Category: I Am the Female Lead’s Cat

Chapter 31: Watching the Show

Bai Jingxue, terrified of water, took two steps back as she saw the large wooden tub filled with a steaming red liquid that Luo Nianshang had prepared for their cultivation ritual. Then, she was scooped up by the scruff of her neck and tossed into the tub.

She let out a panicked shriek, her claws digging into Luo Nianshang’s wrist, her hind legs scrabbling against the edge of the tub.

Luo Nianshang had never seen the cat react so violently. She remembered the day she had found Bai Jingxue nearly drowned in a lake. The cat clearly had a traumatic memory associated with water.

She wouldn’t force the issue. She gently stroked Bai Jingxue’s fur, her voice soothing. “I’m here,” she said. “You’ll be fine.”

Bai Jingxue, staring at Luo Nianshang’s face, felt her panic subside. She tentatively dipped her hind legs into the water, then slowly lowered herself into the tub.

The tub was meant for humans, far too deep for a small cat and dog.

Bai Jingxue was initially tense, but then she realized she could swim. She paddled around the tub, surprised, then turned to Luo Nianshang and meowed.

Luo Nianshang’s lips curved into a smile. She grabbed the dog, who was playfully biting her robe, and tossed her into the tub.

Lü Qingyan yelped as she splashed into the water.

“Jingxue! Glub, glub! Jingxue! Glub, glub!”

Bai Jingxue, watching her flail around, couldn’t help but say, “Don’t you know how to swim?”

Lü Qingyan stopped struggling, her eyes widening as if she had just remembered something important. “Oh, right! I forgot!”

She resumed her playful antics, her body shrinking slightly in the water, her fur plastered against her skin as she paddled around.

A warm current, accompanied by a slight burning sensation, flowed through Bai Jingxue’s body. She was experiencing the wonders of cultivation, something she had only read about in novels.

Lü Qingyan, having calmed down, swam over to Bai Jingxue. “Jingxue, does it hurt?”

Bai Jingxue nodded. “A little.”

Lü Qingyan, adopting a mature demeanor, reached out with her wet paw, patting Bai Jingxue’s head. “It’ll stop hurting soon.”

Bai Jingxue shuddered, then rolled her eyes, turning away.

Lü Qingyan’s family life was complicated, but Bai Jingxue couldn’t understand how she could remain so cheerful, her laughter so carefree.

Luo Nianshang, the ever-attentive mother figure, watched them for a while, then left, but not before casting a spell to prevent any accidental drownings.

The medicinal concoction on the stove needed to be delivered to her disciple. It was cold outside, and the medicine wouldn’t be as effective if it cooled down.

She carried the pot into the chamber, but the bed was empty. Only a lump beneath the blankets remained.

She wondered what was wrong with her disciple. Ever since she had brought home the newly hatched demon beast, Hong Ying’s behavior had changed. She seemed even weaker, even more prone to chills.

Normally, even when she complained about the cold, Hong Ying would at least keep her head uncovered. But now, she was completely buried beneath the blankets.

Luo Nianshang reached out, trying to pull back the blankets, but they wouldn’t budge.

This was embarrassing. She sensed a resistance as strong as her own, and her usually stoic expression crumbled in surprise.

She frowned, her grip tightening, and with a ripping sound, the blankets were shredded.

The Demon Lord, caught off guard by Luo Nianshang’s brute strength, stared at the remnants of the blanket clutched in her hand, her jaw slack.

Silence descended upon the chamber as feathers rained down, as if a blizzard had erupted indoors. Luo Nianshang awkwardly withdrew her hand. “It’s time for your medicine,” she said.

The Demon Lord, accepting the bowl, downed the bitter concoction in a single gulp, abandoning her usual theatrics. Then, she rolled over, her back to Luo Nianshang.

Luo Nianshang, staring at the empty bowl, felt a pang of guilt. Her disciple was clearly upset.

She set the bowl aside, her voice soft. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Master,” the Demon Lord replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. “I have your care and attention. What could possibly be wrong?”

The cat and dog, soaking in the tub, their ears perked up, stretched their necks to peek over the edge, eager to witness the unfolding drama.

“Jingxue, what’s going on?” Lü Qingyan whispered.

Bai Jingxue had no idea, but she was dying to find out.

Luo Nianshang, her patience thinning, wanted to turn her disciple around and have a proper conversation. She placed a hand on Hong Ying’s shoulder, attempting to roll her over, but she wouldn’t budge.

This was strange. Luo Nianshang was confident in her strength, but her confidence was shaken now.

She tried again, her grip tightening, and with another ripping sound, the back of Hong Ying’s thin white undergarment was exposed, revealing the red sash of her undergarment.

Luo Nianshang quickly withdrew her hand, as if she had been burned. She hastily removed her outer robe and draped it over Hong Ying.

Lü Qingyan, watching the scene unfold, was about to burst with laughter. “Jingxue, this is straight out of a steamy romance novel!” she whispered, nudging the cat with her nose.

Bai Jingxue was also amused, but what truly entertained her was the rapid succession of emotions that flashed across Luo Nianshang’s face: shock, panic, guilt.

She was afraid Lü Qingyan’s laughter would disrupt the show, so she covered the dog’s mouth with her paw.

Luo Nianshang, her composure shaken, stammered, “I’ll… I’ll replace it.”

The Demon Lord sighed, her patience wearing thin. The chamber might be warm thanks to a spell, but she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

She turned to face Luo Nianshang, forcing a smile to mask her annoyance. “It’s just a garment, Master,” she said. “There’s no need to be so formal.”

She needed to address the issue with the child, but she couldn’t be direct. She let a shadow of sadness cross her face. “Seeing you with your daughter reminded me of my own parents,” she said, her voice trembling.

She wiped away a tear, seeking comfort from her master. “Master, do you remember your parents?”

Luo Nianshang hesitated. She had lived for so long that many memories had faded, including those of her parents. She no longer remembered them.

“I’ve lived for too long,” she admitted. “I’ve forgotten.”

The Demon Lord’s heart sank. She grabbed Luo Nianshang’s hand, her voice laced with anxiety. “Will you forget me too, Master?”

Her demeanor was so desperate, so vulnerable, that Luo Nianshang, her heart softening, didn’t pull away. “You’re still young,” she said. “You have a long life ahead of you.”

Her answer, vague and evasive, wasn’t what the Demon Lord wanted. She coughed violently, her face paling. “But I feel like I’m going to die before you, Master,” she whispered.

She clutched Luo Nianshang’s hand, as if clinging to a lifeline, tears welling up in her eyes. “Please promise me you’ll remember me, Master. Even after I’m gone.”

Luo Nianshang felt a wave of guilt. She couldn’t lie, but time was a cruel force, eroding even the most intense emotions.

No one had ever asked her for such a promise before. She had never considered the possibility of being forgotten.

But now, she took the request seriously. “I can’t promise you that right now,” she said, her voice sincere, “but I will find a way to remember you.”

The Demon Lord finally released her grip, wiping away her tears. “You’re so kind, Master,” she said, her voice trembling. “I envy your partner.”

Luo Nianshang frowned. “Partner?”

Seeing her confusion, the Demon Lord elaborated. “You have a child, Master.”

Luo Nianshang shook her head. “She’s just a foundling,” she said. “I found her on the road. She imprinted on me, seeing me as her mother.”

The Demon Lord’s eyes widened, then a wave of relief washed over her. “Oh,” she said. “I thought you had a Dao companion.”

Luo Nianshang shook her head. She had never considered finding a Dao companion. Romantic entanglements were a distraction from cultivation. Although dual cultivation was a method of enhancing one’s power, Luo Nianshang, a traditionalist, considered it an unorthodox practice.

“I’ve never thought about finding a Dao companion,” she said. “But you… has the Demon Lord contacted you recently?”

“No, Master.”

Luo Nianshang nodded, satisfied. But now that her disciple had experienced the complexities of love, she needed to find her a new love interest, just to be safe.

But her disciple rarely left the mountain. Her social circle was limited. If she was interested in women, then Fu Yuan was probably the most suitable candidate.

Fu Yuan was a good girl: beautiful, talented, kind, skilled in both cooking and sewing, and, most importantly, she possessed a strong will hidden beneath her gentle exterior. She was the perfect disciple-in-law.

Luo Nianshang, channeling her inner matchmaker, was quite pleased with her choice. Unfortunately, her disciple was in love with the matchmaker.

“Master, what are you thinking about?”

The Demon Lord, sensing Luo Nianshang’s intense scrutiny, interrupted her thoughts.

Luo Nianshang, staring at her disciple’s rather ordinary face, felt a surge of concern. “What do you think of Fu Yuan?” she asked.

The Demon Lord wanted to say “She’s as bland as a steamed bun,” but she was currently playing the role of the devoted disciple. She forced a smile. “Senior Sister Fu is beautiful and kind,” she said. “She’s very gentle.”

Luo Nianshang, encouraged by her disciple’s positive assessment, her matchmaking instincts kicking into overdrive, nodded. “Good, good.”

The Demon Lord, unsure of what she was plotting, but sensing an opportunity, asked, “Are you worried that Senior Sister Fu wouldn’t treat me well, Master?”

That wasn’t what Luo Nianshang had in mind, but she couldn’t reveal her true intentions. It might backfire.

She patted her disciple’s head. “It’s getting late,” she said. “Time for bed.”

The Demon Lord, assuming she had received Luo Nianshang’s approval, was delighted. But Luo Nianshang was simply avoiding a lie.

The Demon Lord, her eyes wide and innocent, looked up at Luo Nianshang. “I’m a bit scared, Master,” she said. “Could you stay with me?”

Then, as if realizing she had overstepped, she added, her voice laced with disappointment, “But it’s okay if you can’t, Master.”

Luo Nianshang was helpless against such a display of vulnerability. She hesitated for a moment, then lay down on the bed, her body stiff and straight.

She was still uncomfortable with physical intimacy.

But as a good master, she couldn’t refuse such a simple request.

Besides, her disciple wasn’t like the Demon Lord, who indiscriminately preyed on anyone, regardless of age.

Luo Nianshang had developed a habit of taking subtle digs at the Demon Lord whenever she felt frustrated.

It was a surprisingly effective method of venting her anger.

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, she closed her eyes.

The cat and dog, having witnessed the entire scene, retreated to their tub. They continued their soaking session, the water gradually turning clear.

Lü Qingyan, watching her fur float in the water, turned to Bai Jingxue. “Jingxue, do you think they’ve forgotten about us?”

Bai Jingxue tried to get out of the tub, but an invisible force pushed her back in. “Probably,” she said, her voice laced with resignation.

Chapter 30: Another Foundling?

Luo Nianshang, known throughout the realm as the Sword Saint, wielded a sword named Nianxue, its fame as formidable as its owner.

Nianxue wasn’t a legendary sword. It had been a simple gift from Luo Nianshang’s master when she had first begun her cultivation journey. Over time, it had become a weapon feared by all demon cultivators.

It was a sword that always drew blood. And now, Luo Nianshang was using this infamous weapon to cut grass.

Well, not ordinary grass. She was harvesting spirit herbs.

In addition to studying the hundred-plus cultivation manuals, Luo Nianshang had also been researching ways to enhance the cat and dog’s physiques. She had spent days in the library, poring over texts on spirit herbs and alchemy, combining her newfound knowledge with her years of experience to refine existing formulas.

However, the required spirit herbs were rare and difficult to harvest. The one she was currently gathering, for example, required a blood-imbued weapon to sever its roots.

Luo Nianshang diligently harvested a large patch of the herb, carefully storing it in a specially crafted jade box before placing it in her spatial ring.

Calling it a “box,” however, was a bit of an understatement. It was more like a jade chest.

Any knowledgeable cultivator, seeing Luo Nianshang using such a large piece of Cold Ice Jade to store what resembled ordinary weeds, would have been horrified.

Luo Nianshang sheathed her sword, preparing to leave, when she detected a faint demonic aura. She concealed herself, her senses alert, and cautiously approached the source.

This area was under the jurisdiction of the righteous realm, far from the Demon Realm. The presence of a demon cultivator here was cause for concern.

She soon located the source of the demonic aura, but what she saw surprised her. It was indeed a demon cultivator, but he was behaving strangely, as if he were incubating an egg.

She frowned, her gaze fixed on the egg. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a vessel for a dark ritual.

Humans, driven by their desires, often resorted to extreme measures. The infant sacrifice ritual was one example. This egg ritual was another.

Using a lifeless demon beast egg as a vessel, a soul could be transferred into it, allowing for a physical transformation or resurrection.

The resurrected individual would possess the robust physique of a demon beast and the advantage of the heavens’ favor towards human cultivators.

