It wasn’t proper for the three of them to stand outside, so Chen Jiuge sensibly invited them into his Eden Garden. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Watching her junior brother diligently pour Spiritual Tea for her, Wen Ruo chuckled and said, "Junior Brother, there’s no need to be formal. Even though I’ve become an immortal, I’m still your senior sister. You’ve reached Mahayana now yourself, and becoming an immortal won’t be far off for you."

Chen Jiuge just smiled, thinking to himself, Is it because of that? I’m wondering if there was ever a time I was disrespectful to you. Your ’little fists’... my Green Vine Immortal Body might not be able to withstand them.

Guman seemed to understand Chen Jiuge’s thoughts. Remembering the figure that had appeared first among the final nine strikes of the Heavenly Tribulation, a knowing glint appeared in his eyes. He never would have expected this.

The three sat together, each lost in their own thoughts as they sipped tea, the atmosphere turning somewhat awkward for a moment.

Fortunately, Yue Meng arrived with Bai Ya just then.

"Oh, Old Guman, Sister Wen, you’re here too! Why didn’t you say anything? I didn’t even get you any gifts," Yue Meng said with surprise as she looked at the three people around the stone table.

Seeing Yue Meng’s hands full of large and small packages, and Bai Ya also burdened with a large pile of miscellaneous items, Chen Jiuge teased, "Why not put your things in your Storage Bag?"

"You don’t understand. Aunt Wen says this is what it looks like when women go shopping."

Chen Jiuge was at a loss for words.

Yue Meng took out three small gifts, placed them on the stone table, and then waved goodbye with a flourish.

"Your Spiritual Beast sure is interesting," Wen Ruo said with a gentle smile.

Chen Jiuge, feeling somewhat embarrassed, replied, "Senior Sister, please don’t tease me. By the way, shouldn’t you be entering seclusion to consolidate your cultivation?"

Wen Ruo shook her head. "No need. My Eternal Youth Body has already transformed, and I mostly mastered my cultivation during its transformation."

"Let’s not talk about that. Let’s see Yue Meng’s gifts," Wen Ruo said, somewhat curiously unwrapping a gift box.

Inside was a set of cosmetics from a minor world on the technological side. Judging by the packaging, it seemed quite precious in that world.

Curiously picking up a bottle of toner, Wen Ruo remarked, "These little things from the technological side are quite difficult to get, aren’t they?"

"Recently, due to the Demon Clan, all major and minor worlds have united in war. Many disciples with lower cultivation levels always bring back a lot of specialties from each minor world," Guman explained.

"Do you rarely see such things, Old Guman?" Chen Jiuge asked curiously. "These specialties from minor worlds should be exchangeable for some Spirit Stones, right?"

"Quite rare. Disciples with lower cultivation levels basically don’t have the ability to freely travel to minor worlds, and those with higher cultivation levels don’t care for them. Those who have territories in minor worlds are mainly focused on cultivation resources. Where would they find the time to bother with things that won’t increase their cultivation?" Guman shook his head.

"No wonder I’ve hardly ever seen these things before," Chen Jiuge said with sudden realization.

"Little Nine, once you become an immortal, these kinds of things will be very easy to come by. The True Immortals and some of the Heavenly Immortals in the Sect love these little trinkets," Guman said, laughing as he seemed to recall something.

The three chatted idly all morning. Guman had to attend to his duties watching over the Master’s cave mansion, so he left early.

Only Chen Jiuge and Wen Ruo were left. Soon after, Senior Sister Wen Ruo suggested they take a stroll in Eden Garden.

Walking side by side on the grass, Wen Ruo sensed the richer Spiritual Energy of Eden Garden and, seeing the Spirit Plants all around, expressed her admiration, "Jiuge, your Eden Garden truly is beautiful."

"Senior Sister, if you have time, you’re welcome to come and visit anytime. Aunt Wen now often takes Li He to play with Yue Meng and the others."

"In that case, I won’t be a stranger," Wen Ruo said playfully, revealing her two small canine teeth.

Chen Jiuge was momentarily stunned, but then he quickly snapped back to alertness.

The two walked a little further and saw Wen Ruoshui. Li He, who had grown into a young girl, was with her. Wen Ruoshui was unpacking shopping bags while Yue Meng stood by, pointing and gesturing.

