Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Which Type Does the Venerable One Prefer?

The next day, Shen Yirong walked out with dark circles under her eyes. As soon as the door opened, she saw Li Xiu smiling with her two dimples.

Shen Yirong took a step back. She couldn’t help it; she had developed a phobia of that face.

Li Xiu was a little helpless by her half-step retreat and could only smile more sincerely, “Mistress Shen, I am Li Xiu.”

Shen Yirong understood her meaning, but if she were to be strictly accurate, Li Xiu was also Song Yin’s accomplice.

Shen Yirong replied politely with a cold face, “Protector Li, why have you come?”

Li Xiu gave a wry smile. She reached out and handed over a cyan storage bag, “This is the reward for the commission.”

Shen Yirong’s expression instantly changed from overcast to sunny. She unceremoniously opened the bag. After being dazzled by the spirit stones, her attitude did a 180-degree turn.

“Protector, would you like to come in and sit down? I can brew you some spiritual tea.”

Li Xiu shook her head, “Mistress is too kind, but there is no need for tea. I came today for another matter.”

“More spirit stones!”

Seeing Shen Yirong’s eyes shine even brighter than the spirit stones, Li Xiu was a little awkward. She patiently explained, “There is still another matter. Mistress Shen’s status is noble, and it’s inappropriate to keep living here. Protector Qi asked me to take you to find a residence in the Inner Palace.”

The Inner Palace was naturally closer to Song Yin. In just a few days, she had transformed and moved to the Inner Palace. This was enough to attract a lot of attention.

Shen Yirong’s eyes dimmed slightly. After putting away the spirit stones, she offered a decent smile, “Please lead the way, Protector.”

Li Xiu nodded. She led Shen Yirong towards the Inner Palace. The Inner Palace was much more fantastical than the Outer Palace, with many suspended structures. Shen Yirong wasn’t particularly curious about this.

The Great Peace Sect also had similar buildings, but many had been abandoned because maintaining the floating array consumed too many spirit stones.

When the Sect Master talked about it, a hint of melancholy would appear on her usually gentle face, and she would express envy for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was entirely suspended, and it was said that one could touch the moon by reaching out.

Shen Yirong was lost in thought until she saw a magnificent great hall, the place where she was once forced to weave cloth.

“This is the Council Hall. If there are major matters, the five Protectors will discuss them here.”

Shen Yirong shifted her gaze away from this heartbreaking place. She saw Li Xiu continuing deeper, and her sense of unease grew stronger.

She looked suspiciously at Li Xiu’s back, feeling that the other person would turn into Song Yin’s appearance the next second.

“We’ve arrived.”

Shen Yirong froze. She stepped onto a jade platform, which then slowly ascended. Her body swayed slightly with the rising height. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes to a view of neatly arranged buildings.

Li Xiu noticed her discomfort, “Is the Mistress afraid of heights?”

Shen Yirong didn’t deny it, “A little. Mainly because this stone platform has no railings.”

Li Xiu understood, “I see.”

She waved her hand to lower the jade platform. As she walked forward, she explained, “This area is where the cultivation vessels live. Does Mistress Shen prefer shade or sun?”

The question made it sound like they were discussing plants. Shen Yirong answered directly, “Quietness. Preferably far from the main hall.”

Li Xiu was slightly surprised, “You are utterly devoted to the Venerable One, aren’t you? Why is that?”

Shen Yirong choked. How is it that everyone knows this after just one night!

Is Song Yin such a blabbermouth?

The dissatisfaction in her heart erupted like a volcano, then suddenly extinguished. Her anger was useless. After that palm strike yesterday, Song Yin was perfectly fine.

Shen Yirong wiped away two false tears with her sleeve, sighing sorrowfully, “My face is similar to the Sword Venerable’s. The Venerable One certainly won’t want to see me often. I am content just to be able to stay here and look at her from afar.”

She shed two more tears after speaking.

