Chapter 237 Alliance of Little Transparents
Leaving aside the warmth between the two in Ping'an Ward, at this moment in the Immortal Spirit Valley, there were two people who were about to be forgotten, playing chess in utter boredom.
Beside the stone table, Bai Li and Xiao Ling'er sat face to face with a chessboard placed between them. Bai Li's fox tail drooped listlessly, and her paw held a black piece.
After staring at the chessboard for a long time, she finally slapped it down on a meaningless spot with a pa sound.
"...Are you serious about this move?" Xiao Ling'er's mouth twitched as she pointed at that lonely black piece on the chessboard. "This place does not even have liberties; are you planning to commit suicide?"
Bai Li yawned lazily. "Anyway, I cannot win, so I will just play casually."
Xiao Ling'er sighed and casually placed a white piece, directly capturing the black piece Bai Li had just played. "Fine, as long as you are happy."
The two looked at each other and sighed deeply at the same time. Then, they lay on the stone table together with their chins resting on the surface, staring blankly at the distant Immortal Spirit Holy Land.
"Do you think..." Bai Li spoke faintly. "Have the two of us been forgotten by the Heavenly Dao?"
"No, we have just been forgotten by the Immortal Spirit Valley." Xiao Ling'er corrected. "To be precise, we have been forgotten by Xiao Chen, Chen Xingcai, Ji Hongli, Chen Chang'an... and everyone who could make us appear less transparent."
Bai Li's ears twitched, and she slapped the table with grief and indignation. "Why! I am the future hope of the Demon Race! A dignified Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox bloodline! Yet now I am here every day playing chess with you!"
Xiao Ling'er sneered. "Heh, I am at least still a direct descendant of the Xiao family and was once a Heaven's Chosen Daughter, but now? Even when my maternal grandfather mentions Brother Xiao Chen, his tone carries thirty percent awe, as if I am the distant relative who needs to be taken care of!"
Ten years ago, Xiao Ling'er had initially held the intention of taking care of Xiao Chen. However, she soon discovered that Xiao Chen, who had left the Xiao family, simply did not need her care!
Cultivation techniques, resources, background, and so on... Xiao Chen lacked nothing at all. Even she, due to her association with him, had obtained many benefits over these years and became an invisible wealthy woman.
As for other help... Now her Brother Xiao Chen was already the Sect Master of one of the top forces in the Xuanying Continent. Even if her maternal grandfather spoke of him, there would unknowingly be a faint trace of respect in his tone!
In addition, with the rapid development of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land over the past ten years, Xiao Chen had many matters to attend to on ordinary days besides cultivation. As a result, not only did she fail to find an opportunity to confess her feelings over these years, but she even felt that the distance between the two of them had grown further.
Under her disappointment, she soon found someone in the Immortal Spirit Valley who was in the same situation and had a similar background as her—Bai Li.
Ever since this little fox discovered Ji Hongli, she refused to leave and was always trying to find ways to pry into Ji Hongli's secrets.
Thus, she was soon abandoned by her little sister—Ji Hongli's disciple Chen Xingcai—and left to fend for herself within the Immortal Spirit Valley.
Without Chen Xingcai, she could not even see Ji Hongli's face. However, as it concerned the entire Demon Race, she was unwilling to leave. Thus, like a wandering ghost, she roamed the Immortal Spirit Valley all day long and then met the equally idle Xiao Ling'er.
With similar identities and equal boredom, the two finally formed the current Immortal Spirit Valley Little Transparent Alliance under the drive of fate.
The two fell into silence again, and the air was filled with the thick desolation of "fellow sufferers at the ends of the earth."
After a long while, Bai Li suddenly sat up straight, her eyes lighting up. "How about... we stir up some trouble?"
Xiao Ling'er glanced at her suspiciously. "For example?"
"For example..." Bai Li lowered her voice and spoke mysteriously. "We sneak into the Scripture Pavilion of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land and swap Xiao Chen's Sect Master Seal for a roasted sweet potato?"
Xiao Ling'er: "..."
"Or, we add something to Ji Hongli's tea and see her reveal her true form?"
Xiao Ling'er: "Leaving aside whether you can do it or not... are you sure you are not looking for death?"
Bai Li shrank her neck and said sheepishly, "Then what do you say we should do? We cannot just go on like this forever, right?"
Xiao Ling'er pondered for a moment, then suddenly revealed a weird smile. "Actually... I have a better idea."
"What?"
"Since both of us are little transparents in the Immortal Spirit Valley, why don't we..." Xiao Ling'er narrowed her eyes. "Establish an 'Alliance' specialized in researching how to create some big news without attracting anyone's attention!"
Bai Li's tail instantly stood up. "Sounds not bad! But how do we do it specifically?"
