Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng left in a hurry, not giving Yao Ranran even the smallest chance to say goodbye.
Of course, she didn't dare bring it up either.
A supposed sinner meant to spend months in solitary confinement, yet she had somehow crossed paths with people from two villages and even a sect…
How could she mention such a thing?
…
Longyin Village.
Nie Rong was still wandering about, swaggering and nosing around, his eyes darting everywhere, ears pricked for gossip. Today, he was on a mission: to spot the most beautiful village girl returning home.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A streak of light shot across the sky like a gale, sweeping dust into the air as it cut past overhead.
"Cough, cough! Don't you know flying is forbidden over Longyin Village? Who's the fool above?" Nie Rong stomped his feet, springing up like lightning, and clamped a hand on the shoulder of the one passing by.
"Nie Daoyou, I'm in a hurry, I can't be delayed—let me go!" Zhou Lili struggled to break free.
But Nie Rong refused to release her. "The heavens and the earth may be vast, but nothing is greater than my master's rules. Get down—"
Zhou Lili almost lost balance and fell. In a panic she shouted, "The urgent matter I speak of is about your master, Fairy Ranran!"
At that, Nie Rong's grip loosened slightly. "What happened to my master?"
Zhou Lili hurried out her words. "Fairy Ranran was taken away by two male cultivators! The master of Suohong Tower nearly killed her too!"
"They were from Suohong Tower?" Nie Rong frowned.
"No. The two claimed to be from Central Continent's Wuxiang Sect, and said they were sent to capture Fairy Ranran back."
"Wuxiang Sect of Central Continent? Hah, I know that place well! Tell me, what are their names?" Nie Rong asked, sounding confident as he finally let her go.
Zhou Lili hesitated. "The shopkeeper only heard one name… Wu Changde. Nie Daoyou, do you know him?"
Nie Rong fell silent, his frown deepening.
Seeing that, Zhou Lili grew nervous. "Nie Daoyou, is he dangerous?"
Nie Rong shook his head. "No."
"Then why are you…"
Nie Rong heaved a long sigh at the sky. "The Wuxiang Sect is so large, of course there are bound to be one or two disciples I don't recognize."
"…" Zhou Lili's lips twitched. "Nie Daoyou, I'm leaving!"
She must have lost her mind to think this braggart actually knew anyone from Wuxiang Sect!
"Wait, take me with you!" Nie Rong followed along until they reached Lone Star Peak.
…
By evening, the heavens shimmered with scattered pearls of light.
From her high perch, Yao Ranran gazed down. A hundred feet below, the earth was drowned in the consuming black of night.
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng sat cross-legged, eyes closed, regulating their breath.
Hooo… hooo…
Then, a faint snore slipped from Yao Ranran's sleeve.
She shot a glance at the two men, turned her back, activated a sound barrier, and tugged out the small, round bundle that had been napping soundly inside.
"Mmm… huh?" The little meatball rubbed its drowsy eyes, then looked up and blinked. "Fairy Ranran!"
"You know me?" Yao Ranran narrowed her eyes, scanning the little one from head to toe.
The meatball's eyes went wide. Its tiny hand flew to cover its mouth. Slip of the tongue!
Yao Ranran's gaze sharpened. "You're Che Lingzhi, aren't you?"
"I'm not, I'm not!" The meatball shook its head furiously.
Yao Ranran bared her small tiger-like teeth. "I'll just take one bite to find out."
"No, don't! Fairy, please don't eat me!" The little one wailed, big round eyes filling with tears that clung to her lashes.
Yao Ranran tilted her head, puzzled. "These eyes… why do they look so familiar?"
"Wuwu… Fairy Ranran, please don't eat me! I'll work hard, I'll earn you piles and piles of spirit stones!" The meatball sobbed, voice choked.
Yao Ranran's heart stirred. That sounded so familiar. How would a meatball know about her fondness for spirit stones?
