Chapter 23: A Spirit Beast That Can Teleport?

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In the main hall of the Lord of the City’s residence, Uncle Cai paced relentlessly, his gaze frequently darting toward the inner chamber. The irregular rhythm of his footsteps betrayed his growing anxiety and worry.

The son-in-law had been inside with the Lord of the City all day. Though the man’s chest puffed up with confidence, could he truly be trusted?

The only one brave enough to have stormed into the inner chamber, Miss Xiaoying, had just rushed out with a flushed face and now sat silently, oblivious even as her tea cup was filled to the brim. No matter how she was questioned, she remained tight-lipped.

What exactly was happening inside? Uncle Cai cast a pleading look at Qiufeng.

Qiufeng’s face was ashen and motionless, but his rapid breathing and clenched fists betrayed his inner fury.

Among everyone present, only the Yuanmu brothers remained composed—detached, as if the matter did not concern them.

Yuanmu smiled faintly, taking in the expressions of the others. He poured a cup of tea from a purple clay pot and placed it before Yuansen. “Drink this. It’s the Willow Star Tea distributed by the Immortal Emperor himself—a rarity for ordinary folks.”

Just as everyone’s anxiety reached a peak, the two main figures finally emerged.

When they saw the richly elegant yet distinctly youthful Ancient Great Lord Gu holding a small creature in her arms, accompanied by Li Chengzhu, who bore the look of a rogue, stepping out of the inner chamber, Yuansen, lacking cultivation, swallowed hard. Fortunately, Yuanmu’s timely reminder to sip the tea helped mask his awkward expression.

But Yuanmu’s concern was not for Gu Linglong’s newfound allure—it was her cultivation.

The Lord of the City’s level was beyond even his scrutiny. What on earth had happened that day? Yuanmu’s playful grin vanished, replaced by a solemn gaze fixed on the flower beside the pile of manure.

Li Chengzhu stood tall and proud, casting a cold sideways glance at the few in the hall. Qiufeng’s face had already darkened with anger. At this moment, it was not difficult to imagine the kind of unsavory dealings the two had been up to all day in the inner chamber.

“My lord,” Qiufeng said, striving to calm his breath, bowing slightly.

“Thank you all for your concern,” Gu Linglong withdrew her small hand from Li Chengzhu’s arm and smiled at the gathering. Then, with a meaningful glance at Qiufeng.

Qiufeng felt as if that look had severed all his wild imaginings. His body trembled, and he forced himself to speak through the pain, “That is good. My lord, I am feeling somewhat unwell and wish to rest.”

“Go ahead,” Gu Linglong nodded with a smile, then looked at Uncle Cai. “Uncle Cai, please take care of it.”

Uncle Cai’s aged face creased into a broad smile. He quickly waved his hand, “Good, very good.” Then he breathed a sigh of relief and led Qiufeng to the guest room.

“Good lad,” Yuanmu said to Li Chengzhu after Qiufeng had left. He smiled and gave a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration.

Li Chengzhu sneered, sat beside Xiaoying, and stared at her for a long while before bluntly reminding her, “Girl, the pot is empty.”

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Only then did Xiaoying snap back to reality, hastily setting down the teapot she had raised high, her cheeks burning red as her thumbs twirled nervously.

Yuanmu grinned broadly, watching the show unfold with his brother.

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

Gu Linglong cast a reproachful look at Li Chengzhu, then, fishing for conversation, asked Xiaoying, “Sister, are you feeling unwell?”

Xiaoying shook her head slightly, her blush deepening.

The little creature in Gu Linglong’s arms let out two soft chirps with half-closed eyes, then fell back asleep.

“What’s its name?” Gu Linglong asked Li Chengzhu curiously.

Li Chengzhu’s mouth twitched—this little beast clearly wanted him to steal a few of Xiaoying’s undergarments to compensate for its losses.

“It wants milk!” Li Chengzhu said gruffly, eyeing the creature in Gu Linglong’s embrace.

“Nonsense!” Gu Linglong pouted and glared at Li Chengzhu.

“Ahem, the weather’s nice today. Third brother, come on, big brother will take you shopping,” Yuanmu declared, sensing the tension and quickly making an excuse to slip away.

Once the Yuanmu brothers had left, only Gu Linglong, Xiaoying, and Li Chengzhu remained in the hall.

Bold as ever, Li Chengzhu leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and fixing his lascivious gaze on Xiaoying’s flushed face. “Pretty, isn’t it?”

“What?” Xiaoying looked at Li Chengzhu, puzzled.

“The spring palace,” Li Chengzhu said, licking his lips and making a teasing gesture.

“Pervert!” Xiaoying’s brows furrowed, and just as she prepared to kick, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. Before anyone could react, an object appeared before Xiaoying.

Li Chengzhu was startled and almost blurted “Enemy attack!” When he saw the jade slip stop before Xiaoying, he realized it was merely a communication jade slip, yet he was drenched in cold sweat from the shock.

“Who’s so heartless? Scared me to death,” Li Chengzhu shouted angrily, pounding the table.

Xiaoying grabbed the jade slip floating before her, shot Li Chengzhu an angry glare, “Damn you!” Then, before he could react, she darted out the door with a flying kick.

“Woman, don’t let me catch you,” Li Chengzhu’s voice rang out behind her.

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“Serves you right!” Gu Linglong’s words dripped with sourness.

“Heh heh,” Li Chengzhu chuckled awkwardly and sat down. Seeing the little creature looking comfortable, he quickly changed the subject and whistled, trying to summon it.

But unlike before, when it would come at once, the creature now only lazily lifted its eyelids, glanced around, then sank back to sleep.

“This little beast,” Li Chengzhu snarled through his teeth. Ever since Gu Linglong’s immortal infant had absorbed the essence of wood, the creature had clung to her and refused to leave.

Gu Linglong covered her mouth to suppress a laugh and gently stroked the creature’s obedient ears. “Forget it, Zhuzhi, we’re family after all.”

Li Chengzhu stubbornly pulled a fine stone from his ring. Before he could even whistle, his vision blurred. The little creature appeared before him for just a moment, then the stone disappeared from his hand, and the creature had already returned to Gu Linglong’s embrace.

“Teleportation?” Gu Linglong gasped, mouth agape.

A spirit beast capable of teleportation?

The creature’s movement was invisible to her, even with her late-stage immortal cultivation. Aside from teleportation, she could think of no other explanation.

Heavens, what exactly was this creature? It could use teleportation, a skill only a select few eighth-rank superior immortal beasts possessed.

“No!” Li Chengzhu stroked his slightly stubbled chin and said resolutely, “This isn’t teleportation.”

Teleportation requires tearing open the void, and the creature lacked such powerful spiritual energy.

“It’s just flying too fast for you to see,” Li Chengzhu said, eyes gleaming with excitement.

After dealing with the three attackers, the creature had fallen asleep. Although there were faint signs, Li Chengzhu dared not be too certain. Now, awakened by the essence of wood, this was the first time he had witnessed such an ability, and his teeth itched with excitement.

The creature must have evolved.

Gu Linglong was utterly stunned. The creature’s flight path was beyond even her late-stage immortal sight—what speed must that be?