bookcurios Chapter 535 Ling Shuo: If the sect leader doesn't mind, please stay and eat fish with us.
Chapter 535 Ling Shuo: If the sect leader doesn't mind, please stay and eat fish with us.
A gust of wind blew by, and a few bamboo leaves fluttered down, landing right on Jinxi's trembling shoulder.
As he was shrinking back, trying to come up with another excuse to get away with it, he suddenly heard a light footstep, accompanied by a fishy smell!
Jin Xi turned around subconsciously and saw a person with clear features, silver hair and red clothes, carrying a fish basket on his back!
A butterfly, entirely blue, was perched on the edge of the fish basket.
At this moment, it took flight, circled the person twice, and then flew straight towards Jinxi.
"Senior Ling Shuo?"
Jin Xi's eyes widened as she watched the figure land steadily in front of her; it was Ling Shuo.
Before he could react, Ling Shuo had already reached out and taken the fish basket from his back, handing it to him in a very natural manner.
As soon as the fish basket approached, the blue butterfly gracefully landed on Jinxi's golden hair, its wings fluttering gently, as if it had found a safe place to rest and stopped moving.
Jin Xi subconsciously reached out and took the fish basket, her fingertips touching the cool bamboo weave, and the scent of the spirit fish lingering around her nose!
He blinked, his eyes filled with doubt, and spoke, his voice still carrying a hint of lingering timidity:
"Senior, is this fish... a gift for me?"
"Aren't you angry that I burned down your bamboo grove?"
Ling Shuo did not answer immediately, but turned around and looked at Shuang Yue.
Ling Shuo bowed respectfully, his tone humble:
"My name is Ling Shuo, and I greet the Sect Master of the Wuji Sect!"
Shuangyue glanced at Ling Shuo, her tone flat and emotionless:
"Alright, just say what you have to say."
As the sect leader of the Wuji Sect, she was already used to the respect shown to her by others!
Ling Shuo straightened up, a faint smile on his face. His gaze swept over the fish basket in Jin Xi's hand, then returned to Shuang Yue.
"If the sect leader doesn't mind, please stay and eat fish with us."
He spoke with a light tap of his fingertip.
The next moment...
The fish in the basket began to leap and frolic joyfully, and the splashes of water that landed on the ground turned into specks of shimmering light that vanished in an instant.
Clearly, the fish in this basket are not ordinary spirit fish, but rare spirit fish containing pure spiritual power.
"No need!"
Shuangyue refused without hesitation, her tone still cold!
"I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer."
Her gaze fell on Jin Xi, and she said sternly:
"Jin Xi, come back to the sect with me immediately, don't waste any more time."
Jinxi held the fish basket, a troubled look on her face!
On one side was Shuangyue's inviolable order, and on the other was Senior Lingshuo's enthusiastic invitation!
He subconsciously looked at Ling Shuo, hoping that this gentle senior could put in a good word for him.
Ling Shuo seemed to see through his thoughts, smiled and shook his head, then turned to Shuang Yue and said:
"Sect Master, there is no need to rush."
"This spirit fish is a treasure from head to toe. It must be cooked while it is still alive to make it taste the sweetest and to preserve its spiritual energy."
"If the sect leader were to consume it, not only would his cultivation advance by leaps and bounds, but it would also beautify his skin and make his figure even more graceful!"
"Jin Xi is a kind-hearted child; he was just being playful for a moment. Why must the sect leader be so strict with him?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the lingering weariness in Shuangyue's eyes, his tone carrying a subtle hint of comfort.
“My garden is quiet and peaceful. The sect leader has been working too hard these days. Why not take a break and enjoy the flavors of the mountains and fields? It would be a good way to relax for a while.”
Upon hearing this, Shuangyue frowned slightly.
She naturally understood the underlying meaning in Ling Shuo's words.
This hermit cultivator lives alone in the Spirit Plant Garden year-round. He seems detached from worldly affairs, yet he appears to be able to see through people's hearts.
