The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 24

Sensing the faint hostility from the three disciples, Jian Li immediately focused her scattered attention and obediently lay still.

 

Two disciples, adorned in gold and silver with Treasure Grade hairpins, blocked Yan Qingshuang’s path on either side.

 

The middle disciple approached Yan Qingshuang, her gaze sweeping over Yan Qingshuang with a hint of disdain before settling on Jian Li in her arms.

 

“Senior Sister Yan, have you bound this Spiritual Beast?”

 

“If you haven’t, would you consider giving it to me? I’m willing to pay a high price!”

 

Yan Qingshuang remained silent, activating her Spiritual Sense. Her dark eyes, visible through the white veil, fixed on the disciple.

 

Within the Tianyan Sect, everyone had heard the story: Yan Qingshuang had been blind since childhood. When she briefly revealed her eyes as a child, the children who saw them were terrified into tears, and even cultivators with weak cultivation bases trembled after prolonged exposure.

 

It wasn’t just the unusual color of her eyes; they involuntarily emitted a soul-stirring aura—an aura that was not Demonic Qi.

 

The children of Yan Qingshuang’s generation had already been wary of approaching her due to her mysterious background. This further isolation left her with virtually no one she could truly confide in.

 

From then on, Yan Qingshuang’s eerie eyes were veiled by white gauze. Even so, disciples with impure thoughts would feel deeply uneasy under her prolonged, direct gaze.

 

The wealthy disciple ignored the goosebumps rising on his skin, forcing a calm demeanor. “Senior Sister Yan, we’re truly sorry about your cultivation being scattered. But now that things have come to this, you should let go of your pride. What if this Spiritual Beast suffers mistreatment while with you?”

 

By this point, a crowd of night market visitors had gathered to watch. Someone recognized Jian Li and exclaimed, “That’s the adorable little creature that performed in the Dining Hall last time!”

 

“Ah, so it’s her! This Spiritual Beast is so amusing.”

 

“No wonder Shen Yuyan offered to buy her. I’d want to buy her too—I understand.”

 

The wealthy disciple, Shen Yuyan, was the young lady of the Shen Family, one of Xuanzhou’s five great clans.

 

The Shen Family’s wealth was immeasurable; the market price of Spirit Stones was deeply tied to their influence. They could even acquire a pair of ancient-blooded White Tigers or Phoenixes to keep as pets.

 

For a low-tier Spiritual Beast to catch Shen Yuyan’s eye after performing a few tricks in the Dining Hall was a stroke of ancestral good fortune.

 

Yan Qingshuang remained silent, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Shen Yuyan.

 

Shen Yuyan exuded the refined air of a noble clan, bolstered by scattered murmurs of support from the crowd. Her confidence surged as she withdrew a Hundred Treasures Ring from her waist sash.

 

“Senior Sister Yan,” she proposed, “how about this? I’ll offer you five hundred thousand Spirit Stones, a hundred Treasure Grade Pills, and ten Profound-Tier Spiritual Artifacts in exchange for this Spiritual Beast. What do you say?”

 

The onlookers gasped. Everyone knew the Shen Family was wealthy, but no one had imagined they could be this extravagant.

 

When Yan Qingshuang remained unmoved, voices rose in support of Shen Yuyan.

 

“Senior Sister Yan, don’t be stubborn! We’d never earn this much in a lifetime!”

 

“Exactly, Senior Sister Yan! With the Spiritual Beast and the Shen Family, you’ll never lack cultivation resources.”

 

“If the Shen Family ever produces someone destined for Ascension, even the Spiritual Beast will rise to immortality!”

 

The crowd envied Yan Qingshuang’s good fortune. Even after losing her cultivation, she could still profit handsomely by selling her Spiritual Beast.

 

Those who didn’t know Shen Yuyan saw an opportunity to align themselves with power and wealth, gravitating toward her proposal.

 

Shen Yuyan’s patience was wearing thin. For some reason, she desperately coveted this Spiritual Beast, longing to hold it against her chest right then and there.

 

Gathering her courage, Shen Yuyan extended the ring toward Jian Li’s head.

 

Sensing an unfamiliar scent approaching, Jian Li turned her head and slapped Shen Yuyan’s wrist with a sharp smack.

 

The ring fell to the ground, rolling a few circles, its movement mirrored by the covetous gazes of the onlookers.

 

Jian Li was unexpectedly furious. She glared at Shen Yuyan, huffing at her, then twisted her neck to huff in a 360-degree circle around the room.

