Chapter 116: My Human Pet Has Come to Rescue You

"It is not that I am obsessed with the status of Dao Heir; rather, I have a personal issue with Dao Fan. He is too calculating and duplicitous. If he truly had the interests of the Daoist Sect and humanity at heart, I would be happy to support him. Unfortunately, his actions are merely a performance for the benefit of others," Dao Hui remarked leisurely.

Zhou Qi felt a profound sense of resonance. Having been deceived by Dao Fan’s facade himself, the two quickly found common ground and were soon arm-in-arm. Huang Qianqian watched this display with a deep frown, wondering if Zhou Qi actually had a preference for this type.

Dao Hui asked when Zhou Qi had offended Dao Fan. Zhou Qi explained that it was a coincidental matter involving the accidental destruction of Dao Fan's egg. Dao Hui burst into laughter, clearly having discovered a new method to provoke his rival.

Worried that Dao Fan might still seek an opportunity to strike, Zhou Qi expressed his concerns. Dao Hui patted his chest and declared, "Rest assured, with me here, he won't dare move against you. I will personally escort you to the teleportation array and see what he can do about it."

Zhou Qi was overjoyed; if this were the case, there would be no need to flee. After all, the only way to return quickly was through the teleportation array in Liuji City. Since their rooms had been destroyed and cultivators no longer required rest, Zhou Qi, wanting to keep Dao Hui firmly on his side, invited him and Huang Qianqian to a tavern to continue their conversation over drinks.

"Brother Zhou, your maid is quite something, isn't she? Her cultivation is actually higher than yours," Dao Hui said, glancing at Huang Qianqian. Seeing her plain appearance and superior cultivation, he naturally assumed she was Zhou Qi's servant.

Zhou Qi inwardly cursed his luck. Sure enough, no sooner had Dao Hui finished speaking than Huang Qianqian exploded in rage: "Blind dog! Which eye of yours saw me as his maid? He is my human pet, do you understand?"

Mortified, Zhou Qi quickly transmitted his voice to Dao Hui: "My maid suffered greatly in the past, and her cultivation went awry, leading to some mental instability. Please, Brother Dao Hui, do not take offense. She suffers from delusions and imagines herself as the master every day. I keep her around only because I remember her past service."

Having heard the explanation, Dao Hui sighed and looked at Huang Qianqian with genuine pity.

"Brother Dao Hui, have you heard of two women, one older and one younger? Or perhaps heard of any high-ranking members of the Daoist Sect hunting them down?" Zhou Qi asked.

"I did hear that Dao Fan sent three Golden Core cultivators to hunt down two women a while back, but they were all wiped out. High-level sect members investigated afterward, but it is unknown who did it. Why, Brother Zhou, are you acquainted with them?"

"To be honest, they are my younger sisters. Because of my feud with Dao Fan, they were targeted and are now missing," Zhou Qi sighed.

"What?" Dao Hui was incensed. "To stoop to attacking women and children—what right does he have to be the Dao Heir? I have decided: I will contest for the position of Dao Heir once more. I cannot allow the future of the Daoist Sect to fall into his hands."

Zhou Qi nodded in agreement, offering his help should Dao Hui need it, which left the latter deeply moved.

In the shadows not far away, Dao Fan, who had remained, looked as grim as death. That these two were openly discussing how to deal with him made his blood boil. Yet, he quickly calmed himself; one was a clown, the other merely a low-cultivator with a bit of luck—what great damage could they possibly do?

"Dao Heir, are we really just going to wait?" a follower asked.

"Wait. Dao Hui has long wanted to pick a fight with me; it would be disadvantageous to engage him now. I refuse to believe they won't eventually leave."

The wait lasted the entire night. The next day, Dao Fan watched helplessly as Dao Hui escorted Zhou Qi and the woman to the teleportation array. He stifled his urge to strike several times, knowing that once Zhou Qi left, it would be far easier to handle him outside the sphere of influence of the Daoist Sect.

Zhou Qi bid farewell to Dao Hui, the two sharing a bond of mutual appreciation. Zhou Qi had offered Dao Hui quite a few underhanded tricks to deal with Dao Fan, which had opened Dao Hui's eyes. Though Dao Hui was powerful, his cunning could not compare to that of Zhou Qi, who had been influenced by thousands of years of culture.

Feeling eyes upon him, Zhou Qi knew it had to be Dao Fan. As he prepared to leave, he waved in Dao Fan’s direction and resolutely stepped onto the teleportation array bound for Quanan City.

Zhou Qi decided to find a place to hide. Firstly, he needed to wait for the effects of his transformation technique to stabilize; secondly, he needed to assess Huangfu Xiu's condition. If he had already been exposed and someone had set a trap at the City Lord's mansion, walking straight into it would be suicide.

Fortunately, he had an expert scout by his side. By turning into a bird, she could investigate the situation without a soul being the wiser.

After paying the price of a ball of spiritual flame, Huang Qianqian abandoned her principles. She asked sullenly, "Little Zhou, are you using me as a maid? Even though you gave me a reward, doing whatever you tell me to do—isn't that the behavior of a maid? And a low-level one at that, the kind that can't even share a bed."

It was clear that Huang Qianqian was severely starved for affection. Zhou Qi patiently explained, "You are mistaken, Senior. I pay a reward, you provide a service; at most, it is an employment relationship. There is no question of 'using' you. If you are unwilling, I certainly would not force you."

"The point is that I am willing!" Huang Qianqian replied, even more dejectedly.

"Then give the flame back."

"In your dreams!" With that, Huang Qianqian transformed into a small bird and flew toward the City Lord's mansion.

In the Quanan City Lord's mansion of the Huangfu clan, Huangfu Xiu lay in bed. His complexion had improved significantly. A Qi-refining cultivator was tending to his daily needs. For the past few months, he had followed Zhou Qi's instructions, carefully maintaining the spiritual energy of his Golden Core—ensuring it would not dissipate while avoiding the risk of shattering the core during absorption.

He observed the changes in his Golden Core day and night, coming close to giving up many times. But remembering the firm look in Zhou Qi’s eyes when he left, he gritted his teeth and persisted.

Being abandoned by his clan meant nothing. If Zhou Qi had not given up on him, he certainly could not give up on himself.

The six-month deadline was fast approaching. As long as the final day had not arrived, he still had a chance. He thought of the Saintess of the Xianxia Sect and the glory of his past days drifting through the world, and he let out a bitter smile. If he had another chance, would he have practiced more diligently?

"Are you Huangfu Xiu?" a crisp voice asked.

Huangfu Xiu turned with great effort to see a colorful little bird perched on the windowsill, staring at him with curiosity.

"Who are you?"

"I am here on behalf of my human pet to check on your condition and see if there is an ambush, so he can come and save you," Huang Qianqian said proudly.

"It's Qiqi? He actually became your human pet to save me?" Huangfu Xiu could not believe it. That Zhou Qi would lower himself to a bird for his sake—if that were true, he would rather not be saved.

"Yes, he begged me for the method to save you. I grew soft-hearted and agreed. To be friends with my human pet, you must be quite something!" Huang Qianqian praised. As long as she believed it herself, it would come true one day.

Huangfu Xiu stood stunned, his eyes stinging as if sand had blown into them.