Bluffing His Way Through

After entering the stone house, Qingluan sat down on the stone bed in a huff, while Shen Gui found a stone stool and sat down as before.

Seeing Shen Gui's miserable expression, Qingluan laughed in exasperation. "What kind of expression is that? You were clearly the one who teased me first, yet now you're acting as though I bullied you?"

Shen Gui smiled awkwardly. "What are you saying, Fellow Daoist Qing Luan? I'm merely a wandering cultivator, without the protection of some great figure like you. I seek neither fame nor the Great Dao, only to preserve my life in the Primordial Wilderness. How would I dare tease you?"

"Preserve your life?" Qingluan curled her lip. "Is that why you're like a turtle... pfft, you are a turtle. Is that why your defenses are so strong? Don't tell me you've never even considered how to attack and have put all your effort into figuring out how to defend yourself?"

Hearing Qingluan say that, Shen Gui gave an awkward yet polite smile.

Truth be told, he could manage when fighting cultivators weaker than himself, but against opponents of the same level or stronger, he really did not seem to have many offensive methods.

Seeing this, Qingluan's eyes widened. "Did I really guess right?"

Shen Gui put on a pitiful expression and complained mournfully, "Someone protected by a great figure like Fellow Daoist Qing Luan naturally would not understand the hardships of survival for insignificant people like us, who have no one to rely on. Danger lurks everywhere in the Primordial Wilderness. If a tiny Golden Immortal like me did not devote himself to studying defensive arts, who knows when he might perish at another's hands? That is why, when I heard that Great Sage Fuxi and Empress Nuwa had established Heavenly Demon City to shelter countless living beings, I felt such admiration. I can completely understand how those protected beings must feel."

"Back when I had yet to take human form, I encountered someone carrying an axe. He directly destroyed my physical body, and only my Primordial Spirit survived by chance. Later, after I reshaped my body, I was finally able to take human form. It was precisely because of that experience that I came to understand the importance of defense. As the saying goes, one may not harbor the intent to harm others, but one must guard against others harming oneself. That is also why I focused wholeheartedly on defensive methods rather than methods of harming others."

"So that was it." Hearing Shen Gui's words, a trace of sympathy flashed through Qingluan's eyes.

She could tell that Shen Gui's words came from the bottom of his heart. Precisely because of that, she could not help feeling some sympathy for him.

Having one's physical body destroyed before even taking human form—how miserable was that?

Back then, the Great Tribulation of Dragon-Han had already passed, and the Phoenix Race had fallen into decline. Qingluan had only just been born, her cultivation was low, and she had yet to take human form when an evil cultivator pursued her. If Nuwa had not happened to save her, she likely would have perished before taking human form.

That was why Shen Gui's words now resonated with her, and before she realized it, much of her anger toward him had dissipated.

However, upon further thought, Qingluan looked at Shen Gui suspiciously. "No, if that is the case, why did you specifically wish to seek refuge with Great Sage Fuxi instead of joining Empress Nuwa? Both the Empress and Great Sage Fuxi care deeply for all living beings. Why do you hold such prejudice against the Empress?"

Hearing Qingluan's question, Shen Gui's heart tightened. He knew the crucial moment had arrived.

Qingluan's tone had clearly softened considerably. His earlier tale of misery had evidently worked. Now, as long as he could bluff his way through this question—no, give her a reasonable explanation, this matter would most likely be settled.

After silently weighing his words, Shen Gui put on a hesitant expression. "There are some things... I don't know whether I should say them."

Qingluan frowned. "What do you mean, should or should not? Say whatever you want. So long as you give me a reasonable explanation, do you think I would keep making trouble without reason?"

Sneaking a glance at Qingluan, Shen Gui said, "Then I'll say it?"

"Speak."

"I heard that Great Sage Fuxi is a modest gentleman. Though his cultivation is unfathomable, he treats others with gentleness and refinement, making people feel as though bathed in a spring breeze. Though Empress Nuwa is also kind-hearted and concerned for all living beings, sometimes she..."

Hearing Shen Gui say this, Qingluan's expression became somewhat strange and a little awkward.

"Who did you hear that from?"

One knew one's own household best. As Nuwa's mount, Qingluan naturally knew her Empress rather well.

Sometimes, Nuwa's temper was indeed a little odd, and she would do some rather absurd things.

Still, Qingluan was very curious. How had Shen Gui heard about it?

Shen Gui secretly curled his lip. In the legends, Nuwa had created humanity, mended the heavens, and now established Heavenly Demon City together with Fuxi. Calling her kind-hearted and concerned for all living beings was only natural.

As for her strange temper...

Women, huh!

Of course, Shen Gui did not wish to die, so naturally he would not say that. He merely said, "Fellow Daoist Qing Luan likely knows that I once purchased information with Origin Crystals in various cities. I happened to hear this by chance, which is why I wished to seek refuge with Great Sage Fuxi..."

Qingluan did not doubt him.

In her view, the news had most likely been spread by someone whom the Empress had once teased.

Qingluan looked at Shen Gui awkwardly, coughed, and said, "Then it seems I truly misunderstood you earlier."