Jiang Xuan heard the voice, looked up, and spotted a gigantic, pitch-black bird monster beast perched in mid-air.
Right after that, the System promptly provided the scan results.
Monster Clan: Bloodthirsty Phoenix
Bloodline: Purgatory Phoenix Bloodline (thin)
Cultivation Level: Sky Martial Ninth Level (not yet transformed)
Current Affection Level: 0
System’s Friendly Reminder: Host’s charm is ineffective on untransformed monster beasts; no hostility detected at this time.
Jiang Xuan: “……”
Of course, Jiang Xuan knew this monster phoenix didn’t mean him any harm; it was clearly after Ming Yue, the Little Ancestor. But he was curious about what kind of guts this little wannabe ruler of Sky Martial Ninth Level had to challenge Ming Yue.
Just then, Ming Yue suddenly collapsed into Jiang Xuan’s arms.
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“Xuan Jiang, you… you need to run… that cake those villagers gave us seemed off; I feel my spiritual power getting blocked and can’t move!”
“Wait, you didn’t eat that cake, did you? Lady Ming Yue, that’s quite the move…”
“I’m sorry… I’ve dragged you down with me…”
……
On the other side, the Bloodthirsty Phoenix cackled in mid-air.
“Caw caw caw! Looks like my secret plan is finally kicking in, huh? Didn’t expect it! Those goodies were secretly laced with the Monster Clan’s forbidden poison—Soul Dispersing Powder.
Once someone gets hit, they can’t use any spiritual power for an hour. Just recently, a Martial King from the Monster Clan fell into my trap. I activated my bl**d Sacrifice Array and turned him into my meal!
I can’t believe my luck this time, catching a fully transformed Monster Emperor! The heavens are helping me!”
Hearing the boasting of the phoenix, Jiang Xuan suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “What? Lady Ming Yue, are you saying we should pretend to fall for this trap to lure that dumb bird to its doom?”
“I see! I almost thought you were in trouble!”
Ming Yue: “???????”
At this moment, the seemingly weak Ming Yue didn’t rebut Jiang Xuan. The phoenix, who was preparing to activate its formation, was stunned.
“Kid, what exactly do you mean by that?”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan, looking somewhat guilty, covered his mouth and then raised a sorrowful expression, “Lady Ming Yue, how could you fall for that phoenix’s poison? We’re done for; it’s coming down to obliterate us…”
Bloodthirsty Phoenix: “????????”
“Alright, alright, I heard everything! And now you think I’m so dumb that you can trick me? You really see me as a fool!
This time you’re lucky. We’ll see what happens next time!”
With that, the Bloodthirsty Phoenix swiftly took off.
When it came to make a quick exit, Jiang Xuan had to give it a thumbs-up. He had been prepared for the worst—that he would be the one to deal with that Sky Martial-level phoenix. Thankfully, it really was a dumb bird that got tricked so easily.
When the crisis was averted, Jiang Xuan asked with concern, “Lady Ming Yue, how are you feeling?”
“Well… my spiritual power hasn’t fully recovered yet. Could you please take me back to the Monster Clan base…”
At that moment, Jiang Xuan gently helped Ming Yue onto a stone chair to rest and then smiled.
“Since your spiritual power isn’t restored, you should rest here. I don’t plan to go back to the Monster Clan base with you.”
As soon as Jiang Xuan finished speaking, Ming Yue’s expression slowly darkened.
“Xuan Jiang, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to betray me? You’re my servant, and your status in the Monster Clan is above all monsters. I’ve never wronged you; why do you want to leave me?”
“Lady Ming Yue, you shouldn’t get so agitated when you’re weak. I have my reasons. But don’t worry, I’ve secured my friendship with you, the Monster Clan. I’ll come to visit you when I have time.”
“Xuan Jiang, do you really have to leave? Everything you promised me and your loyalty—was it all a lie?”
“No, no, no! Those were all true; it’s just that it was Xuan Jiang who promised, and that has nothing to do with me, Jiang Xuan. But I know how to be grateful; once my power increases, I’ll find a chance to repay you, Lady Ming Yue.”
“What? You even lied about your name! I trusted you so much; all of this was deception! What else are you hiding from me? Could you at least confess everything before you leave?”
“Lady Ming Yue, it seems you’ve misunderstood me deeply. I’ve been sincere; for the past two days, I’ve been a good servant and haven’t done anything wrong to you. So let’s part on good terms. No hard feelings, Lady Hero; we’ll meet again in the future!”
“Wait, Xuan Jiang… oh no… Jiang Xuan! What happened to your face?”
At this, Jiang Xuan gently touched his face and realized his makeup had worn off.
So, he simply wiped off the makeup, revealing a face that could confuse anyone. With his chance to leave, there was no need to further hide from Ming Yue.
As for whether Ming Yue would regret or lament seeing his true self, that was no longer his concern.
Seeing the dazed expression on Ming Yue’s face, Jiang Xuan chuckled.
“Lady Ming Yue, let me introduce myself again. I’m Jiang Xuan. I’ve offered myself so many times, yet it seems Lady Ming Yue isn’t interested. So… till we meet again on the rivers and lakes…”
Ming Yue: “?????????”
After saying this, Jiang Xuan turned to leave. Now that Ming Yue’s spiritual power wasn’t restored, Jiang Xuan realized it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he absolutely couldn’t miss.
Just as he turned away, the System suddenly chimed in with a mechanical voice in his mind.
“Ding! Host, there’s one thing I forgot to mention. According to the scan results, that Monster Emperor shows no signs of poisoning. Due to the recent fluctuation in her affection level, the current affection level is -6666.”
Jiang Xuan: “???????????”
At that moment, a lighthearted laugh came from behind Jiang Xuan.
“Looks like my dear servant has been hiding quite a bit from me; you’ve really opened my eyes. But do you really think you can escape from me?”
Jiang Xuan: “！！！！！！”
He had just mocked the Bloodthirsty Phoenix for being scared off. But now, it seemed the phoenix was on the fifth floor, the System on the second, and he was just a fool on the first.
At this moment, Jiang Xuan was sweating bullets; given the situation, he truly felt like he was about to bite the dust.
