Xie Xuan Yu: What she offered was simply too much…
The fragrance from the girl’s hair was rich and intense, wrapping around the tip of his nose the moment she approached. It was like a fine, dense net, impossible to escape, ensnaring his breath layer by layer.
She said, “The reward from the trial is of great importance to me. Both of us are among the best of our peers. Rather than fighting fiercely, why not cooperate? This bag of spirit stones is a token of my sincerity for our collaboration. I wonder if you would agree?”
“Why should I agree?”
“I’m not demanding your agreement. I’m discussing it with you.”
She emphasized the word “discussing” with a light bite, her expression utterly serious: “Discussing whether, if you haven’t already formed a team, you might consider me. I don’t know how many spirit stones it would take to move you, but could I trouble you to accompany me for a few days?”
He lowered his head and saw her dark, luminous eyes brimming with light.
His impression of this princess of the Phoenix Bird Clan, who had repeatedly confronted him, was that of a haughty, overbearing troublemaker, always surrounded by various admirers, basking in the feeling of being the center of attention—no different from those Spirit Cultivators who boasted of their noble origins and bullied others with their influence.
But now, the eyes gazing at him held not a trace of arrogance, nor had she ever done the cruel deeds outsiders accused her of.
This was the first time Xie Xuan Yu had observed her so closely.
“Why?” he asked.
“I can’t say much, but in short, I must obtain the healing treasure, and you are the best partner for this. If you want something else—a Magical Treasure or a Spiritual Elixir—just tell me, and I can exchange it with you.”
She took a booklet from her Qiankun bag and handed it to him.
Xie Xuan Yu accepted it, flipped through a few pages casually, then raised an eyebrow to look at her.
Xi Ling said, “I’ve treasured this Secret Art booklet for many years. It records ancient Secret Arts, many of which have been lost. Each set, once practiced, yields miraculous effects. I’ve never shown it to anyone before.”
Her tone lifted slightly: “Xie Xuan Yu, I’m giving this to you. Will you join me?”
Spirit stones, treasures, Spiritual Elixirs, even the Secret Art booklet left by ancestors—she laid them all out, her sincerity undeniable.
Xi Ling waited for a response, and so did the people in the courtyard.
Hiding behind the door, two people and a cat held their breath. One of them whispered, “What is the boss discussing with the Phoenix Bird Clan princess, standing so close? Cat Master, your ears are sharp. Listen quickly.”
“Little Azure Luan took out spirit stones. It seems she wants to buy our boss.”
“Buy… what?” The speaker’s voice trembled.
“Buy the boss to accompany her for several days and nights.”
“Several days and nights?”
Cat Master grinned, revealing two sharp teeth, and made a series of clawing motions toward Xi Ling’s back from a distance: “Yes, Little Azure Luan also handed the boss a Secret Art booklet, saying she wants to practice the Secret Arts with him. She never shows this booklet to anyone.”
What kind of Secret Art requires two people to practice together?
Seeing Cat Master so certain, Zong Yuan’s heart pounded like a drum.
Practicing Secret Arts together for several days and nights? Weren’t they supposed to be sworn rivals?
But why was the boss still talking to Little Azure Luan, seemingly without any intention of refusing?
Zong Yuan’s scalp tingled. He glanced back at Cang Xingzhou and noticed a fine layer of sweat on the other’s forehead.
Cat Master made a shushing gesture: “Don’t speak. There’s a barrier outside the courtyard, so I can’t hear very clearly anyway.”
Over there, the two stood beneath the flowering tree—one tall and upright, the other graceful and ethereal. To an outsider unaware of the circumstances, they would surely appear a perfect match. Yet, the more harmonious they looked standing together, the more eerie it felt.
Xie Xuan Yu did not answer, gazing at the person before him.
Xi Ling, sensing the gazes of several people behind the door from the corner of her eye, felt rather uneasy. She stammered, “This is the first half of the secret manual. The second half is with me. Once the matter is settled, I will definitely give it to you. Do you want it or not?”
Xie Xuan Yu said, “I’ll think about it.”
Think about it? What is there to think about, Xie Xuan Yu? You’re still pretending.
Xi Ling took a step closer, reaching out to take back the manual. “If you don’t want it, give it back. I’ll find someone else.”
Xie Xuan Yu asked, “You want to enter the secret realm with me?”
Xi Ling’s fingertips curled slightly, her heart warming under the gaze of his dark eyes.
Hearing him ask the question again felt entirely different from when she had said it herself.
Xi Ling nodded and hummed in agreement.
Xie Xuan Yu said, “Fine.”
“Really?” A light flickered in Xi Ling’s eyes. She hadn’t expected him to agree so easily. She shoved the bag of spirit stones in her hand into the arms of the person opposite her. “This is for you.”
She conjured another bag. “This is for you too!”
“Xie Xuan Yu, we have a deal. You can’t go back on your word!”
