Chapter 19: Will the Upcoming Temptations Still Work?

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Gu Xiaomai had already seen Jiang Chen’an holding a whip, and Corn holding a makeshift net fashioned from a stick he trained with and a bag, gradually closing in on the chicken.

Previously, worried that this chicken might actually follow through on its threat to kill Jiang Chen’an and Corn, Gu Xiaomai suggested that the three of them work together to catch it. Surely three people couldn’t be outmatched by a single chicken, right?

Yet, the chicken’s battle prowess—breaking off a clump of grass with one wing—left her somewhat uncertain.

Moreover, her communication with the chicken suggested its aggression wasn’t that strong. Gu Xiaomai worried that even with all three working together they might fail to subdue it, which could only serve to enrage the chicken further. She regretted her earlier recklessness.

At this moment, Gu Xiaomai hoped the chicken would just obey and leave quickly, before the three of them ended up in a real fight.

The golden-bellied pheasant, immersed in sorrow over its inability to grow stronger and return home to its mother, ignored Gu Xiaomai’s suggestion to leave.

Its grief was profound, and no amount of water could soothe it!

[Not now, but once this woman masters the cultivation technique, there will be!]

[The White Rabbit Mother said humans used to keep pets. I suppose I could humble myself and be this woman’s pet.]

[We’ll be one family then. Whenever I want tasty water, I can have it anytime!]

[The White Rabbit Mother also said that humans like to cling to powerful allies. If I cling well enough, I can have everything!]

Resolved, the golden-bellied pheasant perked up and started running toward Gu Xiaomai, ready to cling to her leg.

Gu Xiaomai…

This little schemer was plotting away with a flurry of ideas—how could a chicken have so many thoughts!

Backing away continuously, Gu Xiaomai wasn’t keen on being grabbed in that way.

To the unaware Jiang Chen’an and Corn, seeing the golden-bellied pheasant rush toward Gu Xiaomai looked like an attack. The two, who had been quietly moving forward to avoid startling it, now had no choice but to break into a run.

Just as the pheasant was about to cling to Gu Xiaomai, Jiang Chen’an’s whip snapped down, interrupting its action.

The pheasant turned its head, barely seeing what had interrupted it before noticing something descending from above, attempting to trap it.

In a split second, it swiftly slipped out from the makeshift net’s reach and charged straight at Corn.

[If you want to catch me, be prepared to get hurt!]

Corn’s stick moved so fast it left afterimages, but despite his efforts and Jiang Chen’an’s whip, they failed to stop the pheasant.

As it was about to scratch Corn’s neck, Jiang Chen’an’s whip would have inevitably hit him too. Gu Xiaomai shouted urgently, “Don’t hurt him!”

Both the pheasant and Corn thought Gu Xiaomai was speaking to them. The man and the bird simultaneously halted.

This pause allowed Corn to breathe a sigh of relief.

Thanks to Gu Xiaomai’s warning, he had just escaped a near-fatal claw wound at the neck.

The golden-bellied pheasant reluctantly stopped. The White Rabbit Mother had told it to fight anyone who tried to catch it and only run if defeated. Now that it could win, why stop?

But the White Rabbit Mother also said humans liked obedient pets. Since it had already decided to cling to Gu Xiaomai and be her pet, it ought to behave a bit.

The pheasant looked at Gu Xiaomai and thought, “Why are you telling me to stop?”

“This chicken…” Gu Xiaomai began.

[Phoenix, I’m a phoenix!] The pheasant’s mind voice interrupted before she could finish.

Gu Xiaomai…

“Cough, cough, phoenix. It doesn’t mean to harm me. It’s a kind and strong beast,” Gu Xiaomai emphasized the last two words, shaking her head at Jiang Chen’an and Corn, signaling that even all three together couldn’t handle this chicken.

By now, Jiang Chen’an and Corn only heard the word “phoenix” echoing in their heads.

Their gazes toward the golden-bellied pheasant changed completely—so much like it! Truly like it!

The pheasant basked in their admiring looks, puffing out its little chest proudly and nodding its head with pride. Indeed, it was a strong and kind phoenix!

Feeling that Jiang Chen’an and Corn now understood, Gu Xiaomai introduced them: “These two are my teammates. They were also worried about me and mistakenly thought you would hurt me, which is why they tried to stop you.”

Thanks to Gu Xiaomai’s mediation, peace was temporarily restored among the three and the phoenix.

After coaxing the golden-bellied pheasant away, Gu Xiaomai turned to see Jiang Chen’an and Corn still staring at the bird intently. Something felt off.

She whispered, “What are you two looking at so seriously?”

“The brilliant, dazzling crest on its head, like a golden crown; the feathers shining with imperial radiance under the sun; the magnificent tail—all exactly as the priest described. This is one of the sacred beasts of the Dragon-Phoenix Sect—the phoenix!” Corn exclaimed. “Little Sister Xiaomai, you recognized the sacred beast phoenix at a glance! Jiang Chen and I didn’t recognize it and almost hurt it!”

Jiang Chen’an nodded in agreement. Indeed, the bird closely resembled the sacred phoenix they had seen depicted in the Dragon-Phoenix Sect.

