Chapter 23

Having eaten and cleared the table, Wu Qingluan and Tu Hua helped Grandma Zhou tidy up. They then took the triplets for a walk in the yard to aid digestion.

The youngest, Yu Jue still enjoyed playing with the group of chickens. Unfortunately, after his antics, the chickens had become accustomed to him and simply scattered upon his approach. If they found him bothersome, they’d hop a few times on one leg or flap their wings casually.

The second child, Yu Jin was always the most well-behaved. He stayed obediently by Wu Qingluan’s side. As they walked, one of the triplets was missing, and Wu Qingluan decided to check the chicken coop in the backyard, where she indeed found him.

The eldest, Yu Lang had a lasting fascination with eggs. He wore a pet bird-shaped hat and squatted by the chicken coop, examining the eggs in his hand.

Wu Qingluan grabbed his collar and lifted him up. “Squatting right after a meal can cause indigestion. Get up!”

The eldest didn’t dare to resist and bid a reluctant farewell to the chicken coop.

Wu Qingluan continued her walk with Tu Hua, noticing that they were both curious about each other. It made sense; given Yu Xuanwei’s temperament, she probably wouldn’t explain much to Tu Hua. She’d likely only use imperative sentences like “Come with me to see the children.”

“Sister, you’re really amazing,” Tu Hua suddenly said without any context.

Wu Qingluan: …

Tu Hua shook her head and sighed, “This world is so unfair. Boring guys like my eldest brother have partners, while I, who is so beautiful, am still single.”

“Your eldest brother?” Wu Qingluan was surprised.

“I’m talking about your Daoist Yu,” Tu Hua grinned.

“I thought you were his cousin.”

“I wouldn’t dare to claim a blood relationship with the old man. If I must say something, I’m more like a distant relative.”

Distant relative… Just how old was Yu Xuanwei? Wu Qingluan couldn’t help but ask, “What year was he born?”

“The early days of the ancient era.”

Huh??

Wu Qingluan and Tu Hua had a back-and-forth conversation, but Wu Qingluan found that there was a significant generation gap between them. She couldn’t understand many of the terms Tu Hua was using. Oh well, Wu Qingluan gave up trying to inquire further and noticed the smartphone that Tu Hua had been keeping open. The young girl had been watching shopping live streams on the “Peach Blossom” app.

Recognizing the familiar logo on the live stream interface, Wu Qingluan finally found a good topic. “Do you also like crystals?”

Tu Hua was watching a live stream from the Tianlong Group, which specialized in selling various high-quality crystal bracelets. In addition, they discreetly promoted the various healing properties of crystals. For many years, they had been a leading figure in the crystal industry in Huaguo.

In the afternoon, Wu Qingluan was planning to visit the Tianlong Group’s headquarters in Yuzhou. Although she had some savings, she couldn’t rely on them indefinitely. She had originally planned to take some time off and look for a new job, but she unexpectedly met Yu Xuanwei and had been helping him with childcare, temporarily putting her job search on hold.

Before leaving the circle, she had heard that the Tianlong Group was looking for new shareholders. Before formally negotiating with them, she wanted to do some reconnaissance. If possible, she could invest in some shares and wait for the annual dividends. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Tu Hua closed the live stream and replied, “They’re not bad, quite beautiful indeed. But I prefer jadeite.”

(⊙o⊙)… Wu Qingluan glanced at the emerald bracelet glistening on Tu Hua’s left wrist. This young lady was well-off!

By the way, what exactly had Yu Xuanwei done to make this young lady come to their home to work

After the walk, Tu Hua took the triplets upstairs for their nap, and Wu Qingluan rode her newly bought electric scooter out of the house, leisurely making her way to the Tianlong Group headquarters.

She timed her visit well. The afternoon’s “Super Seven Crystals” special live broadcast was hosted by the group’s crown prince, Ba Tianlong, and there were seats available for fans to watch the broadcast live.

Wu Qingluan had long been a devoted fan of the Tianlong live broadcasts. After confirming her fan level, she smoothly entered the audience seats.

The atmosphere in the live broadcast was electric. Ba Tianlong, in his early twenties, was incredibly eloquent and charming. He had a slim, handsome figure and a striking face with well-defined features, making him incredibly photogenic.

