“Can you find out who bought the Starfall Stone?” In a private room on the third floor, a Nascent Soul cultivator wearing a wide-sleeved robe with a flowing cloud design asked the people around him.
“It was a guest on the fourth floor.” The person who answered looked uncomfortable. “A craftsman who can go up to the fourth floor, they must be a powerful Half-Immortal or above. Not someone who should be trifled with.”
The Nascent Soul cultivator clenched his fist. He came here on a whim; he didn’t have that many lingshi with him. He never would have thought that there would be a Starfall Stone being auctioned. “That won’t do, the big competition will be held soon. I must get that Starfall Stone, otherwise, that bastard is sure to win.”
This Nascent Soul cultivator, surnamed Ding, was the direct son of Liuyun Sect’s Craftsman. His qualifications were first-class, it’s just that he had a younger half-brother who had more crafting talent than him. Previously, that bastard had been sent to work as a spy among Demonic cultivators thanks to his own clever schemes. However, who would have expected that the bastard would get lucky and obtain the advice of Lord Duantian and immediately catch the attention of the whole sect after he came back.
“Master Ding, the guests on the fourth floor have left.” Liuhe Auction House was managed jointly by the three major sects. Naturally, there were people belonging to the different sects present. The Ding family still had ways of obtaining information.
“Thank the vice-manager for me.” The Nascent Soul cultivator stood up.
“No need, Master Ding, but please thank Great Master Ding for the Soul Subjugating Horn.” The auction house employee smiled and looked at the white fox causing a bidding frenzy on the stage.
An ordinary Soul Subjugating Horn only worked when wielded by the master of a Spiritual Beast. This Soul Subjugating Horn that could tame any Demonic Beast was very rare, only a few Master refiners could craft it.
“Ng…” Qingtong leaned against Mo Tianliao, he had a splitting headache and couldn’t help gripping the clothes covering Mo Tianliao’s chest.
Mo Tianliao did not dare stop and flew as far away as he could, waiting until the effect of the Soul Subjugating Horn could not be felt any more before slowing down. Da-shixiong approached in a dangerously swerving flying boat. “Climb on.”
Holding Master, he jumped onto the flying boat and took control of it with one hand, letting Meng Hu, who was also not feeling very well, catch his breath. Meng Hu swallowed a Soul Soothing pill, then took over again, indicating he was ok and had him take care of Master.
Mo Tianliao did not object, he held Qingtong and sat in the middle of the boat, forcing apart the ruby lips and feeding him a Soul Condensing pill.
“Where are we going?” Meng Hu rubbed his forehead and glanced at Master, who looked very bad. He wondered which wicked old bastard had created that thing, it was so powerful.
“Let’s return to the sect.” As Mo Tianliao was saying this, the swift boat stopped suddenly, causing the three men to fall forward at the same time. Mo Tianliao skilfully used the momentum to continue rolling, he ended up sitting while still holding Master safely.
“Who is it?” Meng Hu got up, fuming. Someone had used a magical weapon to stop the flying boat.
That person frankly hadn’t expected the magical weapon to have such an effect, he was momentarily stupefied. “This one is called Ding Zijin, son of Liuyun Sect’s Elder Ding Hu. No offense was intended, Senior… ah, it’s Meng shidi.”
Meng Hu frowned. The three main sects were in regular contact. He did recognize Ding Zijin, not because of any friendship, but because this person seemed to be obsessed with knowing the direct disciples of the various sects and had sent him some minor magical tools.
The flying boat had some shades to keep out the sun. Unless the people inside stood up, they could not be seen from the outside, Ding Zijin did not know who else was sitting in the boat. Since Meng Hu was here, the Half-Immortal must be a Woyun Sect’s Branch Master or Mountain Elder.
“The thing is, Liuyun Sect is going to have a sect-wide competition. I really need that Starfall Stone, I don’t know if…” Ding Zijin said carefully.
Meng Hu’s face darkened. How did this man know they had bought the Starfall Stone? Liuhe Auction House must have disclosed their information, those villains! “Brother Ding, what you’ve done has already broken the rules of Liuhe Market, you’d better leave, right now.” His meaning was very clear: “The Elder in the boat can’t be bothered to deal with you, for now. If you keep being a nuisance, it is only a matter of time before you are beaten up!”
“This one will be unforgivably rude. I have here a top-grade spiritual weapon and a ten-thousand-year-old spiritual grass, I just beseech you to part with that Starfall Stone,” Ding Zijin said, watching the flying boat with narrowed eyes. His father, Ding Hu, was the best craftsman in the three major sects, even the head of Woyun Sect had to show some respect. He didn’t even need to obtain it today; he just needed to see who was in the boat then go to the sect and use the name of his father to ask for an exchange.
Qingtong, who was reclining in Mo Tianliao’s arms, frowned; it was very noisy. He got up and prepared to teach this arrogant little brat a good lesson. Unexpectedly, as soon as he straightened his body, he felt besieged by a tremendous pain, he immediately bit his lower lip. Outside was a Nascent Soul cultivator, if they let him know that this powerful Half-Immortal was seriously injured, he would no doubt try to rob them.
Mo Tianliao made the man lay back down again hurriedly, grabbed Qingtong’s chin, and said darkly, “Open your mouth.” Round droplets of blood trickled from the bitten lower lip and slid down the white chin, dripping on the snow-coloured mermaid silk. Mo Tianliao saw this and felt like a knife was twisting in his heart. He forced open the closed lips, bent over quickly, and blocked the spill with his own lips.
