Chapter 615: Tea Art Performance

Her strength was her greatest asset.

The reason she dared to compete with Liu Li, the Demon Empress's daughter, was simple: Liu Li, despite her privileged status and access to resources far beyond others, was still weaker than her. It was this superior strength that gave her the confidence to contend with Liu Li.

Now... Liu Li had caught up to her overnight?

This sudden discovery was nothing short of devastating for her.

“How... how did you break through?” Ling Shu couldn't accept it.

Liu Li pouted, “Well, of course, I have a good fiancé. He gave me a bottle of peerless spirit liquid the moment we met, so I skipped levels and broke through. Sister Ling Shu, weren’t you going to guide me just now?” Her tone was full of playful humor.

Guide her? Ling Shu needed someone to guide *her* through *her* confusion! What decent person gives their fiancée such a miraculous spirit liquid the first time they meet? Why couldn't she meet such a good man?

Hun Yuan no longer cared about the two women's rivalry. He cupped his hands to Jiang Fan and asked, “Brother Jiang... do you still have that kind of spirit liquid? I am willing to exchange for it at a high price.”

Liu Li immediately became anxious upon hearing this! She secretly regretted revealing such important information just to get a rise out of Ling Shu. She quickly interjected before Jiang Fan could speak, “No, no. I drank it all.” Are you kidding? That was prenatal medicine for her child; she wouldn't give it to outsiders!

Ling Shu's eyes lit up. Yes, if she could also get some spirit liquid, wouldn't her cultivation surpass Liu Li's again? As for Liu Li saying she drank it all, after years of rivalry, could she not tell that was a lie? Jiang Fan must still have some.

So, her gaze towards Jiang Fan changed. She softly asked, “Brother Jiang Fan, is there really no more of that spirit liquid?”

Jiang Fan was secretly amused. Just a moment ago, she was targeting him at every turn, and now she was calling him “Brother Jiang Fan.” He shook his head and said, “As Liu Li said, there's none left.” It was better to avoid trouble. It was better if fewer people knew about such a miraculous spirit liquid. But how could these words deceive the meticulous Ling Shu? She keenly noticed that Liu Li became very tense when Jiang Fan answered the question. She couldn't help but let her lips curl into a faint smile.

Sure enough, there was still some! It was just that Jiang Fan was unwilling to give it to her, as they weren't very familiar with each other yet. So, did she even need to say what she would do next?

“Alright,” Ling Shu said with a look of disappointment, then added enviously: “Brother Jiang Fan is truly a warm person. So considerate of Sister Liu Li. Ling Shu is so envious.”

Liu Li frowned. A hint of wariness entered her gaze towards Ling Shu. This girl... she couldn't be trying to poach her man, could she? After years of rivalry, she knew Ling Shu's tactics all too well. Few men could resist her routine. She had made her point in front of everyone today and felt satisfied. It was time to leave.

“Jiang Fan, I'm tired. Let's return to the imperial court.” She wouldn't give Ling Shu an opportunity.

Jiang Fan was speechless. He had praised Liu Li so much precisely because he wanted to see the Tiger Demon Emperor's relic box, hadn't he? Now that Liu Li was satisfied, she wanted to just up and leave? After a slight hesitation, he said, “Isn't there an elder from the demon race coming? Wouldn't it be impolite if we left before he arrived?”

Liu Li frowned slightly. Why was Jiang Fan suddenly being disobedient? Could a mere 'Brother Jiang Fan' have bewitched him? However, Jiang Fan's reason wasn't entirely unreasonable. Suppressing her discomfort, she huffed, “Then let's wait a bit longer.”

Ling Shu's eyes lit up with delight and longing as she said, “Brother Jiang Fan, do you humans usually revere your elders like this? Ling Shu truly needs to learn from you humans.” She appeared to be praising the human race, but in reality, she was praising Jiang Fan. This kind of non-awkward flattery was a social tool. Even if Jiang Fan knew it was flattery, he couldn't feel any aversion. He nodded slightly and said, “It's only proper.” Ling Shu's eyes sparkled, “Brother Jiang Fan is so modest. You can sit here later; the seat opposite is for our demon race elder. He will surely like a humble and polite human like you too.” She naturally arranged a seat for Jiang Fan. And right next to this seat was Ling Shu's own.

At this moment, she seemed to just notice that Jiang Fan was unable to move freely. She exclaimed softly, “Brother Jiang Fan, why are your hands and feet tied?” She quickly stepped forward. She tugged at the chains but found they wouldn't loosen. Jiang Fan said, “No need to bother, these are Dragon-Binding Chains. The key is with Consort Yun Xia.” Ling Shu showed a look of pity. When she saw bloodstains on Jiang Fan's wrists from the chains, she even held his hand and gently blew on the wounds, saying with heartache: “Brother Jiang Fan, how could the Demon Emperor be like this? He has already taken you as his son-in-law, yet he still keeps you bound. If only I were the Demon Emperor's daughter, I would surely beg him on my knees to release you. I would never let Brother suffer such grievances.”

Jiang Fan rubbed his nose. To be honest, he found it quite agreeable. She was truly manipulative, but her tenderness was also genuinely tender!

Bang—

Liu Li angrily slapped the armrest of her chair and snapped, “Ling Shu! Take your hands off him!” Blowing on Jiang Fan's wounds right in front of her? Was she trying to steal her man so openly? She was also subtly mocking Liu Li for not begging the Demon Emperor to release Jiang Fan, letting him suffer. Ling Shu quickly released his hand in alarm and lowered her head shamefully. “I'm sorry, Sister Liu Li. I just felt sorry for Brother. I momentarily forgot the distinction between men and women.” Liu Li retorted angrily: “Oh yes, yes, I'm a jealous tigress, and only you feel sorry for Brother, right? You conniving woman!” She stopped pretending and directly ripped into her.

Normally, Ling Shu would have retaliated. But this time, she quietly lowered her head. Tears streamed down her face, making her look incredibly pitiful. Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. He said, “Liu Li, calm down, don't be angry.” How could Ling Shu be manipulative? She was clearly a considerate and gentle little sister! Seeing Jiang Fan defend Ling Shu, Liu Li became even angrier: “Jiang Fan! What do you mean?” Ling Shu was secretly pleased and said in a sweet, affected voice: “Alright, alright, Sister Liu Li. It's all my fault, don't blame Brother. He's already pitiful enough. Don't be so fierce with him anymore.” This manipulative act, implying only she cared for Brother, made Liu Li want to hit someone. She wasn't going to stop being manipulative, was she?

Just then, thumping footsteps echoed from the staircase. A guest had arrived. Liu Li reluctantly suppressed her emotions. Ling Shu revealed a slight smile of victory. This battle was a small triumph. She looked towards the staircase.

But it was a human! A stooped human elder!

Even Jiang Fan was surprised. It was actually a human. Could it be a demon exceedingly similar to humans? Upon careful perception, the other party's aura was indeed human! How could the demon elder Ling Shu invited be a human? Despite his confusion, Jiang Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. After spending so long among the demon race, suddenly seeing one of his own kind inevitably brought a feeling of meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

However, he suddenly thought of something. His expression abruptly darkened. He stared intently at the elder.

“Ling Shu, can the Demon Emperor's relic box be brought out now? How...”