But forbidden techniques were forbidden for a reason. The body retained its own consciousness. A demon beast’s body would influence the mind, twisting the personality, ultimately leading to a conflict between the human and demonic natures, resulting in a monstrous abomination.

Such creatures craved human flesh and blood to suppress their demonic instincts and maintain their sanity.

Luo Nianshang’s eyes narrowed, her hand reaching for her sword. But before she could strike, the demon cultivator collapsed, his body slumping against the egg. He lay still.

Luo Nianshang paused, her sword hovering above its sheath. She sensed no life force emanating from the demon cultivator. He was dead.

She approached cautiously, but in the short time it had taken her to reach him, his flesh had already dissolved, leaving behind only his clothes and a pile of ashes.

“Thump-thump.”

The sound of a heartbeat, strong and steady, emanated from within the giant egg, its rhythm unsettling in the silence of the forest.

Luo Nianshang, however, was undeterred. She stared at the egg.

A thin crack appeared on its surface, as if something was struggling to break free. The creature inside pecked and clawed, finally creating a small hole.

A small, bald head emerged, covered in egg yolk.

Luo Nianshang drew her sword, ready to strike, but the newborn creature, its eyes blinking open, simply stared at her and spoke.

---

“Mama!”

“Mama, carry me!”

Fu Yuan stared at the adorable little girl, her arms outstretched, demanding to be picked up and carried, her mind reeling.

She had put the baby to sleep the previous night and had fallen asleep herself. When she woke up, the infant had transformed into a toddler, capable of walking and talking.

But she had only slept for a single night. She wasn’t a hibernating animal. Spring hadn’t magically arrived while she slumbered.

She pinched herself, the pain confirming that she wasn’t dreaming.

Had the child been switched? Or was she under some kind of illusion?

She stared at the child, its chubby cheeks and bare bottom on full display, her voice laced with suspicion. “Who are you?”

The child’s lower lip trembled, and it burst into tears. “Mama doesn’t want me anymore!”

Fu Yuan quickly crouched down, her voice soothing. “There, there, don’t cry. But are you really my child?”

The fact that this child could express itself so eloquently was rather terrifying.

But her doubts seemed to wound the child further. Its cries intensified.

Fu Yuan had no choice but to pick up the child and comfort it. “There, there, it’s okay.”

As she rocked the child, a wave of resentment washed over her. Due to her unique physique, she had always avoided romantic entanglements. But a single trip to the secret realm with her ancestor had resulted in unexpected motherhood.

And the child’s parentage was rather complicated.

Its mother was a disciple who had accompanied them to the secret realm.

Fu Yuan, kind and observant, paid attention to all her fellow disciples.

The child’s mother, Lin Xiaoqin, had been different from the other Inner Sect disciples. She had been withdrawn and melancholic, her brow always furrowed with worry.

Fu Yuan had initially tried to offer assistance, but Lin Xiaoqin had refused. Concerned by her unusual behavior, Fu Yuan had followed her, only to witness a rather scandalous scene.

She had fled back to her room, her mind a jumbled mess. She had eventually decided to keep the secret, but she had discreetly investigated the demon beast involved, only to discover that it had vanished.

Lin Xiaoqin was now under sect confinement. She had confessed to her involvement with the demon beast, but she had refused to reveal any further details.

Fu Yuan stared at the child’s face. Its features were strikingly similar to Lin Xiaoqin’s. Could it be that children born from unions between humans and demon beasts had a different growth rate?

She finally managed to soothe the child, putting it to sleep on her own bed, the cradle no longer suitable.

She watched the child sleep, a sigh escaping her lips. “Ancestor Luo is truly irresponsible,” she muttered. “She finds a child, then dumps it on me.”

Despite her complaints, she retrieved two bolts of fabric from her storage pouch, holding them against the child, comparing the colors. She finally settled on a pale blue fabric.

As she began to sew, she remembered the two creatures residing in her ancestor’s chamber. Perhaps they needed clothes too. She retrieved two more bolts of fabric.

By the time Bai Jingxue came to visit, Fu Yuan had finished sewing the clothes.

Seeing the cat and dog peering curiously through the doorway, she smiled. “Come in,” she said. “I have something for you.”

Bai Jingxue flinched, the memory of the red lipstick incident still fresh in her mind.

Lü Qingyan, however, hearing the word “gift,” dashed into the room and settled beside Fu Yuan, her tail wagging eagerly.

Fu Yuan dressed her in a black dog coat, then grabbed Bai Jingxue, who was attempting to flee.

Bai Jingxue, her face a mask of resignation, was adorned with a white cat coat.

A black cat in white, a white dog in black. They resembled a pair of miniature pandas.

Lü Qingyan’s description, however, was far more dramatic. She spun in circles, her voice filled with excitement. “Jingxue, we look like the Black and White Impermanence!”

Bai Jingxue covered her ears with her paws, her head bowed. “This world is insane,” she thought. “Let it burn.”

Fu Yuan, delighted that the dog loved her gift, patted Lü Qingyan’s head, her voice gentle. “You must have suffered so much with the Demon Lord,” she said. “But it’s okay now. You’re safe here.”

The Demon Lord, who had followed Lü Qingyan, perched on the roof, listening to Fu Yuan’s words, nearly burst into the room and shook Fu Yuan by the collar.

“What’s wrong with the Demon Lord? What did she ever do to you? Don’t slander her without evidence!”

But she restrained herself.

Lü Qingyan, sensing the Demon Lord’s presence, glanced nervously at the roof, then shook her head rapidly.

To be fair, the Demon Lord might be a bit eccentric, but she had always provided Lü Qingyan with an abundance of delicious food.

Fu Yuan, assuming the dog had fleas, picked her up and began to inspect her fur.

Bai Jingxue, watching Lü Qingyan enjoying the attention, felt her mood lighten.

She had come to check on the child. She was curious about the offspring of a human and a demon beast. But the child wasn’t in the cradle. It was on the bed.

She leaped onto the bed, her eyes widening.

The child was huge. And its spiritual energy was incredibly pure and potent.

It seemed to be exceptionally gifted. And it was quite beautiful. No wonder the sect hadn’t dealt with it. Or perhaps it was simply Luo Nianshang’s inherent kindness.

The fact that children born from unions between humans and demon beasts were born in human form was something Bai Jingxue envied.

She longed to cultivate, to be able to communicate with Luo Nianshang and the others, to freely access the library without resorting to begging, to finally expose the Demon Lord’s true intentions.

That woman was clearly up to something.

As she silently plotted the Demon Lord’s downfall, she felt a tug on her tail. She looked down to see the sleeping child clutching it tightly in its small hand.

Bai Jingxue’s heart skipped a beat. Children had no concept of strength control. She gently tugged her tail, but the child’s grip only tightened.

She froze, meowing towards Fu Yuan, who came to her rescue.

Once her tail was free, she leaped off the bed, just in time to hear Fu Yuan’s exasperated sigh.

“She wet the bed.”

Fu Yuan quickly dressed the child in clean clothes and changed the sheets.

There was a distinct air of resentment surrounding her, and Bai Jingxue, observing the scene, decided to keep her distance.

“Please, Ancestor Luo, no more foundlings,” Fu Yuan muttered, wiping the sweat from her brow. “This is too much.”

She turned, clapping her hands together, only to find Luo Nianshang standing in the doorway.

Fu Yuan’s heart sank. She wanted to kick herself.

“Greetings, Master,” she said, forcing a smile.

Luo Nianshang nodded, then pulled a small girl from behind her. “Can you stay with Aunt Fu for a while?” she asked the child.

The girl glanced timidly at Fu Yuan, her small hand clutching Luo Nianshang’s robe. “Okay, Mama,” she said softly.

Silence descended upon the room. Only the Demon Lord, hidden in the shadows, gritted her teeth in frustration.

Chapter 29: Sweetness

Luo Nianshang, being a powerful cultivator, was well-versed in the intricacies of cultivation. She had spent the entire night poring over the hundred-plus manuals she had “borrowed” from the Dragon Palace, carefully selecting the most suitable ones.

She considered both her cat and the dog, not wanting to favor one over the other, despite the dog’s association with the annoying Demon Lord.

However, their cultivation journey hadn’t officially begun yet. Luo Nianshang, determined to provide the best for her companions, had left the chamber to search for the necessary spirit herbs for a cleansing and purification ritual.

As a major sect, the Ejian Sect certainly possessed such herbs, but the ones meant for humans differed from those suitable for demon beasts.

Before leaving, Luo Nianshang patted Bai Jingxue’s head. “Don’t wander off,” she instructed.

Bai Jingxue wanted to tell her that she was far too lazy to move, but with a cat’s face, even the most serious expression would be interpreted as adorable.

Luo Nianshang checked the bells she had given them, ensuring they were functioning properly, then vanished, transforming into a streak of silver light.

The moment she was gone, the “deathly ill” Demon Lord sprang from her bed, fully recovered. Not only was she dressed in her usual revealing attire, but she was also walking barefoot in the snow.

Luo Nianshang had assumed her disciple’s bell had ended up with the Demon Lord, so she had given her another one. The Demon Lord now possessed two bells, which she proudly displayed.

Bai Jingxue stared at her, her expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. She shook the snow from her fur and retreated to the chamber.

A corner of the chamber had been designated as their territory. Initially, it had only contained a cat bed, food bowls, and a few toys. Now, it boasted a cat tree, a running wheel, and a mountain of toys.

Bai Jingxue had rarely experienced such pampering in her past life. This outpouring of affection was overwhelming at times.

A rustling sound came from the mountain of toys, and one of them tumbled out, revealing Lü Qingyan’s backside and wagging tail.

The dog kicked her hind legs, and the entire pile teetered precariously. Bai Jingxue was buried in an avalanche of plush toys.

Lü Qingyan, an orange plush doll clutched in her teeth, her cheerful expression replaced by horror as she witnessed the toppled mountain of toys, let out a yelp. “Oh no! I messed up! Time to fix this!”

She carefully set the doll aside and began to rebuild the pile, her small body carrying toys one by one, placing them back in their original positions.

As her ambitious project neared completion, she picked up her pace, grabbing a doll and coming face to face with a very disgruntled Bai Jingxue.

Seeing the murderous intent in the cat’s eyes, Lü Qingyan whimpered, her ears drooping, her tail tucked between her legs. She forced a smile, her demeanor both pathetic and endearing.

Bai Jingxue didn’t want her daily routine to consist of eating, sleeping, and beating up the dog, but Lü Qingyan always managed to push her buttons.

The Demon Lord, who had been enjoying the snowy scenery outside, rushed in, scooping up Lü Qingyan just as Bai Jingxue was about to strike. “Hey, little kitty,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “Don’t you know you can’t hit a dog without its owner’s permission?”

Before Bai Jingxue could retort, the dog in her arms began to bark.

“Don’t scold Jingxue! I like being hit by her!”

The Demon Lord, amused by the dog’s audacity, chuckled. “Look at you, defending her like that,” she said. “Whose side are you on?”

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

The Demon Lord shielded her face from the spray of dog saliva, then tossed Lü Qingyan onto the bed.

“Ungrateful mutt,” she muttered, wiping her cheek.

Despite the insult, Lü Qingyan didn’t seem to care. She shook her head, dazed from the impact, but unharmed.

Bai Jingxue, seeing this, couldn’t bring herself to stay angry. She retreated to her bed, but her recent nightmares made it impossible to truly relax. She simply closed her eyes, trying to rest.

She didn’t know why, but she had been plagued by dreams of her past life, both the memories she had tried to forget and the ones she couldn’t escape.

She felt lost, unsure of where she belonged, which world was real.

Those dreams were like reliving her past, moment by moment.

But she didn’t want to go back. Her life now was good. Except for a certain annoying dog, everything was perfect.

The Demon Lord, seeing that the cat and dog had ceased their hostilities, settled onto the bed. She produced a peach, its size dwarfing her hand.

She wiped it with her sleeve, then took a bite, the sound echoing through the chamber. Lü Qingyan sat beside her, watching, her mouth watering.

The dog’s longing gaze was almost tangible. The Demon Lord couldn’t take it anymore.

She chuckled, holding the half-eaten peach towards the dog. “Want some?”

Lü Qingyan closed her eyes, drool dripping from her chin.

The Demon Lord, her amusement growing, retrieved a larger peach from her spatial ring. “Beg for it,” she said.

Lü Qingyan swallowed, then inched away.

As if she had never tasted a peach before! She had enjoyed countless delicacies in her past life. She didn’t need this.

But her gaze kept drifting towards the peach in the Demon Lord’s hand.

