Shi Ji Niangniang

Tong Tian had thought Gu Changqing would flatten the Three Sects' disciples with a chain of treasures, but instead, this fellow had played the role of a generous benefactor.

Though he had been aiding the enemy, the result was still quite good.

Not only did the Three Sects' disciples not dare make a move, they had fled in disgrace, while the Intercepting Sect's fortune surged.

This kid really was a treasure boy, a gift from the Heavenly Dao.

Thoroughly satisfied, Tong Tian smiled. "Everyone, disperse."

"Yes."

The disciples filed out one after another. When they looked at Gu Changqing, an indescribable gleam appeared in their eyes.

He was so lavish toward outsiders, and we were his fellow disciples!

Unfortunately, Gu Changqing disappointed them. He merely greeted them with a smile, and that was that.

Gu Changqing was preparing to return to the side hall when someone tugged at the hem of his robe.

"Uncle-Master Changqing, I'm Bi Yun."

Gu Changqing turned around and saw a young boy dressed in green. Beside him stood a young girl dressed in red.

Bi Yun?

Wasn't he the Intercepting Sect's unluckiest disciple?

No, he should have been the second unluckiest. The unluckiest was his master, Shi Ji Niangniang.

"Bi Yun?" Gu Changqing smiled, crouched down, rubbed Bi Yun's cheek, then pinched Cai Yun's cheek as well. "You must be Cai Yun."

"That's right!" Cai Yun gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Uncle-Master Changqing."

"Good, good! What a well-behaved child."

Gu Changqing casually praised them. These two attendants had followed the ill-fated Shi Ji Niangniang. They truly were...

What a pity!

"Uncle-Master Changqing, could you give me a treasure? I've grown this big and never even seen a spiritual treasure."

In Bi Yun's eyes, Gu Changqing had been so generous to outsiders. Since he was Gu Changqing's martial nephew, surely Gu Changqing would not be so stingy.

"Impudence!"

A stern shout interrupted Bi Yun's plea.

"To cultivate the Dao, one must first cultivate the heart. If the heart is not righteous, how can the Dao be achieved? How can you let worldly possessions hinder your cultivation and ruin your reputation?"

Hearing Shi Ji's voice, Bi Yun shrank his neck and hurriedly retreated.

Getting a treasure would naturally be wonderful. But if he failed to get one and instead earned a beating, that would be truly unfair.

Gu Changqing looked toward the voice and saw a female immortal wearing a golden fish-tail crown, a crimson Eight Trigrams robe, and the Tai'a Sword at her waist. She looked at him with an apologetic expression.

"Shi Ji has failed to teach properly and made Junior Brother Changqing laugh."

So she really was Shi Ji!

It was said that besides being unlucky, Shi Ji was kindhearted.

From the way she had rebuked Bi Yun, her character was plain to see.

Everyone else wanted to fleece him, but only she had such a pure heart.

Someone like her should not have suffered calamity.

That shameless Taiyi Zhenren, on the other hand, should have taken a trip to the Investiture of the Gods List.

Gu Changqing smiled. "Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji, you are too courteous. Bi Yun merely has the innocence of a child. There is no need to be so harsh."

Thinking of how Bi Yun received such strict instruction every day, only to be shot to death by Nezha's arrow in the end, Gu Changqing found him truly pitiful.

"Bi Yun, Cai Yun, come here."

Gu Changqing beckoned to the two attendants and exchanged for two more High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures.

One was the Eight Trigrams Longevity Lock, and the other was the Yin-Yang Undying Jade. Both were defensive spiritual treasures.

Gu Changqing hung the Longevity Lock around Bi Yun's neck, then fastened the Undying Jade at Cai Yun's waist.

"Your uncle-master has no other talents. Take these two treasures to protect yourselves. Cultivate diligently from now on, and do not stir up trouble."

"Thank you, Uncle-Master Changqing. We will remember Uncle-Master's teachings."

The two attendants kowtowed to Gu Changqing in thanks.

This was the first time they had ever seen spiritual treasures, and they were even High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures.

In their young hearts, Gu Changqing's image grew infinitely taller, only a tiny bit shorter than their master's.

"Junior Brother Changqing, one cannot accept rewards without merit. I..."

Shi Ji looked ashamed. She had not wanted to accept Gu Changqing's gift, but when she thought of the two pitiful children, she could not bear to refuse.

Those were High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures!

They were opportunities she would never obtain in her entire life.

She could uphold her own principles, but her disciples were innocent.

No matter what, Junior Brother Changqing was one of their own.

As for this favor...

She would repay it slowly!

"There is no need for courtesy between family." Gu Changqing smiled. "Senior Sister is compassionate and possesses immeasurable merit. This Merit Saint Garment is my tribute, on behalf of all living beings of Skull Mountain, to Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji."

