Pet Zhao Xinting

“Such a fiery temper, but that’s exactly what I like about her,” Qin Gou mused with a grin as he watched Ye Qishuang’s imposing figure leading the retreat.

“Ye Qishuang! I’ll fight you to the death!” the Nine Hells Old Ghost roared, barely steadying himself midair. Wiping the blood from his lips, he summoned his Avatar—a massive wolf bound by thick chains. The beast howled, its soundwaves deafening as the ground trembled and the skies seemed to collapse.

“So that’s the Palace Master’s ‘Avatar of the Cursed God’s Mother’? Truly breathtaking. It’s as terrifying as it is beautiful,” Chi Yuchao murmured, his eyes wide with awe.

Qin Gou clapped him on the shoulder. “Stop staring and get moving. The Avatar of the Cursed God’s Mother isn’t just for show. Its aura radiates endless curses. If we linger, we might get caught in its residual effects.”

“How do you even know this?” Chi Yuchao asked, astonished.

“Do you think I reached the twenty-third level of the Rebirth Tower by knowing nothing?” Qin Gou replied casually, ushering Chi Yuchao onto the Mystic Maiden Palace’s spirit boat. The vessel tore through the sky, carrying them away.

—

On their way back, the group encountered another spirit boat adorned with the Mystic Maiden Palace’s signature spider totem. The two boats aligned midair, allowing them to meet.

“Hmm? Aren’t you Fu Yan, one of Sister Chengying’s disciples? Where are you all rushing off to?” A tall woman with a veil leapt gracefully from the other boat onto theirs.

Fu Yan bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Sister Cuiyan. To keep it brief, we’re returning to the sect. The Palace Master is currently battling the Nine Hells Lord in the Falling Immortal Forest.”

“Is that so?” Ling Cuiyan raised an elegant brow. “I should go assist. Did you see whether the Palace Master has summoned her Avatar?”

“She has indeed summoned the ‘Avatar of the Cursed God’s Mother,’” Fu Yan replied, her voice tinged with lingering fear.

“Then it seems the Palace Master is truly enraged,” Ling Cuiyan said with a wry smile. “In that case, even if I wanted to fight alongside her, it would only hinder her. Her Avatar’s curses are indiscriminate and terrifying. I’ll return to the sect with you instead.”

Thanks to their shared experience in the Falling Immortal Forest, some of the female disciples had developed a newfound respect for Qin Gou. One of them leaned in and whispered, “Qin Yue, this sister is one of the nine Saintesses of the Mystic Maiden Palace—the Judging Saintess, Ling Cuiyan.”

Qin Gou nodded, offering a grateful smile before turning his attention to Ling Cuiyan. His gaze lingered on the large black humanoid bundle strapped to her back. It was clear it contained someone, though whether it was a living person or a corpse was unclear.

Ling Cuiyan, however, made no effort to explain, and the other disciples, out of respect and fear, dared not ask. The situation felt increasingly peculiar.

—

Upon returning to the Mystic Maiden Palace, Ling Cuiyan immediately parted ways with Qin Gou and the others. She informed the other Saintesses about Ye Qishuang’s battle with the Nine Hells Lord before retreating to her own cave.

The Saintesses were well aware of Ye Qishuang’s terrifying strength. While the Nine Hells Lord was formidable, he was no match for their Palace Master. Battles between Avatar Realm cultivators were paradoxically the safest, as neither side could easily kill the other. Each had countless trump cards and was as cunning as a fox.

—

Inside her cave, Ling Cuiyan unwrapped the black bundle, revealing the bound Zhao Xinting. With a sly smile, she used her spiritual energy to release him from his restraints.

Zhao Xinting’s clear, glass-like eyes scanned his surroundings warily. “Where is this? Have we arrived at the Mystic Maiden Palace you spoke of?”

“Indeed,” Ling Cuiyan replied, sitting on her jade bed with her chin resting on her hands, watching him with interest.

Zhao Xinting frowned. “Is this… your personal chamber? Why have you brought me here? Shouldn’t I be formally inducted as a disciple of the sect?”

“When did I ever promise to make you a disciple?” Ling Cuiyan said with a playful smile. “You’re far too good-looking. If someone else snatched you up as a cultivation furnace, what would I do? No, you’re mine alone.”

“What… are you planning to keep me imprisoned here forever?” Zhao Xinting asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. How could he ever reunite with his junior sister Ye Qishuang and seek her help to escape this predicament?

“Exactly,” Ling Cuiyan said, licking her lips with a mischievous grin. “But don’t worry. Even pets need fresh air. When I’m in a good mood, I’ll let you wander around my cave.”

“You! What have I done to offend you? Why treat me so unjustly? Aren’t you afraid I’ll take my own life rather than endure this humiliation?” Zhao Xinting said, his face dark with anger.

“I’m not afraid because you won’t do it,” Ling Cuiyan said, her gaze unwavering. “Besides, you’ve never offended me. You just stole my heart.” Her voice softened, and a hint of girlish shyness appeared on her face.

“If you truly care for me, then you should—” Zhao Xinting began, but Ling Cuiyan cut him off sharply.

“Silence!” she snapped, her eyes flashing. “I like your face, not your words. See that table over there? It has some spirit fruits. Peel them for me and feed me.”

Zhao Xinting’s face turned red with anger. “Why should I obey you?”

Ling Cuiyan’s smile widened as she stood and approached him. Without warning, she grabbed his waistband and slipped her cold hand inside, her tone teasing. “If my little pet won’t feed me spirit fruits, then I’ll have to find something else to eat.”

“Stop! Don’t you dare!” Zhao Xinting’s face turned pale as his hair stood on end. “Fine! I’ll peel the fruits! I’ll do whatever you say!”