Chapter 204
Chapter 204: Growing Up, Wings Strengthened
Before long, the two arrived at Zui Feng Residence.
Upon entering, they encountered familiar faces.
Seeing Chu Zhi Rou’s somewhat listless aura and her tired, dejected expression, Shi Zi Chu took the initiative to speak. “Looking at the state of Junior Sister San, it seems like you didn’t rest well last night either?”
“Didn’t rest well either?”
Chu Zhi Rou, with a disheartened and somewhat defeated look on her face, glanced at Shi Zi Chu’s pale and clearly fatigued expression, and suddenly felt more awake. It seemed like Shi Zi Chu hadn’t rested well either!
Well, that made sense!
The root augmentation process was agonizing beyond words!
And to go from a genius with a single spiritual root to someone with mixed spiritual roots, the gap was huge enough to knock anyone down!
Seeing that Shi Zi Chu had fared worse than her last night, Chu Zhi Rou felt a sense of balance settle within her.
“Senior Sister Er, did something happen?” Chu Zhi Rou asked with concern.
Shi Zi Chu forced a smile, looking unconvincing. “Nothing happened.”
Chu Zhi Rou, with sisterly affection, stepped forward and took Shi Zi Chu’s hand. “Don’t lie to me, Senior Sister. We’re like family. Just tell me what’s going on, and I’ll help you carry the burden.”
Noticing the eagerness in Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes, as if she couldn’t wait to see her suffer, Shi Zi Chu pulled her hand away coldly.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Junior Sister San,” Shi Zi Chu’s smile grew even more strained. “I’m fine. I just didn’t rest well last night.”
Ye He Qi stood silently beside them, observing.
One of them was genuinely struggling, while the other was pretending.
It was hard to tell who truly had it worse.
Catching a glimpse of Shi Zi Chu’s pleading gaze, Ye He Qi, ever so tactful, spoke up. “Zhi Rou.”
At once, the seemingly caring, yet subtly pressuring attitude of Chu Zhi Rou vanished.
“Don’t leave your friends behind,” Ye He Qi’s voice was gentle and polite, but his words carried a certain distance. He gestured toward Shi Zi Chu, inviting her to go ahead.
Before Chu Zhi Rou could say anything, Ye He Qi and Shi Zi Chu had already reached the staircase. Soon, their figures disappeared around the corner.
In the private room.
The two had barely sat down when a knock came at the door.
“Honored guests, there is a visitor.”
Shi Zi Chu’s voice was soft as she replied, “Please come in.”
The attendant pushed the door open, and in rushed Yao Ruo Ruo, her face lit up with a sweet smile, exuding an adorable, youthful charm.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes crinkled in a smile. “Ruo Ruo!”
“Zi Chu!”
Yao Ruo Ruo hurried over and sat beside Shi Zi Chu, then nodded towards Ye He Qi. “Clan Chief Ye.”
Ye He Qi gave a polite nod in return.
Yao Ruo Ruo, her gaze lingering on the man quietly sipping tea, looked back at Shi Zi Chu with a question clearly written in her eyes.
She had thought it would be just Zi Chu, but now there was Clan Chief Ye as well.
Shi Zi Chu slightly turned her body and raised a hand to cover her mouth, speaking softly, “Clan Chief Ye said he’s treating us.”
Ye He Qi glanced at Shi Zi Chu with a playful glint in his eyes.
“Ah!” Yao Ruo Ruo laughed and slapped her chest in a carefree gesture. “I was the one who invited you to Supreme Virtue City, so I’ll treat you!”
“Daoist Yao is generous.” Ye He Qi’s voice was warm, but then his tone shifted. “However, Daoist Shi has already stated that she’s paying for this meal.”
Shi Zi Chu shot him a sideways glance.
Ye He Qi’s eyes narrowed in an affectionate, teasing way as he smiled gently.
“Eh?” Yao Ruo Ruo was taken aback.
For some reason, she suddenly felt somewhat out of place.
“Ruo Ruo,” Shi Zi Chu’s tone suddenly turned serious.
Yao Ruo Ruo, seeing this, instinctively straightened up, her posture becoming more formal.
“I suddenly grew two more spiritual roots.”
Shi Zi Chu’s tone held a trace of nervousness, her gaze fixed on Yao Ruo Ruo as if waiting for her reaction.
Yao Ruo Ruo froze for a moment before quickly asking, “Does it still hurt? Is something wrong? Zi Chu, you should have called me to the manor instead of making me come out to meet you!”
