Chapter 186
Chapter 186: First, Make a Complaint
Looking into Xing Lan’s eyes, which were filled with undisguised concern and longing, Shi Zi Chu smiled softly, “Disciple is fine, but Master… Master, were you hurt by the heavenly tribulation?”
Heavenly tribulation? Hurt?
What heavenly tribulation?
Venerable Xing Lan was already in the tribulation-crossing stage. Where would a heavenly tribulation come from?
“Not long ago, Venerable Xing Lan’s life-bound sword—Ruheng—successfully crossed the heavenly tribulation and has now become a god-ranked spirit sword!”
Sect Master Meng’s words were like a thunderclap out of the blue.
A divine sword?!
Except for Shi Zi Chu and the venerables who had arrived after hearing the news, the others were dumbfounded.
What is this?!
A divine artifact???
They had worked hard through the ruins, yet they hadn’t even seen a demi-god rank magic artifact, while Venerable Xing Lan had quietly forged a divine sword?!
“I am fine,” a cold, deep voice sounded.
Looking at Shi Zi Chu with full concern, Xing Lan’s usual indifference softened. With a thought, Ruheng, his sword, floated by his side.
The divine sword, forged like frosty snow, gleamed with radiant light, a thing of beauty.
In an instant, every sword cultivator present felt their life-bound swords hum in unison, as if in reverence or fear.
Shi Zi Chu didn’t sense the sharpness or pressure of the divine sword; she only felt that Ruheng was incredibly beautiful.
Think… cough, cough, this is Master’s life-bound sword, I can’t take it.
Shi Zi Chu quickly suppressed her urge to seize Ruheng and, with a mischievous look, reached her hand out.
Since I can’t take it, at least I can touch it, right?
Xing Lan intercepted her hand and gently tapped the back of her hand in warning.
The divine sword was sharp. Was she really not afraid of being hurt?
Shi Zi Chu could only withdraw her hand, her brows furrowing, her bright eyes clouded with a layer of gloom.
Putting Ruheng away, Xing Lan reached out to wrap his arm around Shi Zi Chu’s waist and tore through space to leave.
Huh?
No way? They’re leaving just like this?!
Did Venerable Xing Lan make a special detour to Blue Rain Marsh just for Shi Zi Chu??
Is this right!!
Before anyone could react, the Ascending Towers Island, floating above the clouds, dispersed like mist.
“Ascending Towers Island is gone?!”
“The ruins are over?”
As Ascending Towers Island disappeared, everyone’s gaze fell on Chu Zhi Rou, and the battle for the magic artifacts was about to break out.
…
Jade Void Sect
Rising Succession Peak, the main peak, back mountain.
Noticing that Shi Zi Chu was barefoot, Xing Lan simply picked her up and carried her toward the main house.
Inside, he placed her on the Luohan bed and sat on the other side.
Shi Zi Chu moved the vase from the low table to the corner and then began placing the heavenly treasures from Ascending Towers Island on the table.
Xue Gu had devoured the entire ruin, and the heavenly treasures within Ascending Towers Island had been moved into its spatial storage ring.
Heavenly treasures were scattered everywhere. If they weren’t cleaned up properly, Xue Gu would definitely wake up to find a mess and make a displeased face.
The sounds of clinking and clattering filled the air, and the low table was barely large enough for everything.
Xing Lan raised his hand slightly to stop her, his gaze towards Shi Zi Chu full of inquiry.
Before long, both the Luohan bed and the floor were covered with things, and the neat space had become disordered.
“Jiu Jiu, enough,” Xing Lan finally spoke up, realizing that if he didn’t stop her, there wouldn’t be any place left for anything.
Shi Zi Chu responded with a soft “Oh,” though she seemed reluctant to stop.
Xing Lan’s gaze swept over the cluttered room, his cold, indifferent tone carrying a touch of helplessness. “Jiu Jiu, what are you doing?”
“Getting things for Master!” Shi Zi Chu replied obediently, with a serious expression. “Whatever Master likes, I’ll take it all! You can have everything!”
Xing Lan looked at the pile of things. His sharp, detached eyes softened slightly, and his calm heartbeat quickened a bit.
From the concern he had shown at Blue Rain Marsh to now, he could feel how much Jiu Jiu cared for him.
