After I Became A Divine Beast In An Immortal Sect [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 16

Cheng Suxi asked Old Zhang to leave his address, then had him take the bronze mirror and return home first. Once she and Hua Ling finished their meal, she would bring the medicinal pill to find him.

Only after thanking her profusely did Old Zhang turn and leave.

A short while later, the waiter brought over the Peach Blossom Curd and dishes Cheng Suxi had ordered.

The bowl of Peach Blossom Curd looked exquisite and smelled sweet, immediately attracting Hua Ling’s attention.

“Chirp?”

Mine?

Understanding her meaning, Cheng Suxi explained, “Bichun Pavilion’s Peach Blossom Curd is made from thousand-year peach blossoms and spiritual dew. It is sweet and warming and can strengthen the body’s foundation. However, you may only eat half a bowl.”

Hua Ling: “…”

The last sentence was clearly the important part!

Pretending not to notice Tuanzi’s resentful gaze, Cheng Suxi scooped out half of the Peach Blossom Curd and placed it on a clean little dish.

Hua Ling walked toward it with her tail swaying from side to side. She lowered her head and tentatively pecked at it, and her eyes immediately lit up.

The Peach Blossom Curd was soft and sweet, with the delicate fragrance of peach blossoms. It was indeed extraordinarily delicious.

Most importantly, it felt very comfortable after entering her stomach and quickly transformed into spiritual energy that she could absorb.

Watching the little creature eat without once raising her head, Cheng Suxi could not help picking up a spoon and tasting a mouthful herself.

It truly was quite good…

However, at Cheng Suxi’s current cultivation level, she no longer placed much importance on satisfying her appetite.

She casually ate a little of the other food before setting down her chopsticks and watching Hua Ling eat the Peach Blossom Curd one bite at a time with great interest.

“My, what sort of wind is blowing today to bring Elder Lingxi to my humble establishment?”

At that moment, a soft and alluring female voice came from outside the door, followed by the pleasant fragrance of cosmetics drifting into the courtyard.

Hua Ling curiously raised her head.

A beautiful woman holding a silk fan leaned lazily against the doorway. Her cloud-like hair was slightly disheveled, and her posture was languid. With every movement of her eyes, she appeared radiant and captivating.

Cheng Suxi answered honestly, “I came specifically to visit you today because I have a favor to ask.”

The woman rolled her eyes.

“You are still as dull as ever…”

As she spoke, she walked gracefully toward the stone table and sat down. The moment she lowered her head, her eyes met Hua Ling’s.

“Chirp?”

Hua Ling blinked.

“Oh! Is this a little sparrow you’re raising?”

The woman reached out to tease her, but Hua Ling mercilessly pecked her hand.

You’re the sparrow!

I’m a divine beast!

Caught off guard, the woman was pecked before she could react, and the back of her hand immediately reddened.

She widened her eyes in surprise and examined Hua Ling in disbelief.

“What kind of spiritual beast is this? What a sharp little beak!”

Cheng Suxi looked at Tuanzi puffing out her tiny chest with a proud expression and smiled helplessly.

“Do not provoke her. Her mother was the Qianyuan Sect’s guardian divine beast, the Ice Luan. Naturally, she is more formidable than an ordinary spiritual beast.”

“No wonder… She possesses a divine beast’s bloodline!”

The woman stared at Hua Ling with great fascination. She then took out a palm-sized clay jar and coaxed her, “Would the little divine beast like some peach blossom honey?”

“Chirp!”

Yes!

“No.”

The two voices sounded simultaneously.

Cheng Suxi reached out and stuffed the puffed-up hatchling into her robes.

“She has already consumed enough spiritual energy today. She cannot eat any more peach blossom honey.”

Hua Ling stretched out her claws and forcefully kicked Cheng Suxi’s chest. She then squeezed her head out through the collar and chirped repeatedly in dissatisfaction.

Cheng Suxi’s expression remained unchanged as she allowed the hatchling to vent her anger by pecking at her collar.

Finding the sight amusing, the woman laughed.

“You have always been cold and detached. Why were you willing to raise such a little thing?”

Cheng Suxi poured herself a cup of wine.

“I was entrusted with her by an old friend.”

