CHAPTER 63

Black and White Battle

Monkey-like ears, cat-like features, a snake-like neck, a fox-like tail, pure black fur, and translucent jade-green eyes... While not many recognized this little creature, there were still quite a few who did. Though Tong Tong was not among them, Su Yan recognized it at a glance, the ancient exotic beast from the Cangliao Secret Realm, Xumi.

Possessing a mysterious and powerful lineage akin to Cookie's, its offspring were similarly rare, though not as scarce as Zouyu, which was nearly extinct in the cultivation world. At the very least, traces of Xumi had been sighted in the known Fulong [Dragon-Binding] Mountain Range.

It seemed that the disciple who had lost the Zouyu must have gone to great lengths to find a Xumi to present to their young sect master as a way to atone for their mistake. That explanation was barely plausible... Hah, what a windfall for my own silly girl.

Unconsciously, in Su Yan's heart, Tong Tong remained that naive, foolish, and clueless girl, but now she was prefixed with the "Su Clan" label, categorized as "her own" private possession.

Though this Xumi appeared lively and adorable, it was an extremely dangerous creature. Its claws were sharp enough to tear through anything, and it excelled at stealth and concealment, making it difficult to detect under ordinary circumstances. If one were accidentally scratched by it, it would be no laughing matter. Moreover, its ultimate moves went far beyond that...

On one side was the ancient auspicious beast lineage, the formation genius Zouyu, on the other was the descendant of an ancient great demon, the elusive Xumi. The outcome of this battle was truly unpredictable.

And uncertain.

In the spectator stands, Ye Zhiqiu held a cup of Lushan Mist Tea. As her spiritual senses detected the furious, glaring sect master within the bronze-colored square formation, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and the smile at the corner of her lips grew even more gentle and sincere.

"Hey, 'Granny Qianyu,' is your pet a male?" Tong Tong casually gave her opponent a nickname and asked slyly.

"Hmm, Mojie is indeed male... Why do you ask?" Zhu Yingyi paused her whip-wielding stance, puzzled.

Tong Tong didn't answer but instead winked and made faces at Cookie. "Hey, you're a girl, right? Hurry up and use your feminine charm to win it over! I'll treat you to meat later!"

As the old saying goes: Two tigers cannot share one mountain unless they are one male and one female!

'Come on, Cookie-chan! For a brighter tomorrow, for the expectations of our beautiful master, and the teachings of our senior brother, go forth without hesitation!'

"Meow?" Cookie gave her a blank look, utterly confused.

What nonsense is this?

Jiya once said: How can two of different genders be together?

Master is so stupid! Always coming up with terrible ideas...

"Ugh, you're so dumb!" Tong Tong kicked Cookie's long tail in frustration, as if disappointed by her lack of progress. "Fine... You there! Let's have a fair and square fight!" Her righteous and imposing demeanor was a stark contrast to her earlier attempt to coax Cookie, and the sudden change left everyone stunned.

The corner of her mouth twitching, Zhu Yingyi flicked her soft whip and snapped, "Can't be bothered with you... Mojie!"

At her command, the black creature immediately activated its skill. Amidst startled cries, Tong Tong felt the Biling in her hand flashing desperately, while she herself seemed trapped in a thick, viscous mire. Her movements slowed to a crawl, leaving her helpless as the unseen, unfelt attack drew closer and closer, a chill crept up her spine, but by the time she sensed it, it was already too late to dodge.

At the critical moment, the crowd saw a flash of white. The cat, which had been standing there bewildered just moments before, seemed to suddenly gain clarity. With a low growl, it moved several steps away in the blink of an eye, positioning itself just in time to shield its master's back!

"Awoo!"

"Woo!"

Two slightly mournful cries rang out simultaneously as the black and white creatures leaped apart, glaring fiercely at each other. To everyone's surprise, it was Cookie, the one no one had high hopes for, who had seen through Mojie's stealth and intercepted its attack, fulfilling its duty to protect its master.

"Cookie, good job! Extra treats tonight!" Tong Tong excitedly scooped up her beloved pet, which was still posturing menacingly at its opponent, and affectionately nuzzled its forehead.

"Awo~" Cookie happily snuggled with its master, but its large golden eyes remained fixed on the opponent, vigilant against any sneak attacks.