Her concerned questions, mixed with gentle scolding, made Shi Zi Chu feel helpless.
Sweet, coquettish Ruo Ruo was indeed an impatient one!
“I’m fine.” Shi Zi Chu shook her head, but her tone became softer, tinged with melancholy. “It’s just that I now have three spiritual roots.”
Yao Ruo Ruo let out a relieved breath, then wrapped her arm around Shi Zi Chu’s shoulder and said, “So what? You think I’ll stop being friends with you because of that?”
Looking at Shi Zi Chu’s somewhat guilty gaze, Yao Ruo Ruo suddenly grew upset.
“What do you take me for!” Yao Ruo Ruo’s face darkened, and she angrily pulled her arm away.
She crossed her arms and turned her head away from Shi Zi Chu, muttering, “Did I become your friend because of that?”
“Alright, Ruo Ruo, I’m sorry~” Shi Zi Chu leaned in, wrapping her arms around Yao Ruo Ruo’s neck.
Her soft voice made Yao Ruo Ruo’s heart flutter, her previously firm stance wavering.
Ugh, when Zi Chu acts this way, how could she possibly stay mad?
No!
Yao Ruo Ruo puffed up her cheeks, trying her best to look unaffected.
Shi Zi Chu’s tone was pitiful. “I’m just insecure. It’s not often I have a good friend like Ruo Ruo, and I’m afraid you’ll dislike me now that I’m a waste with mixed spiritual roots, and won’t want to hang out with me anymore.”
“Impossible!” Yao Ruo Ruo quickly rebutted, her eyes wide with concern.
Looking at Shi Zi Chu’s pitiful face, Yao Ruo Ruo couldn’t keep her composure any longer. Her frustration melted away, replaced by a strong sense of affection.
“Zi Chu is an extremely important friend to me!” Yao Ruo Ruo’s voice was serious and heartfelt. “This is just a small challenge. If you want to keep your spiritual roots, I’ll find you cultivation methods. If you want to cleanse them, I’ll find a Spirit Cleansing Pill for you!”
Shi Zi Chu leaned into Yao Ruo Ruo’s shoulder, her voice soft as she cooed, “Ruo Ruo, you’re too good to me~”
The delicate, flawless beauty of Shi Zi Chu’s face became even more mesmerizing, her sweet fragrance filling the air. With her soft, pleading tone, Yao Ruo Ruo couldn’t resist.
Her cheeks turned red, and she could feel the heat rising. She didn’t even need to touch her face to know how warm it had become.
Flustered and bashful, Yao Ruo Ruo couldn’t bring herself to look at Shi Zi Chu’s enchanting face.
Ye He Qi, meanwhile, took a sip of tea, watching the scene with quiet amusement.
With just a little effort, Shi Zi Chu could easily get Yao Ruo Ruo wrapped around her finger.
“Ah, I forgot to mention, Daoist Yao, could you pick a few dishes?” Ye He Qi’s calm, refined voice broke the moment.
If Shi Zi Chu kept going, there’d be trouble.
Yao Ruo Ruo cleared her throat, then added a couple of dishes she liked.
After the meal, Ye He Qi had business to attend to and left, while Shi Zi Chu and Yao Ruo Ruo went off to enjoy the rest of their day.
…
In the Ye Clan.
Chu Zhi Rou, who had been ‘invited’ back by a few elders, looked less than pleased.
Sitting in a chair, First Elder Ye, with a somewhat tender gaze, looked at her and said, “Our eldest miss has truly grown up.”
“Indeed, grown up, and her wings have become stronger.” Second Elder Ye chuckled beside him.
The other elders smiled, but didn’t speak.
The side hall was warm and pleasant, but the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Standing there, Chu Zhi Rou raised her eyes to meet the kindly expressions of the elders, feeling a chill in her heart.
The group led by First Elder Ye were loyal to her big brother. If they dared to humiliate her like this, it must have been with his tacit approval.
“Last night, Venerable Xing Lan nearly tore apart half of the Ye Clan. Now, everywhere needs repairing, and it requires spirit stones,” First Elder Ye said with a gentle smile. “Our eldest miss has always been compassionate, so I’m sure you have no objections to suspending your monthly allowance.”
Chu Zhi Rou opened her mouth to refuse, but a silent, suppressive aura filled the room.
The sharp, overwhelming presence made it clear that they were not asking, but informing her.