Chapter Seventeen: She Likes Women

Yi Tianling had no inkling that danger was approaching; he continued speaking to himself.

“Little Immortal, I won’t make things difficult for you. I just want to pay my respects to your sect leader, Lady Luna. Would you kindly lead the way?”

Pay respects to Lady Luna?

Xuanyuan Tunhan withdrew his hand, though the murderous intent in his heart did not abate. So Yi Tianling really was here for the Nine-petaled Nightbloom. Yet, he’d apparently lost his way.

Seeing the woman remain silent, Yi Tianling continued, “Don’t worry, I’m only here to pay my respects. All I need is for you to show me the way. I won’t speak a word about you sneaking around, either.

“Are you perhaps eager to watch the competition ahead? That’s fine, I understand. Today, the most outstanding disciples of the Ten Great Sects have gathered; the duels are bound to be exciting. Go ahead and watch if you wish.”

He spoke with such consideration, even offering the woman a friendly smile.

Yi Tianling knew he was good-looking; many women did enjoy seeing him smile. His smile was infectious, always bringing a touch of warmth to the heart, making people trust him without realizing it.

Unfortunately, the person before him was not a woman but a cold-blooded, ruthless fiend. Forget being swayed by a smile—even a room full of beauties would leave him unmoved.

Seeing Yi Tianling’s smile, Xuanyuan Tunhan felt only disgust.

“You wish to honor the founder? Very well.”

Xuanyuan Tunhan strode ahead, leading the way.

Since the protagonist coveted the Nine-petaled Nightbloom, he would oblige and see for himself whether fate or his own strength would prevail. Xuanyuan Tunhan had never believed in destiny or the heavens; now he wanted to see how this so-called protagonist would seize the Nightbloom from him with only Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Yi Tianling, seeing his guide, offered a cheerful word of thanks, even enthusiastically asking about her master. Xuanyuan Tunhan ignored him completely, finding his chatter insufferable.

A grown man, yet so eager to flirt with every woman he meets—how shameful. His endless prattle was simply irritating.

As they walked, a sudden sense of wrongness struck Xuanyuan Tunhan. He could not pinpoint the cause, but something was off. He turned to survey their surroundings, then stilled his mind to listen. At last, he realized what was amiss.

Ning Xianyu—she had been silent for a while now.

It was far too quiet. How could it be so quiet?

When things are contrary to the norm, something is surely afoot. What was that woman up to now?

Xuanyuan Tunhan failed to notice that the absence of that incessant voice was what felt so unusual to him—so...unsettling?

He kept walking, all the while listening intently.

Ahead, a spell formation appeared. Xuanyuan Tunhan shattered it before Yi Tianling even noticed, reducing the formation core to dust.

They pressed forward and soon encountered one of Flower Sound Isle’s venomous snakes. Xuanyuan Tunhan crushed it with a single step; the creature didn’t even have time to bare its fangs before meeting its end.

This time, Yi Tianling witnessed the scene and was immediately awed by the women of Flower Sound Isle—raising poisonous beasts and flowers, yet dispatching them so easily. How formidable.

A cloud-leopard blocked their path, but a single glare from Xuanyuan Tunhan sent it reeling, dizzy and terrified, fleeing at once.

Yi Tianling’s admiration only deepened.

“Your sect’s spirit beasts are truly obedient.”

That cloud-leopard had the strength of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Had he encountered it alone, he would have been forced to struggle, likely drawing unwanted attention. Yet, the beast seemed so compliant, not even harming junior disciples. Quite impressive.

They faced many obstacles along the way, but with Xuanyuan Tunhan present, every challenge was easily overcome.

He appeared to possess only Foundation Establishment cultivation, but his soul was at the Void Realm. With such power, trivial traps were beneath his concern.

Suddenly, Xuanyuan Tunhan paused mid-stride, as if listening for something uncertain.

Yi Tianling caught up, asking nervously, “Little Immortal, what’s wrong?”

Could something have gone awry? Had they been discovered?

Xuanyuan Tunhan glanced in a certain direction, frowning slightly.

With that delicate, youthful face set in such a serious expression, even the frown looked beautiful.

Yi Tianling was momentarily transfixed, never expecting a woman to possess such an unusual yet compelling aura—the more one looked, the more intriguing she became.

Had Xuanyuan Tunhan known what Yi Tianling was thinking, he would have strangled him on the spot.

But he had no time for that now, for he could hear Ning Xianyu’s voice. It sounded in his mind, as if she were conversing with her system.

“This place is really nice. Who’d have thought being a great fiend would come with such perks? Heh, System, I really love this soft couch.”

“Host, be careful. I have a bad feeling about this. Why have they called you out alone?”

Ning Xianyu’s voice radiated glee and arrogance.

“What could happen? I’m the number one fiend in the world now. Everyone wishes to avoid me, no one dares provoke me. Hahaha.”

Xuanyuan Tunhan suspected that his mind was being affected by Ning Xianyu’s body—he must be going mad, for a moment ago he’d actually worried she might be tricked.

Hmph, that woman—if she isn’t making trouble for others, it’s already a blessing.

Ning Xianyu was no longer at the competition field by now.

Earlier, a disciple of Flower Sound Isle had sought her out. “Patriarch, our founder left something for you before she passed. Please come with me.”

Ning Xianyu had wondered if Lady Luna could have possibly left the Nine-petaled Nightbloom to a great fiend. Her curiosity piqued, and emboldened by the knowledge that no one would dare cross her while inhabiting Xuanyuan Tunhan’s body, she followed without hesitation.

But as she turned left and right, traveling ever further, she began to feel something was amiss.

Her body was growing hot, her head a little fuzzy, and people seemed to sway before her eyes.

Everything around her dissolved into great swathes of color, resembling an abstract painting—vivid, dazzling, and dreamlike.

The Flower Sound Isle disciple leading her ahead walked with a peculiar sway, a floral scent emanating from her body, blending with the fragrances in the air and reaching into one’s very soul.

At last, Ning Xianyu arrived at their destination.

It was a small house by the water, several rooms joined together, spacious and comfortable. Incense drifted inside; soft couches, tables, fruit, and tea were set out, the whole place radiating the atmosphere of a holiday retreat.

Ning Xianyu climbed onto the couch at once, sighing in pleasure as her voice came out low and sultry—being a man, she realized, wasn’t so bad after all.

She longed to roll around in comfort, but misjudged the size of her current body and tumbled straight off the couch.

Men really do take up more space.

She clambered back up, moved the table of fruit closer, and stretched out, sampling first one delicacy, then another.

“Ah, this is the life—at last, I’m living up to my title as the world’s number one.”

The system, however, remained wary, warning her not to break character.

But Ning Xianyu was so comfortable that her eyes narrowed in contentment, ignoring all such concerns.

As she ate and waited, a restless heat began to spread through her body.

At that moment, two disciples of Flower Sound Isle entered, regarding her with curiosity.

“My, look at that girl’s figure—slender waist, generous hips. Her chest is a bit small, but that’s no flaw—she’s just my type.”

Xuanyuan Tunhan, who had just been about to ignore her, heard this and swatted away a swarm of spirit bees trying to get too close.

That woman—she actually likes women?