Chapter 142
Chapter 142: The Disciple Doesn’t Understand What Yin Puppets Are
“Break.”
A cold, murderous voice rang out, and countless sword lights, as frosty as ice, tore apart the vicious ghosts that had tried to flee.
The group of cultivators who had just left the secret realm exhaled in relief.
At this point, it was a miracle that any of them had survived!
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes flickered, and a crystal tear fell from her lashes, like a pearl that had slipped from its string.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu, who was surrounded by sorrow and melancholy, Jiang Wan Sheng stepped forward and gently wiped away her tears with a silken handkerchief. “There are many spirit herbs in the back mountains. Shall we go dig some?”
As for Qing Qing, sadness was out of the question; pretending to be sad was more her style.
Shi Zi Chu snatched the handkerchief from Jiang Wan Sheng’s hand and, with a quick motion, gave her a slap.
Jiang Wan Sheng, with a face full of innocence, rubbed the spot where she was hit.
Pei Luo Xiu took two steps forward, glared at Jiang Wan Sheng, and then hugged Shi Zi Chu, saying, “Let’s ignore these clueless, stinky men!”
Jiang Wan Sheng was so angry that her teeth ached!
Where was Pei Luo Xiu’s hand going?
Still touching! Still touching!
Guan Zhuang, with his hands pressed together in prayer, bowed toward Shi Zi Chu and said, “Daoist Shi, my condolences.”
Clan Chief Yu Wen couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”
Clan Chief Nan Rong opened his mouth, “Has Chu Zhi Rou obtained the Azure Luan Sword?”
…
Pei Luo Xiu and Shi Zi Chu quietly slipped away from the busy scene.
Xing Lan had wanted to follow, but since Chu Zhi Rou had obtained the Azure Luan Sword, and it concerned the Jade Void Sect, he couldn’t leave.
Meanwhile, Pei Luo Xiu raised her head to gaze at the sky, filled with flames of the setting sun. “The secret realm is finally over.”
Shi Zi Chu lightly brushed her long hair back, and her peach blossom eyes, shimmering like water, reflected an unshakable sorrow and solitude.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu in this state, Pei Luo Xiu felt a pang of heartache. She acted sweet and innocent, saying, “Big Sister Shi, what are your plans next?”
“Let’s return to the sect first.” Shi Zi Chu looked at the bustling scene in Water Road Village. “Junior Sister Zhi Rou has obtained the Azure Luan Sword, and the sect will surely celebrate.”
It was time for Su Zhu to make her appearance!
“I must also return to Returning Cloud Sect,” Pei Luo Xiu puffed out her cheeks, clearly unwilling. “I don’t want to be apart from Big Sister Shi!”
Looking at Pei Luo Xiu, who desperately wanted to come with her, Shi Zi Chu couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other. We’ll stay in touch when we’re done.”
Pei Luo Xiu nodded.
The festive scene didn’t last long.
After the crowd dispersed, several people immediately approached Shi Zi Chu.
She understood why Meng Xi Yu and Yan Zhou Bai came, but why were Guan Zhuang and Shen Zhi Zhi here?
Shen Zhi Zhi seemed to be in a hurry. Without wasting time, she asked, “Can we exchange contact information?”
Shi Zi Chu, unsure of the reason, still handed over a communication talisman. “Of course.”
Once the exchange was complete, Shen Zhi Zhi said, “I have to take my disciple back to the sect and report. We’ll be in touch through the communication talisman.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded. “Safe travels.”
Shen Zhi Zhi, who had come quickly, left just as swiftly.
Not far off, Pei Qing You was glaring at Pei Luo Xiu with an unfriendly look.
Pei Luo Xiu rolled her eyes before reluctantly saying, “Big Sister Shi, don’t forget about me!”
“I won’t,” Shi Zi Chu replied helplessly.
Looking at Pei Luo Xiu, who kept looking back, Pei Qing You’s expression showed a slight hint of disdain.
It was as if they were parting forever.
“Daoist Shi, extend your hand.” Guan Zhuang’s calm voice sounded.
Shi Zi Chu extended her hand, the one wearing the lotus bracelet.
Guan Zhuang formed a hand seal, and golden Sanskrit characters began to form a spiritual chain, swirling around the white lotus.
Once the golden Sanskrit characters faded, Guan Zhuang retracted his hand. “Done.”
