Dong Tianyun was clearly in a good mood, his arm propped on the armrest, leisurely supporting his cheek. He raised his hand toward Xiang Su. “Show me how you use the ribbon.”

Xiang Su froze. Use the ribbon? How? Would tying it around her waist count?

Dong Tianyun wordlessly lowered his long lashes. Taking in such a fool, indeed he couldn’t omit even half a sentence. “Input spiritual power into the ribbon and wave it.”

Xiang Su nodded as if suddenly understanding, raised her hand to grab the ribbon hanging on her arm. Although when Purple Chant Dragon Lady gave it to her, she’d said it could be used as a weapon when encountering enemies, Xiang Su had felt very uncertain. Such a soft, limp piece of silk—who could it hurt? She really hadn’t thought of using it as a magical implement.

Following Junshang’s instructions, she sent spiritual power into the ribbon and waved it forcefully. The ribbon indeed danced gracefully, and many fragrant gardenia petals flew out. Xiang Su’s mouth fell open in delighted surprise. It truly was a divine object—where did these petals come from? Were they manifested by her spiritual power? She kicked at the petals that fell nearby with her foot. They weren’t illusions—they were real!

She excitedly kept waving the ribbon, petals flying everywhere until the sky was full of them. Xiang Su was so happy she even started spinning in circles. The ribbon was already beautiful, and it could scatter petals, filling the air with fragrance.

“Have you played enough?” Dong Tianyun’s voice was cold, like pouring a ladle of cold water over Xiang Su’s head. She stopped in bewilderment, looking at Junshang uncomprehendingly. Her treasure was so amazing—why wasn’t he happy? He’d been pleasant just moments ago. “You plan to face enemies like this?” He was almost severe. Xiang Su stammered wordlessly, hiding the ribbon behind her back as if she’d done something wrong. She didn’t understand—what enemies could she face? When it came to fighting, weren’t there still him and Kunpeng?

“Watch.” With a stern face, Dong Tianyun stood up, walked over to her and yanked the ribbon away, casually waving it backward—a bolt of lightning shot out sharply, instantly striking down the lilac tree opposite them.

Xiang Su’s legs went weak with fright. This thunder and lightning came without warning—at least give some preparation! She looked pitifully at the lilac tree now lying collapsed on the ground, feeling it was also her kind.

“Remember the incantation!” Dong Tianyun glared at her, reciting the lightning-wielding incantation word by word.

Being glared at by him made Xiang Su’s liver and gallbladder shatter. When nervous, she couldn’t remember anything. Though the incantation was only sixteen characters total, she could only repeatedly recite the first three. She timidly looked up at Junshang. She was already getting the hang of things—Junshang didn’t have many expressions, but his mood was actually quite easy to judge.

Raised eyebrows, corners of mouth upturned—mood was good. Raised eyebrows, corners of mouth downturned—usually intimidation. When he became expressionless, that was bad—someone was definitely going to have misfortune. If at that point his eyes also narrowed, someone would die, right?!

“If you don’t cultivate diligently, when you encounter enemies, no matter how much you try to seduce them, you’ll still die.” He spoke coldly. Though it was a straightforward statement, Xiang Su felt it was a curse. Slander! When had she ever planned to seduce anyone? Though she didn’t quite understand what “seduce” specifically meant, one thing was certain—anything involving that word was nothing good! She’d just failed to remember an incantation—did that warrant cursing at her with such harsh words?!

The phoenix’s cry—Xiang Su had engraved it in her heart. It suddenly shrieked across the sky above, making her heart jump in terror. She really wanted to find a thicket to hide in.

Chilin didn’t announce herself at the manor gates but circled directly above Shengyun Hall. Meeting the barrier and unable to descend, she urged the phoenix to cry out shrilly, one screech after another.

Xiang Su covered her ears, her head echoing with the piercing bird cries. She glared at Junshang dissatisfied. What were these two up to? Just let her quickly enter the barrier—why this inexplicable standoff… It was really too noisy!

Dong Tianyun showed obvious anger. Frowning, he tossed the ribbon back to Xiang Su, gathered his spiritual power and pointed toward the sky. A line of deadly energy shot straight upward, accurately striking the phoenix’s head. It immediately stopped its screeching and plummeted straight down. Dong Tianyun had already opened the barrier above Shengyun Hall. The phoenix crashed with a thud onto the flat ground below the steps, quite embarrassed. The instant her mount was knocked unconscious, Chilin had already sprung up, summoning a cloud to slowly descend, her face full of fury.

“Why did you injure Jingyu?!” Chilin glared and demanded, every inch the princess.

