Chapter 0149

Chapter 149: The Celestial Masters Clan’s Deal and the Little Demoness’s Chance

At dawn, Zhou Tong woke slowly and said without fuss: “There’s something unclean in this palace.”

Mu Rong Ya leaned in first, concerned as she asked: “What do you mean?”

Zhou Tong rubbed his chest and said dryly: “Last night I think a ghost pressed on me. My whole body felt weak, and my chest was tight.” He took a deep breath. The pressure finally eased.

At once, several sharp gazes turned and nailed Zhang Chu Qiao.

Zhang Chu Qiao lifted both hands in a hurry and babbled: “It wasn’t me. It was… it was Little White. Yes, Little White is super naughty at night.”

“Houla?” Little White lowered his head, his voice puzzled and a little wronged.

Guilt pricked Zhang Chu Qiao’s heart. She thought in silence: [Sorry, Little White. This is the last time.] Then she sent over a ball of Breath of Annihilation.

“Houla,” Little White chirped as his mood flipped from cloudy to clear. He ate with great joy.

Zhou Tong stretched and sighed: “We have honored guests coming. Seriously, they could at least let a person sleep a little longer.”

Right on cue, two Saint auras fell from the sky.

Zhou Tong calmed Mu Rong Ya with a glance as he stepped out of the hall: “Don’t worry. They are friends.”

Mu Rong Ya realized who it was and led the disciples outside. Two tall figures were waiting, one middle-aged and one an elder. They were no longer young, but power surged from them like a vast river. The holy way was grand and moved the heart.

After brief greetings, the Sword Saint went straight to the point as he asked: “Little brother, did you sleep well?”

Zhou Tong smiled gently as he looked over the two men: “Thanks to you both, I’m fine. I know you came with requests. Don’t worry. I will not let you leave empty-handed.”

The two Saints brightened.

Zhou Tong gestured to the elder and said with courtesy: “Seniors first. Please speak.”

The elder, You Jing Feng, stepped up. His gaze swept over Zhou Tong and the little demoness, then grew solemn. He began: “Girl—”

The little demoness broke the ice before he could twist around the words: “Great Grandfather, you spoiled me most when I was little. Just say it. My junior brother is here. He will make the best call.”

You Jing Feng bowed his head a fraction and spoke bluntly: “Forgive my thick skin. I have only one request. Could you teach the Talisman arts you learned to the disciples of the Celestial Masters Clan, so they can survive their destined calamity?”

Faces changed all around. The Sword Saint, most of all, knew how terrifying those Talisman arts were. A powerful talisman master could use them to build a top sect, perhaps even beyond the Celestial Masters Clan. A treasure like this was priceless. It should not be passed on lightly, not even to one’s own blood. How could the old man dare ask?

The little demoness did not answer. She leaned lightly against Zhou Tong instead, just as she had said before: his stance was her stance.

Zhou Tong spoke steadily: “Elder, there is always give and take. If you want something, you must pay the proper price.”

You Jing Feng’s heart sank. He was not belittling his clan. But even if he sold the Celestial Masters Clan whole, he might not find a treasure equal to this ask.

He began in shame: “This is a priceless art. I…”

Zhou Tong cut him off, voice still calm: “Treasure can be priceless, but so can goodwill. Even if you had neither treasure nor sentiment, because you helped us greatly yesterday, I would still give you fair payment. As for the Little No-Mind Talisman, let’s drop that topic from now on.”

He slid an arm around the little demoness’s shoulders. They leaned together naturally, close and warm.

You Jing Feng’s eyes lit up. He had found the opening. He said carefully, looking at the girl even as he spoke to Zhou Tong: “Young man, if we reach an agreement, I promise Cang Yue will be the most honored person in the Celestial Masters Clan. You may not know this, but as a chosen vessel, her talent has a flaw. After the Heaven-Slashing realm, her cultivation speed will slow a lot. If she undergoes our secret rites, we can fix that flaw and remake her aptitude to near perfect, so she can keep pace with you.”

The words hit the softest spot. The little demoness clenched her fists. Zhou Tong kept soaring. Master and senior sister were monstrous geniuses. She was a top talent too, but the gap still felt big. She feared the day she would be left behind and lose sight of him forever.

Zhou Tong looked into her eyes and said at once: “That deal is good.”

Even You Jing Feng widened his eyes. He had not expected it to go so smoothly. Then he grew serious. This was not an equal trade at all. Yet Zhou Tong agreed easily. It showed where the girl stood in his heart.

You Jing Feng lifted a hand and swore with force: “I swear to the heavens that Cang Yue will not suffer a single harm in the Celestial Masters Clan. If I break this, let me face Tribulation and die, never to be reborn.”

That satisfied Zhou Tong. The old man was a true expert at reading people, and this oath was enough.

Zhou Tong turned to the little demoness and gave instructions: “Go with peace of mind. Besides the elder, I will find you an even more reliable guardian to keep you safe. As for teaching, pass on only the Talismans numbered below seventy to the Celestial Masters Clan. That is enough to get them through one calamity. After that, if they want higher-numbered arts, it will depend on how they act.”

“I’ve got it,” the little demoness said as tears shone. She threw her arms around Zhou Tong and whispered: “You rascal, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. You won’t forget me, will you?”

Zhou Tong tapped her nose and laughed: “Silly. I’ve locked you with the Joyous Union Lock. Even if you try to run, I won’t allow it.”

The little demoness burst into a bright smile. All her worries melted away.

Zhou Tong let her go and faced the Sword Saint: “Now it’s your turn. Today I’ll keep the promise I made you.”

The Sword Saint could not hide his joy. He began: “Little brother, you found that No Phase—”

Zhou Tong lifted a hand and stopped him. He said evenly: “Seniors, before we begin, I need you both to swear by Heaven with what matters most to you, that you will never reveal what you are about to see.”

The two Saints trembled.