AUOF - 66

Sang Li spent about four days in the Demon Lair before successfully completing her training.

She handed a full bag of demon and magic cores to Ji Hengyu. “Here, count them.”

After several days, Sang Li’s cultivation had significantly improved, giving her more confidence even in front of Ji Hengyu.

He chuckled as he accepted the bag and actually began counting seriously. He nodded: “Still one short.”

Without doubting him, Sang Li turned back, preparing to kill another demon.

Ji Hengyu reached out and stopped her, “I was just teasing you.” Before he could say more, his smile suddenly vanished, a fleeting murderous intent flashing across his eyes, making his expression cold and stern.

He pulled her wrist and swiftly drew her into his arms. Before Sang Li could struggle, he whisked her up into a tree and quickly cast an invisibility spell over both of them.

“Shh,” he gestured for silence.

Sang Li’s eyes darted around anxiously. She heard faint footsteps below as two men dressed in brown robes approached.

During their four days in the lair, Sang Li and Ji Hengyu had killed many demons, and those that remained dared not approach.

The two men, who had been on guard, saw no sign of any beasts after waiting half a day, which puzzled them. They exchanged glances: “Strange.” But without further thought, they proceeded to the spring at the heart of the cave.

The spring resembled a heart, and its reddish-brown water earned it the name “Heart Spring.”

They took out containers and used bamboo tubes to connect the containers to the spring. The gurgling water flowed smoothly into the jars through the bamboo tubes.

Their movements were practiced, indicating they had done this countless times.

Sang Li had heard that the Heart Spring was ominous, and cultivators avoided it. Judging from their attire, they should be from prestigious families. Why would they venture into this perilous place to collect the harmful spring water?

While pondering, Sang Li noticed their cuffs.

Embroidered with red silk thread, the arrow totem was unmistakably the same one she and Si Tu had encountered in the streets.

“My Lord, have you seen that totem?”

Ji Hengyu glanced lightly, “The emblem of the Linshan family.”

“Linshan?”

Ji Hengyu wasn’t well-versed in human affairs but had heard of them: “They deal in underground activities, mainly managing the arenas scattered across the seas.”

The Upper Heavens generally didn’t interfere in mortal matters unless it involved actions warranting heavenly punishment, prompting divine intervention.

He only remembered the Linshan clan from passing through Huashan City a hundred years ago and visiting the arena for amusement. It was indeed impressive; although the Linshan family was merely human, some had cultivated but none ascended. Later, taking over the family business, they gradually expanded their influence into the cultivation world.

Ji Hengyu rested his chin on his hand, watching them finish collecting the spring water before leaving contentedly.

“We’ll make a great profit tonight.”

The other man seemed worried: “Even low-level demons go berserk drinking this spring water. Those malevolent spirits from the Heavenly Gates will surely be harder to control?”

“No problem, we have the Prison Bone Talisman; they won’t escape. Let’s hurry back and not miss the timing.”

The two laughed and left.

After they departed, Ji Hengyu pulled Sang Li down from the tree.

Sang Li was even more perplexed: “If I remember correctly, the Prison Bone Talisman is something only immortals possess. How do they have it?”

Ji Hengyu pondered briefly: “Let’s investigate.”

They made simple disguises and returned to Huashan City.

At night, Huashan City was bustling, with demons walking openly on the streets.

Sang Li caught glimpses of familiar demonic figures and fearfully hid behind Ji Hengyu.

He lowered his eyes and suddenly extended his sleeve: “Hold on.”

Ji Hengyu’s sleeves were wide, with silver celestial cloud patterns embroidered along the edges. She curled her fingers slightly and timidly grabbed a corner of the sleeve.

The crowd was bustling, inevitably causing jostles.

Repeated shoulder collisions made her frown uncomfortably.

A sigh-like sound seemed to reach her ears, and the next moment, her shoulder was enveloped by a dry, cool palm.

Her body was almost completely sheltered under his long arm.

Ji Hengyu held Sang Li close, steering clear of the crowd and walking straight ahead.

Sang Li kept glancing at the hand resting on her shoulder.

His fingers were unusually long, slightly reddened from the grip, with veins standing out on the back of his hand, exuding a sense of strength.

Unable to resist, she looked up covertly at him.

My Lord was tall; she only reached his shoulder. His robe was meticulously fastened at the chest, concealing everything except his Adam’s apple. Her gaze moved upward to his profile, shrouded in the dim lantern light.

This man, permeated by aloofness, also carried a trace of worldly charm amidst the noisy烟火, appearing less remote and unapproachable.

Just as she was lost in thought, a pair of eyes suddenly met hers.

Ji Hengyu slightly lowered his head, his pupils slowly filling with a smile: “Why are you looking at me?”

Sang Li quickly turned her head away, hearing a low chuckle near her right ear, blushing awkwardly.

Ji Hengyu pursed his lips, visibly pleased.

There were many vendors selling food and trinkets brought in from the outer mountains.

Many young men accompanying their beloved women were generous, either gifting hairpins or lanterns, their affection evident and enviable.

“You’re a rabbit, I’m a sheep. Then I’ll give you this rabbit.”

At the wood carving stall, the woman shyly handed the carved wooden figure to her lover, conveying her feelings silently.

Ji Hengyu pondered thoughtfully.

Immortals lived long lives, eventually forgetting even their own ages, let alone zodiac signs. Moreover, they didn’t believe in such things.

Despite this, Ji Hengyu still led Sang Li to the vendor’s stall.

The old craftsman was skilled, his carvings of humans and animals vivid and lifelike.

Besides wood carvings, there were jade carvings.

