Chapter 422: I Always Feel Like Tian Yan’s Brain Is Making Less and Less Sense
Ever since Bai Feng casually declared Tian Yan as her Dao Companion, it’s like she suddenly got a second wind of chaos—like a squirrel on espresso. Bai Feng can’t help but feel she’s becoming more brazen than a bunch of chickens crossing the road without looking.
Before, maybe they’d share a brief hug or she’d sit on his lap during cultivation—cute stuff. But now? It’s like she’s glued on him with a giant magical plaster. She clings so tight Bai Feng worries she might turn him into a human sambal.
The girl sidled up behind him, arms wrapping around his neck, practically draping herself all over him—like a particularly clingy cat that refuses to let go. Weirdly, no matter how much she pressed into him, her weight felt like a feather. No, really, he’d probably get less fatigue from a cloud than from her.
And Tian Yan—she’s like some mind-reader goddess of *avoidance*. Every move he makes, she dodges like she’s in a game of tag with d*ath itself. If not for the skin contact still fresh, Bai Feng might forget she’s there. She’s basically a ghost with a serious attachment problem.
“Feels like you’re evolving into a parasite,” Bai Feng muttered, poking her little face with a finger. Seriously, comparing her to a parasite isn’t far off. She eats his food, uses him as a pillow, and sticks to him like glue—if she weren’t sometimes useful and taking care of his herbal medicines, she might as well be the world’s tiniest, most ambitious leech.
Tian Yan didn’t look angry, nope. Instead, she casually retorted, “Well, that’s not so bad. Before I drain your last bit of worth, I’ll be sticking around. Permanently.”
Bai Feng rolled his eyes. “You’re really daring to say that? Want me to kick out the parasite now?”
He reached out and roughly pinched her cheeks, but whether he squeezed hard or soft, Tian Yan’s expression stayed as blank as a monk on a diet.
“Fine, I was wrong. After I squeeze out your last drop of usefulness, I’ll keep you around. Deal?”
“Oh, a master of big promises and parasitism—nothing more could keep me here.”
Suddenly, there’s a loud knock at the door.
“Who is it? Too short to be a big bad wolf, so… huh? Little Jiu?”
White Bai Feng instinctively turns his gaze toward the door, ready to open it when suddenly, Tian Yan vanishes—not a trace. He blinked. Whatever she did, it’s like she ran into his ring space or something. Pfft.
‘What’s Tian Yan up to? Acting sketchier than a stealthy thief,’ Bai Feng thought, cracking the door and peering down.
There, outside the door, stood a small white cat with a tiny parcel strapped on its back, eyes glaring up at him like a tattle-tale about to spill the beans.
“Little Snow?” Bai Feng scooped her up. “What’s the matter?”
“Meow~” Little Snow meowed, then suddenly remembered something and added, “I ran away from home! I’m moving in with you.”
“Did you have a fight with Yu Yao again?” Bai Feng sighed, scratching her little head. “Well, why not stay here for a few days? Don’t worry, Yu Yao’s just next door, and I bet in a few days they’ll be cozy again.”
He carried her inside, then quickly sent a message to Yu Yao using his communicator:
Bai Feng: Little Snow’s here. What’d you do?
Yu Yao: …
Yu Yao: Nothing. Probably just mad I haven’t paid enough attention to her lately. You take care of her for now. She used to crash at your place all the time anyway.
Bai Feng: Got it. I’ll keep an eye on her for a few days.
He tucked away the retainer, then looked once more at Little Snow, who was dozing on his lap. He knew cats like her, not the type to ditch because she wasn’t getting enough attention—if she was, she’d run off a hundred times by now. Probably Yu Yao did something excessively annoying again, like dressing her in bizarre outfits, causing her to hide for days.
He stroked Little Snow gently, then turned back to his work.
Suddenly, he felt his neck being embraced by delicate arms. He turned his head slightly and saw Tian Yan behind him again, holding him like a koala.
She even put her hand over her lips, silent like a ninja, as if not wanting to disturb Little Snow’s nap—or maybe she didn’t want Little Snow to notice her sneaking around.
“Huh…” Bai Feng always thought Tian Yan’s brain was a little off. What’s there to hide? It’s not like it’s some big secret.
Just then, Little Snow sniffed loudly, lifting her head with suspicion. She didn’t see anyone else, just Bai Feng.
She reached out a paw, rubbing her tiny nose. Weird—she definitely smelled other women’s scents earlier. And that scent—wasn’t it similar to that cultivator who liked cakes? Slightly taller than her owner?
Could it be residual scent from her earlier contact with Bai Feng? Or was it…?
Her gaze flicked around the room again—just her and Bai Feng, one person, one cat. She relaxed and lay back down to nap.
Moments later, Tian Yan reappeared behind Bai Feng again.
Seeing her expressionless face, Bai Feng’s lips twitch slightly. “What are you hiding now?”
Tian Yan ignored his stare and went back to cultivation, lying lazily on his back, as if she had her own secret plans. If their relationship got exposed, those certain people would definitely block her—maybe even restrict her from freely entering or leaving the ring. That’d be a real pain; she’d lose the freedom to appear next to Bai Feng whenever she pleased.
…
“Finally done,” Bai Feng muttered, stretching his arms. He’d hardly slept lately, pushing himself to max to finish this virtual training scenario.
He even went so far as having disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect gather info—scoured forums, filtered everything through his little helper, then loaded it all into the system for realism.
“Time to test it out,” he said, eyeing Tian Yan, who was almost just a decoration now.
“Come help me test if you’re free,” he called, lifting Tian Yan into his hands.
But Tian Yan shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t. I’m about to breakthrough.”
“Oh? You’re close? Want my help?”
“Hmm…” She stared at him thoughtfully for a few seconds, then nodded. “Yes, but wait until I’m ready. I’ll find you when I’m done.”
With that, she vanished into his ring without another word. Naturally, Bai Feng knew she was going inside.
He just sighed, shrugging it off. Instead, he picked his communicator and began to select someone to help him.
A moment later.
“Junior Brother, I’m here. Where’s that thing you called ‘virtual training’?” Yu Yao pushed open the door and barged in.
“Hold on a sec. Have some snacks first—the others will come too,” Bai Feng said.
“Uh, isn’t it just the two of us?” Yu Yao whispered, a little disappointed. But she quickly shrugged it off—no big deal. Might as well enjoy some quality time with Bai Feng while she could before everyone else arrived.
When she strolled over next to Bai Feng, she suddenly spotted a white creature with nine tails lounging on the sofa.
“Little Jiu’s here too…” she muttered.
d*mn it! She wasn’t the first one here either!
Bai Feng nodded. “Yeah, this time Little Jiu’s in charge of turning the virtual training into a game. Might as well let her try.”
“Can she handle it?” Yu Yao sounded skeptical.
Little Jiu twitched her ears sharply and huffed proudly. “Hmph! I am a noble Nine-Tailed Fox. This kind of thing? Easy peasy for me.”
