Chapter 9: This Generation’s Master of Penglai Island Has a Serious Problem

A relationship that had yet to occur.

“The one under my protection—are you worthy of biting?” Cheng Huan twisted and contorted the Datura Serpent viciously, then cut open its vital point, extracted the Beast Core, and tossed it to Lu Qing’an.

“Take it,” Cheng Huan looked at her, disappointment in her voice. “A broken snake scared you frozen in place? How did you cultivate?”

She was the Female Lead, after all. Was the Heavenly Dao just not managing things?

If Cheng Huan hadn’t come out in time, one bite to Lu Qing’an, and not even the greatest immortals could have saved her.

A flicker of delight passed through Lu Qing’an’s eyes. She lowered her head and pursed her lips. “I’m sorry. My cultivation is too poor.”

Cheng Huan watched Lu Qing’an bow her head and admit her mistake. The Female Lead was already exquisitely beautiful, her face like white jade, her countenance radiant as morning flowers. Looking all wronged and pitiful like this was actually quite endearing.

It was, as they say, a sweet date after a stick.

Lu Qing’an had already advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm within a month, which had exceeded Cheng Huan’s expectations and goals. Cheng Huan couldn’t be too strict; otherwise, the child would develop a rebellious mentality.

Cheng Huan patted her shoulder. “You were scared? I’m here now, so don’t worry.”

Lu Qing’an’s gaze was clear as she nodded. “Okay.”

She noticed Cheng Huan was clearly standing within the blood mist, yet her body wasn’t tainted by a single wisp of it. It was as if the blood mist feared approaching Cheng Huan and was rapidly scattering in all directions away from her.

Just as Lu Qing’an was about to say something else, a cry filled with surprise rang out from the crowd.

“It’s the Penglai Island Master—”

“It really is the Penglai Island Master! On her head is the Peony Spirit Hairpin that symbolizes the Island Master!”

“Rumor has it this generation’s Penglai Island Master is a woman. I never thought the rumor was actually true—”

“Wasn’t there another rumor…”

The speaker glanced at Cheng Huan, hesitating.

Cheng Huan wanted to hear what other rumors there were about her, but the person, meeting her gaze, suddenly shut their mouth.

The Abbot of Wujian Temple moved beside Cheng Huan and asked, “Island Master, what is this?”

The blood mist and the Datura Serpents hadn’t harmed Cheng Huan, which was truly unbelievable.

Cheng Huan raised both hands. Brilliant light coalesced in her palms, then she slammed them downwards. Surging currents of air rippled out, dispersing the surrounding blood mist. All the Datura Serpents were severed at the waist, as if by invisible sharp blades.

Everyone: “…”

The blood mist receded, and the Datura Serpents were dead to the last one. The crowd hastily withdrew their spiritual power, watching in disbelief at Cheng Huan’s single-handed reversal of the crisis.

Cheng Huan dusted off her hands and looked at the Abbot of Wujian Temple. Her helpless tone carried a trace of arrogance. “No helping it. That’s just power.”

The Abbot of Wujian Temple: “…”

This generation’s Penglai Island Master was truly rather unrestrained.

The surviving cultivators now looked at the Datura Serpents scattered across the ground. Some of the serpents’ Beast Cores had been knocked out.

Beast Cores could aid cultivators in recovering spiritual power and were far more effective than Spirit Gathering Pills. However, the beast venom within the cores posed a risk; they needed to be purified before absorption.

The cultivators eyed the Beast Cores on the ground. Their eyes heated with greed, and they reached out to take them.

Before they could even touch the Beast Cores, their hands were fiercely lashed as if by a whip. The cultivators winced in pain and immediately withdrew their hands.

Cheng Huan tapped her finger in the air and mocked, “Taking without asking makes one a thief.”

The cultivators stiffened in place, faces flushing, expressions awkward and embarrassed. “Apologies, I just wanted to recover some spiritual power…”

Cheng Huan didn’t pursue it further. She turned to Lu Qing’an and pointed at the Beast Cores littering the ground. “Do you want them?”

Lu Qing’an was surprised. “You want to give them to me?”

“Mhm, you can use them to restore your spiritual power.”

“But I can’t use this many,” Lu Qing’an said, looking at the Saint-Rank Beast Core Cheng Huan had given her, now resting in her palm. “You already gave me this.”

The Saint-Rank Beast Core in Lu Qing’an’s palm drew everyone’s gazes.

But they were only gazes. No one dared step forward to snatch it. Not when the Penglai Island Master was here; no one dared to act recklessly before her.

Cheng Huan thought for a moment. “True. This heap of Beast Cores really isn’t as good as that Saint-Rank one in your hand.”

“But don’t be in too much of a rush to absorb it. I’ll help you purify the beast venom in a bit.”

Lu Qing’an blinked and nodded. “Okay.”

