Chapter 224 - 223: Cultivation World: You Are Different From Other Righteous Cultivators

Despite this, he remained rooted to the spot, ignoring her words.

He was lost in thought, trying to figure out how she had found him. After a long while without an answer, he gave up.

’Maybe she has some kind of treasure.’

With that in mind, he prepared to probe her to see what kind of treasure she possessed.

But when he looked again, the spot where Chu Liangyu had been standing was empty.

Chang Qing’s heart skipped a beat. Fearing Chu Liangyu had been captured by someone else, he immediately unleashed his Divine Sense to search for her.

He searched everywhere—everywhere except right behind him.

Chu Liangyu watched him. ’This subordinate doesn’t seem very bright,’ she thought.

She watched him bustle about for a good while, his forehead slick with sweat, yet he showed no sign of finding her.

With a sigh, Chu Liangyu reached out and patted his shoulder. "Stop looking. I’m right behind you."

"Gah—"

The sudden pat made Chang Qing leap three feet in the air. After landing, he slowly turned around, his terrified eyes locking onto Chu Liangyu.

Once he saw her face clearly, Chang Qing breathed a sigh of relief before asking reflexively, "You’re only a Golden Core Stage Cultivator. How could you sneak up on me so easily?!"

"Did... did you do something to me?"

Chu Liangyu was silent for a moment before replying, "You’re not even as handsome as my master. What designs could I possibly have on you?"

Chu Liangyu’s piercing remark instantly silenced Chang Qing. The two stared at each other, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

"This contains the Jade Spirit Grass that Master wants. Take it back to him. Consider it compensation for deceiving him."

"Oh, alright."

Chang Qing took the Jade Box. A long moment passed before his eyes suddenly lit up as realization dawned. "What? Jade Spirit Grass?" he exclaimed.

’This is the very herb His Lord has been searching for! To think His Lord’s young disciple spent so much money, all for His Lord’s sake.’

"Why didn’t you give it to His Lord sooner?"

Chu Liangyu gave him a surprised look. ’How did he suddenly get a brain?’ she wondered. But she had anticipated this question.

A look of sorrow appeared on Chu Liangyu’s face at the perfect moment. "I offered the Jade Spirit Grass as a condition for Master to keep me by his side, but he still refused. If I had just given it to him, I’d have no leverage left to attract his attention."

"But things are different now. He’ll never forgive my deceit. I might as well give this to him. Just... consider it a token of my devotion as his disciple."

As Chang Qing listened to her heartbreaking words, his eyes gradually filled with sympathy.

’Of all the people to fall for, it had to be His Lord. Our Lord is as unfeeling as a stone when it comes to love. This romance is doomed.’

"I understand. I’ll relay your message to His Lord, word for word."

"My thanks."

Chu Liangyu offered her thanks with a smile, then turned and departed.

As for Chang Qing, he completely forgot Li Jingxuan’s instructions, his mind solely focused on bringing back the Jade Spirit Grass.

’With this, His Lord’s Divine Soul can finally be healed.’

After Chang Qing left, Chu Liangyu had not gone far before figures lurking in the shadows rushed out, eagerly surrounding her.

"Now that you’re without His Lord’s protection, let’s see who’ll back you up. Lady, I suggest you know what’s good for you and hand over all your Spirit Stones. If you do, maybe we’ll spare your life."

He said as much, but the lecherous look on his face betrayed his true intentions.

Chu Liangyu was an absolute beauty. It was impossible that these Demon Cultivators didn’t have some wicked ideas about her.

In the Demon Hall, under Li Jingxuan’s protection, they wouldn’t have dared. But things were different now. Perhaps they could take this chance to get a little taste.

"If I give you all my Spirit Stones, will you really let me go?"

Chu Liangyu’s voice was faint, as if she were terrified by their numbers. Her timid demeanor was identical to how she had acted back in the grand hall.

"Of course."

Chu Liangyu saw the flicker in his eyes and knew he was lying.

The corner of her lip curled up ever so slightly. A closer look might have revealed a hint of mockery, but it vanished in an instant, unnoticed by anyone.

"Alright, I’ll give them to you. The Spirit Stones are all in here."

Chu Liangyu tossed Li Jingxuan’s storage bag directly to them. It carried a trace of Li Jingxuan’s aura, though it had faded considerably.

The men were so preoccupied with inspecting the Spirit Stones that they failed to notice anything special about the storage bag itself.

"I’ve given you the Spirit Stones. Can you move aside now?"

Chu Liangyu shifted her feet, hoping to slip away while they were distracted by the Spirit Stones.

But the men had only been pretending not to watch her. The moment she moved, they closed in around her once more.

The man who had spoken before said, "Lady, we have no way of knowing if this is truly all of your Spirit Stones."

"So, why don’t you come back with us? We’ll just... verify the amount. How about it?"

"Okay. But you have to promise to let me go after you’re done checking, okay? Or else the consequences could be very serious."

The men hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they all nodded in unison.

"Don’t you worry, lady. We’ll be sure to let you go then."

"To be honest, I’ve never met a Daoist Practitioner as... compliant as you. I won’t hide it from you—I’m the City Lord of Yuyang City, the largest city in the Demon Realm."

The man waved his hand, and a massive, luxurious Flying Boat materialized. "If my lady doesn’t object, please join us on the Flying Boat for the journey back."

Chu Liangyu put on a look of utter astonishment, her voice rising in volume. "So you’re the City Lord! This is the first time I’ve ever met a City Lord in my entire life. It is truly an honor!"

Anyone could have told that Chu Liangyu’s words were insincere, yet the City Lord was exceptionally pleased to hear them, appearing to take her words at face value.

His lecherous gaze gradually softened, as if he had just met a kindred spirit.

He invited Chu Liangyu to sit at the tea table and personally poured her a cup of tea.

When he saw Chu Liangyu drink the tea without the slightest hesitation, he burst into a hearty laugh. It was a laugh of genuine delight, and his gaze towards her was now filled with appreciation. "This is the first time a Righteous Cultivator hasn’t looked at us Demon Cultivators with disdain! You, my friend, I’ve decided to befriend!"

"Listen up, all of you!" he boomed. "After we take the Spirit Stones, no one is to get any funny ideas about her. Otherwise, you’ll have me to answer to."

The City Lord’s gaze swept across his men, filled with a potent warning that clearly stated his position.

That tone, combined with the grotesque, centipede-like scar on his face, was genuinely intimidating.

However, as Chu Liangyu listened to this, the hand holding her teacup froze. ’This... isn’t how I thought this would go.’

’It’s not every day you meet a Female Cultivator who’s supposedly dumb and loaded with Spirit Stones. And this Demon Cultivator is actually starting to keep his word?’

"The look in your eyes... it’s different from other Righteous Cultivators," he said. "I can feel it."

Chu Liangyu stared at him in silence. ’Don’t tell me my flattery actually got to this City Lord’s heart?’ she thought.