Chapter 369: Integrity Cannot Fill the Stomach
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Second Elder, your dancing is terrible. Your hips aren’t swaying enough.”
“Third Elder, now that’s something! Look at that posture! At your age, you can still twist like that… impressive.”
“Ahh! I regret this so much. Why did I have to be so nosy and watch these old men dance…?”
“My eyes! They’ve been tainted!” Lu Chao Chao covered her face with both hands, fingers spread wide as she peeked through, voicing her complaints while still watching with great enthusiasm.
General Lou turned away, unable to bear the sight. “Why are they even baring their shoulders and throwing flirtatious glances?”
“Second Elder, your dentures fell out!”
These old men, who always relied on their seniority to suppress others, had now been completely subdued by Lu Chao Chao.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
A heavy presence approached.
The ground trembled, making it difficult for anyone to stand firm. Lou Jin Tang quickly stepped forward to steady Lu Chao Chao, who…
…frantically reached out to protect her little snack.
“It’s Bai Ze, the Old Ancestor!” a Lou Family disciple exclaimed in shock.
The Bai Ze was covered in pure white fur, resembling a majestic lion. Its entire being exuded an air of nobility and mystery. Its eyes sparkled like the brightest stars in the night sky, gleaming with boundless wisdom.
A pair of snow-white wings folded behind its back, an aura of absolute supremacy radiating from its form as it gazed upon the world with disdain.
The First Elder had begged and pleaded before the Bai Ze finally agreed to make an appearance.
Now, standing atop the Bai Ze’s back, the First Elder wielded his Spirit Sword, performing an elegant sword dance.
The other elders ground their teeth in frustration. “He’s using the fact that he raised Bai Ze to coax the Old Ancestor into helping him! Despicable!”
“Shameless!” they fumed with jealousy and frustration.
Meanwhile, the plump little bird perched on Lu Chao Chao’s shoulder fluttered its wings and flew toward Bai Ze.
Its body was round, its eyes wide and bright.
“Big dummy, can you talk?”
Bai Ze cast a haughty glance at it, utterly disinclined to respond.
The Mystic Swallow flapped its wings and chirped in its soft, baby-like voice, “Oh! A mute! A mute!”
“You’re the mute!” came a deep, steady voice, sending a shudder through the Mystic Swallow, which quickly retreated back to Lu Chao Chao’s shoulder.
“Scared me to death! Scared me to death!”
“Chao Chao! Chao Chao! Hug me! Comfort me!” The bird desperately sought affection, nestling against Lu Chao Chao’s cheek.
The Bai Ze’s fur shimmered brilliantly, its divine beast aura overwhelming and mysterious.
“Mystic Swallow, you carry the bloodline of a divine beast, yet you willingly degrade yourself to be a mere pet for mortals?” Bai Ze’s voice was ancient and deep, like the tolling of an ancient bell.
The Mystic Swallow flapped its wings, rubbing against Lu Chao Chao with single-minded devotion.
Warmth spread through Lu Chao Chao’s heart.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of Spirit Grains, setting them on the table. “Jiu Jiu, take your time eating.” She even poured it a cup of Spirit Spring Tea.
Then, she hopped off her chair and walked toward Bai Ze.
“Chao Chao, be careful. Bai Ze Old Ancestor has a terrible temper…” Lou Jin Tang whispered anxiously.
Even the First Elder grew nervous, worried that Bai Ze might lash out in violence.
Lu Chao Chao rummaged through her robe and pulled out a strip of Spirit Beast Jerky. Standing on tiptoes, she asked in a crisp voice, “Little Bai Ze, can I touch your tail? I’ll trade you this jerky—it’s really tasty!”
Bai Ze spared it a glance. Oh, Spirit Fox Meat…
That was the most common kind of spirit beast meat in ancient times. Did she think a mere scrap of it was enough to touch his noble tail?!
The First Elder quickly intervened, “Princess Sunshine, Bai Ze’s reverse scale is its tail. If you touch it, it may trigger its feral instincts. That would be dangerous.”