 

They treated her like a commodity to be bought and sold at will. She didn’t care; she could endure it. After all, she was just a lowly, useless Spiritual Beast, destined for mediocrity.

 

Yan Qingshuang was different.

 

From fragments of conversations between Chang Chi and Hua Feiyi, Jian Li had pieced together a rough outline of Yan Qingshuang’s past.

 

A paragon of integrity, standing atop the snow-capped mountains. Though her aloof nature made her ill-suited for social circles, she had never intentionally harmed anyone. Yet, once falsely accused, the darkness of human nature emerged, and the crowd turned against her like a collapsing wall.

 

Shen Yuyan was a prominent figure within the Sect, her elders holding high positions in the Immortal Alliance. Moreover, her Aptitude was exceptional, nurtured by rare and precious treasures, allowing her to reach the Golden Core Stage at a young age.

 

Her gaze froze momentarily. Had it not been for her upbringing, she would have lost all face.

 

The two sharp-eyed attendants immediately sprang into action, stomping forward and pointing at Yan Qingshuang and Jian Li. “What do you think you’re doing? Do you even know who she is?!”

 

“Don’t refuse a toast and end up drinking a penalty cup!”

 

Jian Li, oblivious to their status, remained tense, yawning under Yan Qingshuang’s protection.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s soft hand encircled Jian Li, shielding her from anyone who might try to snatch her away. As if ignoring the surrounding commotion, she calmly uttered a single word:

 

“Move.”

 

While private duels were generally forbidden within the Sect, there were always exceptions. The Bailian Peak gathering was particularly chaotic, with numerous artifact refiners setting up stalls to forge spiritual artifacts on the spot, sparks flying in all directions.

 

Golden-red spiritual power occasionally streaked across the sky, illuminating Yan Qingshuang’s thin white veil. She held a bamboo cane in one hand, while the other arm cradled a small spiritual beast.

 

At first glance, she appeared utterly non-threatening. Yet the overzealous attendants seemed to glimpse a hint of murderous intent in her eyes, their legs suddenly weakening.

 

They stumbled back a few steps, and Yan Qingshuang brushed past one of them.

 

Having lost both face and momentum, Shen Yuyan roared in fury, “Yan Qingshuang, look at this!”

 

With that, Shen Yuyan summoned a long blade wreathed in flames and pointed it directly at Yan Qingshuang’s back, the tip just inches away.

 

Yan Qingshuang didn’t turn around or stop walking. In an instant, she retracted her Bamboo Cane, gathered Spiritual Power in her palm, and unleashed an invisible aura that enveloped her entire body.

 

Jian Li tilted her head, her blue eyes reflecting the murderous glint of the blade. “Little Shuang,” she said anxiously, “is she going to kill you here in the Sect just to take me away?”

 

Yan Qingshuang pressed Jian Li’s head back against her chest. “No, don’t be afraid.”

 

“Yan Qingshuang!” Shen Yuyan shouted fiercely. “Are you blind and deaf? I told you to stop!”

 

The crowd parted to make way, unwilling to get involved. Yan Qingshuang didn’t need to avoid anyone; she continued walking straight ahead.

 

Seeing this, Shen Yuyan abandoned all pretense of civility. She leaped into the air, blade raised high, and slashed down. She had given Yan Qingshuang a chance to back down—now she had only herself to blame.

 

A gust of wind whipped past Jian Li’s head, signaling imminent danger. She screamed, “Run! Run! She’s attacking!”

 

“Mm,” Yan Qingshuang replied calmly.

 

Jian Li’s body went limp with terror, yet her claws clung tightly to Yan Qingshuang’s robes, her panic spilling out in a torrent of words.

 

“My Teleportation Watch has one charge left! I’ll take you away! Escape!”

 

The blade’s domineering flames, like a fiery dragon, left afterimages as it descended. It was too late. Jian Li sobbed uncontrollably.

 

The anticipated catastrophe never arrived. Instead, Jian Li heard Shen Yuyan’s terrified scream: “How is this possible?!”

 

Shen Yuyan’s hand remained frozen, her pupils constricted. The flames on her blade extinguished themselves before even touching her.

 

Jian Li craned her neck, her heart pounding. Yan Qingshuang bit her ear and asked, “What are you looking at?”

 

“I’m watching—that, that!” Jian Li couldn’t help but cheer, half-crawling out and perching on Yan Qingshuang’s shoulder like a Leopard-Cat. “Her blade shattered into dust!”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Indeed.”

