### Chapter 357: Just Spoil Her Already
But if it’s Yun Zhonghe, Xing Bu isn’t really surprised.
However… the path of cultivation is never easy. Really wanting to break through from Initial Understanding to Nurturing Nature is no small feat.
This leap in cultivation is even more daunting than climbing from the initial stage of Initial Understanding to the late stage—an ordeal even Yun Zhonghe’s tenfold boost couldn’t make instantaneous.
Yun Zhonghe had been immersed in the Scripture Pavilion for quite some time. He had finally completed two-tenths of his cultivation progress, let out a long breath of relief, and his face showed undeniable weariness.
Xing Bu, the elder, had been patiently waiting on the side all along, making no noise at all to avoid disturbing him. She saw him finishing up and then timidly approached with a warm smile, trying to strike up a conversation.
“Oh, young friend, you’re done with your training?”
However, to Xing Bu’s surprise, Yun Zhonghe seemed completely oblivious to her presence. He stood up, collected his notes and spell manuals, exchanged pleasantries with the steward managing the Scripture Pavilion, and silently left without as much as a glance back at Xing Bu.
Throughout the whole interaction, Yun Zhonghe ignored her entirely.
Xing Bu felt embarrassed, “Hey, little friend…”
When Yun Zhonghe remained silent, she grew increasingly anxious, thinking he might not be able to see or hear her.
That won’t do! She was counting on Yun Zhonghe to grant her a wish. She had no one else to rely on but him.
Just as she thought, Yun Zhonghe suddenly stopped and turned his piercing gaze towards Xing Bu.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Xing Bu’s forehead seemed to be sweating profusely, and she laughed awkwardly, “Oh… oh, little friend! You can see me, right? Why not just acknowledge me?”
“Senior Xing Bu,” Yun Zhonghe finally spoke coldly, like ice without warmth, “Where have you been frolicking around idly these past days, having so much fun you’ve forgotten about everything?”
Xing Bu chuckled nervously, “Hehe… well, I was just fooling around in Xuantian Mansion, you know how I am when I’m old. I love to mingle, check out the new stuff, have some fun. Hahaha~”
“Is that so?” Yun Zhonghe smirked, his eyes fixed on Xing Bu, “Then did you happen to hear that the recently purchased Spirit Boat full of Spirit Wine got stolen?”
Xing Bu froze for a moment; her eyes darted around uncertainly.
“Uh, what? I, I don’t know. Maybe. I was just hanging around Xuantian Mansion, didn’t hear about anything happening in Xuantian Sect.”
Indeed, recently, an incident involving a valuable shipment of Spirit Wine mysteriously disappearing had taken place within Xuantian Sect! The Law Enforcement Hall had questioned Yun Zhonghe about it!
The investigators had even looked into Yun Zhonghe’s whereabouts.
Back then, when the officers questioned Yun Zhonghe about the theft, the first person who came to mind was Xing Bu!
A vast majority of the Spirit Wine from the Tianhai City Flower Tower was likely swiped by her!
This girl really never learns.
Fortunately, lacking concrete evidence, they only questioned Yun Zhonghe out of routine and then left.
But Yun Zhonghe felt he would eventually be implicated by Xing Bu.
He made up his mind to give her a good scare—‘big stick’ style!
Xing Bu gazed away, “I really don’t know… perhaps those wretched cultivators of evil did it? They’ll commit any act!”
Yun Zhonghe scoffed, unwilling to waste words on her.
This stray soul is nothing but a troublemaker, bound to cause bigger issues. He decided to just bury her somewhere, anywhere.
Xing Bu’s face paled in alarm at Yun Zhonghe’s resolve, yet dared not say a word.
She cautiously asked, “Y-young friend… you can’t be serious, right? I swear this has nothing to do with me!”
Yet, Yun Zhonghe remained silent, marching towards a secluded forest.
Xing Bu panicked, fearing Yun Zhonghe was serious, her voice trembling, “Trust me! I truly didn’t drink it!”
Yun Zhonghe sneered, “Senior Xing Bu, I never said anyone drank it, just that it was stolen.”
She’s admitting guilt already.
