Chapter 71: Three Women Gather in One Room, Each Harbors Her Own Thoughts

“To get back to the point, I already flicked your forehead just now, so consider that your punishment. I told you before, as long as you join my faction, I’ll help you—and that promise will always stand!” Ling Tian looked at Fox Fairy with a hint of helplessness. Had it been anyone else, he would have taught them a lesson long ago. But Fox Fairy was different—she was his childhood friend, someone who was about to become part of his own force. It would be a pity to kill her. Although he wasn’t sure how their fates had become so entangled, he knew that once the task was done, it was done. He wasn’t one to overthink such things.

“Hmm?” Fox Fairy’s beautiful eyes rested on Ling Tian, as if she sensed something odd, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Still, now was hardly the time to dwell on such matters.

“I’ll join, I’m willing to join!” Fox Fairy nodded fervently, as if she’d just grasped a lifeline.

[Celestial Court Members: 5/100]

[Task Reward: Ultimate Supreme Bone!]

[With five members, faction management has been upgraded. Solutions can now be exchanged based on member information!]

As soon as Fox Fairy agreed, a prompt echoed in Ling Tian’s mind. Just as he suspected, every seemingly impossible task hid further rewards. This time, instead of a source of the Great Dao, the reward was the Ultimate Supreme Bone. The words “Supreme Bone” alone caught Ling Tian’s attention—after all, it was for a Supreme Bone that his mother’s sect had been destroyed by Ling Yun’s faction. Now, with “Ultimate” attached, it had to be even more powerful. If not, why add those words?

Ling Tian couldn’t help but imagine the look on Ling Yun’s face when he saw the Supreme Bone in his possession.

Calming his heart, Ling Tian turned his attention to the upgraded management panel. Indeed, solutions could now be exchanged—but each one cost a drop of the Great Dao’s source. Ling Tian was left speechless. After a long pause, he muttered inwardly that the system truly knew how to do business. There was even a recycling function—after all, the wool must be shorn from the sheep.

Ling Tian gave Fox Fairy a long, meaningful look. She pressed her hand to her chest, flustered.

“All right, I meant what I said, and I’ll keep my word. If you have no other matters, you should leave now. It won’t look good for you to be in my room at midnight.” Ling Tian waved his hand, clearly ready to send her away.

Fox Fairy, relieved, made to leave—when suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Xiao Ling’er’s voice:

“Can I come in? I still can’t sleep…I wanted to talk to you…”

Before Ling Tian could reply, the door was pushed open a crack. Fox Fairy stifled a gasp, and in the blink of an eye, dove under the bed. The next moment, Xiao Ling’er entered the room.

Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his mouth, realizing just how flawed the door’s design was. It shouldn’t have been a door that pushed open; it should have been one that pulled, so that unexpected visitors might at least be thrown off for a moment.

“What’s that fragrance? It’s almost like…” Xiao Ling’er entered, raising an eyebrow and murmuring to herself.

“Ling’er, I’ve told you the truth—I’ll help you when the time comes, you can trust me!” Ling Tian, feeling a chill on his back, quickly diverted the subject.

Sure enough, his words seized Xiao Ling’er’s attention.

“I believe you.” Xiao Ling’er nodded earnestly, moving closer to Ling Tian. “Sometimes I’m truly glad I made this choice for some candy. Otherwise, I don’t know what I’d do now!” She looked at Ling Tian, her eyes clear as autumn water.

Under the bed, Fox Fairy paused and quietly spat in annoyance—how shameless, using such tricks to lure a young girl!

Ling Tian said nothing; it wasn’t boasting to agree with Xiao Ling’er, for she spoke the truth. Still, it was her own good fortune—hadn’t she always been this way?

“I heard that to repay one’s benefactor, you must…” Xiao Ling’er trailed off, lowering her gaze, her toes invisible beneath her hem. Yet there was a strange glint in her eyes—perhaps following Ling Tian wouldn’t be so bad. At his side, there were always new delicacies to enjoy; what a blessing!

Ling Tian felt a twinge of unease, sensing that Xiao Ling’er was up to something. Then again, how could someone so innocent, who didn’t even know what a brothel was, understand such things? Unless…?

Fox Fairy, meanwhile, grew even more suspicious of Ling Tian’s character—after all, Xiao Ling’er was still so young. From her perspective, at least, Xiao Ling’er was indeed just a child.

In truth, both of them had misunderstood Xiao Ling’er’s meaning. She only wished to say that to repay her benefactor, she should remain by his side.

Xiao Ling’er recalled Ling Tian’s words—he had said as much himself, which was why she had such thoughts. Still, saying such things in this situation was bound to be misunderstood.

“Fellow Daoist Tian Ling, are you asleep? I know you’re not! I’m coming in!” Xiao Ling’er was interrupted by a voice outside. It was Tiger Yunying!

Ling Tian’s mouth twitched—so many days without a visit, and now, all at once, they swarmed in tonight. Was this coordinated?

Xiao Ling’er’s expression became flustered, and in her confusion, she was swiftly pulled under the bed by Fox Fairy. The next instant, Tiger Yunying burst in—dressed as lightly as the others.

Ling Tian saw her sniffing the air, brow furrowing, and quickly changed the subject: “It’s late—why are you here?”

“Ling Tian, being coy isn’t my style, so I’ll just say it—I’ve fallen for you…” Tiger Yunying had intended to reply demurely, but with a fierce glare she strode right up to Ling Tian, boldly voicing what she’d kept in her heart. She felt there was nothing wrong with liking someone, nor any reason to hide it. Remembering her girlish pretenses of the past, she knew that wasn’t her true self. One should be brave and speak their mind. If rejected, it only meant she wasn’t good enough and needed to work harder—no big deal. At least she’d know where she stood. And with Chu Xuan always watching like a hawk, now that she was finally gone, Tiger Yunying couldn’t let this chance slip by.

Before Tiger Yunying could finish, Ling Tian hurriedly covered her mouth. It wasn’t that he feared the two under the bed learning of Tiger Yunying’s feelings, but rather that, once they knew, Tiger Yunying would forever be labeled as “the one who confessed.”

Under the bed, Fox Fairy and Xiao Ling’er exchanged glances.

“Ahem, we’re all here for him, each with our own reasons.” Fox Fairy tightened her clothes and coughed to cover her embarrassment—if only she’d worn something more ordinary, this wouldn’t be so awkward.

Soon after, Ling Tian’s anguished cry sounded: “You really are a tiger! That bite hurts!”