 

Jian Li: “Huh? How did you know? Ah, did you block it?”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Yes.”

 

Not only Jian Li, but everyone present was stunned. Shen Yuyan stared blankly at the bare hilt in her hand, muttering to herself, “Impossible… Yan Qingshuang lost her Golden Core. How could she recover so quickly?”

 

Someone must be helping her in secret, she thought, her voice sharp as she demanded, “Who dares to scheme against me in the shadows?!”

 

Her two lackeys followed suit, pointing fingers and interrogating everyone.

 

The crowd protested their innocence: “It wasn’t me! Why would we invite trouble?”

 

“Could it be Yan Qingshuang stumbled upon some fortune and unexpectedly regained her cultivation?” someone suggested in astonishment.

 

“No way, it’s only been a few days…”

 

“She has Demonic Bl00d flowing through her veins. We ordinary people can’t compare.”

 

The whispers of suspicion grew louder, their attitude toward Yan Qingshuang shifting dramatically from disdain to deepening fear. Following the prevailing winds was the survival strategy of most.

 

Shen Yuyan fell silent, secretly pondering. Whether others believed Yan Qingshuang or not was irrelevant to her.

 

With her vast collection of magical artifacts, she wouldn’t miss this one. Moments later, several Blasting Pearls materialized from her sleeve.

 

Yan Qingshuang frowned, her Spiritual Sense fully activated, her focus absolute. Beneath the white veil, her violet-smoky eyes gleamed with icy sharpness.

 

In a flash, a beam of light streaked through the air. The Blasting Pearls detonated mid-flight with a series of bangs, and Jian Li belatedly threw her arms around Yan Qingshuang’s neck.

 

“Little Shuang! She ambushed us with hidden weapons!”

 

Yan Qingshuang hummed in acknowledgment, tilting her chin slightly. Her lips moved almost imperceptibly. “Senior Sister Long.”

 

Long Qianmeng dispelled her Invisibility Talisman, revealing a girl with twin ponytails floating cross-legged in mid-air. She had been watching the spectacle, reluctant to intervene unless absolutely necessary.

 

Jian Li: “You again, you brat!”

 

Long Qianmeng rolled her eyes. “Last time you called me that, I let it slide because you’re just a cub. Try saying it again and see what happens.”

 

Jian Li sulked, “Oh.”

 

Little brat, she thought inwardly.

 

Long Qianmeng: “And don’t you dare badmouth me in your head either.”

 

Jian Li asked in surprise, “How did you know?”

 

Long Qianmeng clasped her hands behind her back, shook her head slightly, and sighed. “Yan Qingshuang, is this your precious Spiritual Beast? That little brain of hers is truly…”

 

Before she could utter the word “stupid,” Yan Qingshuang cupped Jian Li’s ear protectively, her tone warning, “Senior Sister, watch your words.”

 

Long Qianmeng scoffed, “Like master, like beast. Annoying.”

 

Seeing the situation escalating, the crowd grew wary. With the two powerhouses of Bailian Peak and Jianxing Peak locked in a subtle standoff, no one dared to speak out of turn.

 

Long Qianmeng swept her gaze across the onlookers, releasing her oppressive aura. “Enjoying the show?”

 

The crowd scattered like startled birds, each hurrying to their own affairs. Long Qianmeng’s status was second only to the Elders; who would risk provoking her for mere entertainment?

 

However, the true instigator, Shen Yuyan, remained unfazed. Backed by the Sect Master as his inner disciple, she had always been surrounded by attendants and admirers during her years in the Sect.

 

Long Qianmeng deliberately singled her out. “Shen Yuyan, right? The Shen family’s heiress, Golden Core Stage.”

 

Shen Yuyan glanced at them, seeing through Long Qianmeng’s intentions. Though her cultivation was lower, her mother was the Vice Alliance Head of the Immortal Alliance.

 

“Senior Sister Long, this has nothing to do with you.”

 

Long Qianmeng: “Get this straight: whether it concerns me isn’t for you to decide. Brandishing weapons and using hidden blades to harm fellow disciples right in front of my stall? Did a donkey kick your brain, or did your head collide with one?”

 

Shen Yuyan: “You! Do you even know who my mother is?!”

 

“I don’t care if your mother is heaven or earth. Even if she’s the Alliance Head of the Immortal Alliance, she still has to abide by the sect rules. Causing a scene in public? Fine, you lost the first fight, but resorting to petty tricks? If I were your mother, I’d have you reforged a thousand times—and still wouldn’t be satisfied.”

