Chapter 65: Volunteering
Many things became easier after transforming into a human, although some feline habits were hard to break. Bai Jingxue spent some time resisting the urge to lick her paws.
She then stared at the pile of white clothes Luo Nianshang had gifted her, sighing inwardly.
She wasn’t picky about clothes. In her past life, she had always bought the cheapest options, wearing them until they were threadbare.
She was currently wearing someone else’s clothes, which felt rather unsettling. She closed the door, preparing to change.
But then she remembered that she wasn’t alone.
She turned to see Lü Qingyan sitting obediently beside her.
Lü Qingyan, sensing her intention, quickly closed her eyes, her expression virtuous. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I won’t peek.”
Bai Jingxue believed her. In their past life, during their time living together, Lü Qingyan had always been respectful. It was that purity, that unwavering integrity, that had drawn Bai Jingxue to her.
She had discovered that this so-called “bad girl” wasn’t bad at all. She was kinder and more principled than most.
Their constant proximity had fostered a deep affection, Lü Qingyan’s vibrant personality nurturing its growth.
Lost in memories of their past, Bai Jingxue closed her eyes, shedding her clothes, replacing them with the ones Luo Nianshang had provided.
Her newly transformed body was pale and delicate, the white robes emphasizing her ethereal beauty. Her aloof expression completed the picture. She resembled a figure carved from jade.
Seeing that Lü Qingyan’s eyes were still closed, a wave of tenderness washed over her. She smiled, then quickly schooled her expression, resuming her usual aloof demeanor.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Lü Qingyan opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on Bai Jingxue, who was sitting at the vanity. She rushed over, jumping onto Bai Jingxue’s lap.
Her praise was always sincere and enthusiastic. The more she stared at Bai Jingxue’s face, a perfect replica of her past self, the more she adored her.
“You’re so beautiful, Jingxue.”
Bai Jingxue, watching the dog wagging her tail excitedly, struggled to contain her smile. She patted Lü Qingyan’s head. “You too,” she said. “So hurry up and transform.”
Lü Qingyan’s smile vanished. “I can’t,” she said, her voice laced with frustration. “I haven’t figured it out yet. How did you do it, Jingxue?”
Bai Jingxue raised a hand, and a golden-red flame flickered to life, its inner flames gold, its outer flames a vibrant orange-red. It was mesmerizing.
She focused her will, and the flames vanished in a small explosion.
She frowned, staring at her hand. “It’s just a theory,” she said, “but perhaps my flames can absorb other people’s cultivation.”
This ability was rather sinister, more befitting a demon cultivator than a righteous one.
But demons didn’t have such rigid classifications.
Lü Qingyan’s eyes widened. “That means your cultivation will increase rapidly!” she exclaimed. “That’s amazing! No one will be able to bully you anymore!”
Bai Jingxue glanced at her, then couldn’t resist petting her again.
She hadn’t been able to pet Lü Qingyan when she was a cat, but now that she was human again, she couldn’t resist the dog’s cuteness.
She was small and soft, her paw pads pink, her eyes large and expressive, her face always adorned with a smile.
Who could resist that?
Bai Jingxue certainly couldn’t. And Lü Qingyan didn’t seem to mind her touch.
Perhaps she shouldn’t rush Lü Qingyan’s transformation. She would probably resemble her past self, which would be adorable, but she would be taller than Bai Jingxue. That was a bit annoying.
She liked this idea, but it was just a fantasy. Lü Qingyan couldn’t remain a dog forever.
Lü Qingyan, watching Bai Jingxue’s contemplative expression, was reminded of their past life. Bai Jingxue had often worn that same expression, and Lü Qingyan would secretly observe her from the back of the classroom.
She had longed for Bai Jingxue to be her girlfriend.
But for the first time in her life, she had hesitated. It was their final year of high school, a crucial time. She couldn’t distract Bai Jingxue.
And she wasn’t sure if Bai Jingxue even liked girls. Confessing her feelings seemed too risky.
She had embarked on a journey of secret admiration, the usually careless girl suddenly paying attention to Bai Jingxue’s preferences, carefully memorizing every detail.
She had expressed her affection clumsily, her heart filled with both hope and fear.
She had filled the refrigerator with cheap ice cream during the summer, knowing that Bai Jingxue, who was frugal, wouldn’t buy it herself.
She had learned to knit scarves and gloves before winter arrived, mimicking the actions of other couples.
But Bai Jingxue, usually perceptive, was oblivious when it came to matters of the heart. She hadn’t understood why this “bad student” was suddenly being so nice to her.
She had often stared at Lü Qingyan, her expression confused, her voice gentle. “I guess those rumors weren’t true,” she had said. “You’re actually a good person.”
Lü Qingyan, receiving yet another “good person” card, had felt a mix of emotions, but she had simply laughed it off. “Don’t believe those rumors,” she had said. “They don’t know me.”
They had been standing on that bridge, the night sky dark, the streetlights casting a warm glow around them. Lü Qingyan had noticed snowflakes falling onto Bai Jingxue’s hair and had brushed them away.
