17: Chapter 0017 The Truth Behind the Trouble

"Mas... Master!"

Liu Zhu did not resist. She called out shyly, seemingly still unaccustomed to it.

Hearing this, Gu Huan appeared very surprised, his eyes widening in disbelief, which made her blush even more.

Liu Zhu.

A Hehuan Enchantress at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Unlike Zhou Guanlian and the others, her understanding of matters between men and women was still in a hazy, nascent stage.

Dressed in a green dress, she looked somewhat youthful and green.

She had clear eyes, delicate features, and an exquisite, petite charm.

Her figure was not as confident and proud as Qin Yao's.

However, her fair and delicate skin, along with her sweet and lovely face, possessed a vibrant, youthful tenderness.

To put it bluntly, Liu Zhu was just like her name.

Her figure was like a weak willow swaying in the wind, possessing both fragility and resilience.

Her skin was as translucent as a pearl, appearing both warm and clear.

"You've never plucked a Cauldron before?"

"I haven't had the chance yet. I originally planned to go to the Auction Hall to bid for one when I returned this time. Since the Sect Competition is approaching, I also want to work hard to fight for a spot."

Liu Zhu spoke truthfully.

Gu Huan was already her master, so there was no need for concealment.

Furthermore, Foundation Establishment was the dream of every Qi Refining Cultivator; she wasn't afraid of being embarrassed by saying it out loud.

"So you're still a virgin?"

"Master, please don't tease me. Mentioning 'virgin' in front of a Hehuan female Disciple will only make you disliked."

This was the culture of the Hehuan Sect.

One could say a Hehuan Enchantress was wanton, but never that they were pure. That would only invite resentment and sound like mockery.

"Let's not mention it then. I'll untie you."

She was set free.

Liu Zhu moved her wrists for a moment, her gaze toward Gu Huan filled with wonder as she began to ask questions.

He did not evade them, responding to each question that needed an answer.

After a while.

A luster known as admiration appeared in the depths of Liu Zhu's eyes.

It was unbelievable. Gu Huan had not only followed them the whole way but also silenced the enemies in the end, leaving only the two of them as those who knew about this secret transaction.

"Master, you make me feel afraid."

Liu Zhu said without any reservation.

Gu Huan acting from the shadows made her feel a chill. If he were an enemy, she might not even realize she was facing death until it arrived. It was too terrifying.

"What is there to be afraid of?"

"I am your master now. When one person attains the Dao, don't those around them also rise to heaven?"

Liu Zhu suddenly understood.

She followed with a slight smile.

How had she not thought of it that way?

Even as a Cauldron by Qin Yao's side, Gu Huan had the ability to go against the current and increase his cultivation.

With such biding of time and endurance, he would surely make a stunning debut in the future and shock the entire Immortal Realm. When that time came, she would also benefit by association.

"Liu Zhu will serve Master with all her heart, clearing obstacles and following your lead."

"Well said. With those words, it would be hard for Master not to look after you!"

"Haha, thank you, Master."

Shortly after.

Gu Huan likewise asked Liu Zhu many questions.

He finally finished pieceing together the events of how Qin Yao had caused such big trouble.

It turned out that on that day.

Qin Yao, Liu Zhu, and two others had agreed to go out and hunt Righteous Path Cultivators to accumulate resources.

The process had been quite smooth; they successfully hunted four Qi Refining Cultivators and gained a bountiful harvest.

However, their active performance unfortunately caught the attention of Blood Spirit Sect Disciples. Being in the lawless wilderness, they were moved by base, wicked desires.

A conflict subsequently broke out between the two sides.

The other side had the advantage in numbers, and the Hehuan Disciples were forced to fight individually.

But they severely underestimated Qin Yao's combat power. Because they blindly separated to give chase, they were eventually defeated and silenced by her one after another.

All six Blood Spirit Sect Disciples died.

The Hehuan Sect also lost two people, who were subjected to abuse and humiliation before they died.

Only Liu Zhu had good luck; she resisted tenaciously and refused to submit, barely surviving until Qin Yao arrived to save her life.

After cleaning up the battlefield.

Qin Yao and Liu Zhu were delighted to find a bronze box.

They didn't know until they looked, and were shocked by what they saw. Among the six dead, one Disciple had a special identity; he was actually an Immortal Seed carefully nurtured by the Blood Spirit Sect.

The two realized they had caused a disaster.

They quickly burned all the corpses and fled.

