As the sect grew larger, the sect gatherings became increasingly lively.
What started as Li Yingling controlling everything eventually shifted to her only managing a single game event, while most people were free to do whatever they wished.
A truly enjoyable gathering wasn't about raucous celebration, but about everyone being able to do what they wanted without needing to please the crowd, showing their most relaxed selves.
Some chatted casually over drinks, while others, like Qinghe, participated in the Monopoly game with faces full of excitement and smiles.
Time silently pushed everything forward—for instance, Zhou Ping, who was once reserved, now raised his hand to join the Monopoly game.
Zhang Miaoyu, the so-called Outer Elder, grew increasingly comfortable calling Chu Xingchen "Sect Master," until now she could say it the moment they met.
Chu Xingchen still remembered how when Zhang Miaoyu first called him Sect Master, "awkward" would be putting it mildly—it was practically like holding a blade to her neck.
Later, Zhang Miaoyu explained—after years as a rogue cultivator, she never expected to one day join a sect.
Among rogue cultivators in the Eastern Continent, the term "Sect Master" wasn't exactly a positive word.
It was basically no different from "Zhou Bapi," a notorious exploiter.
So back then, she had been quite conflicted about saying it.
But the once-conflicted Zhang Miaoyu was now participating in the fun, her face full of smiles.
Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun were naturally present as well.
If anyone had changed the most in appearance, it was undoubtedly Ning Qianqian.
The once thin, sallow-faced girl had now become fair-skinned and somewhat taller.
Ning Qianqian was still at the third layer of Qi Condensation, growing somewhat more slowly than Chen Baiqing.
She had now become a graceful young woman.
A reliable steward who handled matters properly—give her a task and even if it wasn't brilliant, it would never go wrong.
Ning Qianqian often said she was lucky to have met Chu Xingchen.
But Chu Xingchen would occasionally sigh with gratitude that there was a Ning Qianqian in the sect.
Ning Kun had also shed his reserve, holding a wine cup in hand.
Though he couldn't understand what Qinghe was playing in Monopoly, when he heard their joyful laughter, he seemed to smile along as if he could feel their joy.
It was just that his temples had grown somewhat white.
Being drained of blood energy in the mine back then naturally had its aftereffects.
Although Chu Xingchen had found many pills for him, supplementing was ultimately a lesser approach.
But it was fine—as long as his cultivation improved, he could still go far.
Chu Xingchen attended the gathering but didn't participate in the Monopoly game Li Yingling was running.
Instead, he sat to the side with Xie Lingyu, lightly clinking wine cups while watching his disciples make merry.
"It feels like a lifetime ago," Xie Lingyu suddenly spoke.
Chu Xingchen's gaze shifted slightly toward Xie Lingyu, moonlight and firelight reflecting on her face.
Xie Lingyu's temperament matched her features—her nose bridge was somewhat prominent, her brows slightly sharp, giving her a cold, aloof appearance that made her seem difficult to approach at first glance.
Indeed, the Xie Lingyu of the past wasn't exactly easy to get close to.
Chu Xingchen smiled and said, "For me it doesn't quite count. If it felt like your lifetime ago, would you still be clinking glasses with me?"
Xie Lingyu glanced sideways, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her mouth:
"That's not necessarily true."
Chu Xingchen listened to Xie Lingyu's somewhat riddling words, a smile appearing on his face.
Xie Lingyu rarely spoke in riddles—or rather, she herself disliked riddlers, so her riddle-making skills couldn't compare to Chen Baiqing, or even Cui Hao.
The riddles Xie Lingyu spoke were basically answers on the surface—if there were a next time, she would still clink glasses with me.
Chu Xingchen watched Xie Lingyu's suddenly playful expression and thought of something to ask:
"There's something I suddenly want to ask you."
"Hm?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you're actually quite cute?"
Xie Lingyu thought for a moment, her gaze turning toward the bright moon:
"Counting seriously, only my Master has said I look cute when I'm angry."
"It's just that Master always spoke in half-truths, giving only partial instructions for tasks. Besides, I vaguely remember I was crying at the time, tears all over my face—how could that be considered cute?"
After speaking, Xie Lingyu turned to look at Chu Xingchen: "You can hear this, but if you tell anyone else, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Chu Xingchen smiled and nodded in agreement: "I'm honored that Lingyu-sama thinks highly of me; naturally, I'll keep it strictly confidential."
Xie Lingyu gazed at Chu Xingchen, fine strands of hair drifting in the wind before her, partially obscuring his figure and that face that always carried a slight smile.
"What about when you were little?" Xie Lingyu asked. "When I asked before, you only said you were a successor. I haven't seen you succeed anything—what did you do as a child?"
This time it was Chu Xingchen's turn to look at the moon:
"I did ordinary but happy things as a child—being urged to study, people hoping I'd stand out, hoping I'd live happily. Simple, modest wishes."
"The biggest thrill in life was probably tying a rope around my waist and jumping down the mountain when safety was guaranteed."
"Compared to cultivation, it was incredibly mundane... but thinking about it carefully, it was actually quite happy."
Xie Lingyu grew curious at this:
"Tying a rope and jumping down a mountain? Is that some kind of custom?"
"No... purely from having nothing better to do after eating, jumping for fun, seeking some excitement in an otherwise peaceful life."
"That was indeed a happy life." Xie Lingyu nodded gently, then continued:
"Although walking the immortal path means less stability, you can see unique scenery, meet unique people, and encounter interesting things."
Chu Xingchen's gaze shifted to Li Yingling acting as referee, and to his disciples participating in the game.
He said with a light laugh, "That's true. To see magnificent scenery, one must naturally face those violent storms."
"What about being a successor?" Xie Lingyu's expression showed rare curiosity.
Chu Xingchen rubbed his chin: "I probably can't be one now, but the successor's thinking remains in my heart."
Xie Lingyu pressed: "What thinking?"
Chu Xingchen raised his cup with a smile: "Study hard, improve every day."
Xie Lingyu listened to this completely unrelated answer with a calm expression, even showing a slight smile, and raised her own wine cup to lightly clink with his.
This kind of unconventional thinking, not bound by rigid rules, was part of Chu Xingchen's unique charm.
At least Xie Lingyu didn't find it off-putting.
Chu Xingchen drained his cup, looked at Xie Lingyu, and his tone suddenly grew serious:
"By the way, I have something to tell you."
"Hm?" Xie Lingyu's gaze returned to him.
Chu Xingchen smiled and said:
"Actually, your Master was right. You really are quite cute."
Xie Lingyu froze for a moment, her expression growing slightly unnatural.
Her eyes seemed to tremble slightly, and her tone grew somewhat stiffer.
She replied:
"You're cute too too."
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