Most of the people sitting in the audience seats with Wu Qingluan were young girls. They were eagerly snatching up products and screaming declarations of love for Ba Tianlong. Ba Tianlong frequently winked at the audience during breaks, causing the fans in the audience to scream in excitement. The scene was even more lively than a celebrity fan meet-up.

Wu Qingluan was quite satisfied. This was promising. She remembered that Yan Xiaoyu had a cousin who was a well-known legal consultant, particularly skilled in company mergers, acquisitions, and stock market listings. When the time came, she would consult with this expert. If everything checked out, she would confidently invest in the company.

After observing for a while longer, Wu Qingluan thought Ba Tianlong looked even more handsome on his phone. In person, there was a slight sense of incongruity, perhaps due to the heavy makeup for the livestream effect. His sparkling yellow vest also seemed overly dazzling, and after prolonged viewing, it could strain the eyes.

Ba Tianlong’s yellow vest had an impressive background. It was said to be crafted by skilled artisans who painstakingly polished the finest yellow crystal from top-grade gold-red material until it was as thin as a cicada’s wing. It was woven using secret techniques and considered a treasure for accumulating wealth and attracting positive energy.

The crystal bracelets from the Tianlong Group had always been popular in the entertainment industry. The entertainment circle was inherently superstitious, and rumors suggested that the efficacy of Tianlong’s bracelets was no mere exaggeration. Many people who bought their bracelets did indeed experience good fortune.

However, Wu Qingluan was not superstitious about their effects. She had collected quite a few crystal bracelets mainly because they looked beautiful. Moreover, she believed that good luck was a result of one’s own efforts. Whether it was a crystal bracelet or something else, seeing it could uplift one’s mood, and people in a relaxed and happy state were more likely to achieve success. The so-called efficacy was just psychological comfort. Nevertheless, she did have a soft spot for these little things that could bring happiness.

Glancing at the time, Wu Qingluan realized she had unknowingly spent over two hours there, so she got up to leave.

Perhaps her sudden movement had caught Ba Tianlong’s attention. He looked displeased as he gazed at this person who seemed to be ignoring his charm, and their eyes briefly met.

As Wu Qingluan recognized the look in Ba Tianlong’s eyes, she was slightly surprised. Ba Tianlong, on the other hand, had a violent reaction. His body jerked suddenly, and he fell straight backward!

The unexpected turn of events threw the livestream room into chaos. Staff members rushed to surround Ba Tianlong, while fans collectively stood up, filled with doubt and concern.

Wu Qingluan stood still, her heart filled with unease. Was it just her imagination? Ba Tianlong’s eyes looked strange, cloudy, as if he had been possessed.

Seeing Ba Tianlong faint in front of everyone, Wu Qingluan felt a bit relieved. It seemed that he was indeed unwell. These livestreamers might appear glamorous in their streams, but in reality, their days and nights were reversed, and the work pressure was immense. Some of them had already weakened physically.

While chaos reigned in the livestream room, Ba Tianlong suddenly leaped to his feet, as if nothing had happened. He quickly regained his composure, loudly explaining that he was indeed too tired. He then abruptly ended the livestream and hurried backstage with the doctor for an examination.

Wu Qingluan followed the other fans as they exited the room. Since there were too many people, she waited until the end. After most of the crowd dispersed, she boarded the elevator heading down alone.

In the backstage area, Ba Tianlong dismissed the doctor and staff and locked himself in his office. Everyone knew about this young prince’s temper and kept their distance. If anyone had approached, they would have noticed that although only Ba Tianlong was in the office, there were voices as if two people were conversing.

Inside the office, Ba Tianlong cowered on the side, not daring to lift his head to look at the dark figure seated in the office chair.

The dark figure was facing the computer screen, which was currently displaying real-time surveillance footage from the building. One particular image from an elevator was enlarged, and inside it was Wu Qingluan!

The dark figure spoke with a hissing noise, “After all these years of cultivation, my true self still can’t resist my instincts. I become flustered when I see my natural enemy. It’s laughable, it’s detestable!”

Ba Tianlong looked at the screen and mumbled, “Great Immortal, I know this person. She is a minor celebrity in the entertainment industry and have bought quite a bit from our family.”

