Chapter 167
Chapter 167: She Did It on Purpose—What’s the Matter?
As Chu Zhi Sheng’s words fell, the atmosphere around the green sward grew heavy with silence.
Many of the Jade Void Sect disciples turned their gazes toward Chu Zhi Sheng and Chu Zhi Rou. While their opinions of Shi Zi Chu weren’t particularly favorable, the unity of sect members was still present. Despite their distaste for Shi Zi Chu, the feeling of shared loyalty was hard to ignore.
Such audacity—to openly apologize with that tone?
Chu Zhi Sheng, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on him, could hardly suppress his discomfort, though he knew he couldn’t resort to violence.
Yao Ruo Ruo shot up from her seat, her steps quick as she moved to stand behind Shi Zi Chu, her stance firm. “Clan Chief Chu, is this supposed to be an apology?”
Yan Zhou Bai rose and walked over to stand by Yao Ruo Ruo’s side, his calm gaze carrying a subtle threat.
As for Meng Xi Yu, though he remained seated, the earlier threat he posed still lingered in Chu Zhi Sheng’s mind like a fresh wound.
Seeing the group of fools charmed by Shi Zi Chu, Chu Zhi Rou’s teeth ground in frustration. She turned to stare at the root of the problem.
Shi Zi Chu, however, ignored her gaze.
Looking up at Chu Zhi Rou, her expression still gentle but tinged with an air of cool detachment, she spoke, “Junior Sister Zhi Rou, my earlier words were no jest. They were carefully considered.”
Chu Zhi Rou’s expression shifted, her face blanching.
Before she could speak, Shi Zi Chu continued, “Since Junior Sister Zhi Rou has no interest in the magic artifact, I will inform our master. Didn’t you always want to restore your position as a personal disciple?”
At these words, Shi Zi Chu’s gaze softened, though it remained sincere. “I promise, I will help you regain your position as a personal disciple!”
Not long ago, many disciples believed Chu Zhi Rou to be noble, saving others without expecting anything in return. But now, with Shi Zi Chu’s words, she was quickly painted as a scheming, unprincipled character.
“That’s not true!” Chu Zhi Rou protested urgently. “I…”
If she accepted the magic artifact, the personal disciple position she had hoped for would slip away. But accepting Shi Zi Chu’s offer would tarnish her carefully cultivated reputation.
Shi Zi Chu, the wretch!
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Chu Zhi Rou cursed Shi Zi Chu in her mind.
Yan Zhou Bai’s gaze flickered to Shi Zi Chu, his thoughts shifting.
Shi Zi Chu was indeed a schemer, but Chu Zhi Rou was no saint either. The truth behind her motives for saving Shi Zi Chu had now become clear.
Chu Zhi Rou appeared to want nothing in return, but in reality, she had hoped to use this opportunity to pressure Shi Zi Chu into asking Venerable Xing Lan to restore her as a personal disciple.
Meeting Chu Zhi Sheng’s cold, murderous glare, Shi Zi Chu’s lips curled into a fleeting smile, her amusement barely concealed.
Yes, she did it on purpose. So what?
Rather than let Chu Zhi Rou accuse her of ingratitude later, she would take the chance to make a move now and put Chu Zhi Rou in a difficult position.
Seeing his beloved caught in a dilemma, Chu Zhi Sheng’s gaze turned murderous.
Shi Zi Chu acted as if she were frightened by his glare.
Before Chu Zhi Sheng could make a move, Yao Ruo Ruo stepped forward and embraced Shi Zi Chu, her sharp eyes cutting through Chu Zhi Sheng.
Her protective stance provoked a sneer from Fu Qi Xiu, a touch of mockery in his smile.
“What’s this? Clan Chief Chu intends to make a move?” Meng Xi Yu’s voice was cold, his gaze locked on Chu Zhi Sheng.
Chu Zhi Rou hastily grabbed Chu Zhi Sheng’s arm, looking at Shi Zi Chu as she said, “I saved Senior Sister willingly. I expected nothing in return.”
With that, her face twisted with sorrow, and she turned away, walking off.
Chu Zhi Sheng, still gripped by Chu Zhi Rou, was forced to follow.
Shi Zi Chu, nestled in Yao Ruo Ruo’s embrace, didn’t speak, though the playful glint in her eyes was barely contained.
“Don’t be sad.” Yao Ruo Ruo patted Shi Zi Chu’s back, comforting her.