Cheng Huan looked at the Beast Cores scattered everywhere, a troubled look on her face. “But we can’t just throw these Beast Cores away. What a waste.”

Hearing this, the crowd stirred with interest.

“Penglai Island Master, since you have no use for these Beast Cores… and throwing them away would be such a pity… why not just give them to us… to recover our spiritual power?” The speaker was an independent cultivator. His complexion was terrible, as if he might pass away any second.

Cheng Huan nodded.

Seeing this, the crowd assumed Cheng Huan had agreed. They immediately reached out to take them, only to have their hands sharply lashed again.

“What is the meaning of this, Penglai Island Master?”

“Didn’t you agree to let us use them?”

“Why go back on your word?”

“The dignified Penglai Island Master is actually someone who breaks her promises?”

…

Hearing everyone speak disrespectfully to Cheng Huan, Lu Qing’an immediately stepped in front of her, sword raised, and shouted, “Shut your mouths!”

Cheng Huan pressed down Lu Qing’an’s arm. Facing the indignant cultivators, she smiled calmly. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t let you use them…”

The crowd’s expressions eased upon hearing this. But Cheng Huan’s next words made their faces turn strange.

“If you want the Beast Cores, trade them with spirit stones or magical treasures,” Cheng Huan collected all the Beast Cores into her embrace. “No such thing as a free lunch, right?”

“Then… why does she get a Saint-Rank Beast Core without giving anything in return?” The speaker was a woman, her face full of defiance as she protested indignantly.

The woman in red looked rather disheveled, but her graceful beauty and alluring figure were still plainly visible.

Cheng Huan snorted. “I just like giving them to her.”

“You all need to understand: the only reason I’m selling these Beast Cores to you is because she doesn’t want them. If she did, none of you would get a single one.”

“You—” A flash of envy and jealousy crossed the red-clad woman’s eyes. She secretly gritted her teeth, very unwilling to accept this.

Who didn’t know that Penglai Immortal Island was covered in spirit treasures? Why would she care about a few spirit stones?

This was clearly deliberate harassment!

But on second thought, the Datura Serpents had all been killed single-handedly by Cheng Huan. How the Beast Cores were handled was naturally up to her.

The crowd could only swallow their bitterness and dared not speak further.

Lu Qing’an tightened her grip on the Beast Core in her hand, her eyes carrying a smile.

Cheng Huan looked at the crowd. “Well? Do you want them or not? I won’t force you.”

After all, once midnight arrived, these Beast Cores would all vanish.

If they wanted these Beast Cores, it could also serve as a test to see if items taken from her by others would disappear at midnight.

While the crowd hesitated, the Abbot of Wujian Temple spoke first. “Penglai Island Master, could you sell me twelve Beast Cores?”

The Datura Serpents that had attacked them just now were all at least at the Spirit-Rank in cultivation. Absorbing Beast Cores of this level was more effective for restoring spiritual power.

The Abbot of Wujian Temple hadn’t suffered severe injuries and only needed one core for himself.

The other Beast Cores were for his sect disciples.

He produced a storage bag. “Here are ten High-Grade Spirit Stones. Island Master, do you think this is enough?”

“Enough. The Abbot is generous as expected,” Cheng Huan took it, weighed it in her hand, and tossed it to Lu Qing’an. “Keep it.”

Lu Qing’an obediently put it away. “Mm.”

You Luan glanced at the interaction between Lu Qing’an and the Penglai Island Master, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

He walked up to Cheng Huan and produced a storage bag. “Island Master, here are twenty High-Grade Spirit Stones. Could you sell some Beast Cores to the Primordial Pavilion?”

Lu Qing’an looked at You Luan, frowning slightly, her expression a bit troubled and conflicted.

The Primordial Pavilion disciples were all injured, their spiritual power severely depleted. The Spirit Gathering Pills from Cangsheng Valley could alleviate the situation somewhat, but were far less effective than Beast Cores for rapid spiritual power recovery.

Moreover, the Spirit Gathering Pills Cangsheng Valley had brought might not be available for everyone to use later on.

In times of crisis, people look out for themselves. Once everyone’s personal supply was exhausted, Cangsheng Valley likely wouldn’t provide more pills to outsiders for free. Furthermore, pills were costly and produced in limited quantities. Although Cangsheng Valley was an alchemy sect, it couldn’t possibly supply pills for free indefinitely.

Lu Qing’an deeply understood how dangerous the Oracle Mystic Realm was, and this was only the first night. They hadn’t even entered the Outer Sect Grounds of the mystic realm, and already casualties had been massive.

Who knew what dangers the Outer Sect Grounds and the Inner Nether Domain would hold next?

It was perfectly natural for You Luan to buy Beast Cores from Cheng Huan right now, but Lu Qing’an felt a twinge of guilt in her heart.

She looked at the Saint-Rank Beast Core in her palm, deeply conflicted.

