Chapter 164
Chapter 164: Second Senior Sister, Be Careful!
As Chu Zhi Rou grew more attuned to the situation, strange phenomena began to emerge.
Behind the mist of poison, a pair of enormous brown eyes, the size of copper bells, appeared. The thick, earthy stench mixed with the sharp scent of blood, nauseating in its intensity.
“What—what is that?!” Chu Zhi Rou stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own skirt.
Shi Zi Chu’s previously relaxed expression faltered slightly.
A Blood Moon Eel at the Nascent Soul stage. No, it was more accurate to call it the Blood Moon Eel King.
Meng Xi Yu, gripping a bloodstained longsword, said, “Blood Moon Eel King, Late Nascent Soul.”
Late Nascent Soul?!
Chu Zhi Rou, terrified, swayed and dashed toward Meng Xi Yu.
Shi Zi Chu flicked her wrist, and the sword-like figure of Zi Yuan appeared in her hand. “I’ll take care of it.”
Meng Xi Yu took a step back to avoid Chu Zhi Rou, observing Shi Zi Chu’s changed expression and calmly said, “Stay safe.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded in acknowledgment.
Meng Xi Yu swung her sword, slicing through a Blood Moon Eel that had lunged toward them. She turned back to see Chu Zhi Rou still frozen in place, and her patience wore thin. “You’re not a Qi Condensation disciple, what are you standing there for?”
Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes were red, looking like a frightened doe.
“I…I…”
Meng Xi Yu, without a word, returned to dealing with the Blood Moon Eels, clearly uninterested in hearing what Chu Zhi Rou had to say.
Chu Zhi Rou gripped Yu Sheng tightly, watching Shi Zi Chu disappear into the fray. A trace of hidden malice flickered in her eyes.
How wonderful it would be if Shi Zi Chu died in the jaws of the Blood Moon Eel King!
It wasn’t just Chu Zhi Rou who entertained such thoughts.
Fu Qi Xiu had similar ideas.
The backlash from the master-servant soul contract didn’t matter. As long as Shi Zi Chu was dead, he would be free!
Unfortunately, their hopes were in vain.
Not only did Shi Zi Chu not die, but she also dragged the Blood Moon Eel King’s corpse back with her.
Seeing Chu Zhi Rou pale with fear, Shi Zi Chu’s smile grew even more pronounced.
After Meng Xi Yu and Liang Wei Sheng cleared the area of Blood Moon Eels, they approached.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu smiling, Meng Xi Yu couldn’t help but remind her, “Don’t eat it.”
Shi Zi Chu glanced sideways at her.
Meng Xi Yu explained, “The Blood Moon Eel is poisonous.”
“What do you take me for?” Shi Zi Chu snorted lightly. “Am I the kind of person who would do that?”
Meng Xi Yu wisely chose not to respond.
Above Shi Zi Chu, the Golden Hook Phoenix Butterfly flapped its wings and landed on the Blood Moon Eel King’s corpse.
“A’Xiu, extract the spirit beast pill,” Shi Zi Chu gently instructed.
Fu Qi Xiu unleashed a surge of demonic power.
The next moment, a bloody spirit beast pill rolled to Shi Zi Chu’s feet.
Shi Zi Chu lifted her gaze to meet Fu Qi Xiu’s malicious stare, a smile curling at the corner of her lips.
“Ugh…”
Fu Qi Xiu immediately groaned in pain, feeling as though his blood had turned into a myriad of sharp needles. The agonizing pain, spreading from his bones, nearly caused him to lose his human form.
Shi Zi Chu’s fingers were wrapped with a few strands of translucent blue silk threads, beautiful yet harmless.
Meng Xi Yu turned her gaze away, pretending she hadn’t seen a thing.
Liang Wei Sheng, too, was a man of few words. He let Qing Yu land in his palm and began carefully combing its feathers.
Chu Zhi Rou opened her mouth but remained silent, unable to find the words.
Fu Qi Xiu grit his teeth, enduring the pain, but the excruciating sensation made him break out in cold sweat. Had he not been under Shi Zi Chu’s control, he would’ve surely collapsed by now.
Shi Zi Chu continued to look on with a mild expression.
Finally, on the verge of collapse, Fu Qi Xiu lowered his head, his voice shaky as he begged, “Master… I was wrong, please… forgive me…”
The water-blue silk threads vanished, and the sharp pain faded swiftly.
Fu Qi Xiu, still trembling from the agony, struggled to regain control of his body. Once he did, he found Shi Zi Chu smiling at him, her eyes gleaming with sweetness.