Gu Xiaomai was stunned!

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When did illiterate Corn learn to speak so eloquently? So many advanced words, even metaphors!

But what was this Dragon-Phoenix Sect?

A sacred beast phoenix? Shouldn’t it be a divine beast?

No, no, Gu Xiaomai hurriedly pulled her drifting thoughts back and asked, “What kind of sect is the Dragon-Phoenix Sect?”

“You don’t know the Dragon-Phoenix Sect? Then how did you recognize the phoenix?” Jiang Chen’an asked.

He and Corn only knew about the phoenix because they had once entered the Dragon-Phoenix Sect with others.

There were so many myths about dragons and phoenixes in the past life that it was hard not to know of them!

But she couldn’t say all that, so Gu Xiaomai made up a casual answer, “I heard the stories from adults, but never heard of the Dragon-Phoenix Sect.”

Corn and Jiang Chen’an looked a bit envious. No one had told them stories like that. Little Sister Xiaomai’s family must have cared about her a lot.

“The sect was established not long ago at the base. It worships the Creator God and his beloved sacred beasts—the Azure Dragon and the Phoenix. These two sacred beasts represent the Creator God’s presence in the world, maintaining stability on his behalf.”

After explaining the Dragon-Phoenix Sect, Corn grew somewhat excited. “Doesn’t that mean what the priest and bishop said is true!”

Curious, Gu Xiaomai asked, “What did they say?”

Jiang Chen’an said, “The Creator God will send down the two sacred beasts, the Azure Dragon and the Phoenix, at the right time to resolve this broken, struggling disaster era and restore the world to its former prosperous peace.”

Gu Xiaomai…

Found it hard to comment.

She didn’t believe that two beasts alone could fix everything here, especially mythical beasts—it was obviously a lie!

“Do you believe it?” she asked.

Jiang Chen’an and Corn nodded emphatically. They hadn’t believed it before, but now that the sacred phoenix had appeared, the sacred Azure Dragon couldn’t be far behind.

Gu Xiaomai whispered, “If I said that’s not a phoenix, but just a golden-bellied pheasant, would you believe me?”

“No!” they answered in unison, utterly certain.

Gu Xiaomai covered her face. No hope!

She shouldn’t have said that chicken was a phoenix!

Misleading the youth!

This topic was best dropped. Gu Xiaomai pulled the two boys away from their entranced gazes to search for purification plants.

“Brother Chen, Brother Corn, let’s not tell anyone about seeing the phoenix…”

Corn was puzzled. “Why? If the Dragon-Phoenix Sect finds out, they’d surely take it back and care for it well. It’s just a small beast. What if someone careless or some corrupted creature harms it here in the wasteland?”

Why?

Because it wasn’t really a phoenix!

Boy, you’re overthinking. It’s been living here fine since hatching without the Dragon-Phoenix Sect’s care.

Thinking this, Gu Xiaomai said, “The Dragon-Phoenix Sect hasn’t announced the sacred beasts’ appearance yet. Since it’s here alone, it must have a task to complete. It’s not suitable for everyone to know. We can’t help, so let’s not disturb it.”

Jiang Chen’an and Corn nodded, agreeing with Gu Xiaomai’s reasoning.

Having settled them, Gu Xiaomai breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, “Did either of you smell something on me?”

Jiang Chen’an said, “Sweat?”

Corn said, “Stinky?”

Gu Xiaomai’s eyes widened in shock. She had body odor?

She quickly sniffed her left and right arms. It wasn’t pleasant but not exactly foul!

But none of the three smelled the special water’s scent. How then did the chicken detect it?

What did this special water smell like?

Could only the chicken smell it? Or all animals?

If all animals could, wouldn’t she be in big trouble?

While pondering this, she heard the golden-bellied pheasant’s mind voice behind her.

[The White Rabbit Mother says humans are cunning, especially pretty women—very cunning!]

[I must personally keep an eye on this woman!]

She was willing to call it the most scheming chicken she’d ever met—no contest!

Gu Xiaomai found an excuse and separated from Jiang Chen’an and Corn.

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“Come out!”

The golden-bellied pheasant looked left and right, not sure whom Gu Xiaomai was addressing.

“Stop looking around, it’s you!”

Its deep blue eyes spun rapidly.

[How did this woman find me? I’ve been hiding so well!]

[Why does she want me to come out?]

[Could it be she’s mastered the cultivation technique and can give me tasty water now?]

At that thought, the golden-bellied pheasant hopped eagerly in front of Gu Xiaomai.

“Gui—gui—” Woman, are you going to give me tasty water?

“I really don’t have the water now, but once I master the technique, I will.”

“Gui—gui—” Fine! I knew you weren’t as talented as me. Otherwise, how could I be a divine phoenix?

Gu Xiaomai didn’t understand its words, but judging by its smug look, it was bragging about being a divine phoenix again!

This chicken was utterly self-absorbed!

“Don’t tell the other animals about my having tasty water, okay?” Gu Xiaomai negotiated with it.

[Is this woman stupid? Would I do something that’s not good for me?]

“Gui—gui—” I won’t tell. You’re the one who sh