“Lü Qingyan, you can’t do this! Don’t lose your dignity!” she scolded herself.

The Demon Lord took another bite, exaggerating the sound. “Mmm, delicious,” she purred.

She finished the peach, tossing the pit out of the chamber, then turned to the dog, who was now looking at her with a pitiful expression.

The Demon Lord, delighted, placed the peach before the dog. “Fine, here you go.”

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail, cautiously pulling the peach closer. When the Demon Lord didn’t react, she carefully took it in her mouth.

But instead of eating it, she jumped off the bed and padded over to Bai Jingxue.

She placed the peach before the cat, her tail wagging furiously.

“Here, Jingxue,” she said. “You eat it.”

Bai Jingxue opened her eyes, staring at the peach. She glanced at Lü Qingyan, then nudged the peach back. “I don’t want it,” she said. “You eat it.”

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped. She was disappointed, but she quickly recovered, pushing the peach back towards Bai Jingxue. “You eat it,” she insisted. “You loved peaches in our past life. Are you worried it’s dirty? I’ll wash it for you.”

She was about to pick up the peach again.

Bai Jingxue, seeing that the peach was nearly as big as the dog’s head, was afraid Lü Qingyan would break her teeth. She placed a paw on Lü Qingyan’s tail, stopping her.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I’m not worried about it being dirty.”

She sighed, her voice weary. “I don’t need you to do things for me, Qingyan. Why don’t you understand?”

Lü Qingyan, sensing her distress, set the peach aside, her brow furrowed. “But I want to,” she said.

Bai Jingxue lowered her gaze, her heart heavy. She had many anxieties, many reasons why she believed she and Lü Qingyan weren’t compatible. Just like in their past life.

Back then, her goals had been clear: escape her dysfunctional family, find a decent job, and live a simple, ordinary life.

But everything had changed after she had started tutoring Lü Qingyan.

She had always believed that she and Lü Qingyan were two parallel lines, destined to never intersect. But somehow, one of those lines had shifted, and they had collided.

Bai Jingxue’s life had been a constant struggle, every step fraught with risk. She had learned to endure, to accept her fate. But Lü Qingyan was different. She was vibrant, impulsive, and fearless.

Normally, Lü Qingyan would have joined her family’s business after graduation, but their relationship had caused a rift between Lü Qingyan and her parents. They had argued, and Lü Qingyan had lost her opportunity.

Her family, hoping to force her to submit, had cut her off financially, even forbidding her from visiting during holidays.

It seemed that ever since Bai Jingxue had entered her life, everything had gone downhill.

Bai Jingxue had tried to fix things, but she realized that nothing she did could compensate for Lü Qingyan’s losses.

Perhaps fate had taken pity on her. A routine checkup had revealed stomach cancer, stage four.

Unwilling to burden Lü Qingyan, she had broken up with her. As she had driven home, her mind a jumbled mess, she had been hit by a truck and plunged into a reservoir.

She had thought that was the end, but Lü Qingyan had followed her, even into this strange new world.

Bai Jingxue sighed, her voice laced with a hint of despair. “What do you even like about me?”

She had asked this question many times in their past life, and Lü Qingyan’s answer had always been the same.

“I just like you,” Lü Qingyan said, her voice earnest. “Being with you makes me happy. If love needs a reason, then I’d be falling for anyone who makes me feel this way. But it’s not just about the qualities – it’s about the way you make me feel when we’re together.”

Lü Qingyan had a way of disarming Bai Jingxue with her simple, straightforward logic.

Sensing Bai Jingxue’s distress, Lü Qingyan placed a paw on her forehead, but her temperature seemed normal. She wasn’t sick.

She settled before Bai Jingxue’s bed, her nose touching the cat’s. “Jingxue, what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Bai Jingxue closed her eyes, her voice weak. “Nothing.”

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail, trying to cheer her up. “Isn’t this life better?” she asked. “No more family drama. The female lead might be a bit clueless, but she cares about you. You have nothing to worry about anymore.”

“I know,” Bai Jingxue said. “I’m content.”

She opened her eyes. There was a question she had been wanting to ask since the beginning, but she had always held back.

But now, the words tumbled out.

“What about your parents?”

Lü Qingyan snorted, turning her head away. “They have plenty of other children,” she said, her voice bitter. “They can just raise another one.”

She scoffed. “I was just a tool for them to show off. They can easily replace me.”

Bai Jingxue felt a pang of guilt. She had clearly touched a nerve. She nudged the peach towards Lü Qingyan. “Here, have a peach,” she said softly. “It’s sweet.”

Chapter 28: Nightmare

Fu Yuan looked exhausted, her face pale, her eyes shadowed with fatigue. Despite this, her gentle demeanor remained unchanged.

Bai Jingxue leaped, her paw extending to tap a book on a high shelf.

Fu Yuan, understanding her intention, retrieved the book, glancing at the title before placing it on the table for the cat.

“The Path of Emotionlessness?” she asked, a soft smile curving her lips. “That’s not a path I would recommend.”

Bai Jingxue tilted her head. “Meow?”

Lü Qingyan’s grasp of the written language in this world was still tenuous, but she understood Fu Yuan’s words. The moment she heard the phrase “Path of Emotionlessness,” she let out a mournful howl.

Her cries drew stares from the other disciples in the library. Fu Yuan, feeling the pressure of their gazes, quickly covered Lü Qingyan’s mouth with her hand.

Lü Qingyan glared at Bai Jingxue, her eyes filled with betrayal. Bai Jingxue felt a shiver run down her spine, as if she were being haunted by a vengeful ghost.

She opened the book, her gaze falling upon a line of small characters inscribed on the first page: “This path requires the sacrifice of a loved one. Enter the world of emotions, then sever all ties.”

Bai Jingxue glanced at the whimpering dog, then promptly closed the book.

Fu Yuan, sensing her lack of interest, released the dog and returned the book to its shelf.

While Fu Yuan was still here, Bai Jingxue needed to take advantage of this free labor. She was a creature of habit, and she didn’t want to resort to begging every disciple she encountered.

She couldn’t shake off the memory of her encounter with the dragon princess in the dream. The dragon’s name was Ying, a name given to her by her mother.

The Dragon King had countless children. Ying, small and frail as a child, had been easily overlooked amidst her larger, more robust siblings. The Dragon King hadn’t even remembered her existence.

But a member of the male lead’s harem could never be ordinary. It had eventually been revealed that Ying possessed the purest bloodline of her generation.

This information had been mentioned in the novel, but Bai Jingxue was more interested in the significance of dragon scales and the process of inheriting the position of Dragon King.

She searched the section dedicated to demon beasts, finally tapping a book on the bottom shelf with her paw.

Fu Yuan retrieved the book, then frowned. She glanced at the back cover, her voice laced with disapproval. “This book is over two thousand years old,” she said. “Why hasn’t it been archived?”

She patted Bai Jingxue’s head. “It’s fine to read about cultivation techniques, but for customs and traditions, it’s best to refer to the latest editions.”

Bai Jingxue narrowed her eyes. This cultivation world was surprisingly advanced.

Fu Yuan took the outdated book to the Elder in charge of this floor, and Bai Jingxue patiently observed their conversation.

Lü Qingyan soon joined her. “Jingxue, what are you reading about now?”

If Bai Jingxue ignored her, she would just keep asking. To avoid further annoyance, Bai Jingxue replied, “Dragons.”

Lü Qingyan mirrored Bai Jingxue’s posture, her tail wagging happily. “Oh?”

A few minutes later, Fu Yuan returned with a new book, placing it on the table. “Come here, Little White,” she said.

Bai Jingxue leaped onto the table, her paws carefully flipping through the pages.

Lü Qingyan, remembering the consequences of interrupting Bai Jingxue’s reading sessions, didn’t dare to disturb her. But she couldn’t find anyone to talk to, so she resorted to rolling around on the floor.

Fu Yuan, seeing this, scooped her up. Lü Qingyan’s fur was long and tangled. Luo Nianshang, who barely took care of herself, wouldn’t bother to brush a dog’s fur.

And Lü Qingyan, always full of energy, had a tendency to get her fur tangled.

Fu Yuan retrieved a comb from her storage pouch. The peachwood comb emitted a faint, pleasant aroma as she gently worked through the tangles.

Lü Qingyan, enjoying the sensation, settled down, her soft snores filling the air.

“Fu Yuan, you’re a natural mother!” she thought.

Fu Yuan, oblivious to her unintentional foray into motherhood, finished brushing the dog’s fur, then retrieved a hair tie adorned with a small bone charm from her storage pouch.

She smiled, watching the sleeping dog.

Bai Jingxue, however, was completely engrossed in her reading.

Offering a dragon scale was indeed a gesture of affection, but it was an outdated tradition, a relic of a bygone era.

Modern dragons, when faced with the object of their affection, wouldn’t dream of offering a mere scale. They considered it a paltry, unromantic gesture.

Instead, they had adopted a more extreme approach. They offered their inner cores.

Bai Jingxue stared at the passage, her brain feeling like it was melting.

She rubbed her eyes, reread the passage, and wondered if her literacy skills were failing her.

But considering the absurdity of the novel, she had probably read it correctly.

She clicked her tongue in disapproval. “How childish,” she muttered.

She still hadn’t found the information she was looking for, so she continued reading.

And once again, she was speechless.

The process of inheriting the position of Dragon King was apparently a simple matter of killing the previous one.

So Ying had been implying that she was planning to kill her father.

Bai Jingxue felt a cold sweat break out on her brow. She closed the book, her paws trembling. She needed to go back to Luo Nianshang’s chamber and sleep. She needed to recover from this emotional rollercoaster.

But when she turned to call Lü Qingyan, her face contorted in horror.

The dog had a high ponytail, adorned with small pink flowers. Her ears were decorated with matching flowers. That was adorable. But the bright red blush on her cheeks and the crimson lipstick on her mouth were horrifying.

Fu Yuan, seeing Bai Jingxue’s wide-eyed stare, coughed awkwardly. “The red on her cheeks is just juice from a fruit,” she explained. “It’s not poisonous. And the lipstick is made from the same fruit.”

Bai Jingxue wasn’t worried about that. Lü Qingyan had a human’s mind, and she trusted Fu Yuan wouldn’t do anything harmful just for fun.

She simply found the sight rather jarring. But the more she looked, the less offensive it became.

Something was wrong. She closed her eyes, then opened them again.

Why did Lü Qingyan look… good?

Lü Qingyan, lost in a peaceful slumber, let out a soft snore.

Bai Jingxue shook her head, a wave of panic washing over her. She must be suffering from eye fatigue after all that reading.

As they walked back to Luo Nianshang’s chamber, Bai Jingxue trailed behind, her head drooping, her energy depleted.

The snow continued to fall. Lü Qingyan loved following Bai Jingxue’s tracks, but she felt a strange sensation on her head. “Why does my head feel tight?” she wondered. “Am I growing a brain?”

She ran ahead of Bai Jingxue. “Jingxue, is there something on my head?”

Bai Jingxue, her gaze drawn to Lü Qingyan’s “enhanced” features, couldn’t believe it. She was clearly losing her mind.

She covered her eyes with her paws, chanting, “I can’t see it. I can’t see it.”

Lü Qingyan, confused, pulled her paws away, her voice concerned. “What’s wrong, Jingxue? Are you feeling unwell?”

Bai Jingxue’s legs buckled, and she sank onto the snow, letting out a weary sigh. “Let’s just go back,” she said.

“Okay, let’s hurry.”

When they returned to the chamber, Luo Nianshang was feeding the “sick” Demon Lord her medicine. But the moment Lü Qingyan entered, everything froze.

Bai Jingxue, ignoring the drama, retreated to her bed, ready for a nap.

Lü Qingyan, suddenly the center of attention, was bewildered. She edged closer to Bai Jingxue, her voice hushed. “Why are they staring at me?”

“…Maybe because you look good.”

Lü Qingyan’s eyes lit up. “Really?” she asked, her tail wagging. “Well, it’s to be expected. I was the most beautiful girl in school.”

But you’re not even human in this life.

Bai Jingxue kept her thoughts to herself. She truly needed a nap. She hoped the world would return to normal when she woke up.

The Demon Lord was the first to break the silence, her laughter echoing through the chamber. “Who did this?”

Luo Nianshang shook her head. “I have no idea,” she said. “But she’s certainly cleaner than usual.”

She realized she had been holding the spoon in midair for a while. She brought it to her disciple’s lips. “Here, drink this before it gets cold.”

The Demon Lord’s face scrunched up. Faking an illness had its perks, but the bitter medicine was truly awful. She looked up at Luo Nianshang with pleading eyes.

But the Sword Saint, her heart unmoved, remained firm.

