

Xia Qingyue looked up at him, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion, before she realized what was happening, her earlobes turning a very faint shade of pink. "Mm... apologies."

She whispered, then turned and walked to the room next door, pushing the door open and entering. Ye Changge watched the door close behind her and felt amused. This Fairy was as pure as a blank sheet of paper when it came to worldly affairs and the boundaries between men and women.

It wasn't that he didn't want to share a bed with her. Such a stunning beauty—and he, Ye Changge, was no Saint. It was just that her status was special, being a True Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, and if any trouble were to arise, it would be difficult to resolve. For the sake of prudence, it was better to keep some distance.

...After staying in the market for two more days, Ye Changge had purchased most of the Materials he needed, and he set off with Xia Qingyue toward the Lingxiao Sect gate, prepared to pick up Ye Bufan.

As they approached the mountain gate square, Ye Changge suddenly remembered something. He was still in the ordinary appearance of "Li Feiyu," and his son probably wouldn't recognize him. He found a quiet corner, took out a Cleansing Talisman to wipe away the illusion, and restored his original appearance.

Turning to look at Xia Qingyue, he smiled apologetically, "Fairy Xia, I used some disguises earlier to avoid trouble, I hope you don't mind."

Xia Qingyue had been standing quietly at the side, but when her gaze fell on the face of Ye Changge, who had restored his true appearance, her cold, clear eyes suddenly froze. She had long realized that he was using an illusion technique, but she had never expected... that beneath the disguise, he looked like this.

Sword-like brows and star-like eyes, skin like jade, and a green robe that set off his upright, pine-like posture. So he... was actually this handsome.

For some reason, after seeing Ye Changge's true face, a strange feeling arose in Xia Qingyue's heart. And just as this strange feeling emerged, the spiritual energy of the "Ice Heart Sentiment Forgetting Art" within her transmitted an even clearer palpitation! She immediately concentrated on contemplating it.

...Before long, the children participating in the selection started to file out. Ye Bufan hung his little head, following listlessly at the end of the crowd; clearly, the result was not as hoped.

Ye Changge had already anticipated this. A Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, in the selection of a large Sect like the Lingxiao Sect, was indeed difficult to stand out with.

He stepped forward quickly, ruffled his son's hair, and said gently, "It's fine, just treat this as a chance to gain some experience. The path of cultivation is long; it does not depend on momentary gains or losses."

Ye Bufan lifted his slightly red little eyes and gave a sullen "Mm." Suddenly, he noticed a woman he had never seen before standing next to his father.

Ye Bufan blinked, feeling curious, but he was sensible enough not to ask too much. It wasn't the first time his father had brought a new auntie home. After all, ever since he could remember, his father would bring back a few aunties from time to time. Those aunties were all fragrant and very gentle. He liked them all.

However, the feeling this auntie gave him was not quite the same as the gentle aunties back home, though he couldn't say exactly how they differed.

Just then, Xia Qingyue suddenly spoke, "Fellow Daoist Li, if your son is interested in joining the Sect, I can offer some assistance."

Ye Bufan's eyes lit up, and he looked at his father with anticipation. Ye Changge looked at his son's longing eyes and pondered for a moment.

Since his son wanted to go so much, it would be good for him to gain experience in a large Sect for a few years. When the family was better developed, he could just bring him back. With this True Disciple looking after him, he surely wouldn't suffer any disadvantages.

He then smiled and bowed to Fairy Xia, "Then I will trouble you, Fairy Xia. Bufan, aren't you going to thank Fairy Xia?"

Ye Bufan quickly and obediently bowed, "Thank you, Auntie!"

Ye Changge was startled. But fortunately, Xia Qingyue seemed not to understand. She simply nodded slightly and took Ye Bufan's little hand.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you are too polite. Over the past few days traveling with you, I have gained some insights into my Cultivation Technique and need to go into seclusion to contemplate them. I will bid you farewell here."

Ye Changge felt emotional. Hm? She already gained insights? A Genius with a Fourth-Grade Spirit Root, her Comprehension Ability was truly astonishing; she had a chance for a Breakthrough in just a few short days. He had originally thought she would go home with him.

After saying this, she seemed to remember something, and her fair hand flipped over. She took out a warm, white jade token and handed it to Ye Changge, "This is my communication token. In the future... perhaps I will trouble you again. If you have leisure, you can contact me using this token."

At the moment before she prepared to turn and leave, Xia Qingyue paused. She remembered something. The other party had revealed his true face to her; shouldn't she do the same? Revered Master never taught me about these kinds of things...

In the end, she gently pinched the corner of her veil, and then, slowly removed it. In an instant, it was as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon, or an ice lotus had just bloomed.

Even Ye Changge, who was accustomed to all kinds of beauties and already had many lovely ladies at home, couldn't help but exclaim in his heart at this moment. This Fairy Xia's true appearance was truly devastatingly beautiful.

Xia Qingyue said no more, nodded slightly to Ye Changge, and then led the still somewhat bewildered Ye Bufan toward the Lingxiao Sect gate.