113: Chapter 113 A Battle Between Two Women

The Fire Flame Python's massive body lay slumped on the scorched earth, the air still thick with the mixed scent of blood and char.

Ji Chanxi retracted her whip Magic Treasure, her dress swaying slightly as she walked to Ye Xiaoyao's side.

"I Cultivate a Yin-attribute Cultivation Technique."

Her voice was clear and bright as her gaze swept over the Yao Core in Ye Xiaoyao's hand, which radiated a scorching red light.

"This Fire Flame Python's Yao Core is fire-attributed, which conflicts with me, so I don't want it."

She paused, turning to Ye Xiaoyao with a matter-of-fact tone:

"Husband, you happen to have a fire Spiritual Root, so take it to use for Alchemy and consumption."

After saying this, she didn't look toward Pei Yuhan, as if distributing spoils of war was a family matter and outsiders needn't be consulted.

Ye Xiaoyao didn't respond immediately.

He turned to the other side.

That white-clothed female Cultivator holding a long sword stood quietly; though several mud stains marked her skirt, it didn't diminish her cold and elegant temperament in the slightest.

He still didn't know her name.

"Fairy," Ye Xiaoyao spoke, "do you want this Yao Core?"

Pei Yuhan raised her eyes, her gaze falling on the Yao Core.

The thing was the size of a fist, with a lava-like luster flowing within; it was indeed the essence of a fourth-rank fire-attribute Yao Beast.

She blinked her beautiful eyes, her eyelashes casting shallow shadows beneath her eyelids.

"I don't need it."

Her voice was steady, devoid of emotion.

"I am not lacking in Yao Cores."

After speaking, her gaze swept over Ji Chanxi almost imperceptibly, as if saying:

I didn't want it anyway, so why did you have to speak first, acting as if you were afraid someone would snatch it?

Pei Yuhan was indeed somewhat displeased.

When three people work together to kill a Yao Beast, there should at least be a question about how the spoils are distributed.

Ji Chanxi's "I'll decide for my husband" posture made her feel slighted.

Ye Xiaoyao was completely unaware of the subtle clash between the two women.

He only heard that neither wanted the Yao Core, so he nodded and said, "Then I shall take this Yao Core. Thank you, Fairy."

He spoke frankly, took out a Jade Box to pack the Yao Core, and put it into his Storage Pouch.

His movements were swift, without a hint of politeness.

Pei Yuhan only gave a slight nod to this thanks, then turned around, leaving Ye Xiaoyao with her back.

The ribbon tying her hair was caught by the wind, fluttering on her shoulder.

Seeing this, Ji Chanxi let out a soft "Hmph" from her nose.

It was unclear whether she was dissatisfied with Pei Yuhan's attitude or unhappy seeing Ye Xiaoyao respectfully thank that Female Sword Immortal.

She also turned her face away, looking at the scorched thickets in the distance.

Only then did Ye Xiaoyao sense something was slightly off.

He looked at Pei Yuhan's back, then at the faint displeasure on Ji Chanxi's profile, wondering to himself:

Everything was fine while killing the python just now, so why has the atmosphere changed?

What Ye Xiaoyao didn't know was that before he appeared, while Ji Chanxi and Pei Yuhan were searching for a way out together in this Secret Realm,

although they didn't communicate much, they were fairly peaceful.

Both were smart people who went their own ways, occasionally joining forces against Yao Beasts with a certain level of tacit understanding.

But as soon as he appeared, a certain balance was broken.

Ye Xiaoyao gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and decided to get down to business first.

He drew his sun burning saber, squatted by the Fire Flame Python's corpse, and began the dissection.

The blade sliced through the tough python skin with a "chi chi" sound.

His technique was skillful—skinning, removing scales, extracting bones—the whole process was smooth and fluid.

About half an hour later, the valuable Materials were all properly handled and neatly divided into two piles.

Ye Xiaoyao estimated the value and felt they were roughly equal, so he packed them into two storage jade boxes.

He first walked over to Pei Yuhan.

"Fairy," Ye Xiaoyao handed over a Jade Box, "although I took the most precious Yao Core,

please accept this portion of Materials.

After all, the three of us killed it together; I can't let all the benefits go to me alone."