The Demon Lord sighed and drank the medicine, her stomach churning. She plotted her revenge.

She would find a way to make Luo Nianshang taste this bitterness.

But then, she hesitated. Only those who were injured needed medicine.

She pouted, her thoughts softening. “Fine, I’ll just wish for her to remain healthy.”

After a moment of internal debate, she turned her attention to the dog, who was bouncing around the chamber, her tail wagging happily.

Luo Nianshang, having finished feeding her disciple, resumed her practice session, this time using firewood instead of cutting boards. It was good practice for controlling her strength, and it was a more practical use of her energy.

The scent of burning wood filled the air, a welcome change from the usual chaos.

Fu Yuan, carrying the infant, arrived to find Luo Nianshang chopping firewood. She shook her head, a small smile curving her lips.

Luo Nianshang, seeing her, set aside her ax and offered Fu Yuan the use of the makeshift kitchen. But when she saw the child in Fu Yuan’s arms, she hesitated.

The infant, well cared for by Fu Yuan, was a chubby, rosy-cheeked bundle of joy, its head occasionally twitching as it slept.

Perhaps due to its demon heritage, its hair was longer than that of other children its age. Fu Yuan, in a moment of amusement, had tied the child’s hair into a high ponytail, mimicking Lü Qingyan’s hairstyle.

Luo Nianshang suddenly understood.

She wanted to say something, but words failed her. She simply moved to a different spot and resumed her wood-chopping duties.

Bai Jingxue, curled up in her bed, began to have a nightmare.

She dreamed of countless dogs with bright red lips and feathery wings, circling her, their voices echoing in her ears.

“Jingxue, don’t I look pretty?”

“Jingxue, look at me!”

Bai Jingxue covered her head with her paws, her ears flattened against her skull, then fainted.

Lü Qingyan, seeing the cat trembling in her sleep, edged closer, wanting to comfort her.

But the moment she did, Bai Jingxue began to tremble even more violently…

Chapter 27: Warnings

“What do you mean, token of affection? Jingxue, say something! What token of affection?!”

Lü Qingyan’s frantic barking finally forced Bai Jingxue to open her eyes. “The novel mentioned countless dragons who were head over heels for the male lead,” she said, her voice flat. “None of them plucked out their scales. Think about it.”

Lü Qingyan considered this. Her faith in Luo Nianshang was unwavering, so she had initially accepted the “token of affection” explanation. But her faith in Bai Jingxue was even stronger.

She relaxed, settling down beside Bai Jingxue, deliberately pressing against her. Seeing that the cat remained aloof, she searched for a new topic of conversation.

“Jingxue, we’ll be able to cultivate soon,” she said, her tail wagging. “What’s the first thing you want to do when we transform back into humans?”

Bai Jingxue twitched an ear. “Walk on two legs,” she replied, her voice nonchalant.

The air thickened with awkward silence.

Determined to keep the conversation going, Lü Qingyan ignored the cat’s lack of enthusiasm and shared her own aspirations.

“I want to play the guqin for you,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “And I want to explore this world. We’ve seen the Ejian Sect and the Demon Palace, but there are so many other interesting places.”

She drifted off, lost in a fantasy of herself as a wandering cultivator, her white robes billowing in the wind, her sword at her side.

Romantics and realists were probably incompatible. Bai Jingxue found the idea of such a life exhausting. Even if she transformed back into a human, she would rather stay in bed, hiding from the world’s complexities.

But she wouldn’t dampen Lü Qingyan’s enthusiasm. She had already changed so much for this dog.

Love truly was a potent, mind-altering drug. It was terrifying.

Perhaps she should cultivate the Path of Emotionlessness in this life. She would become a cold, heartless cat.

Intrigued by this idea, she decided to visit the library tomorrow and search for books on the subject.

Luo Nianshang, holding the dragon scale, remembered that she had wanted to warn her disciple about the Demon Lord. They had gotten sidetracked by the bandit story, and Luo Nianshang had even contemplated sending someone to clear that road, ensuring its safety.

But her true intention had been forgotten. The dragon scale, however, had jogged her memory.

She stared at her disciple, whose innocent demeanor resembled that of a pure, delicate flower. Then, she thought of the Demon Lord, who had taken advantage of her on multiple occasions. A wave of protectiveness washed over her, as if she were a farmer watching a prized pig about to devour her carefully cultivated vegetables.

“That woman you mentioned,” she said, her voice serious.

She gritted her teeth. She couldn’t bring herself to call the Demon Lord beautiful. “The woman in red,” she amended. “Do you know who she is?”

The Demon Lord blinked, her eyes wide and innocent. “I don’t know, Master.”

“It’s not your fault. That woman is Qiu Yingxi, the current Demon Lord. Do you know anything about her past?”

A flicker of amusement crossed the Demon Lord’s eyes, but she quickly masked it, feigning fear. “I’m sorry, Master,” she whispered. “I don’t know anything about her. But she did save my life.”

Seeing her beloved disciple on the verge of tears, Luo Nianshang’s heart softened. She patted Hong Ying’s head. “I don’t blame you,” she said gently. “But be honest with me. What do you think of her?”

The Demon Lord wiped away a tear, her expression confused. “I think she’s beautiful, Master,” she said. “She has a lovely voice, and she’s so kind. Except for her cooking, she’s perfect.”

Luo Nianshang, seeing the blush creeping across her disciple’s cheeks, felt a surge of alarm.

Lü Qingyan, watching the scene unfold, couldn’t help but laugh. She nudged Bai Jingxue with her nose. “Hahaha! Jingxue, is she being narcissistic or self-aware?”

Bai Jingxue, having just encountered a crazy dragon in her dream, had no energy for another unhinged individual. She didn’t even bother to open her eyes. “Is that your paw on my back?” she asked dryly.

Lü Qingyan froze, her paw hovering in midair. She quickly retracted it, looking around awkwardly to hide her embarrassment.

But the drama between the Demon Lord and Luo Nianshang wasn’t over yet.

Luo Nianshang struggled to contain her frustration. Kind? Beautiful? Lovely voice? In her eyes, Qiu Yingxi was a shameless flirt!

Despite her long life and vast experience, Luo Nianshang managed to maintain her composure, though her expression was as frigid as a blizzard.

“So you like her?” she asked, her voice flat.

The Demon Lord lowered her head, her shoulders slumping, her eyes darting towards Luo Nianshang, as if seeking approval. She was playing the role of a lovestruck disciple to perfection.

A classic damsel-in-distress scenario, orchestrated by a charming rogue, was bound to leave a lasting impression on an innocent young woman, even if the “hero” in this case was a woman.

Luo Nianshang, in her old-fashioned way, might not have considered this possibility before, but her recent encounters with the Demon Lord had broadened her perspective.

She addressed her disciple with a serious expression. “The Demon Lord is not a good person,” she said. “If you’re interested in women, I can find someone more suitable for you.”

The Demon Lord’s face paled, as if her world had just crumbled. Inwardly, however, she was ecstatic.

Seeing her disciple’s reaction, Luo Nianshang panicked. She decided to reveal the truth about the Demon Lord.

She took a deep breath. “She was born with a demonic heart,” she said, her voice low. “She slaughtered an entire village when she was just a child. Human life means nothing to her. And she’s a shameless flirt.”

She hesitated, then added, her voice laced with a hint of shame, “She even… flirted with me.”

The cat and dog, huddled in the corner, shuddered. Lü Qingyan edged closer to Bai Jingxue, her voice filled with indignation. “This is terrible! She’s being framed!”

Bai Jingxue opened her eyes. She could sense the Demon Lord’s growing anger, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t speak.

The village massacre had been a misunderstanding. The Demon Lord had been the victim, not the perpetrator.

The male lead in the original story had learned the truth about the Demon Lord’s past, using it to gain her trust and affection. That was how she had fallen for him.

Sensing the tension escalating, Lü Qingyan whispered, “Do you think they’ll fight? This entire mountaintop could explode!”

Her true concern, however, was the possibility of the Demon Lord revealing her true identity. If that happened, she would be forced to return to the Demon Palace.

She didn’t want to go back! The food there might be a hundred times better than the bland fare served at the Ejian Sect, but there was no Jingxue at the Demon Palace.

She wracked her brain, trying to come up with a solution. “Do you think if I act cute, they’ll stop fighting?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue chuckled. “I don’t know if they’ll stop,” she said, “but you might become a martyr for world peace. They’ll erect statues in your honor, praising your sacrifice.”

She sighed dramatically. “As your ex-girlfriend, I’ll even light an extra incense stick for you.”

Lü Qingyan shook her head vehemently. “No, no, no! Jingxue, think of something!”

Bai Jingxue was reminded of a cartoon she had watched in her past life. Whenever the protagonists encountered a problem, a certain sheep would always bleat, “Pleasant Goat, think of something!”

But she wasn’t Pleasant Goat.

She padded over to a corner of the chamber and curled up into a ball.

Lü Qingyan, confused by her actions, tilted her head. “What are you doing, Jingxue?”

“Making sure I don’t get crushed if this place collapses,” Bai Jingxue replied dryly.

Lü Qingyan’s eyes widened in understanding. She promptly lay down on top of Bai Jingxue, nearly suffocating her.

“What are you doing?” Bai Jingxue sputtered, struggling to breathe.

Lü Qingyan, oblivious to her distress, wagged her tail, her voice cheerful. “If this place really does collapse, I can shield you from the falling debris.”

Bai Jingxue’s anger vanished. She struggled to contain her emotions, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t need you to do that.”

Lü Qingyan ignored her, her voice light and teasing as she tried to lighten the mood. “I’ve been eating well lately,” she said. “You’ll be safe under me.”

She then expanded her body, just to be extra safe.

Bai Jingxue couldn’t describe what she was feeling. She was scared. Truly scared.

The Demon Lord hadn’t expected Luo Nianshang to share the same prejudice as everyone else. But thankfully, she wasn’t in her true form. She was playing the role of an innocent, naive disciple.

This allowed her to express her displeasure without raising suspicion. Only now could she speak her mind without sounding like a villain.

She calmed herself, her gaze meeting Luo Nianshang’s. “Master,” she asked, her voice serious, “did you witness the village massacre yourself?”

Luo Nianshang hadn’t expected to be questioned. She hesitated for a moment. “No,” she admitted. “I was in seclusion when it happened. When I emerged, the village was a wasteland. Only a few children survived.”

“So you didn’t see it with your own eyes.”

Luo Nianshang realized her mistake. Her disciple hadn’t explicitly accused her of anything, but she felt a pang of guilt.

She wasn’t one to cling to pride. She readily acknowledged her error. “You’re right,” she said. “I was wrong to make assumptions. I will investigate further. But even without evidence, you must trust me. The Demon Lord is not a good person.”

“I will heed your words, Master. I will avoid her from now on.”

Luo Nianshang let out a sigh of relief. A smile spread across her face, as warm and radiant as the first rays of sunshine after a long winter.

The Demon Lord was still angry, but seeing that smile, she decided to forgive Luo Nianshang. For now.

She blinked, her expression playful. “You’re beautiful when you smile, Master,” she said. “You should smile more often.”

Luo Nianshang, flustered, averted her gaze, her eyes darting around the chamber. They landed on the cat and dog huddled in the corner, their behavior rather peculiar.

“What are they doing?” she asked, her eyes wide.

The Demon Lord followed her gaze and chuckled. “They’re playing a game,” she said.

Her teasing laughter snapped Bai Jingxue out of her melodramatic fantasy.

She shoved Lü Qingyan aside and fled, her dignity in tatters.

Lü Qingyan, seeing the cat run, chased after her, barking. “Jingxue, wait! Where are you going?”

The Demon Lord watched them go, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “Perhaps it’s time for them to start cultivating,” she suggested.

Luo Nianshang nodded.

The Demon Lord was looking forward to the day when the cat and dog could speak.

It would be incredibly entertaining.

Chapter 26: Entering the Dream

As the Demon Lord departed, she scooped up Lü Qingyan, who yelped as she was lifted into the air.

“Jingxue, save me!”

Bai Jingxue remained where she was, watching them go. She knew the Demon Lord wouldn’t harm Lü Qingyan. Besides, her mind was a jumbled mess. She needed time to process everything.

The fallen flowers on the ground slowly disappeared, replaced by new buds that bloomed, transforming the valley into a vibrant tapestry of color once more.

Luo Nianshang emerged from the flower field, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Her furious expression made it clear that she was not amused.

She scooped up the bewildered cat and held her close, rubbing at her lips, trying to erase the unnatural redness. But the moment she removed her fingers, her lips became even redder.

She had no time to dwell on this. Her disciple was her priority. She teleported back to her chamber.

