Chapter 321: Sister, Watch Your Words Around Me

In Eight Palaces.

On a boundless wilderness, a few desolate weeds stood solitary on the barren land, resilient yet helplessly lost.

Under the setting sun's afterglow, a few wisps of cooking smoke curled upwards, adding a touch of life to the otherwise dead silence of the place.

This was a small town.

Well, it used to be.

Now, it could no longer be called a town, as the permanent resident population was estimated to be less than fifty households.

At most, it was a dilapidated mountain village.

In the past, though sparsely populated, this place had seen its glorious days.

Countless Spirit Refiners had passed through, each one distinct and never seen again.

Because those who ventured in essentially remained there forever.

Among all residential areas for ordinary people unable to live in cities, Eight Palaces was the most renowned among the dozens of nearby counties and cities.

The reason was simple: it housed an interdimensional space.

Called "The White Cave."

A golden monastic staff was planted in the ground. Xin Gugu brushed his hair back, looked up, and squinted against the sun.

Under the gray sky, a wild goose flew south—just a single one.

"Is that 'The White Cave'?" he asked.

Jiao Tangtang held a gray compass. Her pretty face nodded, and her expression was somewhat solemn.

"Yes."

"The primary mission our sect assigned us this time was, naturally, to find a ghost beast host for Lord Glutton," she began. "Originally, hope was slim, but then Xu Xiaoshou appeared halfway..."

Jiao Tangtang shook her head, not continuing about "that guy." Instead, she said, "Actually, the second mission is the one we really need to complete."

"What is it?" Xin Gugu asked curiously.

He had always known that while Lord Glutton was important, he was truly just a secondary objective of this mission. Even if they didn't find a suitable ghost beast host, they wouldn't be punished upon their return.

However, Jiao Tangtang had indeed received a primary mission.

Even he didn't fully know the details of this mission.

Jiao Tangtang glanced at him, her eyes dangerous. She said, "Want to hear it?"

"Yes," Xin Gugu nodded quite naturally. "We've come all this way; how could I betray you now? This mission is for us siblings to complete together!"

Jiao Tangtang's lips curved, forcing out a chilling smile.

"Oh, so you *do* know the word 'betrayal'?"

However, knowing Xin Gugu's character well, she didn't pay much mind. After merely retorting, her gaze returned to the compass in her hand.

"I won't hide this mission from you," she continued, "because it's highly likely I can't manage it alone."

Xin Gugu's eyes widened in surprise. Jiao Tangtang was one of the few among their sect's peers capable of restraining his bloodlust.

She couldn't handle it?

Xin Gugu grew even more expectant, asking, "What exactly is the mission?"

"Find someone!"

"Who?"

Jiao Tangtang looked into the void and stated firmly, "Feng Yujin, Senior Feng!"

Xin Gugu stared at her intently for a moment. Confusion finally appeared in his eyes.

"Who is that?"

"Heh, of course you wouldn't know, little brat!" Jiao Tangtang chuckled softly. "When he was traversing the five domains of the continent, you were still wetting your diapers somewhere!"

Xin Gugu's expression darkened instantly. A chilling chuckle escaped his lips.

"Heh heh heh, what... did... you... say?"

A long, fair leg swept out, directly blowing up his head. A spray of blood immediately gushed from Xin Gugu's neck.

"I'm talking about you, trash!"

Jiao Tangtang glanced at the bloodstains on her calf, her eyes showing disdain.

"Can you control your power? Disgusting!"

"Ah—"

Xin Gugu squatted down, clutching his head, which had reformed, and cried out.

From his bulging temples and twisted expression, one could see how much pain he was in.

After a long suppression, the man finally propped himself up with his monastic staff and stood.

His face was filled with ferocity.

"Old hag, how many times have I told you not to blow up my head? It hurts so much..."

Jiao Tangtang swept her leg again. This time, both sides of his face were symmetrical and entirely red.

"Old hag?" She puffed out her trembling chest and sneered, "While I quite like your prefix, however..."

"Call me Big Sister!"

"Wuwu," Xin Gugu whimpered, clutching his head. "Big Sister..."

*Buzz—*

Just then, Jiao Tangtang's chest vibrated wildly.

She frowned, reaching into her embrace to pull out a jade slip.

"What's wrong?"

Xin Gugu immediately looked up and asked curiously.

"Doesn't hurt anymore? Not faking it?" Jiao Tangtang rolled her eyes and twisted her foot.

"Hey, hey, don't mess around, your communication jade slip!" Xin Gugu quickly dodged.

Jiao Tangtang snorted coldly and looked back at the communication jade slip in her hand.

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

That day, respecting Lord Glutton's own choice, they had selected Xu Xiaoshou as a ghost beast host. Whether it would succeed or bring about good fortune, they didn't know.

But what was certain was that they had been extorted into giving him a communication jade slip.

To be honest, Jiao Tangtang didn't really want to answer this call on the jade slip.

She didn't like talking to that kid...

Well, that's not quite right.

It might just be that she simply didn't like being constantly left speechless when chatting.

After all, no one enjoys that.

But she had to answer. Lord Glutton was with him, and Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't contact her unless it was urgent.

Could something have happened to Lord Glutton?

"Beep."

She answered the jade slip.

"Moshi Moshi?" A deliberately magnetic voice came from the other side. "May I speak with Miss Jiao Tangtang?"

Jiao Tangtang's mouth twitched. "Yes."

She didn't waste words, getting straight to the point. "What's wrong with Lord Glutton?"

Xu Xiaoshou's voice reappeared: "Lord Glutton is fine, I just wanted to talk to you."

Jiao Tangtang: "..."

This guy, no way?

Is he really that bored?

He has time for this instead of cultivating properly? Did you think I gave you this communication jade slip to answer your life's problems or for idle amusement?!

Her temper flared, and she immediately hung up the jade slip.

Xin Gugu raised his eyes. "What happened? What did he say?"

"Nothing. That kid is bored out of his mind!"

As Jiao Tangtang said this and was about to put the jade slip back into her chest, it vibrated again.

*Buzz—*

"Answer it?" Xin Gugu was amused.

This kid is amazing. He only said a few words on the jade slip, and he already managed to infuriate this woman so much?

He's too strong!

Maybe I should find a chance to ask him for advice, huh?

"If you're not going to answer, should I?" Xin Gugu said, extending his hand.

Jiao Tangtang glared at him, completely ignoring him. She immediately pressed the jade slip and roared in a sharp voice:

"Xu Xiaoshou, if it's not something important, don't call this..."

Just then, a piercing shriek from the other side interrupted her words.

"Meow-hiss—"

This was...

A cat's cry?

Jiao Tangtang's face turned green. What immense pain would make it utter such a cat sound!

Lord Glutton... was being abused?

At this, the woman's killing intent soared to the sky, dispersing the clouds and startling Xin Gugu who was beside her.

Her face like frost, she said, "Xu Xiaoshou, are you courting death?"

From the other side, the same insipid, bland tone remained. Xu Xiaoshou's voice showed not a single ripple of emotion.

"Young lady, watch your words."

"The cat is in my hands," he said. "If you dare hang up on me again, you might not even hear this 'meow' anymore!"