Li Xiu was momentarily taken aback by her performance. She caught on to the strangeness, “Mistress, are you afraid?”

“Of course not! My feelings for the Venerable One are witnessed by the sun and moon! How could I be afraid of the Venerable One!”

Li Xiu was nearly frightened by her intensity. She stopped dwelling on the love and hate of her superiors and led the person toward the farthest area from the main hall.

All the houses were more or less the same. Shen Yirong chose the one with the largest courtyard, which would be convenient for practicing her sword.

“Mistress, you can summon your subordinate if you need anything in the future.”

Li Xiu handed a jade token to Shen Yirong and left.

A crescent moon was carved on the emerald jade token, with a small character “Five” underneath. Shen Yirong put it into her newly acquired storage bag. After happily counting her spirit stones again, someone else arrived at her courtyard.

“Mistress Shen, these are your belongings left in the Outer Palace. Please check if anything is missing.”

A woman with one arm and a high ponytail carried several packages, her expression serious.

Shen Yirong didn’t have many possessions. She took the packages and greeted the newcomer, “My Lady, would you like to come in and sit down?”

The woman stood at the door, “Thank you for the Mistress’s kindness.”

She then handed another jade token to Shen Yirong, “If the Mistress encounters any difficulties, feel free to summon your subordinate. I shall take my leave.”

Shen Yirong looked at the new jade token in her hand. It was the same as the one Li Xiu gave her, but the small character at the bottom was “Ten.”

She figured she was being looked after. This Tenth External Protector was good friends with Huang Li, so it was likely Huang Li’s request.

Shen Yirong looked at the jade token, finally finding a glimmer of warmth during these chaotic days.

It was past noon after she finished arranging the room. Li Xiu had been reliable. This place was not only far from the main hall but also very quiet. There were no trees in the courtyard, but there was a swing, although the hemp rope was already rotten.

Shen Yirong practiced her sword in the courtyard. Her sword techniques from her past life were deeply engraved in her mind, but since this was the Demonic Palace, she only practiced basic movements.

The surrounding temperature seemed to rise. Shen Yirong sensed danger and raised her sword to guard her neck.

A tremendous impact sent her flying backward. When Shen Yirong regained her footing, a person was sitting on the wall. The newcomer, dressed in orange robes, was perched there, looking like an oversized persimmon next to the dead tree branches extending from the neighboring courtyard.

The pungent metallic smell and sizzling sound drew Shen Yirong’s gaze downward. Her sword was reduced to just the hilt. The blade had turned into molten red iron, dripping onto the ground.

Shen Yirong forced a bitter smile, “Protector Yu, what is the meaning of this?”

Yu Zhuotan looked slightly confused. She jumped down from the wall and excitedly grabbed Shen Yirong’s hand, twirling around.

“Play with me! Play with me!”

Shen Yirong almost got dizzy from the spinning. She shouted urgently, “Protector! Stop!”

Yu Zhuotan obediently stopped. Her eyes stared intently at Shen Yirong’s face, and then she suddenly asked, “Are you the Sword Venerable?”

“No.”

“Then why do you have the Sword Venerable’s face?”

“…My mother gave it to me.”

“You have a mother?”

“…”

Yu Zhuotan suddenly leaned in, speaking mysteriously, “Let me tell you a secret. I don’t have one, you know.”

Cultivators have long lifespans, and most immortals must bid farewell to their relatives who lack immortal affinity.

But Shen Yirong still didn’t know how to respond.

Yu Zhuotan pointed at the now-solidified molten iron on the ground. She was still smiling, “Just like this, they’re gone in a flash.”

Shen Yirong’s heart jolted. She looked into Yu Zhuotan’s eyes, where a feverish madness burned brightly, “If only you were the Sword Venerable. If I burn you, the Venerable One would be very happy.”