Hmph, hmph, hmph! I, the great Cookie, am no pushover! How could I lose to you, little black lump!

"Mojie, take it down!" Staring daggers at Tong Tong and Cookie as they flaunted their deep bond, Zhu Yingyi bit her lip, consumed by jealousy and resentment. That wretched girl's spirit beast was actually a Zouyu! Such a rare descendant of an ancient auspicious beast should belong to our Qianyu Sect! How could it end up with this useless amateur? What a waste! No, I must find a way to take it! It would be perfect to give to Xue'er!

Imagining the scene of her and Xue'er each with a spirit beast, playing and having fun together, a sweet, girlish smile flickered across Zhu Yingyi's delicate face. Yet, her gaze toward Tong Tong grew even more murderous, on the condition that she dies!

Sharing its master's animosity, the Xumi let out a spirited howl in agreement: Where did this Zouyu come from? It's such an eyesore! In terms of bl0odline, I'm not inferior at all!

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two humans and their beasts seemed to spark with flying embers and rumbling thunder, stirring the spectators below into a frenzy.

"I bet twenty mid-grade spirit stones on Qianyu Sect winning!"

"Pfft! How ignorant. I bet thirty on Chonghua!" The speaker cast a disdainful glance at the previous bettor before leisurely adding one more word: "Losing."

You jerk! Don't look down on us!

The little white-robed disciples of Chonghua Sect glared angrily, but their eyes soon turned toward Tong Tong, who was grinning from ear to ear on the stage. Almost in unison, they let out a collective sigh.

The scene shifted back to the martial stage.

The black creature vanished once again, launching another attack toward the affectionate pair. Following closely behind her beloved pet, Zhu Yingyi swung her soft whip, its wind lashing recklessly toward Tong Tong's face.

"Hey! How can you be so vicious? Don't you know you shouldn't hit someone in the face?" The human and beast quickly separated. Tong Tong swung her sword to deflect the dark, serpentine whip, her expression turning grim. "Just think, I'm a genuine, white-robed direct disciple from the Qiuye Peak of the Chonghua Sect, famously bright in prospects and smooth in future path! Though I may not be a stunning beauty that outshines the moon and puts flowers to shame, I'm still a delicate, charming, and lovely young lady! A woman's face is one of her greatest assets. If you ruin my face, you're ruining the rest of my life, that's a bl0od feud, you know? Don't think that just because you're the young master of the Qianyu Sect, you can look down on everyone! That's not acceptable..."

Tong Tong grew more and more animated as she spoke, unaware that not only was Zhu Yingyi's expression darkening, but even Su Yan couldn't help rolling her eyes: This fool, why is she bragging in front of so many people?

Besides, it's enough to know your own strengths yourself, is there really a need to spell them out for others?

Then again, aside from herself, probably no one else could persist long enough to discover her merits...

With that thought, a faint, subtle curve lifted the corner of Su Yan's lips, causing quite a stir among the young girls, maidens, married women, and elderly ladies outside the arena who had been watching her closely.

No matter what, Su Yan's heart had clearly leaned toward Tong Tong. No matter how much she exaggerated or preened, it all seemed perfectly natural.

Though she doted on her immensely, she stubbornly refused to admit it, she was just a little more attentive than others, that was all! As for liking her? Absolutely not!

"Heh." In response to Tong Tong's self-praise, Ye Zhiqiu merely let out a light chuckle and made no move to stop her.

Seeing that even their sect leader remained unmoved, the Chonghua disciples who felt Tong Tong had been rude and improper couldn't say much either, pretending not to notice.

Zhu Ligang crushed the celadon-glazed teacup with a peony pattern in his hand, his face darkening as he remained silent: 'Chonghua Sect, you go too far! Just wait and see how my child deals with this insolent little girl!'

"Hit you? So what? This young lady loves slapping faces! Take this!" Zhu Yingyi sneered, and the broken soft whip in her hand automatically grew another foot in length, resembling a lifelike giant serpent from the forest, its forked tongue flickering as it glared viciously at Tong Tong, sending chills down her spine.

"By the cat's whiskers! Don't push me! I've always been gentle with beauties!" Tong Tong shouted, but her movements were anything but hesitant. A curtain of green sword light unfurled before her, and though whip shadows swirled heavily around her, she managed to protect herself perfectly, remaining unharmed.

