Chapter 170
Chapter 170: Second Senior Sister’s Thoughtful Intentions
When Shi Zi Chu returned, dragging the two halves of the white jade fish behind her, Liang Wei Sheng and Chu Zhi Rou were still busy killing the remaining swarm of golden core stage white jade fish.
Jiang Wan Sheng cast a curious glance at the smoothly sliced edges, unable to conceal his curiosity as he looked toward Shi Zi Chu.
“What’s wrong?” Shi Zi Chu asked.
Jiang Wan Sheng walked over and gently grasped Shi Zi Chu’s palm, examining it closely, “Qing Qing, those silk threads you used—was that a water control technique?”
It seemed like water control, but also resembled puppet manipulation, appearing incredibly powerful.
“Water Puppet Technique,” Shi Zi Chu replied softly, and as she spoke, water-blue silk threads emerged from her palm.
In an instant, Jiang Wan Sheng felt his arm stiffen, unable to move on his own. Guided by the silk threads, his arm slowly rose.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes held no fear or panic, only amazement.
Fu Qi Xiu glanced sideways.
Noticing Jiang Wan Sheng’s expression filled only with wonder, without any trace of pain, a thoughtful glint flickered through Fu Qi Xiu’s eyes.
[Shi Zi Chu’s arcane technique is stronger than I anticipated. It must be at least demi-god rank… or perhaps even god rank!]
The silk threads vanished, and Jiang Wan Sheng quickly caught Shi Zi Chu’s hand, exclaiming, “How interesting!”
Seeing Jiang Wan Sheng eagerly wanting another try, Shi Zi Chu lightly brushed his hand away, redirecting her gaze toward the two pieces of fish.
Jiang Wan Sheng tossed out his star gem. The useless flesh was swiftly devoured by the star gem, while Jiang Wan Sheng gathered the useful bones and spirit beast core into a storage pouch, handing it over.
At this point, Chu Zhi Rou and Liang Wei Sheng finally finished off the rest of the white jade fish. Liang Wei Sheng had Qing Yu, and Chu Zhi Rou wielded the Azure Luan sword, so both emerged relatively unscathed.
After stowing away their spoils, both took out spirit supplementing pills and swallowed them.
Meng Xi Yu gave them some time to rest and adjust their breaths.
As they waited, Guan Zhuang and several Buddhist cultivators appeared in view.
After exchanging greetings, Guan Zhuang put his hands together in prayer and recited a Buddhist mantra, “To meet here is surely fate. How about we travel together?”
Jiang Wan Sheng turned his head to Shi Zi Chu.
Meng Xi Yu intended to ask Shi Zi Chu’s opinion but was stopped by her subtle glance.
“I brought disciples here for training,” Meng Xi Yu answered politely. “If the Buddhist disciples don’t mind, we welcome you.”
“What a coincidence,” Guan Zhuang calmly replied, “this humble monk also brought a few junior brothers for practice. Then we shall shamelessly join your group.”
Meng Xi Yu nodded lightly and turned her gaze to Shi Zi Chu.
Recalling the map, Shi Zi Chu spoke up, “Let’s go this way. We can enter the middle zone and find a resting place.”
Chu Zhi Rou stood up from meditating, quickly greeting Guan Zhuang and the other Buddhist cultivators politely with a bow.
After exchanging these courtesies, everyone moved deeper into the marsh.
The route into the middle zone couldn’t be called peaceful; it was swarming with spirit beasts.
It took a while before Jiang Wan Sheng and Meng Xi Yu finally realized the truth.
She had done this on purpose!
In just half a day, Chu Zhi Rou and several Buddhist cultivators had been constantly slaying spirit beasts.
Only Liang Wei Sheng, who had a soul-contract spirit beast, had it slightly easier.
After once again killing a swarm of blood moon eels, Liao Xin finally questioned, “Daoist Shi, do you really know the way?”
Shi Zi Chu effortlessly swept away a group of blood moon eels with a flick of her spiritual energy. She turned, smiling gently, “What’s wrong?”
“The beasts have not stopped appearing along this entire route! Are you deliberately leading us into their den?” Liao Xin retorted, waving his staff to purify another swarm of attacking blood moon eels.
“I thought everyone came here precisely to gain practical combat experience,” Shi Zi Chu innocently replied. “Besides, this path is indeed the quickest to reach the middle zone.”
Liao Xin nearly coughed blood out of frustration.
Chu Zhi Rou, whose arms trembled slightly from slaying spirit beasts, shot a fierce glance toward Shi Zi Chu.
