Chapter 078
Chapter 78: There Were Even a Few Stones Adorning the Sword Tassel…
Standing there, Ming Xi Su and Lu Cang did not dare say even a single word.
Xu Zhou Ye and Hua Ting Li knelt on the ground, oppressed so severely by the suppressive aura that they were suffering greatly; like clay Buddhas crossing a river, they could scarcely help themselves.
“Master~” came a warm, soft voice, sweetly dragging out the ending syllable with a natural coquettishness.
Xing Lan glanced sideways.
“Let’s not be angry on such a wonderful day,” Shi Zi Chu said gently, eyes curved into crescents, conjuring a box seemingly out of thin air and handing it over.
Xing Lan glanced at the box, then back at Shi Zi Chu. Only upon seeing her sincere expression did he dare reach out.
To reassure Xing Lan, Shi Zi Chu sweetly said with a soft smile, “Disciple knows Master lacks nothing, so after much thought, I personally wove a sword tassel as your congratulatory gift.”
Slightly curious, Xing Lan opened the box.
Inside lay quietly a sword tassel woven from ice silkworm silk.
In the very next moment, he quickly snapped the box shut with a crisp “click,” staring straight at Shi Zi Chu.
[Jiu Jiu really can’t be trusted!]
Shi Zi Chu put on an innocent smile.
She hadn’t done anything wrong~
She had merely shaped spirit essence stones into beads to decorate the sword tassel, that was all.
The overflowing spiritual power immediately made everyone aware that whatever was in the box was far from ordinary.
Although everyone felt curious, no one dared to speak up.
But seeing Xing Lan still holding onto the box, they knew he greatly favored the gift.
Lu Cang raised his head despite the pressure of the suppressive aura. Seeing Xing Lan holding an ordinary box, he secretly scorned Shi Zi Chu for being petty while feeling sorry for his little junior sister at the same time.
“It’s just a sword tassel, hardly as precious as the starlight iron gifted by Little Junior Sister,” Lu Cang muttered resentfully.
Pretending to have poor hearing, Shi Zi Chu asked, “What was Fifth Junior Brother saying? Second Senior Sister didn’t quite catch that; perhaps you should speak louder?”
Cultivators naturally had sharp ears, so Shi Zi Chu was obviously provoking him.
Lu Cang couldn’t stand it and fiercely lifted his head, retorting, “Master always teaches us disciples to act fairly, yet Master, right now you’re being unfair! You publicly reprimanded Little Junior Sister and even discarded her gift…”
Under Xing Lan’s cold, stern gaze, Lu Cang’s initially righteous tone gradually weakened until his voice trailed away completely.
Xing Lan opened the box again, directly reaching out to pick up the sword tassel.
The sword tassel woven from ice silkworm silk was incredibly delicate, and adorning it were several beads—spirit essence stones?!
All the venerables present widened their eyes instantly.
Impossible?!
Spirit essence stones?!
Shi Zi Chu had used spirit essence stones as beads for the sword tassel?!
Even the leaders of top-tier forces wouldn’t dare such extravagance!
After subtly showing off, Xing Lan said to Shi Zi Chu, amidst the venerables’ astonished and envious stares, “Jiu Jiu, I like it very much.”
Jiu Jiu had always been miserly, yet toward him, she was frighteningly generous.
God-ranked cultivation manuals, spirit essence stones…
However, none of this would stop him from reprimanding her after the banquet.
Shi Zi Chu revealed a slightly ingratiating expression and said gently, “Disciple was only able to secure the spirit stone mine thanks to Master’s assistance. It’s only right for me to return your kindness.”
[Master, please have mercy and spare me the scolding afterward.]
Xing Lan withdrew his gaze.
[One thing is one thing; discipline is still necessary.]
Meng Xi Yu’s cold voice suddenly rang out, “Ignorant fools! You can’t even recognize spirit essence stones. You’re bringing shame to Venerable Xing Lan’s esteemed name.”
Sect Master Meng couldn’t help but glance at Meng Xi Yu.
Had this boy already forgotten the previous lesson?
Xing Lan didn’t bother speaking. After putting away the sword tassel, he waved a hand, tossing Xu Zhou Ye and the others directly out of the hall. “Let the banquet begin!”
The host had spoken, and the sounds of chopsticks gradually rose.
As for Xu Zhou Ye and the others, the venerables weren’t idiots; they clearly understood the situation.