"Little Aunt, what are you doing?" Wen Ruo approached and asked.

Wen Ruoshui looked up at her niece. After sensing the powerful fluctuations of her aura, she congratulated her with a slightly sour tone, "Congratulations on becoming an immortal so quickly, Wen Ruo. Your little aunt here is just unpacking. That Yue Meng, silly girl! I asked her to buy some new clothes, and she got me *these*."

Looking at the lingerie Wen Ruoshui held in her hands, Chen Jiuge was immediately stunned. If Aunt Wen were to wear those... HISS... I mustn’t think about it, I mustn’t think about it.

Wen Ruo, blushing, looked at her little aunt and quickly took the clothes. "Little Aunt, mind your image!"

"Um, Senior Sister, I’ll step aside for a moment. Call me if you need anything." Chen Jiuge fled in disarray.

"Are you talking about Little Nine? What’s the big deal? It’s just clothing; it’s not like I’ve worn them. Such a fuss over nothing," Wen Ruoshui said nonchalantly.

Wen Ruo, her face flushed, stammered, "There should be a distinction between men and women."

Wen Ruoshui was speechless. "You’re an Immortal now. Why not say there’s a distinction between immortals and mortals? No, wait... could it be?"

HISS. Wen Ruoshui’s eyes widened as she took a sharp intake of breath, having apparently thought of something.

"What’s wrong, Little Aunt?"

"Nothing, nothing. Little Ruo, why don’t you pick two pieces to take with you?" Wen Ruoshui offered, holding up a heap of lingerie for Wen Ruo to choose from.

In the end, unable to refuse her little aunt’s enthusiasm, Wen Ruo reluctantly accepted the two most modest items.

Yue Meng, who had been watching the spectacle from the sidelines, was rolling her eyes. Fortunately, Wen Ruoshui finally finished inspecting the clothes and packed them all away.

"That will be eighteen Top Grade Spiritual Stones."

"So expensive? Isn’t this just mortal fabric without any Spiritual Energy? Why so pricey?" Wen Ruoshui looked suspiciously at Yue Meng, wondering if the little moneybags was ripping her off.

"Aunt Wen, this is from another minor world. The main cost is transportation. The stall owner said they lost another companion bringing these out this time," Yue Meng explained.

"Alright, but Yue Meng, Aunt Wen has always been so nice to you. You can’t rip me off," Aunt Wen said, still somewhat skeptical.

"Aunt Wen, how could I do such a thing?"

After the "sharing of spoils" ended, Wen Ruoshui placed Li He’s small hand in Wen Ruo’s. "Little He will be in your care now. I’ve only laid a foundation for her during this period. You should be the one to teach her specific Magic Techniques for cultivation. After all, my aptitude isn’t great. It would be terrible if I ended up teaching her incorrectly."

"It’s no trouble, Little Aunt. Little He’s foundation seems very solid," Wen Ruo said, observing Li He’s robust foundation.

"Isn’t it all thanks to your good junior brother? Li He’s great-grandmother has been running errands for your junior brother, right? Lately, her wealth has grown significantly. She just spent money to buy the best Spiritual Beast cubs in the ecological garden—nearly all of them are top-tier Seventh Rank. How could her foundation not be good?" Wen Ruoshui said with some envy, wondering when she too could achieve financial freedom.

"Is Little Aunt really short on money?" Wen Ruo asked hesitantly.

"Definitely short! I’m not a Beast Master, nor a Spiritual Plant Master. If Uncle Wen hadn’t taken care of me and given me the position of Medicinal Garden Steward, I’d have been eating dirt long ago," Wen Ruoshui lamented.

"Little Aunt, I don’t really need the Spiritual Medicines growing around the perimeter of my cave mansion’s Medicine Garden. Just take them. If they’re useful for your cultivation, use them; if not, trade them for some Spiritual Stones," Wen Ruo said warmly, as she was very close to her little aunt.

"Alright then, I’m off!" Wen Ruoshui sped away in a flash.

Wen Ruo, who remained standing there, turned to look at Li He, who had been silent and motionless.

"Little He, you’ll need to focus on your cultivation with me from now on," Wen Ruo said gently.

"Mm."