Chapter 079
Chapter 79: Sheng Sheng, Shut Up. A’Yu, You Speak.
Looking at Jiang Wan Sheng’s silly, dazed expression, Shi Zi Chu curled her red lips into a slight smile, then loosened her grip and turned away.
[So innocent?]
[How amusing.]
Jiang Wan Sheng stood dumbfounded, staring helplessly at her slender figure as she walked away. After a moment, when his brain began to function again, his eyes filled with an intense possessiveness.
Although his cheeks were blushing shyly, his eyes revealed a fierce aggression, creating an intriguing contrast. With a few quick strides of his long legs, Jiang Wan Sheng caught up, reaching out to wrap an arm around Shi Zi Chu’s soft waist. His voice, cool and slightly hoarse, whispered gently, “Qing Qing shouldn’t bully someone like this.”
[She only knows how to set fires—so very wicked!]
Shi Zi Chu glanced back, saw Jiang Wan Sheng’s flushed face filled with grievance and accusation, and gave a mischievous, teasing smile. Her brilliantly wicked intentions blossomed openly upon her lovely face, as if to say, [What if I bully you a little?]
Jiang Wan Sheng lowered his head, burying his face in Shi Zi Chu’s shoulder. His breath was filled with the faint, fragrant scent of jasmine. Relying on the fact Shi Zi Chu couldn’t see his face, Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes showed longing and infatuation. The sweet jasmine fragrance invaded his lungs, making him feel slightly addicted.
“Qing Qing can bully me all she wants,” he murmured sulkily, sounding truly pitiful.
Shi Zi Chu raised a hand and gently stroked his head.
Feeling comforted, Jiang Wan Sheng nestled closer against her shoulder for a moment longer before reluctantly lifting his head.
When Meng Xi Yu approached, he saw Jiang Wan Sheng’s elegant, flushed face and his arm possessively wrapped around Shi Zi Chu’s waist. Jiang Wan Sheng’s gaze was fixed boldly on him, carrying both the shyness of a boy and the aggression of a man.
Shi Zi Chu and Jiang Wan Sheng turned to look at Meng Xi Yu at almost the same moment.
Meeting Meng Xi Yu’s icy and sharp gaze, Jiang Wan Sheng rubbed Shi Zi Chu’s waist softly, intimately staking his claim.
He shared a deep connection with the star gem, so he was aware of everything that had happened in the ruins. Only he could be Qing Qing’s most reliable blade—anyone else attempting to steal her attention could vanish from sight!
Sensing the immediate tension, Shi Zi Chu showed slight helplessness.
In response to Jiang Wan Sheng’s provocative display, Meng Xi Yu let out a cold sneer. Stepping forward, he grasped Shi Zi Chu’s wrist and spoke, “I have something to tell you.”
Jiang Wan Sheng put away his mirror and grabbed Meng Xi Yu’s arm with a faint, teasing smile, “I’m hardly an outsider, so what do you need to say behind my back?”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at Meng Xi Yu in front, then looked back at Jiang Wan Sheng behind her.
[She was about to become squished between these two!]
Lightly but firmly, Shi Zi Chu slapped away Jiang Wan Sheng’s arm and Meng Xi Yu’s hand, stepping aside to gaze at them both gently. “Sheng Sheng, shut up. A’Yu, you speak.”
Those concise eight words quickly subdued the fierce confrontation.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu serious, Meng Xi Yu ignored Jiang Wan Sheng completely and addressed her, “Nan Rong Wen Jin has arrived.”
Shi Zi Chu’s eyebrows knitted slightly.
Noticing her troubled expression, Jiang Wan Sheng asked Meng Xi Yu, “Who is that?”
[Sounds like someone from Nan Rong Clan. But hadn’t they not received an invitation?]
Meng Xi Yu replied calmly, “Nan Rong Wen Jin is Venerable Xing Lan’s younger sister.”
Jiang Wan Sheng was startled momentarily, noticing Shi Zi Chu’s furrowed brow, and immediately sensed things were complicated.
“Nan Rong Wen Jin… has issues,” Meng Xi Yu hesitated briefly before settling on a delicate but precise description. “She disdained Zi Chu’s origins yet envied the favoritism Zi Chu received from Venerable Xing Lan, so she kidnapped her to Nan Rong Clan and used certain methods, forcing Zi Chu to leave Venerable Xing Lan.”
Jiang Wan Sheng’s expression instantly turned cold.
