Chapter 10

“A Xue! What are you doing! Get back here!!”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhu Xianfei’s face flushed crimson with rage as he witnessed his own Spirit Demon frolicking and rolling playfully at the feet of his enemy.

No matter how much he shouted and scolded, the snow leopard refused to leave Peng Peng’s side. In fact, when Zhu Xianfei raised his voice, the leopard shot him a disdainful glance before rolling onto its back again, allowing Peng Peng to pet it freely.

The onlookers were thoroughly entertained.

Before the Nether Capital and the cultivation world had their final falling out, many gentle-natured Spirit Demons had willingly befriended human cultivators, fighting side by side and pursuing the Great Dao together.

But after the Lord of the Nether Capital perished, Spirit Demons lost their protector. Cultivators who had previously hunted them in secret for their Demon Cores now became even more brazen.

This deepened the animosity between Spirit Demons and cultivators.

Even if a Demon Tamer went through great pains to tame a Spirit Demon, the demon would only submit temporarily. If the cultivator wasn’t strong enough, the demon would abandon its master without hesitation.

—A Spirit Demon as docile as this snow leopard was truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Could it be that this snow leopard was naturally affectionate toward humans?

Just as the crowd was speculating, Zhu Xianfei demonstrated what “deep master-servant bonds” really looked like.

“What filthy tricks did you use, you brat! A Xue, are you coming back or not? If you don’t, don’t blame me for being rough with you—”

Seeing Zhu Xianfei draw his Demon Binding Rope, his junior sister hurriedly tried to stop him.

But Zhu Xianfei, blinded by anger, paid no heed. He was determined to tie up this disgraceful Spirit Demon and teach it a lesson later.

Then, in the next moment—

Whack!

The snow leopard’s fluffy tail lashed across his face like a merciless slap, sending him flying several meters backward.

The spectators scrambled back, nearly spilling their melon seeds and peanuts.

When they turned back, they saw the same tail that had struck like a hammer now gently hooking around the five-year-old girl’s arm, guiding her hand to its head.

After a brief pause, Peng Peng understood and began stroking the big cat’s head.

Shocking!

This Spirit Demon has two faces!!

Le Yao and the others stiffened.

While satisfying, this situation seemed to be escalating beyond control.

“…Quick, send word to Immortal Yue. He must be nearby playing cards—get him here to save our junior sister…”

As the senior brother fumbled to send a message via jade slip, Yue Wujiu had just stepped through the gates of the Immortal Market’s archway.

The shopkeeper, busy with accounts, looked up and smiled at him:

“Immortal Yue, we haven’t seen you in days. Word is you brought back two disciples from the Ascension to Immortality Assembly in Pingchuan City. Yesterday we were saying you might not have time to visit now that you’ve taken on students.”

“Separate matters.” Yue Wujiu’s expression remained serene, standing out starkly among the boisterous gamblers. “Once they enter my sect, they must learn independence. How could I possibly watch over them every moment?”

This was how Yue Wujiu’s own master had raised them.

A few cultivation manuals and sword manuals would be tossed their way. They’d study for ten days, receive half a day of corrections, then be left alone for dozens more days. Those who mastered the material moved on to new teachings; those who struggled got minimal guidance before being left to figure things out themselves. Through this cycle, all disciples naturally grew into outstanding talents.

Yue Wujiu saw no issue with emulating this approach.

But clearly, his new disciple was far less trouble-free than he had been back in the day—

“Immortal Yue, save us!”

As soon as the Sound Transmission Jade Tablet connected, the voice of his senior disciple exploded from the archway.

“Little Junior Sister stole the Spirit Demon of the Kunlun Ruins’ Second Elder’s personal disciple! And she beat him up! If you don’t come now, I’m afraid the Kunlun Ruins will form a deadly feud with our Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect, and our sect will be doomed!!”

Yue Wujiu: …I just wanted to play a round of tiles. How did our sect end up on the brink of destruction?

On the other end, Peng Peng also looked utterly shocked, unable to comprehend how her simple act of petting a big cat that had come to her had plunged the Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect into such a crisis.

The senior disciple cut off the transmission and chuckled:

“If I hadn’t said that, given Immortal Yue’s aversion to trouble, he would’ve just told us to handle it ourselves.”

Though it wasn’t actually a big deal, seeing how the unlucky fellow on the other end—who had been thoroughly beaten up by his own Spirit Demon—had already pulled out his Sound Transmission Jade Tablet to call for backup, they needed to summon a Master to hold the fort.

The Kunlun Ruins’ Second Elder, Shui Jing Daoren, and Yue Wujiu arrived almost simultaneously.

With both “parents” present, the troublemakers on each side began scrambling to tattle.

Zhu Xianfei: “They started it! Master, look at my face!”

Le Yao: “Pah! Your face was beaten by your own Spirit Demon—what does that have to do with us?”

Zhu Xianfei: “Only because you used some underhanded sorcery to bewitch my A Xue! Otherwise, it would never disobey me!”

