Chapter 258: Sister Yu Zhao, I’ve Long Heard of Your Fame
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Bai Ling, don’t be angry. You’re so beautiful like this.”
Bai Ling walked ahead with his head lowered, ignoring Jiu Wei, who followed behind him at arm’s length, her smile radiant as she softly coaxed him.
Yu Zhao pretended not to exist, tactfully keeping several feet away to maintain a polite distance.
For the first time, Bai Ling displayed his feathers in front of a female. Beyond his shyness, there was only more shyness, and he was too embarrassed to speak to Jiu Wei.
Jiu Wei, seeing her coaxing had little effect, suddenly halted mid-step.
Although Bai Ling walked ahead, he immediately stopped as well.
Jiu Wei couldn’t help but laugh. She gently tugged at the hem of Bai Ling’s garment with a single finger, swinging it slightly. “Alright, don’t be mad. I’ve prepared a gift for you. Originally, I planned to deliver it in a few days, but since you’re here today, you might as well take it.”
Bai Ling turned his head, disbelief written all over his face. “A gift? For me?”
“Yes, for you.”
Hearing this, Bai Ling couldn’t suppress the smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
“Would you like to see it?”
Jiu Wei dangled the bait.
“Mm!” Bai Ling agreed without hesitation, biting on the hook.
He obediently followed Jiu Wei.
In an instant, their positions were reversed.
Yu Zhao clicked her tongue in amazement. Who would have thought that the leader of the White Peacock Clan was such a lovestruck fool?
However, Yu Zhao soon realized her astonishment was premature. A bigger surprise awaited her when she saw the so-called gift Jiu Wei had prepared.
“This…”
Bai Ling could hardly believe his eyes.
What was he seeing?
Quan Ye, the disciple of Master Qing Yan, who bore the Azure Dragon bloodline, was stark naked and tied to a tree, his body covered in marks of abuse.
Was this a dream?
When Yu Zhao arrived a moment later and saw Quan Ye’s miserable state, she too was utterly shocked.
Even at her lowest moments, she had never been humiliated like this—tied to a tree in such a degrading manner.
Moreover, Yu Zhao was well aware of Quan Ye’s revered position among the Demonic Race in his past life. The comparison made the situation even more ironic.
“You’ve been searching for the descendants of the Azure Dragon bloodline, haven’t you? Here he is. I’ve already arranged for his master and fellow disciples to be away. You can take him with you now,” Jiu Wei said, pointing to Quan Ye, her tone triumphant as if seeking praise.
Bai Ling was dumbfounded.
He felt both touched and an absurd sense of surrealism.
Of course, Bai Ling knew Quan Ye bore the Azure Dragon bloodline. In fact, if Yu Zhao hadn’t stopped him in time, Quan Ye would have already become a guest of Spirit Mountain, receiving the utmost care.
Yet, a single decision had turned Quan Ye from a respected Beast King candidate into a plaything of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. The stark contrast was sigh-inducing.
“Has he undergone another awakening?”
At this point, delving into the backstory was pointless. Bai Ling was more concerned about Quan Ye’s current condition.
Jiu Wei nodded in surprise. “Yes, but he failed to complete the awakening and passed out from the pain.”
The Azure Dragon bloodline wasn’t something ordinary mortals could endure. Without the help of the Demonic Race, Quan Ye faced only one outcome: death during the awakening process.
Bai Ling fell into deep thought. “Master Qing Yan entrusted him to you. When he returns, how will you explain this?”
“Explain?” Jiu Wei scoffed lightly. “When I made the agreement with Master Qing Yan, I clearly stated that I would only help the person through the dangerous period. As for anything beyond that, I wouldn’t be responsible. If he wants to blame someone, it won’t be me.”
“But…”
Bai Ling hesitated.
To be fair, Jiu Wei and Master Qing Yan were quite similar—both had dominant personalities that brooked no defiance. They never needed excuses to seek trouble, let alone cared about the terms of any agreement.