Meng Xi Yu continued, “The rebuilding of Nan Rong Clan was largely because of this incident. Since then, the relationship between Venerable Xing Lan and Nan Rong Clan has grown increasingly tense.”
Clearly, Nan Rong Wen Jin’s sudden appearance could mean nothing good.
“She didn’t come alone; she brought a soul master,” Meng Xi Yu added, speaking to Shi Zi Chu. “Do you need to go find…”
Shi Zi Chu didn’t reply but merely looked toward the back mountain.
Meng Xi Yu paused and followed her gaze, quickly understanding her thought.
He’d hurried here with news, and by now, Venerable Xing Lan should also have learned of this matter.
Sure enough, Xing Lan soon appeared within sight.
Meng Xi Yu and Jiang Wan Sheng bowed respectfully.
Xing Lan disregarded them, looking straight at Shi Zi Chu instead. “You’ve heard?”
Since Meng Xi Yu was here, he must have informed Shi Zi Chu already.
Shi Zi Chu nodded obediently, her gentle voice sounding soft and sweet, “Young Sect Master just told me Miss Nan Rong arrived. Since there are many venerables here today, he suggested I avoid her.”
Meng Xi Yu remained silent at her side.
Xing Lan spoke coldly, “She doesn’t have that much authority.”
Of course, Shi Zi Chu knew Nan Rong Wen Jin lacked such influence, but that wouldn’t stop her from causing trouble for Xing Lan.
“Miss Nan Rong is probably here to congratulate Master, so disciple won’t cause unnecessary trouble,” Shi Zi Chu replied gently, understanding and thoughtful.
Xing Lan said nothing further. He gently patted Shi Zi Chu’s head before leaving.
Watching Xing Lan depart, Shi Zi Chu moved her fingers lightly, revealing the butterfly jade pendant in her hand.
[Should she stir up some trouble for Ye He Qi?]
“That’s the butterfly pendant from Ye Clan,” Meng Xi Yu spoke with a chilly voice. “Is your soul injured?”
That Heaven-rank butterfly pendant could stabilize and soothe souls. Considering previous events in the ruins, Meng Xi Yu was worried that Shi Zi Chu might have sustained some soul damage.
Shi Zi Chu shook her head lightly, then casually tied the pendant to her waist belt. “The stage is already set; naturally, I must fan the flames.”
Both Meng Xi Yu and Jiang Wan Sheng exhaled quietly, relieved.
It was good she was unharmed.
“A’Yu, do you know where Clan Chief Ye is?” Shi Zi Chu straightened her sleeves gently.
Meng Xi Yu shook his head. “Probably with those venerables.”
No sooner had he finished than a man dressed in dark blue robes appeared a few steps away. His voice was warm and elegant. “Looking for me?”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s eyes suddenly brighten, Ye He Qi instinctively stepped back, a wary expression crossing his face.
He had a very bad feeling about this!
“Clan Chief Ye!” Shi Zi Chu approached cheerfully.
Ye He Qi took another step back, his eyes cautious. “Daoist Shi, we can talk this out. Your expression is rather alarming.”
Shi Zi Chu adjusted herself slightly, becoming somewhat serious. “Who is the soul master accompanying Nan Rong Wen Jin?”
As Meng Xi Yu mentioned, Ye He Qi was likely touring Jade Void Sect with those venerables, yet he had appeared here suddenly, presumably having heard about Nan Rong Wen Jin.
Nan Rong Wen Jin herself wasn’t a concern, but that soul master required attention.
“Your news travels quickly,” Ye He Qi smiled faintly, casting a meaningful glance at Meng Xi Yu.
Shi Zi Chu’s sources might not be that swift, but Young Sect Master Meng’s certainly were.
“Chu Clan has an elder named Si Shan, a soul master at the Fusion Stage,” Ye He Qi answered.
Shi Zi Chu nodded thoughtfully.
So Nan Rong Wen Jin and Chu Zhi Sheng had joined forces—not surprising, as they shared a common enemy.
Still…
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes twinkled. “Does he have an artifact capable of detecting soul possession?”
To accuse her of possession, they would certainly need some evidence.
Ye He Qi nodded, “Si Shan’s life-bound artifact is called the Heavenly Pivot Star Ring. It can indeed detect soul possession.”
He then briefly described the artifact in detail.
Shi Zi Chu listened with interest.
After finishing, Ye He Qi added, “He’ll be with Clan Chief Chu at the City Lord’s banquet.”
Shi Zi Chu paused thoughtfully. She had absolutely no impression of this person.