Little Ling'er, Are You a Cultivator?

"Um..."

Upon hearing Murong Gong's words, Feng Ye's mouth twitched suddenly. 

Gifts?

Damn it, I didn't prepare any!

Seeing Feng Ye suddenly fall silent, Murong Gong inwardly snorted and continued, "Actually, I think you're all too polite. Look, Elder Dragon gifted a supreme spirit vein. Elder Zhen gave a pair of dragon and phoenix talismans. But the most flattering gift came from Elder Bai – an unlimited purple gold card that gets me anything at a 90% discount."

As he spoke, Murong Gong looked towards Long Aotian and the others, saying, "I appreciate the kindness from the three elders."

Long Aotian understood Murong Gong's implication and played along, "It's no problem, major powers like us have to present gifts of this caliber when visiting, or we'd lose face."

Zhen Dianteng nodded seriously, "Indeed, we major powers care a lot about face."

Bai Gufeng chimed in, "It's nothing really, maybe the Lianyao Sect's gift is even better, haha."

With that, the topic swiftly shifted to Feng Ye.

All eyes fell upon him. 

At this moment.

The gleam in everyone's eyes was tinged with amusement.

As if saying:

Your turn.

Feng Ye, stared at by the group, was dumbfounded.

"Um...the gift I prepared isn't that great..."

His mouth twitched frantically as anxiety gripped him.

These old fellows are trying to set me up!

Murong Gong said casually, "It's okay, it's the thought that counts. I don't care about the value, and I don't think anyone else does either."

When he said "anyone else", his tone became heavier.

Hearing this, Feng Ye gritted his teeth in resentment.

His reason for leaving the sect had nothing to do with this event.

He was accompanying his father to handle an important matter, which was why he brought a group along.

After completing that task, he suddenly heard about this formation and hurried over since he was nearby.

So he had no valuable items on him.

Long Aotian and the others continued to stir trouble, urging Feng Ye to present his gift and reassuring that its value didn't matter.

But when Feng Ye heard "doesn't matter", it pained his heart.

If he really gave some worthless junk as a gift, it would ruin the Lianyao Sect's reputation.

They didn't care about being infamous.

Infamy could make more people fear them.

But they cared deeply about humiliation.

If he casually offered some trash, and someone with ill intent spread word of it, the sect would lose all face.

And he would be nailed to the pillar of shame!

Gritting his teeth, Feng Ye took out a palm-sized red crystal.

The pained expression on his face was apparent.

This was the item his father had sent him to seize.

Called the Blood Essence Crystal.

Under the insistent urging, Feng Ye reluctantly handed over the red crystal, saying, "Fine, I did prepare a gift. This is called the Blood Essence Crystal, a treasure on par with celestial pills. As long as one is alive, no matter if their limbs are severed, soaking this crystal and the person in water for a day will allow limb regrowth..."

Feng Ye gritted his teeth as he introduced the gift he was offering.

The Lianyao Sect members behind Feng Ye were shocked to see their sect leader present the Blood Essence Crystal. Some wanted to stop him but were silenced by Feng Ye's glare.

He didn't want to give it away either, but he had no other suitable gift!

He would appease this situation first to avoid humiliation, then find a way to take the crystal back later!

He couldn't believe Long Aotian and the others would stay here forever!

Once they left, he would have ample opportunity.

Long Aotian and the others narrowed their eyes slightly upon seeing the item.

"Not bad."

"Passable."

"Acceptable."

Each offered a lukewarm remark.

Feng Ye nearly bit into his sleeve upon hearing that.

Dammit, this is just "passable"?!

Murong Gong's eyes lit up after hearing the crystal's function. 

This was truly a treasure!

Allowing limb regrowth!

They wouldn't have to worry about injuries anymore!

"Haha, I like this gift, thank you. Come, don't just stand there, come inside..."

With that, Murong Gong actually treated the Lianyao Sect group as guests, leading them into the formation.

Feng Ye and the others felt utterly dejected.

But with Long Aotian and the others present, they could only follow through gritted teeth.

"I won't believe they'll never leave. You wait, you worthless sect!"

Feng Ye followed Murong Gong into the formation.

In his heart, he decided to just let Murong Gong hold onto the Blood Essence Crystal for now.

However, as soon as he completed that thought and entered the formation, his steps faltered abruptly.

Not just him - the other Lianyao Sect members reacted the same way.

They all looked up at the sky.

Gulp.

Feng Ye swallowed hard.

A look of shock on his face.

What...is going on!

This black python, only at the mid-stage of the Great Realm, yet exudes such terrifying pressure!!

When he saw this black python outside the formation, he didn't think much of it.

He was well-traveled and had encountered this species a few times before.

The black python's size in the sky at most indicated an early or mid-stage Great Realm cultivator. 

While he was at the ninth level of the Great Realm.

Plus, he had the corpse of another ninth-level Great Realm expert.

Equal to the combined power of two such experts.

He could easily slay a python like that.

But after entering, he realized he was wrong.

This python was no ordinary creature!

Its aura gave him a feeling akin to Long Aotian and the others!!

The one who had just been thinking of somehow reclaiming the Blood Essence Crystal after they left suddenly felt like crying.

This was bad.

The Blood Essence was gone!

How could he account for this when he returned?

...

In Qingxuan Town.

Chen Ping'an watched Su Ling sitting under the peach tree, playing with rocks and looking energetic and lively. He felt utterly speechless.

He had really wanted to attend the opening ceremony of the sect named after him.

Last night, he even woke up laughing because of this.

But he never expected Su Ling to suddenly fall ill the next day.

And that wasn't even the main reason for his current speechlessness.

The key was that after Murong Gong left, Su Ling suddenly recovered.

Perfectly ensuring he missed the chance to attend the ceremony! 

This was practically a conspiracy!

"Little Ling'er, come here."

Chen Ping'an studied Su Ling, feeling that she must be hiding something from him.

Upon hearing Chen Ping'an, Su Ling's large eyes swiveled around before she put down the rocks and walked over.

"Big brother, what's wrong?" Su Ling asked crisply.

Chen Ping'an squinted at her, stroking his chin.

"Little Ling'er, tell me honestly, do you have cultivation abilities?!"

Chen Ping'an felt this situation was too coincidental. 

He didn't know if cultivators could make one's forehead feel hot.

But aside from having cultivation abilities, there seemed no other explanation.

The notion that Su Ling might be a cultivator arose after meeting Bai Xiaochun.

Since even a child like Bai Xiaochun had abilities, perhaps Little Ling'er did too!

Being scrutinized like this by Chen Ping'an and asked that question, Su Ling felt uneasy and began avoiding eye contact. 

Seeing her reaction, Chen Ping'an pointed at her with dawning realization.

"Little Ling'er, you're acting sheepish. So it seems you're already a cultivator!"

Here is a continuation of the English translation:

Su Ling pursed her lips, seeing no other choice. Puffing out her cheeks, she said, "Big brother, I had intended to interact with you as an ordinary person, but that only brought suspicion. No more pretense - I am a cultivator and I'm coming clean."

Chen Ping'an watched Su Ling's serious little demeanor.

He was dumbfounded.