The Villain is Soft and Clingy [Transmigration] - Chapter 26

Zhang Lan’s ears were flushed red. She pursed her lips and whispered, “Mm, mm.”

*No way I’m letting go,* Xia Zhitiao thought. *What if I drop my junior sister?* Jin Li helped find a pair of shoes. Xia Zhitiao had Zhang Lan put them on before finally setting her down.

Zhang Lan, who had been murderous and ruthless just moments ago, threatening to kick Wang Yan off the cliff—was now acting utterly dumbfounded.

All her imposing aura and anger vanished. She sat obediently in the chair, her cold, pale ears completely red, staring blankly, lost in thought.

Earlier, the situation was tense, and Xia Zhitiao didn’t think much of it, only feeling like two children were fighting in a kindergarten and she just needed to separate them.

But after things settled down, she looked: Zhang Lan sat in the chair, head slightly bowed, with red lips and white teeth, dressed in pitch-black clothes, her dark hair falling loosely—

She was practically a miniature version of the Demon Leader!

That gaze, that aura, and even the subtle words and actions just now were exactly like Zhang Kuang’s, as if carved from the same mold!

Xia Zhitiao, realizing this belatedly, her vision went black, and she almost fainted:

*What was I thinking just now? That person is very likely Zhang Kuang, the biggest villain in this book! How could I have so casually picked up the Demon Sect Leader like a child??*

She glanced at Zhang Lan nervously. Seeing that she was still dazed, Xia Zhitiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Yan, having narrowly escaped, hid behind Jin Li, tugging at her sleeve and whispering, “That really scared me to death.”

Jin Li pulled her out, unceremoniously pushing her towards Zhang Lan, and said, “Why did you take her stuff?”

Xia Zhitiao also joined in the condemnation: “Look how anxious Zhang Lan is.”

*You’ve gotten too bold, daring to steal the Demon Leader’s belongings. Do you even want to see tomorrow’s sun anymore?*

Wang Yan pouted: “Zhang Lan carries that box around all day, never letting go, being all mysterious and never letting anyone see it… I was just a little curious.”

Zhang Lan “hmph-ed.” She tugged at her oversized sleeve, hugging the small box tightly. It was clear there was something precious inside, as if she feared others coveted it.

“A box?” Zhang Lan’s little demeanor made Xia Zhitiao curious. She couldn’t resist asking.

Wang Yan pointed at Zhang Lan: “The one she’s holding. She keeps it on her bedside table every day and even locks it before going to sleep.”

Jin Li said, “That’s an expert’s box; heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed, you know? You shouldn’t just touch it casually.”

Even though they had been badly beaten by the black python yesterday, Jin Li still firmly believed that Zhang Lan had extraordinary spiritual roots, constantly calling her “expert,” sounding incredibly smooth.

Zhang Lan’s expression stiffened. She mumbled, “They’re just ordinary things, nothing to see.”

She thought for a moment, then quietly added, “If it’s Senior Sister, you can look freely—but Wang Yan, get lost!!”

The first half was soft and weak, but the second half suddenly became tough and domineering, with an air of wanting to slam Wang Yan to the ground and beat her.

The preferential treatment was too obvious. Xia Zhitiao chuckled, reached out and ruffled Zhang Lan’s hair, saying, “It’s alright, it’s alright. You keep it safe.”

Zhang Lan seemed a little disappointed. She lowered her head and obediently hummed in acknowledgment.

—

Zhang Lan probably realized that her black outfit was a bit conspicuous, so before the team was fully assembled, she went to the back cubicle to change clothes.

She was now dressed in the new disciples’ ivory-white robes, neatly put together. She held a white hair tie in her mouth, sitting beside Xia Zhitiao to tie her hair.

Xia Zhitiao finally understood how this child usually tied her hair to make it so loose and unsightly.

Zhang Lan didn’t even comb it. Relying on her soft, smooth hair, she simply grabbed it with her hand, without looking, pushed it up haphazardly, and tied it with the hair tie.

Xia Zhitiao felt uncomfortable just watching: *You can’t just mess it up like that just because your hair quality is good!*

Zhang Lan’s hair tie wasn’t tight either. Her long hair was casually gathered, most of it falling over her shoulders, puffed up like a soft dandelion.

Speaking of which, yesterday, Zhang Kuang also just loosely tied her hair. Afterwards, due to excessive use of spiritual power, she broke her black hair tie and had been lazily wearing her hair down, not bothering to comb it.

