Chapter 430: This World Actually Has Such a Treasure?!
Chu Xingchen gazed at Chen Baiqing, an unbidden warm smile appearing on his own face.
That face still bore traces of the past. If the Chen Baiqing before her departure had been a standard beauty in the making, then the Chen Baiqing before him now was a fully blossomed beauty.
Chen Baiqing's opened peach-blossom eyes still revealed hints of her childhood appearance, and she had grown quite tall.
While it was rare for cultivators to remain unattractive, standing out even among cultivators was equally uncommon.
At the very least, the Chen Baiqing before him was exceptionally outstanding.
But beauty could be rather similar. What truly set apart the very best was temperament.
Though Chen Baiqing bore the [Bewitching Heavenly Enchantress] tag, her temperament was anything but seductive. She had always been refined and elegant, speaking with great tact, her bearing and conduct impeccable—projecting the aura of a noble household's daughter.
She always gave people a remarkably pure impression, like the snow falling at this very moment. But those opened peach-blossom eyes never held foolish looks—calmness and contemplation predominated.
Chen Baiqing had never been mere eye candy. Even before she had made her mark, Chu Xingchen had already formed his judgment.
Li Yingling would send letters from time to time, and the majority of their content was praise for Chen Baiqing. Sometimes half a letter would be nothing but compliments about her.
Intelligent, composed, not prone to reckless risks, understanding of gains and losses, and capable of manipulating people's hearts.
Li Yingling was willing to entrust her rear entirely to Chen Baiqing.
Her usual attire was rather modest, favoring plain colors. She rarely wore brightly colored garments—especially the purple dress she now wore.
"Welcome home." Chu Xingchen smiled with a light nod. "You've grown up. I almost didn't recognize you."
Cui Hao studied Chen Baiqing, seemingly unable to believe his Third Senior Sister was like a completely different person. For a moment, he swallowed all the words he had wanted to say.
Chen Baiqing walked over quickly, first greeting everyone, then looking directly at Xie Lingyu. She blinked slightly as if asking a question, though what she asked could only be understood intuitively.
Xie Lingyu also revealed a hint of a smile. The ever-demure Chen Baiqing from back then now seemed to have a touch of playfulness. She offered no gesture in reply:
"It's been a long time. Welcome back."
Chen Baiqing dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, understanding the answer. She raised her gaze to her master:
"I'd believe anyone else, but I don't believe Master couldn't recognize me."
Chu Xingchen gave her a couple of glances: "Your voice has changed quite a bit, and you seem a bit more vivacious."
"So, have these past few years been interesting? Where's Yingling? Didn't she come back with you?"
"They were alright, but still not as good as being by Master's side."
Chen Baiqing smiled lightly. "Eldest Senior Sister still has unfinished business. She might return a bit later."
"It's been so long since I saw Master, so I came back early to visit."
Chu Xingchen, still with his arm around Li Xingtian's shoulder, asked: "Well, your timing is quite coincidental. Today happens to be your Second Senior Brother's Nascent Soul breakthrough."
"Mm..." Chen Baiqing nodded gently, glancing at her Second Senior Brother with careful word choice.
"From farther away, I could already see the heavenly omen above the sect. I guessed it was Second Senior Brother emerging from seclusion, so I hurried my pace."
"Otherwise, I'd have been even later."
Li Xingtian looked at Chen Baiqing before him and felt somewhat relieved. Compared to his own demonic-cultivatior appearance, his Third Senior Sister had grown from that tiny little thing into someone mature and reliable.
An indescribable sense of comfort welled up within him.
Li Xingtian also revealed a slight smile: "Has Third Junior Sister suffered any grievances out there?"
"No." Chen Baiqing looked back, finding her Second Senior Brother hadn't changed at all.
His smile was still as fierce-looking as ever. But... Second Senior Brother had always been genuinely good to everyone in the sect—undeniably good.
Chu Xingchen's smile was full of warmth. Even though the Chen Baiqing before him was no longer a girl, he still familiarly reached out and gently ruffled her hair, chuckling softly:
"Let's go, let's all head to the small pond for a chat. There's no need for everyone to just stand around here. Your Fifth Junior Brother was just saying he missed the tea you brew."
Though it had been a long time since anyone patted her head, Chen Baiqing still skillfully lowered her head, responding softly:
"Alright, Master."
The hand was warm—just like the only hand that had ever reached out to her back then, unchanged through all the years.
——————
By the water's pool, at the stone table and chairs.
The commotion from Li Xingtian's breakthrough had been massive. Some who were farther away or of lower cultivation arrived later, but by now, everyone who could come had gathered.
San Dong was still the only one sitting on the table, though his expression seemed somewhat rattled.
As if he'd been frightened by something.
Chapter 430 (continued)
Lin Luoyu had also paused her own breakthrough preparations, choosing to emerge first to congratulate her Second Senior Brother—though she hadn't expected Third Senior Sister to return as well.