Lu Chao Chao paused, then casually lifted the lid of a nearby Spirit Wine jar. A thick, intoxicating fragrance filled the air.
Bai Ze…
…swallowed hard.
The pride of a divine beast was priceless.
Lu Chao Chao sighed and reached into her pocket again, pulling out a handful of glowing, verdant Moonlight Grass, which radiated an extraordinary aura.
“Would you like some Moonlight Grass?”
She then slapped her forehead in realization and sighed, “Ah, I forgot! Bai Ze is a carnivore. You don’t eat…” Before she could finish, Bai Ze suddenly lowered its massive head, prostrating itself on the ground.
With one swift motion, it snatched the Moonlight Grass from her hands, its eyes gleaming with hunger and reverence.
Moonlight Grass!
It only grew beside Spirit Springs, absorbing their essence for a thousand years before maturing! Even in ancient times, a single blade of Moonlight Grass was enough to spark a bloodbath!
And she… had a whole handful?!
The Bai Ze’s once-proud spine bent in an instant, its tail even starting to wag to show its friendliness.
Integrity?
What integrity?!
This divine beast had never even heard of such a thing!
Moonlight Grass wasn’t the scary part—the truly terrifying thing was that it only grew near Spirit Springs. If she had this much of it… what did that mean?
She had a Spirit Spring!
Which meant… its golden age had arrived!
Its salvation had come!
“You want to touch this divine beast’s tail?” Bai Ze eagerly raised its tail high like an offering.
The First Elder: ???
“Didn’t you say your tail was your reverse scale?” The First Elder’s face turned purple with disbelief.
Bai Ze, shamelessly: “You danced! Do you think my reverse scale still matters?!”
The First Elder…
He watched in utter despair as Bai Ze transformed from a proud, untouchable being into an obedient, affectionate creature, making Lu Chao Chao burst into laughter.
Curse it!
Such humiliation!
“Princess Sunshine, may I ask you a question? Could you perhaps share a little insight?” The First Elder saw her playing happily with Bai Ze, exchanged glances with the others, and cautiously stepped forward.
Lu Chao Chao distractedly dangled the Moonlight Grass in front of Bai Ze, not really paying attention. “Speak.”
“Was the High God Xian Ting of the Ming Family summoned by you?” The crowd’s eyes burned with anticipation.
Lu Chao Chao didn’t hesitate. “Yeah.”
The elders exchanged grave looks, seeing the weight of the revelation reflected in each other’s eyes.
The Old Emperor… had miscalculated.
“We heard the Ming Family received two pieces of Top-Grade Spirit Stone. Do you know where they came from? Such an enormous fortune, and not a single whisper of it before.”
The Lou Family elders had been so envious of the Ming Family’s windfall that they hadn’t slept all night.
“Oh, that? It was a meeting gift!”
“I brought it from Northern Zhao! It was inside the brocade boxes you all refused to accept!” Lu Chao Chao looked at them innocently.
The Lou elders froze.
General Lou’s voice trembled, “You don’t mean… those dozens of brocade boxes, do you?”
“Yeah! A meeting gift from Northern Zhao!”
“Each family got two stones.”
“The Ming Family took two boxes, so they got four!”
General Lou nearly fainted, clutching the table for support. Bodhisattva above, the Lou Family had desperately longed for Top-Grade Spirit Stones, yet they had turned them away!
Tears nearly spilled from his eyes.
He wanted nothing more than to slap himself.
“There was once an enormous fortune before me, yet I failed to grasp it. Now that it is lost, I can only regret it for eternity…”
“Ancestor, is it still possible to ask for a meeting gift now?” General Lou looked at her pitifully.
“If not… I can dance, too!” His expression was that of a man prepared for martyrdom. His dignity? Gone!
Lu Chao Chao hurriedly waved her hands. “Fine! Fine! Just don’t dance!”
“Watching this dance alone should wipe my sins clean for a lifetime…” Lu Chao Chao sighed dramatically.