She was indeed physically and mentally exhausted. The trivial matters and pressures of the past few days had left her with almost no room to breathe!
His loss of composure in front of Xu Wan just now is the best proof of that.
But as the sect leader, the responsibilities on her shoulders did not allow her to slack off in the slightest.
Jin Xi's mischievousness, the Emperor's entrustment, and the safety of the sect—all these things weighed heavily on her mind.
I appreciate your kindness.
"But the affairs of the Wuji Sect are too complicated for me to linger here."
"Jin Xi, return the fish basket and quickly summon Ling Yao. Let's go."
Jin Xi tightened her grip on the fish basket and muttered softly:
"But it would be impolite to return such a kind offer like this..."
He looked down at the blue butterfly that was affectionately rubbing its wings against his arm.
"And this butterfly likes me a lot too."
Ling Shuo chuckled softly:
"Hehe, this fish was specially caught for Jin Xi. Since he likes it, let him accept it."
"If the sect leader is worried about delaying things, why don't you let Jin Xi stay here with me for a while? I will personally escort him back to Wuji Sect before midnight today."
Frosty Moon fell silent.
She knew that Ling Shuo was not simple.
With him taking care of Jinxi, there's really no need to worry.
Moreover, she really wanted to calm down; the argument with Xu Wan earlier had left her feeling unsettled!
The grievances and exhaustion that had been building up inside were now subtly surging up.
Seeing that Shuangyue's expression softened, Ling Shuo pressed his advantage and said:
"If the sect leader trusts me, please come with me to the small pavilion by the stream ahead."
"I'll go cook the fish right away; it'll be ready in a moment."
"No need!"
Just as Shuangyue was about to turn around, a clear voice came from behind her as her clothes fluttered:
"Please wait!"
She paused, then slowly turned around.
Xu Wan's figure emerged from the depths of the bamboo forest.
The black magical beast, Lingyao, followed closely at her feet.
Upon seeing Jin Xi, he immediately ran over and rubbed against her leg.
oooooooo! !
The Warcraft Spirit wagged its tail happily!
Frosty Moon raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes:
"Xu Wan? What brings you here?"
She subconsciously tensed up, feeling that Xu Wan's appearance at this moment could not be anything good.
Could it be that they want to challenge me to a duel?
Xu Wan did not answer immediately, but stepped forward slowly, a half-smile playing on her lips.
Her gaze fell on Shuangyue, she looked her up and down, then chuckled and a white lotus flower appeared out of thin air in her hand.
The lotus was pure white, with dewdrops clinging to its petals, reflecting a faint halo under the blazing sun. It exuded a sweet fragrance, yet inexplicably carried a chilling aura.
"Senior Sister Shuangyue~~"
Xu Wan's voice was extremely soft, and her eyes were smiling!
"This white lotus flower was recently picked by me and is full of spiritual energy. You should keep it safe."
"Perhaps it will come in handy for alchemy!"
Shuangyue looked at the white lotus flower, her brows furrowing slightly, her doubts deepening.
"Xu Wan, what do you mean by this?"
Xu Wan chuckled lightly, handing the white lotus flower to Shuangyue, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm:
“Senior Sister Shuangyue, you are so untouched by the world. This white lotus is the purest and most flawless, untouched by any worldly filth, and is the perfect match for you.”
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Shuangyue's eyes.
She naturally heard the sarcasm in Xu Wan's words, but she couldn't retaliate on the spot.
She took the white lotus flower, her fingertips touching the softness of the petals, but her heart grew increasingly confused.
Did Xu Wan send me this white lotus flower today just to mock me?
Or... is this flower highly poisonous?
"Xu Wan, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Shuangyue's voice remained calm, yet carried a hint of confusion.
Looking at Shuangyue's bewildered expression, Xu Wan suddenly felt a surge of anger.
She had thought that Shuangyue would understand her unspoken meaning, but she hadn't expected her to be so slow to grasp it.