Shi Zi Chu responded softly, her voice gentle as she asked, “Buddhist disciple, is the next task to purify Water Road Village?”
“Yes,” Guan Zhuang turned toward the silent, desolate village. His voice remained calm and peaceful as he said, “This place has formed a malevolent aura. If it’s not purified, more problems will arise.”
Shi Zi Chu looked away.
Xing Lan’s cold voice came through, “Jiu Jiu, time to go.”
“Coming!” Shi Zi Chu responded, waving a hand at Guan Zhuang before running over to Xing Lan.
Xing Lan tore through space, taking Shi Zi Chu back to Rising Succession Peak. As for the other disciples, Meng Xi Yu would lead them back.
At Rising Succession Peak, Shi Zi Chu tossed a pile of heavenly treasures into Xing Lan’s arms and immediately ran off to bathe in the hot springs.
Before Xing Lan could say anything, he looked down at the rare heavenly treasures that had fallen at his feet—Starlight Iron, Blood Vine Bamboo, and more—and fell silent.
When Shi Zi Chu finished her bath, a square table had appeared in the pavilion, piled high with items.
She walked over and sat down at the tea table, her sparkling eyes fixed on Xing Lan.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s obedient, adorable demeanor, Xing Lan glanced at the treasures on the table.
“Heavenly treasures from the Azure Luan Sword,” Shi Zi Chu said innocently.
Xing Lan poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.
Without a large amount of heavenly treasures to nourish it, the Azure Luan Sword was only immortal rank.
In other words, any heavenly treasures capable of nurturing the Azure Luan Sword to divine rank could also do the same for any immortal rank spirit sword.
“Master, see if there’s anything useful here.” Shi Zi Chu placed her hands on her knees, looking very obedient.
The Azure Luan Sword was impressive, but Master’s life-bound sword was no less so!
Since they were talking about divine swords, why couldn’t it be like the He Ling Sword?
The stronger her master, the more powerful her backing!
Xing Lan’s cold voice broke through, “Do you want to turn the He Ling Sword into a divine sword?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
“Don’t rush,” Xing Lan replied.
Forging a divine rank magic artifact would bring about heavenly tribulation, but he wasn’t eager to face it anytime soon.
This matter would have to wait.
Xing Lan wasn’t in a hurry, but Shi Zi Chu was!
“Master, I want to see a divine sword~”
Xing Lan, with his indifferent expression, changed the subject. “Explain the Butterfly Jade Pendant.”
Shi Zi Chu meekly placed the butterfly jade pendant on the table.
The pendant emitted a soft white light.
“How did you know, Master?” Shi Zi Chu asked timidly.
Why were these people so sharp?
Xing Lan lowered his gaze and took a sip of tea, his voice cold, “Jiu Jiu, the Ring of the Beginning nourishes the soul force, greatly enhancing soul cultivation.”
Having reached tribulation crossing, it was easy for him to sense other soul bodies, especially since he was the master of the Ring of the Beginning and his own soul force was far from weak.
Shi Zi Chu cupped her face in both hands, her expression pitiful as she said, “Master, I can’t bear to part with Mother.”
Xing Lan’s voice grew colder. “Be honest.”
The gleam in Shi Zi Chu’s eyes made it clear that she hadn’t quite made up her mind.
So, before she could speak, Xing Lan’s cold voice rang out, “Anything related to dark arts is forbidden.”
Shi Zi Chu quickly shook her head, looking as sweet as possible. “Disciple wouldn’t do such a thing. I just wanted to carve a puppet and place Mother’s soul in it.”
Xing Lan sneered, unrelenting. “Yin puppets.”
Jiu Jiu was truly getting more audacious.
“How could that be?” Shi Zi Chu batted her large, watery eyes. “Disciple doesn’t understand what Yin puppets are.”
“Yin puppets are forbidden,” Xing Lan said coldly. “If you want to nurture it, you can. But if I find out you’re making Yin puppets in secret…”
It couldn’t be punished by beating or scolding, and sending her to the punishment hall wouldn’t work either.
For a moment, Xing Lan truly didn’t know how to deal with Shi Zi Chu.
Seeing that Xing Lan had stopped speaking, Shi Zi Chu blinked her eyes. “Master, do you trust me? I won’t do that.”
Xing Lan raised his eyes to look at her, his expression saying everything: he didn’t trust her one bit.