The more worried Bai Ling appeared, the more recklessly Jiu Wei laughed.
“You don’t need to worry about me. This is Green Hill Mountain, my Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s territory. If he dares to stir trouble, he must first weigh the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan.”
Seeing Bai Ling still frowning, Jiu Wei ordered a few little foxes to take Quan Ye to a room, then led Bai Ling and Yu Zhao to the guest hall of Green Hill Mountain.
Frankly, if Yu Zhao weren’t present, Jiu Wei would have preferred to bring Bai Ling back to her den. Last time, she scared him away. This time, she had to do better.
“Junior Yu Zhao greets the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader.”
Jiu Wei’s attitude toward Yu Zhao was amicable, though indifferent. She casually nodded, ready to resume teasing Bai Ling, but suddenly seemed to realize something. She turned her gaze back to Yu Zhao.
“You’re Yu Zhao? The one who ranked first in the Cultivation World Grand Competition?”
“Yes.”
Jiu Wei’s eyes lit up, and she immediately abandoned Bai Ling to sit beside Yu Zhao, taking her hand and speaking sweetly. “Sister Yu Zhao, I’ve long heard of your fame. Now that I’ve met you, you’re truly extraordinary.”
Yu Zhao: !
Bai Ling: ?
“Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader…”
“Don’t call me Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader. It sounds too formal. From now on, call me Sister Jiu Wei.”
Yu Zhao smoothly changed her address. “Sister Jiu Wei.”
“Yes, my dear little sister. I’ve finally met you.”
Jiu Wei held onto Yu Zhao’s hand, smiling even more sweetly than when she was with Bai Ling.
Bai Ling felt jealous. He coughed a few times, hoping to draw Jiu Wei’s attention, but she didn’t even glance at him. All her attention was focused on Yu Zhao, asking where she came from with great concern.
Bai Ling was furious.
He knew it! Jiu Wei didn’t care about him at all! Everything she said earlier was just to placate him!
And yet, he believed her, even opening his feathers in joy! How utterly uncomposed of him!
While Bai Ling stewed in jealousy, Yu Zhao wasn’t fooled by Jiu Wei’s apparent warmth. Her mind turned quickly, and she soon formulated a theory.
Just as Bai Ling pinned his hopes on the descendants of the Azure Dragon Clan, could Jiu Wei be treating her so favorably because she believed Yu Zhao had the best chance of ascending to the Higher Realm?
Thus, Yu Zhao directly voiced her suspicion.
Jiu Wei’s smile froze.
Bai Ling looked at her with faint anticipation.
Jiu Wei pondered for a moment before bursting into laughter. “What are you saying? Whether or not you ascend to the Higher Realm has nothing to do with me. I just feel a natural affinity for you and want to get closer.”
“So, you’re unaware of the Heavenly Ladder’s collapse?”
The smile on Jiu Wei’s face disappeared like snow under the sun, her enchanting eyes filled with sharpness.
“How do you know about that?”
She suddenly realized. “You came here specifically to find me. You want to know about matters related to the Heavenly Ladder.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, renowned for their intelligence among the Demonic Race, needed only two questions from Yu Zhao to deduce her intent.
Jiu Wei’s expression turned cold. She let go of Yu Zhao’s hand and said indifferently, “I know nothing about the Heavenly Ladder. You’re asking the wrong person.”
“Nine-Tailed…”
Bai Ling tried to mediate, but Yu Zhao interrupted him.
“Sister Jiu Wei, since you’re willing to ally with me, it means you’re concerned about this matter. Why not work with me to discuss a strategy? It’s better than bearing the burden alone.”
“Who said I’m alone? I have him, don’t I?”
Jiu Wei lifted her gaze slightly, casting a faint glance at Bai Ling.
From that glance, Bai Ling felt a hint of tenderness. He instantly became shy again.
Yu Zhao: …