Dong Tianyun didn’t even look at her properly. He turned and sat back in his chair, his tone cold and deep. “Next time you don’t announce yourself at the gates and make a racket above the manor, I’ll kill directly.”

“You!” Chilin stamped her feet. Thinking about it, she had indeed been rude. When Dong Tianyun turned cold and serious like this, she really had no way to deal with him.

Junshang’s imposing manner clearly overwhelmed the red phoenix. Xiang Su felt somewhat relieved. She stood in the middle of the pavilion corridor, very close to Chilin—too dangerous. Xiang Su lightened her footsteps and slowly moved behind Dong Tianyun.

Unable to do anything about Dong Tianyun, Chilin’s eyes flicked to the side. “It’s you again!” She raised her hand and pointed. A line of fire shot directly over. Xiang Su felt her whole body stiffen—her legs couldn’t move. “What are you two doing together?” Chilin demanded harshly.

Xiang Su turned her head back to see the killing intent in Chilin’s eyes, immediately breaking out in cold sweat. The words of explanation stuck in her throat, forgotten. She remembered Xianji’s words—the immortal attendants who died at Chilin’s hands at Shenghuan Manor were countless.

She turned her head to look at Junshang pleadingly. His own wife was about to throw her weight around—he should at least manage her! Just now when the phoenix was screeching chaotically, he’d taken action. Now Chilin was about to kill someone, and he could still sit there steady and secure as if nothing was happening?!

“Hmph! No one can save you today!” Xiang Su’s gaze thoroughly enraged Chilin. That urgent plea for help looked to her like coquettish flirtation! Did this little seductress still hope Dong Tianyun would intervene? She’d long considered her a thorn in her side. Today Dong Tianyun had injured her Jingyu—then don’t blame her for burning this seductress to ashes!

“Crimson Flame!” Chilin shouted hatefully. A fierce flame like a red dragon suddenly erupted from her palm, falling from above. Xiang Su’s legs went soft with fright and she collapsed sitting on the ground.

“Save my life, won’t you?!” She screamed hoarsely at Dong Tianyun, no longer even calling him Junshang.

This “you” made Chilin’s jealousy rage even more fiercely. She urged her spiritual power again, and the flames sent from her palm doubled in intensity.

Xiang Su was a wood spirit and especially feared fire. The red flames surrounded her—she was already frightened stupid. Through the firelight, she saw Dong Tianyun still sitting in his chair. Not only did he show no intention of intervening, he was even leisurely drinking tea. Her eyes stung and tears flowed. Again that feeling of being abandoned twisted into her heart. At the critical moment, no one could extend a helping hand.

Tears dripped onto the hand she was using to support herself on the ground, cool, making her shiver. Her mind also cleared—the fire hadn’t burned her! She looked carefully. Although surrounded by flames, it was as if there was a barrier around her body, completely blocking those fierce flames outside, not even letting the heat approach her.

She lowered her head to look at the glistening ribbon. It seemed Dragon Lady hadn’t boasted at all—this thing was a fire-repelling sacred treasure. Though in her heart she knew the flames couldn’t hurt her, a wood spirit’s fear of fire was instinctive. She still sat paralyzed on the ground in a pathetic state, unable to stand up.

After burning for a while, Chilin also felt something was wrong. She flipped her hand and withdrew the fire, seeing that though Xiang Su looked terrified, she was completely unharmed. Chilin frowned. With one glance she saw the ribbon hanging between Xiang Su’s arms. To emit such a cold light in her Crimson Flame, it could only be the sacred scales of the Nether Fish!

A surge of rage rushed to her chest. Before it had merely been quarreling with Dong Tianyun out of spite, but now she was truly angry.

“You were the one who retrieved the Nether Fish scales for her?!” She stared coldly at Dong Tianyun, her eyes bloodshot.

Dong Tianyun threw the teacup onto the table with a clang. “Yes. So what?”

“What exactly do you mean?!” Even Chilin’s pupils turned red.

“Chilin, what exactly are you to me?” Dong Tianyun showed anger. “You and your father go around everywhere saying I’ve made a marriage agreement with you. Whether it exists or not, you know clearly in your hearts! Stop being so ridiculous.”

Chilin’s eyes were blood red, but her face rapidly drained of color.

“Leave. I don’t want to see you again. Remember, to me, you’re nothing more than a strange woman. And moreover…” He raised his eyes mockingly to glance at her. “Your looks are quite ordinary.”

Xiang Su wanted to jump up and cover his mouth! Wasn’t he just adding fuel to the fire?! Chilin’s temper was already bad enough, and he kept provoking her. He’d be fine, but what about letting these innocent minor immortals live?!

