Qing Tong took her seat at the head of the table and instructed the maid, “Serve the tea.”
The tea in the Valley of Ten Thousand Blossoms was divided into three grades.
Tea.
Good tea.
“Dew-Laden, Flower-Slender.”
And this “Dew-Laden, Flower-Slender” was the finest of teas, so precious that even Qing Tong herself rarely indulged in more than a few sips. Only when the young masters of the Chi family. The foremost of the Eight Immortals from the City of Purity—visited would she bring it out to entertain them.
As for Hei Zhe, naturally, he was not so fortunate.
That Qing Tong offered him a cup of tea from the Valley of Ten Thousand Blossoms at all was already the height of courtesy.
Noticing that Hei Zhe remained standing instead of taking a seat, Qing Tong frowned slightly and said, “Prince Hei Zhe, please sit.”
Hei Zhe’s backside had yet to fully heal. How could he possibly sit?
With an awkward laugh, he quickly tried to ingratiate himself. “Little Sister Qing Tong, I came all this way just to see you!”
That single “Little Sister Qing Tong” filled Qing Tong with boundless disgust.
The spirit master world had its own rules.
Hei Zhe was only at Level 25, barely surpassing the Apprentice Spirit Master realm, while Qing Tong had already reached Level 45 as a Spirit Lord—two whole realms above him.
Even if she was indeed a few years younger than him, their relationship was nowhere near intimate enough to warrant such a familiar address. By convention, he should have respectfully addressed her as “Spirit Lord Qing Tong.”
At the very least, he could have called her “Princess.”
This “Little Sister” was clearly overstepping.
Qing Tong’s disdain for this foolish prince deepened another notch.
“I also brought you many gifts. I’m sure you’ll love them!”
Hmph, what treasures could the Spirit Cat Clan possibly offer?
Qing Tong sneered inwardly but maintained a polite facade, offering a perfunctory “Thank you.”
Hei Zhe sensed her lack of enthusiasm and felt a twinge of disappointment, but he hurriedly added, “Also, I came this time because I have something extremely important to discuss with you.”
“Oh? And what might that be?”
This damned cat—hadn’t he always concocted a thousand excuses just to visit the Valley of Ten Thousand Blossoms and see her?
Though her tone feigned curiosity, Qing Tong couldn’t have cared less.
“Little Sister Qing Tong, did you know that the dead fox of Qingqiu—Zhao Li—not only survived the destruction of her spirit root but also managed to cultivate all the way to the Spirit Lord realm?”
Qing Tong had always maintained a facade of protecting Zhao Li, so Hei Zhe quickly corrected himself, suppressing his hostility toward Zhao Li in an attempt to win Qing Tong’s favor.
In the secret realm of Flower-Fruit Mountain, Hei Zhe had been knocked unconscious before he could even sense Zhao Li’s level.
But Zhao Li had slaughtered demonic beasts with such ease in the secret realm that other guests picking peaches had undoubtedly witnessed it.
How could anyone forget the sight of a Level 8 cripple transforming into a Spirit Lord, single-handedly cutting down hundreds?
Word spread like wildfire, and soon, every guest who had attended the Immortal Elder’s birthday celebration knew about it.
Zhao Li’s fame skyrocketed, second only to Hei Zhe’s infamous “Peacock Display” painting.
And Zhao Li, naturally, had no intention of hiding her strength.
Qing Tong was stunned. She abruptly rose from her seat before slowly sitting back down.
“I… I just emerged from seclusion. On my way to the reception hall, a maid briefly mentioned that Uncle Zhao Wu had exhausted his family’s wealth to gather rare treasures to save Zhao Li, who was on the brink of death. It’s a pity I was in seclusion when she was injured. I knew nothing of the outside world and couldn’t help her.”
“But now that she’s safe and sound, I’m relieved. Heh.”
Her laugh was strained.
Her heart was anything but calm.
When a spirit root was destroyed, the host would inevitably suffer backlash, with less than a 5% chance of survival.
How could Zhao Li have possibly survived in such a state?
Generally speaking, even a defective Earth Spirit Root wouldn’t collapse when breaking through to level 10 as long as it could awaken.
It was Qing Tong.
Of course, she was the one who tampered with it.
The vows of eternal love she had once made to Zhao Li were naturally false.
What Qing Tong wanted was never for this foolish fox to be her partner. What she truly desired was the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan’s inherited secret treasure: the Divine Immortal Finger.
The library of the Chi family, leaders of the Eight Immortals among humans, contained records of many ancient divine artifacts.
Spiritual objects choose their masters, and after the deaths of their previous owners, these treasures had all vanished without a trace.
The Chi family naturally wanted to find them whether to offer them to the Huangfu royal family or to keep them for themselves, it would be of great benefit.
