168: Chapter 168 Competing for Attention

Xu Changsheng reacted quickly, flying forward.

A streak of grey light swept across the front, collecting all the remains of the Colossus Puppets into his Storage Pouch.

Mo Qingxue had left in such a hurry that she completely forgot about her Puppets.

The Storage Pouch became bulging; a Pseudo-Third Rank Puppet, even if shattered into dregs, was still immensely valuable.

Zhou Yu stopped abruptly, watching the movements above her head with her own eyes.

With a hint of resentment, she said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, you have such quick hands! Do you not intend to leave some for this concubine?"

Xu Changsheng chuckled. "Did Fellow Daoist Zhou not see the quasi-third-rank talismans I used just now? I can't be expected to take a loss on this deal."

Zhou Yu stomped her foot. "Hmph, since you were faster, then keep them."

He flew down and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Fairy Zhou."

Only then did Zhou Yu carefully size up the plain-looking man before her. "Fellow Daoist Xu, I suddenly thought of someone."

He cupped his hands and asked, "Who?"

"Xu Changsheng!"

"Oh?"

Xu Changsheng was completely bewildered; wasn't he standing right in front of her?

She slowly explained, "Ten years ago, an evil Cultivator came to Donglin Fortress. He launched a sneak attack, killing Fellow Daoist Du Hong of my clan, and attacked the fortress, only to be defeated and flee in the end."

"Is that so?" He had a vague idea of what she was trying to say.

"Although our Zhou Family announced to the outside that it was the Pseudo-Third Rank measures stationed at Donglin Fortress that defeated the evil Cultivator, given my status, I naturally didn't believe it. After some investigation, I came across the name Xu Changsheng."

Xu Changsheng rubbed his nose. "I wonder what Fairy Zhou is trying to say?"

"At the time, I felt that Fellow Daoist Xu was a rare Formation Master. I personally went to Donglin Fortress intending to recruit you, only to find you had already vanished. I didn't expect you had gone to Yellow Ox Immortal City."

Xu Changsheng hadn't expected his actions back then to be so highly regarded by the Young Lord of the Beast Taming Zhou Family; his expression showed a hint of surprise.

Seeing this, Zhou Yu smiled lightly. "You don't need to be surprised. What I said just now still holds true. If you wish to join our Zhou Family..."

She shook her head. "No, it is our Zhou Family sincerely inviting Fellow Daoist Xu to become a Guest Elder of the Zhou Family. I wonder if you are willing?"

Upon hearing this.

Xu Changsheng feigned a look of great embarrassment. "If it were before, I would have welcomed such a thing, but..."

His words came to an abrupt halt.

Zhou Yu understood the meaning behind his words and sighed softly.

"Indeed, as a Guest Elder of Yellow Ox Immortal City, your treatment is even more generous than what we can offer. There is truly no need for you to move to our Zhou Family."

Xu Changsheng didn't speak, but the meaning of 'as long as you understand' was clearly visible in his eyes.

She adjusted her sleeves and bowed. "I have important matters and cannot stay long, but before I leave, I wish to ask you a question."

His expression turned serious as he said solemnly, "Please, feel free to ask."

"It's nothing much. I just wanted to know, while you are a Formation Master, do you also practice the path of Talismans?"

"Why do you say that?"

She lightly covered her red lips. "Giggle, surely you aren't unaware of the value of quasi-third-rank talismans? The amount you used just now would account for half the stock even in our Zhou Family."

"Not only can you bring out so many quasi-third-rank talismans at once, but you can also use them without blinking an eye. You must be a Quasi-Third-Rank Talisman Master yourself!"

Xu Changsheng marveled at the woman's observational skills. Realizing he couldn't hide it from her, he nodded.

"As I thought! This means Fellow Daoist Xu practices both the Dao of Formations and the Dao of Talismans, and is perhaps even more proficient in Talismans!"

Zhou Yu's beautiful eyes sparkled, her heart fluttering.

With her experience, it wasn't that she hadn't seen Cultivators who practiced multiple immortal arts.

But they usually just dabbled, reaching the entry level and eventually giving up due to slow progress.

She had never heard of someone like Xu Changsheng, who had studied two arts to the second rank or even the quasi-third rank.

Seeing Zhou Yu like this, Xu Changsheng explained, "I did indeed advance to a Quasi-Third-Rank Talisman Master not long ago."

"You're still lying to me."

Zhou Yu shook her head, her jade-like face full of disbelief. "Having just advanced and yet possessing so many quasi-third-rank talismans? Don't you feel ashamed telling such a lie?"

In her mind, Xu Changsheng's plain appearance gradually became handsome.

If a talent like this could be brought into the Zhou Family, not only would her position in the Family be more secure, but she would also have the chance to lead the Zhou Family to further prominence.

Thinking of this.

She bit her silver teeth and took a step forward.

As she moved, her neckline lowered slightly, and her belt loosened by an inch.

A slit opened in her skirt, revealing her rounded, fair side-leg, extending all the way up.

Xu Changsheng's expression became strange. Realizing something was wrong, he took a step back.

He didn't use any spiritual power, and Zhou Yu caught up to him instantly.

He saw her already pressing close, her smile blooming like a flower as a scent of peonies wafted into his nose.

Her voice became soft and sweet. "What does Fellow Daoist Xu think of me?"

Xu Changsheng gave a sheepish smile. "Naturally, you are a beauty that could make fish sink and birds fall, with the grace of a Heavenly Immortal."

He had never forgotten the intelligence prompt.

Zhou Yu possessed a rare Yin and Yang Mixed Physique; she would change gender every twenty-five years. He wasn't sure if the woman herself knew about her Physique.

If she changed gender during intimacy, her partner would be in for a rough time.

If he followed her lead, he might be that partner, and he felt a phantom pain in his backside.

Just then.

A completely different fragrance rushed in, and a slender, fair finger reached out from his side, tapping on Zhou Yu's jade-like collarbone.

The peony scent at the tip of his nose was blown away by a fresh scent of crabapple.

It was Xie Wantang.

After pushing Zhou Yu away, she stood in front of Xu Changsheng, looking at Zhou Yu warily.

"As the Young Lord of the Zhou Family, Fairy Zhou should not be doing things like snatching the Primary Husband of a subordinate Family."

Zhou Yu was full of doubt. "Primary Husband?"

"Of course."

Xie Wantang took the initiative to grab Xu Changsheng's hand and tilted her head up. "Otherwise, why would Husband Xu travel ten thousand miles to come here and save me?"

Seeing that he didn't resist and allowed Xie Wantang to interlock their fingers, Zhou Yu suddenly realized.

"So that's how it is. I thought my beauty didn't catch Fellow Daoist Xu's eye."

She bowed slightly. "Since you two are so devoted to each other, I don't have the habit of stealing someone else's love. Let us part here then."

She didn't linger and sat on the back of her Demon Tiger.

With a few leaps, she disappeared into the dense forest beside the hall, her voice echoing back: "The Lai Family's hidden treasury will be handled by your Xie Family."

Xie Wantang bowed slightly. "Thank you for the fulfillment, Fairy Zhou. I will arrange for someone to deliver the Zhou Family's portion."

There was no response.

She turned back and saw Xu Changsheng looking at her with gentle eyes.

Her face turned red, and she lowered her head. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Xu Changsheng smiled mischievously. "What about the thing you promised me?"

"You..."

Xie Wantang's head dipped lower, a flush rising from her fair neck all the way to her earlobes.

Swaying her willow-like waist, her index fingers touched. "Just once..."