Without betraying her emotions, Bai Shuo pulled her little apprentice further behind her and smiled even more sincerely. “It’s a surprise you remember me, Senior Brother. I’m truly flattered. It’s been a long time since you returned to the island. The other disciples say the sect leader often thinks of you. Since you’re back from training, you must be weary; please don’t let me keep you.”
“Oh? You seem rather considerate of my needs.” Zhe Sang began to walk toward her slowly.
“Not at all,” Bai Shuo replied with a yawn, pretending to be unconcerned. “It’s getting late, and the night is damp. Why don’t we all go get some rest? Don’t worry, Senior Brother!” Bai Shuo raised her hand. “I was just here to gather herbs tonight. I saw nothing. Please, go on with your evening; I’ll be on my way.”
She tugged her apprentice towards the exit, but Zhe Sang’s sneering laugh stopped her in her tracks.
“I heard you’ve replaced the medicine turtle and now oversee the herb hut. I suppose my loss was deserved. Who would have thought that one of the two mortals casually brought here by the sect leader would turn out to be an elixir-making prodigy? You helped Chong Zhao in that duel back then, didn’t you?”
Bai Shuo froze and looked toward Er Li, who met her gaze, her face flickering with unease. Bai Shuo understood Zhe Sang’s hostility immediately—he knew the truth.
Two years ago, Chong Zhao had barely begun his foundation and wasn’t a match for Zhe Sang. Desperate, Bai Shuo had stolen a rare herb from Old Turtle’s stash and, using her spirit blood, crafted a second-grade elixir to heal Chong Zhao’s injuries overnight, allowing him to beat an overconfident Zhe Sang. No one knew this secret, but Zhe Sang had likely learned of her skill in elixir-making from Er Li and pieced it together.
It seemed tonight would not end peacefully.
Bai Shuo sighed, her demeanor shifting as she spoke softly. “Senior Sister Er Li, you’re supposed to be training in the back mountain to prepare for the disciple competition at the month’s end. Surely this isn’t the time or place for you to be here.”
“You… Bai Shuo!” Er Li’s face turned pale.
Since childhood, she had admired Zhe Sang. Yet, he had always been bound to Er Yun by marriage and the expectation of becoming the next sect leader, leaving her to admire him from afar. After he left the island in anger, she spent years searching for him whenever she could. Several months ago, she finally found him, destitute and dispirited. Overjoyed, she gave him her treasured elixirs, attended to his every need, and even revealed Bai Shuo’s talent in elixirs.
Zhe Sang, realizing his defeat by Chong Zhao was due to underhanded means rather than pure skill, returned to Miao Miao determined to reclaim his place and rid the sect of Chong Zhao once and for all. Er Li, meanwhile, was merely a passing amusement.
“You dare threaten me?” Zhe Sang’s gaze darkened. Er Li tugged at his sleeve, but he shrugged her off, her eyes filled with hurt, though she dared not speak up.
“Of course not, Senior Brother. I’m just a humble herb attendant. How would I ever threaten you? You returned for Er Yun, didn’t you?” Bai Shuo glanced between him and Er Li. “Surely you wouldn’t want any gossip reaching her ears.”
“So, during my absence, Chong Zhao’s influence has grown to the point that even an outer disciple dares to speak so insolently…”
Before he could finish, Zhe Sang struck, sending a blast of immortal energy directly at Bai Shuo. She hadn’t expected the once-gentlemanly Zhe Sang to attack so suddenly and took the full blow, saved only by the protective talismans she had plastered all over herself. Otherwise, she would have been reduced to a bloody pulp.
“Zhe Sang, you—!”
Ignoring her protests, he struck again. Bai Shuo fumbled through her dimensional pouch for something to protect herself, but before she could react, a bright flash blinded her, and she closed her eyes in terror.
It’s over. I’m done for.
A powerful blow hit the ground, splitting it open, and Bai Shuo felt herself being pulled into a tight embrace, rolling to the floor. When she opened her eyes, she saw her little apprentice holding her protectively, unconscious after taking the blow meant for her.
“Mu Mu!” She quickly checked Fan Yue’s breath and, relieved to find he was only knocked out, sighed.
Good boy, your master didn’t pamper you in vain!
“Demonic energy?!”
Before Bai Shuo could catch her breath, a thunderous voice rang in her ears. She looked up to see Zhe Sang staring at her apprentice, eyes narrowed.
When Fan Yue shielded her, the transformation talisman on him had cracked slightly, allowing a faint trace of demon energy to leak out.
Oh no! He’s been discovered!
“Well, well, Bai Shuo, you have some nerve, colluding with demons as an immortal sect disciple!” Zhe Sang didn’t look alarmed despite sensing the demon aura; he could tell the boy’s power was weak, barely a fledgling demon.
“Perfect timing. It’s been a while since I returned to the sect. Killing this little demon will make a fine gift for my master,” Zhe Sang said, raising his hand to strike down Fan Yue.
Bai Shuo sprang up, shielding Fan Yue behind her, and hastily pulled a firecracker out of her dimensional pouch. “Stop! Or I’ll smash this to pieces!”
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