This brat may seem brainless, but her skills aren't weak.

Zhu Yingyi thought to herself, a slight smile curling her lips as she communicated with her beloved pet through their spiritual bond, a contracted spirit beast could connect with its master through mental energy.

Just as it was locked in fierce combat with its opponent, Cookie felt a sudden blur before its eyes, the Xumi had actually abandoned the fight and fled!

Something's off.

Cookie cautiously slowed its movements, pressing close to the ground as its long tail swept back and forth. Sensing that its master was in the heat of battle and wouldn't need its intervention anytime soon, it refocused its attention ahead. Its golden eyes flashed, emitting two beams of light that illuminated every inch of the martial arena.

This was the innate ability of the Zouyu, the Eyes That Shatter All Laws.

With these fiery golden eyes, it could see through the Xumi's flickering movements and penetrate its illusions, which was why the little black beast hated it so much, they were natural enemies, destined to clash!

Bahaha, except it's me who counters it!

Cookie shook its head proudly, feeling it was truly an excellent pet and a thoughtful companion to its master, far superior to that arrogant Xumi! Jiya must think so too! Mhm!

Once they won, it would ask its master for a reward! Baahaha...

Huh? What's that smell? It's strangely pleasant.

Cookie widened its round eyes, curiously looking ahead. At some point, the Xumi's figure had vanished, replaced by a plate of fragrant, soft, and tempting chestnut cakes.

Tsk! Such an obvious trap, do you think I'm an idiot? I won't fall for it!

It tentatively sniffed, no strange odor. Scanning with its golden eyes revealed no flaws either... Could it have overthought this?

Cookie scratched behind its ear with a small paw, engaged in an intense internal struggle: to eat or not to eat, that was the question.

But hadn't its master taught it? Hesitation leads to disaster! Not eating when you can is just foolish!

So, one word, eat it!

The cheerful Cookie gobbled down the pastry along with the plate in one big bite.

Then, as expected, it collapsed.

Before losing consciousness, it hazily thought: Hmm, wait, that seems like two words...

Thud, The sound of Cookie hitting the ground startled Tong Tong, who was in the midst of fighting Zhu Yingyi. Seeing her beloved pet lying lifeless on the floor, she gritted her teeth, enduring a whip strike on the back of her hand, and used her sword to push away the soft whip. She leaped back, scooped up Cookie's furry little head, and leaned down to listen for a heartbeat, thankfully, it was still beating, steady and strong, not like it was on the verge of death. Only then did she relax.

Raising her head, she glared furiously at Zhu Yingyi, who was coiling her whip with a sinister smile, her eyes already reddening: "What did you do to it?"

That d@mned old witch! How could she lay a hand on such an adorable little creature!

Absolutely despicable, shameless, vile, cunning, cold-hearted, ruthless, and unscrupulous, she deserves to go to the bathroom without toilet paper and scream her lungs out with no one to help her!

"Don't worry, it's fine. It just fainted. You should worry about yourself instead!" Zhu Yingyi spread her arms and caught Mojie as it leaped up, laughing triumphantly: It was just a little trick, she'd applied the drug to the bottom of the plate, and the little thing had fallen for it! Wasn't this just heaven helping her?

Back when she'd heard Xue'er talk about this Zouyu, she'd listened carefully to every word, not missing even the smallest detail. She knew it loved to eat and had the bad habit of swallowing things whole, plate and all, so she'd come up with this plan. And it had worked perfectly!

Although this Zouyu had superior bl0odline, it was still too naive. If it recognized her as its master, she'd have to train it properly, how could she let it be so easily tricked?

In the end, it was all this wretched girl's fault!

"Without your spirit pet to help you, let's see how you fight me!" Zhu Yingyi laughed arrogantly, then bit her fingertip, forcing out a drop of bl0od and flicking it toward the center of Xumi's forehead in her arms. She silently chanted an incantation, forming several complex hand seals. Suddenly, a vast expanse of white mist rose on the large stage, enveloping Tong Tong's vision and making it impossible for her to tell east from west.

No sounds reached her ears, her feet found no solid ground, and even the spiritual senses she extended vanished without a trace, like stones sinking into the sea.

D@mn it! Why is there no signal? Did I get disconnected?!

Tong Tong tightened her grip on the Biling sword in her hand.

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