After hearing Xu Qingtong's account, they all fell silent. It was about half an hour before Xu Qingtong finished describing the situation in Qing and Bing Provinces.
"Oh, right. This time, I brought Elder Guo Tianyu, Junior Brother Zhuang, and Junior Sister Jia Yue back with me. They're all at my master's place right now!"
"Oh? Jia Yue came too?" Chen Ruoling's eyes lit up as she asked happily.
"Senior Brother Xu, are they going to join Juxian Academy too?" Lei Wei asked.
Xu Qingtong shook his head. "I plan to send them to Wei City. We're short of hands there. With them there, first, they can help me manage Wei City, and second, they can obtain enough resources for their cultivation."
"Senior Brother Xu, why don't I go to Wei City with you too?" Lei Wei said.
Xu Qingtong thought for a moment. "You already belong to the Academy. Going there would give the other sects something to use against us. You should stay at the Academy!"
"Master, I'm only a student at the Academy. I haven't joined it. Why don't you take me?" Duoduo's large eyes darted about, and she hurriedly chimed in.
"Er, aren't you doing quite well studying at the Academy? The environment here is good, and you can cultivate quickly. Why insist on going to Wei City?"
Seeing that Xu Qingtong had not refused her outright, Duoduo wheedled, "Master, I'm your disciple. I ought to stay by your side, serve you tea and water, attend to you, and listen to your teachings!"
Xu Qingtong smiled faintly. "I'm not old. Why would I need you to attend to me?"
"Master, just let me go!"
Unable to hold out against her, Xu Qingtong could only nod in agreement. Hearing this, Duoduo was so delighted that her eyes