The Sect Master's Plan
Ouyang Shishi's voice was shrill, and at such close range it made Zhang Lingxiao's ears ring.
However, what truly snapped him out of his state of enlightenment was Ouyang Shishi's vicious "cut off your descendants" attack.
Zhang Lingxiao immediately sucked in a sharp breath.
Gripping his aching lower body, he glared at the culprit in his arms before noticing that everyone in the Duel Arena was staring at them.
His face darkened.
"Little girl, watch your mouth."
"You're my maid now, so behave yourself and stop ruining my reputation."
"And..."
"Take your hand off me immediately."
"Otherwise, don't blame me for teaching you a lesson right here."
"You wouldn't dare!"
Although Ouyang Shishi answered stubbornly, her cheeks had already turned crimson.
Even so, she obediently withdrew her hands.
After all...
This shameless scoundrel had already dared to flirt with her in front of so many people.
Who knew what else he might do?
Only then did Zhang Lingxiao release her.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Ouyang Shishi puffed out her cheeks angrily before glaring at the surrounding spectators.
"What are all of you staring at?"
"Get lost!"
"Keep watching, and I'll gouge out your eyes and use them to refine pills!"
Her fierce outburst immediately scattered the crowd.
It wasn't because they feared her strength.
Rather...
Everyone recognized who she was.
"Oh no... it's actually Ouyang Shishi!"
"I must have lost my mind coming over here."
"Exactly!"
"If I'd known it was that little devil, I would've stayed as far away as possible."
"Wait... isn't she the one who was just being carried by that Senior Brother?"
"That guy is incredible!"
"He even dares to provoke Ouyang Shishi!"
"And wasn't that terrifying Sword Qi his attack?"
"He actually split an entire duel platform apart with one strike!"
"No wonder he isn't afraid of her."
For a while, countless disciples secretly speculated about Zhang Lingxiao's identity.
There weren't many Core Disciples within Qingyun Sect.
Most of them recognized one another.
Yet no one had ever seen this young swordsman before.
After the crowd dispersed, Ouyang Shishi glared fiercely at Zhang Lingxiao.
"You scoundrel!"
"You took advantage of me!"
"Even if you won, it doesn't count!"
"This Young Miss absolutely refuses to become your maid!"
"Oh?"
Zhang Lingxiao smiled faintly.
"So you intend to violate the contract?"
"Are you prepared to lose an entire major cultivation Realm?"
Hearing that, Ouyang Shishi's expression immediately changed.
She turned helplessly toward Li Ruoxi.
Li Ruoxi walked over and quietly whispered a few words into her ear.
The girl's arrogant demeanor instantly disappeared.
With an aggrieved expression, she lowered her head.
"Senior Brother Zhang..."
"Junior Sister knows she was wrong."
"Please forgive me this once."
Looking at her pitiful appearance, Zhang Lingxiao smiled.
Was this a pitiful act?
Or was she deliberately trying to soften his heart?
Unfortunately...
He wasn't buying it.
"A promise is a promise."
"One should always keep one's word."
Turning toward Li Ruoxi, he smiled.
"Junior Sister Li, I still have other matters to attend to."
"I'll be taking my little maid with me."
Li Ruoxi could only nod helplessly.
Zhang Lingxiao summoned his Xuan Leaf and stepped onto it first.
He then looked down at Ouyang Shishi.
"Come on."
"Accompany me to choose a fire-attributed Spirit Beast."
Knowing the contract could not be broken, Ouyang Shishi puffed out her cheeks before reluctantly boarding the Xuan Leaf.
Only after the two disappeared into the distance did Li Ruoxi take out a Sound Transmission Talisman.
"Sect Master."
"Everything has gone according to plan."
"The process was smoother than expected."
"The bait has been taken."
"Very good."
Dongfang Hanshan's deep voice came from within the talisman.
...
Inside Qingyun Hall atop Qingyun Peak—
Dongfang Hanshan rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply.
"My precious daughter..."
"That boy possesses extraordinary talent."
"He has already comprehended Sword Intent at such a young age."
"His future is limitless."
"I'm doing this for your own good."
"If the two of you can truly become Dao Companions..."
"I'll finally have a legitimate reason to reject the Third Prince's marriage proposal."
Thinking of the Third Prince, Dongfang Hanshan's expression suddenly turned cold.
"Third Prince..."
"I've already gone this far."
"If you continue to push me..."
"Then don't blame this Sect Master for risking everything."
"At worst..."
"I'll simply resign as Sect Master of Qingyun Sect."
...
Meanwhile—
Zhang Lingxiao was flying rapidly atop his Xuan Leaf.
With his astonishing comprehension, he had already mastered its controls.
When he first mounted it, he could barely keep it steady.
Now, he could fly at high speed with ease.
Even while carrying another person.
"Ah!"
"You scoundrel!"
"Slow down!"
"I'm going to fall!"
Behind him, Ouyang Shishi's face had turned pale.
Her small hands tightly clutched Zhang Lingxiao's clothes around his waist.
She was terrified of falling.
Hearing her frightened voice, Zhang Lingxiao smiled mischievously.
Instead of slowing down...
He accelerated.
The Xuan Leaf streaked across the sky like a bolt of lightning.
This time, Ouyang Shishi completely panicked.
Without thinking, she threw both arms around Zhang Lingxiao's waist and hugged him tightly.
Feeling the soft pressure against his back, Zhang Lingxiao couldn't help teasing her.
"Little maid."
"I thought you were telling me not to touch you."
"So why are you hugging your Young Master's waist?"
"You..."
Ouyang Shishi was left speechless.
She knew perfectly well that Zhang Lingxiao was deliberately teasing her in retaliation.
Even so...
She stubbornly refused to loosen her grip.
Every time the Xuan Leaf suddenly accelerated or stopped, another frightened scream escaped her lips.
Zhang Lingxiao merely chuckled.
Before long, the two arrived at the Spirit Beast Pavilion.
Outside the pavilion sat an elderly man with youthful features and snow-white hair.
Although the Spiritual Power he emitted was only at the early stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm, Zhang Lingxiao instinctively sensed that the old man was far from ordinary.
He respectfully cupped his fists.
"Elder."
"I would like to purchase a fire-attributed Spirit Beast."
Ouyang Shishi also stepped forward.
"Elder Li."
The old man slowly opened his eyes.
He first glanced at Zhang Lingxiao before turning toward Ouyang Shishi.
His expression immediately became rather complicated.
"Shishi..."
"What are you doing here again?"
"This old man isn't renting Spirit Beasts to you anymore."
"The Fire Fox you borrowed last time was so exhausted that it remained listless for half a month."
"I still don't know what exactly you did to it."
Ouyang Shishi mischievously stuck out her tongue before letting out a proud snort.
Elder Li shook his head helplessly.
He then looked at Zhang Lingxiao carefully.
"You, young man..."
"Come inside with this old man."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded respectfully before following Elder Li into the pavilion.
Naturally, Ouyang Shishi followed closely behind.