This made sense.

A fourth-rank Yao Core was indeed of the highest value, but these two boxes of Materials were by no means cheap.

The skin, scales, and bones of a fourth-rank Yao Beast were things that any Core Formation Stage Cultivator would fight over.

Pei Yuhan turned around, her face still bearing that cold expression.

She took the Jade Box, and when her fingertips touched Ye Xiaoyao's hand, she quickly withdrew them.

"Fine."

She said only one word and put the Jade Box into her Storage Pouch.

Ye Xiaoyao nodded and walked over to Ji Chanxi.

"Chaner, you take this portion of Materials too."

Ji Chanxi first looked up and glared at him with a hint of reproach in her eyes, but then a smile bloomed, her eyes curving like crescents:

"I don't want it. You are my husband; what's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine, so you should keep it, husband."

As she spoke, she raised her voice slightly, her peripheral vision glancing in Pei Yuhan's direction.

These words sounded like they were for Ye Xiaoyao, but in reality, every word drifted toward that white-clothed female Cultivator three or four zhang away.

It was a declaration of sovereignty and a form of subtle showing off.

After speaking, the corners of Ji Chanxi's mouth curled up, revealing a smile sweet enough to brew honey.

Ye Xiaoyao was stunned for a moment, then thought: True, it's the same if I give the Spirit Stones to Chaner after selling them anyway.

He honestly accepted the Jade Box: "Alright then, I'll keep it for now."

He put the box into his Storage Pouch and smiled at Ji Chanxi.

Ji Chanxi contentedly took his arm.

Just then, something clicked in Ye Xiaoyao's mind.

Oh no!

He suddenly remembered how he had come to this Lesser Grotto-Heaven.

He had been sucked in by a spatial rift from the Lesser Grotto-Heaven where Lu Jiajing was in seclusion!

Jinger is still there undergoing Nascent Soul Formation; how can he get back?

Ye Xiaoyao opened his mouth, but the words died in his throat.

He looked at Ji Chanxi's smiling face, then stole a glance at Pei Yuhan's cold back, feeling as if a date pit was stuck in his throat.

Should he say it?

Say "Actually, I have another Dao Companion in another grotto-heaven waiting for me to return"?

If Ji Chanxi heard that, she might whip him on the spot!

Or should he not say it?

But Lu Jiajing's side...

Ye Xiaoyao struggled for a moment and ultimately chose silence.

He calmed down and thought about it.

The place where Lu Jiajing was in seclusion was protected by three sets of high-grade Formations; it should be safe.

Moreover, the way these Lesser Grotto-Heavens were connected was uncertain, making it difficult to return.

More importantly—

He stole a glance at the two women in front of him.

The atmosphere between these two was already a bit subtle; if Lu Jiajing were added...

Three women make a drama!

He was afraid that when the drama reached its end, he would be the one beaten black and blue.

Forget it, he'd take it one step at a time.

Ye Xiaoyao cleared his throat to break the silence:

"Alright, now that we've dealt with this beast, we should find a way out."

Hearing this, Pei Yuhan, standing on the other side, also turned around.

Ye Xiaoyao smiled and said, "Let's go and see how we can leave this place."

Ji Chanxi immediately tightened her grip on his arm, her whole body almost pressed against him, her voice sweet and soft:

"Okay~ Husband, let's find the exit."

As she spoke, she pulled Ye Xiaoyao forward, with no intention of greeting Pei Yuhan at all.

Ye Xiaoyao hadn't forgotten that Female Sword Immortal and turned his head to say:

"Fairy, let's go. We'll leave together."

Pei Yuhan didn't respond.

She put her long sword into her Storage Pouch and walked forward on her own, her pace slightly faster than usual, soon overtaking Ye Xiaoyao and Ji Chanxi by three or four zhang.

Ye Xiaoyao rubbed his nose and said nothing more.

The two followed behind Pei Yuhan, walking along the boundary between the scorched earth and the forest.

Ji Chanxi held Ye Xiaoyao's arm, her body leaning slightly against him.

"By the way, husband."

She suddenly spoke: "How did you get into this Secret Realm?"

Ye Xiaoyao's breath hitched for a moment.

His eyes unconsciously glanced toward the direction from which he had been sucked in.