 

The barrage of insults continued relentlessly, Shen Yuyan’s delicate face flushed crimson with rage, her neck swelling visibly. For a long moment, she stood frozen, unable to utter a single word.

 

Her two attendants were equally dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.

 

Why didn’t anyone warn them that Bailian Peak’s Senior Sister might appear innocent, but her inner savagery rivaled that of a street brawler?

 

Jian Li wiggled her paw pads, and Yan Qingshuang leaned in close, pressing her ear against Jian Li’s. Jian Li lowered her voice to a mosquito-like buzz: “Little Shuang, she’s so strong. I can’t beat her—not in any way.”

 

Yan Qingshuang chuckled softly, her ear tickled by Jian Li’s fur. “Just don’t provoke her.”

 

Jian Li whispered against Yan Qingshuang’s earlobe, “Then if I call her ‘brat,’ would that be provoking her?”

 

Yan Qingshuang suppressed the twitch in her lower abdomen. “No.”

 

Jian Li didn’t believe her. “I don’t believe you. She looked like she wanted to punch me! And you said she’s a dragon—dragons hold grudges.”

 

Yan Qingshuang gently pushed Jian Li’s head away, straightened their positions, and faced her seriously. “If she bullies you, I’ll strip her dragon scales.”

 

Jian Li was stunned again, then grinned brightly. “You’ve learned to apply principles! Little Shuang is such a model student.”

 

Their hushed conversation was as loud as a public conspiracy to Long Qianmeng. The reward for helping them was hearing how they planned to attack her dragon horns and scales.

 

Furious, she pulled a luminous pearl from her pocket and hurled it at the back of Yan Qingshuang’s head.

 

Predictably, Yan Qingshuang, having activated her Spiritual Sense, turned and caught the pearl, placed it in Jian Li’s palm, and said calmly to Long Qianmeng, “Senior Sister, how generous.”

 

Long Qianmeng vented her anger on Shen Yuyan and her two lackeys, cursing them and their ancestors until they were not only speechless but practically buried in the dirt.

 

Still not satisfied, Long Qianmeng summoned her Dragon Sinew Whip, ready to strike.

 

Yan Qingshuang swiftly grabbed the whip. “Senior Sister, don’t attract the Disciplinary Hall’s attention.”

 

Jian Li purred softly, “Yeah, impulsiveness is a monster. Zhang Yuan is skilled at torturing people and beasts. Don’t fall into her hands.”

 

Long Qianmeng bristled. I’m the one who saved them, so why do I feel like I’m being outdone? She turned to Shen Yuyan and barked, “Get lost!” Humiliated, Shen Yuyan fled with her two followers.

 

As Jian Li prepared to express her gratitude, Long Qianmeng’s sharp voice cut through the air: “Hey, Yan Qingshuang, Little Useless Beast, what are you doing here?”

 

Jian Li’s nicknames varied with each person. Now she was the Little Useless Beast, but still a discerning one.

 

She proudly pulled out her Spirit Mirror, displaying her remaining 300 Spirit Stones. “I’m here to buy a Spirit Mirror for Little Shuang! I’m getting her the best one!”

 

Long Qianmeng tossed her a Spirit Mirror. “It’s just a cheap trinket. Why are you making such a fuss?”

 

Jian Li clutched the Spirit Mirror to her chest, looking aggrieved. “You don’t understand! I earned this myself. Labor is honorable! Add my Spiritual Imprint, and I’ll transfer the Spirit Stones. I won’t cheat you.”

 

Yan Qingshuang ruffled her head. “Xiao Li is so impressive.”

 

Long Qianmeng outwardly feigned indifference, but she secretly admired the Spiritual Beast. At least it wasn’t clinging to Yan Qingshuang’s coattails, living off her generosity.

 

They exchanged contact methods.

 

The market was bustling, each stall illuminated by glowing yellow lanterns that wouldn’t be extinguished until the third watch. The earlier tension had dissipated, replaced by the clamor of voices.

 

Culinary Cultivators had set up barbecue stalls to earn extra Spirit Stones. Jian Li’s pink nose twitched, automatically activating her foraging mode. She tugged on Yan Qingshuang’s sleeve and whined, “Little Shuang, let’s get some grilled skewers!”

 

Yan Qingshuang deftly wiped the drool from the corner of Jian Li’s mouth with a handkerchief. “Senior Sister Long, please join us.”

