Ji Yuntong was still a young girl after all. Unable to out-argue Wang Zhi, her face flushed crimson, yet she could not force out a single retort.
Wang Zhi wore a triumphant sneer. Shoving past Ji Yuntong, he said to the clerk disciple, “Register Hou San.”
If they gave ground here, Steward Wang’s faction would only become more overbearing down the line, which would severely disadvantage Steward Fang in his contest for the elder position.
Ji Yuntong gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to risk everything and clash with Wang Zhi, an arm reached across and blocked her way.
Chu Shaoye stepped forward. “Hold on. Senior Brother Wang, young though I may be, I am no slouch at honest labor. How can you be so certain I cannot handle the duties of the medicinal garden?”
Wang Zhi regarded him at ease. “You certainly have some nerve. And how do you propose to prove your competence?”
Chu Shaoye replied, “Since we are both Spirit Lords, naturally we should prove it in the way of Spirit Lords. I am willing to duel Senior Brother Hou. Seven days from now, whichever of us wins shall have this duty in the medicinal garden.”
Wang Zhi narrowed his eyes. The boy was young and merely a Menial Disciple; his talent could hardly amount to much. Yet he actually dared to challenge Hou San to a duel.
If someone was courting death, Wang Zhi certainly would not stop him. In fact, he was only too glad to see it happen.
Wang Zhi let out a cold laugh. “Seeing as you have a bit of backbone, brat, I accept.
“However, this young master’s time is precious. I cannot waste it on lowly menial disciples like you. Seven days is too long. You get three.”
Chu Shaoye cupped his hands. “Three days it is.”
Wang Zhi flicked his sleeves and strode out of the Personnel Hall with Hou San in tow. “Three days from now, at the hour of the Snake, on the training ground of Diecui Peak.
“Ji Yuntong, you had better keep a close eye on this kid, lest he lose his nerve when the time comes and fail to show.”
Wang Zhi left with a hearty laugh. Ji Yuntong spat toward his retreating back. “Opening his mouth so wide—is he afraid he won’t catch any bird droppings?”
Chu Shaoye was amused by her words, earning himself a glare from Ji Yuntong.
“You can still laugh? Hou San may not be remarkably strong, but you have only just entered the sect and haven’t learned a thing. What do you plan to fight him with?”
The Personnel Hall was hardly the place for discussion, so Ji Yuntong led Chu Shaoye to a secluded bamboo grove.
“Summon your Natal Spirit Beast and let me have a look.”
The moment he appeared, the little fox leaned against Chu Shaoye’s calf, whining affectionately while swishing his fluffy, snow-white tail back and forth.
Ji Yuntong’s eyes lit up. She had never expected Chu Shaoye’s Natal Spirit Companion to be so adorable, and much of her anger faded. She asked Chu Shaoye, “May I pet him?”
Chu Shaoye nodded. “As long as Xuewu agrees.”
“So his name is Xuewu? A bit odd, but quite pleasant to the ear.”
She extended a hand toward the little fox. The little fox tilted his head, regarded her, and, seeing that she was a pretty young girl, graciously offered a paw.
Ji Yuntong squeezed the soft pads of his paw, instantly overwhelmed with bliss. “He’s so adorable! Is he a Snow Fox or a Moonlight Fox?”
Before Chu Shaoye could respond, she answered her own question. “A Snow Fox ought to have blue eyes, so he isn’t one. A Moonlight Fox should bear a crescent mark upon its forehead, so he isn’t that either. What other white foxes are there?”
“He is an Immaculate Fox.”
Ji Yuntong stared in astonishment. So this was the legendary Immaculate Fox. Thanks to Elder Hongyi, virtually the entire sect knew of this precious Spirit Beast.
“While an Immaculate Fox is rare and precious, its battle strength is unfortunately not very high. If this fox were Tier Two, you might have stood a chance against Hou San. Sadly, he is still a pup with only Tier One strength.”
