Although each serves their own master, and it’s understandable to fight over the ownership of the Great Dao, calling the Nine Heavens Phoenix Hatchling the source of all evil as Feng Aotian’s external brain is hardly an exaggeration.
On the surface, that adorable and clueless-looking Spirit Beast is Ji Shiyu’s greatest cheat aside from her Stellar Destiny!
“Don’t be nervous, I’m not joking this time. I’m being serious, and I also apologize for my previous offense. Because of my misleading, that child brought you quite a bit of trouble.”
The Yellow Chicken shook its head, as if it was laughing, looking rather amusing.
“And then?”
There’s no need for an apology. Just stay away from me in the future, and we won’t interfere with each other.
“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am the Immortal Lord of the Upper Realm of the Nine Heavens, Phoenix Spirit Born with the Daughter of the Stars. V me fifty, and after I ascend, I’ll make you an Immortal Emperor for fun.”
“?”
Expecting anything normal to come out of Ao Tian’s mouth is probably impossible.
“Hmph, believe it or not. But you can see for yourself, I’m not your ordinary contracted Spirit Beast. In a sense, I’m actually Shiyu’s guardian.”
Yun Liu’s pupils contracted sharply, his mouth agape, as if the mastermind had jumped out from behind the scenes right in front of him.
Of course he knew the Phoenix Hatchling was the one in charge.
Gaotian Nüshen Ji Xingshu is all alone—without even a Dao Companion, where would a daughter come from?
Ever since the Mystic Maiden descended upon the Ji Family with the Nine Heavens Phoenix Spirit’s nirvana, the Patriarch had revered her as the Heavenly Mandate Auspice, honored her as their master, and believed she would surely lead the clan to the pinnacle of the Nine Provinces.
On the surface, the yellow-feathered mother and daughter rely on each other, with Ji Xingshu raising Ji Shiyu alone.
But in truth, they’re just Ao Tian’s servants, obeying the Phoenix Spirit’s every command.
Even Ji Shiyu herself didn’t know this, yet now Ao Tian was revealing it to Yun Liu—a useless guy she had only just met!
What’s the motive?
The Yellow Chicken nodded, seemingly satisfied with Yun Liu’s reaction.
Lord Ao Tian was just that impressive.
“So, I want to make a bet with you.”
“Sorry, I’m busy.”
Yun Liu grew even more wary. Nothing good ever came from Ao Tian opening its beak.
Could it be that the dumb bird still hasn’t given up?
The victim lies flat, yet the yellow-feathered mother gets counterattacked and becomes the stepfather—sounds tempting, but the consequences are serious.
Whether Ao Tian realized Ji Shiyu had no hope of winning and wanted to step in to win hearts, or intended to drag him in through threats and bribes, none of it looked good.
“I know you’re busy. It’s a pity that Shiyu and I can’t help you. Only you can save yourself—this is your Dao, and Shiyu and Xun Ran have theirs.”
“Good that you know.”
“So I’ve never thought about killing you two brats, not even now.”
“……!”
Ao Tian ruffled its feathers, speaking lightly.
Even if it’s just a second-realm Phoenix Spirit now, there are still plenty of chances to act.
Yun Liu fell silent—not a threat, but a fact.
“What I’m about to say next, you might as well hear me out. If you don’t like it, then just pretend nothing happened tonight. After tomorrow, let the music and dancing continue, and I’ll keep stirring up trouble everywhere, hehehe.”
“Go ahead and say it.”
“This bet has nothing to do with us, and yet it does, because the main characters are Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran. We’re just pure spectators. Don’t you think that’s boring?”
Yun Liu stroked his chin, amused, “On the contrary, I think it’s fascinating.”
Two Fortune-favored girls suddenly turning against each other and fighting—it couldn’t be more entertaining for him, truly a bystander enjoying the show.
Detached, watching from the sidelines.
“Then who do you think will win? Or rather, who do you want to win?”
