Chapter 252: Everyone Is Laughing at Me
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You want the benefits but refuse to take responsibility—how could life ever be that convenient?
Yu Zhao always kept Chang Sheng’s advice close to heart.
To uncover why no one in the cultivation world had ascended for so many years, her efforts alone would be insufficient. She needed allies, and the descendants of the White Peacock and Azure Dragon bloodlines were exactly the help she sought.
If Quan Ye was unwilling to bear children, then he should give up his position.
Although Bai Ling still did not fully understand Yu Zhao’s true intentions, the Phoenix Feather in her hand made it clear that he had to grant her wish.
When Bai Ling decided to abandon Quan Ye, he felt an unprecedented sense of relief, as if it was a decision he should have made long ago.
“You should stay in Spirit Mountain a few more days,” Bai Ling said. “I’ll first refuse Master Qing Yan and suggest he take Quan Ye elsewhere.”
Quan Ye was still in danger, and time was of the essence.
“Please, Clan Leader Bai Ling, do not mention my involvement in this matter,” Yu Zhao requested.
“Of course,” Bai Ling agreed.
“Bai Ling, going back on your word is not the conduct of a gentleman,” Master Qing Yan said with quiet authority.
Bai Ling anticipated that this conversation would not go smoothly. Facing Master Qing Yan’s reproach, he wore an appropriately apologetic expression. “It was my oversight. This storage pouch contains items that will stabilize Quan Ye for some time, long enough to find another solution.”
Though Bai Ling had abruptly altered his plans and disrupted Master Qing Yan’s original arrangement, his calm demeanor began to show a hint of irritation.
Among the Divine Transformation Stage experts in the demon clan, Bai Ling was considered the most mild-mannered and approachable. Others were much more difficult to deal with, and Master Qing Yan wanted to avoid crossing paths with them unless absolutely necessary.
“Give me a reason,” Master Qing Yan demanded, side-eyeing Bai Ling.
Bai Ling gave a complicated smile. “My people have discovered a demonic beast egg containing Azure Dragon bloodline. So, I must apologize to Quan Ye.”
Master Qing Yan was startled. The Azure Dragon bloodline had not been seen in many years. For it to appear twice in quick succession—was it coincidence or fate?
At that moment, a voice echoed in his consciousness.
“Call Su Ming over and have him exchange the Fire Phoenix Feather with Bai Ling.”
The Fire Phoenix Feather? Master Qing Yan’s eyes glimmered. He immediately recalled the promise once made by the White Peacock Clan.
“Are you certain he possesses the Phoenix Feather?” Master Qing Yan asked.
“Positive.”
Master Qing Yan sent a mental summons to Su Ming.
Su Ming, who was chatting with a White Peacock in a treehouse, nearly fell when he received the message. “My master is calling me—I must go!”
Perplexed but swift, Su Ming sped to Master Qing Yan’s chambers and announced his arrival.
“Enter.”
Su Ming stepped cautiously across the threshold, bowing to both Master Qing Yan and Bai Ling. “Greetings, Master. Greetings, Clan Leader Bai Ling.”
Bai Ling looked at Master Qing Yan in confusion, silently asking why Su Ming had been summoned.
“Take out that fiery red feather,” Master Qing Yan said coldly.
Bai Ling was startled. Did Su Ming also have a Phoenix Feather? Since when had Phoenix Feathers become so common?
“A fiery red feather?” Bai Ling echoed incredulously.
Su Ming was even more bewildered. He searched his memory but couldn’t recall possessing such an item. Under Master Qing Yan’s piercing gaze, he hesitated before responding, “Master, could you provide more details? I do not recall having such a feather.”
Bai Ling relaxed slightly. As he suspected, authentic Phoenix Feathers could not be as ubiquitous as roadside stones. Only Yu Zhao had the real one.
“Su Ming might have forgotten due to the sheer number of items in his possession. It’s the feather he purchased for three low-grade spirit stones at the foot of the Five Elements Dao Sect from a blind man,” Master Qing Yan elaborated, repeating the divine soul’s words.
Finally recalling the feather’s origin, Su Ming admitted nervously, “Master, that Phoenix Feather is no longer in my possession. It now belongs to Yu Zhao.”
“Her again!” Master Qing Yan roared, his fury igniting anew. Just when he began softening his opinion of Yu Zhao, she managed to stir up more trouble.
Meanwhile, the divine soul within him mumbled incessantly. “How did the Phoenix Feather end up with Little Seven? Something doesn’t add up!”
The soul’s muttering only deepened the whirlwind of conflicting emotions within Master Qing Yan. Distracted, he didn’t notice the flicker of unease in his expression, but Su Ming did.
Later that night, Master Qing Yan left Spirit Mountain, taking Su Ming and Quan Ye with him. Bai Ling avoided the farewell, delegating it to Bai Mei instead.
As they departed, Su Ming turned back to Spirit Mountain, feeling a vague unease. Something about this turn of events seemed off. Why had Bai Ling, who had been so accommodating, suddenly reversed his stance?
At the Five Elements Dao Sect, Lan Zi Yu lay weakly on a bed, his pale face tinged with a faint blush from labored breathing. Cui Jue stood nearby, holding an empty medicine bowl in one hand and a clean handkerchief in the other.
When Lan Zi Yu’s coughing subsided, Cui Jue offered him the handkerchief. Lan Zi Yu wiped the corner of his mouth and murmured, “Thank you.”
Cui Jue nodded, preparing to leave with the bowl, but Lan Zi Yu stopped him.
“Fourth Brother, stay and talk with me,” he said weakly.
Cui Jue hesitated, his silence a quiet protest.
“Are you still angry with me, even now?” Lan Zi Yu asked bitterly, his voice tinged with pain.
Relenting, Cui Jue returned, setting down the bowl and dragging a chair to sit opposite Lan Zi Yu. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Lan Zi Yu broke the silence. “Tell me, what is the sect saying about me these days?”
“No one is discussing you,” Cui Jue replied impassively.
“Fourth Brother, you’ve learned to lie. Don’t think I don’t know. They say I bullied someone weaker than me and lost miserably. They’re all laughing at me.”