Chapter 260: Jiang Chuxue

He closed the booklet, a bold thought suddenly flashing through his mind.

The cultivation method he practiced, “The Five Elements Stealing Spirit Chaotic Treatise,” followed a path of pure plunder—stealing others’ spiritual energy for his own use.

But this “Yin-Yang Harmonizing Qi Method” followed the path of mutual nourishment between yin and yang.

If he could fuse these two secret arts, leveraging their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses, perhaps he could forge a path never before seen.

As his thoughts shifted abruptly, his gaze settled on Yin Qingqing.

Yin Qingqing’s body instantly trembled violently, instinctively shuddering, her legs involuntarily stepping half a pace backward.

She knew full well that the “Yin-Yang Harmonizing Qi Method” was fundamentally a dual-cultivation technique; seeing Jiang Ye gaze at her with that meaningful look, her heart nearly leapt out of her throat.

Her legs shook uncontrollably, her voice trembling along with them:

“Master...”

“Qingqing really can’t lose her virginity...”

“If I lose my purity before the Gushu is fully perfected, the fox Gu will turn against me—both of us will die...”

Jiang Ye smiled faintly and returned the booklet to the cloth bag.

“Didn’t you already tell me that before...”

“Relax, old man has no intention of taking your virginity.”

“Old man isn’t some lustful brute.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingqing, whose face had been filled with terror, nearly laughed in anger.

You’re not lustful?

Then what was that just now, a dog?

Immediately, her body shook even more violently.

Not taking her virginity.

Was this old bastard planning something else again...?

After enduring Jiang Ye’s cane discipline, Yin Qingqing had been utterly broken.

That damned old bastard—he only looked old on the outside.

In truth, he was terrifying beyond words.

She was genuinely afraid.

So afraid that whenever Jiang Ye took a single step forward, her legs began trembling uncontrollably.

If she had to endure his cane discipline one more time...

She might never be able to let out a single fart for the rest of her life.

The pain and humiliation of that experience—she never wanted to taste it again; even recalling it made every bone in her body ache faintly.

At that moment,

A heavy footstep suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard.

“Oh? You’ve got quite a few visitors here...”

Jiang Ye smiled faintly and tucked the “Yin-Yang Harmonizing Qi Method” back into the cloth bag.

“Master... this...”

Yin Qingqing glanced warily at Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye waved his hand casually: “No matter. I won’t interfere with your socializing.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingqing secretly exhaled in relief, then stood firm, forcing herself to suppress her trembling.

Moments later,

A young man dressed in expensive, ornate robes, tall and upright, with a handsome face, arrived at the courtyard gate.

His aura carried the inherent arrogance of a noble scion; standing there, he radiated an air of “keep your distance.”

“Oh? Is this man from the Zheng family...?”

Jiang Ye’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

The young man’s facial features bore a faint resemblance to Zheng Feng.

But his features were more aggressive, his brow radiating a sharper, fiercer intensity than Zheng Feng’s by an incalculable margin.

Clearly, a heaven-favored prodigy raised in privilege and talent, utterly unfamiliar with the concept of “restraint.”

“Senior Brother Zheng Lin is truly an unexpected guest—what brings you to my humble courtyard today?”

Yin Qingqing stepped forward with a radiant smile, two dimples appearing as she greeted him—completely different from the trembling, fearful girl she had been moments earlier before Jiang Ye.

Zheng Lin pulled a gilded crimson wedding invitation from his sleeve and handed it to her, smiling: “Junior Sister Yin, in seven days, I will marry Chu Xue. The banquet is at Jade Bamboo Pavilion. You must come.”

Yin Qingqing accepted the invitation with both hands, pressing her small mouth in a perfectly timed gasp:

“So it’s Senior Brother Zheng and Senior Sister Jiang’s wedding—Qingqing offers her heartfelt congratulations.”

“Senior Brother Zheng, rest assured—I will be there.”

“By the way, Senior Sister Jiang recently ascended to the rank of True Disciple. You two are truly a match made in heaven—envied by all.”

Her words were flawless—praising both Zheng Lin and Jiang Chu Xue, perfectly calibrated.

Zheng Lin’s face immediately lit up with unhidden pride.

Jiang Ye, standing nearby, nodded silently in approval.

Yin Qingqing was indeed a talent.

She could cower like a quail before him, yet chat effortlessly with a prodigy like Zheng Lin—this ability to switch personas so seamlessly was rare indeed.

Too bad she’d still fallen into his hands.

But what interested him more now was that this man before him was none other than Zheng Feng’s “dear older brother,” Zheng Lin.

And Zheng Lin’s wedding to Jiang Chu Xue was already imminent.

He’d been so absorbed in cultivation lately he’d nearly forgotten.

Zheng Lin exchanged a few more casual words with Yin Qingqing, his gaze casually sweeping over the gray-robed elder quietly standing in the corner.

Yin Qingqing immediately introduced: “Senior Brother Zheng, this is Elder Jiang of Tianyun Peak...”

Zheng Lin merely nodded slightly, offering no bow, then turned his gaze away.

To him, a Qi Condensation cultivator from some backwater sect was beneath even a second glance.

Jiang Ye might have gained some fame recently, but it hadn’t reached Zheng Lin’s ears.

It was only because Yin Qingqing’s status was special.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered coming here at all.

After a few more perfunctory words, he turned and took his leave, his steps radiating the effortless arrogance of a noble prodigy.

Jiang Ye watched Zheng Lin’s retreating figure with a thoughtful, enigmatic expression, lost in thought.

Seeing Zheng Lin far away, Yin Qingqing hurried back to Jiang Ye’s side, instantly switching her composed, effortless smile into an expression of “righteous indignation”:

“Damn it...”

“Zheng Lin dared to treat Master so disrespectfully!”

“I hate people like this who judge others by their status.”

“Master, don’t worry...”

“Once my Gushu is perfected, I’ll avenge you!”

She spoke with such sincerity it seemed she truly felt outrage on Jiang Ye’s behalf.

Jiang Ye looked at her with a half-smile:

“Didn’t know you were so loyal to me...”

“I thought once your Gushu was perfected, the first person you’d want to kill...”

“Was old man.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingqing’s face turned instantly as white as paper.

This damn old bastard was frighteningly accurate.

Though she thought this inwardly, her body dropped to her knees at Jiang Ye’s feet, both hands clutching his robe hem, her voice shaking uncontrollably:

“Master...”

“Qingqing’s body and soul are utterly devoted to you...”

As she spoke, two glistening tears welled in her eyes, matching her naturally innocent face—perfectly portraying a loyal, devoted servant.

Jiang Ye paid no mind to her performance, speaking coolly:

“Hand over your disguise mask and scent powder for old man to see.”

Yin Qingqing paused slightly, her tear-bright eyes blinking.

Wait.

What does this old bastard want with those things?

Could it be...

He wants to become a flower-plucking demon too?!