Our senior disciple: “What ‘your A Xue’? Whoever grabs it first owns it! Now this Spirit Demon belongs to our junior sister!”

Zhu Xianfei: “You—you— Master, waaahhh…”

Our senior sister: “Stop crying! Who can’t play the victim? Come on, Junior Sister Peng Peng! You cry prettily for him too!”

Shui Jing Daoren and Yue Wujiu simultaneously wore expressions of agony.

Children bickering—how utterly exhausting.

In the end, the two Immortals settled into a teahouse. After questioning their respective disciples, they finally pieced together what had happened.

Both were equally speechless.

Such a trivial matter, and yet it had caused such a commotion?

Shui Jing Daoren spoke first:

“Ridiculous! To make such a scene over a piece of clothing and embarrass yourselves in front of so many people—regardless of who got it first, as a disciple of the Kunlun Ruins, couldn’t you have yielded? Your pettiness is worse than a needle’s point! You’ve disgraced the Kunlun Ruins!”

Zhu Xianfei, who had been so arrogant earlier, now stood silent, not daring to utter a word.

Yue Wujiu sipped his tea quietly, offering no comment.

After reprimanding Zhu Xianfei, Shui Jing Daoren instructed Zhu Xianfei’s junior sister to bring over the disputed garment.

“Shuang’er, don’t feel wronged. Once we leave this teahouse, I’ll buy you a new one. As a disciple of the Kunlun Ruins, you must be magnanimous. Never learn from your senior brother’s petty grudges—it reflects poorly on your character.”

Shuang’er replied respectfully, “This disciple isn’t wronged. I understand.”

Shui Jing Daoren nodded in satisfaction and placed the contentious dress in front of Peng Peng.

“Consider this garment an apology. What do you think, little friend?”

Peng Peng examined the dress, then pointed at Shui Jing Daoren and asked Yue Wujiu:

“Master, is this old grandpa hard of hearing?”

Yue Wujiu nearly choked on his tea.

Zhu Xianfei slammed the table and stood up: “How dare you speak to my Master like that, you brat—”

A low, warning growl rumbled from the snow leopard’s throat.

Zhu Xianfei immediately wore a heartbroken expression, as if his deep affection had been betrayed.

“This robe was originally snatched by my senior sister and the others first—the shopkeeper can testify to that!”  

Peng Peng declared righteously:  

“Since we grabbed it first, it should rightfully be ours. How can you offer our own belongings as compensation?”  

Shui Jing Daoren’s previously faint smile faded, his expression turning solemn.  

Unfazed by the shift in mood, Peng Peng continued:  

“But we can give you the robe. After all, that brother said whoever grabs it first owns it. You have more money, so we can’t outbid you—so by that logic, what you owe us isn’t the robe, but that snow leopard.”  

At the mention of the snow leopard, Shui Jing Daoren’s face darkened.  

“Immortal Yue, your little disciple truly has the fearless audacity of a newborn calf—daring to demand anything she fancies.”  

How rare were Spirit Demons?  

Had this little girl asked for a few hundred Spirit Stones as compensation, he wouldn’t have batted an eye. But taming a Spirit Demon required immeasurable time and effort—how dare she demand one with mere playful words?  

Qiuqiu didn’t like this remark at all. Puffing up its chest, it pointed a wingtip at Shui Jing Daoren:  

“Demand? Spirit Demons in this world belong to no one! You’re the ones who kidnapped—”  

Before it could finish, a wisp of Spirit Pressure from Shui Jing Daoren silenced it.  

First-stage Tribulation Transcending Realm.  

The intimidation was unmistakable.  

The small, helpless Qiuqiu instantly fluttered into Peng Peng’s hair, too scared to make another sound.  

“Shui Jing Daoren, restrain yourself.”  

Yue Wujiu set down his teacup.  

Shui Jing Daoren forced a benign smile:  

“Today’s matter is merely a childish squabble. A Xian has already suffered the consequences, and I will discipline him strictly upon our return. As for the robe, it naturally belongs to your disciple. A Xue, however, I must take back. Let this matter end here—it certainly won’t escalate into sect grudges. What does Immortal Yue think?”  

Peng Peng hugged the trembling Qiuqiu tightly, indignantly waiting for Yue Wujiu to teach the other party a harsh lesson.  

Le Yao and the other two also looked at Yue Wujiu, though their expressions were far more complicated.  

Outside the window, petals drifted down in the breeze. A peach blossom landed in Yue Wujiu’s teacup, rippling the surface.  

After a long pause, he finally spoke:  

“Then let it end here.”  

When the group returned to the Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect, Ji Shu immediately sensed the tense atmosphere.  

After questioning Le Yao, he learned what had transpired.  

Frowning, Ji Shu said:  

“Logically, the Spirit Demon should belong to Peng Peng. But… some things simply can’t be settled by logic. Shizun’s decision has its reasons.”  

