Volume 7, Chapter 443 – Yaoyao’s Rage

“What? The Huxiao Sect?”

Protector Hong frowned in confusion. After all, the two sects had never had any dealings with each other before.

“Yes, it’s the Huxiao Sect.”

The disciple outside repeated his message.

“What a bunch of pests.”

Protector Hong couldn’t help but grumble. Right now, the Shixin Sect was already in dire straits, he had no patience to entertain guests.

“Whatever. Let them in.”

After venting for a moment, Protector Hong still gave the order. After all, Yongning Prefecture was the Huxiao Sect’s territory.

A short while later, Zhou Ming entered the room with Lu Zhen in tow.

“Elder Zhou, greetings.”

“Protector Hong, greetings.”

The two exchanged polite bows before engaging in idle chatter.

Seeing how composed the other party was, Zhou Ming deliberately extended an invitation:

“Protector Hong, since you’ve come all this way, the Huxiao Sect should fulfill our duty as hosts. Why not visit our sect for a while? There’s no competition tomorrow anyway.”

“Elder Zhou, you jest.” Protector Hong declined tactfully. “We’re already in the fourth round, and the remaining sects are all tough opponents. How could we afford to slack off? If we’re to visit, it’ll have to be after the Evergreen Conference!”

“Protector Hong, you’re the one joking now.” Zhou Ming deliberately teased. “Everyone knows you drew the Honghua Sect. They’re only relying on that brat Qi Huang’s ‘one-trick pony’ tactic, how can they be considered a tough opponent?”

Protector Hong hesitated, torn between telling the truth and saving face. But he quickly realized that now wasn’t the time to worry about temporary losses. The Huxiao Sect was the local power in Yongning Prefecture. If he could secure their help, he might be able to obtain that Divine-grade protective talisman.

With that thought, he forced a bitter smile.

“The problem is, we can’t even deal with that ‘one-trick pony’ of hers!”

“How is that possible?” Zhou Ming feigned surprise. “Haven’t you heard? Divine-grade protective talismans have already appeared in the prefecture’s markets. If you can get your hands on one, Qi Huang won’t be a threat at all.”

“We’ve heard, but we’ve never seen one. Who knows if they’re real? Besides, we’re strangers in Yongning Prefecture. Even if they exist, there’s no way we could find a supplier in just a day or two.”

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Protector Hong sighed in frustration.

“Then why are you still holding onto this matchup?”

Zhou Ming asked knowingly.

“If we don’t choose the Honghua Sect, who else can we pick? At least with them, there’s a chance to exploit a weakness. Against the others, we’d have to fight head-on, and our chances would be even slimmer.”

Protector Hong spoke honestly.

“Fair point.”

Zhou Ming nodded neutrally.

“Brother Zhou, I have an impertinent request.” Protector Hong finally lost his patience. “Your sect has operated in this prefecture for many years, so you must be familiar with the local situation. Could you help us gather information on that Divine-grade protective talisman? Regardless of the outcome, the Shixin Sect will repay you handsomely.”

“You’re too kind, fellow Daoist. We’re both sects under the Immortal Alliance, there’s no need for such formality. The Huxiao Sect will do our best to assist you.”

Zhou Ming generously agreed.

“Thank you, Brother Zhou. After the Evergreen Conference, I will personally visit to express my gratitude.”

Protector Hong stood and clasped his fists in salute.

Zhou Ming returned the gesture before leaving the inn with Lu Zhen.

“Elder Zhou, weren’t we planning to give the talisman to the Shixin Sect? Why did we leave just like that?”

Lu Zhen asked in confusion.

“We’ll give it to them, just not yet.”

Zhou Ming didn’t even turn his head as he answered.

“Then when will we?”

Lu Zhen grew even more puzzled.

“What are you being so anxious for?”

Zhou Ming stopped and glared at Lu Zhen. “Didn’t you see how that Hong fellow acted earlier? If I hadn’t carefully probed, he wouldn’t have admitted the truth. Since he’s so composed, why should I rush? It’s not me begging for help!”

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“Elder Zhou is absolutely right.”

Lü Zhen immediately understood and nodded repeatedly.

“Since he wants to repay me, I’ll give him the chance. But unless he offers a satisfactory price, he can forget about getting this Divine-grade protective talisman.”

Zhou Ming sneered.

The sun was already high when Yaoyao finally emerged from her room. Though she was now a maid in the Pan household, that didn’t mean she intended to do her duties diligently.