For a moment, it had felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
She had glanced down, her gaze drawn to Bai Jingxue’s long, dark eyelashes, dusted with snowflakes. But she couldn’t reach out and brush them away, as she had done with the snowflakes on her hair. It felt too intimate.
She had withdrawn her hand, maintaining a safe distance, then she had heard Bai Jingxue’s voice, softer than the falling snow. “Lü Qingyan, you’re my first friend.”
Lü Qingyan had been speechless. She had been overjoyed, knowing that she was special to Bai Jingxue, different from everyone else.
But her joy had been tinged with sadness. She had felt Bai Jingxue’s loneliness.
She had forced a smile, her voice cheerful. “You’ll make more friends, Jingxue,” she had said. “You’re a good person.”
Bai Jingxue, seeing Lü Qingyan’s dejected expression, assuming she was upset about her inability to transform, squeezed her ear gently. “Don’t worry,” she said. “You’ll get there.”
Lü Qingyan, her ear twitching, resisted the urge to pull away. She smiled up at Bai Jingxue. “Of course I will,” she said. “I still need to become your girlfriend.”
Bai Jingxue, startled, wondered what she had done to deserve Lü Qingyan’s unwavering devotion. She shook her head. “Fine,” she said. “But only if you fulfill our agreement.”
Improving the relationship between the Sword Saint and the Demon Lord was an impossible task.
But what about that Domineering Sword Saint novel? Who was the “runaway bride”?
She was curious about the person who had managed to steal from the male lead’s harem.
The door suddenly opened, and Luo Nianshang, her gaze meeting Bai Jingxue’s, quickly averted her eyes, backing out of the room and closing the door.
“Knock, knock.”
“May I come in?”
Bai Jingxue was amused. Luo Nianshang had never bothered to knock when she was a cat. Now that she was human, Luo Nianshang seemed to be incredibly awkward.
“Please enter, Venerable One,” Bai Jingxue said, trying to contain her laughter.
The door opened again, and Luo Nianshang, settling onto a chair far from Bai Jingxue, her gaze fixed on her shoes, said, “I went to the Dragon Palace and found you a master. She’ll teach you everything you need to know about being a demon.”
The Sword Saint was efficient. She had already resolved the issue.
Bai Jingxue, noticing Luo Nianshang’s awkward demeanor, couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Venerable One.”
Meanwhile, in the underwater Dragon Palace, the Dragon King sat on his throne, sighing. He didn’t understand why these powerful humans were so persistent.
He sighed again. Dragons, with their noble lineage, inherently looked down upon humans. Although these humans possessed immense power, their prejudice remained.
And dragons were valuable. Their scales, claws, and blood were prized ingredients for elixirs and artifacts. Human greed was a terrifying force. Sending a dragon to the Ejian Sect was risky. She might not return.
He was currently agonizing over who to send.
News of Luo Nianshang’s arrival spread quickly through the palace. Ying, after some discreet inquiries, learned the details, her heart filled with joy.
While her siblings hid, she approached her father, her voice eager. “Father, let me go.”
The Dragon King, lost in his thoughts, hadn’t noticed her approach. He jumped, his voice laced with annoyance.
But then he realized what she had said, and his annoyance was replaced by excitement. “Are you sure, my child?” he asked. “This journey is dangerous. You might be enslaved, forced to serve those humans. You might even die, your bones never recovered.”
Ying didn’t hesitate. “I’m willing to go, Father.”
The Dragon King was surprised. He hadn’t recognized his own daughter. He stared at her, trying to remember which one she was.
He gave up after a while. If he couldn’t remember, then she wasn’t important. He patted her shoulder, his voice gruff. “Good girl,” he said. “The Dragon Clan will remember your sacrifice.”
This was the first time Ying had ever been praised, but she knew her father well. She wasn’t touched.
She was simply excited about the prospect of petting those furry creatures on land.
That little black cat had mentioned a particularly adorable white dog. She had been longing to meet them.
Lü Qingyan, nestled in Bai Jingxue’s arms, suddenly shivered, a wave of unease washing over her. She felt like something bad was about to happen.
Bai Jingxue, sensing her trembling, asked, “What’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
Lü Qingyan shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I’m hungry.”
Bai Jingxue turned to Luo Nianshang, who was still counting ants. “She’s hungry,” Bai Jingxue said.
As if on cue, Fu Yuan entered the room, her gaze falling upon Bai Jingxue. She blinked, her voice filled with surprise. “Who is this?”
Bai Jingxue, still holding Lü Qingyan, smiled. “Hello,” she said. “I’m Bai Jingxue. The little black cat you used to feed.”
Fu Yuan’s eyes widened in realization. She stared at Bai Jingxue, then couldn’t help but say, “You’re beautiful.”
She filled the dog’s bowl, then was about to fill the cat’s bowl when she realized Bai Jingxue was human now. “Oh, I’ll get you a different bowl,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
She turned to leave, then paused at the doorway, glancing back at Bai Jingxue. “She’s incredibly beautiful,” she murmured.
Lü Qingyan, watching Fu Yuan’s reaction, suddenly lost her appetite.
She realized she was in a very precarious situation.
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