Although he couldn't tell which way he had come from now.

"After I quietly left back then."

He began to make it up, keeping his tone as natural as possible: "I found a Thousand-year Blazing Sun Flower and picked it.

I didn't expect a fourth-rank Yao Beast to be guarding it—it was that Fire Flame Python from just now.

I ran as fast as I could and accidentally stumbled into this Secret Realm."

This was thirty percent true and seventy percent false.

The blazing sun flower was real, and being chased by the Fire Flame Python was also real.

But it was Lu Jiajing who saved him and Lu Jiajing who brought him into the Secret Realm; he omitted all of that.

After hearing this, Ji Chanxi didn't doubt him, but only gripped his arm tighter:

"I'm glad you're okay, husband. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."

The concern in her voice was genuine, and a trace of guilt rose in Ye Xiaoyao's heart.

He gently patted the back of her jade-like hand:

"It's okay, Chaner. Am I not perfectly fine? Don't worry."

Ji Chanxi nodded, then her beautiful eyes suddenly darted around as she leaned in closer and lowered her voice:

"Husband, it's been so long since I've conditioned your body. Do you feel frustrated right now?"

She blinked, her gaze carrying a deep, probing look.

Ye Xiaoyao's scalp tingled.

The matter of the Pure Yang Sacred Body was indeed troublesome; Yang Qi accumulated quickly and needed regular "channeling."

But the problem was...

Lu Jiajing had already "conditioned" him!

Could he say that?

No.

Ye Xiaoyao gave a hollow laugh:

"Um, it's alright. The Pure Yang Qi in my body is a bit restless, but I've suppressed it. It's no big deal."

Ji Chanxi tilted her head to look at him, her eyes suspicious as she asked back:

"Oh? Really? Husband can suppress it himself now?"

She knew Ye Xiaoyao's Physique too well; in the past, he would be uncomfortable after being away from her for only ten days or half a month.

Now that they hadn't met for so long, he could actually "suppress it"?

Ye Xiaoyao didn't want to dwell on this topic.

He released the hand Ji Chanxi was holding and instead put his arm around her slender waist, leaning down to whisper in her ear with a mischievous grin:

"Chaner, you still don't believe me? However, This husband has indeed reached a critical moment now.

How about... you condition me in a bit?"

As the warm breath hit her earlobe, Ji Chanxi's cheeks flushed red instantly.

She gave Ye Xiaoyao's chest a bashful thump: "How annoying~~! Let's get out of here first."

Ye Xiaoyao laughed and took the opportunity to kiss her soft cheek: "Alright, let's find the exit first."

He felt relieved; he had finally managed to fool her.

Pei Yuhan, walking ahead, seemed to pause for a moment.

She actually hear the low conversation of the two behind her.

Although she couldn't hear clearly, fragmented phrases like "condition the body," "Pure Yang," and "frustrated" drifted into her ears, and she understood the gist.

Pei Yuhan's face showed no expression, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, as if in a smile, or perhaps mockery.

After the smile, she herself was slightly stunned.

Why am I smiling?

What do their affairs as husband and wife have to do with me?

She shook her head, shaking off those inexplicably rising emotions, and focused on the path.

The three of them walked like this, one in front and two behind, for most of the day in the Secret Realm.

The sky gradually darkened, and the setting sun dyed the forest in a warm golden hue.

Just then, the sound of flowing water came from ahead, and a wide river lay before them. The water was clear, and fish could be seen swimming beneath the surface.

Ye Xiaoyao looked at the sky and then at the river, saying to Ji Chanxi:

"Chaner, how about we rest here tonight? I see plenty of fish in the river; let's catch a few to roast."

Ji Chanxi agreed.

Ye Xiaoyao called out to the front: "Fairy, shall we rest and reorganize here tonight?"

Pei Yuhan stopped her pace.

Standing by the river, she looked back at Ye Xiaoyao and Ji Chanxi, then at the darkening sky, and finally nodded slightly.

Thus, the three of them stopped by the riverbank, preparing to spend the night there.

The river flowed gurglingly, and a few bird calls came from the forest on the opposite bank.

By the time the fire rose, the sky had completely darkened, and the starry sky slowly unfurled overhead.