Standing in the center of a sea of white flowers, Fenghua Venerable frowned, hand raised, spirit power gathering in her palm, yet unable to bring it down.
Opposite her stood a pure white figure among the blossoms, staring at her expressionlessly.
“Human Venerable, what you’re doing breaks the rules.”
That white figure was neither quite human nor beast. Her hair was made of long, narrow petals; her body and limbs, thick rough vines; even her face was utterly lifeless.
At a glance, she looked like a shoddy doll, and that’s what she was—a mere mouthpiece for communicating with Fenghua Venerable. Smashing it would do nothing.
The real mastermind in the shadows wouldn’t be affected at all.
“What happens in the Northern Mountains is not the business of your human race. That’s what you once promised.”
That was why Fenghua Venerable hesitated.
The Northern Mountains belonged to Spirit Beasts. The great sects would not interfere in their affairs.
That included Spirit Beasts slaughtering Cultivators.
Cultivators hunted Spirit Beasts for treasure, so why couldn’t Spirit Beasts eat Cultivators?
Entering the Northern Mountains was the same as accepting a gamble with life as the stake.
This mysterious Spirit Beast expert was only using her own method to reach her goal.
“They came here out of greed and should die for greed. Human Venerable, you should not stop me.”
“Blood sacrifices to perfect your human body—this is the wrong path. It will not end well.”
“I have no other choice. As for why you came, I know full well…” the Spirit Beast expert sighed softly.
“I will not act personally, nor will I lay a hand on your juniors. Is this acceptable to you?”
Fenghua Venerable was silent for several breaths, then slowly lowered her hand.
This was acceptable. After all, her only goal was to protect Hua Jian and Linglong; she should not meddle in anything else.
If the Cultivators here killed each other for greed, what could she do—suppress everyone with force?
“But… among your juniors, it seems one is of my own kin.” The Spirit Beast expert, seeing Fenghua Venerable agree, lightened her tone.
“She carries a presence even I fear. Do you truly know her identity?”
Fenghua Venerable nodded noncommittally. Hua Jian was indeed of the same blood as the White Flower Venerable—a little white flower and an Illusory Dream Flower, both of the Huazhu.
As a legendary flower ranked high on the Hundred Flowers List, the Illusory Dream Flower naturally suppressed the White Flower Venerable.
“Of course we know.”
“If possible, I’d like to speak with them. May I?”
“…I will not interfere.”
“Thank you.”
……
“No, why does it feel like that stalker is getting even bolder?” Hua Jian crossed her arms, uncomfortable all over.
Since entering this area, she felt watched every second, the gaze so direct it was like someone wanted to see right through her.
Annoyed, she uprooted all the clusters of small white flowers nearby before that sensation faded a bit.
“Maybe it’s a case of like attracting like?” Linglong didn’t know what was happening with Hua Jian—she didn’t feel a thing.
The two of them were already at the outskirts of the Hei Long Gang camp, hiding and observing.
Shiqi had gone off alone to trouble the Gang Wolf Legion.
Given their different goals, splitting up was fine.
Hua Jian had seen what Shiqi could do—handling ordinary Gang Wolf Legion Cultivators was no problem.
Letting her stir up trouble in secret wasn’t a bad idea.
Maybe they could even manipulate things so Hei Long Gang and the Gang Wolf Legion fought, giving Hua Jian and Linglong their chance.
“Still, ‘like attracting like’ can’t be this strong. Linglong, if these flowers really are watching me, how powerful must they be?”
Linglong didn’t hesitate. “If these flowers act as one and can behave so humanly, they’d be at least at the Língzūnjìng.”
That was a consensus in the cultivation world: Spirit Beasts’ intelligence awakened at the Imperial-grade; at that stage, their wisdom matched a Cultivator’s.
Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grasses had it harder—they needed to reach Língzūnjìng to awaken intelligence.
That was the norm, but noble bloodlines could awaken earlier—like the Dragon clan, born as smart as any human.
But these little white flowers weren’t rare treasures, just ordinary wildflowers. If they truly watched Hua Jian as she claimed, at least a Lingzun.
“Well, I really do attract bigshots…” The moment she heard “Lingzun,” Hua Jian knew she’d have to tolerate this surveillance.
What could she do—drag the Lingzun out and fight?
