Chen Ye thought to himself that this was not good, but quickly relaxed.

What’s the big deal about having contact with Bai Susu?

Just as expected,

the eldest disciple said little more, biting her lower lip, her eyelids lowered, long eyelashes gently quivering, only speaking:

"Master... you’re sweating. Let me help you change, the water is ready and is warm..."

She stood on tiptoe, wanting to help her master undo the collar button to remove the robe.

"No need."

Chen Ye promptly stepped back half a step. He had hands and feet, why would he need his disciple’s service?

Moreover, he had practiced the Heart-Burning Technique, and it was inconvenient to have contact with his disciple.

"Master..."

Zhiwei stared at her master, her eyes reddened, remembering how her master used to praise her warmly for being so filial...

How could Chen Ye bear Zhiwei’s grievance?

He thought for a moment and explained to Zhiwei:

"Just now, True Inheritor Bai assisted in practicing the Cultivation Technique. This technique isn’t suitable for contact with outsiders, Master has no other intentions."

That’s why...

Blame herself for being useless, unable to help her master with the Cultivation Technique, so her master had to seek help from others.

If she had achieved Foundation Establishment, she would definitely be able to assist her master in cultivation!

The more she thought, the less at ease Zhiwei felt.

True Inheritor Bai was lofty, incredibly powerful, able to provide her master with various resources, and even heal him.

Yet she could do nothing...

Even when her master was injured, she could only worry on the sideline.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you thinking?"

Chen Ye sighed, suppressing the discomfort within, gently hugging his disciple,

"In Master’s heart, no one compares to you all. Meeting with True Inheritor Bai is for public affairs, for the sect’s grand plan! What are you thinking?"

"Really?"

Zhiwei sniffed, seemingly believing, yet appearing almost unwilling to disbelieve.

She obediently stepped aside, picking up the clean Taoist robe,

"Then... then Zhiwei won’t disturb Master’s cultivation. The robe is here, Master... remember to change. That one... that one with the scent, Zhiwei will take to wash."

She spoke, bending over, picking up the old clothes Chen Ye had changed out of.

The lingering scent on them made her heart ache.

But she said nothing, just silently holding the heap of clothes tight, like clutching her own broken thoughts, head lowered, staggering out of the room.

Before exiting, she glanced back at her master cautiously.

In her gaze, were attachment, grievance, endurance, and a profound sense of helplessness.

"Master... rest early. If you need anything... Zhiwei is next door, just call."

The door quietly closed.

Chen Ye looked at the tightly shut door, chuckling bitterly, slapping his palm against his forehead.

"What a misery..."

Why was everyone so difficult to deal with?

Especially Zhiwei’s gaze, almost like a pie chart!

This disciple, what on earth was she thinking, having such a complex look?

"Enough thinking! Cultivation!"

Chen Ye gritted his teeth, sat cross-legged back on the bed, forcefully expelling those chaotic thoughts from his mind, starting to fully operate the Heart-Burning Technique.

Inside the adjoining room.

Zhiwei held that pile of clothes, sitting by the bed, motionless for ages.

She buried her face in Chen Ye’s clothes, taking a deep breath.

Though there was Bai Susu’s scent, it still had the familiar, reassuring smell of her master.

"Master is mine..."

She murmured to herself, her gaze gradually turning somewhat hollow.

What exactly had Master sacrificed?

For providing his disciples a stable environment for cultivation.

He must have borne unimaginable burdens behind the scenes.

Yet she could only watch her master force a smile on returning home...

Even knowing Master was bullied by True Inheritor Bai, she could only respect True Inheritor Bai.

Otherwise, her master might suffer worse afterward...

Moreover.

What terrified Zhiwei most was that under True Inheritor Bai’s pressure and seduction, Master... Master seemed to have changed, drifting further from her, closer to True Inheritor Bai.

Thinking this, she almost couldn’t breathe, her heart felt gripped tightly, squeezing out endless bitterness.

"As long as I’m obedient, as long as I manage the home well... even if Master has someone else outside, he will still come home in the end, right?"