Her eyes narrowed on the teary face. Without a word, she pulled out the Ancient Appraisal Mirror.
Target: Tang Xiangyin, Che Lingzhi (Heaven-and-earth treasure. Eating one slice grants a hundred years of life. Three slices aid a breakthrough.)
Constitution: Heavenly Underworld Six Yin Body {Incomplete} (A six-soul physique of purest yin.)
Spiritual Root: None
Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment
Evaluation: A dangerous yet beguiling fool of a woman.
"…"
This mirror was definitely sentient. And this little meatball—
Yao Ranran set her down.
The moment her feet touched solid ground, the girl relaxed, though she still sniffled, eyes fixed warily on Yao Ranran.
"Xiang Yin, did you really sell yourself behind my back?" Yao Ranran locked eyes with her.
The little one's eyes went wide with panic. "Wh-what Xiang Yin? Who's Xiang Yin?"
Yao Ranran rested her chin on her hand, smirking. "Let me guess. You're afraid I'll eat you, so you refuse to admit your identity?"
The girl fidgeted, fingers twisting nervously. "Fairy, I don't know what you mean. I'm just an ordinary meatball, nothing more…"
"Not Xiang Yin, hmm? Then I can eat you with no burden." Yao Ranran leaned in, baring her teeth.
The girl squeaked, tumbling to the ground, tears brimming. "Fairy, it's me! I'm Xiang Yin, I'm Xiang Yin, don't eat me!"
Yao Ranran lifted her up and grinned, "So it really is you, Xiang Yin. You hid it well."
Tang Xiangyin pressed her little hands together in a pitiful bow. "Fairy, I was wrong, please spare me this once. I-I don't want to die yet, wuwu…"
Yao Ranran hugged her close, giving her a playful squeeze. "Relax. I won't eat you now."
"Thank you, Fairy, thank you…"
"I'll fatten you up first, then kill you." Yao Ranran's tone cooled as she pinched the girl's chubby cheeks.
"Fairy, spare me! I won't dare again!" Tang Xiangyin bawled, burying her face into Yao Ranran's embrace.
Yao Ranran stroked her round head, a brilliant smile blossoming on her lips.
What a Che Lingzhi. What a treasure!
What did it feel like to cradle not thousands, but billions of spirit stones in one's arms?
…
"I have to rescue Big Sister!" Xiao Rong clenched his fists, brows knitted tight.
"Rong-yé, our cultivation is far too low. Heading to Central Continent now would be no different from marching to our deaths," Zhou Shengqian sighed heavily.
Nie Rong flipped his fringe with a smug shake. "Xiao Rong, leave this to me. Wuxiang Sect is my territory, and no one dares stop me from taking Master back."
But Xiao Rong ignored him, leaping from his chair as if to rush out at once.
"Rong-yé, you can't! What on earth happened to make you so anxious about Fairy Ranran?" Zhou Shengqian grabbed his arm.
Jiang Shengxiang added, "Yes, Rong-yé, why won't you tell us what's really going on? Is Fairy Ranran truly a criminal of Wuxiang Sect?"
Xiao Rong's fists trembled, his heart crying in silence.
It was true. She was a sinner. These past days had been so good that he almost forgot.
But suddenly, she was seized. Xiao Tang was still missing too, no one knew where she had gone.
Zhou Lili, more perceptive than the others, guessed softly, "If Rong-yé won't speak, then don't press him. This must be Fairy Ranran's own command. He cannot disobey."
The group fell into heavy silence.
At length, Zhou Shengqian spoke again. "Rong-yé, but you can't go alone to Central Continent. It's far too dangerous."
Nie Rong cut in, "Leave it to me! None of you need worry."
Zhou Lili shoved him aside. "Rong-yé, let us father and daughter go with you. At least you'll have company on the road."
Nie Rong flailed. "Did any of you even hear what I just said???"
===
Ranran in this chapter make me remember Miaozhu. In certain sense, both of them have similar traits.