They wouldn’t offer special treatment solely because of Xing Lan’s presence, but basic courtesy was still necessary—after all, these were Venerable Xing Lan’s personal disciples.
After three rounds of drinks, warmth returned to the banquet hall.
The dishes on Shi Zi Chu’s table were unique, all of them her favorites.
Fully content after enjoying her meal, Shi Zi Chu saw the luncheon was nearing its end.
Before dispersing, Xing Lan briefly spoke a few words, summarizing simply as: everyone may freely move about.
When the banquet concluded, Xing Lan gave Shi Zi Chu a glance, and with just that look, she obediently followed after him despite wanting to slip away.
At the bamboo hut on the back mountain.
As soon as Xing Lan sat down, Shi Zi Chu immediately climbed onto his lap, coquettishly pleading, “Master~”
“Wealth should be concealed,” Xing Lan lectured, unmoved.
Spirit essence stones were exceptionally precious. Though not as rare as god-ranked cultivation techniques, they still brought considerable trouble.
Shi Zi Chu wrapped her arms around his neck, affectionately rubbing her soft cheek against his face.
This intimate gesture softened Xing Lan’s heart, making his usual cold, strict appearance impossible to maintain.
Sensing Xing Lan’s aura relax, Shi Zi Chu quickly took advantage, whispering sweetly, “Disciple knows now~ Master, don’t be angry, alright?”
“Mm.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her small face and then took out the remaining portion of the spirit essence stones.
?
Met with Xing Lan’s instantly cold and sharp gaze, Shi Zi Chu smiled sweetly, “Master, you mustn’t scold me; I’m giving this privately.”
“…” Xing Lan raised his hand and tapped Shi Zi Chu’s smooth, pale forehead twice with his cool fingertip.
[He truly fell for her tricks again!]
Shi Zi Chu stood up from Xing Lan’s lap, happily smiling as she said, “Master, I’ll go check on Sixth Junior Sister and the others!”
Without waiting for Xing Lan’s reply, she dashed off like a puff of smoke.
Her cheerful, graceful figure left Xing Lan helplessly sighing.
As Shi Zi Chu descended from the back mountain, she was intercepted before she could find Chu Zhi Rou and the others.
“Qing Qing.”
A cool, low voice called from behind as an arm wrapped itself around her waist.
The arm tightened slightly, pulling Shi Zi Chu’s back snugly against a broad chest. A pleasant fragrance wafted into her nose.
Shi Zi Chu gently pulled away the arm around her waist and turned around. Gazing into those openly yearning, stubborn eyes, she softly asked, “Have you finished your business?”
Jiang Wan Sheng nodded slightly, asking, “Is your injury healed?”
“Of course,” Shi Zi Chu smiled warmly. “You must trust—”
Jiang Wan Sheng quickly covered Shi Zi Chu’s mouth, manually silencing her.
He didn’t want to hear the name that made him jealous.
Helpless indulgence shone in Shi Zi Chu’s lovely eyes as she lightly patted Jiang Wan Sheng’s arm. When he reluctantly withdrew his hand, she asked, “Where are Clan Chief Jiang and the others?”
“Sect Master Meng took the elders to tour Jade Void Sect. The juniors are free to roam.”
Jade Void Sect was vast; to ensure timely return for the evening banquet, most juniors had chosen to explore only the front mountain.
After answering, Jiang Wan Sheng lowered his gaze, staring at the bright red lipstick smudged onto his palm.
Shi Zi Chu immediately knew her lipstick was ruined.
She took out a small mirror and placed it in Jiang Wan Sheng’s hand. After adjusting its height, she carefully reapplied her lipstick.
Once finished, she habitually pressed her lips together, causing them to appear even fuller.
Jiang Wan Sheng turned his gaze away, throat suddenly dry as his Adam’s apple bobbed nervously.
Putting away the lipstick, Shi Zi Chu noticed Jiang Wan Sheng’s uncomfortable stiffness and the redness spreading across his ears. Mischief danced in her beautiful eyes.
“Sheng Sheng, look at me.”
When Jiang Wan Sheng obediently lowered his head, Shi Zi Chu suddenly hooked his neck, pulling him down closer.
Jiang Wan Sheng froze.
At this extremely close distance, his handsome face instantly flushed bright red. His dazed eyes stared blankly at Shi Zi Chu, noticing even the tiny, delicate hairs on her flawless porcelain-like cheeks.