Chapter Forty-Six: Brother Huang

"Master, I… I cannot drink your blood. My current level is too low; I can only feed on the blood of cultivators at the Third Heaven. Even if your cultivation were suitable, I would never want you to suffer..."

Looking at the sincere expression of the doll-faced girl in front of him, Xiao Wenzi was quietly moved, despite knowing she was likely so eager only because she hoped he would grow stronger and help her defeat her enemies. He shook his head and replied in this way.

In fact, Xiao Wenzi was not entirely uninterested in the girl's blood. She was as lovely as jade, with a maiden's delicate fragrance; her blood must taste exquisite, especially since she was offering herself willingly. Such intimate opportunities were exceedingly rare.

Yet his own cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Third Heaven, and he had not yet obtained the techniques of the Fourth Heaven. Even if he were to absorb Chu Xinyer's blood, his advancement would be quite limited. To avoid making her suspect he was weak or an impostor, he refrained from trying—at the very least, this would win a measure of her favor.

Cultivating a spirit pet was typically a secret weapon, something one kept hidden from fellow disciples, never to be revealed lightly.

Hearing Xiao Wenzi refuse her offer of blood, and realizing he needed the blood of lower-level cultivators instead, Chu Xinyer was first touched and then hesitated, her brows knitting as she spoke:

"That's right, you need to absorb the blood of low-level cultivators at the Third Heaven. There is no shortage of junior disciples like that in our sect, but they..."

"Master, there's no need to trouble yourself. If it would be awkward to trouble fellow disciples, just take me out with you when you have time. We can find some low-level rogue cultivators, and I am not picky about the quality of blood, as long as they are at the Third Heaven... Oh, by the way, Master, what is our sect called? Is it powerful in the world of cultivation?"

With his intelligence, Xiao Wenzi easily guessed what troubled the young lady. He offered his suggestion before she could finish and did not forget to inquire about the sect he found himself in.

Xiao Wenzi was not worried about finding low-level cultivators to feed on. After all, though he had not encountered any in mortal towns along the way, as a disciple of a great sect, Chu Xinyer would surely know where to find cultivators’ markets and rogue cultivators.

“Mmm, you’re quite right, Xiao Wen. Since you are so clever and can keep me company, I won’t put you in the spirit beast pouch. For now, stay here and cultivate well. Do not leave the pavilion or the courtyard. Many female disciples of Greenleaf Sect reside here…”

Indeed, as he said, if it was inconvenient to target fellow disciples, it would be simple to find an opportunity outside.

In the world of cultivation, there is little concern for virtue or morality. Low-level rogue cultivators of the Third or Fourth Heaven are not worth a second thought to her. Having thought it through, Chu Xinyer smiled and nodded.

From her explanation, Xiao Wenzi learned that the island in the heart of the lake was the sacred ground of Greenleaf Sect, the most powerful secluded sect in Tiannan Prefecture.

Though Greenleaf Island was merely a lake island within the Misty Marsh, it was vast, stretching hundreds of miles, with countless exquisite peaks and spiritual sites. Unlike the toxic mists and deadly vapors of the outer marsh, the island was filled with birdsong and flowers, waterfalls and streams, a paradise for the thousand-plus disciples. The strongest elder in the sect was a cultivator at the late Golden Core stage.

Because the sect was not lacking in Foundation Establishment experts, disciples at the Qi Refinement stage, like Chu Xinyer, could only reside in the pavilions and courtyards at the front of the island. Only those who broke through to Foundation Establishment could choose a peak and open their own cave-dwelling.

Chu Xinyer and Senior Sister Hong had just returned from outside, and for the next few days, it would be inconvenient for her to leave. Thus, she asked Xiao Wenzi to wait.

Xiao Wenzi had no objection. And so, he began a comfortable period of cultivation, accompanied by the beautiful young girl.

Greenleaf Sect was quite lenient with its disciples. Aside from the newly initiated, who performed chores like servants, most inner disciples were provided with spirit stones and pills, free to pursue their own cultivation in seclusion.

Of course, on the first and fifteenth of each month, a Foundation Establishment uncle would give lectures, and inner disciples could choose to attend.

Chu Xinyer was of excellent aptitude, having reached the late stage of Qi Refinement at fifteen, making her a proper inner disciple with no duties. Most of her time was spent in meditation, occasionally chatting with Xiao Wenzi.

Time flew by, and more than half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, as Chu Xinyer was meditating on a cushion, a streak of firelight flew in from outside—a transmission talisman.

"Junior Sister Xinyer, are you there? The weather is lovely today, the wind gentle and the sun bright. I would like to invite you out for a walk. What do you think?"

A man's voice echoed from the talisman. Xiao Wenzi, who was not far away, heard it clearly. He guessed at once that it must be one of the doll-faced girl's admirers.

But seeing her indifferent expression, he knew that fellow's affections were one-sided.

Sure enough, after the firelight faded, Chu Xinyer took out a talisman of her own, infused it with spiritual power, and said, "Senior Brother Huang, I am in seclusion. Please do not disturb me again."

With those words, she tossed the talisman away, not bothering to rise and meet this so-called Senior Brother Huang.

"Good day, Senior Brother! Senior Brother Huang, here you are so early—are you here for Junior Sister Xinyer again?"

"Indeed. Good morning, Junior Sisters Yun and Lian."

The male and female disciples of Greenleaf Sect lived in separate pavilions.

At this moment, outside the cluster of pavilions where the inner female disciples resided, a handsome young man in white robes was waiting expectantly on the seven-colored rainbow bridge paved with white jade steps.

The passing female disciples all knew who he was and greeted him in turn.

After they had gone, their soft voices drifted back: "Senior Brother Huang is truly infatuated with that Chu Xinyer. I can’t imagine what’s so special about her."

"Indeed, Senior Brother Huang is so handsome and accomplished. If he were willing to become my dual cultivation partner, Qin Lian would laugh herself awake from a dream..."

The girls whispered as they walked away. The young man in white basked in their admiration, though he had no interest in those of mediocre talent, he still enjoyed their adoration.

Just then, a streak of firelight flew out from the cluster of pavilions and landed in Senior Brother Huang’s palm. His face darkened at once as he turned and walked away.

"That wretched girl! She'll regret the choice she made today!"

Leaving the cluster of female disciples' pavilions, he made his way into a deserted grove, where he struck a tree trunk with his fist, growling like a beast.

Crisp leaves tumbled down. Clearly, unlike the outside world, Greenleaf Island knew no autumn chill or winter cold, only the lushness and vitality of spring.

Yet, in stark contrast to the gentlemanly demeanor he showed before the female disciples, Senior Brother Huang's voice now was as cold as a venomous snake.