Chapter 008
Chapter 8: A Heartfelt Concern for Senior Sister
Yan Zhou Bai’s calm expression betrayed a hint of indifference.
Chu Zhi Rou had already reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment and, with her mentorship under Venerable Xing Lan, facing an early-stage Golden Core demonic beast was not only manageable for her in battle but escaping would be a simple matter.
Seeing that Yan Zhou Bai remained unmoved, Shi Zi Chu’s eyes flickered with thought before she adopted a caring senior sister role. Her voice was gentle with concern, “Yan Daoist…”
She was more than willing to entertain Chu Zhi Rou for a while. After all, the path of cultivation was long and weary, and it was nice to have something to distract from the monotony of practice.
Looking into Shi Zi Chu’s eyes filled with worry and urgency, Yan Zhou Bai couldn’t help but think that she was too kind—though, perhaps there was an element of compromise in her behavior.
Not wanting to make things harder for Shi Zi Chu, he turned toward Pei Qing You and asked, “Do you have a tracking talisman?”
Pei Qing You immediately produced one from his storage ring.
With Yan Zhou Bai and Shi Zi Chu leading the way, they swiftly pursued the glimmering light ahead, with Pei Qing You and the others following closely behind.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhi Rou had already sought refuge inside a cave.
Her heart was heavy as she carefully made her way deeper down the narrow corridor. When she reached the expansive cavern, her gaze swept over the ground, only to find it littered with wooden planks.
Aside from the planks, the cave was empty.
For some reason, Chu Zhi Rou felt a strange emptiness within her, as if she had lost something incredibly important.
Her intuition had always been reliable.
It had guided her when she became Ye Clan’s eldest miss, securing the Ye Clan’s support and enabling her to enter her master’s sect.
It was her intuition that had helped her save Fang Wei An in the secret realm, securing the loyalty of Qin Tai Feng, Peak Master’s son. It was also her intuition that led her to meet Pei Qing You, becoming the only woman he would ever love.
Now, this emptiness only made her more certain—she had lost something crucial, an opportunity of great significance!
Gripped by a feeling of loss, Chu Zhi Rou began to search the cave more thoroughly.
Soon, she noticed the ground beneath the wooden planks was unusually damp, as if someone had spilled water there.
Someone had been here recently!
With renewed determination, she scoured the area more intently, almost as though she intended to dig through the earth itself.
Her persistence paid off when, holding a lantern high, she discovered faint footprints in the soft ground.
The sight of the small, feminine footprints caused her eyes to narrow with cold, sharp fury.
She would find the person responsible and reclaim what was rightfully hers!
Outside the cave, the demonic beast that had been howling angrily at the entrance was slain by Yan Zhou Bai before it could even turn around.
Pei Qing You swiftly used his spiritual power to move the beast’s corpse out of the way, then hurried into the cave.
Noticing that Yan Zhou Bai had not followed, Shi Zi Chu logically decided not to go in either.
About a quarter of an hour later, the group emerged from the cave in a hurried manner.
Chu Zhi Rou, her hair disheveled yet still graceful, stood there with tears in her beautiful eyes, her delicate figure leaning against Pei Qing You as though she were a frightened little animal—heart-wrenchingly pitiful.
Pei Qing You wrapped his arms around her and carried her out.
“Young junior sister, I’m so glad you’re safe!” Shi Zi Chu’s voice, tinged with relief, echoed.
Chu Zhi Rou looked up at Shi Zi Chu, whose face was filled with tenderness and concern, and a strange intuition suddenly rose in her heart.
Could it be Shi Zi Chu who had taken it?
How could a lazy, spoiled woman who refused to cultivate suddenly appear in the Celestial Grace Mountain Range?
As this thought crossed her mind, Chu Zhi Rou felt a growing certainty.
Shi Zi Chu must have known something about the contents of the cave, prompting her to come down the mountain!
“Second senior sister,” Chu Zhi Rou called as she walked toward Shi Zi Chu, her injured arm hanging limply at her side.
Pei Qing You, still uneasy, followed close behind.
Seeing Chu Zhi Rou walk toward her, Shi Zi Chu’s beautifully refined face was filled with concern. As she instinctively reached out to assist, Pei Qing You quickly moved to stop her, like a guard protecting against a threat.
Shi Zi Chu, almost reflexively, pulled her hand back. Pei Qing You never even came close to touching her.