Although this Beast Core was a gift from Cheng Huan to her, she was too embarrassed to give it to someone else. Yet she also couldn’t accept it with peace of mind right in front of her master and injured fellow disciples.

Lu Qing’an was still wrestling with herself when Cheng Huan’s unconcerned voice sounded by her ear.

“No need for spirit stones from the Primordial Pavilion. Sect Master You, feel free to use whatever you need.” Cheng Huan assessed the Primordial Pavilion’s numbers and handed thirty Beast Cores to You Luan.

Hearing the murmurs of discontent from the crowd, her expression turned cold. “I give to whomever I please. Do any of you have objections?”

The crowd fell silent; no one dared speak.

You Luan stared at the thirty Beast Cores being offered, momentarily stunned. He pushed his storage bag full of spirit stones forward again. “These Beast Cores are too valuable. We should settle accounts fairly.”

Cheng Huan didn’t take it. She simply tossed the Beast Cores over and said, “Take them or leave them.”

You Luan: “…”

Somewhat at a loss, he glanced toward Lu Qing’an. He didn’t know why he was looking at his own disciple, as if seeking an answer.

But given Cheng Huan’s current attitude toward Lu Qing’an, the relationship between these two was definitely not shallow.

Seeing You Luan’s glance, Lu Qing’an’s own gaze flickered before she gave a slight nod.

You Luan sighed, accepted the Beast Cores, and said, “Many thanks to the Penglai Island Master. Should the Primordial Pavilion ever be of use to you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. The Primordial Pavilion would surely spare no effort.”

A gleam flashed in Cheng Huan’s eyes. Her tone became subtly excited as she quickly said, “Then could you let Lu…”

Lu Qing’an immediately cut her off. “No.”

Hearing the Female Lead refuse her yet again, Cheng Huan pouted, crossed her arms, and turned to the others. “Last word: do you want Beast Cores or not? I’m not selling once I leave this spot.”

Midnight was approaching. Soon, these Beast Cores would all disappear.

Hearing this, the crowd looked at each other, then immediately brought out their spirit stones and crowded forward.

“I want one! I want one! Penglai Island Master, please sell me one Beast Core…”

“Two Beast Cores for me…”

“I want twenty Beast Cores, Penglai Island Master…”

…

While selling the Datura Serpent Beast Cores, Cheng Huan handed the spirit stones over to Lu Qing’an for her to keep.

You Luan watched Lu Qing’an very naturally collect the money and manage the accounts for Cheng Huan, as if Lu Qing’an wasn’t his disciple, but Cheng Huan’s.

Moreover, Lu Qing’an had just forcibly cut off whatever Cheng Huan had been about to say. He had worried Lu Qing’an might anger Cheng Huan, but Cheng Huan had merely looked displeased and rather wronged. She hadn’t been angry with Lu Qing’an at all, and even handed over all the spirit stones earned from the Beast Core sales.

You Luan walked to Lu Qing’an’s side and asked softly, “You and the Penglai Island Master know each other?”

Lu Qing’an answered honestly, “Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss.”

“Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss?” You Luan thought for a moment. “The one who saved you back in the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss was the Penglai Island Master.”

It made sense. Who else but the Penglai Island Master could come and go freely within the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss?

You Luan continued, “What was the Penglai Island Master about to say just now?”

The fact that Lu Qing’an had interrupted her meant she definitely knew what Cheng Huan had intended to say.

Lu Qing’an’s eyes shifted slightly. She said calmly, “She wants to take me as her disciple.”

You Luan’s pupils widened slightly as he thought of the customs of Penglai Immortal Island—finding a fated successor to become the new Island Master, which would hasten the process of attaining the Dao and ascending.

Although he was reluctant to lose such a talented and diligent disciple as Lu Qing’an, he also couldn’t bear for her to miss this supreme cultivation opportunity. After all, to be chosen by the Penglai Island Master was an incredible fortune that was hard to come by.

“You refused?” You Luan could tell that his disciple must have refused the Island Master.

That was why she had just wanted to ask for Lu Qing’an from him.

Lu Qing’an nodded.

You Luan frowned slightly. “Before, you might not have known this person was the Penglai Island Master when you refused her offer to become her disciple. Now that you know her identity, if you could earn the Island Master’s appreciation, it would greatly benefit your future cultivation. Your master would not object.”

“Master would not object, but I will,” Lu Qing’an placed the collected spirit stones into the storage bag. Her eyes, lowered, concealed deep emotions. “I don’t want her to become my master.”

“Why?” You Luan didn’t understand.

Lu Qing’an carefully watched Cheng Huan’s back. Her furrowed brow held a trace of worry and confusion. She pursed her lips and said, “I just… don’t want it!”

You Luan: “…”

Cheng Huan: I open my heart to you, and you hide your heart from me.

Lu Qing’an smiles faintly.