She rushed inside, the cat still in her arms, but the chamber was empty. The bed was rumpled, the blankets tossed aside. Her disciple was gone.

Luo Nianshang sat on the bed, her hand tracing the cool, smooth fabric.

She knew instantly that the Demon Lord was involved. She set the cat down, about to head to the Demon Realm and drag the Demon Lord back, when a familiar voice stopped her.

“Master, you’re back.”

Luo Nianshang turned to see her disciple standing in the snow, clad only in a thin undergarment.

The day had been filled with so many unexpected events that Luo Nianshang, relieved to see everything seemingly back to normal, struggled to contain her emotions.

She nodded curtly, her gaze falling upon the white dog nestled in her disciple’s arms. Her heart sank.

The Demon Lord had clearly been here before her.

Lü Qingyan, still dazed from their sudden departure, was overjoyed to see Bai Jingxue. “Jingxue!” she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. “I thought I’d never see you again!”

Bai Jingxue sighed. “I’m right here,” she said.

Lü Qingyan leaped from the Demon Lord’s arms and settled beside Bai Jingxue. “I thought she was taking me back to the Demon Realm,” she whispered, “but she brought me here instead.”

She wagged her tail, her brow furrowed. “She was injured, but she seemed really happy,” she said, her voice filled with confusion. “I even heard her humming. Do you think she has some kind of weird kink?”

Bai Jingxue, pushing aside her own anxieties, glanced at the dog. “You’re overthinking it,” she said dryly.

Luo Nianshang pulled her disciple inside, her hand reaching out to take Hong Ying’s. She paused, her gaze falling upon their intertwined hands, her brow furrowing. “You’re injured,” she said, her voice laced with disapproval. “It’s freezing outside. Why aren’t you dressed properly?”

She was about to bundle Hong Ying into bed, but the Demon Lord resisted.

“Master, I’ve been lying down for too long,” she said. “I just want to stand for a bit.”

Luo Nianshang didn’t force the issue. She glanced around, noticing that Hong Ying’s outer robe and cloak were missing. She removed her own outer robe and draped it over Hong Ying’s shoulders.

The Demon Lord was obsessed with red, even choosing it for her disguise, but Luo Nianshang was different.

She had favored white ever since she had begun her cultivation journey. It wasn’t a matter of preference. The sect uniform had been white, and she hadn’t bothered to change it.

She carefully fastened the robe, tying the sash into a rather clumsy bow.

“This will keep you warm,” she said. “I’ll make you some new clothes later, tailored to your preferences.”

Having removed her outer robe, Luo Nianshang was now clad in a white training outfit, its form-fitting design accentuating her slender figure.

The Demon Lord, inhaling the faint, clean scent clinging to the fabric, her eyes gleaming with mischief, suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Luo Nianshang’s waist. “You’re the best, Master,” she purred.

Luo Nianshang froze, her body stiff. She wanted to push the Demon Lord away, but it felt too harsh, too impersonal. She allowed herself to be held.

She felt like she was forgetting something, but the embrace had scrambled her thoughts.

Finally, her mind rebooted, and she remembered what she had wanted to ask. She glanced at the Demon Lord’s bare neck. “Where is the bell I gave you?”

The Demon Lord’s face paled, but it was a calculated act.

“I… I gave it away,” she stammered.

Luo Nianshang’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

The Demon Lord elaborated, her voice hesitant.

“I encountered some bandits on my way back,” she said. “A kind woman saved me. She came to visit me today and admired my bell. I… I gave it to her. I’m sorry, Master. Please punish me.”

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, huddled in a corner of the chamber, watched the Demon Lord’s performance with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

“She’s so good at this,” Lü Qingyan whispered. “Why is she wasting her time here? Shouldn’t she be running the Demon Realm?”

Bai Jingxue, exhausted from the day’s events, had retreated to her bed. “If she goes back, you’ll have to go back too,” she said, her voice muffled by the blankets. “Then she’ll be stuck with you.”

Lü Qingyan bristled at those words. “No way! That’s not happening!”

Bai Jingxue chuckled softly, then pretended to sleep.

She had many methods of escaping reality. Whenever she encountered something she couldn’t understand, she had two options: bury herself under the blankets and sleep, or walk aimlessly around campus.

Both methods were free, which was the main reason she favored them.

It was the same now. Despite Lü Qingyan’s incessant chatter, she drifted off to sleep.

She found herself submerged in water. Having drowned in her past life, she was terrified of this sensation.

She struggled, then suddenly stood up, her head breaking the surface.

The moment she inhaled fresh air, she realized how ridiculous the situation was.

She had no idea where she was. All she could see was water, shrouded in mist. The scenery beyond was obscured, its details lost in the swirling fog.

She took a few tentative steps forward, discovering that the water level remained constant. She continued walking.

As she moved, the path behind her vanished, replaced by an impenetrable darkness.

She realized she must be dreaming. She bit down on her paw, but there was no pain.

Free from the threat of physical harm, she abandoned her fear and continued walking.

Each step revealed the same scenery, as if she were on a treadmill, her movements futile.

Just as she was about to give up and lie down, a faint light shimmered through the mist ahead.

She stood up, her curiosity piqued, and continued walking.

The mist dissipated as she approached, revealing a figure standing before her.

As the last traces of fog cleared, she realized it wasn’t a human figure. It was a statue.

Its face was blank, but the rest of its form was incredibly detailed, each strand of hair meticulously carved.

The light she had seen emanated from a gemstone embedded in the statue’s chest.

Bai Jingxue’s first thought was “Could I pry that gemstone out and sell it?” But then she chided herself for her materialistic impulses.

The statue seemed familiar, especially the horns protruding from its forehead.

Wait. Armor, horns, long flowing hair.

Bai Jingxue’s eyes narrowed. “Why have you brought me here?” she asked, her voice cold.

She was surprised to find that she could speak.

Silence met her words, and she wondered if she had imagined it all.

“You’re different,” a voice said.

The voice seemed to emanate from the gemstone.

Bai Jingxue was now certain of the statue’s identity. She couldn’t believe it. The members of the male lead’s harem, both past and future, were popping up everywhere.

According to the original plot, this dragon princess should have fallen for the injured male lead, offering him her inner core to heal his wounds. She would then be too weak to maintain her true form, forced to become a bracelet adorning his wrist.

And this was supposed to happen much later in the story.

Bai Jingxue lay down, her demeanor weary. “What do you want?” she asked. “It was the Sword Saint who beat up your father, not me.”

The girl was surprised. “How did you know he was my father?” she asked. “You really are special.”

The gemstone’s glow dimmed, and a figure materialized before Bai Jingxue. It wasn’t a human figure. It was a dragon.

It looked like a holographic projection, a high-tech version of an ancient technique.

The dragon princess crouched down, reaching out to pet the cat, but her hand passed through Bai Jingxue’s form. There were no physical sensations in a dream. She sighed, her voice laced with disappointment.

“I apologize for the intrusion,” she said, “but I felt drawn to your aura. I’m not here for revenge.”

She ticked off her reasons on her fingers. “My dear old dad had a whole harem and countless children,” she said. “He wouldn’t even recognize me if I stood before him. I’m actually quite grateful to the Sword Saint for beating him up!”

Bai Jingxue was stunned. This was one “filial” daughter.

As she processed this, the dragon princess sighed, her voice filled with regret, almost melodramatic.

“It’s a shame the Demon Lord didn’t give him another beating,” she said. “I’m so frustrated!”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes widened. This dragon princess was on another level of “filial piety.”

Recovering from her shock, Bai Jingxue wanted out of this dream. This dragon was clearly unhinged.

“What do you want?” she asked.

The dragon princess’s fierce expression softened, replaced by a friendly smile. “I just want to pet you,” she said. “I love fluffy creatures with four legs. But I can’t leave the Dragon Palace yet.”

Bai Jingxue blinked. She was speechless. Then, she panicked.

This dragon had dragged her into a dream just to pet her?

She had no desire to be petted by a dragon. She quickly sold out Lü Qingyan. “My fur is too short,” she said. “The dog who was with me has much longer, softer fur. She’s much more pleasant to pet.”

The dragon princess’s eyes lit up. “I’ll come find you when I become the Dragon Queen,” she said excitedly.

“The dream is ending. Here, take this.”

Bai Jingxue stared at the pink scale that had materialized before her, her head spinning.

She felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, and the next moment, she was back in her bed.

She shifted, feeling something hard and uncomfortable beneath her. She sat up and saw a pink scale lying beside her.

Luo Nianshang picked up the scale, her brow furrowed. “How is this possible?” she murmured.

“What’s wrong?” the Demon Lord asked.

Luo Nianshang glanced at the cat, her usually impassive face etched with a mix of emotions. “Dragons only offer their scales as a token of affection,” she said.

Lü Qingyan, who had been happily playing with a ball, froze, her fur bristling.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

Luo Nianshang stared at the barking dog, confused. “What’s wrong with her?”

The Demon Lord, glancing at the seemingly dazed cat, hid a smile. “Who knows?” she said.

Chapter 25: The Sea of Flowers 

“What a waste of time,” the Demon Lord grumbled.

Despite her failed attempt to “borrow” cultivation manuals from the Dragon King, she hadn’t left empty-handed. She had managed to snag a few from the Dragon Palace.

Suddenly, she was curious about Luo Nianshang’s whereabouts. She pulled Lü Qingyan from her arms. “Mao Mao,” she commanded, “sniff out Luo Nianshang’s location.”

Lü Qingyan rolled her eyes at her new nickname, but she complied.

She sniffed the air, her nose twitching, then pointed a paw towards the east.

The Demon Lord trusted her dog’s instincts. She scooped Lü Qingyan back into her arms and flew in the indicated direction.

They soon arrived at a valley carpeted in a vibrant tapestry of flowers. Despite the winter season, there was no snow in sight, as if the warmth of the blossoms had melted it away.

Then, they spotted a single patch of white amidst the sea of color. Luo Nianshang stood alone, her gaze distant, lost in thought.

The Demon Lord, delighted to have found her, was about to call out “Master” when she caught herself. She would have to come up with a convincing explanation for her presence.

Luo Nianshang, sensing the approach of the Demon Lord’s potent aura, turned, her lips curling into a sneer. Her mood seemed particularly foul today.

The Demon Lord was surprised by her coldness, but also intrigued. She hovered above Luo Nianshang, her voice laced with amusement. “What are you doing here, Venerable One?”

Bai Jingxue, nestled in the Demon Lord’s arms, observed the flow of spiritual energy in the valley. It was chaotic and erratic, and Luo Nianshang’s aura seemed suppressed.

If Luo Nianshang’s spiritual energy was a balloon constantly expanding, then this strange energy was like a series of vines constricting it. She was trapped.

This was interesting. Even Luo Nianshang could be restrained.

Despite her predicament, Luo Nianshang remained calm, her expression serene, as if she were simply admiring the flowers.

She had initially intended to be honest about the nature of this place, but then she reconsidered. The Demon Lord was far more dangerous than this strange energy. The flowers might be restricting her movements, but the Demon Lord could easily kill her.

Years of dedicated cultivation might have made her somewhat socially inept, but she wasn’t stupid. She was simply out of touch with the complexities of human interaction.

“I was admiring the flowers,” she said, forcing a smile. “Would you care to join me, Demon Lord?”

The Demon Lord, momentarily mesmerized by Luo Nianshang’s unexpected smile, abandoned her caution and landed gracefully beside her. “I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for the world,” she purred.

The moment her feet touched the ground, her smile vanished.

Luo Nianshang’s deception was clumsy, but the Demon Lord, blinded by her own arrogance, had failed to maintain her usual vigilance.

She had walked right into the trap.

Bai Jingxue, who had witnessed the entire exchange, was utterly baffled. She frowned as the strange energy ensnared the Demon Lord, then felt a similar pressure constricting her own mind.

The Demon Lord, realizing the danger, flung the cat and dog out of the flower field. She, as the Demon Lord, could withstand this energy, but untransformed demon beasts were vulnerable.

Bai Jingxue twisted in midair, landing gracefully on her feet. Lü Qingyan, however, wasn’t so lucky. She tumbled across the ground, her white fur now coated in black dirt.

“Ugh! Yuck! Blech!”

She spat out the dirt, then stared at her dirty paws, her expression brightening. “Jingxue, look!” she exclaimed. “We have matching fur now!”

Bai Jingxue was beyond exasperated.

The Demon Lord’s voice, laced with fury, echoed through the valley.

“Luo Nianshang, you tricked me!”

Luo Nianshang’s voice was calm and even. “That’s strange.”

