“Destined Fortune is right there for the taking. If you don’t want it, there are plenty of others ready to snatch it away. Xiao Xinran is the best example—after your little stunt, she finally realized she can’t live without Yun Liu. That’s why I’m more inclined to think he’s actually the real protagonist. That girl is about to lose the half of Fortune that should belong to her, and she’s getting desperate.”
Ao Tian spoke with an air of absolute seriousness, forcefully analyzing the situation, every word sounding perfectly logical.
“That… actually makes some sense…….”
Whether it was by chance or by fate, looking at this ridiculous farce from a scientific perspective seemed somehow more reasonable.
“I’ve told you before, Heavenly Fate and Fortune attract each other. That bond might be that of rivals, close friends, or even lovers. No matter who drew you here, your appearance has disrupted the balance between them, snatching away one side’s opportunity. Where one rises, the other falls—there’s bound to be a battle for Fortune.”
*Three-Year Promise?* Ji Shiyu’s heart trembled as she muttered to herself.
“That’s right.”
Dacongming went overboard with the interpretation. The Fortune balance that was originally fifty-fifty now tipped toward Yun Liu, turning into a seventy-thirty split.
“Of course, Xiao Xinran’s fierce counterattack is also showing signs. Yun Liu is caught between you two Qi Luck Maidens, his Destined Fortune slipping in and out of reach. It’s not impossible that this is why he’s facing such a calamity. That’s why I say, this Fated Battle isn’t a bad thing for us.”
*Hiss…….Please, let Fortune stay with Xun Ran!*
Ji Shiyu shrank back awkwardly, praying in secret.
Ao Tian’s tone was stern: “I’m not joking with you. You can’t lose—much less run away. If you’re defeated without even fighting, your Fortune will flow to the other side, and you’ll be suppressed by Xiao Xinran forever, always one step behind.”
Ji Shiyu’s heart tightened. When it really mattered, she knew what was important.
“I suggest you tighten your waistband and pray more for Yun Liu, not Xiao Xinran. The worst case right now is that you accidentally woke up the Supreme Path Maiden who was content to slack off, turning a dreamlike start into hell mode. If you lose, she’ll become a special existence carrying the Fortune of the Two Provinces, with a real chance to replace you as the Heavenly Fate Girl!”
*No way… right?*
The yellow-haired girl swallowed hard. Right now, she was at the ninth stage of Qi Refining, while Xun Ran was only at the third.
She was a year older—way ahead!
*No way at all! With the way you slack off in cultivation, if those two ever join forces as a couple, they’ll definitely turn the tables on you!*
*How could that happen…….Wait, what if I lose? You’re not going to abandon me for someone else, are you?!*
Ji Shiyu lifted her head, suddenly alert.
“If you keep sulking and neglecting your training, I will. The true Heavenly Fate Girl never loses, no matter who the opponent is. She never gives up.”
Ao Tian plopped down on the table, deliberately sounding alarming.
“Alright, alright! I’ll work hard on my cultivation. So, should we still apply for Shenhua Academy?”
“Of course! Yunhai Sword Cultivators are famous across the Nine Provinces, and the Five Peaks Sword Canon is no joke. Not only do you have to go, but you also have to keep an eye out for those two getting back together!”
The yellow-haired master and servant loudly conspired about their great ambitions!
*If you want to gossip about this, Ji Shiyu definitely won’t be sleepy. This is her specialty.*
“Wrecking ball, right? Leave it to me! I guarantee they won’t get a single chance to be alone together!”
“If you insist on describing yourself like that, there’s nothing I can do. Though it’s a bit embarrassing, you were both born for this. The real essence of this duel is actually a battle of Fortune between East Pole Province and Star Isle.”
The yellow chick preened her feathers with elegance, a single sentence cutting straight to the truth.
Come to think of it, she should really thank Yun Liu. Xiao Xinran’s relentless pursuit was sure to put extra pressure on Shiyu, making her cultivate harder.
Meanwhile, a certain someone wasn’t listening at all.
*To be honest, Xun Ran is really cute, especially when she gets mad—standing on tiptoe, trembling, her cheeks puffed out, eyes blazing. If I hugged her, she’d probably be as hot as a little furnace.*
Ji Shiyu hugged her pillow, grinning foolishly as she rolled around, her mischievous heart clearly undiminished—if anything, she seemed even more obsessed, maybe a little bit sick in the head.
Ao Tian looked at her with utter disdain. Since her master clearly didn’t grasp the seriousness of the situation, she rolled her eyes and decided to try a different angle to motivate this Ji girl, who only ever thought with her lower half.
“She already said it, didn’t she? If you win, you can make her do whatever you want.”
*That’s right… What a great deal! If I win, I can openly do all sorts of things to Xun Ran… But everything I’ve been taught since I was a kid tells me not to do those things!*
“As if I don’t know exactly what kind of person you are.”
*She really does see right through me!*
Ji Shiyu’s heart fluttered, but the next moment, she started to feel conflicted again.
*But if I lose and get trained to be Xun Ran’s sword maid, that doesn’t sound so bad either. Getting ravaged and humiliated by my mistress every day… You know, honestly, no matter what happens, I can’t lose! Fight, fight, fight—nobody better try to stop me!*
That one line nearly made Ao Tian’s head explode with rage—all that saliva wasted, and she still wouldn’t change her ways.
“wdnmd!”
“So if I win, can I refuse the bonus prize?”
Bonus prize?
Does she mean the Jade God Oil kid?
Ao Tian sneered, “You’re overthinking it. Not only does he have no interest in you, he’s even less interested in a little brat like Xiao Xinran. Win or lose, he won’t lay a finger on either of you.”
To put it bluntly, a sixteen-year-old Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master—your own mother, with all her cultivation and status, might not be able to win him over in person.
Let alone you…
So here’s the real problem: if the Fortune is with Yun Liu, then defeating Xiao Xinran only gets rid of one rival—nothing really changes.
*Damn it, how can I make that kid interested in Shiyu?*
For the sake of the rebellious Ji master Phoenix Hatchling, Ao Tian was racking her brains, wishing she could strip the yellow-haired girl, tie her up, and throw her right onto Yun Liu’s bed.
“Nonsense! He’s probably hoping I win—he’ll need more than one bottle of Jade God Oil by then! Who could handle that? Rather than let him take advantage, I’d rather give Xun Ran the benefit. I’m not going to let him succeed!”
Ji Shiyu blushed, spreading her hands helplessly. What could she do? Her charm was terrifying—even Nan Tong could be bent for her sake.
“……Forget it, I’ll just go find Young Master Yun and have a chat. If I team up with him, what business would you two have? Qi Luck Maiden my foot—I’ll just obediently be the cauldron!”
Ao Tian cursed and grumbled, getting up to pack her things. How did she end up stuck with such an airheaded master!
“Don’t! I was just kidding, okay? Relax, no matter who the opponent is, I’m definitely going to win!”
Ji Shiyu scooped up the Phoenix Hatchling in her hands, regaining her spirits and making a victorious V sign.
“Sorry, Xun Ran. This round, I’m going to win.”
The escape plan was postponed indefinitely—Phoenix Ao Tian’s protagonist was on the move again!
“You’d better win this Fortune battle and sweep the field!”
Wolong and Phoenix Hatchling, a perfect pair—if either one had a slightly worse start, none of this would be possible. Isn’t Ao Tian basically Ji Shiyu’s external brain?