Chapter 269: You Are So Sincere to Yu Zhao
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The little foxes bared their sharp teeth, jumping and squealing in anger.
In the distance, Hua Tu, hidden among the forest, could hardly contain his laughter. He delighted in watching these foxes get riled up, helpless against him.
Suddenly, a sharp, buzzing sound exploded near his ear.
Startled, Hua Tu leaped in place, his pupils shrinking as he scanned his surroundings with vigilance. The fur on his back stood on end.
His panicked reaction revealed his location entirely. The little foxes turned their heads, then burst into exaggerated laughter, clutching their bellies in mockery.
When Hua Tu realized there were no suspicious traces nearby, he calmed slightly. But the foxes’ mocking laughter irritated him. Just as he turned to frighten them, his eyes locked onto a deep, piercing gaze.
He froze for a moment, then realized the earlier sound was caused by an unfamiliar fox demon. Hua Tu stared deeply at Yu Zhao for a moment before leaping away, disappearing into the woods once again.
“Wow! Hua Tu ran away because of us!”
“We won! We won!”
“Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
The little foxes erupted in joyful cheers.
Hua Tu was faster and more adept at hiding than they were. Every encounter with him had always ended with them being bullied. This was the first time they had managed to drive him away head-on. Such a hard-won victory was worth celebrating.
When their excitement settled, Yu Zhao asked Little You which direction they should head next. Little You spun around a few times, sniffed the air, and confidently pointed east, opposite of the direction Hua Tu had fled.
Neither Yu Zhao nor the other foxes objected, and they continued eastward.
…
At the Five Elements Dao Sect, Sect Master Wu Sang was caught in a difficult situation as Sect Master Ji Yuan clung to his sleeve, acting utterly shameless.
“Ji Yuan, let go! If others see you like this, what’s left of your dignity as a sect master?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan retorted with conviction, “I won’t let go! Let them see; I’m not afraid! Let’s see who dares mock me!”
“I’m going back to the Green Wood Sect to refine pills, not running away. Why are you so worked up?”
“Don’t think I don’t know. Yu Zhao gave you a Longevity Fruit, and you’re planning to take it back to refine pills. Who knows how many pills you’ll end up with? So, you’re not leaving! If pills must be refined, do it here in the Five Elements Dao Sect. I’ve even cleared a space for you!”
Though Yu Zhao trusted Sect Master Wu Sang, she had been cautious and informed Sect Master Ji Yuan about the matter, asking him to keep an eye on things.
Sect Master Ji Yuan took it to heart immediately.
The Longevity Fruit was a top-tier spiritual medicine that ripened only once every thousand years. Cui Jue, whose internal organs had been severely damaged by poison, was essentially crippled and had lost his senses. But after consuming the Longevity Fruit, he was cured instantly. It was said his soul and spiritual energy had improved significantly, a testament to the fruit’s extraordinary properties.
Such a valuable treasure could not be allowed to leave his sight. Sect Master Ji Yuan decided it must stay here, preferably with a few of his alchemically gifted disciples nearby to “observe and learn.” No—”assist and help” sounded more appropriate.
“Ji Yuan, what do you take me for?” Sect Master Wu Sang was genuinely offended.
Sect Master Ji Yuan’s words clearly questioned his integrity. As a sect master, he prided himself on his honor and would never stoop to such disgraceful deeds!
Internally muttering, “That’s debatable,” Sect Master Ji Yuan softened his expression and added a hint of flattery. “Wu Sang, I’m not doubting you. I’m just uneasy. This is the Longevity Fruit! If anything goes wrong, how will I face Yu Zhao? You know she’s a good kid, and the fruit was brought back from the Floating Island with much effort. You saw how tough it was…”
He rambled on, making Sect Master Wu Sang’s head spin. “Fine, fine! Stop! I won’t leave!”
Seeing he had achieved his goal, Sect Master Ji Yuan grinned from ear to ear.
Sect Master Wu Sang took the opportunity to withdraw his sleeve. “Let me make one thing clear: refining these pills requires meticulous preparation, and this isn’t an ordinary batch of pills. Every step must be flawless.”
“I understand. The Five Elements Dao Sect will cooperate fully. Just tell us what to do.”
“That’s better,” Sect Master Wu Sang said, somewhat satisfied. “You should also invite Hermit Bao Hua. She’s a top-notch alchemist, and her presence will make me feel more at ease.”
“No problem, I’ll invite her.”
“And…”
Sect Master Wu Sang listed seven or eight more conditions, all of which Sect Master Ji Yuan agreed to without hesitation.
“Your sincerity toward Yu Zhao is truly heartfelt,” Sect Master Wu Sang remarked.
Sect Master Ji Yuan chuckled freely. “Yu Zhao is talented and righteous. The sect didn’t treat her well in the past. What I’m doing now is just making amends.”
Unlike Zhou Jin Yue, who regarded the Five Elements Dao Sect as her family and would protect it with her life, Yu Zhao saw the sect as merely a place that had sheltered her during her youth. Her feelings toward it were minimal.
Sect Master Ji Yuan understood this wasn’t Yu Zhao’s fault. He had failed to manage the sect properly, allowing corruption to make her life difficult. What he did now was barely enough to compensate for past wrongs.
Sect Master Wu Sang silently nodded, his earlier annoyance fading entirely. If he were in Ji Yuan’s position, he, too, wouldn’t trust an outsider with the Longevity Fruit.
“Let’s start preparing. Three days from now is an auspicious day to begin.”
“Alright.”
…
“Senior Brother Sun, Senior Brother Sun!”
A sweet voice called out behind him. Sun Zhao’s expression changed, and he quickened his pace.
“Senior Brother Sun!”
As the voice drew closer, Sun Zhao gave up all pretense, lifted his robes, and broke into a run. Dust swirled behind him, and in a blink, he disappeared.
Ye Cong Xin was furious.
Sun Zhao had clearly heard her and still ran faster. How infuriating!
She only wanted to talk to him, not eat him. Was it necessary to act like he’d seen a ghost?
Though irritated, Ye Cong Xin understood why he avoided her. It wasn’t just Sun Zhao—most disciples in the Five Elements Dao Sect were currently avoiding her.
The problem wasn’t her but the ever-present Enforcement Squad.
When the squad was first established, Ye Cong Xin had heard rumors but didn’t experience their reach while staying on Lone Moon Peak. Now that she was out searching for new targets and interacting with others, the squad had zeroed in on her.
Especially Xiu Luo, an inner-sect disciple who was like a persistent shadow, impossible to shake off.