Le Yao sighed as well:  

“Exactly. Though I also feel frustrated, that man is, after all, the Second Elder of Kunlun Ruins. Kunlun Ruins holds immense influence, and our sect isn’t far from theirs. Our daily necessities and trade depend on them. If we make enemies, wouldn’t they make life difficult for us?”  

As she spoke, Le Yao recalled the scene when they left.  

The unwilling snow leopard, bound by immortal-binding ropes, was dragged away, whimpering softly. The little girl silently stared ahead, obediently refraining from causing trouble, only turning away to wipe her eyes with her sleeve—a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.  

“Everyone understands the reasoning, but… but…”  

Le Yao struggled for a long moment before finally stomping her foot in frustration and shouting:

“Angry angry angry so annoyed so annoyed I need to swing my sword a thousand times to cool off!”

After seeing off Le Yao, Ji Shu turned to the little girl who had been lying under the eaves enjoying the breeze since they returned.

He approached, wondering if he should say something, when suddenly Peng Peng sat bolt upright and declared solemnly:

“Senior Sister! Let me help you farm!”

Ji Shu: ?

“Didn’t you say you’d help me refine pills to cure my so-called Celestial Deficiency Physique? No time to waste, I’ll assist you!”

Ji Shu stared blankly as the little girl scampered off to fetch a hoe.

Not a trace of gloom remained on her face. Though her small frame was shorter than the hoe itself, she gritted her teeth and struggled to lift it, inching forward step by step.

“You… are you still angry?” Ji Shu hesitated. “You’re young, there are things you don’t understand yet. Master had his reasons for not standing up for you…”

“I am angry, but not at Master.”

Peng Peng clenched her fists, reflecting on her pain:

“I’m angry at myself!”

Behind her, Headmaster Tang Fang and Yue Wujiu paused their steps.

“I’m not strong enough yet, so I couldn’t beat that brother or his master, and they took A Xue away. But when I become strong enough, I’ll definitely settle the score!”

Such words often came from Peng Peng’s mouth.

But this time, her voice carried an unusual hint of unease.

“…Senior Sister, if I become really, really strong, I won’t get bullied like today or cause trouble for everyone, right?”

Qiuqiu perched on Peng Peng’s shoulder tilted its head, noticing something amiss in her voice.

The little girl’s eyes were slightly red and watery, but she didn’t cry weakly—just sniffled.

“I… will become strong when I grow up, right?”

For the first time, Peng Peng doubted this belief.

Today, that snow leopard had been right before her. It seemed to like her, wanted to stay with her, yet she could do nothing.

She felt… somewhat useless.

Peng Peng’s words took Yue Wujiu completely by surprise.

Before coming, he’d prepared some meaningless words of comfort and steeled himself for the child’s resentment.

After all, this was his choice.

In this life, he’d chosen a different path from his previous nine incarnations. Many things weren’t worth disputing, unnecessary conflicts best avoided—a life of muddling through wasn’t so bad.

But she was different.

The five-year-old girl’s head brimmed with unrealistic fantasies about the distant future.

Yue Wujiu could no longer recall what expectations he’d held in his youth, but vague memories suggested he might have once thought like this little girl.

He’d forgotten his original aspirations long ago.

But her life still overflowed with unknown possibilities.

“Even with peerless cultivation, unmatched by any, there remain matters beyond human power. If all worldly troubles could be solved by brute strength alone, why would so many remain trapped in suffering?”

Peng Peng turned blankly toward Yue Wujiu. After a long pause, she murmured:

“Master… you can overestimate my potential, but don’t overestimate my education. I didn’t understand a single word you just said…”

The white-robed youth knelt slowly before her, his garments like frost and snow.

He raised his hand and wiped away the teardrop hanging on her lashes with his sleeve.

“What I mean is, even Masters—even the most powerful Masters—have many troubles they can’t solve.”

Peng Peng was deeply shaken: “! Then what do we do!?”

“It’s alright, because—Peng Peng is a child.”

Her dazed reflection shimmered in those calm eyes as a broad palm gently patted her head.

“Adults may not solve adult problems, but they can solve children’s problems.”

Peng Peng tilted her head in confusion: “Like what?”

“For example,” Yue Wujiu pulled out the Mustard Seed Pouch, “the things you left at Gongyi Manor—your senior sister and I retrieved them for you.”

Peng Peng’s eyes slowly widened.

“And also, the treasured sword you wanted, the cultivation manuals that could make you a little stronger—I got them all from Sect Leader Tang Yue.”

Yue Wujiu placed a proportionally scaled-down slender sword and its manual into Peng Peng’s palms.

Though she couldn’t practice swordsmanship now, he and Ji Shu would find a way to heal her body. These were just to cheer her up in advance.

“And one more thing—”

Peng Peng stood dumbfounded, cradling these items as if struck dizzy by pies falling from the sky, unable to believe there could be more.

The corners of Yue Wujiu’s lips curved slightly.

Those usually lazy, half-lidded eyes that always carried a hint of aloof weariness finally reflected a sliver of crescent-moon light.

“Go to bed early tonight. At dawn tomorrow, we ascend the Kunlun Ruins.”