Yao Ranran blinked, her gaze landing on the center of his forehead.
"Hasn't it already worked? From now on, we are on the same side."
Mu Xin lifted his hand to touch his scorching forehead, tracing the strange master-servant mark. His face immediately darkened to an extreme.
"This isn't real. Who exactly are you?"
"I don't know who I am either, but one thing I can be certain of is that I am your master."
Yao Ranran smiled gracefully.
Mu Xin froze, then muttered, "My master is so beautiful… pfft pfft pfft!"
He spat in rapid succession, cursing his bad luck.
A fully bloomed Azure Lotus caught his eye. Mu Xin stared at the swaying flower, and suddenly thousands of petals shot toward his eyes. Frightened, Mu Xin stumbled back several steps. Only when his body pressed against the icy stone wall did he snap fully awake.
"Those were all illusions just now!"
The Lotus landed in Yao Ranran's hand. "Yes, what you saw was an illusion. This one is real."
Mu Xin turned, ready to shout in anger, but when Yao Ranran's figure filled his sight, he found himself speechless. Only shock and fear remained.
"W-Whi… whi…"
His finger trembled as he pointed at Yao Ranran's hand.
Yao Ranran asked, "Do you mean the White Lotus?"
She walked slowly toward him. Not a trace of white adorned her, yet she carried a grace unlike anyone else here.
Mu Xin's eyes widened as he pointed at the back of Yao Ranran. "How is there such a huge White Lotus behind you?!"
Yao Ranran frowned and looked around. Aside from darkness, there was only swirling dust. "So it really is Mu Xin's soul. He even uses the same curses. Next time you must restrain yourself, or you will be punished!"
Her gaze held a hint of warning.
Mu Xin paid no mind. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pile of rubble ahead. Instinctively, he raised his hand. All the rubble hovered in midair, stacking into a mountain.
"Die!"
He hurled the stones forward, a wide grin spreading across his face.
In that instant, the mountain of stones collapsed onto him, crushing him. He gasped for breath, and his laughter was buried beneath the debris.
"Master, Master, where are you?"
Da Huang's voice echoed in Yao Ranran's mind.
Yao Ranran paused for a second before replying, "I'm at the foot of the mountain. I'll be back soon."
"Good. I'll wait obediently for you on the mountain!"
The Phoenix responded quickly.
Yao Ranran smiled. "Take this little companion to Da Huang. It will surely be happy!"
"Woof woof woof!"
Sensing Yao Ranran's neglect, the little black dog trotted to her side, barking excitedly.
"Oh, right. You come too."
Yao Ranran scooped up the little black dog. A black cloud formed beneath her, lifting them both effortlessly.
"What is this?"
Stepping on the soft black cloud, Yao Ranran was suddenly struck by a flash of information in her mind.
"You say you control this?"
She held up the little black dog, staring into its large eyes with curiosity.
The dog nodded.
Yao Ranran glanced at the flung-up Mu Xin and, in a blink, arrived at the entrance of the Daoist temple.
"Fairy Ranran, you've finally returned. Earlier, Da Huang signed the contract with you…"
Tang Xiangyin's words froze halfway as her attention shifted to the little black dog in Yao Ranran's arms.
"Fairy Ranran, where did this come from? It's so cute!"
Yao Ranran patted the little black dog's head and handed it over. "If you like it, let it follow you. It was formed from the black mist at the foot of the mountain, so it should have some special power."
Tang Xiangyin cradled the dog, stroking its fur lovingly. "Its fur is even prettier than Da Huang's!"
"Who? Whose fur is prettier than mine?"
A blaze shot down from the sky.
The Phoenix, reborn in fire, dazzled with radiant feathers that were impossible to look away from.
The little black dog shrank in Tang Xiangyin's arms, releasing a black mist from its mouth to block the scorching flames.
"No, I meant the Da Huang at the village entrance. Its fur isn't as pretty as the little black dog's."
Tang Xiangyin explained in a daze.
The Phoenix swooped low, its massive form curving close to the ground before tucking its wings and transforming into a wild chicken, landing on Yao Ranran's shoulder.
"Master, is this little black dog your new mount?"
Yao Ranran was surprised. "No, it's not."
Hearing the answer, the Phoenix's anxious heart finally settled. "I thought my master had a new mount!"
"Yes, I did get a new mount. You guessed it? Then the surprise is gone!" Yao Ranran sighed with regret. "This is my new mount. It probably doesn't want to wake yet."
Both the Phoenix and Tang Xiangyin looked at the new mount Yao Ranran mentioned, their expressions varied.
"Even shape-shifting spirit beasts can be tamed at will!"
Tang Xiangyin admired Yao Ranran, looking up.
The Phoenix let out a mournful cry.
All its effort had been useless. Why was there still a new mount by the master's side?!
"Da Huang is so happy. Looks like I did the right thing!"
Yao Ranran felt a quiet satisfaction. At least Da Huang wouldn't be so lonely anymore.
"Clang!"
The Phoenix let out a desperate cry, and the little black dog blinked its huge grape-like eyes, curiously looking around.
Yao Ranran watched the Phoenix's joy and turned, satisfied, leaving.
"Next time an enemy attacks, Mu Xin can go meet them."
-
Northern Sea, Holy Palace
"Our Holy Maiden is in the Eastern Wilderness. If you can bring her back, we will surrender willingly!"
Wan Huaiyuan's face was covered in a fine layer of sweat as he shouted toward Mo Rui outside the natural barrier.
Mo Rui narrowed his eyes, a glint of cunning in them. "Can the Great Elder make a oath?"
"Of course!" Wan Huaiyuan immediately raised four fingers to the sky, making the vow.
Qian Zhi, shocked, interjected, "No! Great Elder, how can the Holy Palace surrender to them? They killed several of our ascending Holy Maidens!"
Wan Huaiyuan's face turned solemn. "There is no other way. Let them waste time in the Eastern Wilderness. Our barrier cannot hold for long. Even if we swear an oath, we cannot find the Holy Maiden."
"So this is the Great Elder's plan. I misjudged. It's actually a good idea!"
Hearing this, Qian Zhi finally understood.
Mo Rui outside the barrier did not know they were talking secretly. He simply turned eastward, a flash of excitement in his eyes. "In that case, I will personally go to the Eastern Wilderness!"
Wan Huaiyuan and Qian Zhi were surprised as he left instantly, exchanging glances.
"He believed it so quickly?"
Wan Huaiyuan pondered briefly. "Whether he truly believes it or is mocking us, as long as he leaves, we gain extra time to repair this defense!"