Chapter 28: Has Shen Qingli Become a Beast Master?

Liu Meng strode ahead; the four elders of Heaven Star Sect were already accustomed, simply doing what they needed to do.

For example, Ji Wanxing smiled as he looked at Shen Kuo, "Daoist Shen, are you truly intending to join my Heaven Star Sect?"

"Naturally." Shen Kuo withdrew his gaze from Liu Meng's back, "Does that little girl possess innate divine strength?"

"Strength is the least noteworthy of her talents." the Grand Elder said proudly, "I am Feng Yimo."

Shen Kuo immediately clasped his fist toward Feng Yimo and the others, "Shen Kuo, pleased to meet you all."

The Second and Third Elders returned the salute, "Zhao Qingshan, Zhuge Yun."

"Given your cultivation, Daoist Shen, it would be a demotion to appoint you as our Seventh Elder."

"Sect Leader, your words weigh heavily; given that your sect would still lend a hand even if A Li were identified as a demon, I, Shen Kuo, am deeply grateful."

Having said that, Shen Kuo rose to his feet, bowed to Ji Wanxing and the four elders, thanking them for their earlier help in the snow.

Even Shen Qingli followed Shen Kuo in bowing; Shen Jin was still roasting his fish, seemingly indifferent, until Shen Qingli gave him a sideways glance, whereupon he raised the grilled fish in thanks.

Ji Wanxing saw this, and together with the three elders, bowed to the family of three before them, "Thanks to Elder Shen not spurning us, from now on we are our own people."

The phrase "our own people" was sincere and heartfelt.

Shen Qingli's heart stirred slightly as she recalled Liu Meng's sword strike once more.

"Sect Leader." Shen Qingli took out a treasure box from her bosom, "I happened to obtain an Ascending King Pill; I wish to present it to Senior Sister as thanks for her earlier rescue with her sword."

Ji Wanxing exclaimed in astonishment, "Fifth-grade, an Ascending King Pill!"

"Yes." Shen Qingli opened the treasure box.

Grand Elder Feng exclaimed, "The quality is superb!"

The other two elders also praised it, but Ji Wanxing refused.

"With your aptitude, returning to the Return to Mysterious King Realm is not difficult; keep it for your own use."

"I..."

"Little Mengmeng's Ascending King Pill has already been prepared for her within the sect. Of course, you have one too. However, the quality is a bit inferior to yours." Ji Wanxing said awkwardly, "When the time comes, just use your own, the one the sect gave you, and you can sell it off."

Shen Qingli froze.

This was the first time she had offered a gift, yet it was refused.

In the past, at the Bi Yu Sect, whatever she produced was taken for granted.

Even if the sect lacked something, some disciples would come specially to ask her for it, as if she were a wish-granting pouch—whatever she wanted, she would have.

"I don't need..."

Shen Qingli herself knew the peculiarity of the Immortal-Demon Transformation; she could advance without needing an Ascending King Pill.

But this was her secret; she immediately explained, "What I mean is that I won't need it for a long period of time."

"Even if you don't need it, keep it." Ji Wanxing waved his hand, closed the treasure box, as if the Ascending King Pill were nothing, not worth his notice.

Shen Kuo had observed; the other three elders showed no sign of greed from start to finish. Could it be that the Heaven Star Sect differs from outside rumors, not some inferior sect but one that hides its true strength?

Shen Qingli harbored the same doubt; after thinking, she still put the pill away.

As long as she secures first place in the sect's grand competition, the Xuan Envoy's reward will also include an Ascending King Pill.

But she had originally hoped to let Liu Meng advance before the sect's grand competition, perhaps walking a path somewhat different from her previous life.

However, Liu Meng and Baili Chongtong are childhood sweethearts engaged to be married, which seems unlikely to change anything.

Three days later.

The sect's grand competition officially commenced.

The nameplates of disciples from twenty-three forces, big and small, were matched by the Xuan Tai, and soon each disciple's opponent was displayed.

"Huh?"

Someone sharp-eyed noticed that Shen Qingli, merely a Mystic Scholar, was matched against an opponent of Mystic Master rank!

