Jealousy Knows No Gender

On her first morning in Delusion-Breaking City, Sang Ying was awakened by a chill.

The sharp scales grazed Sang Ying's neck, pulling her back to reality from her meditative state.

Before Jiang Zhuoxue could even savor Sang Ying's warmth, a hand pulled him down.

"Senior, in this desolate wilderness of ice and snow, a bowl of dragon soup would be quite nice, don't you think?" Sang Ying's slightly cool voice rang in her ears, causing Jiang Zhuoxue to stiffen involuntarily.

Seeing this, Gu Shu, inside the jade pendant, let out a light sneer without any politeness, "Oh, some people don't think they can act recklessly just because they've shrunk, do they? Did you hear me? If you don't behave, you'll be turned into dragon soup!"

Gu Shu's words carried a hint of smugness. Jiang Zhuoxue blinked her grayish-white eyes at Sang Ying while secretly flicking her tail at the jade pendant, causing Gu Shu and the jade pendant to tilt.

Unfortunately, Sang Ying wasn't buying his act of playing the victim and casually tossed the little black dragon to the corner of the bed.

Jiang Zhuoxue seemed oblivious to the concept of politeness, and immediately transformed into human form, her loose hair once again tangling around Sang Ying's wrist.

"How boring, little cultivator. You never used to treat me like this. What, now that you have a new companion, you're starting to dislike me?" Although Sang Ying hadn't said it aloud these past few days, Jiang Zhuoxue could sense it.

The moment those two cultivators from the Twin Orchid Realm appeared, Sang Ying's attention was clearly diverted by most of them.

Sang Ying was originally someone who loved cultivation, and in the past, she could at least keep up with it. Now that there were two other cultivators, Sang Ying no longer cared about them as much as before.

If Jiang Zhuoxue deliberately teases her with her tail, she will not only fail to be comforted, but will even be threatened by Sang Ying.

This was something that Jiang Zhuoxue, with her stubborn and possessive nature, could not tolerate.

That's why he deliberately pulled this stunt this morning when no one else was around. Who would have thought that Sang Ying would become even more ruthless?

Pushing away his face that was deliberately leaning in, Sang Ying exhaled a breath of stale air and got out of bed.

Jiang Zhuoxue took the opportunity to occupy the entire bed, her wide robes completely open.

"Why are you hiding, little cultivator? Did I hit the nail on the head?" His tone concealed a danger he himself hadn't even realized.

Sang Ying felt helpless. Just as she was about to explain, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Fang Chi's boisterous voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by the creaking sound of the door being pushed open, "Sang Ying, shall we go out for a walk today...?"

The last word, "turn," was swallowed back down the moment Fang Chi saw the scene inside the room.

Her expression slowly turned to shock, and her gaze towards Sang Ying held an indescribable quality.

A few blinks later, Fang Chi abruptly slammed the door shut. "Sorry to bother you!"

Sang Ying then realized just how easily Jiang Zhuoxue's posture while lying on her bed could lead to misunderstandings.

She could only glare fiercely at Jiang Zhuoxue before quickly catching up with Fang Chi to explain, "A-Chi, don't misunderstand, we're not like that!"

"What misunderstanding? What did A-Chi just see?" Fang Chi ran too fast, Sang Ying didn't have time to catch up. Their actions also reached Hai Tingzhou's ears.

At this moment, he was busy setting up formations in the courtyard. This was a habit he had learned from Sang Ying. Whenever he arrived at a new residence, he would set up multiple formations to protect himself.

Fang Chi wasn't a gossip, so she naturally wouldn't spread her friend's private matters. To Hai Tingzhou's curious gaze, she simply said vaguely, "It's nothing serious; you'll find out later."

However, a hint of ambiguity crept into his eyes.

Sang Ying sighed, "You've really misunderstood. That's just a senior I know. He was just resting on my bed. We have no other relationship. I hope you won't upset him over this."

No other relationship?

Jiang Zhuoxue heard these words as soon as she came out, and immediately became unhappy.

He didn't refute Sang Ying's words, but under the intense gazes of Fang Chi and the other man, he walked step by step behind Sang Ying, and then, as if he had no bones, lazily leaned half of his body on Sang Ying.