But if divine artifacts were so easy to find, wouldn’t they be everywhere by now?
In the Boundless Realm, only the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox’s Divine Immortal Finger could serve as a guide.
Of course, how could the inherited secret treasure of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Foxes be something widely known?
If humans knew that Qingqiu possessed such a treasure, they would have long since come to seize it.
Yelan and Xiyou knew. One through his own illusionary powers, the other because Zhao Li had told him.
As for Qing Tong, she knew because Zhao Li had once confided everything in her.
Qing Tong was determined to climb the ranks of the Chi family but had never mentioned the existence of the Divine Immortal Finger to them.
This was another one of her schemes—only by making the Chi family believe that treasure hunting was her unique skill could she gain more of their favor.
After all, the Flower Clan as a whole still fell under the category of a “weak race.” Even if she was renowned and had boundless potential, she was still insignificant in the eyes of the human Eight Immortals.
Zhao Li had once said that the Divine Immortal Finger could first be given to a partner as a token of love, and then passed down to their offspring once children were born.
But Qing Tong had no intention of actually marrying her or having children.
To obtain the Divine Immortal Finger openly without drawing criticism, the only way was for Zhao Li to die then she could claim it as the “bereaved spouse.”
She had even prepared a suicide note in advance.
Given how much Zhao Wu doted on his daughter, he would never refuse her final wish.
However, Qing Tong didn’t know that the suicide note she had hidden in Zhao Li’s pocket had already been eaten by the goat raised by Xiao Xiuer.
When Zhao Li fell into a coma, it was Xiao Xiuer who took care of her daily needs, including washing her clothes.
While checking the pockets, she found a piece of paper, and just as the little goat came bleating for food, Xiao Xiuer casually fed it to the goat.
Yelan’s secret intervention in Zhao Li’s recovery was something Qing Tong could never have anticipated.
Now, hearing that Zhao Li was actually unharmed, one could imagine Qing Tong’s state of mind.
“Prince Hei Zhe, what else did you say just now? Zhao Li has already advanced to the Spirit Lord realm?” Qing Tong finally snapped back to reality, her shock causing her to drop her usual facade.
“Yes! Not only has she reached the Spirit Lord realm, she’s also stolen your Flower Clan’s techniques!”
“That’s impossible!”
Even if Zhao Wu had the ability to save her, she should have been left too weak to ever cultivate again. How could she have jumped straight from level 8 to level 40?!
“How is it impossible?!”
Hei Zhe, thinking she was disputing the part about the Flower Clan techniques, immediately jumped up. “I was injured by her using your technique! If you don’t believe me, I’ll take off my pants and show you the wound—see if it’s from your proud vine technique!”
And he actually started undoing his pants.
Qing Tong was still in shock, completely unresponsive to his actions.
By the time she snapped out of it, Hei Zhe had already stripped down to just his undergarments.
And his hands were gripping the waistband, about to remove even this last shred of modesty.
Qing Tong, both shocked and furious, hastily summoned thorny vines. Suppressing the urge to kill, she merely wrapped him up tightly.
“Prince Hei Zhe, have some self-respect!”
“Ouch! Ow ow ow! Qing Tong, my dear, my old injuries haven’t even healed yet—must you add new ones?”
“Outrageous! You put your pants back on this instant!”
“Calm down! I meant no harm! I just wanted to show you my wounds—seeing is believing, right? …Ow! Stop squeezing! I’ll put them on! I’ll do it right now!”
Show me the wounds on your butt?!
Princess, it’s not your butt that’s injured—it’s your brain!
Flushed with anger and embarrassment, Qing Tong flicked her sleeve and retreated to the inner hall.
Jin Luocha, who had returned with Hei Zhe, was waiting outside the reception hall. Qing Tong ordered her maids to summon Jin inside and asked, “Hei Zhe claims that Zhao Li has reached level 40 and even mastered my spells. Is this true?”
Jin Luocha replied respectfully, “Your Highness, it is true that Princess Zhao Li has ascended to the Spirit Lord realm. Before she entered the Huaguo Mountain secret realm, the Xi family tested her level with a Spirit Light Orb. After the realm closed, I personally confirmed this with the Xi family.”
“Then what exactly is her level?” Qing Tong pressed urgently.
Jin Luocha bowed apologetically. “The Xi family did not disclose that, and it would be improper for me to pry further.”
Of course, the Xi family wouldn’t reveal Zhao Li’s exact level to her.
Qing Tong’s heart sank. She pressed on, “And what about his claim that Zhao Li has learned my spells?”