This person, coincidentally, was none other than Su Chacha!

"The Xuan Tai is rather interesting."

Zhou Chuanfeng stroked his chin, scrutinizing the two nameplates, suspecting the Xuan Tai of behind-the-scenes manipulation.

"It's not strange at all; the Xuan Tai is linked to the Xuan Mountain and possesses its own spirituality. Three years ago, Shen Qingli inherited the legacy of the Fire Phoenix Fairy; now, Su Chacha has inherited the legacy of the Golden Phoenix Fairy. The two legacies are of equal rank, so naturally they are matched together."

Zhou Chuanqi expounded at length, yet in his heart he held a judgment: the Xuan Mountain would not match arbitrarily; it seems Shen Qingli is not as weak as she appears on the surface.

Gu Cihe, however, did not think so; he snorted, then spoke to Su Chacha with great confidence, "Junior Sister, personally eliminate her, lest she continue to embarrass herself and bring shame upon our master."

"Chacha will do her utmost."

Su Chacha appeared modest on the surface, but inside she was brimming with fighting spirit!

The result of the Xuan Tai's matching was exactly to her liking!

Previously, it had always been Shen Qingli stepping on her.

From today onward, it should be Su Chacha stepping on Shen Qingli.

"This person is extremely treacherous; Junior Sister, you still need to be extra cautious."

Whenever Baili Chongtong thought of his own innate sword, he felt Shen Qingli harbored deep scheming.

Su Chacha solemnly nodded, "Second Senior Brother, rest assured, I will fight cautiously; after all, she was once our Senior Sister and knows our techniques inside out."

"Chief Li has returned from the sect; your match with A Li is in two days, so you may first refine beast pills as a precaution," arranged Pei Jianshu.

Su Chacha lifted her eyebrows in delight, "Chief Li, did you bring us spirit beast mounts?"

Pei Jianshu nodded, "In this grand competition, our sect must secure the top position; you bear the Golden Phoenix Fairy's legacy, so you must shoulder the responsibility."

Su Chacha bowed solemnly, "Chacha will keep the Eldest Senior Brother's teachings in mind and will not disgrace the mission."

"Good." Pei Jianshu gazed into the distance, looking toward the location of the Heaven Star Sect.

Shen Jin leaned close to Shen Qingli's ear, "Sister, you can retrieve the Phoenix Bone on the Xuan Tai."

Shen Qingli's clear, cool eyes narrowed slightly as her fingertips lightly rubbed; she really felt an itch to act.

However, 'No rush, just taking back the phoenix bone—too cheap for her.'

She will return a hundredfold everything Su Chacha ever imposed on her!

After all, she has fallen into demonic cultivation.

For demonic cultivators, only by repaying a grudge a hundredfold can their thoughts become clear.

After all, it's the Path of Ruthlessness.

How could someone of the Ruthless Killing Dao possibly repay hatred with virtue?

"Do you have a plan, older sister?"

Shen Jin's eyes lit up; since leaving Saint Maiden Peak, this sister of his has become ever more charming.

"Mm."

Shen Qingli raised a hand and rubbed the big head beside her ear.

"Alright, sit properly, you're all crooked—Dad's glaring at you."

Shen Jin had no choice but to move back to his seat, throwing a flirtatious glance at his father.

Shen Kuo rubbed his forehead, continuing to speak sideways with Ji Wanxing: 'Liu Meng and the others—why aren't they called over?'

"That girl knows what she's doing." Ji Wanxing didn't agree, but he was worried about Shen Qingli: 'That opponent of Little Shen Qingli is not good.'

"No problem." Shen Kuo understood his daughter well; of course, he understood even better his son who was shapeless all day.

Thus, two days later, as soon as Shen Qingli took the stage, she dropped a king bomb on the whole audience!

She threw out the chick in her arms, and it instantly burst with the aura of the Fire Phoenix Fairy's inheritance.

In a single encounter, the chick turned into a phoenix, burning Su Chacha—who was dressed like a little fairy—into a pitch-black human charcoal.

The crowd erupted in an uproar: 'Shen Qingli has become a beast tamer?'