Chapter 24: Bai Li, Not Cold and Ruthless

Leng Qingqiu had gone to great lengths to place the symbiotic puppet on her master’s bed.
After much thought, she devised a way to make Chu Huaizhou willingly keep it in his sleeping quarters.
The puppet didn’t disappoint—even her Tribulation Crossing master couldn’t sense anything amiss, treating it as a mere plushie.
Unbeknownst to him, every quiet night, the puppet could sense the aura of whoever touched it.

Now, Leng Qingqiu was certain her puppet was in Chu Huaizhou’s arms.
His warmth flowed through it, sending shivers through her heart.
She could almost picture him—half-reclining on soft pillows, collar slightly open, black hair spilling loosely…
And his body temperature was rising.

She bit her lip, a faint blush spreading across her jade-white neck.
Hehe… Master’s so naughty.
Just yesterday, he resisted physical contact with her.
Yet tonight, alone, he was… hehe~
What was he doing? So hard to guess.

If she weren’t tied up here, she’d tear through the void to check if he was up to something scandalous.
But for now, feeling his warmth, Leng Qingqiu was content.
The sensation wasn’t just from the puppet—it was the pendant she’d given him yesterday.
Sure, it blocked mental control, but she never said that was its only effect.
To avoid Bai Li, who was adept at similar spells, Leng Qingqiu kept it subtle, adding only a temperature-sharing function.
Meant to monitor him and keep that seductive fox at bay, it paired perfectly with the puppet.
What a delightful surprise! Heaven itself is rooting for me and Master!

Just wait, Master. Once I’m done here, I’ll travel the world with you, helping you recover your cultivation.
But the Great Vehicle demon…
Thinking of the Calamity Plague Emperor Lord in the Rotting Bone Nether River, her eyes turned icy, and she snorted.
Half a month’s extra sealing was enough.
A relic of a bygone era—she could kill it effortlessly with proper prep.
Notify her second and third junior sisters to help? Never crossed her mind.
Master only needs me! They didn’t need to meet him yet.
Imagining their future jealousy as he smiled only at her, Leng Qingqiu felt a rush of heat.
She clenched her legs, masking her trembling by adjusting her skirt.

The officials below her mystic ice throne saw their empress’s legs quiver, assuming she was furious. They pressed themselves lower, fearing her wrath.
Lost in fantasies of her future with Chu Huaizhou, Leng Qingqiu’s mood soared.
Seeing the officials still there, she restrained the odd sensations from the shared connection.
Waving a hand, she said, “You’ve done your best. I don’t blame you. Prepare for the Heaven’s Abyss Cold Prison Array in a few hours.”

Relieved, the officials saluted and retreated from the Jade Cold Palace.
Once the doors closed, Leng Qingqiu slumped onto her throne.
Master, I’ll speed through this and return to you soon.

At Heavenly Sword Peak, moonlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the bed.
Chu Huaizhou gazed at the mortified Bai Li,感慨万千.
Her OP stats paired with high-attack, low-defense traits? Who can handle that?!
A sudden chill made him shudder, feeling like someone was watching.
Shaking his head, his gut told him to end this farce before things went south.
No more letting this fox stir trouble.

Slap—
Instinctively, he swatted Bai Li’s rear.
The crisp sound echoed in the quiet room, the springy sensation freezing his hand.
Oh no!
He’d gone on autopilot!
Back when Bai Li caused trouble, she’d bury her head in his chest, and he’d lightly pat her fluffy fox butt as punishment.
But now…
The full, rounded feel under the thin pomegranate skirt was overwhelming.
Worse, Bai Li froze solid.

“W-Woo… meow…”
A mosquito-like whimper escaped her lips.
Her snowy skin flushed visibly from ears to collarbone.
Her already-red face hadn’t even recovered.
Those seemingly clever but actually ditzy amber eyes glistened with misty tears.
Unable to bear it, she poofed back into a white fox, smoke exploding as she burrowed under the blankets.

Lifting the covers, Chu Huaizhou saw a palm-sized white furball drilling under the pillow, nine tails wrapped tightly around herself, even her ear tips curled in shame.
She’d completely forgotten her earlier teasing and mental prep.
Bai Li, not cold and ruthless.

Chuckling helplessly, Chu Huaizhou stopped poking at her.
It felt like bullying a toddler.

The next day, during the entrance exam, the sect gates were open, risking interference from troublemakers.
Thus, Sword Knocks at Heaven’s Origin lasted only two days, with only those who completed the trials and passed duels joining the sect.
Barring surprises, by evening, the vice sect leader would announce Ye Feng as the top recruit.
Chu Huaizhou, up early, had no interest in watching.
Yesterday, with Bai Li and the Nine Luminaries Mysterious Abyss Ring, he’d seen through Ye Feng: natural sword seed, heaven-grade sword spirit root, mid-Foundation Establishment.
Most examinees were at Qi Refining ninth layer, with few at Foundation Establishment. Ye Feng not dominating would be absurd.
Plus, too much contact might make him suspicious, creating a rift.

So, Chu Huaizhou meditated in his abode all morning.
Good news? His cultivation speed was fast, with no bottlenecks.
One morning’s practice brought noticeable progress.
At this rate, he might reach Tribulation Crossing in a year or two.

As sunlight shifted from golden to blood-orange, he prepared to head to the sect hall for the results, asking Bai Li to guide him.
But she hesitated, wary.
“Human, you’re going to the exam for that Ye Feng, right, meow?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong? He’s talented. I want to mentor him.”
“Can’t you skip it, meow? Ye Feng’s a girl. If Qingqiu sees you so eager to get close, it might not look good, meow…”

Chu Huaizhou: Huh… HUH?!