"Young cultivator, what are you two talking about?" The man in black robes leaned against Sang Ying, almost embracing the female cultivator in his arms.

His chin rested on Sang Ying's shoulder, and his stunningly beautiful face was now fully revealed.

Fang Chi subconsciously gasped, while Hai Tingzhou, after noticing the man's lifeless eyes, cast a disapproving glance at Sang Ying.

Tsk, you actually preyed on someone with a disability, and you still say you two have nothing to do with each other?!

Sang Ying silently pushed Jiang Zhuoxue's head away, and weakly explained to her friend, "If I said this was a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"

The two faces opposite them were perfectly embodying disbelief.

Okay, after Jiang Zhuoxue leaned in again, Sang Ying gave up struggling.

Although the farce left the group with mixed feelings, the necessary investigations still had to be conducted.

Although Sang Ying didn't dare to tell the two of Cang Lian's true identity, she did reveal some details.

Previously, Jiang Zhuoxue only knew that Cang Lian was hiding underground in the palace, and he also needed to get close to the second young master to take back his eyes.

After discussing it, the four decided that they should first enter the inner city to investigate.

After much deliberation, they decided to go to the Moon-Exploring Inn, which the Rogue Cultivator on the street had mentioned before. It was said to be a hub for information in Delusion-Breaking City.

The Moon-Exploring Restaurant has five floors, making it the tallest building in the outer city.

The tall building, constructed of redwood, is located on the most bustling long street in the outer city. At first glance, the building is the most eye-catching sight.

The two characters "Exploring the Moon" in a flamboyant, dragon-and-phoenix-like style are hung high in front of the building, making them hard to ignore.

Sang Ying and her three companions were all unfamiliar faces, and their entrance immediately attracted countless gazes. Whether they were Rogue Cultivator or ordinary people, they all cast wary yet inquisitive glances at them.

Some people's gazes swept over Jiang Zhuoxue's face, but after a look of amazement appeared in their eyes, when they looked at Sang Ying again, their expressions changed to gloating.

Although Sang Ying didn't understand their meaning, she secretly became wary.

The four chose a spot on the second floor near a window, where there were many people and much noise, all quietly discussing the news of the Second Young Master Gong's return to the city yesterday.

Sang Ying overheard something, while Fang Chi was standing nearby, took the opportunity to order a table full of dishes. These dishes, imbued with Spiritual Qi, wouldn't do any harm to cultivators eating them on a regular basis.

"The Second Young Master returned from his inspection yesterday and said everything was normal, with nothing unusual. It seems our Delusion-Breaking City can continue to live such peaceful lives," a man at the next table chuckled.

His companion quickly chimed in, "That's right! If it weren't for the wisdom of the Gong Household ancestors who built the Delusion-Breaking City here to block out the wind and snow, would we be living such a good life now? I've heard that there are more and more Devil Beast outside, but fewer and fewer Spirit Plant. I'm afraid the people outside the city won't be able to hold out for much longer."

His tone was tinged with sorrow, as if he were also lamenting this desolate land that was not favored by the Heavenly Dao.

As they were talking, the dishes on Sang Ying and the others' table were all ready.

Seeing that Sang Ying hadn't touched her chopsticks, Fang Chi casually picked up a piece of roasted snow rabbit meat for her.

"Have something to eat first, Sang Ying. The snow rabbit meat here is quite good. I've picked out a piece for you; would you like to try it?"

This action was ordinary, but it sounded very different to Jiang Zhuoxue.

Before Sang Ying could even put down her chopsticks, Jiang Zhuoxue leaned over and said to Fang Chi in a sarcastic tone, "No way, no way, surely no one doesn't know that Sang Ying doesn't like spirit rabbit meat?"

"Oh dear, you call yourself a good friend, yet you don't even know this." He silently put his arm around Sang Ying's shoulder, his tone odd. "Looks like I still care about you the most, little cultivator~"

Fang Chi, his hand holding the food in his chopsticks pausing:??!

A note from the author:

Fang Chi: You're even jealous of female cultivators? Have you no shame?!

Jiang Zhuoxue: We must nip every possibility in the bud!

Hai Tingzhou stood to the side, trembling.