Ye Antao studied the fellow disciples before her with utter bewilderment.
Wait.
Wasn't Chen Baiqing the main target of the slander?
Why were both of them defending Chu Xingchen instead?
So the dark expression Chen Baiqing had worn from the outset had not actually come from anger at being slandered herself, but from a few remarks against her master?
Ye Antao watched Chen Baiqing, whose expression remained dark, and listened as she began working through her deductions and plans.
Such a large-scale, sudden incitement of public opinion had to have a mastermind pushing it all from behind the scenes.
There was little they could prepare in advance. First, their own Immortal Sect would certainly have to start singing her master's praises in Dongsheng Shenzhou as well. Second, they needed to trace the rumors to their sources and strike with precision.
Ye Antao listened briefly, then silently rose and headed outside to slack off, just as she had before.
Earlier, Ye Antao had worried that the slander would send Chen Baiqing's anger to her head. If she made any excessive arrangements, Ye Antao could at least offer a word or two of persuasion.
But once she considered that Chen Baiqing was angry because Chu Xingchen's reputation, which had never been particularly good to begin with, was being smeared...
Sometimes, Ye Antao wanted to tell Chen Baiqing-your master's reputation out there was never all that good anyway.
Of course, Ye Antao would never actually say that to Chen Baiqing.
No wonder Chu Xingchen called Chen Baiqing his thoughtful little padded jacket. She really was remarkably thoughtful.
Ye Antao stepped outside and gazed into the distance.
How enviable.
Damn that Chu Xingchen.
"Oh, so much time on your hands?"
Chu Xingchen's familiar voice sounded beside her.
Ye Antao leisurely turned her gaze toward