Yan Zhou Bai stepped forward, positioning his body to shield Shi Zi Chu. His gaze, though not unkind, held a subtle warning—reminding Pei Qing You not to overstep.
“Zhi Rou.”
His voice was warm, magnetic, with a gentle authority, but there was an undercurrent of arrogance typical of someone in his position.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows, flanked by several burly guards. Despite their quick pace, the group exuded an air of grace and composure.
“Big brother!” Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes lit up with joy, and she hurried toward the newcomer, her excitement making her forget her injuries.
Shi Zi Chu tilted her head slightly and saw a man dressed in a dark blue robe with wide sleeves standing just a few steps away. Young and handsome, his aura was calm and kind, a picture of refined elegance.
Ye He Qi’s gaze briefly passed over the disheveled Chu Zhi Rou and then landed on Shi Zi Chu.
Noticing the appraising look in his beautiful peach blossom eyes, Shi Zi Chu’s delicate brows lifted slightly, and he appeared as though he was smiling.
In the next instant, a tall, imposing figure stepped in front of Shi Zi Chu, blocking her from view.
Shi Zi Chu looked up at him, then quickly turned her gaze away, deep in thought.
Ye He Qi had arrived.
This woman, with beauty and power, would do whatever it took to gain more. It was not hard to believe she might try to influence Chu Zhi Rou’s fate in some way.
It was better to stay cautious.
“Young Sect Master Yan,” Ye He Qi said with a playful glint in his eyes, his gaze lingering on Yan Zhou Bai.
So, the Young Sect Master of Limitless Sect was protecting Shi Zi Chu? Intriguing.
Yan Zhou Bai nodded in greeting, acknowledging Ye He Qi’s presence. “Clan Chief Ye.”
Pei Qing You, though equally bound by propriety, was more respectful given his interest in Ye He Qi’s “little sister.” He also offered a nod. “Clan Chief Ye.”
Ye He Qi nodded back, then turned to Yan Zhou Bai. “Young Sect Master Yan needn’t be so formal. Daoist Shi and my sister are both senior sisters, after all.”
Everyone knew of the close relationship between Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou, and Yan Zhou Bai would never assume Ye He Qi’s intentions were purely benevolent.
Shi Zi Chu stepped forward from behind Yan Zhou Bai and gave him a reassuring glance before turning to Ye He Qi and giving a polite nod in greeting.
Ye He Qi had met Shi Zi Chu before, though the circumstances were always tied to Chu Zhi Rou. The woman before him was different from the one he had seen before.
“Second senior sister,” Chu Zhi Rou said with a tone of sincerity, “I owe you an apology for the misunderstanding during the Green Mountain Secret Realm trial. I owe you an apology, second senior sister.” As she spoke, she offered a deep bow.
Seeing the blood seeping from Chu Zhi Rou’s wound as she moved, Pei Qing You shot a sharp look at Shi Zi Chu. “Shi Zi Chu, Rou Rou has apologized to you!”
His tone carried an implicit threat, and Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow, glancing at Pei Qing You before looking back at Chu Zhi Rou. “Oh, little junior sister, you’re bleeding! Did you strain your injury? Don’t bow like that, it makes me feel so sorry for you.”
Her words, seemingly full of concern, were heard differently by those around her.
Pei Qing You heard sarcasm in her voice, while Yan Zhou Bai felt only the warmth of her care.
Ye He Qi simply smiled and watched quietly.
Chu Zhi Rou lifted her head slightly, her gaze drifting to Ye He Qi as she spoke in a soft, pleading tone, “Big brother, I want…”
Ye He Qi glanced at her, immediately understanding her intent.
He smiled gently at Shi Zi Chu, saying, “Daoist Shi, an apology should come with sincerity. The Floating Flower Secret Realm will open in half a month. I’d like to extend an invitation for you to join.”
The Floating Flower Secret Realm?
Shi Zi Chu immediately accessed the villainous system and recalled that the realm contained numerous heavenly treasures. Without hesitation, she agreed.
Her swift acceptance caught Chu Zhi Rou off guard, and her eyes sparkled with concealed delight.
Though the Floating Flower Secret Realm was rich in resources, it was also extremely dangerous—losing a few lives there was not out of the ordinary.
Shi Zi Chu was still as foolish and reckless as ever!
But this worked in Chu Zhi Rou’s favor—she would simply kill and rob within the secret realm, retrieve what she wanted, and rid herself of this lingering threat all at once. It was the perfect solution!