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

In the following period, Cui Ying stayed at home. First, she replanted the medicinal garden behind the house with spiritual herb seeds. Then, she started the furnace and refined two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills, which she prepared to give to her parents to take when they broke through to the next level.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, just as the Cui family was preparing to eat breakfast, Zhao Sihai came to say goodbye:

“Brother Cui, I am about to head to Jinsha City with Commander Xiao. This trip will last at least half a year. I entrust Madam Ma and Xiao Bao to you.”

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao, I will take good care of them for you."

After glancing one last time at Zhao Linyi, who was getting along well with Cui Yan and Cui Yue, Zhao Sihai turned and left the Cui family.

"Sister Cui Ying, do you think my grandfather will come back safely?"

Just as Cui Ying was in a daze, Zhao Xiaobao ran up to her and asked, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"My dear child, why would you ask that?"

Cui Ying put down her chopsticks, patted Zhao Linyi's fluffy head, and asked with a slight smile.

Zhao Linyi clenched his small fists and said with considerable annoyance:

"Everyone in the village said that Jinsha City was very dangerous, and that my grandfather would definitely not come back and would die outside."

"Then Sister Cui Ying asks you, do you hope your grandfather will return safely?"

"Ok!"

Zhao Linyi nodded heavily, and then Cui Ying continued calmly beside him:

“Since we all hope your grandfather will return safely, next time we hear someone gossiping, we’ll just smash their mouths. That way, we won’t have to worry about them anymore.”

After casually comforting the somewhat depressed Zhao Linyi, Cui Ying prepared to go out to find Gu Shiyin.

But just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she saw a familiar figure walking towards her.

"Fellow Daoist Xue, what's going on?"

Since parting ways with Xue Changye at Yuzhu Peak, the two have had little contact.

The last time they met was the night Cui Ying killed the female ghost.

"Hehe, Sister Cui Ying, it's been quite difficult to see you lately. This is my third trip!"

Xue Changye smiled, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Three trips?

Cui Ying was slightly surprised upon hearing this and quickly asked:

"Fellow Daoist Xue, is there something important you need me for?"

During this time, the Cui family was busy with the engagement with the Gu family, and Cui Ying was also busy hunting demons and selling spirit herbs in the city. She really didn't know that Xue Changye had looked for her so many times.

"It's nothing serious, it's just that my father wants to invite you to a meal."

"Fourth Master Xue?"

Cui Ying raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked in surprise, "Fourth Master Xue wants to invite me to dinner?"

"Ah."

Xue Changye nodded with a smile: "It'll be at our house this noon."

"But why would Master Xue suddenly think of inviting me to dinner?"

Cui Ying shook her head slightly, a perfectly measured hint of doubt on her face.

"You'll know when you get here."

Xue Changye's smile remained unchanged. After speaking, he turned and left.

Cui Ying remained silent for a moment, no longer in the mood to attend to the family, and turned back to find Wang Rong, who was busy at work, and asked:

"Mother, Xue Changye said his father wants to invite me to dinner."

"Huh? Xue Changye's father? You mean Fourth Master Xue is inviting you to dinner?!"

Wang Rong's eyes widened, her face showing no less confusion than Cui Ying's.

Then, with a look of surprise, she continued:

"Your cultivation level is no lower than those demon hunters in the village. Could it be that Master Xue is trying to curry favor with you? No, no, it's not like our village doesn't have cultivators at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Besides, Master Xue doesn't seem like the kind of person who's easy to talk to. Could it be a trap?"

"A trap?!"

In truth, with Cui Ying's current cultivation level, she wasn't afraid of Master Xue and the others at all. But she still wanted to hear her mother's opinion.

So she nodded slightly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her mother: "Then, Mother, do you think I should go or not?"

"Really? You listen to everything your mother says?"

Wang Rong rolled her eyes at her, thought for a moment, and continued:

"You have no idea how popular your mother has been lately. But all she talks about is how you found your master and how your cultivation has improved so quickly. Your mother has lived for half her life and knows what to say and what not to say. But we live in the village. I'm not afraid of thieves stealing from me, but I'm afraid of thieves eyeing my property."

"This Master Xue is the most powerful cultivator in our village besides the village chief. He's not someone we can afford to offend, at least not our family right now. Here's what we'll do: since Master Xue has invited you to be his guest, don't go empty-handed. Quickly prepare some things and bring them over at noon."

"Okay, then I'll go to the backyard and pick two Seven Star Grass plants and dig up two Snow Fungus mushrooms to take with me."

Thinking that she was going to the Xue family at noon today, Cui Ying gave up the idea of ​​going to see Gu Shiyin.

Riding on clouds, I leisurely ascended Fengxi Ridge.

The top of the mountain, which covers dozens of acres, has been leveled, and the exposed rock layers have been paved with hard, smooth bluestone. Further ahead is a three-courtyard house with carved beams and painted pillars.

"The entire structure has been repaired. Once the defensive array is set up, we can prepare to move in."

Cui Ying circled around the area a few times on a cloud, and when the time was right, she changed direction and flew straight towards the Xue family.

A moment later, she stood in front of the Xue family mansion.

She remembered that she had visited the Xue family once before, and apart from three ferocious wolves, there was not a single person in sight.

This time was different. As soon as Cui Ying appeared in front of the Xue family's gate, the Xue family opened their doors wide, and Xue Changye personally led four servants to stand at the door to greet her.

Upon entering the front yard, they found that besides Master Xue, the only other person sitting in the hall was Xie Qing, the village chief of Shuangling Village.

"Young friend Cui has arrived?"

After giving a brief greeting in the hall, Master Xue called out to the door, "The people have arrived. Let's get ready to eat."

As soon as she finished speaking, a young woman standing quietly outside the door, dressed in a purple-blue silk dress, with a cultivation level of about the third level of Qi Refining, came out in response. She silently bowed to them and then left, presumably to arrange the banquet.

"Greetings, Fourth Master Xue, and Village Chief Xie."

Cui Ying glanced at the woman twice, then turned her attention to the two people standing in the hall, greeted them, and took out two wooden boxes that she had prepared beforehand.

"I brought some small gifts, and I hope you won't find them offensive."

Master Xue smiled but didn't speak. Instead, Xie Qing stepped forward, took the wooden box, examined it, and laughed:

"Oh my, this is a top-quality Seven Star Spirit Herb! Young friend Cui, why are you bringing such a valuable thing when you come to visit your Master Xue's house?"

Just as Cui Ying was about to say something, Fourth Master Xue waved his hand and laughed:

"Since it's such a good thing, then this old man will gladly accept it. Young friend Cui, please come in and take a seat."

After saying that, he glanced at the four demon wolves sitting or standing beside him and said:

"We're all demon hunters, you shouldn't be afraid of these beasts, right?"

Although these were all spirit pets raised by Master Xue, a demon beast is still a demon beast, and its very nature is ferocious and bloodthirsty.

As Cui Ying drew closer, he immediately rushed over menacingly, his eyes fixed on her like those of a predator eyeing its prey.

It was as if the moment she dared to step across that threshold, it would rush out and tear her to shreds.