“Zhang Lan…”

Xia Zhitiao watched for a long time. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder finally won. She moved closer to Zhang Lan and said, “Let me help you.”

Zhang Lan blinked: “Huh?”

“Turn around,” Xia Zhitiao instructed. She pulled a wooden comb from her storage ring and gently took a small strand of soft, long hair. “I’ll help you comb it.”

Zhang Lan’s eyes immediately lit up, as if a small piece of gold leaf had fallen into them, shimmering with tiny specks of light: “Okay!”

She very cooperatively turned around, her spine ramrod straight, her fingers clasped neatly on her knees.

*This isn’t a lecture, it’s just tying your hair. Why are you sitting so properly?*

Xia Zhitiao chuckled inwardly, untying the messy hair tie Zhang Lan had just put on.

She gently pulled the hair tie, and the smooth, long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, softly resting in her palm, spreading a cool dampness.

“You should still comb it a little normally,” Xia Zhitiao advised, lowering her head slightly. “It’ll be easier to tie up that way too.”

She immersed the wooden comb into the roots of Zhang Lan’s hair, gently combing downwards, carefully separating the tangled strands.

Zhang Lan had her back to her, so her expression wasn’t visible. She swung her little legs, her voice light: “Okay, next time I’ll comb it well.”

Xia Zhitiao liked children and once wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and she somehow ended up becoming a lawyer.

She did have a younger brother, but he was a complete rascal, incredibly mischievous as a child, causing trouble five or six times a day, giving Xia Zhitiao headaches.

*Sweet little girls are better: obedient and sensible, soft and gentle, you can comb their hair and dress them in various outfits.*

Although the junior sister was quite grown, and there was a high possibility that she was the same person as a certain taciturn Demon Sect Leader… this did not prevent Xia Zhitiao from treating her like a child.

Xia Zhitiao helped Zhang Lan smooth her long hair, then pulled out a few more hair ties. Taking advantage of Zhang Lan not being able to see her back, she excitedly tied her hair into a princess bun.

“Alright, don’t tense up so much,” Xia Zhitiao pushed Zhang Lan’s shoulder, gesturing. “You can stand up now.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.” Zhang Lan was overjoyed. She carefully touched her hair, her voice as sweet as honey, “It looks so good!”

*The bun is behind you, okay? How are you even seeing it?* Xia Zhitiao chuckled, pulled Zhang Lan back, and helped her straighten her collar, smoothing out the wrinkles.

Looking at her neatly presented appearance, she felt satisfied: “That’s more like it.”

—

They didn’t wait long before Wang Ze arrived.

The reliable brother not only brought the spiritual birds for evaluation but also found the remaining four disciples of their team.

Those four disciples had been separated from Xia Zhitiao’s group during the black python attack, so they hadn’t encountered Zhang Kuang.

After that, the four disciples hunted three first-tier demon beasts, handing three white crystals to Xia Zhitiao.

Xia Zhitiao accepted the crystals in surprise, politely thanked them, her mood a little complex:

*Four disciples managed to hunt three crystals, while her team, with three Foundation Establishment and two Qi Condensation cultivators, only had one pitiful crystal.*

They hadn’t done anything all morning, simply staying with the Demon Sect Leader for a long time, leisurely like a picnic in the barrier.

As if noticing Xia Zhitiao’s expression, Zhang Lan edged closer, seemingly wanting to say something.

This child, Zhang Lan, would secretly glance at Xia Zhitiao whenever she had a moment, often getting caught.

Xia Zhitiao pinched her nose and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Lan said, “Senior Sister, are you worried?”

She was slightly nervous, carefully choosing her words, and said, “I don’t care about the ranking. Even if I’m assigned to the outer sect, or leave the mountain… I’ll be fine.”

Wang Ze smiled gently: “Senior Sister Xia, we don’t regret choosing your team.”

“Hey, hey, why are you two so negative?” Jin Li crossed her arms and unceremoniously interrupted them.

She laughed triumphantly twice: “We stayed with the Demon Sect Leader for an entire morning and emerged safe and sound, completely unharmed. Isn’t that impressive?”

Wang Yan agreed: “This great feat is unprecedented and will never be surpassed. It can be called the greatest achievement in Yashan!”

Jin Li hummed: “Yashan should present us with a banner that says ‘Demon Leader’s Bane!'”

Wang Yan slammed a chair: “If we don’t get first place, it’s simply against the laws of nature!”

