Chapter 023
Chapter 23: Room Number Nine
The sudden appearance of Shi Zi Chu astonished everyone.
She was like a blooming red peony, peerless in grace and beauty.
Once again, Pei Qing You was captivated by Shi Zi Chu.
Standing nearby, even Xu Zhou Ye could hardly hide his admiration.
Both men were so enthralled by Shi Zi Chu that for a moment they completely forgot about Chu Zhi Rou.
Tears brimmed in Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes as she stared at Shi Zi Chu. Her expression remained pitiful yet defiant, but shadows of gloom crept into her gaze, and jealousy stirred restlessly within her heart.
Shi Zi Chu’s beauty was simply blinding!
The longer Chu Zhi Rou looked, the more convinced she became: [Shi Zi Chu must have seduced someone to gain entry into this top-floor private room!]
Wan Yan Qian stood close by, momentarily stunned by that flawless face. When she regained her senses, her amazement was still clear in her eyes as she asked directly, “Who are you?”
How had she never encountered such a beautiful young lady before?
“I am Shi Zi Chu from Rising Succession Peak of the Jade Void Sect.”
“You’re that Shi Zi Chu?” Wan Yan Qian uttered an “Oh,” shooting a meaningful glance toward Chu Zhi Rou before introducing herself to Shi Zi Chu, “I am Wan Yan Qian, eldest miss of the Wan Yan Clan.”
The Wan Yan Clan was one of the Seven Clans, and this was truly its eldest miss.
Wan Yan Qian carefully assessed Shi Zi Chu from head to toe and asked bluntly, “I’ve heard you’ve tried several times to harm Chu Zhi Rou but ended up covered in trouble instead?”
The enemy of her enemy could be a friend.
But whether Shi Zi Chu could actually become such a friend was yet uncertain. She didn’t need a friend who was foolish or naive.
“Oh, it’s just some harmless teasing between senior and junior sisters.” Shi Zi Chu smiled sweetly, then asked with curiosity, “Does Eldest Miss Wan Yan perhaps have some disagreement with my junior sister?”
Wan Yan Qian scoffed lightly, “Just a worthless little wild seed. If not for her luck in becoming Venerable Xing Lan’s disciple…”
Seemingly wary of Xing Lan, Wan Yan Qian merely snorted coldly and did not continue.
Shi Zi Chu and Wan Yan Qian chatted back and forth, leaving Chu Zhi Rou and the others no chance to speak.
When she felt she’d ignored Chu Zhi Rou long enough, Shi Zi Chu turned, playing the part of a caring senior sister and gently asked, “Junior sister, why have you come to the auction?”
“You’re severely injured; you should have stayed at the Ye Clan to properly rest. You shouldn’t worry about the rejuvenation pill,” Shi Zi Chu continued gently, her voice soft with concern.
Chu Zhi Rou’s expression changed instantly.
Hearing mention of the rejuvenation pill, Wan Yan Qian’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. Seeing Chu Zhi Rou’s pale, pitiable face, she quickly broke into a sly smile.
Today’s auction didn’t have a sixth-rank rejuvenation pill, but it did have the sixth-rank drifting flower.
Shi Zi Chu wasn’t foolish after all; she even knew how to borrow another’s hand to strike!
Noticing Wan Yan Qian’s openly malicious grin, Chu Zhi Rou felt her hatred toward Shi Zi Chu grow unbearably strong. She nearly failed to maintain her fragile, pitiful act.
“Second senior sister, why are you in the top-floor private room? Cough, cough…” Chu Zhi Rou covered her mouth, feebly coughing twice. “I don’t mean to question second senior sister, but if you wished to attend the auction, why didn’t you tell me earlier? My private room isn’t at the top, but…”
Just then, the door behind Shi Zi Chu opened slightly, cutting off Chu Zhi Rou’s words.
Chu Zhi Rou’s body swayed, eyes filled with disbelief.
Xu Zhou Ye quickly reached out to steady her before greeting respectfully, “Clan Chief Ye.”
“Clan Chief Ye,” Pei Qing You also saluted politely.
Ye He Qi strode forward, stopping behind Shi Zi Chu. With a gentle voice that carried undeniable authority and slight displeasure, he asked, “What’s everyone standing here blocking the way for?”
Chu Zhi Rou looked helplessly between Shi Zi Chu and Ye He Qi, stammering, “B-bro… brother…”
[Why is it big brother here!]