The Demon Lord suppressed her rage. “Strange? What’s strange?”

Luo Nianshang stared at her, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity. “You usually call me an old nun when you’re angry,” she observed.

The Demon Lord was speechless. It was true. She always resorted to that particular insult when she clashed with Luo Nianshang. But now, looking at Luo Nianshang’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to utter those words.

She decided to tease the stoic Sword Saint instead. She leaned in, her lips almost brushing against Luo Nianshang’s cheek, her eyes filled with a mix of amusement and something else, something unreadable.

“Because I’ve just realized,” she purred, “that you have a rather lovely figure.”

Luo Nianshang, realizing she was being flirted with, was about to shove the Demon Lord away and unleash a torrent of insults, but her gaze was drawn to the bell peeking out from beneath the Demon Lord’s collar.

The Demon Lord, wanting to keep the bell hidden, had tucked it into her robes. But they were standing so close that Luo Nianshang had noticed it.

She had assumed the Demon Lord had kidnapped her cat and that the dog had simply tagged along. But it seemed there was more to the story.

Forgetting her embarrassment, she grabbed the Demon Lord by the neck, her voice cold and dangerous. “Where did you get that bell?”

The pressure on her neck was painful, the killing intent undeniable. The Demon Lord’s emotions were a jumbled mess. She was both hated and desired by the same person.

What should she do? She didn’t want to lie.

She decided to be honest. She pulled out the bell, her voice a smug purr. “This? It was a gift from my beloved.”

Luo Nianshang’s relief at hearing that her disciple was safe was short-lived. She tightened her grip on the Demon Lord’s neck. “You two are not compatible!” she declared.

The Demon Lord raised an eyebrow, licking her lips as if savoring a memory, her voice a teasing challenge. “How do you know if we haven’t even tried?”

The world around them seemed to fade, their voices growing distant. Initially, Bai Jingxue could still make out their argument, but soon, all she could hear was a muffled bickering about the bell.

Lü Qingyan, her body trembling, edged closer to Bai Jingxue, but then hesitated, not wanting to dirty the cat’s fur with her mud-caked coat.

“Jingxue, does this place feel creepy to you?” she whispered.

Bai Jingxue, observing the increasingly chaotic flow of spiritual energy, was deeply worried.

She finally broke her silence, addressing Lü Qingyan. “Does the novel mention a place like this, a valley filled with flowers?”

Lü Qingyan searched her memory, then gasped, her eyes widening in horror. “The Land of Fallen Gods!”

Bai Jingxue stared at the vibrant blossoms, her heart sinking. This place was exactly as described in the novel. But wasn’t this a high-level area, something they weren’t supposed to encounter until much later?

As the name suggested, the Land of Fallen Gods was a place where even deities perished. There might be some exaggeration involved, but it was undoubtedly dangerous.

Even the male lead in the novel had avoided this place, only using it as a trap for his enemies.

What were they going to do? Would they be forced to live as stray cats and dogs?

Fear gnawed at her. She took a few steps back, then stopped.

“What do you think will happen to this world if Luo Nianshang dies?” she asked Lü Qingyan.

Lü Qingyan didn’t know. But without the presence of powerful figures like Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord to maintain order, the righteous and demon realms would likely resume their conflict.

“I don’t know,” she said, “but I don’t want them to die.”

Bai Jingxue pondered this for a long time, then she turned and started walking towards the flower field.

Lü Qingyan, her legs trembling, blocked her path. “I’ll go,” she said, her voice anxious. “I’m luckier than you.”

Bai Jingxue, seeing the dog’s fear, couldn’t help but smile. “That was our past life,” she said gently. “I’m not going in. I just want to take a closer look.”

Lü Qingyan didn’t believe her. Bai Jingxue was a master of deception. She had fallen for her lies countless times in their past life.

But whether it was their past or present life, Bai Jingxue remained unchanged, always shouldering burdens alone, always reassuring those she protected that everything was fine.

But Lü Qingyan could never stay mad at her. She simply drooped her ears, resorting to emotional manipulation.

“You always do this,” she whined. “When will you learn to be honest with me?”

“Remember that time you were beaten up so badly? You hid your injuries from me because you were afraid I’d do something reckless. You even wore long sleeves in the summer to cover the bruises. But why? What’s wrong with letting me help you?”

Lü Qingyan’s voice trembled with a mixture of frustration and heartache. She knew how much Bai Jingxue’s stubbornness must have hurt her.

Bai Jingxue, seeing her distress, felt a wave of guilt.

In their past life, Lü Qingyan had come from a wealthy family. A single pair of shoes for Lü Qingyan had cost more than Bai Jingxue’s monthly living expenses. Throughout their relationship, Lü Qingyan had been the one taking care of her.

Bai Jingxue had wanted to do something special for Lü Qingyan.

Lü Qingyan had been obsessed with a limited-edition figurine. Bai Jingxue had taken on extra jobs, even sacrificing her beloved library time, to save up enough money to buy it.

But the moment she had received the package, she had been cornered.

She had fought back, trying to protect her hard-earned gift, but it had been damaged.

Telling Lü Qingyan would have been pointless. If Lü Qingyan had retaliated, she would have been punished. Bai Jingxue had weighed her options and, with a heavy heart, had taken the broken figurine and her bruised body to the police.

The girls who had attacked her had been hired by a classmate who disliked her. They had refused to reveal her identity, but they had faced consequences for their actions.

But as Bai Jingxue had left the police station, staring at the broken figurine, she had felt a crushing sense of despair. She was so fragile, so easily broken.

She had dragged herself back to their apartment, where Lü Qingyan was admiring a new figurine displayed on their table. Seeing Bai Jingxue, she had smiled. “What’s that in your hand?” she had asked. “Let me put it away for you.”

Bai Jingxue had dodged her hand, her gaze fixed on the figurine, a replica of the one she had bought. “It’s just trash,” she said.

Lü Qingyan, oblivious, had beamed. “I bought it with my allowance,” she said. “I didn’t splurge. I still have plenty left over.”

They were on equal footing now, but Bai Jingxue couldn’t let go of the past.

She still felt like a creature of the shadows, unworthy of the light.

She wanted to say something, but words failed her. She patted Lü Qingyan’s head, her voice soothing. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless.”

She was about to offer further reassurance when Luo Nianshang’s voice, filled with rage and despair, echoed from the flower field.

“Qiu Yingxi! You’re going to pay for this!”

The Demon Lord’s voice, laced with amusement, followed. “Oh, come on, Venerable One. Practice makes perfect. Besides, it’s not like anything actually happened.”

The flowers in the valley suddenly wilted, their strange energy dissipating. Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord were free.

A burst of sword energy sliced through the air, decapitating the flowers. The Demon Lord flew out of the valley, a thin trickle of blood staining her lips.

She wiped the blood away with her finger, winking at Luo Nianshang. “Until next time, Venerable One.”

Chapter 24: Borrow Again?

With Luo Nianshang away from the Ejian Sect, the pile of mangled cutting boards outside her chamber had ceased to grow. Fu Yuan had even repurposed some of them as firewood for her cooking.

Bai Jingxue sat atop the pile, diligently grooming herself. Lü Qingyan soon joined her.

Fu Yuan was absent today. Ever since she had revealed the truth about the infant’s parentage, she had been frequently summoned by the sect leader and the Elders.

The absence of the two humans who could speak delighted the Demon Lord. She intended to milk her “illness” for a while longer, but being confined to bed was getting tiresome.

She tossed aside the medicinal concoction Fu Yuan had brewed, then sauntered out of the chamber, her gaze falling upon the cat.

“Little kitty,” she purred, “why are you staring at me?”

Bai Jingxue, pausing in her grooming session, wondered if her ears were malfunctioning or if the Demon Lord had finally lost her mind.

She stared at the Demon Lord for a moment, then resumed her grooming, treating her as if she were invisible.

Despite being ignored, the Demon Lord wasn’t offended. She knew this cat was intelligent. She was simply looking for a distraction.

However, no matter what she said, the cat continued to groom itself with an air of aloof indifference. After a few attempts, she pouted, finding the game rather dull. She stretched and settled down where Luo Nianshang usually practiced her disastrous knife skills.

Seeing that the Demon Lord was a safe distance away, Lü Qingyan whispered, “She has too much free time. Shouldn’t she have a job or something?”

Bai Jingxue paused in her grooming, her emerald eyes narrowed. “You have even more free time,” she retorted. “It’s snowing. Why don’t you go pull a sled? Maybe it’ll stop you from clinging to me all the time.”

Lü Qingyan slumped to the ground, her ears drooping. “There are no sleds in this world,” she mumbled.

The Demon Lord, observing the close bond between the cat and dog, finally understood why the dog kept running away. But the sight of a cat and dog getting along was rather peculiar.

It would be even more entertaining if they could talk.

Intrigued, she crossed her legs, a mischievous smile spreading across her lips. “Do you want to cultivate?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue, who had been pretending to sleep, opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the Demon Lord.

Seeing her interest, the Demon Lord pressed her advantage. “I have some connections in the Demon Realm,” she said. “How about a little trip?”

Bai Jingxue’s tail twitched, but then she remembered that Luo Nianshang had already promised to find a cultivation method for her. There was no need to risk another adventure with the Demon Lord.

And she was a lazy cat.

She closed her eyes again, feigning sleep.

The Demon Lord’s smile vanished.

Lü Qingyan, observing the scene, glanced nervously between the seemingly sleeping cat and the Demon Lord’s darkening expression. She quickly moved, shielding Bai Jingxue with her body.

The Demon Lord chuckled, amused by the dog’s loyalty. She wouldn’t harm the cat, not when Luo Nianshang was so fond of it.

But being stuck here, staring at a cat and a dog, was incredibly boring. She needed an outing.

She reached out, grabbing the cat with one hand and the dog with the other, her face splitting into a bright, cheerful smile. “Let’s go!” she declared.

Before they could protest, the scenery blurred, and they were elsewhere.

Bai Jingxue recognized the location. It was the grassy plains at the edge of the Demon Realm where they had encountered the rabbit demons.

Resistance was futile. Bai Jingxue relaxed, her body going limp.

The Demon Lord, no longer needing to maintain her disguise, resumed her true appearance.

She took a deep breath, her voice laced with boredom. “I don’t understand how Luo Nianshang can stand being cooped up in one place all the time.”

Seeing that the cat and dog were behaving, she cradled them in her arms.

Unlike Luo Nianshang, the Demon Lord’s scent was strong, a blend of medicinal herbs and something uniquely her own. It wasn’t unpleasant.

Bai Jingxue, noticing Lü Qingyan whimpering softly, assumed she had an upset stomach. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Lü Qingyan looked up at her, her eyes filled with sadness. “Every time I tried to come find you, she would drag me back here,” she said.

So she was reminiscing about her past traumas. Bai Jingxue, seeing that she wasn’t physically ill, ignored her.

Perhaps because she knew the cat and dog couldn’t understand her, the Demon Lord talked incessantly.

“If you could transform,” she said, “I’d make you my left envoy.”

Lü Qingyan barked twice, indicating her refusal. She had no desire for a job.

The Demon Lord, unable to understand her, but sensing her displeasure, chuckled. “What? You think the position of left envoy isn’t good enough for you? How about becoming the Demon Lord?”

She actually considered this for a moment, then laughed. “I’ve been wanting to quit for a while now,” she said. “You can have the job.”

Lü Qingyan was starting to think the Demon Lord had gone mad from her confinement. She stared at her, her expression a mixture of fear and bewilderment, then whispered to Bai Jingxue, “Jingxue, look at her.”

Bai Jingxue closed her eyes, refusing to look.

But she couldn’t help but imagine Lü Qingyan as the Demon Lord.

Considering the dog’s past exploits, she would probably transform the Demon Realm into a place even more righteous than the righteous realm.

The image was too beautiful. She quickly banished it from her mind.

The Demon Lord, her attempts at conversation failing, fell silent. They had reached the location where the Snake King had been slain.

The Snake King’s remains were gone, and the snake demon clan had chosen a new leader. However, this new leader was significantly weaker.

A green snake slithered down from a tree, transforming into a beautiful woman. Green scales adorned her cheeks, and her vertical pupils were filled with fear as she addressed the Demon Lord.

“Forgive my lack of a proper welcome, Your Excellency,” she said, her voice trembling. “I was unaware of your arrival.”

The Demon Lord glanced at her, her voice casual. “Nascent Soul peak realm,” she observed. “What’s your name?”

The new Snake King flinched, her voice respectful. “Zhu Ye, Your Excellency.”

The Demon Lord had asked out of habit. She wasn’t really interested. “Oh,” she said, her tone dismissive.