Zhang Lan: “…”

Xia Zhitiao: “…”

These two were like a comedy duo, one singing and the other harmonizing. Not just Xia Zhitiao, even Wang Ze couldn’t bear it anymore and pulled his sister back, who had been led astray by Jin Li.

The peak masters arrived belatedly. Besides the sect leader of Yubai Peak, who didn’t take disciples, the other twelve had surprisingly all gathered, a rare occurrence.

This included the stern old Venerable Gao Ze of Jingting Peak, and the usually reclusive Peak Master of Bixu Peak, Fenghuo Ya.

Xia Zhitiao and her team were numbered a bit later. The eight of them sat together in the waiting area, watching the performance of other teams.

“There are actually twelve peak masters this time,” Xia Zhitiao said, looking at the many spiritual masters. “I think only eight came for my batch.”

Jin Li slowly said, “You’re lucky. Only four peak masters came for my batch; all the others were in closed-door cultivation.”

The little red fish gently blew bubbles, circling Jin Li’s ponytail.

Wang Yan rested her chin in her hand, asking in surprise, “Oh, does that mean our batch is exceptionally outstanding, and the peak masters value us greatly?”

“…No,” Wang Ze paused, then said helplessly, “It’s probably because the Demon Sect Leader appeared.”

Round and round, it always came back to Zhang Kuang.

Last time, Zhang Kuang only beat up a big man, and Yashan was already in a panic, lighting red warning flares and even alarming one of the masters from closed-door cultivation.

This time, the situation was even worse. Zhang Kuang personally appeared, suppressed and beat two demon beasts, and even trapped several disciples in a barrier. It was no wonder Yashan was on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Wang Yan, blunt and direct, said, “Do you think Zhang Kuang will appear here?”

“It would be great if she really came out,” her eyes sparkled, looking eagerly expectant. “I still want to see her!”

Xia Zhitiao silently turned her head and glanced at Zhang Lan.

*Look, the Demon Leader you’ve been yearning for is sitting right next to you. You even share a dorm with her, always seeing each other.*

“Wanting to see Zhang Kuang isn’t difficult,” Jin Li said with a smile, giving Xia Zhitiao a meaningful glance. “Just follow our Junior Sister Xia, and you’re guaranteed to see her.”

Xia Zhitiao helplessly said, “I think there must be some misunderstanding.”

Zhang Lan was sitting right beside her. The child hadn’t spoken much since earlier, constantly holding her wooden sword, fidgeting as if deep in thought.

However, Xia Zhitiao looked at Zhang Lan’s frank expression, her obedient and timid demeanor curled up in her seat, and somehow, she just couldn’t quite match it with the Demon Sect Leader.

—

The disciples came forward one by one, placing their spiritual birds, which recorded their movements, into the white jade tray. The spiritual birds would then disperse into shimmering points of light, transforming into the hunted demon beast crystals that fell into the tray.

*Look at everyone else’s spiritual birds! Every time, they “clinked and clanked” down trays full of demon beast crystals, in various colors, a dazzling array.*

If there was anyone most likely to win this time, it would undoubtedly be Mu Si’s team.

Mu Si was ranked first among this batch of disciples. Her team consisted entirely of top talents, and the two team leaders were a senior brother from Jingting Peak and a senior sister from Shuyao Peak. Their strength was evident at a glance.

And as luck would have it, their team was just before Xia Zhitiao’s.

The senior brother from Jingting Peak led his team of serious-looking disciples slowly forward. He first bowed to the Yashan peak masters, then gently waved his hand.

The spiritual bird floated forward, transforming into a blurred halo on the white jade tray.

With a few crisp sounds, several brilliant demon beast crystals condensed and dropped onto the white jade.

After several second-tier and third-tier crystals fell, the halo’s color gradually deepened, spiritual power surged, and it slowly condensed into a vibrant red crystal.

—A fourth-tier demon beast!

And that wasn’t all. After three red crystals fell, the misty light trembled, then slowly dissipated. What finally dropped was actually a deep purple fifth-tier crystal!

The entire hall erupted in an uproar. Disciples stood up to observe closely, their gazes ranging from jealousy to envy, whispering among themselves.

The peak masters also showed appreciative looks. Qin Zhi even rarely smiled, softly telling the bearded Grand-master beside her, “Mu Si has a steady personality and extraordinary spiritual roots. Her future is limitless.”