Outside the courtyard, spirits were high, while inside, faces were clouded with gloom.
Cat Master’s expression darkened. “Why is that Little Azure Luan so happy? It feels like she’s about to turn into a little bird and fly circles around her master.”
“Did the boss really agree?”
“Just for a few spirit stones?”
The Phoenix Bird Clan princess, her eyes brimming with joy, waved goodbye to the boss before leaving, the sway of her skirt clearly showing her happiness. Everyone was stunned.
After Xi Ling left, the two men and the cat hurriedly gathered around.
Wo Long, realizing belatedly, flew out from inside the house. “What are you saying? The boss is going to be with the Little Azure Luan!”
Cat Master swatted Wo Long with a paw. “Nonsense! That Little Azure Luan wants to enter the secret realm with the boss, buying a few days of his time with spirit stones.”
Zong Yuan thought he had misheard. “Enter the secret realm?”
Xie Xuan Yu frowned. “What else?”
“N-nothing…” Zong Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, following him into the house. “But why would the boss agree to Xi Ling? Even I haven’t had the chance to team up with the boss. What method did she use to make him agree?”
Zong Yuan held his breath, waiting, only to hear Xie Xuan Yu slowly say, “What she offered… was simply too much.”
Simply, too much.
Two sacks of top-grade spirit stones, ten top-grade treasures, and a secret treasure manual, all to be doubled upon completion.
Yes, indeed. Zong Yuan forced a smile, looking at the man before him, who lazily picked up birdseed to feed Diao Diao.
Their boss, Xie Xuan Yu, was no lofty immortal lord detached from worldly affairs. He was short on funds, had a family to support, a mountain of Spirit Pets to care for, and occasionally had to help out his fellow students.
On the back mountain alone, those few Spirit Beasts—though they looked like little goats—were actually transformed Ancient Beasts, akin to money pits, requiring Xie Xuan Yu to spend vast amounts of spirit stones daily to sustain them.
Now that someone was delivering spirit stones to his doorstep, how could he refuse?
Zong Yuan crossed his arms, looking at the three sacks of spirit stones on the ground. “But where did the little princess get so many spirit stones? Does her father give her that much pocket money?”
As for where Xi Ling got so many spirit stones, that could be a story told over days and nights.
Aside from the small portion given by her father, most were saved up by herself.
The fastest way to earn money among them was selling feathers.
The Qingluan bird’s feathers were stunningly beautiful, shimmering under the light like rippling water. If made into clothing, they could repel water and fire, and in emergencies, even transform into a wall of flames to fend off enemies.
If not naturally shed, Xi Ling would never have been willing to sell them.
Returning to her bedchamber in high spirits, Xi Ling hadn’t expected Xie Xuan Yu to agree so quickly. The reluctance she felt after selling her feathers and gifting the hard-earned spirit stones was greatly eased.
She had originally kept a backup plan, intending to transform into a little parrot to persuade him, but now that part was unnecessary.
Xi Ling began preparing the items she would bring into the secret realm.
The rules for this trial were extremely restrictive. Each person was limited to ten items, prohibited from bringing powerful lethal weapons or high-level magical treasures. Only self-made talismans were allowed, making the experience more akin to primitive combat once inside the secret realm.
For Xi Ling, Spiritual Elixirs were a must—without them, her Spiritual Power would wane, and she would revert to her parrot form in front of everyone.
After careful selection, half of her ten items were Spiritual Elixirs. The rest were the most satisfactory talismans she had crafted, all made before her fortune was stolen, each imbued with potent Spiritual Power.
Clapping her hands, Xi Ling looked at her packed belongings, wondering how Xie Xuan Yu was preparing on his end.
She transformed into a little parrot, intending to check on him, when her body suddenly sensed a summons—her master was calling the Spirit Pet home.
“Feng Chu, you’ve been out playing so much you’ve forgotten how to come home!”
As soon as Xi Ling returned, Wo Long began chattering incessantly in her ear.
Ignoring him, Xi Ling flew to the table.
Xie Xuan Yu wasn’t in the outer room, but his bundle was already packed. Opening it, she found a sword and a few pieces of flatbread—nothing else. Not a single magical treasure in sight.
Was this enough? Even the sword didn’t look particularly special.
Cat Master jumped onto the table and said, “The boss says this sword may look simple, but it’s incredibly stylish in a fight. Once we enter the secret realm, everyone outside will be able to see every move we make.”
Xi Ling snorted. Was he not bringing any treasures because he thought winning with the simplest methods would make him look the coolest?
Cat Master repacked the bundle and placed it on the shelf, sighing, “With the boss away, I’ll have to take care of all those big beasts on the back mountain alone starting the day after tomorrow.” What a headache.”
Wo Long approached Xi Ling, a bamboo ball in his mouth. “Look, this is a toy the boss bought for me. Do you have one?”