Zhu Ye wiped the sweat from her brow, her gaze drawn to the cat and dog nestled in the Demon Lord’s arms.

Realizing she had been distracted, she quickly tried to distance herself and her clan from the previous Snake King. “We are grateful for your assistance in eliminating the previous Snake King, Your Excellency,” she said. “He hoarded power, hindering the growth of our clan. If it weren’t for you…”

The Demon Lord frowned, cutting her off. “Why thank me?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement. “It was the Sword Saint who killed him. You should be thanking her.”

Zhu Ye stammered, unsure of how to respond.

The Demon Lord, gazing at the clear blue sky, scoffed. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold you accountable for his actions,” she said. “It’s pointless to waste my time on insignificant creatures like you.”

She knew what the aspiring dragon had wanted. She reached for the object hanging from her neck, but the familiar weight of her poison pearl was missing.

In its place was a bell. She had stored the pearl in her spatial ring.

She sighed. The Snake King had attempted to trade his envoy’s life for the poison pearl, which could have helped him transform into a flood dragon. But the Demon Lord didn’t care about the lives of her subordinates. She wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice them all if it benefited her.

But the bell still angered her. She had assumed it was a rare gift, bestowed only upon those closest to Luo Nianshang. But it seemed Luo Nianshang handed them out like candy.

She would normally have tossed the bell aside, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She couldn’t even bear to remove it.

She snorted, startling Zhu Ye, who collapsed to the ground, her legs trembling.

The Demon Lord, snapping out of her thoughts, chuckled, amused by the demon beast’s fear. She extended a hand, pulling Zhu Ye to her feet. “What a scaredy-cat,” she said.

Zhu Ye stared at her, her cheeks flushing.

The cat and dog, nestled in the Demon Lord’s arms, exchanged a worried glance.

“Jingxue, something’s not right,” Lü Qingyan whispered.

Bai Jingxue nodded. She agreed. It felt like the second female lead was stealing the male lead’s harem.

Was Zhu Ye about to build her own harem?

The image was too beautiful to contemplate. Would this lead to world peace?

Bai Jingxue would gladly choose world peace over another harem for the male lead. This world was already upside down. She might as well embrace the chaos.

The Demon Lord departed, her movements swift, leaving Zhu Ye staring after her, her heart clearly smitten.

“I could have asked that little earthworm for a cultivation method,” the Demon Lord said, “but I’m going to get you the best.”

Lü Qingyan, unable to contain her indignation, shot the Demon Lord a withering glance. “She’s in love with her, and the Demon Lord just called her an earthworm,” she muttered. “What a jerk!”

Bai Jingxue, amused by the dog’s righteous anger, nudged her tail against Lü Qingyan’s, offering silent comfort.

A memory surfaced, and she said, her voice dry, “Aren’t you describing yourself?”

Lü Qingyan tilted her head, confused. “Huh?”

Bai Jingxue, seeing her bewilderment, looked away. “Never mind.”

The Demon Lord, using a teleportation technique, transported them from the forest to the seashore.

A palace, its white walls and golden roof gleaming in the sunlight, stood upon a giant clamshell, surrounded by an oppressive aura of demonic energy.

“Look, the Dragon Palace,” the Demon Lord said excitedly. “I’ll show you a real dragon.”

The dragon clan was the royal family of the Demon Realm. Their cultivation methods were undoubtedly the best. She was eager to “borrow” a few manuals from the Dragon King.

But her excitement faded as she noticed something amiss. Wasn’t the Dragon Palace usually submerged? Why was it above water?

Before she could ponder this further, the water beneath them churned, and a dragon head cautiously emerged.

The Demon Lord chuckled. “Well, this is convenient.”

She flew down, her voice carrying across the water. “Old Dragon King, I’m here to borrow something!”

The Dragon King, his head now fully emerged, wailed, “Borrow again? What have I done to deserve this?”

The Demon Lord frowned, confused. She was sure this was her first time borrowing from him.

Bai Jingxue stared at the distraught Dragon King, exchanging a puzzled look with Lü Qingyan.

“Jingxue,” Lü Qingyan whispered, her tail twitching nervously, “does he look injured to you?”

Bai Jingxue understood instantly. She shook her head, sighing. “The Dragon King’s personality seems to be consistent with the novel,” she said.

She glanced at the Dragon Palace nestled within the clamshell. A young woman, clad in silver armor, stood at the edge of the shell. Her pink hair and the horns protruding from her forehead marked her as a dragon.

She seemed to sense Bai Jingxue’s gaze. She turned, meeting the cat’s eyes, and smiled.

Chapter 23: The Bells

If Bai Jingxue hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that the demon cultivators in this world were so bored that they resorted to stealing cats and dogs.

She tried to burn through the net trapping them with her fire breath, but it was no use. It only piqued the interest of the demon cultivator who had captured them.

A beautiful face suddenly appeared before them, but Bai Jingxue was in no mood to appreciate its beauty. This was the demon cultivator who had caught them. And there was something familiar about her.

As Bai Jingxue pondered this, Lü Qingyan began to bark furiously. “Left Envoy? Why did you capture me?”

The Demon Lord rarely handled matters personally. She delegated most tasks to her left and right envoys. The left envoy was responsible for gathering intelligence and making decisions, while the right envoy commanded the demon soldiers.

Bai Jingxue finally remembered. This was the woman who had been lying injured on the ground in the Demon Realm, her appearance identical to the one before them. But she had fled before Luo Nianshang could see her.

Had the Demon Lord discovered something? Was that why she had ordered their capture? But if that were the case, why would she have her envoy waiting at the foot of the mountain?

The demon cultivator holding the net was sweating, his arms straining under the weight of the struggling dog. The net was becoming increasingly heavy, almost too heavy for him to hold.

“Left Envoy,” he said, his voice strained, “should we dispose of them here?”

Lü Qingyan, hearing those words, quickly expanded her body, shielding Bai Jingxue beneath her belly. She snarled, baring her teeth, her normally adorable face transformed into a menacing mask.

Bai Jingxue, touched by the dog’s protective instincts, poked her head out from beneath Lü Qingyan’s belly, only to be pushed back down.

She gave up, whispering, “Can you still teleport?”

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped. “No,” she said sadly. “This net is special. It’s designed to block my powers.”

The bell around Bai Jingxue’s neck vibrated, and she felt a surge of relief. She had forgotten about the bell. But would it be enough?

The demon cultivator’s attire adhered to the tradition of revealing clothing favored by her kind. Even in this snowy weather, she was dressed in what resembled a bikini. A scar marred her brow, and her lips were painted a bright red.

She stood in the snow, staring at the two creatures trapped in the net, her eyes narrowing with jealousy.

Lü Qingyan recognized that look. In their past life, she had been pursued by countless admirers. After she had announced her relationship with Bai Jingxue, many had directed that same jealous gaze at Bai Jingxue.

But surely, that wasn’t possible now. She was a dog! What kind of person would be jealous of a dog? That would be insane.

Having convinced herself that it was impossible, Lü Qingyan stared back at the left envoy, her expression a mixture of confusion and amusement.

The left envoy chuckled. “Captured so easily? These pathetic creatures can’t possibly be the chosen ones. That Ouyang fellow is a liar.”

Lü Qingyan had no idea what she was talking about. She nudged Bai Jingxue further beneath her belly.

The demon cultivator holding the net, hearing those words, offered a suggestion. “I never trusted that boy,” he said. “Perhaps we should release them. That dog belongs to our Lord. What if she finds out?”

Lü Qingyan’s tail wagged excitedly. “That’s right!” she barked. “Qiu Yingxi is right here on the mountain! She’ll break your legs!”

Unfortunately, the left envoy’s face contorted with rage, her voice laced with bitterness.

“I’m not afraid of her!” she spat. “She’s just a nobody with a mysterious past. I was the left envoy before she was even born!”

A gust of wind swept through the area, and Lü Qingyan realized something was wrong. This envoy wasn’t loyal.

The demon cultivator holding the net was stunned by her words, but he didn’t have time to react.

A sweet, cloying scent filled the air. “Hold your breath!” Bai Jingxue hissed, her warning coming just in time.

The demon cultivator collapsed, blood trickling from his eyes and ears. He convulsed for a moment, then lay still.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan were free, but the net still trapped them.

Seeing Lü Qingyan about to bite at the net, Bai Jingxue quickly said, “Run! Don’t try to remove the net!”

Lü Qingyan understood. She grabbed Bai Jingxue’s collar with her teeth and took off running, her powerful legs carrying them through the snow.

The left envoy, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, followed at a leisurely pace.

The familiar sensation of being dragged along by the neck filled Bai Jingxue with annoyance, but the situation was too urgent to dwell on such trivialities.

They headed towards the mountain, towards the safety of the Ejian Sect, its disciples and protective barriers. Surely, a single demon cultivator wouldn’t dare to attack the sect directly.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The most powerful being in the sect was currently sharing her chamber with a demon cultivator who had infiltrated the sect without any resistance.

The familiar hum of the Ejian Sect’s protective barrier reached Bai Jingxue’s ears, and she felt a surge of relief. But her relief was short-lived. Her vision tilted, the ground rushing towards her.

Lü Qingyan, sensing the shift in weight, used her front paws to shield Bai Jingxue from the impact.

The net trapping them had suddenly become incredibly heavy, dragging them down. Lü Qingyan struggled to stand, but it was no use.

Footsteps approached, and despair washed over Lü Qingyan. She nudged Bai Jingxue further beneath her belly, her voice hushed. “She’ll kill me first,” she whispered. “You’re the smart one. Find a way to escape and get help.”

Bai Jingxue couldn’t see what was happening, but she could feel Lü Qingyan trembling, her heart pounding with fear.

The bell around her neck glowed faintly. She hadn’t figured out how to use it before, but the Demon Lord had provided a demonstration. The problem was, she had removed the bell from her neck, and Lü Qingyan was pinning her down.

The left envoy noticed the dog’s protective gesture, and she chuckled. “Touchingly loyal, aren’t they?” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “But don’t worry, you’ll both die together.”

Lü Qingyan glared at her, longing to bite her, but she was trapped, helpless.

The novel had offered little information about this left envoy. She had been a minor character, another insignificant member of the male lead’s harem. But even if Bai Jingxue had known more about her, it wouldn’t have mattered. The left envoy had clearly come prepared.

And they were just pets.

“Qingyan, lift your body slightly.”

Lü Qingyan’s menacing expression softened, and she blinked, confused. Then, her face lit up with joy. “Jingxue, you said my name!” she exclaimed. “I can die happy now!”

Facing imminent death, Lü Qingyan’s priorities were still baffling. Bai Jingxue, struggling to reach the bell, nearly choked on her own frustration.

She was both exasperated and amused. “Alright, alright,” she said, her voice calm. “Just lift your body a bit. I need to call for help.”

Lü Qingyan, glancing nervously at the left envoy, who was now radiating a manic energy, cautiously shifted her weight, the simple movement draining her strength.

The threat posed by a cat and a dog seemed insignificant now. The left envoy was no longer in a hurry to kill them.

She stared at the dog’s white fur, a strange smile curving her lips. “Do you want to know why I’m going to kill you?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan glared at her. “Because you’re crazy!” she barked.

Unfortunately, the left envoy didn’t understand. She seemed to have found an outlet for her pent-up frustration, launching into a rambling monologue.

She had been twirling a strand of hair around her finger, but suddenly, she yanked it out, her expression filled with self-loathing.

Lü Qingyan flinched, horrified by the self-inflicted pain. But what she said next was even more shocking.

“You’re just a useless dog,” she spat, her voice laced with bitterness. “Yet, she went out of her way to find you when you ran away. But me? I’m her left envoy! She doesn’t care if I live or die! What am I to her?”

Lü Qingyan, stunned by her outburst, tilted her head. “A simp?” she suggested.

Bai Jingxue, meanwhile, was still struggling with the bell. She was strong, but she couldn’t crush it. How had the Demon Lord done it so easily?

Perhaps she needed to grip it?

She tried using her claws, but they were too blunt. Maybe two paws?

She tried again, but the bell remained unscathed.

Should she test its defensive capabilities? But this woman was the Demon Lord’s left envoy. What if the bell wasn’t strong enough?

She sighed, resuming her attempts to crush the bell.

The left envoy continued her rant, as if she had been afflicted by the “villain monologue” curse.

“Why? Why doesn’t she even look at me? What does Qiu Yingxi have that I don’t?”

Lü Qingyan swallowed nervously, whispering to Bai Jingxue, “This sounds like a bad romance drama. Isn’t she supposed to be obsessed with the male lead?”

