Chapter 382: Chapter 378: A Dead Person Plants Cherries

Cherries. Bai Chuyan stared at the cherries in her hand. They were as vibrant and luscious as red agate, tempting and suffused with a dense Spiritual Qi. Yet, she didn’t dare to eat them. In fact, her eyes were filled with terror.

When she was a child, this cherry tree hadn’t yet been planted in the courtyard. Bai Chuyan had once witnessed her Grandmother conduct some sort of experiment on a woman. The woman died a horrible death, her entire body turning a dark, crimson red.

Her Grandmother had ordered someone to dig a large pit in the courtyard. They placed a cherry seed in the dead woman’s mouth, lowered her into the pit, and buried her.

She had explained that the woman’s blood contained a special snake venom. A cherry tree planted this way would be immune to insects, and its fruit would resist rot. Even after being picked, the cherries would remain vibrant and fresh for a month.

Most importantly, this was a special cherry tree that bore Spirit Fruits. For Martial Cultivators, eating them had a powerful supportive effect.

The Bai Family’s cherries were famous throughout Wencheng. She had even heard a story of someone offering a million to buy a single one.

No matter how extraordinary or precious the cherries were, Bai Chuyan had never eaten a single one. The image of that woman, her mouth gaping wide as she was buried in the dirt, was seared into her mind and refused to fade.

It had even become the source of her childhood nightmares.

Some things are better left unknown. Once you learn them, they cast a permanent shadow on your heart.

Every time she saw her Grandmother bite into the flesh of a cherry, the bright red juice dribbling from the corners of her mouth, she imagined it was the blood of the woman who had died so horribly. The sight was so shocking it sent a chill through her entire body.

But her Grandmother always ate them with great pleasure.

"Grandmother, please don’t make me eat it. Chu’Er really can’t," Bai Chuyan pleaded as the memories resurfaced. Her face grew pale, and her stomach churned.

"Oh, you. I don’t know what to say to you." Grandmother tapped her on the forehead, though not in an accusatory way. She began walking toward a nearby house, her steps graceful and elegant beneath her qipao. "If you won’t eat the cherries," she said as she walked, "then Grandmother will show you a pet. It’s quite interesting."

"A pet?" The color returned to Bai Chuyan’s face, her interest piqued. ’Anything that catches Grandmother’s eye must be extraordinary.’

Inside the house, a cage sat on a table carved from a tree root. It was covered with a black cloth, which Grandmother whisked away without a word.

Inside the cage, a cat with a tiger-striped coat lay listlessly. As the cloth was removed and light flooded its world, the unique creature proudly lifted its head and stretched. The moment it saw Grandmother, its fur bristled, and it let out a low growl. Its eyes, like the Eyes of Golden Flame, blazed with power.

"This..."

The cat’s imposing aura startled Bai Chuyan, causing her to retreat several steps. She felt a sudden chill, and her breath hitched.

’That’s not a cat, it’s a miniature tiger!’ Majestic and imposing, it exuded the air of a king, making one feel an instinctual urge to submit.

"Hehe... Little one, you’ve missed a few meals, and you’re still this spirited? If you frighten my little Chu’Er, just see how this old woman deals with you." The Grandmother was elegant and charming in her qipao, but her use of the archaic "this old woman" to refer to herself was jarring.

It was like a middle-aged man calling himself "this old man."

The cat, fur bristling, radiated a powerful aura. Its eyes were fixed on the Grandmother, but she showed no fear. On the contrary, she smiled, her posture that of someone admiring a pet. The longer she looked, the more delighted she seemed.

"Grandmother, is that really a cat? It looks so fierce." Bai Chuyan had never seen such a majestic cat. She was simultaneously shocked and afraid, a baseless fear creeping into her heart.

This fear made her feel ashamed.

Grandmother said languidly, "This cat is of an incredibly noble breed. It’s a Super Class mutated being and has already reached the level of a Rank Two Spirit Monster. A truly rare find."

Ah...!

Bai Chuyan was stunned. She blinked, her breathing growing heavy.

’A Rank Two Super Class mutated being... That’s unbelievable! It’s practically at the legendary Divine Beast Level. It might even become a Divine Beast in the future!’

"Hehe... Not bad, is it? This old woman just happened to find this cat. When your brother breaks through to Rank 3, I’ll give it to him as a Battle Companion."

She continued, "I could give it to him now, but the cat still has a master. However, I trust that after tonight, it will be free."

She said this nonchalantly, but a flicker of self-satisfaction crossed her eyes.

ROAR—

For some reason, the cat in the cage erupted with ferocity and let out a sudden, mighty roar. The entire house trembled. Bai Chuyan quickly covered her ears, her face contorting in pain.

"Hehe... You naughty little thing," Grandmother chuckled, but her eyes slowly grew cold.

’Golden Pupils, I’ve found you.’

Hidden in Bai Chuyan’s pocket, Tu Xiao’an grew excited. The Golden Pupils was trapped in a cage like a cornered beast.

’This cage isn’t simple. It looks ordinary, but anything that can confine a Rank Two Spirit Monster is a treasure in its own right.’

Tu Xiao’an had heard every word the Grandmother said. ’She said the cat will be free after tonight. That means Yu Zitong is certain to die; he won’t see the sun tomorrow.’

’And that might have been true, but unfortunately for her, I already dealt with that Gu Snake. Yu Zitong isn’t going to die now.’

’Her little scheme is going to fall apart.’

ROAR—

The cat in the cage roared again, as if provoked.

"What? Feeling sorry for your master?" Grandmother taunted. ’How did a mere Rank One piece of trash manage to make such a precious cat acknowledge him as its master?’ She couldn’t quite figure it out.

’And it’s so loyal, too. It must know its master’s life is in grave danger.’

"Your master is a dead man."

ROAR—

The room shook violently. The roar was like a Sound Wave Skill. Grandmother remained placid and unaffected, but Bai Chuyan’s face grew pale and drawn, and she felt cold sweat trickle down her spine.

"Grandmother, I can’t take it anymore!"

Bai Chuyan’s Cultivation was too low; she couldn’t withstand the cat’s roar.

"Honestly. You can’t even withstand a cat’s cry? You’re so far behind your brother." Displeasure clouded Grandmother’s face, as if Bai Chuyan had ruined her mood.

Bai Chuyan trembled and said in a panic, "Grandmother, I’m sorry! Chu’Er is useless."

"The Bai Family is a renowned and prestigious clan, the number one family in Wencheng. You are the Second Miss of the Bai Family, yet your Cultivation is this low. What a disgrace." Grandmother stared at her coolly, her gaze alone placing immense pressure on Bai Chuyan.

With a thud, Bai Chuyan fell to her knees. "I’m sorry, Grandmother! Chu’Er is too useless! I will be sure to focus on my Cultivation from now on!"

"You’d be better off just eating a few more cherries."

At the mention of cherries, Bai Chuyan clenched her jaw and remained silent.

"Fine. You are dismissed. Go check on your brother. I’ve had enough of you upsetting me."

Feeling as if she’d been granted amnesty, Bai Chuyan quickly turned to leave. But in the instant she turned, a streak of light slipped from her pocket and silently darted into a dark corner of the room.