Chapter 17: Haughty Ning Rongrong, Turning Black into White

After finishing all of this.

Zhexian's figure moved through the forest, his steps light, surrounded by flower petals, as if he had merged into the surrounding nature.

His gaze was indifferent, seemingly unconcerned with everything around him.

However, just as he was about to pass through the Sunset Forest, a faint sound of crying reached his ears.

It was the voice of a little girl, filled with fear and helplessness, coming in intermittent gasps.

Zhexian's footsteps paused slightly, his brows furrowed, and he immediately walked toward the direction the sound came from.

"Hmm?"

With just a casual glance, he had already locked onto his target.

Not far away, a little girl of about six years old was curled up under a large tree; her clothes were tattered, her face was covered in tear stains, her hands were clutched tightly to her chest, and her body was trembling with fear.

In front of her, a century-old Man-Faced Demon Spider was slowly closing in, its eight scarlet eyes staring fixedly at her, emitting a low hissing sound from its mouth, as if enjoying the prey's fear.

"Ugly monster... don't come over..." The little girl's voice was choked with sobs, her eyes filled with despair. She wanted to run, but her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to move.

The Man-Faced Demon Spider seemed to understand her fear, let out a shrill screech, suddenly opened its blood-red maw, and lunged toward the little girl!

At this critical moment, a flash of coldness appeared in Zhexian's eyes. He did not strike; he merely flicked his hand lightly, and a pink flower petal streaked from his fingertips.

"Ssh—"

With a soft sound, the Man-Faced Demon Spider's body suddenly stiffened, and then it collapsed to the ground with a "thud."

Its head had been pierced by the flower petal, purple blood slowly flowed out, and a foul, fishy stench permeated the air.

The little girl was stunned; the tears in her eyes had not yet dried, but she had already forgotten to cry. She stared blankly at the fallen demon spider before her, then looked up at the figure not far away.

A youth in white slowly walked out from the woods.

Behind him, countless pink flower petals fluttered.

He held a Jade Flute in his hand, his expression indifferent, yet it seemed to carry a hint of a smile.

Zhexian's figure appeared exceptionally gentle in the sunlight as he slowly crouched down to wipe the tear stains from the corner of the girl's eyes.

He was as warm as a big brother from next door.

"You... who are you?" the little girl asked timidly, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhexian's gaze lingered for a moment on the seven-story pagoda in the little girl's hand, and he asked in return: "Are you from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

The girl nodded, but soon, her attention was drawn back to the dead Man-Faced Demon Spider on the ground.

Her body trembled slightly; clearly, she had not yet fully recovered from the fright just now.

"Is it... is it really dead?" the little girl asked cautiously, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Zhexian shook his head, his tone calm: "It still has one breath left."

The little girl's previously relaxed body tensed up again, but soon, she still put on a haughty appearance.

She lifted her little face, put her hands on her hips, and feigned composure: "Hmph! Even if you hadn't come, this young lady could have dealt with this ugly monster herself! I am Ning Rongrong, the eldest miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Zhexian glanced at her indifferently, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly with a faint, elusive smile: "Oh? Is that so? Then who was it just now that was so scared their legs went weak, unable to even walk?"

Ning Rongrong was choked by his words, her face turning bright red all at once, and she stomped her feet indignantly: "You... you're talking nonsense! I wasn't scared at all! I just... I just thought this demon spider was too ugly and didn't want to get close to it!"

Zhexian chuckled, not exposing her bravado, and instead turned to leave: "Since you are so capable, I will be going now."

Seeing him about to leave, Ning Rongrong panicked, hurriedly ran forward, and grabbed his sleeve: "Wait! You... you cannot leave me behind! This is the Sunset Forest, full of dangerous Soul Beasts everywhere! How... how am I supposed to go back alone?"

Zhexian looked down at the small hand clutching his sleeve, his brows furrowing slightly: "Didn't you say you could handle it yourself? What, are you scared now?"

Ning Rongrong bit her lip, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face, but she quickly resumed her haughty demeanor: "Who... who said I was scared! I just... I just think that since you saved me, you should be responsible until the end! Besides, I am the eldest miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; if you send me back safely, my father will definitely reward you handsomely!"

Zhexian shook his head, too lazy to argue with her further, and turned to walk toward the outside of the forest.

Ning Rongrong hurried to keep up, her small hand still clutching his sleeve tightly, fearing he might change his mind.

The two walked one after the other, moving through the Sunset Forest.

As she walked, Ning Rongrong secretly sized up Zhexian's profile, her heart filled with curiosity.

She couldn't help but ask: "Hey, who exactly are you? Why are you here? What is your martial soul? Why can you kill with flower petals? And why are you so handsome?"

Zhexian did not answer, only saying indifferently: "You have too many questions."

"Boom!"

Just at this moment, a burst of intense arguing came from afar.

"Rongrong's aura is right ahead. Fengzhi, if anything happens to Rongrong, I won't let you off!"

"Alright, Uncle Jian, finding Rongrong is what matters!"

Hearing the two arguing, Zhexian lowered his head slightly to look at Ning Rongrong beside him.

Has the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect arrived?

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two black shadows broke through the clouds and headed straight here.

Those people hovered at a distance of five meters from Zhexian; they were wearing white robes.

One was an old man with sharp eyes and flowing white hair, and the other was a middle-aged man in luxurious attire.

Seeing the two figures flying from afar, a flash of craftiness appeared in Ning Rongrong's eyes.

She suddenly let go of Zhexian's sleeve, stepped back a few paces, put on a wronged expression, and shouted loudly: "Father! Sword Grandpa! He... he is bullying me!"

Hearing this, Zhexian's brows furrowed slightly, and he turned to look at Ning Rongrong, his tone carrying a hint of coldness: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Ning Rongrong, however, pretended not to hear and continued to cry out: "He just killed the Soul Beast I had my eye on, and he even threatened me! Sob sob sob..."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and she even squeezed out a few tears from the corners of her eyes, looking pitiful.

The two people flying from afar were none other than the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo Chenxin.

Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, their expressions sank immediately, and their gazes shot toward Zhexian like blades.

"Brat, you have some nerve, daring to bully the princess of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!" Chenxin let out a cold snort, swung the long sword in his hand, and sword Qi surged, bearing down directly on Zhexian.

Although Ning Fengzhi did not take action directly, his eyes were filled with coldness: "If Your Excellency apologizes now, perhaps we can still spare your life."

(End of this chapter)