Zhang Jue clutched his bleeding wound, grimacing in pain. “Yi Ge, why did you cut my wrist but only nick your finger?”
Chu Yi glanced down imperiously at him, and Zhang Jue immediately cowered. “I was wrong, I won’t ask anymore, boo-hoo…”
Ouyang Yuyuan even scoffed at him. “How could your blood compare to Yi Ge’s blood!”
He figured with his Yi Ge’s petty streak, Zhang Jue’s blood was probably just for show, but who asked him to be the culprit? Yi Ge couldn’t be the only one hurting!
“Shh, be quiet.” Chu Yi’s ears twitched. He raised his hand in a silencing gesture.
Ouyang Yuyuan shut his mouth immediately and even held down the restless someone beside him. His big eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings and perking up his ears, but he didn’t seem to hear anything?
“Yi Ge, what are we waiting for—” Ouyang Yuyuan whispered. Before he finished, his eyes suddenly widened.
Something rustled in the grass ahead. A translucent claw parted the grass stems, and a Little Mountain Spirit no bigger than a human palm emerged, wearing tree vines around its waist in a very primitive style.
It was timid at first, but upon seeing the fire basin and small house in front of Zhang Jue, its eyes widened, and it “thud-thud-thud” ran over.
“What’s that thing?”
“Translucent… Whoa, it runs fast!”
“Oh my god, it’s a Mountain Spirit, a live Mountain Spirit! I never thought I’d see a real one in my lifetime!”
“Could eating this thing extend your lifespan?”
The one who asked that hadn’t finished when Chu Yi whipped around with a glare, and the people around him swiftly covered his mouth.
“Shut up, you want to become the second Zhang Jue?”
“If you wanna die, don’t drag us down!”
The Little Mountain Spirit flicked its tail and rummaged in the fire basin for a bit, fishing out a pinch of golden-glowing stuff and popping it contentedly into its mouth.
Then it circled the house once, clearly delighted by the sparkly exterior. It bounced in place excitedly before suddenly calming down. Puffing out its little belly, it strutted arrogantly up to Zhang Jue and chattered at him rapidly.
Ouyang Yuyuan gaped. “What’s it doing, cursing him out?”
Chu Yi: “Exactly, apologize quick!”
This was, of course, directed at Zhang Jue, who felt utterly aggrieved but didn’t dare resist. He could only obediently apologize to this Little Mountain Spirit that wasn’t even as tall as his arm.
Finally satisfied, the Little Mountain Spirit waved toward the grass, and four more differently styled Little Mountain Spirits ran out. They hoisted the small house from the altar—seemingly wobbling but actually moving swiftly—and vanished.
“Wait.” Chu Yi suddenly called out to the first Little Mountain Spirit.
This one had just absorbed Chu Yi’s Merit, and with Merit protecting him, it could tell he was a good person. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have dared come out.
The Little Mountain Spirit approached Chu Yi’s feet amiably and chattered again.
Chu Yi made long and short syllables from his mouth, seemingly communicating with it. Delighted that Chu Yi spoke their language, the Little Mountain Spirit gesticulated animatedly.
No one knew what Chu Yi asked, but the Little Mountain Spirit seemed hesitant at first. Once Chu Yi explained, it grew excited and rattled off a long string.
“They’re… they’re talking?” The Shaman Woman who spoke looked utterly baffled.
“True expert, as expected of a recluse master! Our family ancestor’s ancient texts mentioned that Mountain Spirits don’t associate with humans or appear before them unless the person is profoundly wise and greatly virtuous!” The immortal-like old man trembled with excitement but then gripped his fingers in shame, thinking of his own actions.
The Program Group staffer regretted it even more. If they’d known they could see a Mountain Spirit, who needed Man-Eating Flowers! This footage would make the whole world envious. Hollywood? Theirs was real!
The staffer secretly tried to pull out his Mobile Phone but was stopped by the vigilant deputy captain.
Finally, Chu Yi got what he wanted from the Little Mountain Spirit and gave it a Pill as reward. It left contentedly.
Ouyang Yuyuan finally picked his jaw up off the floor. “Yi Ge, what did you say to it?”
Even now, he hadn’t forgotten to hold tight to the person beside him. Thanks to that, the child-minded Fu Huaiyan hadn’t jumped out to cause chaos.
“I just asked it about the Man-Eating Flower’s weakness…” Before Chu Yi finished, he sensed something. “Captain Fu found them. Go notify them—we’re heading out now!”
“Oh, oh…” Ouyang Yuyuan dazedly agreed and turned to find Uncle Ping and the deputy captain.
Chu Yi turned and handed Zhang Jue a stack of Talisman Papers. “Ordinary people can’t use these. Act according to the situation later.”
Zhang Jue was on the verge of tears. “Yi Ge, rest assured. Even if I die, I’ll repay your great kindness!”
His Yi Ge was too good, not holding his past mistakes against him at all.
Chu Yi looked at Zhang Jue, who was covered in snot, tears, and filth, and found it a bit an eyesore. He nodded with a taut face.
Yu Qingxian noticed Chu Yi’s unpleasant expression and couldn’t help but feel worried. If Chu Yi was this tense, that Man-Eating Flower must be no joke. Would the info from the Little Mountain Spirit work?
He regretted it a bit now. If he’d known it was this dangerous, why had he gotten sulky with Chu Yi…
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