Chapter 128: Chapter 97: Even the Mythical Tier Has Gaps
However, this was the worst-case scenario. Unless absolutely necessary, Liao Zhou had no desire to leave Starlight City.
After living in Starlight City for nearly forty years, even a Deceit Beast Master like him had developed a strange sense of belonging to the city.
At this moment, in the main hall of the palace built beneath a merchant guild in the Lower City District, only three people were present: Liao Zhou, Liao Min, and Liao Peng.
Even the few confidants they had in the Earth Palace were at their posts, attending to their respective duties.
What the three of them didn’t know was that their entire secret conversation was being watched by six or seven black crystal spiders, each the size of a soybean.
In a tavern in the Upper City District, the corners of a woman’s lips curled into a smirk as she drank alone in a private booth.
’So Shi Mi did go to the Evil Blood Sect for help, the local muscle in Starlight City. Just as I thought.’
’The Evil Blood Sect has some skill, I’ll give them that. Someone actually managed to break through to the Mythical Tier.’
’Too bad these mongrels from the Evil Blood Sect don’t realize there are levels even within the Mythical Tier!’
’Then again, the people from the Evil Blood Sect are clever enough to know Shi Mi can’t be trusted.’
’Heh. It’s fine if they want to involve Starlight City’s officials. That just helps me flush Shi Mi out into the open.’
’That idiot Shi Mi thought they could use the Evil Blood Sect to escape my search. I bet they never imagined the Sect would turn around and bite them!’
Just then, a commotion arose from outside the booth’s door.
"My apologies for the wait, madam. The duck fat shortcakes, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and Longjing shrimp you ordered have all arrived."
"This is a chive pocket, made by the owner himself. It’s complimentary for every guest who dines with us. Please, see if it’s to your taste."
"If you like it, we hope you’ll visit us again."
Looking at the dishes the waiter brought, Qin Ruyue gave a satisfied sniff, her delicate nose twitching slightly.
Her gaze fell upon the one dish she’d never tried before. Qin Ruyue curiously examined the item called a ’chive pocket’.
To Qin Ruyue, the chive pocket looked like an oversized, pan-fried dumpling.
The mixed aroma of chives, egg, and crisply fried dough made Qin Ruyue instinctively lick her sensual lips.
In a cool, clipped voice, she said, "Thank you," then handed the waiter five hundred Federation Coins.
Upon seeing the generous tip, the waiter offered a few more enthusiastic pleasantries before thoughtfully closing the door for Qin Ruyue on his way out.
The moment the door clicked shut, a black crystal spider, its body wreathed in mist, materialized on Qin Ruyue’s shoulder.
The enormous black crystal spider appeared and immediately lunged for the crispy, fluffy, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.
Seeing this, Qin Ruyue instinctively scooped up the Night-Cutting Spider and said in a playfully haughty tone,
"Same as always. I eat first. You can eat after I’m finished."
"And if you’re still hungry after that, I’m not ordering more. I don’t want people thinking I’m some kind of gluttonous hippo."
「The night deepened to its darkest point, then suddenly began to yield as the eastern horizon paled to the color of a fish’s belly.」
Zhong Yi’s eyes opened just as the sky began to lighten.
Zhong Yi checked the time. It wasn’t even five in the morning, yet he felt completely rested.
The Soul-Controlling Flower had absorbed Life and Soul Energy, feeding it back into Zhong Yi.
It was making his body stronger and stronger; just five or six hours of sleep was enough to leave him feeling energized for the entire day.
Ice Glaze was nestled beside Zhong Yi. At some point during the night, the blanket had fallen to the floor.
Ice Glaze’s two tails were draped over Zhong Yi’s body like a blanket.
Zhong Yi looked at Ice Glaze’s two big, fluffy tails covering him and thought, ’I guess I won’t need a blanket at night anymore.’
The only problem was that being covered by Ice Glaze’s two large tails was almost too warm.
’I should probably upgrade this Unranked, Mortal Beast Tier Ice Crystal Flower in the room to a Bronze Quality one.’
Zhong Yi’s stirring didn’t disturb Ice Glaze, who remained fast asleep beside him, showing not even a sliver of the alertness expected of a Guardian Beast from the Fox Race.
Lan Po, however, lay listlessly by Zhong Yi’s side. Seeing its dispirited state, Zhong Yi couldn’t help but worry.
But he knew Lan Po’s mood was a result of devouring Shen Xuan’s dreams.
Having learned of Shen Xuan’s life story through his dreams, Lan Po was left feeling dejected and sad, with a sense of lingering fear.
Zhong Yi gently picked up Lan Po. Just as he was about to leave the room, he noticed that Shen Xuan’s eyes were open too.
The moment his eyes opened, Shen Xuan sat up in a reflexive, guarded motion.
The tension instantly left him when he saw it was Zhong Yi; only then did he remember that Zhong Yi had already rescued him from the Greenfield Tavern.
Last night, Shen Xuan had slept more soundly and peacefully than ever before.
"Young Master, you’re awake! Good morning. I’m about to get up and read."
Zhong Yi heard him and replied softly.
"Ah Xuan, it’s not even five yet. You should sleep a while longer. You don’t have to be so diligent."
"Big Bell won’t prepare breakfast until seven. If you’re not awake by then, I’ll have Lan Po wake you."
Zhong Yi didn’t ask Lan Po what it had seen in Shen Xuan’s dreams.
But judging by Lan Po’s condition, Shen Xuan must have suffered a great deal.
Zhong Yi wasn’t surprised by this. If he hadn’t happened to find Shen Xuan when he visited the Green Leaf Tavern, the boy would have undoubtedly been sent to the mines by that Steward from the Greenfield Tavern to fend for himself.
By now, Shen Xuan was already out of bed, folding his quilt as he spoke.
"I’m not used to sleeping in, Young Master. In the past, I’d get kicked awake several times a night."