Xiao Ling'er smiled mysteriously. "First, we must collect intelligence."
"Intelligence?"
"Right! For example... what time Brother Xiao Chen gets up every day, and when Ji Hongli comes out..."
Bai Li tilted her head. "What is the use of this?"
Xiao Ling'er patted her shoulder and spoke with deep meaning. "Know yourself and know the enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles! Only by grasping their habits can we accurately... make a wave of presence felt when they are most relaxed!"
Bai Li suddenly realized the truth. "Makes sense!"
Thus, under the moonlight, the small alliance of the two was formally established.
Although there were currently only two members and the plan sounded extremely unreliable, at least... they had finally found a new direction in life!
...
Inside the Xiao family council hall, sandalwood smoke curled up. A group of elders sat upright, staring burningly at Xiao Yuanshan on the main seat.
One could see Xiao Yuanshan holding a lustrous jade slip, a gratified smile hanging on his face, as he spoke slowly. "Sigh, this child Xiao Chen is truly filial..."
His tone was emotional, as if recalling some deeply touching past events. His fingers gently stroked the jade slip as he continued.
"Although he is already the Sect Master of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, he still does not forget his roots. He specially sent a message to ask about the family's recent situation and even specially mentioned taking care of the Xiao family's younger generation..."
Hearing this, the elders in the hall revealed expressions of "sure enough" one after another, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
"The Family Head has taught him well!"
"Sect Master Xiao Chen's achievements today rely entirely on the Family Head's careful cultivation back then!"
"Yes, yes, if not for the Family Head's eye for talent, how would Sect Master Xiao Chen be where he is today?"
Xiao Yuanshan stroked his beard with satisfaction, the smile on his face becoming increasingly kind. It was as if the Xiao family head who treated Xiao Chen coldly and even secretly suppressed him ten years ago was not him at all.
He sighed lightly, his tone carrying a bit of the "pride of being an elder."
"This child has known gratitude since childhood. Now he even thinks of the family; it is truly rare..."
After saying this, he exerted a slight force with his fingertips. With a snap, the jade slip shattered in response, turning into specks of spiritual light that dissipated in the air.
Only he could vaguely see that inside this jade slip were actually just seven simple characters—'Send the Xuan Tian Cauldron over'.
Seeing this scene, the people in the hall understood tacitly and offered flattery one after another.
"Sect Master Xiao Chen still attaches such importance to my Xiao family; it is truly my Xiao family's fortune!"
"Yes, Sect Master Xiao Chen can have today entirely thanks to the Family Head's wise decision back then!"
Xiao Yuanshan nodded with a smile, then changed the subject. "Since Xiao Chen has the heart, our Xiao family cannot fall behind. Pass my order to send the family's treasured 'Xuan Tian Cauldron' to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land to show support."
As soon as these words came out, the hall was instantly quiet for a moment.
The Xuan Tian Cauldron was a bottom-of-the-box treasure of the Xiao family. On ordinary days, it was difficult for even the elders to get a glance at it, yet now it was to be given away directly?
But soon, everyone reacted—this was a great opportunity to curry favor with the Immortal Spirit Holy Land!
Thus, the elders who originally had looks of pain on their faces immediately switched to expressions of "the Family Head is wise" and echoed one after another.
"The Family Head looks far ahead! The Xuan Tian Cauldron gathers dust in my Xiao family; it is better to give it to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land to better display its value!"
"Yes, yes, upon seeing this cauldron, Sect Master Xiao Chen will definitely be grateful for the family's deep love!"
Xiao Yuanshan nodded with satisfaction, then looked around at everyone. "Then, who shall be sent to deliver it?"
As soon as his voice fell, the hall instantly boiled over!
"Family Head! This old man is willing to go!"
"Family Head, my son has outstanding talent. It is just right to use this opportunity to go to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land to see the world!"
"Family Head, my granddaughter is intelligent and surpassing. If she can get a pointer or two from Sect Master Xiao Chen, it will definitely be my Xiao family's fortune!"
Everyone scrambled to be first, as if this was not delivering a cauldron, but going to pick up a heavenly opportunity!
Xiao Yuanshan narrowed his eyes, sneering in his heart. These old foxes, every single one wanted to take the opportunity to cling to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land; did they really think he could not tell?
He coughed lightly, suppressing everyone's noise, and spoke slowly. "This matter is of great importance and requires cautious action. Let Xiao Yun go."
Xiao Yun, Xiao Yuanshan's personal grand-nephew, was the best at observing expressions on ordinary days and was deeply trusted by him.
Hearing this, although everyone was unwilling in their hearts, they dared not say much and could only say yes sheepishly.
Thus, amidst everyone's envious or jealous gazes, Xiao Yun respectfully accepted the order, held the Xuan Tian Cauldron, and stepped onto the journey to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land.
...
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