Chapter 32

“Ah, Ye Qiao, did you bring back a kidnapped child?” Mu Chongxi went out to scout the way and, upon returning, saw a fluffy little yellow creature squatting beside his little sister. His mouth twitched, quite astonished.

It was indeed cute, with yellow fur, and if one didn’t look carefully, it seemed like a little ball.

Next to it, KFC was already bristling with rage, madly pecking at the yellow little beast, clearly displeased with this outsider.

“This should be a Treasure-Hunting Beast,” Duan Hengdao, who was sitting and reading a book about spiritual artifacts, spoke up, immediately recognizing the creature: “It seems to be contracted with someone.”

Ye Qiao raised an eyebrow at these words.

It must have been contracted by the protagonist.

After all, the Treasure-Hunting Beast in the novel was meant for Yun Que.

She picked it up, bored, and said, “Little guy, are you lost? Or did you run out on your own?”

She had been sleeping soundly when this little beast suddenly burrowed into her arms, trying to sneak close to the treasure hanging at her waist.

The likelihood of it being lost was low; it was more likely it ran out on its own. This part didn’t happen in the original plot, though.

“Go on,” Ye Qiao poked the creature that looked like Pikachu. She had no interest in taking care of someone else’s spiritual beast.

The Treasure-Hunting Beast twitched its ears pitifully, refusing to leave no matter how much Ye Qiao prodded it.

It didn’t want to go back; its newly contracted owner was crazy, making the little beast very scared.

Seeing its reaction, Ye Qiao pondered.

Hmm. Could it really have had a falling out with Yun Que?

Ye Qiao didn’t realize this was the butterfly effect she had caused by taking the essence ore first, which made Yun Que lose her temper and scare away the Treasure-Hunting Beast.

Mu Chongxi, resting his chin on his hand, thoughtfully speculated, “Hmm. For now, it seems like it doesn’t want to leave. We should find out who its owner is and then return it.”

Besides—

A Treasure-Hunting Beast!

Following it would mean picking up treasures along the way, which sounded delightful.

Thinking this, he got excited and scooped up the Treasure-Hunting Beast. “Come on, come on, no more sleeping, let’s go treasure hunting.”

Ye Qiao yawned, watching her senior brother eagerly get ready, and scratched her chin. She remembered… Mu Chongxi used to be quite an upright disciple of the righteous path.

He used to hesitate about taking spiritual plants, considering whether to leave some for others.

Now he had no such qualms?

Ye Qiao was satisfied with this change. In the original novel, Mu Chongxi was a genuine backup and loyal dog, risking his life for Yun Que, only to be casually told, “You’re like a brother to me.”

She finally understood the manipulative literature.

She picked up KFC and followed Mu Chongxi.

Mu Chongxi seemed to like the little beast a lot, feeding it a few crystal stones, making the Treasure-Hunting Beast happily expose its belly for petting, leading them to uncover all the treasures in the secret realm.

These included spiritual plants, cultivation-enhancing fruits, and some Golden Core stage monster bones.

No wonder the author gave it to Yun Que. It was a real treasure trove.

Duan Hengdao was overjoyed, as he desperately needed materials for crafting and hugged the Treasure-Hunting Beast, kissing it several times.

Meanwhile, Yun Que was almost frantic searching. As the owner, she could track the beast’s aura, but it seemed to keep moving around the secret realm with others.

She would find the scent one moment, only for it to shift to another place the next.

Ye Qinghan, seeing Yun Que’s anxious expression, pursed his lips and also asked his junior brothers to help search.

Sword cultivators were fast, and soon Song Jian found Ye Qiao and her companions.

He called out, “Little sister Yun Que, is that yellow one your Treasure-Hunting Beast?”

Yun Que immediately had Ye Qinghan take her over.

Perhaps it was the black stick hanging from Ye Qiao’s waist that attracted it, akin to catnip to cats, as the Treasure-Hunting Beast clung to her, looking blissful.

KFC was circling in frustration, wishing it could slap the little thing away.

This was its contractor!

So when Yun Que arrived, she saw her beast snuggling up to Ye Qiao. Her expression changed, “Second Senior Sister.”

This address was loud and clear, making Duan Hengdao look up in surprise, “You know her?”

Ye Qiao didn’t even lift her eyelids, hearing the familiar words: “Not really, she just chases me around calling me ‘Second Senior Sister’ like she’s got some issues.”

“Of course.” She pondered for a moment: “If you must say we know each other, there’s some personal grudges.”

But not with her, with the original character.

The two chatted casually, ignoring Yun Que, who clenched her dark sword, saying loudly, “Second Senior Sister, please return my Treasure-Hunting Beast.”

She assumed Ye Qiao wanted to keep it for herself after realizing its abilities.

Who wouldn’t want a Treasure-Hunting Beast? Many came to the secret realm just for it.

Yun Que emphasized “my” as if reminding Ye Qiao of something.

Ye Qiao lazily smiled, “Sure.”

She tilted her head, boredly shaking her leg, “Pikachu, let go of me.”

Her attitude couldn’t be more indifferent.

The Treasure-Hunting Beast clung to her tightly—not letting go, not letting go, not letting go.

The scene was getting a bit out of hand.

Yun Que’s expression twisted seeing her spiritual beast hugging someone else.

When it comes to talent, who is more noble than whom?

The inner disciples of Wenjian Sect, who had been mocking, gradually fell silent.

Mu Chongxi stood next to Ye Qiao, leaning casually to the side.

He realized that spending time with Ye Qiao made people increasingly confident!

At first, Mu Chongxi would habitually think of being patient and humble when facing other sects’ geniuses.

Now—

The number one in swordsmanship? Tsk, still lacks a bit of skill compared to me.

The Wenjian Sect disciples thought: “…So frustrating, but we can’t refute it.”

In the cultivation world, strength is revered. Mu Chongxi’s ability to reach the Golden Core stage at sixteen was enough to silence most people. Even Song Jian, who habitually picked faults, couldn’t argue. Didn’t his life-bound sword tremble uncontrollably when Mu Chongxi drew his?

Mu Chongxi’s move effectively shut them up.

Ye Qinghan’s expression was faint. “Then see you at the competition.”

He looked at the two with a meaningful tone. “I look forward to your performance in the tournament.”

Though he said this, it was still easy to hear the arrogance and provocation in his words.

Ye Qiao met his gaze head-on, without a trace of fear, smiling sweetly. “See you at the competition.”

Unlike Yun Que’s softness, the fifteen-year-old girl had clear and sharp eyes, showing no fear.

Noticing Ye Qinghan’s gaze on Ye Qiao, Yun Que suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable and looked down, murmuring softly, “Second Senior Sister, Master and I both miss you. When will you come back to our sect?”

“Second Senior Sister?” Song Jian glanced at the two of them. “You know each other?”