The bearded Grand-master laughed heartily: “You better be careful later. I’m afraid many peak masters will want to snatch her from you!”

Qin Zhi smiled: “My Zhihe Peak is not skilled in combat. It would be a pity if she followed me.”

According to Mu Si’s aptitude, Zhengxue Peak would be the most suitable. But if she was noticed by other peak masters, she might even enter Jingting Peak, or perhaps even Yuwan Peak.

Two inner sect disciples and six new disciples actually possessed the strength to slay a fifth-tier demon beast. Their future was not to be underestimated.

Forget the fifth-tier purple crystal; frankly, the moment the red crystal appeared, the other disciples had already lost any chance of winning.

Xia Zhitiao felt a pang in her heart, thinking how unlucky her team was. They had only hoped not to be last, but they were unluckily ranked behind the strongest team…

*Isn’t this a public execution?!*

*Senior Sister Jin Li, where’s your good luck buff? Hurry up and show yourself, or our team is going to be utterly humiliated right here!*

“Team seventeen, please come forward.”

Hearing the senior brother read out their team number, Xia Zhitiao exchanged glances with Jin Li and led all their members onto the White Jade Altar.

Thick clouds slowly moved, obscuring some of the sunlight. A chill wind swept across the White Jade Altar, carrying a few scattered fallen leaves, spreading a cold sensation along their sleeves.

Xia Zhitiao felt her mood at this moment was just like this cold wind: bleak, cold, and utterly resigned.

They only had those pitiful four white crystals. How could they compare with Mu Si’s team’s dazzling results?

*Forget it. At worst, they’ll be mocked. Anyway, there was still a team with only two white crystals as the last place, so they weren’t the worst off yet.*

Xia Zhitiao exhaled, her mindset becoming much more relaxed.

The spiritual bird floated onto the white jade tray, its halo still spinning. They heard four crisp “clinks” as four white crystals fell.

One, two, three, four. Yes, that’s all.

Xia Zhitiao counted silently, resignedly lowering her head, preparing to accept the bearded Grand-master’s reprimand.

Just then, her sleeve was suddenly pulled: “Junior Sister, look up.”

Jin Li’s expression was slightly confused. She whispered beside Xia Zhitiao, “Your spiritual bird, why does it look a bit strange?”

*What’s wrong?*

Xia Zhitiao looked over in confusion. She saw that after the four white crystals had fallen, the halo had not dissipated. Instead, it grew brighter and brighter, emitting a faint white glow.

A purple crystal gradually appeared, condensing into shape amidst gasps of surprise, and dropped onto the white jade tray with a “clunk.”

The disciples exclaimed in amazement. The bearded Grand-master slammed the table and said, “As expected of my disciple Zhitiao, she’s no less impressive than that boy from Jingting Peak!”

“Don’t get cocky,” Qin Zhi said disdainfully. “It’s just one purple crystal—”

They thought this was the end, but the halo suddenly trembled violently. Spiritual power seemed to have solidified, leaping restlessly, bursting forth with tiny specks of light.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the halo burst into a dazzling white light, instantly scattering misty light that obscured their vision.

And when the mist dissipated, a brilliantly translucent golden crystal, sparkling and flowing, was revealed, quietly suspended in mid-air.

Xia Zhitiao was stunned.

*These two demon beast crystals, one purple and one gold, why do they look so familiar?*

*These must be the crystals dropped by the two demon beasts that Big Boss Zhang Kuang mercilessly beat, right?!*

But they had clearly watched Zhang Kuang take the crystals. Why had they suddenly appeared among their team’s spiritual birds?

Centered around those crystals, subtle spiritual power rippled in layers, washing over the edges of the arena like tides, demonstrating the immense spiritual power contained within.

Xia Zhitiao’s eyes hurt from the dazzling light. She finally managed to recover her senses, feeling like she had understood something.

She quickly turned her head to look behind her, while everyone else’s attention was on the crystals.

Zhang Lan stood at the very back of the team. She hugged a wooden sword, her head slightly bowed, clearly a little absent-minded.

Amidst gasps of surprise, Zhang Lan covered her mouth, stealthily yawning. She looked tired, as if she was about to fall asleep.

*Sure enough, Your Excellency, Demon Leader, you put these crystals here, didn’t you!*

*I shouldn’t have doubted Junior Sister. You two are definitely the same person; no doubt about it!!*

—

Due to the appearance of the eighth-tier crystal, the arena immediately erupted. Many disciples couldn’t help but stand up, their gazes fixed on the dazzling crystal, their hearts surging.