Bai Jingxue, focused on the task at hand, ignored her. Lü Qingyan, undeterred, continued her analysis. “So she’s not a dog-loving pervert,” she muttered. “She’s jealous of me because she’s in love with the Demon Lord.”

Bai Jingxue, her paws raw from her efforts, the bell still intact, gave up. She took the bell in her mouth and bit down hard.

It shattered.

Luo Nianshang, who had been diligently practicing her culinary skills, vanished from her chamber, the cleaver still clutched in her hand. The next moment, she appeared behind the left envoy.

Lü Qingyan, her savior having arrived, wagged her tail excitedly, but the left envoy, lost in her own emotional turmoil, was oblivious to the danger.

“Qiu Yingxi! Qiu Yingxi!” she screamed, her voice laced with rage. “She betrayed me! I’ll take away everything she cares about!”

She paused, her gaze fixing on the dog trapped in the net. “Starting with you,” she hissed.

Luo Nianshang, seeing the cat’s head peeking out from beneath the dog’s belly, her eyes narrowed. She tapped the left envoy’s shoulder, and the woman instantly transformed into a statue of ice, her menacing expression frozen in time.

With a swift chop of her cleaver, Luo Nianshang sliced through the net, freeing the cat and dog. She scooped them up into her arms.

Lü Qingyan quickly shrunk her body, not wanting to burden Luo Nianshang.

Staring at the frozen left envoy, Lü Qingyan couldn’t contain her excitement. “You’re amazing, Luo Nianshang!” she exclaimed.

Luo Nianshang, however, had overheard the left envoy’s rant. Her expression was grim. “That shameless woman,” she muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, back in her chamber, the Demon Lord was enjoying a bowl of ginseng soup, a smug smile on her face. “Luo Nianshang must be thinking about me,” she thought.

She picked up the bell Luo Nianshang had given her, admiring it for a moment before tucking it safely into her sleeve.

A moment later, Luo Nianshang returned, the cat and dog in her arms.

The Demon Lord’s eyes lit up. “Mas… huh?”

Her confusion was understandable. Both the cat and the dog now had bells hanging from their collars.

Lü Qingyan, fascinated by her new accessory, batted at it playfully. “Jingxue,” she said, “doesn’t this look like a smartwatch?”

Bai Jingxue stared at her for a moment, then replied dryly, “Have you ever seen a smartwatch that requires a blood sacrifice to activate?”

And apparently, these things were mass-produced.

***

左使 (Zuo shi) – Left Envoy:

• “左” (zuo) means “left”
• “使” (shi) means “envoy” or “emissary”

右使 (You shi) – Right Envoy:

• “右” (you) means “right”
• “使” (shi) means “envoy” or “emissary”

I’ve chosen to translate 左使 (Zuo shi) and 右使 (You shi) as ‘Left Envoy’ and ‘Right Envoy’ respectively. These terms are used in the original text in a way that makes it unclear whether they are personal names or titles, at least for now.

Chapter 22: Apprehended

Bai Jingxue watched as the infant in the cradle finally settled into a peaceful sleep, the baleful energy cleansed from its tiny body.

She turned to Luo Nianshang, who had just withdrawn her hand after performing the purification ritual.

Fu Yuan, standing beside the cradle, her expression anxious, addressed Luo Nianshang. “Master.”

Luo Nianshang glanced at the sleeping infant. The task itself had been simple, but the audacity of someone performing such a dark ritual within the Ejian Sect angered her.

“The child is fine now,” she said.

Fu Yuan, relieved, bowed low. “I have something to confess, Master,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please punish me for my deception.”

The cat and dog, their ears perked up, exchanged confused glances.

Luo Nianshang, who had been about to leave, paused, her voice sharp. “What deception?”

A wave of pressure descended upon Fu Yuan, making her head bow even lower. Her breath caught in her throat, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. “The child,” she stammered, “might be the offspring of a sect disciple and a flower demon. I… I wanted to conceal this information, out of loyalty to my fellow disciple. But now, with the child exhibiting such strange symptoms, I fear there might be consequences for the sect.”

Lü Qingyan couldn’t believe her ears. She wanted to whisper to Bai Jingxue, but she was afraid of being swatted. She let out a soft whine.

“Jingxue, can mammals and plants even have children?”

Bai Jingxue frowned. “You’re worried about scientific accuracy in a cultivation story?” she retorted. “Have you ever seen a fire-breathing cat before?”

Lü Qingyan blushed, then resumed her observation, her tail wagging.

Luo Nianshang considered this. Her past self would have dealt with this swiftly and harshly. But now, she hesitated. “Do not speak of this to anyone,” she instructed. “Tell me the disciple’s name. I will discuss this matter with the sect leader and the Elders. Your punishment will be decided later.”

The pressure lifted, and Fu Yuan, her head still bowed, rose to her feet. “Thank you, Master,” she said, her voice shaky.

She let out a sigh of relief, then her gaze fell upon the black cat sitting by the window. She remembered the cat’s desire to cultivate.

Glancing at Luo Nianshang’s impassive face, she cautiously offered her suggestion. “Master, I often see Little White in the library, reading books about demon beasts,” she said. “Perhaps she wishes to cultivate.”

Bai Jingxue blinked, surprised. Fu Yuan had been paying attention, even remembering a cat’s wish. She was desperate to transform back into a human.

She leaped down from the windowsill and rubbed against Luo Nianshang’s leg, her tail held high as she meowed softly.

Luo Nianshang finally understood. “Little White wants to cultivate?” she asked, scooping up the cat.

Bai Jingxue nodded eagerly.

She had initially thought being reborn as a cat was a terrible fate, but now, she was starting to see the benefits. She had a powerful protector, a sturdy thigh to cling to. It wasn’t so bad.

Luo Nianshang might have seemed aloof and unapproachable, but all it took was a bit of shameless begging to win her over.

Seeing the usually independent cat acting so clingy, Luo Nianshang realized that Fu Yuan was probably right.

She considered this for a moment, then stroked Bai Jingxue’s head. “I’ll go to the Demon Realm and borrow a method for you,” she said.

Bai Jingxue’s tail swished excitedly.

Luo Nianshang, watching her cat act like an overenthusiastic dog, glanced at the white dog perched on the table by the window. Lü Qingyan tilted her head, her expression a silent “What are you looking at?”

Luo Nianshang sighed, deciding that it was time to return the Demon Lord’s dog.

The thought of the Demon Lord brought back unwelcome memories from the secret realm. Her ears flushed, and she muttered under her breath, “That scoundrel.”

Bai Jingxue, nestled in her arms, heard her clearly. “Meow?” she asked, confused.

Luo Nianshang, realizing her slip, quickly composed herself. “Go play,” she said. “But be back before nightfall.”

Bai Jingxue leaped from Luo Nianshang’s arms and onto the cradle, peering down at the infant.

The child, free from the baleful energy, slept soundly, its features perfectly human, with no trace of its flower demon heritage.

Bai Jingxue gently patted the infant’s tiny hand with her paw.

It was so small and soft. She couldn’t resist petting it again, her tail swishing gently. She seemed quite content.

Lü Qingyan, seeing her happiness, wagged her tail and settled beside the cradle, watching.

Luo Nianshang, observing this heartwarming scene, reconsidered her decision to return the dog.

She wasn’t sure how to face the Demon Lord. The sight of that alluring face, that mischievous smile, always triggered a surge of anger that made her want to draw her sword.

It was easier to avoid her altogether.

She glanced at Bai Jingxue, then turned and left, flying back to her chamber at the peak of the mountain.

She had recently abandoned her cultivation practice in favor of learning to cook. However, her attempts at culinary mastery resembled a wood-chopping competition.

With the formidable figures gone, Fu Yuan finally relaxed. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her voice filled with surprise. “Ancestor Luo isn’t as cold and unapproachable as they say,” she murmured.

She poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip, then her eyes widened in horror. She had forgotten something crucial.

“I forgot to tell Master who the disciple is!” she exclaimed.

Bai Jingxue, startled by her outburst, her fur bristling, quickly calmed down.

She had seen enough of the infant. She decided to go for a walk. She usually explored the mountain, but this time, she wanted to visit the village below.

This was a big step for a homebody like her.

The snow wasn’t as deep down here, but it still crunched beneath her paws.

“Jingxue, wait for me!”

The familiar voice reached her ears, and Bai Jingxue sighed.

She had been trying to escape Lü Qingyan, but the dog’s teleportation ability and keen sense of smell made it impossible.

Lü Qingyan, oblivious to the cat’s intentions, wouldn’t have cared anyway. She was always happy to be with Bai Jingxue.

No one in the village paid much attention to the cat and dog, though they did comment on their unusual breeds and sleek, well-groomed fur. They assumed they were pets who had wandered away from a wealthy household.

With that assumption in mind, they simply observed them briefly, then went about their business.

Lü Qingyan was content with her current life. Despite Bai Jingxue’s continued aloofness, she was happy to simply be near her former lover.

“Life is good,” she sighed. “The female lead is definitely more normal than the Demon Lord.”

Bai Jingxue, remembering the pile of mangled cutting boards back in Luo Nianshang’s chamber, disagreed. The female lead was incredibly clueless at times.

Her stubbornness and tendency to overthink things made her inflexible.

But Bai Jingxue, still trapped in her feline form, couldn’t offer any advice. And even if she transformed, the difference in their status would make it difficult to approach Luo Nianshang.

Lü Qingyan, however, wasn’t one to dwell on such matters. Her attention was caught by an old man fishing by the river. She dashed over to watch him.

Bai Jingxue, realizing that the dog was gone, panicked for a moment, then spotted her by the river.

She was relieved, but also frustrated. She couldn’t bring herself to be truly harsh with Lü Qingyan.

Annoyed by her own conflicting emotions, she climbed onto the roof of a nearby house, observing the dog.

The old man, noticing his furry audience, chuckled and offered the dog a fish from his basket.

Lü Qingyan, however, wrinkled her nose and pushed the fish back with her paw.

The old man laughed. “What a clever dog,” he said.

Assuming the dog understood him, he set aside his fishing rod and turned to face Lü Qingyan.

Lü Qingyan tilted her head, confused, then stood up and placed her paw on the fishing rod, whimpering softly.

The old man chuckled, then his expression turned serious. “Little one, you should go home,” he said. “There have been a lot of dog and cat thefts lately. With your white fur, you’re an easy target.”

Lü Qingyan scoffed. She was the dog who had managed to steal the Demon Lord’s shoe. She would single-pawedly take down these dog thieves.

She abandoned her observation of the fishing session and, realizing that Bai Jingxue was gone, sniffed the air, her nose twitching. Her eyes lit up as she located the cat.

Bai Jingxue was on a rooftop. She was about to teleport, but then she remembered that the villagers were all mortals.

She glanced at the old man, who was watching her with a smile, then abandoned her plan, opting to run towards the house.

The family living there had a dog, a small, scruffy mutt with piercing eyes that barked at her incessantly.

Lü Qingyan, understanding dog language, was disgusted by the mutt’s crude insults. She growled, baring her teeth.

The mutt tucked its tail between its legs and fled.

Lü Qingyan, having dealt with the annoying mutt, stared up at the aloof cat on the roof, her ears drooping. She wanted to whisper to Bai Jingxue.

Could she somehow…

She surveyed her surroundings and realized she had a problem. She was surrounded by a pack of dogs, summoned by the mutt she had intimidated.

She wasn’t afraid of them, but their presence had attracted the attention of the villagers. Using her teleportation ability was no longer an option.

Bai Jingxue, watching from the rooftop, couldn’t help but smile. She hesitated for a moment, then leaped down, landing gracefully on Lü Qingyan’s back. “Let’s go,” she said softly.

Lü Qingyan’s head dipped slightly under the cat’s weight. “Have you gained weight, Jingxue?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue froze. She had been enjoying the good food and comfortable life with Luo Nianshang. Weight gain was inevitable. But she didn’t want to hear it.

She bared her teeth, her voice low and menacing. “What did you say?”

Lü Qingyan, realizing her mistake, quickly changed the subject. “Oh, right! Let’s go catch those dog thieves!”

Bai Jingxue, amused by the dog’s desperate attempt to appease her, resumed her comfortable position. “You’re so ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head.

Lü Qingyan, carrying Bai Jingxue on her back, leaped over the pack of dogs, her voice filled with excitement. “This could be bigger than we think,” she said. “What if those dog thieves are actually demon cultivators? We could be heroes!”

She had spoken in jest, but as they were captured, she realized, with a sinking heart, that her words had been prophetic.

“Oh no,” she whimpered. “They really are demon cultivators.”

Bai Jingxue, trapped alongside her, glared at the dog. “You and your big mouth,” she hissed.