Chapter 56: Sect Master Life’s Pretty Sweet

Bai Li, overhearing Leng Qingqiu and Xia Baiqian’s subtle jabs, put on her most pitiful act—
Body trembling dramatically, ears drooping, tails swaying just so.

All for show.

Underneath the soft fur and downcast amber eyes,
Her lips curled into a wicked smile.

Her heart was sweeter than honey.

Kissing… kissing Human.

Bodies pressed so close.

His lips were softer than she’d imagined, carrying a faint freshness.

His hand—usually just patting her head or tails—had burned against her waist, searing.

And feeling how… firm he was made her giddy.

One downside:

Leng Qingqiu’s “sword” kept getting in the way!

Next time, she’d make Human remove it.

Thinking back to her bold moves, she almost couldn’t believe it was her doing.

Yet the sensation—like faint thunder magic, tingling and electric—made her crave more.

Hee hee~ Next time, more kissing, meow!

After all, the novels said the first kiss was the hardest—
After that, it was easy.

And clearly, Human didn’t resist;
Obviously, he was smitten, meow!

Just remembering it made her stifle a giggle.

Even her early Great Vehicle cultivation had loosened up!

Wow, kissing someone you like really does boost cultivation, meow!

She never even considered the obvious truth:
That the unclaimed pristine dao charm swirling in the air was the actual cause.

Still, she needed a better plan.
Wrong time, wrong place got her caught.

Next time would be in private—
Maybe tonight.

Poor Bai Li didn’t realize that between Leng Qingqiu and Xia Baiqian’s constant “care” over Chu Huaizhou’s condition,
any suspicious move she made would be caught instantly.

Meanwhile, the sect masters above, seeing the dao charm absorbed, finally dropped their restraint spells, unsealing the space.

The effort showed.

The monk clasped his hands and bowed.

“Amitabha. With matters resolved, this old monk will depart. Congratulations again, Chu Sword Immortal, on your advancement.”

Chu Huaizhou nodded coolly.

Xia Wujie spotted him—and immediately flinched, smiling weakly.

“Radish—I mean, Chu Sword Immortal—I just remembered the sect’s beasts need feeding. Gotta go!”

Mounting his purple-gold hou, he paused—
Turning back to toss a long, flawless white radish through the air.

“Came in a rush, brought no proper gift—
Here’s a Snow Soul Silver Cloud, been growing a century in my spirit garden.
A snack for your nine-tailed fox.”

Bai Li, back in Chu Huaizhou’s arms to mimic his Tribulation-stage aura, lit up.

Yummy, meow!

Her paw stretched out eagerly to catch it…

But a flawless, icy hand snatched it midair.

Slap!

Leng Qingqiu tucked it neatly into her storage ring.

“Qingqiu, you—! …Never mind, meow…”

Bai Li shrank under her cold phoenix gaze, falling silent.

Hmph, bad woman, always bullying me! Tonight, when you’re not looking, I’ll kiss Human again, meow!

Post-incident, Bai Li was feeling almost invincible—
And entirely oblivious to the possible consequences.

Chu Huaizhou didn’t mind losing it… at first.
A radish was a radish, right?

Couldn’t let Bai Li go hungry.

Then the name hit him.

Snow Soul Silver Cloud.

A late-game treasure—boosting a spirit beast’s cultivation by a century and purifying its bloodline,
Even unlocking potential innate techniques.

In his last life, he’d struggled bitterly to obtain one,
Too precious to even consider using.

This life, he’d never dreamed of touching one before Golden Core.

And now…
It had been given casually.
As a snack.

For Bai Li.

What a waste!

He glanced at Bai Li.

She met his eyes with watery amber ones,
Nudging her chin subtly toward Leng Qingqiu.

As if to say: Human… get it back, meow!

Tch. Eat, eat, eat—
Hashi Bai, treasures like that aren’t for snacking!

He looked away, pretending not to notice.

Bai Li’s ears drooped.

Thinking he’d missed it,
She tapped his arm with her soft paw,
Pointing toward Leng Qingqiu again—eyes pleading desperately.

Chu Huaizhou: …Read. No reply.

The remaining sect masters stepped forward:

Lu Ming—his expression complex enough to puzzle Chu Huaizhou.
Song Yiwan—blocked irritatingly behind Xia Baiqian.

Both offered congratulations and “small gifts.”

Small, except each of these “gifts” could spur bloody wars among first- and second-rate sects.

Chu Huaizhou’s chest warmed.
It all felt dreamlike.

Sect master life’s pretty sweet.

Finally, his eyes landed on Wanfa Sect’s master—
His childhood friend and younger sister in all but blood—
Xu Mengdie.

“Than—”

“Pfft~ Trash Big Bro’s still useless~”

“Without my healing pill, you’d be toast, huh? Classic Trash Big Bro~”

His thanks were chopped mid-word, replaced with her teasing sting.

She flashed into his space, stomping his shoe,
Her golden ponytail nearly whipping his face.

Fists clenched.

Her sharp, familiar tone sent his blood pressure up—
But also triggered an ache of nostalgia.

Of everyone here,
Only Xu Mengdie felt entirely unchanged.
She was still… the closest to him.

He swallowed his retort and turned it into quiet gratitude.

Though her pill had gone unused,
It was still a safety net—a sign she cared.

“Anyway, thanks, Mengdie.”

He reached out, ruffling her bangs like old times.