Seeing Shen Gui looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated, Golden Phoenix's brows furrowed even more deeply.
Just as she was about to say something, Qingluan spoke first.
"Sister Jin, let's wait until Empress returns before discussing these matters."
The implication was that she should not press the matter further.
Golden Phoenix glanced at Qingluan, unable to understand why Qingluan had suddenly spoken up for Shen Gui. However, since Qingluan had said so, she did not say anything more.
Though she did not understand why Qingluan was speaking for Shen Gui, there was one thing she knew clearly: even if she asked nothing now, once Nuwa returned, the truth would naturally come to light.
Whether Shen Gui had cultivated some evil art or something else, she did not believe he could hide it from Nuwa.
Although she knew her Empress could sometimes be rather unreliable, Nuwa was, no matter what, one of the greatest cultivators in the world.
Especially after Hongjun's second lecture.
It could be said that Hongjun's lectures were the watershed that separated the foremost great powers of the Primordial Wilderness from great powers in the ordinary sense.
Before Hongjun's lectures, no matter how powerful one was, one could at most reach the peak of Daluo.
Thus, even if two people were both Daluo Golden Immortals, or even both at the peak of Daluo Golden Immortals, how great a gap could there really be between them?
But after Hongjun's lectures, everything changed.
Hongjun's lectures were equivalent to opening a brand-new door for the beings of the Primordial Wilderness, revealing to them the realms above Daluo.
However, Hongjun could tell them about the realms above Daluo, but whether they could reach them depended on themselves.
Still, the Quasi-Saint realm bore the word "Saint." How could it possibly be so easy to break through?
This was when the disparity became apparent.
The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Fuxi, Di Jun and Tai Yi, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun, Kunpeng, Ming He, and the like had long possessed the foundation to break through to the Quasi-Saint realm. Thus, once Hongjun opened this door for the beings of the Primordial Wilderness, their breakthroughs were merely a matter of time.
Yet for the other great powers of the Primordial Wilderness, the bottleneck between Quasi-Saint and Daluo was an insurmountable chasm.
Those with good fortune might encounter some opportunity and break through to the Quasi-Saint realm.
Those with poor fortune might fail to break through even until their deaths.
As a result, the gap between Daluo Golden Immortals could not grow too wide, but the gap between Quasi-Saints and Daluo suddenly became enormous.
And Nuwa, having returned from Hongjun's second lecture, was now a genuine Quasi-Saint great power.
Therefore, Golden Phoenix did not think Shen Gui could hide anything before Nuwa.
Since that was the case, there was no need for her to embarrass Qingluan.
"Very well. Since Sister Qing'er has said so, I won't interfere in his affairs. We'll wait until Empress returns. I just came back from outside and am somewhat tired, so I'll go rest first and won't disturb you."
However, seeing Golden Phoenix about to leave, Qingluan grabbed her at once. "Don't go, Sister Jin. What could I possibly have to talk about with this Small Turtle? Besides, it's been so long since we last met. I've missed you so much. Stay and keep me company. You can also help me keep an eye on this fellow, so he doesn't slip away before Empress returns."
Hearing Qingluan say this, Shen Gui could not help curling his lips.
Nothing to talk about with me?
You certainly didn't say that when you were lecturing me just now.
Of course, Shen Gui merely kept those words to himself.
Though Qingluan was somewhat long-winded, he could still feel the concern in her words.
At the very least, as she had said herself, Shen Gui now counted as someone under Nuwa's command. Qingluan regarded him as one of her own, which was why she worried that he might have cultivated an evil art and wanted Nuwa to see whether there were any hidden dangers.
Therefore, although Qingluan was rather long-winded, Shen Gui would at most grumble a little and would not hold any resentment toward her over it.
Shen Gui gave a slight yawn and picked up a spirit fruit from the table before him, beginning to eat it.
Qingluan, who was whispering about something with Golden Phoenix, caught sight of this. While Golden Phoenix was not paying attention, she secretly sent Shen Gui a voice transmission. "Listen here, little turtle. Your sister helped you fool Sister Jin, yet not only are you not thanking me, you're sitting there eating by yourself? Hurry up and pick some fruit for your sister from the orchard!"
Shen Gui raised a brow and looked toward Qingluan, only to find that she was waggling her brows at him while Golden Phoenix was not looking.
Shen Gui's face immediately darkened.
Little turtle?
Could you please use a normal form of address?
And "sister"?
It would be one thing if Nuwa said that, but you're just a little girl and you expect me to call you sister?
Steeling himself, Shen Gui turned away and continued eating, pretending he had heard nothing.
At this, Qingluan could not help gritting her teeth.
You ungrateful thing. Had I known, I wouldn't have bothered covering for you before Sister Jin.
However, before Qingluan could do anything else, Golden Phoenix had already turned to look at her. "Sister Qing'er, what are you thinking about?"
"Ah, nothing. I was feeling a little sleepy and drifted off. Sister Jin, where were you just now? Please continue!"
Seeing Qingluan fumbling to deal with Golden Phoenix, Shen Gui could not help finding it amusing.
But when Shen Gui's smile fell into Qingluan's eyes, it only made him seem even more detestable to her.
Before you continue