Chapter 246

Haotian had no doubt about Yaochi's words, because there was fundamentally no need to deceive him; it seemed he would have to visit in person.

Haotian thought to himself.

After all, he is Sun Wukong's master, and Sun Wukong is a person destined to face calamity—this matter is of great importance.

"With variables appearing in the westward journey, who knows whether it is blessing or disaster?"

Wu Tian Chang Nu said.

Yaochi, however, was not convinced.

"Who cares? Anyway, the ones who should be worried are the Buddhist Sect."

Haotian nodded and stopped thinking further.

What you said is true—ever since that monkey became a disciple of this Chaos Residence, the Buddhist Sect's schemes seem to have come to nothing.

Even he indirectly caused the Tathagata a loss—how delightfully satisfying.

Anyway, as long as one does not provoke Sun Wukong, it seems this mysterious Chen the shopkeeper will not be hostile toward the Heavenly Court.

The worry on Haotian's face faded, even turning slightly pleased; as long as the Buddhist Sect is unhappy, he is happy.

When he visits, he must bring full sincerity and strive to win Chen the shopkeeper over to his side.

He must also inform Chen the shopkeeper in advance about the Buddhist Sect's next move against Sun Wukong.

"This time, I have also obtained a treasure!"

"Yaochi saw Haotian silent and speechless, then took out something."

"A supreme lot?"

Haotian examined the object in Yaochi's hand, deeply puzzled—what is this? A treasure? He couldn't tell.

"This is the Chaos Residence's Crown Membership Card!"

"It allows free dining."

Yaochi flipped the card several times in her hand, boasting.

"Free?!"

Haotian's breath caught, staring intently at the card before him.

"How is it? Not bad, right?"

Yaochi's lips curled upward, utterly pleased.

Haotian restrained the envy in his eyes, speaking indifferently: "Isn't it just free? As the master of this Heavenly Court, am I still short on meal money?"

"Hmm, indeed not short on money."

"Anyway, my palace's meal standard is one serving of nine-thousand-year peach—you decide."

Yaochi glanced lightly over Haotian's heroic bearing, then chuckled.

"Nine-thousand-year peach? Is it really that terrifying? The treasure Chen the shopkeeper bought—could it truly be edible? Haotian's heart startled, then his face broke into a smile as he stared fixedly at the supreme lot, saying: 'Can you let me use this for a moment?'"

"Don't even think about it."

Yaochi's phoenix eyes flashed, her attitude firm; she reflexively snatched the card back carefully, giving Haotian no chance. "This is an identity card, symbolizing my palace's crown status."

"Even if you use my card, it's useless—Chen the shopkeeper simply won't recognize it."

That's true—Haotian withdrew his gaze, somewhat regretful.

"Then, could you give me a few more nine-thousand-year peaches?"

Haotian turned his gaze back to the peach.

After all, these peaches belong entirely to Yaochi, and their storage place was personally chosen by her.

"What use would giving them to you be?"

Yaochi spread her hands.

"I asked Chen the shopkeeper before leaving—this fee standard varies by person; anything could be charged."

Yaochi said, also becoming interested, her eyes carrying intention: "Chen the shopkeeper said it could be a magic artifact, gold or silver, magical power, or even cultivation."

This was the first time she had seen such a novel way of charging.

"How strange! Haotian, hearing Yaochi's account, felt immense astonishment—he never expected Chen the shopkeeper to be so unconventional."

"If luck is good, wouldn't expenses be extraordinarily low? But if luck is bad, one meal could mean massive losses."

"Just like cultivation—this is their foundation; if cultivation realm declines, even sitting on this treasure seat brings no confidence."

"You still give me a few peaches—better safe than sorry."

Haotian suggested.

"Since we don't know what Chen the shopkeeper charges, we should prepare thoroughly—better safe than sorry; if his fee standard matches Yaochi's, wouldn't that be foolish?" "Agreed."

Yaochi readily agreed, though she lowered her head, her expression unreadable.

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing Yaochi delay her action, Haotian felt doubtful.

Just as he was about to wave his hand to shake her, he suddenly saw Yaochi lift her head, her brows and eyes carrying a hint of faint sorrow.

Seeing this, Haotian's heart tightened, and he asked concernedly: "Yaochi? What's wrong?"

"Haotian, these peaches—you won't take them for nothing, will you?"

Her voice carried a few more notes of sorrow.

"How could you?"

How did she know his heart harbored such thoughts? Haotian instinctively wanted to blurt it out.

But seeing Yaochi's worried face, Haotian forcibly restrained himself, inexplicably,

feeling a little softer-hearted.

"How could you think that?"

Haotian corrected himself.

Yaochi blinked lightly, "Okay, this is a nine-thousand-year-old peach."

"What's the big deal?"

Haotian slapped his chest, solemn and righteous, "As the Jade Emperor, how could I take advantage like this? Am I still considered an immortal then?"

Haotian spoke with conviction.

Normally, he would seize any advantage he could, but today, for some unknown reason, he couldn't bear to see Yaochi even slightly upset.

"Then what do you want as compensation?"

Yaochi spoke softly.

Haotian frowned, feeling embarrassed, thought for a moment, and took out a treasure from among them—exactly one of the treasures the Tathagata had compensated him with.

"How about this as compensation?"

Yaochi lifted her eyes and glanced at the object in Haotian's hand; her beautiful face still bore that fragile expression, which had not faded, "Only this?"

Seeing this, Wu Tian felt even more unbearable, a flicker of pain crossed his face, and he produced two more, directly handing over all the treasures the Tathagata had given him.

"Look, would these together be enough?"

Wu Tian shoved all three treasures forward at once.

Yaochi lowered her head, insisted for a while, then spoke gently: "That'll do."

Unlike her outward appearance, Yaochi's heart was truly delighted; this Boundless Thousand Faces Divine Communication is really useful—unexpectedly, even Haotian fell for it.

Yaochi couldn't help but feel deeply moved, then withdrew the divine communication state.

Haotian's pupils contracted; he felt Yaochi seemed to have suddenly returned to her original self.

He and Yaochi had worked together for so many years; he knew her temperament all too well.

Free from the divine communication's binding, Haotian also realized what he had just done; a strong sense of regret welled up in his heart—these were the treasures he had painstakingly snatched from the Tathagata!

How did I give them up so easily? Haotian was puzzled, because recalling his earlier state, he also sensed something was off.

What he had just done seemed not of his own will, yet his mind was drawn to do what Yaochi wanted him to do—it was truly strange!

Having come to his senses, he happened to meet Yaochi's triumphant smile.

"Yaochi, you"

Haotian realized something was wrong; seeing Yaochi like this, what else could he not know? He had been played!

"Hahaha"

Yaochi let out a puff, couldn't hold back, laughed heartily, with not a trace of the dignity expected of the Queen Mother.

"Just how did you manage that earlier?"

Haotian couldn't help but ask aloud, how did he fall for the trap so inexplicably? Yaochi laughed enough, then boasted: "This is my newly acquired divine communication—how is it? Not bad, right?"

"Divine communication? How did you get it?"

Upon hearing this, Haotian's face was full of shock.

Yaochi smiled slightly; "From eating at Chaos Residence."

Haotian's heart jumped—when did Chaos Residence become linked to divine communication? He was utterly confused.

No way—ordinary people wouldn't even think of such a thing.