Cold beautiful eyes suddenly widened, staring fixedly at the handsome face that was suddenly closer, they stared blankly for some time.
You perverted disciple, wh-what are you doing?
The texture of the lips was very soft, like glutinous Osmanthus cake, cool on the inside and with a certain indescribable sweetness. Mo Tianliao was intoxicated and for a brief moment felt as if in a trance. Then he realized what he had done on impulse. He had, without thinking, kissed Master! He felt a cold shiver run down his back; his skin erupted in goose-bumps. He thought to himself that this time he was well and truly screwed. Lord Kitty would scratch him into wood shavings.
The jade-like fingertips on Mo Tianliao’s back immediately turned into five sharp claws, and even the sunlight seemed to turn cold.
This damn unfilial disciple, mnn…
The claws that had just been raised suddenly went limp and a warm breath slowly passed between the place where the two touched, it smelled faintly of greenery. It greatly eased his pain.
Soul Condensing pills could only temporarily stabilize his soul, they couldn’t reduce his pain, this breath was like a fresh spring flowing over dry land, such comfort as he had not felt for a long time. Qingtong could not help but slowly close his eyes.
Mo Tianliao knew he had done something stupid but did not dare to make any sudden movements for fear of hurting Master. He could only separate bit by bit, body rigid, prepared to be beaten by Master any second. Unexpectedly, when there was barely a finger-width of distance between them, the sweet thin lips astoundingly followed his and kissed him again.
“Mmm!” Mo Tianliao was completely shocked. He paused for a while looking at the close handsome face. Those cold eyes were covered by lowered eyelids and the long eyelashes trembled slightly. They scratched his face gently, seeming to carry that itch directly into his heart.
To cultivate was to follow one’s inclinations.
As a Demonic cultivator, Mo Tianliao would not resist out of misguided politeness. Since he really wanted to kiss him and Master did not intend to kill him for a while, he followed his heart, hugged the beauty in his arms, and deepened the kiss.
Meng Hu was so frustrated by this good-for-nothing Ding that he wanted to bite him. There had been no movement in the boat, was there anything wrong with Master? When the thought occurred, he became even more anxious and just wanted to go down and have a look. Just then a spiritual slap from a white jade-like palm headed directly toward Ding Zijin, who was still chattering animatedly.
Ding Zijin was startled and hurriedly flipped in the air to avoid it. At the same time, he took out a defensive special tool, it activated with a light when it was touched by the gale generated by the blow. He was abruptly shoved several zhangs away.
“Master.” Meng Hu turned and saw Qingtong’s standing with his hands behind him. Although his complexion was still not good, his lips were not as pale as before.
Ding Zijin quickly drew his flying sword to catch himself and stood firm. When he saw the person in the boat, his heart suddenly froze. Even if it had been the Woyun Sect Leader, there would have been a chance to save the situation. Why was he so unlucky to meet the infamously bad-tempered Qingtong Zhenren? “This Junior… ah…” He was slapped again before he could say anything.
“Scram!” The cold voice ran through the sky with vigorous spiritual force.
“I didn’t know it was Qingtong Zhenren, I’m truly sorry!” Ding Zijin did not dare to say more. Once this merciless demon was angered, forget him, even if his father came, he would not hesitate to beat him up. He hurriedly apologised and fled on his flying sword.
A Nascent Soul cultivator could still go against a Half-Immortal cultivator as long as he was sufficiently strong and had enough spiritual treasures. However, Ding Zijin had only wanted to gather some information, he wasn’t planning on risking his life. He had thought that he would go later to Woyun Sect and ask to trade for the Starfall Stone. If he fought back, he would be causing even greater offence, if he didn’t fight back, he would only be severely punished. It was better to go.
“Master, are you all right?” Meng Hu stepped forward to help Qingtong sit back down.
“Fine.” Qingtong sat down and glanced at Mo Tianliao who was shrinking in a corner.
“Huh? Shidi, what’s wrong with you?” Meng Hu leaned in curiously, his shidi was leaning back against the stern, holding his head and not talking.
“No-nothing…” Mo Tianliao lowered his head and moved to the helm. “Master is fine, shixiong should rest. I’ll take the helm.” Then, he decisively started manning the ship.
Qingtong snorted, grabbed his elder disciple who was still trying to go near and slapped him on the head.
Meng Hu scratched his head. Although he was very curious, his Master’s orders could not be disobeyed. He turned into a fluffy tiger and was carried with one hand to the back of the boat by Master.
To be carried in this case meant that Qingtong just pulled the big tiger by the scruff of the neck, and it obediently followed him. Then he lay down with a thump and a look of exhausted indifference.
Qingtong leaned against the warm purring tiger and narrowed his eyes at the silent person sitting in front of him. The black outer robe was being lifted by the wind, continuously revealing his shirt which had been torn to shreds, exposing his dark underclothes. His slender fingers extended as he looked, the vision of the man in front of him, curled into a ball, made his hands itch with desire.
Mo Tianliao touched his face covered with white grooves and teeth marks on his chin and did not dare to say a word.
“A Rich and Meaningful Day”
Little Bird: What did you get today?
Liuhe Market: I got lots of lingshi, money money money!
Poor Saboteur: I got a slap on the face by Zhenren, scared shitless!
Colourful Tiger: I got a terrible secret. Shh! （⊙ω⊙）
Carpenter: I got… a face turned into wood shavings… why oh why?
Unedited, please point out any mistakes
Thank you Nika for the ko-fi!!! Sorry for posting so late
Will post the next extra chapters right away. Thank you so much, everyone