Chilin trembled all over with rage. “Dong. Tian. Yun!” She called his name word by word with hatred. “You didn’t treat me like this before! Is it because of her?!” That sharp jade finger lifted.

Xiang Su knew Chilin would take it out on her! She’d figured out this Fire Spirit Princess’s temperament completely. No ability to handle Junshang, so push all the blame onto others! Her own foul temper wasn’t liked by Junshang, yet she clamored that someone else had seduced Junshang.

“Today I must eliminate this demon!” When Chilin flew into a rage, she was the one who looked like a demon. Xiang Su watched as the fire-red flower ornament between Chilin’s brows looked like a little snake about to fly from between her brows to bite her.

Xiang Su really wanted to wail. Princess, did you not hear the main point? Dong Tianyun said he never liked you at all, thinks your appearance is ordinary—where are you taking this topic?! Eliminating her wouldn’t make Dong Tianyun change his mind, and besides… was there any connection between the two?

“The Nether Fish scales are so impressive? Haotian Fire!” Chilin ground her teeth, flipping both palms out.

Dong Tianyun froze for a moment, his fists suddenly clenching. When he discovered Chilin was only making empty threats and couldn’t actually produce Haotian Fire, he resumed his indifferent expression and sat calmly.

“Wait! Wait!” Xiang Su screamed and waved her hands repeatedly at Chilin. Though she didn’t know Haotian Fire was the nemesis of Nether Fish scales, seeing Chilin’s expression, she knew she was about to use an even more ruthless move. This wood spirit couldn’t withstand another terrifying fire assault! “A misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding!” She spoke with great emotion.

Chilin coldly narrowed her eyes, staring fixedly at Xiang Su. Without the Haotian Tower, she really had no way to deal with this demon—she’d only shouted like that to save face in front of Dong Tianyun.

“Junshang and I…” Xiang Su blinked rapidly. How should she put this? “You don’t need to worry at all!” Better to borrow Xianji’s exact words. “Junshang saved my life and granted me human form. To me, he’s like a father or brother!”

“Hmph!” Chilin sneered coldly. “You, a mere servant, dare say Junshang is like a father or brother?” Though the words were harsh, her killing intent clearly weakened.

This question stumped Xiang Su. Deflated, she stood up and patted the dust on her bottom. “Anyway, I’m absolutely safe. You…”

She deeply resented that Junshang had stood by and watched her nearly die just now, and was still coldly standing aside watching now. She really wanted to talk about what she’d seen at Ziwei Palace! She’d long felt Junshang philandered everywhere—he wasn’t any good person! Purple Chant Dragon Lady had treated her very well—she couldn’t betray her trust by speaking Dragon Lady’s name. But there were so many other colorfully dressed female immortals too.

“You need to figure out who you should really be guarding against!” She frowned and pointed this out, her gaze earnest. Chilin couldn’t even figure out who her opponent was, killing and slashing randomly. With her mind all used up on this, no wonder Junshang was severe and harsh with her. Look at how Purple Chant Dragon Lady treated Junshang? Acting fierce didn’t work!

A cold light flashed in Chilin’s eyes. She suddenly understood something. “So it’s her!”

Xiang Su looked at her anxiously, wishing she could ask who she’d thought of. Don’t get it wrong and hurt another innocent person!

“Dong Tianyun, Chilin remembers today’s humiliation!” Originally still fierce and vicious, when Chilin said this, tears suddenly filled her eyes. She flung her hand, turned to pick up the still-unconscious phoenix, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Xiang Su became somewhat anxious. Would she bring deadly disaster upon some female immortal? She looked at Dong Tianyun uneasily and discovered his expression was extremely ugly.

“Jun… Junshang…” Actually she was very angry with him, but Chilin had left with such gritted teeth—he had to manage this!

Dong Tianyun’s lips were pressed tightly together. Without even looking at her, he turned and walked straight into the hall, then slammed the hall door with a clang, leaving her stranded in front of the hall, uncared for.

Xiang Su shook her head angrily. She was the most innocent victim, wasn’t she? What was he getting angry about? Because she’d given Chilin pointers? That was only because he’d just watched without saving her!

Anyway, nothing good came from following him! She should hurry and urge him to forge the sword. Once it was forged, she’d return to Qingsui Manor! No matter how unreliable Elder Sister Qingsui was, when it came to saving Xiao Huai, she hadn’t hesitated one bit. This Shenghuan Dijun was supposedly awe-inspiring throughout the three realms, yet his own immortal attendants—Chilin alone had killed basketfuls of them. He truly wasn’t any good master!