"Uh."

"Master, Sect Leader Shishu?"

Li Ye didn’t expect the two of them to suddenly appear.

Could it be that I barged into someone’s territory just now, headstrong like an iron ram, and got reported to the Sect Leader?

Otherwise, why would the Sect Leader suddenly appear?

"Carry on with your things," Master casually said, then bowed to Ying Zhao, "This disciple of mine has been spoiled by us; Upper God, please don’t mind. If you could grant him some benefits, please don’t be stingy."

Ying Zhao: "..."

I always feel like you at the Four Seasons Sect are best at raising kids like they are entitled playboys.

"Hmph."

"You still want to feign innocence with me."

The Mountain God looked at Jiang Suxing, "Back then, you learned this divine technique of blossoming momentarily from me, yet now you pretend to be naive.

It would be better if you took a look at your son.

That kid is actually quite endearing."

"..."

Jiang Suxing sighed softly, then looked at Jiang Qingqiu, who was pretending to be a fox-fur scarf around Li Ye’s neck.

How should I put it?

He and Hu Muyun indeed had a connection.

Initially, they were merely Spirit Beast and master.

Later, he did his best to change some of Hu Muyun’s views, eventually transforming her from "Suxing’s Spirit Beast" to the ancestor of the Qingqiu Clan in the Four Seasons Sect.

Yet, even so, it was unlikely they could spend their lives together or even be truly aligned in heart and mind.

He could only give what he could.

But since she wasn’t born of him and Mo Qi, he couldn’t be too indulgent; offering his concern was already the most he could do.

Though the morals of cultivators differ from common folk, and their great strength provides them ample choices—having dozens of offspring is quite normal for both male and female cultivators.

It wasn’t something anyone would comment on.

Yet, he constantly felt it shouldn’t be like this; Mo Qi had accompanied him in their youth, naturally becoming his Dao companion, and with their cultivation and lifespan at this stage, love had long transformed into companionship.

Perhaps this is where his awkwardness lies.

"Qingqiu." He beckoned to the little fox, who hesitated for a moment before transforming into human form and leaping into his embrace.

The small figure clung closely to his "father."

The Sect Leader, seeing this, sighed softly.

He actually opposed it back then.

Several Spirit Race members were brought about by Suxing; if he became too involved with one tribe and developed feelings, it certainly wouldn’t be fair to other races.

Several elders thought this way too.

Unfortunately, such circumstances still unfolded.

He could only tidy up the mess afterward.

Thinking about it now, it indeed seems he had already let it go; these troublesome matters would likely be handed over to the next generation of Sect Leaders. Given Li Ye’s nature of sowing affection everywhere and running around...

Who knows what fun he’ll stir up?

Thinking about not being the one handling it but instead watching the amusement comfortably, he felt entirely refreshed and invigorated.

"Hmm? What are you smiling about?"

Li Ye felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at by the Sect Leader.

"Nothing."

The Sect Leader waved his hand, curiously asking, "What are you planning to do with those Spirit Flowers you obtained from the Candle Dragon?"

Hmm.

In the right position, do the right thing.

Although he was about to retire, he still hoped to advance what Li Ye had created; he had a hunch it was a potent Spiritual Object capable of changing the current system.

Thus, upon joining the "Sect Leader’s Hall" in the Upper Realm, it wouldn’t allow previous Sect Leaders to secretly underestimate him; perhaps he could even outdo them.

"I originally planned to meet with you later to discuss this matter." Hearing the Sect Leader bring this up, Li Ye got serious.

He too hoped to leave a mark in history.

If he succeeded, he could found a new branch, immortalized as part of the sect’s heritage and practice.

The disciples learning his Dharma Method would essentially be his disciples.

Who wouldn’t be tempted by such a prospect?

"Just speak up," the Sect Leader glanced at Mountain God Ying Zhao, noticing him also keenly listening with curiosity.

Clearly, what Li Ye developed also significantly tempted him.

What Ying Zhao cared about was solely the Celestial Seedling Garden; if he could evolve the Spiritual Objects within, he might even receive gifts from Emperor Jun.

"Look here."

Li Ye took out a flower.

It was a flower representing "winter."

Each petal appeared crystalline and frigid, emanating a special spiritual power that could turn its surroundings into a snowy expanse.

"It can merge with any Spirit Beast."

"Causing mutations in both."

While speaking, Li Ye summoned various Spirit Beasts and bestowed the flower upon them one by one.

Spirit Ants began constructing nests made of ice and snow, with blizzards swirling inside; a pure white bird flapped its wings, summoning chill and winter cold; a bounding deer could create a snowy scene, amassing wind and snow upon its antlers...

Though their original spiritual power attributes had little to do with winter and snow, they each acquired unique powers now imprinted deeply into their bloodline, able to be passed on for generations.

That’s what makes it formidable!

It’s known that many Spirit Beast mutations last only one generation, at most two or three.

Ensuring stable inheritance of mutations, embedding them in the bloodline, is something the Four Seasons Sect has been researching, and while progress is real and stable, the resources consumed are immeasurable.

Yet now, with just one flower, Li Ye can enable stable hereditary reproduction among them, like producing more branches upon an already robust tree trunk, greatly expanding the possibilities for Spirit Beast groups.

Seeing it firsthand, the Sect Leader couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

Thoughts spinning.

He’d already thought of how to elevate Li Ye’s reputation:

"Let me build a mountain peak for you within the sect, and erect a Spirit Leaf Grotto Heaven."

"Disciples can pay a price to enter and seek treasures. If they gain such Spiritual Objects, they can bestow Innate Divine Techniques upon their Spirit Beasts."

"Of course, it won’t come free to you,"

The Sect Leader extended his hand, revealing a white, shiny Jade Coin floating in his palm, made entirely of warm jade but emanating a pure and transparent "energy" rather than spiritual power... clearly beyond the definition of Spiritual Qi.

"What’s this?"

"It’s the Immortal Jade Coin used in the Upper Realm."

"You know the Upper Realm’s Spiritual Qi is overly abundant, with Spirit Stone Ores almost omnipresent, so most of your savings in the Lower Realm are practically useless."

"Up there, you’ll need this currency."

The Sect Leader handed the Jade Coin to Li Ye, his tone gentle, "Though you’ve only just reached the Nascent Soul stage, you should yet consider converting your Spiritual Qi."

Otherwise, doing so upon reaching the Upper Realm would be quite troublesome.

This Immortal Jade Coin is an essential item for conversion."

Li Ye clenched his fist.

Of course, he could sense the "immortal energy" emanating from the Immortal Jade Coin flowing into his body.

That’s a good thing.

But it made him lament: the Sect Leader was planning to entangle him once more.

It’s rare not lacking Spirit Stones.

But now began lacking Immortal Jade Coins.