Suppressing her own smile, Shi Zi Chu adjusted her expression and looked up at Yao Ruo Ruo, her face tinged with sadness.
Yao Ruo Ruo, clearly concerned, didn’t expect such an expression from her.
“Zi Chu, don’t be upset. Hmm? What’s that smell?” Yao Ruo Ruo inhaled deeply, nearly gagging at the strong scent.
Yan Zhou Bai summoned the Radiant Snowblade to his hand, his voice cold and commanding. “Limitless Sect disciples, be on alert!”
As he spoke, he quickly moved forward.
The disciples of the Limitless Sect immediately rose and drew their magic artifacts.
Yao Ruo Ruo patted Shi Zi Chu’s hand and then swiftly walked past.
“What a stench.”
“What’s that smell? Like a fish that’s been dead for a month!”
…
A strange phenomenon occurred, and the disciples resting on the green sward became immediately alert.
At some point, Qing Yu had returned, holding the heaven-rank magic artifact in its beak and presenting it to Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu took the magic artifact, gently stroking Qing Yu’s head.
The spirit beast nuzzled her fingers affectionately before returning to Liang Wei Sheng’s side.
Fu Qi Xiu, the highest-ranking among them, suddenly spoke, “A spirit beast of the Spirit Transformation stage.”
Though many disciples were skeptical due to Fu Qi Xiu’s past actions, his words carried weight.
Shi Zi Chu glanced toward Fu Qi Xiu, her voice soft but serious. “Is that true?”
Fu Qi Xiu, his patience waning, finally nodded. “Yes.”
At this moment, there was no benefit in deceiving Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu allowed her spiritual sense to expand.
A spirit beast at the Spirit Transformation stage—this was indeed tricky.
Qu Ru of Jade Water Peak frowned and asked, “Spirit Transformation stage spirit beasts should be in the inner zone. Why is this one here in the outer zone?”
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes briefly flicked to Chu Zhi Rou’s direction.
Whether this had anything to do with Chu Zhi Rou or Chu Zhi Sheng, it was hard to say, but it was certainly connected to them.
After all, where the protagonist went, trouble and opportunities always followed.
Chu Zhi Sheng calmly patted Chu Zhi Rou’s shoulder, unshaken.
A mere spirit beast at the Spirit Transformation stage was nothing!
With Chu Zhi Sheng at the Fusion stage, Chu Zhi Rou felt reassured, though a flicker of malice flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Shi Zi Chu.
Let’s see how Shi Zi Chu handles a spirit beast at the Spirit Transformation stage!
As she watched the disciples’ unease grow, Shi Zi Chu turned to Fu Qi Xiu. “A’Xiu.”
Fu Qi Xiu, momentarily conflicted, swallowed his words. With a darkened voice, he asked, “What do you want?”
Before Shi Zi Chu could reply, the sharp sound of silver ornaments clinking echoed from the mist ahead.
Her eyes narrowed.
“It’s nothing,” Shi Zi Chu said calmly, folding her hands and settling into a relaxed posture.
Fu Qi Xiu stood aside, his gaze cold.
Meng Xi Yu, seemingly sensing something, narrowed his eyes.
“Pfft, they really can run.”
A slightly displeased, chilling voice came from the mist, and a swarm of dark purple dream butterflies emerged, fluttering toward them.
Jiang Wan Sheng darted from the mist, landing on the green sward, his eyes immediately locking on Shi Zi Chu.
Noticing how warmly she was bundled in her cloak, Jiang Wan Sheng threw a storage ring toward her.
Shi Zi Chu caught the ring and was about to speak when the dark purple dream butterflies began herding the spirit beast that had been hiding in the mist toward them.
“That’s a big fish!” Qu Ru couldn’t help but exclaim.
True to the Blue Rain Marsh, it wasn’t eels—it was fish!
Mu Fei, gazing at the dark purple dream butterflies, said with awe, “So this Spirit Transformation stage fish was brought here by Young Master Jiang?”
“It seems so,” Ji Yan said, appearing beside them.
The butterflies drove the enormous white jade fish forward, the pungent smell nearly overwhelming the disciples of both sects.
Jiang Wan Sheng, his mind still on Shi Zi Chu, paid little attention to the fish.
Chu Zhi Rou’s hopes were shattered in that moment.
As she watched Jiang Wan Sheng’s graceful and nimble movements, a bitter resentment brewed inside her.
This was supposed to be her pawn.