Chapter 128: Xiao Bai, the Unmotivated
Time passed slowly, and three days passed in a flash.
In the cave, Yun Zhi was wearing a loose black robe, tightly bound by a belt around her slender waist, making her curvy and delicate body look particularly mysterious and seductive against the black background.
At this time, she held her fragrant cheek with her hand, sitting on the stone slab, staring at the cave entrance in a daze, with a trace of imperceptible worry in her eyes.
She didn't know what was wrong with that guy. He went out for a while every morning, without saying what he was doing. This was the Magical Beast Mountains, and the minions of the Amethyst Winged Lion King were constantly searching for her traces. If he encountered those fifth-tier magical beasts, wouldn't it be very dangerous?
Although Aniu was mysterious and dealt with two third-tier magical beasts quietly that day, she didn't believe a man under twenty could defeat a fifth-tier beast comparable to a Dou Wang.
"You're back!" Seeing the figure at the cave entrance, the worry in Yun Zhi's beautiful eyes was quickly replaced by joy, and she smiled slightly.
"Hmm!" Xiao Bai glanced at her indifferently, walked to the fire, and placed a few fish on the fire rack to roast.
"Did you go out smoothly?" Yun Zhi ignored his attitude, stood up, approached with a fragrant breeze, sat gracefully beside him, and asked softly.
"Hmm!"
".!" Yun Zhi looked at his indifferent expression and felt helpless.
"If you talk to me in this tone again, we'll part ways after eating!" Xiao Bai turned the grilled fish, his face expressionless.
Since that day, this woman had spoken to him gently, but Xiao Bai could feel a sense of alienation.
At first, he thought she was embarrassed and didn't mind too much.
But after three days, her cold distance persisted. Her whispers carried an undercurrents of detachment.
Though he liked her, he had his pride. If she didn't care, why should he grovel?
Yun Zhi looked stunned. This was the longest sentence Xiao Bai had said to her recently, yet it stung.
After that day, she didn't know how to face him, using this method to mask her embarrassment. She didn't expect him to react so strongly!
"Ah," she sighed, recalling how he saved her twice and cared for her despite his cold demeanor. She dropped the aloof tone and said, "Are you satisfied now?!"
"Satisfied, satisfied!" Seeing her normal tone, Xiao Bai smiled. "Come on, eat fish!"
Yun Zhi rolled her eyes, ignoring her stomach's protests, and said unhappily, "I'm not hungry, you eat!"
But seeing Xiao Bai hold the grilled fish to her mouth, as if he'd force-feed her, she took it with a glare, thinking, Wait till I recover, I'll deal with you!
"It's a little hot, be careful!" Xiao Bai said warmly, ignoring her fierce look.
"Have you ever seen a Dou Huang care about this temperature?" Yun Zhi shot him a look, as if he were a fool.
Xiao Bai's eyes dimmed, his mouth twitching. Without a word, he turned back to grilling.
Yun Zhi noticed his gloom, stunned. Realizing her words might have caused a misunderstanding, guilt flashed in her eyes. "Sorry! I didn't mean that."
She missed the sly smile in Xiao Bai's eyes as he turned. He thought, My acting deserves an award!
Otherwise, he'd have throttled this woman!
"It doesn't matter! I know you didn't mean it. My cultivation's weak, I'm just sensitive!" Xiao Bai waved, recalling every sad memory to keep from laughing.
".!" Yun Zhi couldn't tell if he was sincere. Weak cultivation? He handled two third-tier beasts at once. At his age, that was elite in the Jia Ma Empire.
"Don't you have a teacher?" she asked expectantly.
Xiao Bai shook his head. "No, I got a small opportunity and trained myself!"
He wasn't lying. His techniques were unique, self-taught.
"Then, I recommend a place where you can grow best, how about it?" Yun Zhi's face lit up, eyeing him like a prized talent.
Xiao Bai felt uneasy. I want you as a partner, and you want to be my mentor?
After a moment's thought, he tilted his head. "Are you there?"
Yun Zhi's eyes flickered. "No! But I have a friend there. She'll take care of you!"
Xiao Bai glanced at this "classic" woman, waved dismissively. "No, no!"
"Why?" Yun Zhi blinked, puzzled by his refusal.
"If you're not there, what's the point?" Xiao Bai said matter-of-factly.
Yun Zhi's face flushed, then flared with anger. "What are you training for? If I'm not there, you won't train?"
Her anger surged, and she stood. "Self-training is inferior to guidance and resources! Alone, what if something goes wrong one day?"
"Uh, Yun Zhi, are you cursing me?" Xiao Bai asked, dazed, not grasping her sudden outburst.
"Bah! No, I'm worried about you!" Yun Zhi blurted out, then froze, realizing her slip.
What's wrong with me? She didn't resemble the poised Yunlan Sect leader.
Seeing Aniu's unmotivated demeanor sparked her anger inexplicably!
"It's because he's such a promising talent, I can't bear to see it wasted! Yes, that's it!" She nodded, convincing herself.
