Chapter 025
Chapter 25: Little Beggar
Seeing Shi Zi Chu tense and on guard, Xing Lan gently patted her back to reassure her.
“The sect master is planning a banquet and will invite several important guests. Behave yourself during this time,” he said calmly. The last thing he wanted was to fish her out of some secret realm just as the event began.
Shi Zi Chu obediently nodded.
After giving his instructions, Xing Lan placed a simple storage ring into her palm and added quietly, “If you run out of spirit stones, let me know.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded again, curiosity urging her to peek inside the ring with her spiritual sense. The next moment, her eyes widened in shock.
“Master, do you own a mine?”
Countless spirit stones lay piled inside, at least fifty million!
“Yes,” Xing Lan replied solemnly, making Shi Zi Chu choke slightly.
With slender, elegant fingers, Xing Lan reached out and lightly poked her cheek. His cool fingertip touched her warm skin, and captivated by the warmth, he poked again.
Shi Zi Chu puffed out her cheeks, her eyes carrying a gentle accusation as she stared straight at him.
Xing Lan slowly withdrew his hand with a composed look, returning to his usual immobility.
“Master, why are you suddenly giving me so many spirit stones?” Shi Zi Chu lifted the ring, puzzled. Ever since Xing Lan brought her to Rising Succession Peak, she’d never lacked spirit stones, but receiving such sudden wealth made her uneasy.
“These spirit stones were originally intended for bidding on a Heaven-rank cultivation technique,” Xing Lan explained softly. He had initially prepared them to bid on the technique for Jiu Jiu. Now, having decided otherwise, he simply gave the stones directly to her, so she could buy anything she desired. Besides, Supreme Virtue City was famously extravagant, and he suspected Jiu Jiu had little left.
Listening to Xing Lan’s explanation, Shi Zi Chu nodded slowly in understanding.
“The twelfth item up for auction is…” Lan Xi’s voice continued from the water mirror, yet the room grew quiet again.
Shi Zi Chu glanced at the auction stage and quickly lost interest. She wondered when the drifting flower would appear.
Xing Lan’s attention wasn’t on the water mirror; his eyes lowered to gaze at the girl in his arms. Noticing her deep in thought beneath her delicate lashes, his eyes briefly filled with a dark, consuming desire.
Sensing danger, Shi Zi Chu snapped back to reality. She looked up, only to meet Xing Lan’s calm, indifferent black eyes, as though silently asking her what was wrong.
Shi Zi Chu raised a sweet smile toward him and began softly, “Master…”
Xing Lan interrupted her directly, “Do you want the drifting flower?”
Unsurprised that Xing Lan had guessed her intentions, she nodded. “Will the three drifting flowers be auctioned separately or together?”
“Separately,” he replied.
Shi Zi Chu leaned gently back, resting against Xing Lan’s arm. Gazing into his eyes, dark and cool as lacquer, she softly pleaded, “Master, could you bid on one for me?”
Wan Yan Qian would surely win one, and she had plans for the third.
“Changed your mind?” His cold voice carried a subtle tease.
Shi Zi Chu straightened her expression into seriousness, “Master, how can you doubt your disciple’s sincerity! I genuinely wish for junior sister’s speedy recovery.”
Xing Lan didn’t respond verbally, though faint amusement shimmered in his eyes.
“Go ahead.” His cool palm gently patted Shi Zi Chu’s back as his deep, calm voice spoke again, “I’ll have an attendant deliver the spirit beast egg.”
Shi Zi Chu shook her head. “Master should take it back instead.” Carrying the egg herself might be dangerous; it was safer with Xing Lan.
He softly agreed.
Before leaving, Shi Zi Chu took out a white handkerchief and wiped away the faint red lip color she’d left on Xing Lan’s face.
Closing the private room’s door gently behind her, she left only the lingering fragrance of sweet jasmine in the quiet chamber.
As Shi Zi Chu walked back from room nine, she reached a corner, where a tall, straight figure hid in the shadows.
Xu Zhou Ye stepped forward, blocking her way, his lowered voice cold and filled with disdain. “Shi Zi Chu! What exactly did junior sister do to offend you? You know very well she needs the drifting flower! If Elder Ye Ce can’t win the bid tonight, I won’t let you off easily!”
Shi Zi Chu stepped back to avoid his spittle.
Eyeing the man who pretended noble righteousness yet angrily rebuked her, she tilted her beautiful eyes slightly upward. On her charming and lovely face appeared an arrogant expression, filled with clear disdain and mockery.
“Eldest senior brother, perhaps you’ve enjoyed good days too long and forgotten who you once were?”
Her voice was gentle and lovely, and though she smiled prettily, Xu Zhou Ye felt a sudden chill of fear. It was a fear he hadn’t felt in years, not since junior sister joined the sect.
“Seems you truly have forgotten,” Shi Zi Chu sighed gently, feigning distress. Her lips curved upward maliciously, her voice dripping with undisguised cruelty, “Then let me remind you clearly, eldest senior brother.”
Guessing her intentions, Xu Zhou Ye sharply ordered, “Shut your mouth!”
“Little beggar.” Watching the composed man’s face instantly darken, Shi Zi Chu laughed beautifully, like the clear ringing of silver bells.
Yet this delightful sound was unbearably harsh to Xu Zhou Ye’s ears.
With an ugly expression, he glared hatefully at Shi Zi Chu, eyes murderous with intent.
“Eldest senior brother, tell me, how can you ever compare to Sect Master Pei?” Shi Zi Chu looked at him with pity, her tone laced with mocking sympathy, “If I were junior sister, I’d choose Sect Master Pei without hesitation.”
These words pierced directly into Xu Zhou Ye’s deepest insecurities, shattering his composure. His arrogant mask crumbled, replaced by desperate anger.
“Shut up! Shi Zi Chu, shut up!” His lowly origins were Xu Zhou Ye’s greatest shame. The more he adored Chu Zhi Rou, the more insecure he became.
Before Shi Zi Chu’s words, he could fool himself, but now that she’d mercilessly exposed his fear, rage and panic overwhelmed him.
Just as Shi Zi Chu prepared to provoke him further, a tall figure calmly approached.
Yan Zhou Bai walked steadily, an invisible aura suppressing the tense atmosphere. He calmly glanced at Xu Zhou Ye, forcing him to retreat.
“Daoist Shi,” Yan Zhou Bai politely nodded to Shi Zi Chu, “Could we speak privately?”
Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly, nodding, and cast one final, meaningful glance toward Xu Zhou Ye. She could give him the title of eldest senior brother, and she could just as easily take it away.
Let Xu Zhou Ye enjoy these last few days of peace.
Walking around the corner, Shi Zi Chu emerged into the warmly lit corridor, luxurious decorations illuminated by soft candlelight. She seemed draped in a veil of golden silk.
Yan Zhou Bai glanced sideways at her radiant figure. “Room three is that way. You should return.”
Shi Zi Chu blinked in surprise, looking up. “Daoist Yan, didn’t you have something to say?”
Yan Zhou Bai shook his head slightly, his deep voice calm and pleasant. “Xu Zhou Ye’s cultivation isn’t weak; I feared you’d be at a disadvantage.”
Gazing at this calm yet straightforward man, Shi Zi Chu’s eyes curved into a bright smile. “Thank you.”
Yan Zhou Bai shook his head again, watching until Shi Zi Chu safely entered the private room before turning to leave.