Chapter 143: Please Be Gentle

Chapter 143: Please Be Gentle

Ghouls wandered around them, groaning and muttering. Fa Chuyou wandered between them, occasionally pausing to tweak something. Distinctly uncomfortable, Yi Ping shied away every time one wandered near.

On the other end of the spectrum, Bai Xue peered at the ghouls, poking at their faces and turning his head to get a better look at Fa Chuyous embellishments. He nodded a few times, looking the ghouls up and down as if he stood in a fine robes store rather than in the midst of a bunch of undead.

Hui snorted. Which one is the righteous cultivator, and which one is the demonic cultivator?

Xixing sat in a corner, exhausted. He settled down beside Xixing. She eyed him warily, half a glimmer of trust in her eyes. You?

Im not here to hurt you, Elder Sister. I only want enlightenment on pill cultivation. Hui stretched out his hand to her. Zhubi uncurled from his arm and peeked his head out of the bottom of Huis sleeve for a single moment.

Recognition, then certainty flashed through Xixings eyes. Took you long enough, she muttered under her breath. Ah, to think, I finally venture out from the sect to find a few rare plants, only to get immediately captured by demonic cultivators. How ludicrous.

I understand. This small ghoul was wandering the mortal realm when I was suddenly snatched up, Hui replied.

It seems as though we have similar tales to tell, Xixing sighed.

Hui chuckled. Indeed.

Xixing stretched, glancing aside at Yi Ping. She stood, and he half-stepped forward, wary. Hui stood as well, pretending not to notice Yi Ping. Over here, Elder Sister, if you would?

Xixing inclined her head and followed him. He led her to the coffin and pointed inside expectantly.

Corpse refinement? What kind of demonic art She narrowed her eyes at Hui.

Hui laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Elder Sister, it is a demonic sect, no?

Xixings eyes got no less narrow. And? What do you want from me?

This corpse requires materials to refine. The technique ah, my understanding of pill cultivation is limited, but Elder Sister, is it not similar? As with pills, I need materials of a higher purity to cultivate her to a higher level. I hoped Elder Sister would possess the knowledge of where to find such materials.

Couldnt you ask your corpse-cultivating friend over there? Xixing grumbled.

Hui laughed again. Er, Elder Sister, she already gave me the first level materials. This small cultivator couldnt possibly ask for more than that. Xixing, dont tell me to get into debt with a demonic cultivator! I dont want to owe her any more than shes willing to freely offer me!

Xixing gave him a flat look. Why not?

I Hui bit his lip and glanced down. How am I supposed to explain my past life to her? I just cant!

Stop acting like a lovesick kid and go ask her, Xixing huffed, sitting back.

Im not lovesick, Hui grumbled under his breath.

Whos a lovesick little kid? Bai Xue asked, crouching beside Hui.

Hui jumped and threw himself backward. Xixing laughed, and Bai Xue snorted. Hui stared at Bai Xue. Youbut, Yi Ping?

Bai Xue glanced over his shoulder. Yi Ping had backed himself into a corner, and was surrounded on all sides by ghouls. He backed away slowly, eyes darting all around.

Hui squinted. Wait, arent those the ghouls Bai Xue was playing around with? Did he somehow trick the ghouls into surrounding Yi Ping?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Bai Xue smirked. Taken care of. So whos this friend of hers? Shes like us, I take it?

Hui glanced over his shoulder to be sure, but Fa Chuyou continued to bustle around in the background, dealing with her ghouls. Shes an elder from my sect, a pill cultivator.

He is? Xixing asked, looking at Bai Xue.

Currently Hong Xue, but truly Bai Xue, heir of Bai Clan, Bai Xue introduced himself, tucking a lock of red hair behind his ear.

As he walked away, Xixing turned to Bai Xue. Does he call everyone Elder Sister?

He even calls me Elder Sister half the time, no matter what I look like, Bai Xue replied.

Hui walked up to Fa Chuyou. He stood behind her, waiting. She dug into a corpse, blood splattering all around her, yet somehow avoiding her dress. After a few moments, she sat up and turned to him, smiling. She held her hands up in front of her. Blood stained them nearly to the elbows, startlingly red. Yes?

Hui stared, taken aback. After a second, he blinked and quickly bowed. Its rude to stare! Elder Sister, the materials I used earlier what were their names?

Oh? You mean the gold-vein wire and the black mist pine sap? she asked, tipping her head.

Yes, those. Thank you. He cupped his hands and bowed again.

Fa Chuyou smiled. You want more, no? I can take you to find more. Bring the pill cultivator along, too. She ought to be able to distinguish the refinery concentration of the materials better than you or I. Its not dissimilar to medicinal concentration for pills.

Hui nodded. Thank you, Elder Sister!

Of course. She leaned in. We should try to distract Hong Xue while we can and leave him behind. That man is no good. He hits on every woman who looks his way!

Er and man, Hui added mentally. He glanced at Fa Chuyou. I thought all the female cultivators found him attractive.

Him? No. Hes too Fa Chuyou gestured vaguely, her brows furrowed. Perfect.

Eh? Hui asked, then realized: Right! Fa Chuyou likes ghouls! Bai Xue is alive, so of course she isnt interested.

And he isnt interested in her, either! Should I tell her, or no, I think its best if we leave this alone. Nodding to himself, Hui drifted along in Fa Chuyous wake.

You. Pill cultivator, Fa Chuyou stated.

Xixing looked up. Voice dripping sarcasm, she asked, Could I help senior?

Before Fa Chuyou could say anything else, Hui stepped in front of her and smiled politely. Ah, Elder Sister, er, senior and I are going to gather materials for ghoul refinement. Would you honor us with your presence?

Xixing snorted. She climbed to her feet. Sure.

Fa Chuyou frowned disapprovingly. Shes a hostage, and worse, a pill cultivator. You dont need to treat her with such respect.

Er, my apologies, Elder Sister. Its in my nature Hui explained, scratching the back of his head embarrassedly.

Thats certain, Bai Xue said, amused. He stood as well, brushing down his robes.

Youre coming? Fa Chuyou asked, narrowing her eyes.

Am I not welcome? Bai Xue said.

Hui gave Fa Chuyou a pleading glance.

If the hostage goes, I go, Yi Ping declared. He stepped forward, flinched around the ghouls, and stood beside the girls.

Fa Chuyou narrowed her eyes, then sighed. Its no secret. But it may not be as exciting as youre expecting.

Fine by me, Bai Xue said evenly.

Im only here to watch the hostage, Yi Ping added.

Sighing, Fa Chuyou flicked her sleeve. A shuttle the length of a pinky finger flew out and grew into a platform five meters long, flat on top and oblong in shape. She stepped atop it and gestured for the others to join her. To the mines.

The shuttle lifted off, speeding into the sky.