In that moment, an undeniable fear rose in Fu Qi Xiu’s heart.
If he didn’t beg for mercy, Shi Zi Chu would truly make him suffer until he died!
He absolutely couldn’t die!
Fu Qi Xiu, like a tamed wild dog, obediently walked to Shi Zi Chu and knelt before her.
He picked up the spirit beast pill, cleaned it, and presented it with both hands.
Shi Zi Chu took the pill and gently patted Fu Qi Xiu’s head, her voice soft, “Will you listen from now on?”
Fu Qi Xiu suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and smiled obediently. “Yes.”
He would find a way to break the master-servant soul contract and kill Shi Zi Chu!
“Mm?”
Fu Qi Xiu, forcing down his fury, spoke slowly, “I will listen to Master.”
Shi Zi Chu stroked his head, looking every bit the image of a harmless, gentle woman. “Good. Get up.”
Fu Qi Xiu rose, silent, not daring to speak further.
Shi Zi Chu tossed the spirit beast pill to Liang Wei Sheng.
Liang Wei Sheng, holding the pill in both hands, looked at her, unsure.
“Give it to Qing Yu,” Shi Zi Chu instructed.
Liang Wei Sheng nodded with a bow, then handed the pill to Qing Yu.
Qing Yu pecked at the pill with adorable vigor, looking surprisingly cute.
Shi Zi Chu’s gaze shifted to Chu Zhi Rou.
Chu Zhi Rou looked up, her expression pitiful as she gazed at Shi Zi Chu. “Second Senior Sister, I didn’t mean to hold you back. I was just so scared.”
Before Shi Zi Chu could respond, a loud shout interrupted them. “Shi Zi Chu! Are you bullying Rou Rou again?!”
The voice was familiar, and the presence unmistakable.
Without needing to think, they all knew who it was.
Almost as the words were spoken, Chu Zhi Sheng appeared in their sight.
He was flanked by only a few guards, not many.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s slightly mocking expression, Chu Zhi Rou hurriedly spoke, “A’Sheng, you’ve misunderstood!”
Not waiting for Shi Zi Chu to speak, she rushed to explain, “Second Senior Sister didn’t bully me. I was just too frightened of the Blood Moon Eel, and I held everyone back!”
“It was Second Senior Sister who saved me when I was terrified, truly!”
Seeing Chu Zhi Rou’s urgent and earnest expression, Chu Zhi Sheng, though still skeptical, softened his tone. “Is that true?”
Meng Xi Yu sneered coldly. “Clan Chief Chu is so concerned, why not just take her with you?”
Chu Zhi Sheng shot a warning glance at Meng Xi Yu.
Meng Xi Yu returned the glare with equal coldness.
Chu Zhi Rou stepped forward, grabbing Chu Zhi Sheng’s arm. “A’Sheng.”
Chu Zhi Sheng lowered his gaze to see Chu Zhi Rou’s pleading expression. He finally pursed his lips. “I’m not at ease with you being alone. Do you want to come with me?”
Shi Zi Chu was rotten to the core. The Blue Rain Marsh was too dangerous. He couldn’t trust Rou Rou staying with someone like her!
Chu Zhi Rou glanced at Shi Zi Chu, her face filled with hesitation.
The Blue Rain Marsh was indeed dangerous, but she wanted to use this as an opportunity to grow closer to Shi Zi Chu.
“A’Sheng,” Chu Zhi Rou looked at her brother with determination in her eyes, “I know you care about me, but I’m here on a sect mission.”
Seeing Chu Zhi Sheng about to speak, she smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself!”
Chu Zhi Sheng hesitated but didn’t push further, giving Shi Zi Chu one last wary glance.
Shi Zi Chu smiled slyly.
In just a few short days, Fu Qi Xiu had come to fully understand the meaning behind Shi Zi Chu’s smile.
He looked toward the misfortune awaiting Chu Zhi Rou, without a trace of sympathy, only delight in her impending disaster.
Chu Zhi Sheng left quickly, as quickly as he had come.
Before he left, he handed Chu Zhi Rou several magic artifacts with generous care.
Once they were gone, Chu Zhi Rou, holding the magic artifacts, presented them with a smile. “Second Senior Sister, these are defensive artifacts. Please see if you like any of them.”
Shi Zi Chu was about to speak when Chu Zhi Rou’s pupils contracted, her body overcome by nausea and fear. She dashed forward, shouting, “Second Senior Sister, be careful!”
A Blood Moon Eel King, long hiding in the mud, leaped out and struck toward Shi Zi Chu.