“I don’t care.”
The boy’s answer was unsurprising; whether it was Xiao Xinran or Ji Shiyu, he didn’t care about either of them.
“But what if I sweeten the pot? For example, I place a heavy bet on Shiyu winning.”
“A wager?”
“That’s right. If Shiyu wins—which means I win—you’ll become her Protector Daoist. That shouldn’t be too difficult for you, right? You don’t need to be her babysitter, that’s my job. You just have to give her a hand when it’s truly needed.”
At last, Ao Tian revealed its real purpose.
It no longer just valued Yun Liu.
Having failed to forcefully matchmake, and after trying to make him a godfather, this was the third attempt—appearing to make a mess, but actually seeking him out like the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.
This was the third time.
“Impossible.”
The boy replied just as decisively.
The Yellow Chicken’s gaze grew resentful, muttering, “Here we go again. Don’t be hasty, listen to my offer before you decide.”
“Since I’m betting on you, I’ll show my sincerity. If Shiyu loses, she can be dealt with by Xiao Xinran however she wants. That’s between the two of them. I think a normal person wouldn’t be interested in a talking chicken, so in return, I’ll offer Ji Xingshu to serve you as your slave—body and soul—until one of you falls.”
“You… sure?”
Yun Liu couldn’t help but feel his heart race, his mouth dry.
Not for any other reason—Ji Xingshu was a genuine peak-stage Stellar cultivator.
That would be like gaining a powerful, beautiful, well-connected, and resourceful super NPC as a bodyguard!
“Of course!”
“Do we really have to go this far…”
This was a gamble with everything on the line.
If Ji Shiyu lost, she would lose everything—not just her freedom, even her horse would be lost to Ao Tian’s wager.
On the other hand, if Xiao Xinran lost, Yun Liu wouldn’t lose much.
At most, he’d have to grit his teeth and help the yellow-feathered girl clear a tough stage.
The bet seemed completely in his favor—the benefits far outweighed the risks.
Ao Tian’s open scheme dared him not to take the bait.
“If we’re chasing excitement, might as well go all the way! I admit there’s an element of gambling for me, but I believe Shiyu won’t let me down. What about you? Do you believe Xiao Xinran’s repentance is sincere enough?”
“Even if you don’t believe her, say you marry in… oops, slip of the tongue—as a Ji Family advisor, or even Patriarch, and scoop up your adorable foster daughter, what’s the harm? I guarantee Ji Xingshu won’t shortchange you.”
The Yellow Chicken’s words were like a devil’s whisper, endlessly tempting, and started to go off-track again.
“…….”
“You don’t need to worry about Ji Xingshu going back on her word or being uncontrollable afterward. I’ll have her swear on her Dao Heart.”
On that point, Yun Liu had no doubts.
Whether it was the Phoenix Hatchling or Ji Xingshu, both had their pride and would never break an oath, lest their Dao Heart be tainted.
“Then what’s your condition?”
Yun Liu took a deep breath. If something seems off, there must be a catch.
There had to be other rules to this game.
“My condition is simple. During this period, you must remain absolutely neutral. You can help Xiao Xinran, but whatever she gets from you, Ji Shiyu must get the same!”
An interesting condition—not that he couldn’t help, but that if he did, he had to help both equally?
Is it a trap, or an opportunity?
Which way to go, that was the question.
Yun Liu stayed silent, and Ao Tian tossed him this “freebie” to consider.
“Let me know when you’ve made up your mind.”
With that, the fat bird flapped its wings and slowly flew back to its master, chasing after the yellow-feathered girl, pecking at her in frustration.
“Hey! What are you doing!?”
One girl and one bird chirped noisily, running circles in the hall, making the senior sisters laugh out loud.
Ao Tian had done all it could.
The rest was up to Shiyu’s Fortune.
It didn’t fear Yun Liu’s greed, only his indifference.
A person with no desires or wants is the most terrifying—because they have no weaknesses at all.