The Days of Su Bailian Undercover in the Primordial Holy Land

My name is Su Bailian.

Today marks my 10,086th day as an undercover agent in the Tai Chu Holy Land.

Huh?

Why so long, you ask? Exaggeration—ever heard of a dramatic metaphor?

In reality, it’s only been a month or two.

But with Chu Yu, that madwoman, glaring daggers at me every day, each moment feels like an eternity.

"Boqi—slow down!"

Su Bailian called out in a delicate, fragile voice, the spirit beast bells gifted by Elder Gong jingling on her wrist.

Since Su Bailian was only at the early-stage Qi Perception realm in this era of spiritual resurgence, Elder Gong of the Spirit Beast Mountain insisted on equipping her with life-saving treasures.

Ahead, Boqi—a coffee-colored furball—was sprinting wildly, a half-eaten golden ox tail dangling from its mouth.

"Junior Sister Bailian!"

A startled cry came from the herb garden. "How did the Sky-Swallowing Spirit Ox’s tail get—"

Hearing this,

Su Bailian instantly blinked, tears gushing forth like a fountain.

Tap tap tap~

Hiking up her skirt, she scurried over with tiny steps, looking pitifully at the ox-feeding disciple. "Wuwuwu... It’s all my fault for being so weak... I couldn’t stop Boqi..."

In the garden, the Sky-Swallowing Spirit Ox was leisurely swishing its freshly regrown tail while munching on spirit grass.

Raised by Elder Gong himself, its constitution was far beyond that of ordinary spirit beasts.

Losing a tail? No big deal. It wasn’t like Su Bailian did it on purpose, so no harm done.

The disciple stared at the golden ox hairs on the ground, then at Boqi—fake-whimpering in Su Bailian’s arms—and flushed crimson. "N-no... I meant the ox tail is highly nourishing! If Boqi likes it..."

"Really?"

Su Bailian suddenly lifted her face, letting the morning sun perfectly highlight the teardrops clinging to her lashes.

"But Elder Gong..."

"I’ll report it myself!"

The disciple grabbed the remaining half-tail and bolted as if fleeing a demonic beast.

Once he was gone,

Su Bailian smirked.

Seriously?

It’s just an ox tail. It’s not like the ox won’t grow another one.

Still grumbling,

She stroked Boqi’s fluffy head as they headed back to her cave abode, chirping, "Boqi, was it yummy?"

"Woof!"

Hearing the reply, Su Bailian grinned.

Hehe, as long as Boqi’s happy.

But...

Her mind drifted to Qin Luo’s stupid face. Damn that Qin Luo.

Sending me alone into this den of wolves as a spy, while he’s off cozying up with my sister!

Does he even know that Chu Yu, that little witch, has been side-eyeing me ever since she returned from the ancient ruins?

Su Bailian sighed. Chu Yu’s glare was getting scarier by the day.

Was she actually planning to kill her?

Just as the thought crossed her mind,

Su Bailian turned a corner and ran straight into her least favorite person.

There,

Chu Yu leaned against a mossy rock, her Frost Jade Sword in hand, the phoenix hairpin in her bun glinting mockingly.

"Su Bailian."

She sneered. "What’s today’s act? Stealing herbs or sabotaging artifacts?"

"Eep!"

Su Bailian shrank back, her bells jingling frantically. "Senior Sister Chu, what do you mean...? I don’t understand..."

"Of course you don’t!"

Chu Yu’s voice spiked as she brandished her sword. "Just like how you ‘didn’t understand’ why my second brother’s sword ended up in my cave three days ago—right when the sect tournament began!"

"Thanks to you, my adoptive father grounded me for three days!"

Nearby sweeping disciples glanced over curiously.

Su Bailian bit her lip, trembling like a lotus in the wind. "Wuwuwu... Senior Sister, I don’t know what you’re talking about..."

In reality...

Yep.

Guilty as charged.

Three days ago, during the tournament, Chu Yu dueled Wang Yan—another adopted disciple of the Tai Chu Holy Land’s patriarch.

All I did was have Boqi drop Wang Yan’s sword in Chu Yu’s cave.

Everyone knows a sword is a swordsman’s soul.

Wang Yan, weaponless, naturally lost to Chu Yu.

And it made Chu Yu look like a sore loser who’d resorted to theft.

Seeing Su Bailian’s act, Chu Yu’s rage boiled over. "Still lying?!"

"Eek!"

"Enough!"

A streak of cyan light flashed as Elder Gong descended atop his Sky-Swallowing Spirit Ox.

Glaring at Chu Yu, he bellowed, "Yu’er! Bailian’s spiritual veins are blocked—life’s hard enough for her. Must you bully your junior?"

"The whole sect saw your brother’s sword in your cave. The matter’s settled."

"Yet here you are, screeching at her like a harpy!"

!!!

Chu Yu’s hairpin nearly popped off. "Elder Gong! Her mutt keeps eating the spirit ox’s tail!"

"Tails regrow. Sect harmony doesn’t."

Elder Gong stroked his beard. "Speaking of, have you finished today’s 10,000 copies of the Heart-Cleansing Mantra?"

Chu Yu froze.

The mantra was Patriarch Feng Yutian’s punishment for her "unseemly outbursts" since Su Bailian’s arrival.

Gritting her teeth, she hissed, "No..."

Clenching her fists till her knuckles whitened, Chu Yu’s eyes burned crimson.

Why? Why?!

Why does everyone take Su Bailian’s side?!

My senior brothers, Elder Gong, even my adoptive father—all of them!

That witch! That scheming little—!

But it’s fine...

Because soon...

The inter-sect tournament begins!

And then...

I’ll make you all regret this!

---

Late at night,

Su Bailian crouched in the spirit beast garden, brushing Boqi’s fur.

The latter sprawled contentedly. "Woof~"

"Hmph!"

"That’s what you get for crossing me, Chu Yu!"

She giggled triumphantly—then paused, kneading Boqi’s ears.

"Qin Luo better give me a clear mission soon. Month after month, and the only person in this sect who hates me is that witch Chu Yu."

"At this rate, I might as well run for Holy Maiden!"

The Tai Chu Holy Land’s tournament was, in fact, a selection for the next Holy Maiden and Holy Son.

Despite her weak cultivation, Su Bailian was a strong contender.

Well, aside from Chu Yu.

Just thinking about her made Su Bailian smirk. Just you wait, Chu Yu. I’ve got more tricks up my sleeve.

But...

"Hmm..."

Su Bailian cupped her cheeks, a faint blush spreading.

What’s this...?

Why’s my love radar going haywire lately?

Her pupils flickered nervously.

What are those two tyrants up to now...?