The air around them twisted. Shen Yirong quickly tossed the sword hilt from her hand. The hilt and the distant swing were both burning. With a thump, the seat of the swing fell to the ground.

Yu Zhuotan herself was also on fire. Flames climbed up her sleeves and skirt hem, moving upward.

Shen Yirong licked her instantly dry lips. Since she didn’t sense any killing intent, she wasn’t too panicked.

The other person seemed to be trying to scare her.

Yu Zhuotan blinked. Seeing Shen Yirong’s indifference, she felt bored. The arrogant flames gradually became gentle and finally vanished.

“You are really no fun at all.”

Shen Yirong didn’t care about her evaluation. She suddenly grabbed her hand, frowning slightly at the fresh burns on her palm.

She released Yu Zhuotan’s hand, “Protector, wait a moment.”

Shen Yirong turned and entered the room, returning with a small medicine bottle. She pulled Yu Zhuotan’s hand and poured the medicinal powder onto the burn.

Yu Zhuotan allowed her to treat her. Her smile slowly faded as she stared at Shen Yirong, not looking like a lunatic at all.

“Done.” Shen Yirong put away the medicine bottle, “Protector, you don’t have to hurt yourself if you want to play.”

Shen Yirong smiled. Before the smile faded, Yu Zhuotan suddenly knelt down.

“Venerable One!”

A chill immediately ran down Shen Yirong’s spine. She turned her head to look.

Song Yin, dressed in red, was standing on the wall, staring intently at her. She was q-quite terrifying.

Shen Yirong also knelt down, weakly squeezing out two tears, “Venerable One.”

Song Yin ignored her, coldly ordering Yu Zhuotan, “Go receive your punishment yourself.”

“Yes, Venerable One.”

Yu Zhuotan left, leaving only the two of them.

Song Yin approached her step by step. Shen Yirong became increasingly nervous.

She lowered her head, not daring to look, but her face was pinched, forcing her to look directly into Song Yin’s eyes.

“Have you forgotten your identity?”

Shen Yirong clutched Song Yin’s sleeve, shedding tears, “Venerable One~”

Her face was suddenly released. Song Yin’s cold voice was full of menace, “If this Venerable One sees you smiling at anyone else again, I will sew your mouth shut.”

Shen Yirong flinched, then very tactfully expressed, “I am the Venerable One’s person. I will only smile for the Venerable One.”

Song Yin knew she was being insincere, but at this moment, she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.

“It’s good that you understand.” Song Yin vanished from the spot.

The ground was still scorching hot. Shen Yirong felt a lingering fear.

She pondered, looking at the medicine bottle in her hand. She hadn’t intended to intervene, but the Protector seemed a bit sad when talking about her mother.

But the most critical issue now was Song Yin. Even choosing a place so far away, she still ran into her.

She needed to figure out Song Yin’s preferences. Which type of beauty does she prefer?

Suddenly remembering that absurd dream, Shen Yirong’s ears turned red.

She shook her head, dismissing the unrealistic idea.

Song Yin was more likely to whip people with a lash. How could she possibly be…

“Meow~”

A small black cat appeared near the burned swing. The kitten stretched and looked at Shen Yirong.

Shen Yirong was delighted. She walked over and picked up the cat. The kitten was very well-behaved, though its whiskers were slightly curled from the heat.

Shen Yirong scratched its chin. The little black cat closed its eyes and made a purring sound.

The texture is so nice, so cute, furry, with pink toe beans.

Shen Yirong was extremely happy, “How about I call you Little White?”

“Meow~”

“You agreed, so Little White it is.”

“Meow~”

The kitten rubbed against Shen Yirong’s face. Shen Yirong laughed, tickled. She lifted the cat and spun around a few times, then found some water to feed it.

Kittens are so great. They don’t have to do anything, and people bring them food and water.

Shen Yirong spoke sadly to Little White, “Little White, from now on, I can only smile for you.”

Little White wagged its tail, “Meow?”

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