Chapter 8: Innate Puppets
The two traffickers.
Luo Xue had witnessed Daoist Ziyang kill them, countless insects tearing and devouring their flesh.
But now, they reappeared before Luo Xue in this bizarre state.
Daoist Ziyang stared intently at Luo Xue, only softening his expression when he saw the desired confusion in her eyes.
“No, I don’t recognize them…”
Luo Xue whispered, shrinking back, as if shy.
“Don’t be afraid, Ah Chou. They are my guards, here to protect you.” Daoist Ziyang said with a gentle smile. “Although their cultivation is somewhat shallow, they have already reached the Innate Realm.”
Hearing this, Luo Xue recalled Daoist Ziyang’s cold words to the two traffickers, promising to fulfill their wish of reaching the Innate Realm.
So this was how he fulfilled it…
—By turning them into puppets.
Would they eventually be turned into puppets too?
Using such a deceptive facade, meticulously guiding them onto the path of cultivation, was the ultimate goal to turn them into one of his many puppets?
It was certainly a possibility.
But… not a strong one.
From the panel system’s previous prompts, Daoist Ziyang’s realm was Foundation Establishment, a major stage above Spirit Condensation.
With his strength, he wouldn’t need Innate Realm puppets, let alone Spirit Condensation ones.
Moreover, Daoist Ziyang wasn’t coveting their appearances either. After all, the most beautiful, Su Yiyao, was completely ignored due to her poor aptitude.
Then… why?
Luo Xue still had many questions in her mind.
He couldn’t possibly truly want to nurture outstanding disciples, could he?
“Innate!”
Upon hearing that the two guards were of the Innate Realm, the other girls’ attention was immediately drawn, looking at them with a mixture of fear and admiration.
In the mortal world, Innate Realm cultivators were also known as Martial Arts Grandmasters, the foundation of a nation’s strength.
Sometimes, one more Martial Arts Grandmaster could give one nation a crushing advantage over another.
Although Daoist Ziyang had used some sort of technique to blur parts of their memories, these girls still remembered this common knowledge.
Even though they were confident in reaching the Innate Realm under their master’s guidance, at least for now, Innate Realm martial artists were still figures they looked up to.
“I am not often free and cannot always attend to you.” Daoist Ziyang said apologetically. “There are occasionally restless wild beasts on Mount Ziyang. Zhang San and Li Si can protect you on my behalf.”
*Zhang San and Li Si: Placeholder names in Chinese, like “John Doe” or “Joe Smith” in English. They’re used to refer to generic or anonymous individuals.*
The two trafficker puppets, called Zhang San and Li Si, immediately cupped their hands in salute, startling the girls into returning the gesture.
“…These names are too perfunctory!”
Luo Xue twitched her lips. Daoist Ziyang really wasn’t concerned about naming things, no wonder the traffickers had decided on the names themselves back then.
The reason the girls still remembered their own names after waking up was probably also related to Daoist Ziyang.
“Ahead is the residence I have prepared for you. Go and rest first. The maids will take you to your respective rooms.”
Daoist Ziyang pointed towards the distance, where several antique courtyards stood unexpectedly amidst the picturesque mountains and rivers, adorned with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
Zhang San and Li Si walked directly towards the courtyards, their steps seemingly slow, but they reached the courtyards in no time, standing guard at the entrance like two iron towers.
The maids also stood beside their respective masters, half a step ahead, awaiting their instructions.
After giving these instructions, Daoist Ziyang vanished in the blink of an eye.
Only after confirming that Daoist Ziyang had temporarily left did Luo Xue secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
The pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator was simply too great; he could take her life with a single thought.
In her current situation, Luo Xue didn’t know whether her death would mean true death or waking up from this dream.
But what was certain was that her death would definitely implicate Su Yiyao, who had always been by her side.
No matter what, Luo Xue couldn’t make any mistakes. Even arousing the slightest suspicion would be extremely dangerous.
Just as Luo Xue was lost in thought, a cold snort suddenly rang out beside her. Looking up, she saw three disdainful gazes.
“Hey, ugly freak, don’t you dare stay in the room next to me. I’m afraid I’ll have nightmares!”
Li Zining crossed her arms, looking coldly at Luo Xue.
She had the highest cultivation among them and, besides Luo Xue, was the disciple Daoist Ziyang valued the most.
The other two little girls, Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya, had similar looks in their eyes when they looked at Luo Xue.
And in their gazes towards Su Yiyao, besides disdain, there was also a hint of jealousy.
“What’s the use of being pretty? You’re still just trash… Once I reach the Innate Realm, I’ll be prettier than you!”
Yu Yiling glanced at Su Yiyao, who was timidly hiding behind Luo Xue, and muttered sourly, looking at her delicate and beautiful face.
Although Huang Xinya and Li Zining didn’t say anything, they likely shared the same sentiment.
However, despite this, the three of them weren’t exactly a close-knit group.
At such a young age, they already understood that immortal destiny had to be fought for. So, besides agreeing on their disdain for Luo Xue and Su Yiyao, there was no shortage of animosity between them in other matters.
Only Luo Xue and Su Yiyao were always inseparable, which they viewed as the weak huddling together for warmth.
Luo Xue could only sigh softly. With her mental age, she wouldn’t bother competing with these little girls.
Moreover, she knew some of Daoist Ziyang’s hidden truths and had no interest in cultivation. Finding a chance to escape was her priority.
However, Luo Xue’s indifference didn’t mean Su Yiyao felt the same.
Seeing Luo Xue’s dejected expression, she thought Luo Xue was affected by the others’ mockery. Her clear eyes showed a hint of redness as she looked at Li Zining and the other two.
“…Let’s go.”
Luo Xue tugged on Su Yiyao’s sleeve. Their two maids appropriately stepped forward, leading the way.
At the same time, Huang Xinya’s high-pitched, fake sweet voice came from behind,
“Be careful, you two. Your cultivation is shallow, don’t accidentally fall…”
Huang Xinya’s childish, affected tone made Luo Xue shudder, her toes almost curling into a fist.
This girl was indeed still young; her mean-girl act wasn’t quite perfected yet.
“Ah Chou…”
Su Yiyao said worriedly, seeing Luo Xue trembling, thinking she couldn’t bear it anymore.
“I’m fine.”
Luo Xue looked up at Su Yiyao’s worried little face, forcing a stiff smile.
“Don’t worry, Xiao Yao. Things will get better. I’m here.”
Ah Chou… even though Ah Chou herself…
But she was still concerned about her…
Su Yiyao’s beautiful eyes welled up slightly. She opened her arms and gently hugged Luo Xue, resting her head on Luo Xue’s shoulder.
“Mmm… with Ah Chou here, Xiao Yao feels safe.”
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