[She definitely did this on purpose!]
Chu Zhi Rou took a deep breath before saying, “Second Senior Sister did this for our own good.”
“It was originally for your benefit,” Shi Zi Chu replied warmly, refusing to let Chu Zhi Rou twist her intentions. “Blood moon eels swarm the Blue Rain Marsh; I only hoped you’d overcome your fear. The beasts here might be plentiful, but they’re only golden core stage.”
Her meaning was clear—I’m your kind senior sister, thinking solely about my junior sister’s welfare. If anyone’s to blame for your hardships, it’s Chu Zhi Rou.
Chu Zhi Rou knew exactly what Shi Zi Chu intended, but she forced herself to smile, “Second Senior Sister’s intentions are truly thoughtful.”
Liao Xin didn’t dare speak up again, mainly because a Buddhist disciple had calmly glanced his way.
Indeed, Shi Zi Chu hadn’t lied—though full of spirit beasts, this was undeniably the quickest route to the middle zone.
Shortly after entering the middle zone, a large patch of solid ground appeared before them.
Meng Xi Yu checked the area carefully, then nodded toward Shi Zi Chu, “We can send out the signal flare for the others to gather here.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Meng Xi Yu released the signal flare, and brilliant sparks pierced through the dense, heavy mist.
Chu Zhi Rou gazed admiringly up at Shi Zi Chu, her pure and lovely face filled with genuine awe, “Second Senior Sister is so impressive! You found a safe resting place as soon as we entered the middle zone.”
Shi Zi Chu gave a small smile.
“The fog in the middle zone seems thicker than the outer areas,” Chu Zhi Rou glanced around before cautiously asking, “Second Senior Sister, can your octagonal palace lantern illuminate the area?”
Shi Zi Chu immediately realized Chu Zhi Rou’s hidden intentions and replied with a gentle smile, “I don’t know.”
Sitting nearby, Guan Zhuang turned abruptly toward the fog, “Someone’s approaching.”
Just as he finished speaking, a tall, upright figure emerged clearly from the mist.
Fu Qi Xiu, previously relaxed, instantly grew alert, muscles beneath his robes silently tensing, ready to strike.
“What octagonal palace lantern?” Ye Chi Wei asked with a friendly smile.
Chu Zhi Rou had no choice but to stand and respectfully greet Ye Chi Wei.
Ye Chi Wei ignored Chu Zhi Rou, directly addressing Shi Zi Chu, “Daoist Shi really has a talent for avoiding questions.”
Chu Zhi Rou, disregarded completely, simply sat down again, her lowered eyes filled with quiet calculation.
Shi Zi Chu sighed helplessly, “I originally didn’t wish to come. Unfortunately, Master commanded me to watch over Wei Sheng’s training and provide help if needed.”
Liang Wei Sheng, suddenly used as an excuse, glanced at Shi Zi Chu briefly before quietly resuming grooming Qing Yu’s feathers.
Ye Chi Wei seemed to accept this explanation, smiling lightly, “Daoist Shi wouldn’t mind if I join you, would you?”
“Of course not,” Shi Zi Chu smiled softly.
Ye Chi Wei sat down and asked curiously, “Daoist Shi, just what kind of octagonal palace lantern could interest Eldest Miss Ye so much?”
Shi Zi Chu gave a faint laugh and took the lantern out from her snake bracelet.
Ye Chi Wei’s eyebrows rose slightly.
[An immortal-rank magic artifact? Chu Zhi Rou set her sights on something like this?]
Guan Zhuang was similarly captivated.
The mother-of-pearl octagonal palace lantern seemed to sense something and suddenly began spinning, its inner glow growing brighter.
Shi Zi Chu lifted her gaze.
Seeing Guan Zhuang’s reaction, Chu Zhi Rou instantly knew the Heroine System was right again.
[System, why did Jiang Wan Sheng get this lantern?] Chu Zhi Rou asked internally, secretly plotting.
?His fortune is quite high,?System 003 responded calmly. ?It’s not strange for him to possess such an artifact.?
Hearing this, Chu Zhi Rou grew more determined to win over Jiang Wan Sheng.
System 003 spoke again: ?There will soon be a beast tide, offering you the perfect chance to reclaim this artifact.?
Chu Zhi Rou paused, a flicker of fear quickly replaced by excited anticipation. Staring at the lantern in Shi Zi Chu’s hands, a determined look gleamed brightly in her eyes.