Jin Luocha answered truthfully, “Prince Hei Zhe said that Princess Zhao Li injured his… his posterior with vines. However, none of us entered the secret realm with them, so we didn’t witness it firsthand and cannot confirm. But the spell used to attack Prince Hei Zhe was indeed ‘Flowers Bear Names,’ Your Highness’s signature technique.”
Qing Tong gritted her teeth.
That fool Zhao Li couldn’t even master the Fox Clan’s techniques properly—how could she possibly learn the Flower Clan’s spells?
Yet Hei Zhe had no reason to lie about this.
“Prepare gifts immediately. I’m going to the Fox Clan.”
“Your Highness is leaving now? Then what about Prince Hei Zhe…?”
“Throw him out!” Qing Tong snapped. “He behaved so shamelessly in front of me—it’s a mercy I didn’t kill him! Do you really intend to host him as a guest in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers?”
Jin Luocha lowered her head awkwardly. “Your Highness, please calm your anger! This subordinate will arrange it at once…”
……
Outside the Fox Clan’s territory.
Led by the fox demon Lingling, the infamous “Seven Aunties Squad”—the Fox Clan’s most notorious gossip brigade—had been stationed there by Princess Zhao Li’s orders, eagerly “awaiting” Princess Qing Tong’s arrival.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the most famous flower queen of the Wuji Realm!” Lingling sneered.
Her second aunt chimed in with mock sweetness, “Elder Sister, that’s not quite the right term, is it? ‘Flower queen’ isn’t meant to be used like that, oh ho ho ho~”
Lingling frowned. “Princess Qing Tong is the leader of all flowers. Doesn’t that make her the queen of flowers? And the queen of flowers can be shortened to flower queen, no?”
Her third aunt added, “Elder Sister’s explanation is clever, but ‘flower queen’ is actually a term for the top courtesans in brothels.”
“Oh my!” Lingling feigned surprise, quickly offering an apologetic smile. “Look at me, how dreadful to be so uncultured. How could Princess Qing Tong possibly be a courtesan? I meant no offense to her, oh dear, I deserve a slap for that.”
She lightly tapped her own cheek, though the gesture was more akin to a gentle caress than any real self-reproach.
Qing Tong knew that Lingling and the rest of the “Seven Aunties” had never liked her.
Their earlier remarks were clearly deliberate attempts to humiliate her, insinuating that while she professed love for Zhao Li, she was also cozying up to the young masters of the Chi family.
But Qing Tong couldn’t afford to lose her temper.
In the Wuji Realm, she was renowned for her gentle, virtuous, and understanding nature. Lingling had already apologized—albeit insincerely—but it was enough to stifle any rebuke from Qing Tong, lest she ruin her carefully cultivated image.
With forced composure, Qing Tong replied, “Dear aunties, I heard that Zhao Li’s spiritual root nearly collapsed. I came specifically to see her today.”
Her Fourth Aunt sneered, “How ‘sincere’ of you, Princess Qing Tong. Our princess has been ill for so long, yet you showed no concern. Now that she’s recovering, you suddenly come to ‘visit’? Are you hoping she falls ill again?”
Suppressing her anger, Qing Tong maintained a pleasant expression. “You’re right to scold me. It’s entirely my fault—I was in seclusion and had no idea Zhao Li was in such dire straits. The moment I emerged and heard the news, I rushed here to see her.”
Her Fifth Aunt cut in, “Leave the spirit tool and go.”
Her Sixth Aunt added, “Our princess was injured by that wretched Spirit Cat Clan’s crown prince and is now recuperating in seclusion. She can’t receive outsiders.”
The word “outsiders” drew a clear line between them.
Qing Tong frowned. “Zhao Li was injured by Hei Zhe?”
Wasn’t it Hei Zhe who was injured by Zhao Li? According to Jin Luocha, Zhao Li had left Huaguo Mountain unharmed and full of energy.
Her Seventh Aunt chimed in, “Exactly! That damned scourge! If you truly care for our princess, Princess Qing Tong, you must avenge her!”
Her Second Aunt nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. The Flower Clan counters the Spirit Cat Clan, and your cultivation far surpasses that dead cat’s. You must teach him a proper lesson to prove your devotion to our princess!”
Her Third Aunt growled, “Flay his skin!”
Her Fourth Aunt added, “Pull out his tendons!”
Her Fifth Aunt cackled, “Chop his flesh and eat it!”
The other six aunties chorused, “Cat meat is disgusting!”
Her Fifth Aunt reconsidered, “Then brew it in wine?”
“Still tastes awful!”
Her Fifth Aunt sighed. “Ah, well. Princess Qing Tong, you decide.”
With that, the seven aunties reactivated the barrier and strolled away, laughing among themselves.
Left outside the barrier, Qing Tong trembled with fury.