Perhaps it was because of her good mood today, or perhaps it was the touching act of Yan Yun sacrificing herself for her Master.
Bai Xuanling's gaze first fell on Xie Lingyu. After a moment of thought, she took pity on them and didn't make things difficult.
"You may come, but to be putting on airs here..."
Lü Xuan was overjoyed to hear this and only then dared to lead Yan Yun into the courtyard, saying:
"I'm not putting on any airs. Even if I was, you would have already dismantled them long ago."
Bai Xuanling's gaze shifted to Chu Xingchen, her tone apologetic as she said:
"In that case, I'll trouble you to add two more people. But things will remain as they were before—these two won't hold any grudges."
Seeing that Bai Xuanling rarely asked for anything, and it wasn't a big deal at that, Chu Xingchen readily agreed.
After all, this was just a game, not a fight.
If these two didn't like playing games, they could just have them sit aside and drink tea.
Yan Yun stepped into the courtyard, her gaze immediately turning to Xie Lingyu. After looking at her for a moment, she wore a faint smile and congratulated her:
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Xie, for also reaching the Nascent Soul realm."
Xie Lingyu nodded lightly: "I was a bit late. Please forgive me."
"That's not what I meant..." Yan Yun wanted to explain something but ultimately didn't, only offering an awkward smile instead.
Chen Baiqing's gaze swept over the two of them, vaguely sensing that something was amiss.
Her gaze then fell upon Qinghe beside her. After all, this flood dragon's emotions were basically written all over her face—she was an open book.
Unlike her Master, who always wore a smile that made it impossible to discern his thoughts.
As expected, Qinghe looked at Yan Yun with a hint of vigilance, seemingly not welcoming her arrival.
Chen Baiqing instantly confirmed that Junior Master Xie and this so-called Yun must have had an unpleasant past.
And Junior Master Xie was the one who had suffered the loss.
Her gaze instantly turned to her own Master, only to find that his gaze was already on his eldest disciple.
From this angle, Chen Baiqing couldn't see her Master's expression, but she could see from the eldest disciple's perspective—the eldest disciple had cast her Master a reassuring look that said, "Leave it to me."
Indeed... if it was her Master, there was nothing he couldn't detect.
Chu Xingchen noticed Chen Baiqing's gaze and turned to look at her, also casting a glance at his third disciple—be a little restrained.
As for Chen Baiqing, Chu Xingchen's first impression of her would always be a warm and considerate jacket, unlike Yingling's stable but drafty one, or Xingtian's stable but lost one.
Naturally, he also understood that no matter how cute, trusting, and warm and considerate Chen Baiqing was in front of him, it couldn't change the fact that despite her young age, she was already steadily becoming dark-bellied.
After all, many times when Chu Xingchen wanted to chat with Chen Baiqing and try to educate her to be kind and upright, he would see her manipulating fish to grill them.
Seeing this scene, even Chu Xingchen was momentarily baffled for a moment.
He had thought that just letting the fish grill itself was enough, but he never imagined it could evolve to this degree.
It was truly...
Chu Xingchen also chose the same method as Li Xingtian—pretending not to see and turning to leave.
Chen Baiqing pursed her lips. Although she didn't know if her Master had misunderstood something about her, she still nodded lightly to indicate that she had received the message.
Whatever her Master said was what she would do.
"Let's play a few simple games then. With so many people..." Chu Xingchen's gaze fell on Li Yingling.
Li Yingling decisively took out a complete set of Monopoly from her spatial ring, as well as a brand new, sealed deck of penalty cards.
Inside, it had everything from edgy phrases to edgy performances, from borrowing items to abstract punishments.
It was all about touching the bottom line without crossing it.
It belonged to the type of punishment where you'd want to back out of doing it, but it would also make you seem like a sore loser if you did.
It was excessive, yet not quite that excessive.
Li Yingling directly slapped a large Monopoly board on the ground: "Since you two have never played before, I'll specially explain the rules!"