At the same time, the expressions of the Yashan peak masters sitting on the high platform also became more solemn.

“An eighth-tier crystal,” Qin Zhi murmured, her voice slightly fluctuating. “Equivalent to a human cultivator at the Tribulation Transcendence stage, perhaps even stronger.”

“If we gave our all, a fifth-tier demon beast might barely be a match,” the bearded Grand-master said with disbelief. “But how did an eighth-tier one appear?”

The spiritual birds for the trial competition had been pre-set and would only devour crystals condensed on the day of the trial, ensuring fairness and impartiality.

This meant that, in the Demon Beast Forest, this team… or rather, someone had killed an eighth-tier demon beast and, for some reason, given this incredibly precious crystal to the team.

To everyone’s surprise, the peak masters didn’t pay too much attention to who killed the eighth-tier demon beast, but simply accepted the team’s results.

Thus, Xia Zhitiao, utterly bewildered, and with the thunderous cheers of the disciples behind her, inexplicably took first place.

—

After the team rankings were finalized and individual adjustments began, Jin Li excitedly rushed over and said, “The first-place team can enter the Hundred Treasures Cave and choose one spiritual artifact to take away!”

Xia Zhitiao pursed her lips and said, “Are they really just accepting this?”

If it were a fifth-tier demon beast, the team would at least have a fighting chance, but an eighth-tier demon beast? They would have been completely helpless, let alone defeated it.

Jin Li rested her chin in her hand and smiled: “Junior Sister, don’t worry.”

She seemed unintentional, her voice soft: “Cultivation is inherently about one’s own abilities, and luck is also an important part of it.”

This was an unwritten rule in this world—

“Rules.”

Yashan didn’t care who actually killed the demon beast; in the end, only the result mattered. Even if it wasn’t done by the team themselves, the fact that they obtained this crystal meant they had the ability.

Jin Li’s calm expression lasted only a moment. The next second, she instantly returned to her usual radiant smile.

She patted Xia Zhitiao’s hand and declared loudly, “Junior Sister Xia, this is the Demon Leader’s kind gesture; just accept it with peace of mind!”

Xia Zhitiao choked on a mouthful of tea. Zhang Lan quickly came over to help her, gently patting her back, utterly flustered: “Senior Sister, slow down.”

Most of the peak masters who wanted to take disciples were carefully observing the spiritual bird records, but there were a few idlers among them.

Two white-robed figures swayed over, stopping gracefully in front of the team.

Qin Zhi stood in the back, arms crossed, her expression cold. In front of her stood a peak master dressed in white with fire patterns.

Qin Zhi shrugged and introduced: “This is Bixu Peak Master.”

The person had a faint crimson mole between their eyebrows and a gentle smile: “Peak Master Qin said a few things earlier that made me quite curious about you all.”

Bixu Peak was the most leisurely and lax among Yashan, never bothering with worldly affairs, and cultivating purely out of interest. However, this peak ranked fourth in Yashan in terms of strength, truly unfathomable.

“I heard Zhang Kuang appeared. The eighth-tier demon beast was probably killed by her, wasn’t it?”

Fenghuo Ya didn’t beat around the bush; he went straight to the point, sighing, “To gain an advantage under her hand, you’re quite impressive.”

Xia Zhitiao was inevitably a little nervous. She gave an awkward smile.

Fenghuo Ya leaned back, lazily resting his arm on Qin Zhi’s shoulder, and slowly said, “If I had the chance, I’d quite like to meet the Demon Sect Leader.”

Qin Zhi’s expression was displeased. She coldly said, “Qiling Mountain isn’t far, Senior Brother, feel free.”

“Ah, the topic strayed,” Fenghuo Ya said, his expression unchanged, shrugging. “This time I came to find someone.”

Saying this, he walked with light, steady steps, passing by Xia Zhitiao and the others, and very precisely picked out Zhang Lan, who was hiding at the back, trying hard to reduce her presence.

Fenghuo Ya bent down slightly. His eyes curved gently, and the red mole on his forehead appeared in Zhang Lan’s eyes like a tiny cluster of cold flames.

He spoke unhurriedly, his voice seeming to hold a smile: “Zhang Lan, are you willing to join my Bixu Peak?”

Author’s Note:

Zhang Lan: No! My heart, my being, all belong to Senior Sister! Where Senior Sister is, there I shall be. I will resolutely follow Senior Sister!