Chapter 012
Chapter 12: You’re No Saint Either
Shi Zi Chu stretched her arms out leisurely along the edge of the pool. Her slender, pale fingers gently tapped the smooth white jade without hurry, her eyes deep and mysterious beneath the swirling steam.
After soaking in the hot spring for about the time it took an incense stick to burn, she dressed herself in a disciple’s robe of pale blue. Her long hair, still damp, flowed loosely down her back as she headed toward the Eastern Hall.
From the back mountain to the Eastern Hall, the journey took roughly the span of two incense sticks.
When she arrived, Shi Zi Chu entered easily, clearly familiar with the place. She opened the door and pulled a small wooden box from beneath the bed.
She dragged the box out and opened it. Inside was an old, yellowed book and a silver snake bracelet inlaid with green gemstones.
Two diamond-shaped emeralds adorned the lifelike bracelet, sparkling like the eyes of a snake.
Suddenly, Xue Gu leaped out of the space and landed gracefully on the bed. His beautiful, mismatched eyes gazed at Shi Zi Chu, “Meow~”
Shi Zi Chu raised her head, seeing Xue Gu standing on the bed, his furry head tilted upwards as he stared at her.
“Master, don’t worry,” Xue Gu assured sweetly. “No one will discover me. Right now, I’m just an ordinary little kitten.” Saying this, Xue Gu jumped lightly down and started exploring.
Shi Zi Chu toyed with the snake bracelet using her fingers, watching Xue Gu as he bounced around playfully.
“The arrangement here is quite refined. Is this Master’s dwelling?” Xue Gu jumped beside Shi Zi Chu, examining the place carefully. [Well, this place barely suits Master.]
Shi Zi Chu softly acknowledged with a hum.
For some unknown reason, the female villain system controlling her body could not enter here, forcing “her” to move to Vigilance Peak.
Perhaps Xing Lan had already sensed something, or maybe even realized…
Xue Gu mewed softly, his gaze falling upon the snake bracelet. “Master, this snake bracelet is a rare treasure.”
[A rare treasure?]
“It holds a Heart Return Gu, which can enhance Master’s physique. Additionally, this snake bracelet is also a spatial storage ring,” Xue Gu said proudly, lifting his fluffy little head. “Though it’s not nearly as splendid as me, it’s still acceptable.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand and gently rubbed Xue Gu’s furry head.
Previously, she hadn’t formed a soul contract with this bracelet because Xing Lan had warned her it contained a dangerous Gu worm. But now that she knew the Gu was beneficial, Shi Zi Chu decisively dripped her blood, creating the soul contract with the bracelet.
The Heart Return Gu entered her body quietly. Shi Zi Chu sent her spiritual sense into the bracelet.
The storage space within was vast, filled with spirit stones, magical artifacts, spirit pills, and more Gu worms.
Having achieved her purpose in the Eastern Hall, Shi Zi Chu gathered Xue Gu into her arms and headed toward the Main Hall on the front mountain.
Before she reached the entrance, sounds of heated arguments drifted from within.
“Even if Rou Rou wrongfully accused Shi Zi Chu, wasn’t it because Shi Zi Chu has committed countless evils? Besides, Rou Rou only went down the mountain to apologize to Shi Zi Chu!” A domineering voice echoed loudly from the hall.
Xing Lan sat on the main seat, his eyes lowered slightly, exuding a powerfully oppressive aura.
Sect Master Meng, who sat nearby, was feeling deeply anxious.
[Has Yu Wen Ying lost his mind?]
How could a mere Fusion Stage cultivator dare argue with an almighty being at the Tribulation Crossing stage?
The Peak Master of Jade Water Peak frowned deeply, saying, “Peak Master Yu Wen, Chu Zhi Rou isn’t your personal disciple.”
[What does the Rising Succession Peak’s business have to do with Flame Sun Peak?]
[Venerable Xing Lan disciplining his personal disciple—what right does the Flame Sun Peak Master have to intervene?]
Yu Wen Ying stared jealously at the cold and handsome man in front of him.
“I wish Rou Rou was my Flame Sun Peak disciple! Shi Zi Chu repeatedly harmed Rou Rou, and you ignored it! Yet when Rou Rou wronged Shi Zi Chu just once, you punished her by sending her to Penitence Cliff! Perhaps Shi Zi Chu is just that fox spi—”
“Slap.”
With a flick of Xing Lan’s finger, an invisible slap struck Yu Wen Ying across the face from afar.
The slap was merciless.
Yu Wen Ying’s cheek instantly swelled, turning his face into something resembling a pig’s head. The chair beneath him shattered instantly, causing him to fall clumsily beneath the oppressive aura, his limbs sprawled in an embarrassing mess.