Being a multi-legged demon, he had many hands and worked quickly.

“What would you like to carve? For yourself or for the lady beside you?”

Ji Hengyu asked, “Can you carve anything?”

The old man smiled, “From heaven above to the sea below, whatever you can name, I can carve it.”

He was silent, seemingly lost in thought.

There was still some time before the beast fights began. From a jade pendant hidden in his robes, he took out a piece of top-grade Nanhe white jade, as large as a palm, of exceptional quality. Its brilliance attracted the attention of passersby, who looked on with covetous eyes.

Ji Hengyu remained unfazed and spoke slowly: “Carve a rooster.” He paused, then added, “Make it into a hairpin.”

The old man’s eyes widened. “A... chicken? Like a domestic fowl?”

“Mm.” Ji Hengyu nodded lazily. “You can keep the leftover jade fragments as payment.”

At these words, gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Nanhe white jade was already rare and precious—perhaps only one piece could be mined every hundred years, and even then, it would likely have flaws. Let alone such a pure, flawless, and high-quality specimen.

Instantly, the onlookers’ gazes toward Ji Hengyu changed.

Sang Li glanced around and realized they had drawn attention. She tugged at Ji Hengyu’s sleeve: “My Lord, if you want a chicken, there are plenty at the poultry market. There’s no need to...”

“It’s for you.”

“...?” Sang Li froze. “Huh?”

Ji Hengyu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. “They all have them.”

Have what?

Sang Li looked around and belatedly noticed that everyone accompanying a young woman held something in their hands—either gifts from lovers to women or vice versa.

So...

Was Ji Hengyu trying to imitate them?

But did he even understand what it meant?!

And even if he were giving a gift, why specifically a chicken?!

Sang Li’s face alternated between red and pale. Before she could stop him, the old man extended his eight arms, picked up his carving tools, and began working at lightning speed, leaving the spectators dazzled.

She asked, “Why a chicken?”

Ji Hengyu leaned close, thinking himself witty, and whispered, “You’re a fox.”

“...” After struggling for a moment, Sang Li managed to reply, “If I’m a fox, does that mean I like chickens? Then if you’re a snake, do you like mice?”

Ji Hengyu didn’t catch the sarcasm and pondered seriously before nodding. “I’ve killed quite a few.”

“...”

You win.

Soon, a hairpin shaped like a rooster was completed.

Due to Ji Hengyu’s generosity, the old man put extra effort into it this time. The rooster’s comb was carved with great majesty, not to mention every single feather on its body.

“Master, please take a look. Are you satisfied?”

He carefully examined it and then said to Sang Li: “Let me put it on for you.”

Sang Li: “...” Was this really necessary? Who would wear a chicken on their head?

Her silence seemed like tacit consent.

Ji Hengyu slowly inserted the jade hairpin into her dark tresses, admired it for a while, and concluded—

“Not bad.”

Sang Li choked. Was he serious?

Passing by a cosmetics stand, she caught sight of her reflection in the bronze mirror propped up above.

Today, she wore a simple dress and avoided wearing too many accessories to avoid drawing attention, which made the rooster hairpin stand out even more.

It stood proudly amidst her dark hair. The Nanhe white jade naturally emitted a spiritual glow, making it even more eye-catching and hard not to laugh at.

“My Lord.” Sang Li tried to minimize her presence, leaning closer to whisper quietly, “Have you ever given a girl a gift before?”

Ji Hengyu frowned and countered, “Why should I give them gifts?”

She understood.

He didn’t interact with women, so naturally, he wouldn’t deliberately try to figure out their preferences.

Perhaps tonight, on a whim, seeing others give zodiac-themed carvings, he decided to give her a gift as well.

Since she was a demon, it had to be special.

However—

Foxes really didn’t like chickens!

Ji Hengyu suddenly realized: “You don’t like it.”

Sang Li wasn’t someone who would deceive her true feelings for the sake of others. Honestly, she nodded: “My Lord, if you want to give someone a gift in the future, you should inquire about her preferences first and then decide what to give. Don’t just assume what the other person likes. Such hastily given gifts won’t win hearts but will instead cause displeasure.”

Ji Hengyu wasn’t upset; in fact, he listened to her advice.

Glancing at the rooster hairpin atop her head, he found himself ridiculous and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

He reached out and removed the hairpin, playing with it between his fingertips for a moment. “But I...”

“Hmm?”

She looked up at him, her black eyes clear, further deepening his conflicted thoughts.

Ji Hengyu gripped the cold jade hairpin tightly, smiling at the corners of his mouth, though his eyes remained distant. His gaze, though lucid, carried an indescribable loneliness.

“But I dare not act recklessly.”

Sang Li froze.

A sudden thought flashed through her mind—

Ji Hengyu was referring to her.

Her heart fluttered momentarily, just as they arrived at the entrance to the arena.

She snatched the hairpin from his hand, avoiding his gaze, and hurriedly said, “After all, it was painstakingly carved by the craftsman, and it does have a certain rustic charm. I’ll keep it.” She reinserted the hairpin. “It’s about to start, My Lord. Let’s go in.”

She quickly entered the arena ahead of him.

Ji Hengyu shook his head helplessly. Without an invitation ticket, how could they simply enter?

He closed his eyes and channeled his spiritual energy, surveying the entire city until he locked onto a certain noble.

[Ji Wu.]

[Yes.]

Ji Wu departed to snatch a soul, returning shortly with an invitation ticket in hand.

Casually tossing the ticket to the attendant, under the other party’s eager reception, he followed him to a VIP box on the third floor.