No one on Solitary Light Peak would ever forget that day: their usually overbearing third senior sister raced past with a thunderous expression, followed by a strange-looking... bird?
Ning Xiang stopped and turned toward the ugly bird trailing behind her. At the end of her patience, she snapped, "Go back!"
"Chirp, chirp!" The ugly bird craned her neck in protest.
Curious glances kept coming from everyone around them, and Ning Xiang simply couldn't take it.
She had gotten up early and dressed herself beautifully, ready to clock in before Lu Qingchen. Who would have thought this flightless chicken would stick to her like glue?
If this creature had been a spirit beast, she could have stuffed her into a spirit beast pouch. But she was just an ordinary bird! The spirit beast pouch wouldn't accept her, and the Spirit Bracelet couldn't hold living things either.
Not only did this ugly thing eat an astonishing amount, she was also especially rowdy and loved wrecking the house.
Yesterday, she had flapped around Lingling Cottage all night, turning Ning Xiang's room into a demolition site.
The little fox Yu Tingchao had given her had been terrified by this hulking creature. It had trembled all night and still hadn't recovered.
The woman and the bird stared at each other for ages, neither willing to give ground.
"Junior sister."
Su Lang happened to pass by and greeted her.
Ning Xiang turned, conveniently blocking the ugly bird behind her. "Eldest senior brother," she replied in her usual cool tone.
The original owner had eyes for no one but Lu Qingchen, that unattainable flower on a lofty peak.
But this eldest senior brother was seriously handsome!
His brows looked painted in ink, his temples sharply sculpted. He had always been calm and easygoing in his dealings with others, never once losing his composure. Nothing suited him better than "a modest gentleman, warm and smooth as jade."
When the original owner first arrived at Solitary Light Peak, Lu Qingchen had dumped her on Su Lang. She had a terrible temper and threw her spoiled young lady's weight around at the slightest provocation. Even so, Su Lang had never gotten angry.
Su Lang was accustomed to her attitude and didn't take offense. He merely nodded slightly and walked away.
Ning Xiang watched Su Lang's tall, elegant figure retreat in his blue-green robes. Her character might only love Lu Qingchen, but that didn't stop her from admiring other handsome men.
Slim waist, perky butt, long legs. A top-tier beauty! Slurp!
"Flap, flap-" The ugly bird waved her wings in agreement.
Su Lang's steps faltered briefly, but he didn't linger.
Ning Xiang didn't notice. She told the ugly bird, "Wait by the entrance for me later. No wandering off!"
"Chirp, chirp!"
Ning Xiang entered Chengfeng Courtyard and sternly repeated, "No wandering off!"
Inside Chengfeng Courtyard, two ethereal cranes paced about, graceful in posture and beautiful in form, exuding the same transcendent air as Lu Qingchen.
Ning Xiang felt even more disdainful of her own ugly bird.
She composed her expression, took a deep breath, and transmitted her voice to Lu Qingchen. "Master, your disciple has come to pay her respects."
Lu Qingchen's clear, jade-like voice came from inside. "What is it?"
Would it kill you not to act so aloof?
Ning Xiang grumbled inwardly, but her spoken words carried the joy and excitement of a young girl about to see her beloved. "Xiang'er hasn't seen you for several days, Master, and has missed you terribly. I also happened to acquire a magical treasure that I'd like to offer you."
After a long while, Lu Qingchen replied, "If you have nothing to do, take on some sect missions, or ask your two senior brothers for guidance in spellcraft. Stop wasting your time on such pointless things."
"Master..." Ning Xiang murmured plaintively, pretending not to mind. "Your disciple understands."
With that, Ning Xiang rose and looked back three times with every step, seemingly reluctant to leave Lu Qingchen. Deep down, however, she was cheering-
Haha, today's task is done! I'll slack off for a few days, then come back to clock in! Clever me. I knew Iceberg Lu wouldn't see me, so I didn't prepare any magical treasure at all!