However, Zhang Miaoyu looked somewhat disappointed—the leader she respected most hadn't come back.
Though she was comfortable at Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge, the time spent with the leader had ultimately been more joyful.
Chen Baiqing's movements were practiced, her bearing even more elegant than before.
"I remember you didn't used to like wearing this kind of color." Chu Xingchen asked with mild curiosity.
Chen Baiqing's tone was soft: "Senior Sister picked it for me. She said I've grown up and should wear grown-up clothes, and that this color is pretty—it lets everyone know I'm not a child anymore."
Chu Xingchen chuckled: "That's just your Eldest Senior Sister always treating you like a child."
"Being treated like a child is nice too." Chen Baiqing gently pushed the tea she had brewed in front of Chu Xingchen. "But Baiqing would rather be a useful person."
Cui Hao stared longingly at that cup of tea, and upon hearing this, spoke up:
"Third Senior Sister is magnificent and capable, handling matters flawlessly! If you ask who's the most reliable in the sect, I would definitely nominate Third Senior Sister!"
Chen Baiqing cast a sidelong glance, not responding to this excessive flattery, but silently pushing a cup of tea over to silence her Fifth Junior Brother.
"Thank you, Third Senior Sister."
Cui Hao accepted it with a face full of delight, not being the least bit shy about it.
Third Senior Sister had grown up, but she hadn't changed into a different person. To him, it was simply going from a short Third Senior Sister to a tall Third Senior Sister.
After all, he had already bowed in submission when she was short. Now that she'd grown up, it was just continuing to bow in submission.
Cui Hao took a light sip. The familiar sensation, the familiar taste filled his heart once more.
It really had to be Third Senior Sister.
Chen Baiqing first distributed the brewed tea to everyone, then retrieved items from her spatial ring:
"I came back before Eldest Senior Sister, so she told me to bring back the gifts we prepared for everyone first."
With that, Chen Baiqing began distributing items, starting from the smallest.
In every sense of the word, the smallest mascot—San Dong.
San Dong's eyes went wide, staring in disbelief at the large, extremely pure dark stone Chen Baiqing placed on the table—a stone that radiated intense lunar energy just from looking at it.
"Thank you. San Dong likes it very much."
San Dong happily hugged the large stone.
Having spent more time here, that instinctive politeness toward people within the sect had faded considerably.
Perhaps it had come to understand that in the sect, there was no need for formality—because whenever there was something good, everyone naturally shared. San Dong liked this very much, liking to receive gifts and to give gifts to everyone.
It wasn't about cheap or expensive—only genuine affection was priceless.
Everyone's items were somewhat different, chosen by Chen Baiqing and Li Yingling based on what each person liked.
Soon, the distribution reached Li Xingtian.
Li Xingtian hesitated slightly. Strictly speaking, he was the senior brother—was it appropriate to take things from his junior sister?
Chen Baiqing seemed to sense this and spoke:
"These things were prepared by me and Eldest Senior Sister together, or rather, Eldest Senior Sister's share is the greater portion. Besides, these are tokens of affection. Could it be that just because I've grown taller, Second Senior Brother has grown distant with me?"
Hearing this, Li Xingtian no longer hesitated, reaching out to accept the gift Chen Baiqing offered.
It was a magnificent white combat outfit, its appearance seemingly over-decorated.
Not bad, though Li Xingtian preferred darker-colored clothing.
"This outfit was specially commissioned by Eldest Senior Sister from a master artisan, and it also contains my illusion array designs." Chen Baiqing pointed at the white bejeweled decorations on the outfit, continuing:
"Though it might be useless against high-realm cultivators, it's enough to affect those of lower cultivation."
"This outfit can subtly mask energy. The essence won't change, but it should look better—for example, turning red light into white."
Hearing this, Li Xingtian's pupils quaked violently...
This world actually had such a treasure?!
[
Dear Readers,
I am currently posting two chapters every day across two active fictions, along with bonus and extra chapters. The workload is steady, and I am putting in the effort to keep the schedule consistent for everyone. In total, that comes out to 56 chapters per month normally, plus random bonus and extra chapters on top of that.
Right now, the financial situation is not great. Patreon support is what keeps this translation work sustainable. If you have been following the stories and want to help, joining a tier makes a direct difference.
Here is what membership offers:
$6 per month
10 chapters in advance for all works
$8 per month
20 chapters in advance for all works, plus random bonus and extra chapters
$10 per month
30 chapters in advance for all works, plus access to character images and random bonus and extra chapters
Important note: Subscribing through the Apple App adds an extra 30 percent fee because of Apple and Patreon policy. Subscribe through your browser to avoid the extra charge. Apple also processes payments very late, around 2 to 3 months, which makes it much harder to receive money quickly after you subscribe.
If you can support, it would genuinely help continue the daily releases and early access content. If you cannot, reading and sharing the work is also appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Patreon: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]