Facing Liuli’s fierce expression, the Phantom Sea Flower shrank back timidly once more before weakly explaining, “It’s not my fault…
Back then, the Peony Clan suddenly appeared in the Xuanling Continent overnight. A few days later, the entire clan vanished without a trace…
I only encountered them when they first arrived and accidentally overheard their conversation…
They seemed just as puzzled about why they had suddenly appeared there. I heard their clan leader mention they needed to find a way to leave and return to the Xuanling Continent.
Then, within a few days, the entire clan disappeared—perhaps they found a way out…
Though it’s been a thousand years, back when they arrived, the reason they were so desperate to leave was reportedly because they were worried about you, Master!
So, a thousand years ago, their loyalty to you was beyond doubt…”
At the end, the Phantom Sea Flower smugly concluded with a self-satisfied remark.
This meaningless statement was promptly ignored by everyone.
“Master, what should we do now?” Daise asked.
“First, head to the desolate lands in the northwest to confirm whether the entrance we came through is still there,” Yun Qingxue swiftly decided.
With a wave of her hand, the barrier trapping the Phantom Sea Flower shrank instantly to the size of a glass bead. She tucked the shrunken barrier into her storage bracelet and took the lead, riding the wind toward the northwest.
After flying for about half a day, the surroundings transformed into a barren wasteland.
No flowers, no trees, no signs of life—just an endless stretch of black rocky terrain beneath the sky.
Suddenly, the storage bracelet on Yun Qingxue’s wrist began spinning on its own.
She flicked her hand, and the Phantom Sea Flower stored inside was released.
“Master, there’s something valuable nearby!” The flower immediately fawned with a flattering smile.
“I am not your master!” Yun Qingxue shot her a cold glare. She had no interest in casually acquiring subordinates.
Even if she were short on hands, she adhered to the principle of quality over quantity.
Before encountering them, this Phantom Sea Flower had likely harmed countless innocent people with its illusionary tricks.
If not for A’dai’s presence earlier, they might have become victims too!
“Master… you don’t want me…” The Phantom Sea Flower’s tone instantly shifted to one of pitiful grievance.
“We were strangers to begin with.
Don’t worry—once we find what we’re looking for, I’ll let you go!” Yun Qingxue remained unmoved.
“I won’t leave! You spoke my name, so I belong to you now!” The flower’s voice was a mix of coquettishness and stubbornness, making Yun Qingxue and the others twitch at the corners of their mouths.
“Also, my name is Huanling. Master can call me Ling’er…” The Phantom Sea Flower switched to full-on coquettish mode.
Yun Qingxue…
Was this illusory flower planning to cling to her for life?
“Hey! My master already said she doesn’t want you. Why are you still trying to latch onto us?
Listen up—once we find what we’re looking for, you’d better scram immediately! Otherwise, I’ll have my A’dai brother gobble you up!” Liuli glared at the clingy Huanling, hostility radiating from her.
“*Burp!*” A’dai suddenly let out another belch. Having eaten too much earlier, even hours of activity hadn’t fully digested his meal…
Hearing A’dai’s belch, Huanling nearly bolted back into Yun Qingxue’s storage bracelet in terror.
That snake—that gluttonous snake named A’dai—had become her worst nightmare.
She would never forget his ravenous appetite, how he had nearly drained the vast protective mist she had cultivated over millennia.
And worst of all, she would never forget the sight of him stuffing himself to the point of hiccuping, yet still forcing himself to eat more.
In her thousands of years of existence, Huanling had seen all sorts of beings. But someone who would eat themselves sick—literally—was a first.
“Let’s keep moving.” Yun Qingxue flicked her wrist, preparing to stuff Huanling back into her storage bracelet.
“Master, master… I said there’s treasure here!” Huanling hastily added.
“So what?” Yun Qingxue replied indifferently. “Our deal was that you answer my questions—not that you help me hunt for so-called treasures!
Let me make this clear one last time: once we find what we’re looking for, I *will* let you go. That’s a promise.”
With that, Yun Qingxue unceremoniously shoved Huanling back into the storage bracelet.
Before being sealed away, Huanling desperately shouted, “The treasure is in the rocky area just ahead! Trea… sure… ah!!!”
Her voice cut off abruptly. Just as Yun Qingxue was about to resume their journey, A’dai spoke up.
“Since she said it’s nearby, why don’t I go check it out?”
“A’dai brother, have you forgotten how she tricked us by disguising herself as the Peony Clan? You can’t trust a liar!” Liuli pouted in protest.
“I’ll go alone. You all wait here.
Her life is in our hands—she wouldn’t dare try anything.” A’dai sounded utterly unconcerned.
“Let me go instead!” Liuli intercepted him. “That Huanling is terrified of you eating her. Your presence is the best deterrent!”
Before A’dai could refuse, Liuli shapeshifted into her true form and dashed to the spot Huanling had indicated.
She rummaged through the chaotic pile of rocks.
The sky darkened as the sun dipped westward. The evening clouds blazed like freshly bloomed roses—vibrant and passionate.
“Master! I found it!” Liuli cried out excitedly, racing back to Yun Qingxue and reverting to her child form.
She held up her hand, proudly presenting a red stone the color of the sunset.
“What is this?” Yun Qingxue examined the stone. Though she had read many books lately and gained some understanding of this world, her knowledge was still limited.
“It’s a Sunstone!” Daise’s eyes sparkled with delight as she gazed at the fiery gem. Without waiting for Yun Qingxue to ask, she eagerly explained.
“Sunstones are incredibly rare treasures. Legend says they form when a type of crystal called Black Quartz absorbs the essence of sunlight for millennia, undergoing a transformation.
A single Sunstone contains boundless solar energy, making it an exceptional aid for cultivation.”
“That valuable?” Yun Qingxue murmured, stroking Liuli’s smooth cheek with a smile. “Our Liuli is amazing!”
Liuli nuzzled affectionately against Yun Qingxue’s hand.
“Stupid girl,” A’dai muttered with a scowl.
Meanwhile, trapped inside the storage bracelet, Huanling was utterly disgruntled.
*I was the one who discovered and reported the treasure! Why does she get all the credit?* (╥﹏╥)
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