The “old friend” was naturally the little creature’s mother, the deceased divine beast Ice Luan.

Cheng Suxi did not wish to discuss the subject further. Her expression turned serious.

“Yanshuang, there is something I need you to investigate for me.”

“What is it?”

Yanshuang straightened her expression.

Whenever her friend looked like this, it meant the matter was undoubtedly serious.

“Some time ago, I noticed that a magical artifact used by one of our sect’s disciples seemed familiar. I later remembered that it had once been the bonded magical artifact of an inner disciple from the Danxia Sect. That disciple perished during the great war.”

Although certain alterations had been made to the artifact, Cheng Suxi could still recognize it.

Yanshuang’s expression became more solemn.

“Most disciples who died in the great war were retrieved by their respective sects. Their magical artifacts should have been preserved alongside their remains. How could one have fallen into someone else’s hands?”

“That is precisely what confuses me.”

Cheng Suxi’s gaze was steady.

“This matter is extremely serious. If it is handled improperly, I fear it may provoke another conflict.”

Moreover, when she had deliberately spoken to test him at the time, Elder Jingming’s reaction had been sufficient to prove that the matter was no coincidence.

“All right. I will immediately send someone to investigate,” Yanshuang promised.

As Hua Ling listened to their conversation, she gradually forgot about sulking at her caretaker and began thinking carefully.

Today’s discovery of the Four Spirits Mirror had confirmed that she had transmigrated to a time much earlier than the beginning of the original novel’s plot.

Therefore, the original storyline could not offer her much assistance.

For example, the matter her caretaker had just mentioned had never been recorded in the novel.

However, there was one incident that seemed to correspond with it.

During the middle and later portions of the original novel, there had been a plotline in which the male protagonist accidentally discovered a large number of magical artifacts used by cultivators among the demons.

He later learned that they were all spoils the demons had seized during the great war.

The demons had previously sent members of their race to infiltrate the Yuezhou Continent and exchange those artifacts for resources.

Naturally, the male protagonist eventually pocketed the entire collection of artifacts and made an enormous fortune.

When Hua Ling had first read that storyline, she had found it extremely satisfying.

But thinking about it now, could that magical artifact of unknown origin have come from the demons?

……

“Father, cough… cough, cough…”

Inside a dilapidated thatched cottage, a young man leaned over the sickbed and coughed violently.

His cheeks were gaunt and his complexion pale. Only his eyes remained clear and luminous, shining brightly.

“Ruoqing, lie down quickly.”

Old Zhang hurried forward to pat his son’s back and help him lie down. Then he said excitedly, “I found a Perfected cultivator willing to exchange a medicinal pill for the mirror! Once we obtain it, your injuries can finally be healed!”

Zhang Ruoqing asked uncertainly, “Really?”

“Of course it’s true.”

Old Zhang smiled cheerfully.

“I followed your instructions and did not give the mirror directly to her. Instead, I invited her to come to our home. When she arrives, you can inspect the medicinal pill and determine whether it is genuine.”

Zhang Ruoqing nodded, and a trace of hope arose in his heart.

Ever since he had been framed and severely injured, he had spent all his spirit stones on treatment and sold every magical artifact he possessed.

Yet the low-grade medicinal pills he obtained in exchange had done nothing for his injuries.

His condition worsened every day, and he was already at the end of his strength.

He had originally been unwilling to sell the mirror he obtained from the secret realm, but he could no longer concern himself with that.

Zhang Ruoqing’s gaze darkened.

If he died, keeping the mirror would be meaningless.

It would be better to preserve his life so that he could seek revenge against those who had framed him.

“Father, please move the clay jar by the entrance to the right.”

Old Zhang was somewhat confused but still replied, “All right. I’ll move it now.”

Once the jar had been repositioned, Zhang Ruoqing struggled to condense a thread of spiritual energy and cast it toward the jar’s location.

An invisible wave immediately spread outward, enveloping the entire thatched cottage.

After completing everything, Zhang Ruoqing panted for a while before recovering some of his strength.

However, his complexion had become even more ashen.

Author’s Note

I know this chapter is short, but… well… that… Never mind. I’ll just lie flat and accept it!