364: Chapter 365 Could it be that Master has discovered it!

Xia Qingyue was originally looking a bit lazy, but when she heard the three words "Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande", her gaze shifted slightly.

She was silent for a while, as if recalling something, then shook her head and said: "Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande? I have indeed heard of him. But I don't know the details of what happened. I only heard that he was punished by Revered Master to be sent to Xuanyin Cave for ten years."

"Ten years?" Ye Changge raised his eyebrows slightly, clearly surprised. "Just because of this matter with me?"

Ye Changge felt a complex emotion rise within him upon hearing this.

Now, even a False Core True Person was punished with ten years in the Xuanyin Cave for offending him with words... This "care" was truly a bit excessive.

Xia Qingyue raised her eyebrows upon hearing this, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes. She did not immediately reply, but remained silent for a while before speaking slowly:

"Speaking of this... I do recall something. That Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande has always had a poor reputation within the Sect. Relying on his False Core cultivation and status as an Elder, he has acted quite arrogantly. Being punished to the Xuanyin Cave for ten years this time, while it looks a bit heavy, given his temperament and the many people he has offended over the years, it might not be entirely because of you."

She paused, turned her head to look at Ye Changge: "However, having said that, if it really was because he offended you with his words that day—then Revered Master's attitude is a bit too abnormal."

Ye Changge's heart stirred, and he did not interrupt her.

Xia Qingyue continued, her tone tinged with confusion: "Logically speaking, with Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's status and cultivation, this little offense would at most lead to him being demoted to a manager at a border market, or perhaps fined some Spirit Stones and confined to reflect on his mistakes. After all, he is a False Core True Person and has some Foundation in the Sect. But now... he has actually been thrown directly into the Xuanyin Cave for ten years."

She shook her head, her brows slightly furrowed: "You might not know about the Xuanyin Cave. That is a Forbidden Ground in the Sect specifically used for imprisoning serious criminals and traitors. Once inside, one is eroded by the Yin cold Qi every day; one's cultivation cannot advance, and the Divine Soul suffers torment. Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would lose a layer of skin after ten years inside. For a False Core True Person to be punished there for ten years... it is truly too heavy."

Ye Changge listened quietly, thoughts racing in his mind.

He pondered for a moment, then decided to bring up the other matter.

"Qingyue, there is one more thing I need to tell you."

Xia Qingyue looked at him: "What is it?"

"Just now outside the Administration Hall, I felt... a Divine Sense sweep over from above." Ye Changge's tone was calm, but his gaze carried deep meaning. "That Divine Sense was extremely subtle. If I did not cultivate the Yin Yang Creation Art and have an exceptionally keen perception of Qi, I probably would not have detected it at all."

Xia Qingyue's originally lazy expression suddenly froze upon hearing this.

She stared at Ye Changge, silent for a moment, before whispering: "...Are you sure?"

"Sure." Ye Changge nodded and added, "And when that Divine Sense landed on you, it seemed... to pause for a breath."

Xia Qingyue's heart jumped violently.

She subconsciously clenched her sleeves, her mind spinning rapidly. Revered Master's cultivation was unfathomable. If she was truly observing in secret—

Then, wouldn't all the interactions between her and Ye Changge outside the Administration Hall have been seen?

Xia Qingyue's pretty face flushed slightly. She had thought she was hiding it extremely well, but if Revered Master was truly the one peeping in secret... then her defenseless appearance in front of Ye Changge just now had likely already fallen into Revered Master's eyes.

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt, and even her breathing became slightly disordered.

Seeing her changing expression, Ye Changge did not urge her, just waited quietly.

After a long while, Xia Qingyue managed to compose herself and whispered: "If it really was Revered Master... then Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande being punished to the Xuanyin Cave for ten years makes sense."

She raised her head and looked at Ye Changge, her eyes filled with complexity: "Revered Master has always been protective of her own. If she knew that Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande had spoken rudely to me, it would not be as simple as just a verbal offense—that would be a Disciple she raised with her own hands being disrespected. Given her temperament, a ten-year punishment in the Xuanyin Cave is not strange."

Ye Changge listened and sighed inwardly.

The other party's Revered Master... it seems she truly values this Disciple highly.

Xia Qingyue was silent for a while longer, then suddenly shook her head gently: "However... it might not necessarily be that Revered Master discovered something. What if she just happened to pass by and punished Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande along the way? Besides—" She raised her eyes, looking at Ye Changge, "Even if Revered Master really noticed you, she might not necessarily know the relationship between you and me. Perhaps in her eyes, you are just a... good friend I met outside."

When she said this, she tried to keep her tone calm, but her earlobes quietly flushed with a pale red.

Ye Changge saw it but did not expose her, just nodded: "I hope so."

Xia Qingyue composed herself, then said seriously: "But since we are on this topic, I do have an idea."

"Hm?"

"After I return to the Sect this time, I will first report the gains of this trip to Revered Master, and then ask for her help to invite a Second Rank Formation Great Master to help you set up the Formation." She said earnestly, "There are several Elders in my Lingxiao Sect who are proficient in Formations. Although they are not as top-tier as the Formation Dao of the Qingshui Sword Sect, they should still be capable of setting up a Quasi-Third Rank composite Grand Array."

Ye Changge's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this: "Really?"

Xia Qingyue looked at the undisguised joy in his eyes, her lips curling into a very shallow arc involuntarily, though her tone remained composed: "When have I ever lied to you? It's just that—" She paused, "If Revered Master really already knows about the matter between you and me, then I won't need to be secretive when inviting someone; it will actually be more convenient. If she doesn't know... then I will just pretend I am asking a friend for help."

Hearing her reasoning, Ye Changge felt both warm and somewhat amused.

This usually cold and reserved Lingxiao Sect Disciple was now secretly calculating how to "explain" things to her Revered Master; it was truly a rare sight.

He smiled and cupped his hands: "Then thank you, Qingyue."

Xia Qingyue let out a soft "Hmph" and turned her face away, no longer looking at him.

The two talked for a while longer, and Ye Changge got up and said: "Qingyue, you have come from afar and must be tired from the journey. Let Shiyin accompany you to rest for a while. I still have some matters to handle here, and I will come to find you later."

Xia Qingyue nodded without asking further.

Ye Changge walked out of the courtyard to the hall, where he saw Lu Shiyin standing under the corridor, seemingly having waited for a long time.

He stepped forward, gave a rough account of Xia Qingyue's situation, and instructed her to host her well. Lu Shiyin nodded gently and smiled: "Husband, rest assured, I will settle Fairy Xia in properly."