Yun Zhonghe smirked as he retrieved a shovel from his storage ring, preparing to entomb her.
At this point, Xing Bu could no longer deny it. Sobbing uncontrollably, she clung to Yun Zhonghe, begging, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’s been a century since I drank any Spirit Wine, I just slipped. Please don’t do this…”
Yun Zhonghe rolled his eyes at her pitiful state.
He knew it would turn out this way.
Completely exasperated, he wondered why he was always stuck with such a troublesome individual.
Why did she need to be so stubborn?
“Let go.”
Yun Zhonghe frowned, clearly annoyed.
Tears streamed down Xing Bu’s face as she clutched his clothes tightly, refusing to let go.
Whimpering, “I’m sorry, really sorry! I promise I won’t steal anymore. Please don’t bury me…”
Yun Zhonghe wrinkled his nose in distaste.
How could a Supreme Dao-Integration be reduced to such base actions—stealing Spirit Wine?
His dignity was thoroughly compromised!
Moreover, her sobbing expression was beyond annoying.
Somehow, he felt like pummeling her senseless.
“Enough crying. I won’t bury you. If you want Spirit Wine, just tell me, I’ll buy it, but no more stealing!”
Yun Zhonghe sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Though he initially thought of giving Xing Bu a hard lesson, he ended up feeling too soft-hearted.
He just wanted to scare her, give her a warning.
After all, Xing Bu had stood up for him before, so he didn’t want to be overly ruthless.
“Really?!”
Xing Bu cheered up immediately, wiping her tears and slowly releasing him.
“Young friend, I knew you were the best! Here’s a kiss~mua~”
She leaned in for a peck on his cheek.
“Not now! No need!”
Yun Zhonghe grabbed her face, pushing her away firmly.
Xing Bu huffed, “What? I’m beautiful too! Why deny it?”
“I don’t care, cut the cr*p.”
Yun Zhonghe warned sternly.
They agreed on three rules: no more mischief, ask Yun Zhonghe for help, and he’ll buy her Spirit Wine.
Fortunately, Yun Zhonghe had found a new way to earn money, so buying some Spirit Wine wasn’t a problem, though a whole Spirit Shipful was still impractical. One or two glasses a day wouldn’t break the bank.
After all, who drinks so much?
Yun Zhonghe was curious; how could a mere residual soul still eat and drink?
“In advance, I warn you,” Yun Zhonghe stated sharply, “Next time any trouble involves you, the punishment won’t just be burying you.”
Xing Bu blinked innocently, promising earnestly, “Relax, relax! I swear I won’t! This time, I learned my lesson!”
Seeing her sincerity, Yun Zhonghe took out a cup of fragrant Spirit Wine, giving it to her.
It appeared he already intended to forgive her, even pre-bought the Spirit Wine.
Xing Bu held the wine joyfully.
“Encountering you, Yun Zhonghe, is fantastic!”
She celebrated, floating playfully in the air like a dragon and phoenix dance, bringing a rare genuine smile to Yun Zhonghe’s face despite his usual snarky remarks.
While he often spoke harshly, he truly cared.
Xing Bu sipped the Spirit Wine slowly, relishing its aroma.
Surprisingly, no leakage occurred.
“I pre-converted the Spirit Wine into energy before consuming it,” Xing Bu explained. “Not only does it maintain the taste, but also increases absorption efficiency.”
Yun Zhonghe was impressed; this unconventional drinking method was a first.
But since she’s just a residual soul, ordinary food is off-limits. Hence, Spirit Wine became her sole delight.
Though aware of her wrongful behavior, being locked up in the Devil Box for a century and tempted by the fragrance made resisting impossible.
Now understanding her plight slightly, Yun Zhonghe felt a bit sympathetic.
Regardless, there’s no concrete proof linking her to the theft.
Even if they pinned it on him, what could they truly prove?
…
With today’s training complete, Yun Zhonghe headed to the Beast Tamer Peak before heading home.
Qing Luan, his senior sister, had informed him via Spirit Message that the Third-Grade Talisman Seal had been successfully sold for a million Spirit Stones!
Clearly, everyone was working extremely hard for the upcoming competition, spending recklessly without a worry.
—
End