Amusement flickered in Xiao Bai's eyes. Her earlier anger now made sense.
"What are you staring at, you lazy fool!" Yun Zhi squirmed under his piercing gaze, scolding him with shy anger. She sat far off, nibbling the fish elegantly, ignoring him.
Xiao Bai shook his head, the scene oddly familiar. He recalled Queen Medusa's scolding last time. Now, a jest earned him the Yun Sect leader's wrath.
That day, Yun Zhi didn't speak to Xiao Bai again. After eating, she closed her eyes to work on the seal. Xiao Bai didn't mind. Meeting her expectations would mean joining the Yunlan Sect.
The only person he cared for there was her. The rest? Irrelevant.
As night fell, stars glittered, and moonlight draped the Magical Beast Mountains in a silver veil.
In a forest outside the mountains, a bonfire flickered, illuminating a young face.
"Teacher, we can enter the mountains from Wutan City, why come here?" Xiao Yan poked the flames lazily.
After leaving Wutan City, his dream of adventuring waned. The journey's loneliness made him miss the Xiao family.
"This is the east side of the mountains. From here, you can cross to the Tagor Desert, your final training ground!" Yao Lao smiled.
"Cross the mountains?" Xiao Yan nearly jumped. "Teacher, you're joking! With my strength, I can barely handle first-tier beasts. Second-tier? No way. Crossing is impossible!"
"Only in danger can you unleash your potential!" Yao Lao said calmly. "My plan: break through to Dou Shi in the mountains, then devour the Heavenly Flame in the desert, master the upgraded Burning Technique, and gain experience!"
"Okay!" Xiao Yan shook his head, bitter. He'd be stuck in the mountains, but with his teacher, he wouldn't die.
"Look at you!" Yao Lao sighed. "Xiao Bai roams these mountains freely, crushing anyone he dislikes, and I never intervene! Compare that to you!"
No comparison, no pain. With Xiao Bai, Yao Lao never worried. The kid had clear goals, acted decisively, only needing help once when struck by lightning.
With Xiao Yan, he planned routes, ensured safety, and taught cultivation—a constant hassle!
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. Who'd compare with that freak?
Yao Lao had shared Xiao Bai's mountain exploits. The guy ignored first- and second-tier beast cores, blasting them to ash. Xiao Yan's eyes reddened with envy. He was broke!
Had he known Brother Bai was so rich, he'd have robbed him!
"You have two brothers in Shimo City, right? We can stop by!" Yao Lao said.
"Big brother and second brother!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll guide you to find herbs to boost your cultivation. Talent's not enough—elixirs are key!" Yao Lao mused.
"Nalan Yanran? She's nothing!" Xiao Yan grinned.
"Haha! She relies on Gu He, a sixth-grade alchemist. How can he compare to me?" Yao Lao boasted, scorning the Pill King.
Xiao Yan gave a thumbs-up, saluting the eighth-grade alchemist.
"Carry this. Never take it off, even when sleeping!" A massive black ruler flew from the ancient ring.
The moon set, crows cawed, and dawn broke.
Xiao Bai surveyed the nearly depleted herb valley. He'd collected slowly, but the valley was small, and the herbs were finite.
With a final sweep, he flew off, unsure when he'd return.
Landing near the waterfall, he headed to the cave. It was time to check Yun Zhi's seal progress. If she couldn't break it by tomorrow, he'd intervene.
It was the fifth day, and he'd leave for Jia Nan Academy the day after. If he didn't return tomorrow, Xun'er and Xiao Yixian might kill him!
Xun'er had given him a soul jade to imprint his mark for safety. He hadn't refused.
That's why they hadn't come. Otherwise, with Xun'er's temperament, Ling Ying would be circling nearby.
Entering the cave, Xiao Bai met Yun Zhi's light blue eyes, which flicked away casually.
"Hey, how's the seal?" As the man, Xiao Bai broke the awkward silence.
"Tomorrow, it should be unsealed," Yun Zhi said softly after a pause.
"Good!" Xiao Bai exhaled. If it didn't break tomorrow, explaining would be tough. Waiting wasn't an option, but standing by for days needed justification.
"You seem happy!" Yun Zhi glanced at him, her voice light.
"Shouldn't I be?" Xiao Bai pointed at himself, puzzled. Is her head sealed too?
"Hmph!" With a faint snort, she gave him a subtle glare, leaving him confused.
"After I recover, I'll face the Lion King. Stay away, don't get close!" She sighed, a trace of tenderness in her eyes, whispering.
"Need my help?" Xiao Bai asked, smiling.
Yun Zhi nearly snapped Don't make trouble! but paused, studying him. He might actually help.
"The Purple Spirit Crystal is usually in the Lion King's cave. Tomorrow, I'll lure it away. You search the cave for the crystal!" She nodded after a moment. "Take this crystal. It heats up near the Purple Spirit Crystal, making it easier to find."
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(End of this chapter)