Shi Zi Chu spoke up with slight apology, “Junior sister was seriously injured and needed rest; I didn’t want to disturb you, so I neglected to inform you that Clan Chief Ye had earlier invited me to attend the auction.”
Ye He Qi slightly lowered his gaze toward her.
Shi Zi Chu turned, raising her eyebrows slightly with a smiling glance.
As long as Ye He Qi didn’t meddle, she was certain Chu Zhi Rou wouldn’t get her hands on the drifting flower tonight!
Receiving Shi Zi Chu’s subtle warning gaze, Ye He Qi had no intention of crossing her.
Jiang Wan Sheng had arrived suspiciously; perhaps he was here for Shi Zi Chu. Whether or not this was true, a small test later would clarify.
“Clan Chief Ye,” Wan Yan Qian looked at Ye He Qi inquisitively.
She had never expected Clan Chief Ye himself to attend the auction. If he had come for the sixth-rank drifting flower, she would have no choice but to withdraw.
“Eldest Miss Wan Yan,” Ye He Qi nodded gently, his voice cultured and kind, “Then let me congratulate Eldest Miss in advance on obtaining what she desires.”
Wan Yan Qian was inwardly shocked and uncertain.
Then she saw Ye He Qi cast a subtle, helpless glance toward Shi Zi Chu.
With sudden understanding, Wan Yan Qian smiled lightly, “Then I thank Clan Chief Ye for your good wishes. I shall return to my room first, so as not to disturb your pleasure.”
After briefly saluting Ye He Qi, Wan Yan Qian gracefully withdrew.
Once Wan Yan Qian returned to her own adjacent room, Chu Zhi Rou’s group seemed awkwardly out of place in the corridor.
“Daoist Shi.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyes. At a doorway farther down the corridor stood a tall, handsome man.
“Young Sect Master Yan.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hands to greet him respectfully, but Yan Zhou Bai quickly stepped forward, gently stopping her gesture.
Approaching closer, Yan Zhou Bai caught the faint scent of jasmine from Shi Zi Chu. In a calm, concerned tone he said, “It has been a while. Was your journey to the secret realm smooth?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded. “Everything went well. Young Sect Master Yan must have successfully concluded training your disciples as well?”
Yan Zhou Bai gave a nod before turning to politely greet Ye He Qi.
Ye He Qi returned the greeting, eyes subtly watching Shi Zi Chu.
Clearly, the young sect master of Limitless Sect had some interest in Shi Zi Chu. Though not overly obvious, it definitely wasn’t simple either.
Just then, the communication talisman on Shi Zi Chu’s waist lit up.
She reached out and took the talisman.
“Ninth room.”
That voice, cold as ice from a distant glacier, momentarily stunned Shi Zi Chu. She lifted her gaze, looking toward a distant private room.
[Master is actually attending this auction too?]
Recalling how she’d earlier bid thirty thousand spirit stones to purchase a man, Shi Zi Chu inwardly laughed, [this auction is truly thrilling!]
“I have some matters,” Shi Zi Chu smiled apologetically toward Yan Zhou Bai and Ye He Qi, then turned and quickly walked away.
Her steps were swift, skirts blooming gracefully around her ankles like petals scattered by a gentle breeze.
Yan Zhou Bai withdrew his gaze, nodded briefly to Ye He Qi, and returned to his room.
Upon arriving at room number nine, Shi Zi Chu directly pushed the door open.
Inside, a man in a dark cyan robe sat upright in a chair. His black hair was neatly bound by a jade crown patterned with bamboo leaves. His sharp, distinct features were cold and expressionless, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.
Even separated by several layers of bead curtains, Shi Zi Chu could sense Xing Lan’s poor mood.
[If Master had publicly bought a woman under my watch, I wouldn’t just be upset; I would drive Master absolutely mad.]
Shi Zi Chu lifted the bead curtain and entered, stopping directly before Xing Lan.
She slightly lowered her gaze, looking down at Xing Lan who sat perfectly still.
“Master, why didn’t you inform your disciple about attending the auction? You forced me to trouble Clan Chief Ye.” Her soft voice held a hint of playful complaint.
Xing Lan slowly lifted his eyes, observing Shi Zi Chu’s innocent act.
“Master~” Shi Zi Chu stepped closer, boldly sitting down on Xing Lan’s lap, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
The fragrance of jasmine enveloped Xing Lan, who silently gazed down at the girl in his arms. Though his face remained impassive, he did nothing to scold her for her daring behavior.