Chu Shaoye replied, “Rest assured, Senior Sister Ji. Within three days, I will help Xuewu reach Tier Two.”
He was not merely boasting; he had solid grounds for his words. Earlier, the little fox had slain a Long-Tailed Pheasant with a single swipe of his paw, and even the Golden-Striped Treasure-Seeking Mouse had failed to elude his claws. It was plain that he stood on the verge of advancement.
Ji Yuntong knew nothing of this. She thought Chu Shaoye was a fearless novice, a little overconfident. Even so, she said nothing to contradict him or dampen his spirits.
Reaching into her Storage Bag, she produced a book and handed it to Chu Shaoye. “This is our sect’s Spirit Cultivation Method. Study it for now. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can ask me or attend lectures in the hall.
“Behind this bamboo grove lie our sect’s rear mountains. Disciples are permitted in the outer reaches, but without authorization, no one may enter the inner mountain. You can find a spot in the outer grounds to train your Spirit Beast.”
Having explained what was necessary, Ji Yuntong took off atop her Sunset Cloud Beast. She still had many errands to run, and she needed to inform her master of the duel as well.
Chu Shaoye put the manual away and was about to head toward the rear mountains when Ji Yuntong came flying back on her Sunset Cloud Beast, pulling up abruptly right before him. Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.
“Oh, right, I almost forgot!” Ji Yuntong produced a Beast Holding Pouch and handed it over. “Your Immaculate Fox cannot serve as a mount. Inside here is a Spirit Deer I tamed; I’ll lend it to you for now.”
Chu Shaoye cupped his hands in thanks. “Many thanks, Senior Sister Ji.”
Ji Yuntong waved a dismissive hand. “You were dragged into this on our account. If you hadn’t proposed a duel, I wouldn’t have known how to settle things today either. If anything, I should be thanking you.
“Hurry and cultivate. Make sure you beat that Hou San in three days! Just imagining the scowl on Wang Zhi’s face makes me happy.”
With that, Ji Yuntong truly departed, heading back to consult her master.
Chu Shaoye was merely a newly inducted Menial Disciple. No one expected him to defeat Hou San, so losing would hardly be a disgrace. But if he actually managed to win, it would be a resounding slap to Wang Zhi’s face.
Chu Shaoye was well aware that Ji Yuntong’s kindness was not entirely without self-interest. Nevertheless, he was the beneficiary of her help, and he felt genuine gratitude toward her.
The Crimson Firmament Sect’s rear mountains spanned a vast expanse. Chu Shaoye released the Spirit Deer and rode it for a little under half a shichen until he found a secluded spot devoid of human tracks.
The Spirit Deer lent to him by Ji Yuntong was a Tier Two wood-aligned Spirit Beast. It was covered in soft green fur, with pink petal-shaped markings along its back and branch-like antlers. It was exceedingly gentle.
Chu Shaoye retrieved two wild fruits from his Storage Bag to feed the deer, then recalled it into the Beast Holding Pouch.
The little fox was already bursting with anticipation and darted straight into the woods in search of prey.
Chu Shaoye followed closely behind with light steps. The spot he had chosen bordered a clear stream, and before long, they spotted an Ironhide Lizard drinking by the water’s edge.
A fully grown Ironhide Lizard reached Tier Three, spanning up to three meters in length, with an armored hide as tough as iron plating.
The one before them, however, measured only around two meters. It was likely still an adolescent, with strength comparable to Tier Two.
The little fox’s eyes sparkled. This lizard was enormous; even if Xuebao fought him for a share, there would surely be plenty to go around.
The little fox excitedly sharpened his claws against the earth. Seeing him so energized, Chu Shaoye assumed it was purely the creature’s combat instincts awakening.
Light shimmered from the Black Jade Ring, and Thousand Stars appeared in Chu Shaoye’s grasp. He prepared to take down this Ironhide Lizard alongside the little fox.