The rules of Monopoly weren't that difficult. Even Qinghe could understand after hearing them once.
Not to mention Yan Yun, who had become the Sect Master of Tianyan Sect and was being cultivated as an absolute core.
Lü Xuan and Yan Yun both nodded in understanding.
However, rules weren't absolute.
Li Yingling took out that deck of penalty cards: "Since this is for entertainment, the penalties won't be things like forfeiting spirit stones, but rather some simple small penalties. Whatever you draw, you must do it, and they absolutely won't make anyone feel uncomfortable."
Li Yingling placed the cards on the table and demonstratively drew one.
[Meow like a cat twice]
Lü Xuan looked at this penalty card, and his brow instantly furrowed.
For him, the dignified Sect Master of Tianyan Sect, to meow like a cat here?!
Li Yingling flipped the card back down and seeing Lü Xuan's frown, spoke with great goodwill:
"Naturally, you and Senior Sister Yan are novices. If you draw something that truly makes you uncomfortable, you can draw again, and then choose one of the two penalties to execute."
"This privilege is only for you two."
Giving someone exclusive privileges would boost their confidence.
Especially when it wasn't really a privilege at all.
What's harder to accept than being forced to eat shit is having to choose between two shits to eat.
Yan Yun's gaze swept across the cards and she asked, "May I see what the penalties are?"
"Of course... no. Because the unknown is what makes it fun, isn't it?"
Li Yingling's gaze met Yan Yun's calmly, not the least bit flustered.
Yan Yun nodded lightly in agreement, her gaze scanning the backs of the cards, confirming that this deck had no special markings.
She turned to Lü Xuan and said, "Master, respect for elders and care for the young. You go first."
Lü Xuan cleared his throat lightly: "This is something for the young to play. You young people can just play."
Although Yan Yun had expected this, hearing this again caused her to cast a disappointed look at Lü Xuan.
"Are you afraid we'll set a trap for you by coming to play?" Bai Xuanling scoffed lightly with disdain. "I'll play too."
Li Yingling's gaze shifted and she said with a smile: "Since you're both here, let's all play together this time. It'll be me, Junior Master Xie, Senior Bai, Little Baiqing, and you two."
"As for the referee, I'll leave that to my Master."
"Naturally, being a referee just means hosting the game process, like drawing penalty cards—all of which will be done by the players themselves."
After listening to the rules for a moment, Lü Xuan understood what Li Yingling meant—given how timid you are, all rules will be bent in your favor, and you'll get all the privileges.
Thinking further, if even Bai Xuanling was willing to personally participate, and凭借 his own cultivation, he wouldn't dare to cheat under her nose, and since he came here voluntarily, it would be too embarrassing to refuse.
Besides, besides Bai Xuanling, there was also a little girl participating... it couldn't be too excessive with a little girl here, right?
After a moment of thought, Lü Xuan still nodded with a light smile:
"In that case, let's have a simple game or two."
Seeing that her Master had agreed to join, Yan Yun felt somewhat balanced in her heart no matter what.
Seeing that the number of players was about to be finalized, Qinghe stood up and wanted to speak up to join and fiercely defend Xie Lingyu's honor, but was quickly pulled back by Cui Hao beside her.
Qinghe looked at Cui Hao with confusion.
Cui Hao's face didn't show much expression, but he revealed a gentle smile and explained:
"With too many people, it gets too chaotic."
Qinghe didn't understand the implication of Cui Hao's words, but she recognized this expression of his.
This was the secret expression he used when selling medicinal pills!
Could there be a trap here?
Qinghe's eyes widened instantly!
These people were formidable!
Qinghe's gaze then turned to Chen Baiqing, who was preparing to participate with a harmless smile.
She encouraged her: "Go for it, Little Baiqing!"
Chen Baiqing turned her head and cast a reassuring look.
But unfortunately, Qinghe currently didn't possess the ability to read expressions that everyone in the sect had.
Qinghe looked slightly confused.
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