“You ignorant mortals, you understand nothing!” The dark figure’s tone held both resentment and an uncontrollable trace of envy. “This is something extraordinary…”

Ba Tianlong didn’t quite catch what the dark figure had said, and in an instant, the shadow returned to him. He abandoned his previous timid demeanor and extended his long tongue to lick his lips. “Since you’re here, why not be an appetizer for me?”

If they were to meet in their true forms, due to innate suppression, he might not have the upper hand. But now, with a physical presence in the mortal world, what could she possibly do to him?

His earlier departure from Ba Tianlong’s body had been a momentary shock. This time, he was determined to make sure there was no way back for her!

In the elevator, Wu Qingluan had already sensed that something was amiss. The elevator ride was taking too long. It had been five minutes, and they hadn’t reached the first floor yet!

She tried pressing buttons for other floors, but there was no response. Panic set in. “Ding,” the elevator door opened.

This was definitely not the first floor. The first floor of the Tianlong Building was clean and well-lit, but what lay before her was a vast darkness. It was clear that something eerie was happening!

Wu Qingluan desperately pressed the close door button. She had no intention of stepping out. However, a force pulled her out of the elevator against her will.

“Cough, cough!” Wu Qingluan stared in terror at the person choking her. It was Ba Tianlong!

Wait, was this really Ba Tianlong? His cheeks were covered in scales, which was utterly repulsive.

Wu Qingluan was lifted off her feet by Ba Tianlong, who greedily stared at her. “My luck has finally arrived, and there’s no stopping it. The Phoenix Clan has oppressed my people for years, and countless of my kin have been subjected to skinning and gall extraction by your kind. Now that you’ve fallen into my hands, you shall taste the pain of having your heart and gallbladder removed!”

Ba Tianlong’s tongue suddenly extended unusually long, wrapping around Wu Qingluan’s neck. She writhed in agony, unable to utter a word for help.

Ba Tianlong was about to perform a gruesome act on Wu Qingluan when suddenly, a golden light shot out from her left wrist, striking Ba Tianlong in the face.

Startled, Ba Tianlong was forced to release the dark entity that had possessed him. It was thrown to the ground by the golden light.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, Wu Qingluan sprinted towards the elevator. However, the more she ran, the farther she seemed to get from the elevator. The black mist surging from behind grew closer, accompanied by a disturbing hissing sound.

The sound was spine-chilling, and Wu Qingluan couldn’t bear it any longer. She turned to glance back and was met with a horrifying sight. It wasn’t just black mist; it was a mass of countless tiny snakes writhing together.

They intertwined like a chaotic web and surged madly toward Wu Qingluan.

Wu Qingluan couldn’t hold back any longer and let out a horrified cry. It was revolting, and she felt like she was going to vomit.

“Help! Help!”

A thick, long tendril of black mist shot out from the snake swarm, wrapped around Wu Qingluan’s ankle, and forcefully yanked her back to the ground.

The golden light that had previously saved Wu Qingluan suddenly shot upwards.

As Wu Qingluan was on the verge of being consumed by the black mist, she felt a deep despair and cursed, “Damn it, Yu Xuanwei, you’re a Taoist, right? Hurry up and catch the demon! If I get eaten, who will pay you? Ahhh!”

Suddenly, a long, roaring beast cry echoed, and simultaneously, a powerful wind gust swept through, dispersing most of the black mist in an instant

Wu Qingluan only saw a dazzling white light before losing consciousness.

Yu Xuanwei lifted Wu Qingluan and cast a cold, piercing glance at the dispersing snake swarm. He raised his broad left sleeve, saying, “Go.”

A thick, long streak of golden light shot out from his sleeve and, upon hitting the ground, expanded rapidly. It transformed into a colossal golden serpent with wings, towering into the sky.

The snake swarm, upon witnessing this, paled collectively in fear. They wanted to escape, but where could they possibly flee?

The colossal serpent charged into the snake swarm and cleanly devoured them all. The previously arrogant dark figure also revealed its true form, a foul and black snake demon, which appeared exceedingly small and pitiful in comparison to the golden serpent.

The golden serpent sneered, “You insignificant beings dare to provoke? You even dared to covet the essence of the Divine Phoenix Clan!” With those words, the giant mouth opened wide and swallowed the snake demon whole.