My ancestors were spiritual plant growers, so it's not surprising that I hunt demons every day,

"Sister Cui Ying, you should take your things back quickly."

Zhu Chaoyun felt as if the thing in his hand was as heavy as a thousand pounds. He hurriedly tried to return it to Cui Ying, saying, "Let's leave aside the spirit stones from before, but this time I have no merit and cannot accept this spirit stone."

"Listen to me first."

Cui Ying glared at him, her smile fading, and said, "These spirit stones aren't for nothing. After your courtyard is repaired, I need you to do something for me."

Zhu Chaoyun frowned: "Sister Cui Ying, you have been so kind to me. Even without these spirit stones, I would do anything you asked me to do, even if it cost me my life."

"Our lives are so precious, don't risk your lives so easily. What I need you to do is very simple."

After Cui Ying finished telling Zhu Chaoyun her thoughts, Zhu Chaoyun's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He looked intently at Cui Ying, then, as if remembering something, he asked:

"What if we raise some ungrateful children?"

"Don't worry, I'll have my own way of keeping them in check. Of course, before I formally pass on the cultivation techniques and train them, you'll need to observe and select them carefully."

"Row."

Zhu Chaoyun pondered for a moment, then nodded solemnly. He clutched the packet of spirit stones tightly in his hand and breathed a sigh of relief, saying:

"Since that's the case, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

"By the way, you don't need to return the storage bag that held the spirit stones to me. Keep it for yourself."

After saying that last thing, Cui Ying asked, "Where do you plan to stay with Wanqiu for the next while?"

Zhu Chaoyun was worried about where to put the spirit stones, so he didn't refuse. He glanced instinctively at Zhu Wanqiu beside him, then shook his head and said:

“I don’t know either, but I can’t stay in this house for even a day longer. Wanqiu wandered around outside with me for half a day, and we didn’t even get to eat lunch.”

"Hehe~ Then I've arrived just in time."

Cui Ying took Zhu Wanqiu's hand and flew directly home, saying, "In that case, let's go to my house and have something to eat first."

Zhu Chaoyun glanced at Cui Ying's retreating figure with a complicated expression for a few moments before finally making up his mind to follow her.

Upon arriving at the Cui family's residence, Wang Rong and Cui Zhengming, after learning about Zhu Chaoyun and the others' situation, didn't say much, only nodding and saying:

“You’ve come of age and it’s time for you to establish your own household. Your father and stepmother are clearly trying to exploit you, and living together long-term will do more harm than good. It’s better to end it now than to suffer for a long time.

Wang Rong, who was eating, placed a piece of spirit beast meat on Zhu Wanqiu's plate and said as if she had just remembered something:

"Chaoyun, a couple of days ago your Aunt Zhao sent me a letter from Meixiangling, saying that you and Jinru can spend some time together and see how it goes."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chaoyun paused in his eating, and a hint of joy finally appeared on his troubled handsome face. He exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Aunt!"

Wang Rong nodded and smiled:

“When has your aunt ever lied to you? Now that you don’t plan to go back to the Zhu family and you have some spirit stones, you might as well build the courtyard as soon as possible. When your Aunt Zhao finds out, she’ll probably be even more pleased with you as her future son-in-law.”

"Good good."

Zhu Chaoyun nodded quickly, then looked at Cui Zhengming and said, "Uncle, I don't know anything about building houses, so I'll have to trouble you to help me with the arrangements."

“It’s a small matter, leave it to your uncle.”

Seeing Cui Zhengming agree to his request without hesitation, and seeing Wang Rong and the others continue to care for him and his sister, Zhu Chaoyun couldn't help but laugh out loud while holding the bowl. But as he laughed, tears welled up in his eyes.

He originally thought that after leaving the Zhu family, he would be homeless and driven out of the village. He had even prepared to leave. But when Cui Ying arrived, not only were all the problems solved, but things also started to develop in a positive direction.

Cui Ying glanced at him, pretending not to notice his embarrassment, and quickly urged:

"Hurry up and eat. Tonight, Qiu will sleep with me and Xiaoyue. You can sleep on the floor at my house. I'll find you another place to stay tomorrow."

Zhu Chaoyun wiped away her tears and said, choking back sobs:

"These days, besides you and your uncle and aunt, who else would take us in?"

"That may be true, but have you forgotten about Changsun Yi?"

Cui Ying smiled, thinking of that stubborn and strong-willed girl, and, wanting to help her through this difficult time, continued:

"Although the Changsun family's courtyard is small, it still has three rooms and a warning array. I can help you discuss this matter with Changsun Yi, but after you move in, you must pay her rent according to the rules."

Zhu Chaoyun was also aware of the Changsun family's affairs, and upon hearing this, she nodded in agreement without hesitation:

"Okay, I'm fine."

In the following period, Cui Ying neither went out nor refined pills. Instead, she took the opportunity to resolve some cultivation-related doubts for Zhu Chaoyun, Cui Yue, Cui Yan, and others.

The next day, after Cui Ying left her room, she saw Zhu Chaoyun sitting cross-legged in her yard, breathing deeply with his eyes closed.

With each breath, wisps of five-colored spiritual light slowly entered his mouth and nose.

Cui Ying nodded in approval. Zhu Chaoyun's spirit bone was of a decent quality, but he lacked resources and guidance from a renowned teacher.

Now that she has given him special guidance, his future achievements in cultivation should not be too low.

In this way, all my hard work won't have been in vain.

Just then, Wang Rong walked over and shoved a stack of bowls and plates into her arms, giving her a glare as she said:

"What did you talk about with Chaoyun and the others yesterday? The child didn't sleep all night and meditated in the courtyard all night."

Cui Ying grinned:

"He didn't say anything, just some things about cultivation. Second Sister and Xiaoyue were listening. I didn't expect Brother Chaoyun to be unable to sleep because of his enlightenment and to get up in the middle of the night to cultivate."

"No matter what, it's a good thing that Chaoyun's cultivation has improved."

Wang Rong waved her hand, glanced behind her, and gave the order:

"Don't just stand there. Put the bowls and chopsticks on the table, then go and call Wanqiu and Xiaoyue to get up and have breakfast."

"Aunt, I'm up, no need to wake me."

Zhu Wanqiu and Cui Yue, dressed neatly, came out of the room and smiled sweetly at Wang Rong.

"Alright, you can go and sit in the main room first."

As dawn broke, Zhu Chaoyun finally awoke from his meditative state and sat down at the table to have breakfast with the Cui family.

"Chaoyun, are you really sure you want to move out of your house and build a new one yourself?"

Although Zhu Chaoyun spoke with great conviction yesterday afternoon, he is, after all, young and prone to acting impulsively.

Moreover, building a house would cost at least several hundred spirit stones, which is no small sum. As Zhu Chaoyun's elder, he naturally had to find out the details.

“Uncle, don’t worry. I thought it through yesterday. Whether it’s for the future or for Wanqiu’s sake, we should break away from that family completely.”

Zhu Chaoyun put down his chopsticks and spoke these words with a calm and resolute tone, unlike yesterday when he was still filled with resentment and indignation.

"Alright, that's enough. Now come with me to the village chief's house later, and we'll find an auspicious burial site for your future residence."

"Then Uncle, please wait until I finish eating."

After the two of them finished discussing, Wang Rong looked at Cui Ying and smiled:

“Third Sister, we’ve had the things we bought for several days now. Come with me to Aunt Mei’s house today and talk to her about it with the Gu family.”

Unexpectedly, Cui Ying shook her head and said:

"Mother, why don't you go find Aunt Mei yourself? I have something to do in the Phoenix Mountains."