“Miss Yao, you’re up so early? Why not sleep a little longer?”

Pan Lin didn’t scold her, instead he actively encouraged her to rest. Anyone watching would think he was the servant.

“As a maid, I must be mindful of my station.”

Yaoyao declared solemnly, completely ignoring the fact that she was the last one to wake up.

As she spoke, she picked up a ragged cloth and began half-heartedly wiping the table. Though her appearance still carried a hint of youthful innocence, the curves of her back, shaped like a gourd, already exuded an undeniable allure. Paired with her delicate face, she was the perfect candidate for a child bride.

“No need for that. Our family isn’t like those stuffy aristocratic households in the mortal world. We don’t stand on ceremony.”

Pan Lin quickly reassured her, trying to appear reasonable, though his lecherous gaze was impossible to hide.

“But this is an immortal sect. To me, it’s even more dignified than mortal nobility.”

Yaoyao replied without turning her head.

“Really?”

Pan Lin immediately puffed up with pride. Then, under the guise of casual movement, he stepped closer, his grubby hands reaching for Yaoyao’s slender waist.

But Yaoyao seemed to have eyes on her back, she sidestepped without even turning around.

Pan Lin stumbled forward, grasping at air, and could only withdraw his hands in embarrassment.

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Not long after, Pan Lin’s wife entered. Like her husband, she didn’t reprimand Yaoyao. Instead, she fussed over her like an older sister.

After breakfast, Pan Lin hurried out, claiming his master had summoned him.

Yaoyao wanted to ask for details but held back, aware that her new status made it inappropriate to pry. Instead, she covertly monitored him with her divine sense. Given his meager cultivation, only at the Body Refining Realm, there was no risk of detection.

Pan Lin left his home and made his way to a side hall at the mountain’s summit, where a group of young men and women had already gathered.

Soon, an old man arrived, Tang Yuan, the Donglai Sect’s leader, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Incarnation Realm. He immediately erected a divine sense barrier.

Not wanting to alert them, Yaoyao withdrew her divine sense.

Before long, Pan Lin returned, his face alight with excitement.

“What happened? You look thrilled!”

His wife asked curiously.

“I’ll tell you tonight.”

Pan Lin glanced meaningfully at Yaoyao.

That night, Yaoyao didn’t sleep. Instead, she kept her divine sense fixed on Pan Lin and his wife.

“Wife, guess what? The master assigned me to guard the Nine Nether Demon Cats again tomorrow! It seems he really trusts me.”

Pan Lin couldn’t contain his joy any longer.

“So Pan Lin is a disciple of the Donglai Sect’s leader. Wo wonder he has access to the Nine Nether Demon Cats!”

Yaoyao finally understood.

“You’re so happy… Are you planning to steal their tears again?”

His wife immediately guessed his intentions.

“Of course! Only a fool would pass up an opportunity like this.”

Pan Lin smirked darkly.

“Husband, you should stop. If they catch you stealing while on duty, you’ll be executed.”

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His wife pleaded with him.

“Relax, I’ve been doing this for years. If they were going to find out, they would have by now.”

Pan Lin brushed off her concerns.

“Sigh…”

His wife could only sigh helplessly.

Hearing this, Yaoyao’s lips curled slightly. Her suspicions had been confirmed, Pan Lin had close access to the Nine Nether Demon Cats, which was why he had extra tears to sell.

“All I need to do is track him with my divine sense tomorrow, and I’ll find their location.”

She plotted silently.

Just then, Pan Lin dragged out a box from the corner and opened it. Inside were miniature torture tools and various bottles and jars, some still stained with blood.

“How do you plan to make those cats cry this time?”

His wife asked uneasily.

“I’ll try them all. Those damned cats have been tortured since they were kittens. They’ve built up resistance to most of these.”

Pan Lin picked up the tools and bottles, examining them with the familiarity of a collector.

“Whatever you use, you’d better be careful. You’ve already tortured one Nine Nether Demon Cat to death and crippled two others. If the sect finds out, you’re a dead man.”

His wife warned sternly.

“Keep your voice down! Do you want to be a widow?”

Pan Lin hastily shushed her.

In the adjacent room, Yaoyao’s pupils abruptly narrowed into vertical slits, glowing with a bloody crimson light. The suppressed fury she had struggled to contain now surging forth.

“So this box is filled with tools used to torture my kin!”

Her words slithered through clenched teeth as sharp fangs extended past her lips.