380: Chapter 381 Stay one more night before you leave!

After arranging the matters regarding the Grand Array, Xia Qingyue finally had time to speak with Ye Changge.

"Changge, my Revered Master has already agreed to let me come to Longmai Mountain to oversee things."

Ye Changge heard this, was slightly taken aback at first, and then a light of joyful surprise burst forth in his eyes.

He stepped forward, almost reaching out to hold her hand, but remembered that they were within the Sect, so he forcefully restrained himself, though his voice already carried uncontrollable joy:

"Really? Qingyue, is this true?"

He took a deep breath. "I was worried all along... worried that your Revered Master would not agree. After all, she is a Core Formation True Person, and the Sect rules are strict; I was afraid she would... act as the one to tear apart a pair of lovebirds."

Speaking the last sentence, his tone carried a hint of self-mockery and a lingering fear.

Seeing him like this, the corners of Xia Qingyue's lips curled up involuntarily, but she immediately pressed them down, restoring her cold, frost-like demeanor, though the tips of her ears quietly turned a little red:

"You certainly think things through thoroughly. My Revered Master... although she is usually stern and unsmiling, she is quite tolerant toward me. I told her about you, about the situation of the Family, and that coming here would be beneficial for my cultivation. She considered it for a few days and then relented."

She turned her face away, her voice dropping a little: "Revered Master also said... that I should cherish this well."

"Really?" Ye Changge couldn't help but laugh out loud, a heavy stone in his heart falling to the ground. Seeing Xia Qingyue's slightly flushed cheeks, the warmth in his heart deepened, and he said gently: "That is truly wonderful. Qingyue, with you here, my Family will have an extra True Disciple overseeing things, and I will feel much more at ease."

Xia Qingyue gave a soft "Mn," then said seriously: "However, I must first go to the market to arrange some matters. Although the Sect has allowed me to come to Longmai Mountain, the oversight duties at the market still need to be handed over clearly. I can only officially come over once the Sect sends a new Disciple to take over."

Ye Changge nodded, his expression serious: "Mn, there is no rush for these two days. Qingyue, feel free to attend to your business. Everything is fine here at the Family; just come over once you have handled everything properly."

He paused, suddenly remembering something, and took a cyan jade slip from his Storage Pouch, handing it over: "Qingyue, if you are going back to the market, could you please check if there are any Tier 2 Pill Furnaces? And these spiritual materials—"

Xia Qingyue took the jade slip, probed it with her Divine Sense, and scanned the dense list of spiritual materials, her brows slightly raised: "So many?"

Ye Changge rubbed his nose and explained: "I have now acquired the Legacy of the Talisman path, the Puppet path, and the brewing of spiritual wine. Since I have acquired these skills, I cannot let them go to waste. Especially the spiritual wine and Talismans; if they can be mass-produced, they will be of great use to the Family's income and strength. These spiritual materials are needed for brewing wine and Alchemy. The market has a complete variety, which is much more convenient than me making the trip myself."

He took a bag of Spirit Stones and a thick stack of Talismans from his Storage Pouch and handed them over: "If the Spirit Stones are not enough, these Talismans can also be used for payment. They are all Tier 2 High Grade and should be able to exchange for quite a few things."

Xia Qingyue reached out to take them, her fingertips brushing against the back of Ye Changge's hand, and both of them paused for a brief moment.

She didn't say anything more, just nodded gently: "Alright, I will keep an eye out for you. I will handle the matter of the Pill Furnace, and I will try my best to find all the spiritual materials for you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Qingyue." Ye Changge felt grateful, yet also carried a hint of reluctance. He changed the subject: "Qingyue, how much longer will it take for you to finish the handover at the market?"

"Three days at the fastest, five days at the slowest." Xia Qingyue put away the Spirit Stones and Talismans, lifting her eyes to look at him: "What is it?"

Ye Changge looked into her eyes, which were as clear and cool as water, and suddenly smiled: "Qingyue, since you are here, why not stay for the night before leaving?"

Xia Qingyue was taken aback for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to be so direct, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. She lowered her eyelids, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and her voice dropped a little: "I... I still have matters to attend to at the market."

"Staying one more night won't delay anything." Ye Changge stepped forward, his voice gentle and firm: "I miss you."

These simple four words caused Xia Qingyue's heart to jump violently.

She raised her head, meeting Ye Changge's deep, bright eyes, which reflected her figure, focused and gentle.

She suddenly felt that her Dao Heart, which she had honed for many years of pure cultivation and through the Ice Heart Sentiment Forgetting Art, was crumbling at this moment.

She turned her face away, her ears turning bright red, her voice barely audible: "...Mn."

Ye Changge smiled and held her hand, his palm warm, pulling her closer to his side: "Then it's settled, you will stay tonight."

Xia Qingyue did not pull away, just gave a soft "Mn."

"Changge." Xia Qingyue spoke first, her voice very light: "Have you ever thought about joining the Lingxiao Sect as a Guest Elder?"

Ye Changge heard this and was slightly stunned.

He pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said with a serious tone: "Qingyue, I appreciate your good intentions. But now, my Family affairs are complex; I have many wives, concubines, and descendants. The Puppet factory, the expansion of spiritual fields, the training of Disciples... everything requires my attention. If I were to become a Guest Elder of the Lingxiao Sect, although it would bring many conveniences, it would inevitably add a burden and restrictions. I really cannot spare myself at the moment."

He paused, looking at Xia Qingyue, his gaze gentle: "Besides, if I really wanted to rely on the protection of the Sect, I wouldn't have conquered this Longmai Mountain myself in the first place."

Xia Qingyue listened, not speaking immediately. She was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: "You are right. I had thought that the position of Guest Elder could provide you and the Ye Family with more protection, but since you are unwilling to be restricted, then so be it."

Ye Changge smiled: "Qingyue understands me."

Under the moonlight, the two stood quietly for a while longer. Xia Qingyue suddenly turned to the side, tilting her head slightly to look into Ye Changge's eyes. Her eyes, usually as clear as water, were now reflecting the moonlight, gentle and soft.

"Changge," she called out in a low voice, "I have to return to the market tomorrow."

Ye Changge understood what she meant, raised his hand to gently cover the back of her hand, and said warmly: "I know. Go handle your affairs with peace of mind; I will wait for your return."

Xia Qingyue did not speak again. She simply grasped Ye Changge's fingers in return; her knuckles were slightly cool, but they carried an unmistakable strength.

The two held hands quietly under the corridor, the moonlight spilling down, stretching their shadows very, very long.

The next morning, when Xia Qingyue left, Ye Changge saw her to the mountain gate. She rose on her sword, her white clothes like snow. She looked back at him in the morning light, then turned into a stream of light, heading towards the market.

Ye Changge stood in place, watching that stream of light disappear into the end of the sea of clouds, feeling both reluctance and anticipation in his heart.

"Soon," he whispered to himself, "once she returns, everything will be settled."