Greed got the better of them, and they were unwilling to give up the powerful Cultivation Technique they had obtained, thinking of turning it into Spirit Stones. That was how the subsequent events occurred.

Understanding the cause and effect.

Gu Huan did not criticize them, but rather felt understanding.

The Immortal Realm was cruel and heartless, where the weak were prey to the strong. One had to strive to Cultivate and become stronger at all times. If not now, then when?

"It's not safe to stay outside any longer. Let's return to the Hehuan Sect as quickly as possible."

"Then when we see Senior Sister Qin Yao, how should we explain it to her?" Liu Zhu asked worriedly.

"On the way back, I'll tell you what to do. Let's go!" Gu Huan led the way out of the cave, with Liu Zhu following closely behind.

...

Hehuan Peak.

Gu Huan stood guard outside the Immortal Cave.

Qin Yao and Liu Zhu were having a secret conversation inside.

"Senior Sister Qin, Sister Liu is trustworthy, and the buyer also kept their promise. That box sold for a high price of three thousand Spirit Stones in total. Since the witness takes a ten percent fee, we only received two thousand seven hundred."

Liu Zhu placed the Spirit Stones on the table.

She divided them into two piles.

She left the larger pile and took the smaller one.

"Senior Sister Qin, if you hadn't come back to save me that day, I would have certainly met with disaster. So please don't be polite with me; I'm only taking my rightful share."

Hearing this.

Qin Yao nodded with a smile.

She glanced at the table and took the two thousand Spirit Stones.

"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Sister Liu. Fortunately, the transaction went smoothly, otherwise I would have worried for nothing these past few days."

"Hehe, there's no need to worry, Senior Sister Qin. We've already thrown away the hot potato. Whatever happens later has nothing to do with us, so don't overthink it."

Liu Zhu was telling the truth.

Because all the insiders of this transaction were dead, and the Blood Spirit Great Method was now on Gu Huan.

Even if the Blood Spirit Sect investigated, they would certainly not be able to find any evidence against them in the end.

It was just that Qin Yao didn't know the inside story.

So she still felt fearful.

"Things aren't that optimistic."

"Once Sister Liu's mouth fails to keep the secret, or the buyer's mouth fails to keep the secret, we will still be exposed."

This was Qin Yao's concern.

When Liu Zhu heard this, her heart bloomed with joy.

Her concerns had long been secretly resolved by her own Cauldron; they would never happen in reality.

Suddenly.

Liu Zhu curled her lip, appearing unhappy.

She called Gu Huan 'Master'.

And Gu Huan called Qin Yao 'Master'.

In that case, wouldn't the difference in seniority between her and Qin Yao be massive?

But it didn't matter.

She would only call Gu Huan 'Master' behind people's backs. Qin Yao wouldn't know, so she could just act as if nothing had happened.

Free of burdens, her heart felt light.

Liu Zhu's mood gradually brightened.

Qin Yao, however, mistakenly thought she had frightened Liu Zhu and quickly offered comforting words.

"I was just speaking casually, Junior Sister Liu. Don't take it to heart. Let's just let this matter pass. After this, we must give our all for the Sect Competition."

Hearing these words.

Liu Zhu couldn't help but blush.

Now that she had enough Spirit Stones, would a Cauldron be far off?

Qin Yao knew that Liu Zhu had not touched a Cauldron yet. Seeing her face flushed and hot, she couldn't help but recall herself back then. For the sake of Foundation Establishment, she had to firmly take that first step.

Fortunately.

She was very satisfied with her current Cauldron.

"Junior Sister Liu, as someone who has been through it, I'll give you a word of advice."

"When choosing a Cauldron, you must keep your eyes open and try to pick the type you like."

As her voice fell.

Liu Zhu was greatly shocked and suddenly raised her head.

"Senior Sister Qin, you're someone who has been through it... Does that mean you've already plucked... him?"

"Of course. I bought him back to be a Cauldron, not to be enshrined like a Buddha."

Strange!

If Master had been plucked.

Why was his cultivation still so powerful?

Liu Zhu wracked her brain but couldn't understand the reason, and her heart felt even more awe and respect for Gu Huan.

"Alright, I understand, Junior Sister."

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Sister. I will definitely take it into consideration. Farewell!"

Liu Zhu left joyfully. When she encountered Gu Huan at the door, she only gave him a meaningful look without any extra actions.

"Gu Huan, get in here!"

After seeing off Liu Zhu, Qin Yao's face immediately darkened.

This guy actually dared not to return for several days without saying a word. He simply didn't respect her as his master.