Chapter 24: It may not be accustomed to the environment here yet

The two stepped off the spirit vessel, and beneath them lay the Wenxian Sect. Gazing at the familiar scenery, Jiang Zao was filled with deep emotion. She remembered her first arrival at the Wenxian Sect, also aboard a spirit vessel; back then, she had not come of her own volition. Now, however, the place felt like home, perhaps because most of the people she cared about were gathered here.

The spirit vessel finally came to a rest above Yuling Peak. After they landed safely, Yan Wuqiu stowed it away. Upon returning from a journey, it was customary to pay respects to one's master. Though Jiang Zao was not his disciple, she had been brought along as well; after all, she had played an indispensable role in helping Jiang Zhuoran form a pact with the Vermilion Bird, and one could not leave behind such a key contributor.

At Yuling Peak, in the residence of He Mobai.

"Master," the three bowed in unison.

Jiang Zao stood there, looking blankly between them and He Mobai, her mind racing before she quickly chimed in, "Immortal Venerable Baimo."

*I said I didn't want to come. Well, this is awkward enough as it is. I almost didn't even know what to call him. If Sister hadn't mentioned it once, allowing me to memorize it, I'd still be standing here staring at him like a fool.*

Jiang Zao lowered her head and pouted with annoyance. She had no desire to see He Mobai, but the three of them had insisted on dragging her along.

The three, heads bowed, felt equally awkward at her unspoken thoughts, wishing they could crawl into a hole. They had been so focused on bringing her along that they had forgotten to teach her how to address He Mobai. Thankfully, no scene had been made.

He Mobai lifted his gaze, his expression indifferent. "How was the trip to the secret realm?"

"Reporting to Master, the disciples gained much. Not only has Junior Sister's cultivation improved, but she has also formed a pact with the ancient divine beast, the Vermilion Bird."

Yan Wuqiu reported the situation truthfully to He Mobai. As for the dangers they had encountered... there was no point in telling him; it was better left unsaid.

Upon hearing "Vermilion Bird," He Mobai’s eyes flickered, and he looked toward Jiang Zhuoran, his intent clear. Jiang Zhuoran quickly reacted, releasing the small Vermilion Bird from her spirit pet space.

"Chirp?"

Called out, the little Vermilion Bird tilted its head and hopped twice, looking at its master in confusion. It had been sleeping soundly in the space; why had it been let out?

Jiang Zhuoran bowed her head and held the little creature in her palm, presenting it to He Mobai. "Master, this is the young Vermilion Bird."

He Mobai could not detect even a trace of Vermilion Bird aura from the scruffy-looking bird in her hand. Had it not been for their insistence, he certainly would not have believed it. *Truly worthy of being a divine beast!*

As He Mobai examined it, the little Vermilion Bird, in turn, fixed its beady eyes on him, tilting its head in curiosity.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The previously quiet little Vermilion Bird suddenly flapped its wings and covered its head, acting terrified. Its cries grew sharp, and its whole body trembled.

Jiang Zhuoran was baffled. Through their bond, she could clearly sense its current emotions: fear, unease, terror... She was deeply worried, though she could not understand why.

"Little Vermilion Bird, what's wrong?"

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The little Vermilion Bird clearly wanted to express something, but Jiang Zhuoran quickly returned it to her spirit pet space, turning to He Mobai with an apologetic look. "Forgive me, Master. It likely has not yet adapted to the environment here."

He Mobai glanced at her, his expression unreadable, before returning to normal and waving a hand. "It is fine. You need not blame yourself."

Standing to her side, Jiang Zao could see that Jiang Zhuoran looked far from apologetic; she appeared deeply troubled. As the master of the little Vermilion Bird, their perceptions were almost shared. The bird's abnormal behavior was not due to the environment, but rather a visceral fear of He Mobai.

He was human, and their master—why would a divine beast hatchling be afraid of him? *I must find a time to ask the little Vermilion Bird properly.*

He Mobai watched Jiang Zhuoran, guessing that the excuse she gave was merely a fabrication; only she knew the truth of what had happened.

"Very well, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Master."

The three bowed and retreated, and Jiang Zao followed suit, mimicking their actions.

Once they had completely cleared the main hall, He Mobai’s expression shifted instantly. He was no longer the aloof, ascetic immortal, but rather cold, paranoid, and profoundly unsettling.

"I did not expect you to see through me. I truly underestimated you."

Elsewhere, Jiang Zao finally let out a sigh of relief once they returned to their quarters. If she guessed correctly, the little Vermilion Bird’s strange behavior in the hall was because it had sensed the malice radiating from him.

The graceful and revered Immortal Venerable Baimo was not the person they saw on the surface; his heart was as dark as could be, yet he disguised it perfectly.

Jiang Zao followed Jiang Zhuoran into her room and collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Zaozao..." Jiang Zhuoran hesitated.

Jiang Zao sat up. "What is it, Sister?"

Jiang Zhuoran didn't speak; instead, looking troubled, she summoned the little Vermilion Bird from her spirit pet space.

"Chirp."

The little Vermilion Bird cautiously peeked through a slit in its wings, and only after confirming the person it feared was gone did it fully open its eyes. Jiang Zhuoran stroked it gently before looking at Jiang Zao. "Do you know why the little Vermilion Bird acted so strangely earlier?"

Jiang Zao looked up. "Why?"

In truth, she already had the answer, but she didn't volunteer it, nor would she pry. Everyone had their secrets.

*What other reason could there be? It obviously doesn't trust the fact that the little Vermilion Bird is afraid of its own master. Come to think of it, why would a divine beast feel such deep-seated fear toward a human?*

Hearing these indifferent thoughts, Jiang Zhuoran’s eyes widened, her heart unable to settle for a long time. *How did Zaozao know?* Right, Zaozao could foresee the future; it wasn't strange that she knew these things.

Jiang Zhuoran tried to rationalize the situation with the little Vermilion Bird, but gradually, she recalled the thoughts she had heard when she first met Jiang Zao: "Trapped in a chess game, she has no control over her own fate." "Everything she does is merely making wedding clothes for others."

Each word was etched clearly in her mind, throwing her thoughts into chaos as her faith in He Mobai began to crumble. *Was that truly my future?*

The more she thought, the more terrified she became, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. Hadn't she brought Jiang Zao here precisely because she doubted her own inner thoughts? Now, she could be certain that those thoughts were not fabrications, but a real future.

Would she really become as pathetic as Zaozao’s thoughts suggested? No, absolutely not! Now that she held the advantage of foresight, she would never allow herself to grow into such a version of herself. She would take complete control of her own destiny.

From that moment on, a seed was planted in her heart.

Jiang Zhuoran exhaled, her emotions settling. "The little Vermilion Bird... it is very afraid of Master."

*Well, isn't that normal? He can put on a human mask to fool people, but he can't fool a divine beast with such sharp senses and instincts.*

Jiang Zao felt disdain in her heart, yet she feigned disbelief on the surface. "How can that be? Why would the little Vermilion Bird be afraid of Immortal Venerable Baimo?"

If she couldn't hear her thoughts, she might have believed her. She was far too good at acting.

Jiang Zhuoran shook her head. "I don't know, but it is undeniably afraid."

"Sister, have you given it a name?" Jiang Zao bent down to look closely at the little Vermilion Bird. It was clear she did not want to discuss this topic further, and with one question, she steered the conversation away. Regarding the bird's fear, what could she say? She couldn't very well claim that He Mobai was a piece of human trash and that its fear was natural, could she? No one would believe that.