Ning Xiang couldn't hide the smile at the corners of her lips, and even her steps grew lighter.
Then Lu Qingchen's voice rang out again-
"Wait."
Hmm? Ning Xiang was puzzled.
"Since you are so devoted, I can hardly disappoint you. Leave the magical treasure you prepared before you go."
Ning Xiang: "???"
Could she refuse?
Absolutely not!
Her character wouldn't allow it.
In that instant, Ning Xiang scanned her Spirit Bracelet with her spiritual sense, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
Purple cloud grass gives me a beauty buff and makes sure I'm always the most eye-catching person in a crowd. Can't give him that!
Lu Qingchen's index finger twitched against his knee, but he didn't open his eyes.
Boohoo, I've been looking for you forever, my precious! I thought I'd lost you! The Wind-Calming Pearl! If I wear this, my hair won't get messed up next time I fly on my sword! Can't give him that!
The tip of Lu Qingchen's brow twitched, but he still didn't open his eyes.
The Ten-Direction Creation Mirror automatically captures images of handsome men in the cultivation world and records them, so I can admire beauties without leaving home. Definitely can't give him that!
Lu Qingchen's eyelid twitched, but he kept himself well under control and still didn't open his eyes.
Ah! The flaky flatbread... I was saving it for Ming Old Dog, but he left before he could eat it. I'll give it to Master instead. Can't let it go to waste! Master will surely be deeply touched!
Lu Qingchen: "..." He could no longer remain seated. In a flash, he appeared before Ning Xiang.
Ning Xiang exclaimed delightedly, "Master, you really couldn't bear to part with Xiang'er!"
"No flatbread." Lu Qingchen decisively cut off what Ning Xiang was about to say.
"Huh?" Ning Xiang blinked obediently. As expected of Master-he had even foreseen what she planned to give him.
Ning Xiang was stumped. What exactly should she give him, then?
Suddenly, the ugly bird's cries came from outside.
Ning Xiang had an idea!
"Master, your disciple recently acquired an auspicious beast. She's very lively and adorable, and I was just about to offer her to you."
Lively and adorable?
Could she be... referring to herself?
Lu Qingchen soon discovered that he had gotten the wrong idea.
Ning Xiang flew out like a gust of wind, then flew back in with an atrociously ugly bird in her arms.
"Look, Master! This is the auspicious beast your disciple wishes to offer you!" Ning Xiang thrust the ugly bird right in front of Lu Qingchen.
Lu Qingchen didn't even get a chance to see the ugly bird's face clearly before her flapping wings knocked off his hair crown.
True Lord Qingchen, always so aloof and dignified, looked unusually disheveled.
"Ning Xiang!"
Ning Xiang was busy restraining the ugly bird. The creature was enormous, and Ning Xiang could barely hold her down.
The ugly bird broke free of Ning Xiang's clutches and flapped into Lu Qingchen's arms, her claws gripping the front of his robes firmly.
Lu Qingchen: "..."
Ning Xiang: ...Phew, I'm saved!
"Get this... this auspicious beast off me!" Lu Qingchen recoiled from the ugly bird in utter disgust, but it did him no good.
The ugly bird seemed very fond of him, affectionately rubbing her little head against his collar.
I've finally gotten rid of this ugly thing. Why would I ever take her back? Haha, Iceberg Lu, even you have days like this!
Ning Xiang inwardly rejoiced at having shaken off this enormous nuisance, though naturally she let none of it show.
"Master, this is a token of your disciple's devotion. Please don't disdain her. You must accept her, or your disciple will be heartbroken."
Could Lu Qingchen accept her?
Absolutely not!
If this ugly lump, so utterly at odds with his bearing, stayed in Chengfeng Courtyard, people would question his taste!
Ning Xiang didn't care. She smiled sweetly. "In that case, this ugly... auspicious beast will be Master's beloved pet from now on!"
With that, while Lu Qingchen was struggling with the ugly bird, she stepped onto the Azure Sea Sword and flew away.
Kakapo ↓
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