Public humiliation was worse for Yu Wen Ying than death itself.
Pinned down by Xing Lan’s oppressive aura, Yu Wen Ying’s face turned crimson as blood trickled from his mouth and nose, his breathing becoming strained as if his lifeline had been gripped.
Seated nearby, Ye He Qi held his teacup, glancing toward the door of the hall.
The disciplinary hall’s sentence for Chu Zhi Rou had already been decided—a harsh punishment indeed.
Since Chu Zhi Rou would be unable to enter the Floating Flower Secret Realm, Ye He Qi himself would need to personally confront Shi Zi Chu.
Ye He Qi withdrew his gaze and placed the teacup down gently.
Xing Lan’s slender, defined fingers rested on the armrest. “Sect Master, either he goes or I do.”
If not for knowing Jiu Jiu’s intentions, Xing Lan would have expelled Chu Zhi Rou along with Yu Wen Ying.
“Sect Master Meng,” without hesitation, declared, “Strip Yu Wen Ying of his position as Peak Master and expel him from the sect.” After speaking, he looked toward Xing Lan, seeking his approval.
Xing Lan flicked his finger once more, instantly hurling Yu Wen Ying out of Rising Succession Peak.
Sect Master Meng was unsurprised.
Xing Lan turned slightly toward Sect Master Meng, “Sect Master, I recommend Elder Kui Lian as the new Peak Master.”
[Elder Kui Lian?]
[The female elder preparing to leave Flame Sun Peak?]
Sect Master Meng pondered.
“Elder Kui Lian has served Flame Sun Peak for many years, possessing both seniority and cultivation at the early Integration stage,” agreed Jade Water Peak’s Peak Master. “She truly is the ideal choice.”
“I second that.”
“I agree.”
The other Peak Masters voiced their support, partly to please Xing Lan, partly to win favor from Elder Kui Lian.
Sect Master Meng waved his hand gently, then assured Xing Lan, “I’ll speak to Elder Kui Lian later.”
Outside the hall, Shi Zi Chu quietly walked away with Xue Gu.
[Elder Kui Lian—a diligent and responsible elder.]
It was unfortunate she’d once encountered Yu Wen Ying and Chu Zhi Rou, becoming merely a stepping stone for the main couple’s romance.
Now, Yu Wen Ying had been expelled from Jade Void Sect. At her Master’s suggestion, all the Peak Masters nominated Elder Kui Lian for Peak Master.
It seemed Elder Kui Lian’s hardships were finally ending. Such wonderful news was worth Shi Zi Chu making the trip herself.
At Flame Sun Peak—
Elder Kui Lian emerged from the artifact refining room, startled to see Shi Zi Chu standing there, cradling an odd-eyed, long-haired white cat.
Shi Zi Chu’s radiant beauty had grown softer, her exquisite features lit warmly by the affectionate creature nestled in her embrace.
Shi Zi Chu placed Xue Gu on her shoulder and bowed gracefully, every gesture courteous, “Shi Zi Chu of Rising Succession Peak greets Elder Kui Lian.”
Elder Kui Lian waved dismissively, her tone cool, “What is it?”
“Yu Wen Ying has been expelled from the sect,” Shi Zi Chu explained warmly. “Master and the Peak Masters recommended Elder Kui Lian as the new Peak Master. I came to share this good news.”
Elder Kui Lian froze.
Clearly, secluded in her artifact forging, Elder Kui Lian had no idea of Yu Wen Ying’s recent misdeeds.
Thoughtfully, Shi Zi Chu explained, “Junior sister wrongfully accused me of pushing her into Hundred Demon Valley, and Master punished her by sending her to Penitence Cliff. Yu Wen Ying, feeling sorry for her, abused his power and released her.”
Learning this, Elder Kui Lian laughed openly, without concealing her delight at Yu Wen Ying’s misfortune.
[Peak Master Xing Lan’s temper was not to be trifled with—even the Sect Master wouldn’t dare provoke him!]
Yu Wen Ying had truly dug his own grave!
After laughing, Elder Kui Lian eyed Shi Zi Chu knowingly, “You came to me just to say this?”
She knew the history between Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou. Shi Zi Chu must have another purpose.
Shi Zi Chu smiled gently, her bright peach-blossom eyes curving beautifully. Her voice was calm and soft, “Elder Kui Lian, don’t you wonder why you’ve been pushed aside?”
“Chu Zhi Rou,” Elder Kui Lian replied coldly, sizing Shi Zi Chu up. “She’s no saint—but neither are you.”
Shi Zi Chu simply smiled, neither agreeing nor denying.