Hmm? Maybe she could?
Hua Jian tilted her head for a few seconds, then walked over to a cluster of white flowers.
Under Linglong’s puzzled gaze, she squatted by the flowers, poked them, and said, “It’s you, isn’t it? Could we make a deal? Stop staring at me like that, it feels so weird.”
“Say something—nod or shake your head or something?”
A Cultivator passing by the path saw Hua Jian talking to flowers, and their expression turned odd.
Was she mad? Was this place haunted? They hurried away, afraid the “madwoman” would bother them.
Once they’d gone, the little white flowers—who’d been “playing dead”—finally responded. One stretched out a green leaf, lightly touching Hua Jian’s finger.
‘I just wanted to see you.’
A voice without emotion echoed in Hua Jian’s mind.
Unlike Linglong’s cold-on-the-outside, full-of-feelings-inside act, this voice brought to mind a true emotionless, white-haired girl.
White hair? They’re little white flowers—of course she imagined white hair!
‘You are, kin.’
So that was why she’d been watched. It really was like attracting like.
It seemed like she could fit in anywhere—righteous sects wanted to recruit her, the demonic path called her the Flower Valley’s hope, and now she could stand with Spirit Beasts.
Legendary triple agent, huh!
“My situation isn’t what you think…” Hua Jian quietly reminded the “bigshot.” Her identity wasn’t so pure.
She had fused with the Illusory Dream Flower, but was still human, not a Spirit Beast.
‘No matter. Give me your hand.’
Hua Jian obediently stretched her hand out.
She could tell this bigshot meant no harm.
A few small white flowers left the cluster, weaving their green vines into a little bracelet, and hung it on Hua Jian’s wrist.
As soon as it was in place, that constant feeling of being watched disappeared.
So instead of spying, she’d gotten an open, up-close observer? Hua Jian grumbled inwardly.
But at least it solved her discomfort. As for being watched—so be it, it wouldn’t hurt her.
Returning to Linglong, Hua Jian explained her exchange with the White Flower Venerable.
Linglong could only sigh in awe at Hua Jian’s “cheat-level” communication skills.
A few words, and she’d connected with a hidden Ling Flower Venerable. Hua Jian was amazing.
“Should we try sneaking into the Hei Long Gang camp tonight and see if we can catch someone for questioning?” Hua Jian whispered.
Linglong immediately shot down the idea. They didn’t know the Hei Long Gang’s true strength—rushing in was risky.
After all, the Hei Long Gang had two Lingwangs, and the skills wielded by their Protectorate Supervisor would surely be mastered by other higher-ups.
If they forced the Hei Long Gang’s hand and the two leaders used their secret technique, even all the local Lingwangs put together might not be enough.
“The Black Dragon Secret Technique consumes a lot and has a duration. We can’t act as the vanguard.” Linglong’s thinking was simple: let Hei Long Gang fight the other powers first.
When Hei Long Gang and the other forces had both suffered, they could make their move.
“Oh, you know how to avoid the enemy’s edge now? Looks like you’ve learned a thing or two from me!”
Smack!
Linglong gave Hua Jian a hand chop.
Did that mean she used to be reckless?
Hua Jian clutched her head and glared at Linglong, tearful. Can’t win an argument, so she hits!
“Who knows when they’ll start fighting? What if the Hudaosi shows up before then?”
“They will. Look at the Cultivators nearby—their spirits are unstable, and conflicts are happening far more often.” Linglong pointed at two Cultivators quarreling not far away.
As she finished, the two started brawling, each move a killing blow.
The reason? Just a common spirit grass.
For such a grass, they shouldn’t have fought so fiercely. There were plenty around here of the same grade.
“If they’re like this, the great powers are sure to clash. No one’s lit the fuse yet.”
“Do you know why they’re like this?” Hua Jian tilted her head.
The question stumped Linglong. She looked troubled, confusion flashing in her golden eyes. “I don’t know.”
Maybe it was something about the environment? She took a deep breath, but only caught Hua Jian’s fragrance.
Though they were at the edge of the white flower sea, Linglong couldn’t smell a hint of white flower—just Hua Jian’s scent. That was what happened when you stuck close to her.
Hua Jian… was just too fragrant. Fragrant enough to smother all other scents.