As he spoke, he held the Merit Saint Garment before Shi Ji.

Among the thirty thousand disciples of the Intercepting Sect, the only ones who inspired Gu Changqing's respect were San Xiao, Shi Ji, the Three Saints, and Zhao Gongming, who valued loyalty above all else.

Of them all, Shi Ji was the one he admired most, and the one he found most pitiful.

After Nezha shot Bi Yun to death in the future, Shi Ji would first capture Li Jing. Upon learning he was innocent, she would let him go.

If it had been anyone else, they would surely have accused him of lax discipline.

When immortals judged mortals, even death was a light punishment.

She would capture Nezha, see that he was merely a child, and let him go as well.

In the end, she would seek an explanation from Taiyi Zhenren, only to be killed by him.

The kind were ridden like horses; the kind were bullied by others.

Shi Ji was simply too unlucky, too wronged!

With the Merit Saint Garment, if Taiyi Zhenren still wanted to kill Shi Ji, he would be the one to die. Whether he could make it onto the Investiture of the Gods List would depend on whether his life was tough enough.

Merit Saint Garment, a Merit Treasure!

"Junior Brother, this is far too precious. Shi Ji cannot accept it!"

Recovering herself, Shi Ji hurriedly refused.

She had accepted Gu Changqing's gifts for Bi Yun and the others.

That was the opportunity of the two children.

But when it came to herself, she truly could not bring herself to take it.

They had only just met, yet she was taking such a precious treasure from him. It was simply indefensible.

Gu Changqing smiled. "Senior Sister saves the suffering and aids those in need every day. This Merit Saint Garment is rightfully yours. Consider it the Heavenly Dao rewarding diligence."

"No!" Shi Ji refused. "Such a supreme treasure should be kept by Junior Brother Changqing for your own protection."

At this moment, Tong Tian spoke. "Shi Ji, since Changqing is giving it to you, accept it."

Gu Changqing giving Shi Ji a treasure was the same as giving one to the Intercepting Sect.

Before a Merit Treasure, everything he had given away earlier was mere trash. His mindset immediately balanced out. After all, she was one of their own.

"Master, this disciple... this disciple..."

Since Tong Tian had spoken, Shi Ji could not say anything more.

Seeing that Shi Ji still did not want it, Tong Tian smiled. "Do not worry. This kid has no fewer than four or five Merit Treasures. One Merit Saint Garment is nothing."

"I..."

Shi Ji was shocked by Gu Changqing's extravagance, yet also rather speechless.

Gu Changqing directly stuffed the Merit Saint Garment into Shi Ji's hands and smiled. "We are family. Why be so polite?"

"Thank you, Junior Brother Changqing."

Shi Ji gave Gu Changqing a slight bow, then said, "Should you have any command in the future, Shi Ji will brave fire and water and die ten thousand deaths without hesitation."

Though a Merit Treasure was not an offensive weapon, it was a supreme defensive treasure.

No one could attack a person carrying a Merit Treasure. Doing so would be disrespectful toward the Heavenly Dao.

In the Primordial World, a Merit Treasure was equivalent to a death-exemption medallion.

What Gu Changqing had given her was not merely a treasure, but a life!

No, many lives!

How could she not be deeply grateful to Gu Changqing?

To claim he had some ulterior motive was utter nonsense!

Even if Shi Ji sold herself for ten times her worth, she would not be worth a single Merit Treasure!

Tong Tian then said, "If Shi Ji has no urgent matters for the time being, remain at Biyou Palace to cultivate."

There was no kindness without reason. Gu Changqing had only given gifts to this master and disciple. If he had no intentions toward them, how could that be possible?

After all, they had only met for the first time.

Shi Ji was not only the Intercepting Sect's moral model, but also its beauty icon.

Wasn't his intention obvious?

As their master, how could he fail to help make it happen?

"This disciple obeys."

Shi Ji was secretly delighted. Being able to remain at Biyou Palace to cultivate was a great fortune!

As for Tong Tian's filthy thoughts, Shi Ji did not think in that direction at all. Junior Brother Changqing possessed so many precious treasures. How could he possibly take an interest in her?

"Master, if there is nothing else, this disciple will take his leave."

Gu Changqing did not have as much inner drama as Tong Tian. Heaven and earth bore witness: those ten billion merit points were purely because he pitied Shi Ji's tragic fate.

If he stayed at Biyou Palace any longer, was he really supposed to listen to Tong Tian expound on the Dao?

"The host has rewritten Shi Ji's fate. Reward: ten billion merit points."

Gu Changqing: Was Shi Ji's fate really that important?

Was the system addicted to spending money, or was there another story behind Shi Ji?