Thump. The little parrot pulled out a pink gemstone forehead chain and stuck it to her face.
Wo Long understood instantly, tears welling in his eyes as he burst into loud sobs. “Why did the boss buy this for you?!”
When Xie Xuan Yu emerged from the inner room, he saw the little parrot standing with her hands on her hips, triumphant and proud, like a little lion.
Cat Master approached and asked, “Are you going out tonight, boss?”
“Not tonight.”
Xie Xuan Yu sat down, his thumb brushing open a book. The faint candlelight illuminated his profile as he gazed at the Secret Art manual and murmured softly, “I’ve taken someone’s spirit stones, so I must do the job well. Shouldn’t I conserve my energy for it?”
The little parrot chirped in approval.
Cat Master scooped up the little parrot and stuffed her into the cage. “It’s late. Time for you to sleep. Don’t disturb the boss while he’s reading.”
As the black cloth fell, Xi Ling burrowed into her little blanket, thinking Xie Xuan Yu really had good sense.
Now, this was the attitude of someone who took money and got the job done.
After a restful night’s sleep, Xi Ling was awakened by a crisp sound early the next morning.
She rubbed her eyes with her wings and glanced around the room. The sound of splashing water came from the inner chamber, as if someone was bathing. Cat Master was outside playing with the puppy, unaware of the jade slip ringing inside.
“Chirp chirp!” she called out, but her voice was quickly drowned out by the water.
With no other choice, Xi Ling decided to answer the jade slip herself. She pushed open the cage door, flew over to the jade slip, and stepped on it with her claw. A voice immediately burst from the other end.
“Boss, boss, it’s Zong Yuan. Last night, Cang Xingzhou and I also received a big request, but we didn’t dare accept it without reporting to you first.”
Xi Ling turned her head. Xie Xuan Yu was bathing in the inner chamber, so she couldn’t carry the jade slip over to him.
“Boss, boss, are you listening?”
On the other end, Zong Yuan scratched his head in confusion when he received no reply. Just as he hesitated to hang up, a voice spoke up: “Yes, that’s right, it’s me, your boss, Xie Xuan Yu.”
The voice was hoarse and sounded a bit odd, but it was unmistakably Xie Xuan Yu’s tone. Jade slips sometimes didn’t transmit voices very clearly.
Xie Xuan Yu asked, “Whose request is it?”
Zong Yuan lowered his voice. “It’s Xi Ling’s.”
He paused. “Xi Ling sent us a message via jade slip yesterday evening, asking us to help her with her homework. She’s fallen behind on her studies lately. I thought about refusing, but then I finally understood how you felt. She really—”
“Offered too much.”
Zong Yuan wondered if he was hearing things, as he seemed to hear a faint “hmph” from the other end, sounding quite smug.
“But boss, I still wanted to ask you—can Xingzhou and I accept this request?”
“Of course you can. Help me take good care of her. I’ve already accepted her spirit stones and agreed to enter the secret realm with her. You should accept them too. From now on, treat Xi Ling as your second boss.”
Zong Yuan: “Xi Ling? We take care of her? Treat her as a second boss?”
The voice on the other end replied, “Didn’t you hear me clearly?”
Yes, that was the unmistakably lazy tone.
Zong Yuan gritted his teeth. “Understood.”
The glow of the jade slip dimmed. Xi Ling withdrew her claw, but just then, the jade slip lit up with a green light again.
Xi Ling activated the jade slip. “What now?”
“Xie Xuan Yu, you seriously injured our boss in the forest yesterday. You and your teammates better watch out in the secret realm tomorrow!” The voice was filled with resentment.
Xi Ling wondered who it was—oh, it was those male cultivators who had been bullying others in the forest yesterday.
Picking a fight with Xie Xuan Yu was one thing, but did they even know who he was teamed up with now?
“Yes, yes, it’s me. I’m Xie Xuan Yu.”
Xi Ling lifted her wing, bringing the jade slip close to her beak, imitating Xie Xuan Yu’s leisurely tone. “Ah, so you’re unhappy with me? And then what? Going to kill me?”
“…”
Silence fell on the other end. After a long pause, a trembling voice spoke up, seemingly addressing someone else on the other end of the jade slip: “Boss, Xie Xuan Yu said if you’re not satisfied, you should go to the secret realm and kill him.”
Behind the jade slip, the group exchanged glances. Damn it, Xie Xuan Yu was at the Immortal Rank—how could they possibly kill him?
The voice abruptly cut off, and the jade slip’s light dimmed once more.
Xi Ling set down the jade slip, thinking it was finally over. But when she turned around, her body froze.
A tall figure stood by the door curtain. Xie Xuan Yu had emerged at some point.
Fresh from his bath, he had changed into a green robe, his dark hair cascading loosely. Droplets of water trailed down his jade-white cheeks.
Those deep, captivating eyes narrowed slightly, staring straight at it.