 

Long Qianmeng scoffed, turning to leave. “How many Spirit Stones could a meal possibly cost? Who cares?”

 

Yan Qingshuang slowly opened her mouth. “Senior Sister, tomorrow’s Deacon Meeting will be presided over by Shen Ling.”

 

Long Qianmeng froze in place. Shen Ling—Shen Yuyan’s mother, the Vice Alliance Head of the Immortal Alliance, and two major cultivation realms above her. Earlier, she had boasted, “I don’t care who your mother is, I’m not afraid of any big shot!”

 

Now, her bluff had been called. Long Qianmeng conceded defeat.

 

After a moment, she waved her sleeve with a flourish. “Fine, let’s get some late-night snacks!”

 

The Culinary Cultivator had just set up his natural Spirit Charcoal grill, the flames blazing high. He stepped forward, asking, “What can I get for you three?”

 

Jian Li peered around, spotting no ingredients. “Where’s the food?” she asked, puzzled.

 

Long Qianmeng chuckled, gesturing with a nod toward the wooden bucket beside the Culinary Cultivator. “It’s all in there.”

 

The small, round bucket, seemingly only large enough to hold Jian Li herself, was actually a marvel of engineering: the All-Encompassing Bucket. It combined advanced preservation technology with an impossibly vast storage space.

 

Jian Li had seen Culinary Cultivators carrying these buckets all over the game world. She’d initially assumed they were weapons, only to realize they were portable refrigerators.

 

The Culinary Cultivator rattled off a list of dishes, making Jian Li’s stomach rumble. She asked Yan Qingshuang to translate how much of each she wanted.

 

The two beasts and one human happily began their skewer feast.

 

To be precise, only Jian Li and Long Qianmeng were truly indulging. Yan Qingshuang focused on feeding Jian Li, discreetly swallowing her Pain Relief Pills when no one was watching.

 

It wasn’t until after ten skewers of succulent meat had been shoved into her mouth that Jian Li finally noticed. Flustered, she pushed away the skewer. “Little Shuang, you should eat too.”

 

“I’m not hungry,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

Jian Li’s blue eyes sparkled. “Then at least try some. The grilling is really good.”

 

Yan Qingshuang parted her lips slightly, taking a small bite of Spiritual Sheep Meat with her pearly teeth. Under Jian Li’s expectant gaze, she chewed thoughtfully. “Hmm, not bad.”

 

Only after Yan Qingshuang took the first bite did Jian Li finally dare to eat freely.

 

Long Qianmeng couldn’t stand the way Jian Li and Yan Qingshuang were acting so lovey-dovey, as if no one else was around. Her small mouth spat venomous words: “Is your Spiritual Beast’s hands, feet, and mouth crippled? Useless beast! Can’t even feed itself.”

 

Knowing her own weakness, Jian Li chose to remain silent, burying her head in her food and chewing miserably.

 

Yan Qingshuang deliberately avoided mentioning Jian Li and said, “If Vice Alliance Head Shen harasses Senior Sister…”

 

Hearing this, Long Qianmeng’s grilled skewers lost their flavor. Having offended Shen Ling’s child, she knew Shen Ling wouldn’t let it go easily tomorrow.

 

She hung her head dejectedly. “This is so unfair! I shouldn’t have gotten involved in your human ‘righteousness’ nonsense.”

 

Yan Qingshuang offered her a skewer of meat. Long Qianmeng glanced up listlessly. “What’s this for?”

 

Jian Li blinked curiously, wondering what Yan Qingshuang was up to.

 

Yan Qingshuang sent a telepathic message to Long Qianmeng: You feed Xiao Li. I’ll take responsibility tomorrow.

 

Long Qianmeng raised an eyebrow. While she was amazed by Yan Qingshuang’s extraordinary fortune, she knew Shen Yuyan was armed with Magic Artifacts and hidden weapons. In her current state, Yan Qingshuang couldn’t possibly withstand such an assault. She replied telepathically: You’ve only recovered a fraction of your cultivation. Do you really think you can carry the burden like you used to?

 

Yan Qingshuang’s expression remained unchanged. Yes.

 

Long Qianmeng huffed, annoyed by her attitude. It was as if Yan Qingshuang believed she could defeat everyone combined.

 

Jian Li’s large eyes darted back and forth between the two women. She sensed they were communicating, but she couldn’t hear a word.

 

She nudged Yan Qingshuang. “Little Shuang, what are you two talking about behind my back?”