Looking at Xing Lan’s still cold and calm face, Shi Zi Chu sensed his good mood.
“Keep them for yourself,” Xing Lan said.
Shi Zi Chu nodded but didn’t hurry to put everything away.
Seeing her with that sweet, obedient expression, Xing Lan’s words changed course. “Jiu Jiu, is the collapse of the ruin related to you?”
After crossing his heavenly tribulation and forging the divine sword, Xing Lan headed straight to Blue Rain Marsh, with a group of venerables trailing behind, eager to congratulate him or test him.
At the Fuyou Tower, Sect Master Meng had mentioned what had happened recently. After confirming through the Lingchu Bell that Jiu Jiu wasn’t in danger, he had planned to wait until the ruin ended.
Then, the ruin suddenly collapsed, and he had no choice but to tear open the ruin and pull Jiu Jiu out.
The ruin had been stable, and its sudden collapse was strange. Now, seeing the heavenly treasures strewn everywhere, he couldn’t help but connect the collapse to Jiu Jiu.
“Yes,” Shi Zi Chu smiled brightly, her eyes curving with mischief and pride.
Looking at her smug face, Xing Lan’s frosty brows softened with a touch of helplessness.
“I can’t praise you for this,” his voice remained cold, but it held a hint of depth. “If you’re not careful, you could get… hmm?”
Looking at the gray light orb between Shi Zi Chu’s fingers, Xing Lan froze for a moment, his eyes becoming more complex.
“Spirit of Ascending Towers Island,” Shi Zi Chu raised her eyes, her bright, clear peach blossom eyes filled with innocence.
“…” Xing Lan raised a hand to rub his brow.
He understood now.
Jiu Jiu’s previous injuries weren’t caused by anyone else; she had brought them upon herself.
“Master, praise me~”
Shi Zi Chu’s voice softened as she stretched the last syllable, her bright eyes filled with expectation.
Not wanting to disappoint her, Xing Lan sighed and said, “Well done.”
Although it was a little perfunctory, Shi Zi Chu beamed with happiness.
“Master, are you injured?” She jumped down, then carefully walked around the things on the floor to stand before Xing Lan. “I want to check!”
Xing Lan reached out to grab her delicate hand. Her hand, smooth and soft as if without bones, slid through his fingers. He gently squeezed it before speaking, “I’m fine.”
Suddenly, Shi Zi Chu knelt and placed her knee on Xing Lan’s strong thigh, closing the previously proper distance between them, now awkwardly intimate.
In Xing Lan’s seemingly calm eyes, there stirred a deep, hidden desire.
Shi Zi Chu reached up and hooked her arm around Xing Lan’s neck, her voice soft and pleading, “I have something to say. I miss you, Master.”
Xing Lan responded with a low sound, his large hand gently patting her back in comfort, soothing her wordlessly.
The aloof and noble man seemed to soften, and in a place where Shi Zi Chu couldn’t see, a deep, passionate emotion flickered in his long, narrow eyes.
At that moment, the transmission talisman outside suddenly activated, and Sect Master Meng’s voice came through with a hint of frustration and fatigue. “Xing Lan! Those venerables are outside Rising Succession Peak! Is it appropriate to leave them hanging like this?”
The intimate and warm atmosphere in the room shattered, and Shi Zi Chu felt a wave of dissatisfaction rise within her.
But she also knew that Sect Master Meng had only contacted Xing Lan because the venerables had pestered him relentlessly.
“Go ahead and complain,” Xing Lan patted her head, showing no intention of getting up.
Though he had already heard much from Sect Master Meng, he still wanted to hear Jiu Jiu’s side of the story.
Shi Zi Chu, sitting on Xing Lan’s lap, rested her head against his neck. “Disciple isn’t complaining!”
Xing Lan chose not to expose her.
“Junior Sister Zhi Rou saved me once in Blue Rain Marsh, Master, you don’t know. Junior Sister has truly changed. She risked her life to save me without asking for anything in return.”
“Disciple and Clan Chief Ye have nothing between us, but Elder Ye Qing Zi probably misunderstood me. As for Elder Ye Cheng, he’s just protective of his daughter…”
Each of Shi Zi Chu’s words seemed kind and magnanimous, but in reality, they were a crafty way of complaining.