novelraw Chapter 357: Do You Also Know Yu Zhao?
Chapter 357: Do You Also Know Yu Zhao?
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
Before stepping into the Desert of Lost Souls, Hua Tu never imagined how harsh the desert environment could be.
The relentless drought, scorching heat, and unpredictable sandstorms tormented Hua Tu, who was used to life in the dense forests of the mountains. It was a trial that pushed the leopard spirit to his limits.
It was at this moment that Si Tu Xuan appeared.
Sensing Si Tu Xuan about to leave, a sudden surge of strength emerged within Hua Tu, who had been sprawled helplessly on the burning sand. He leapt up and, in a few swift bounds, landed in front of Si Tu Xuan, his eyes gleaming with hostility.
Si Tu Xuan instinctively reached behind him, drawing out a long spear. His gaze sharpened as he regarded Hua Tu cautiously.
The intention was clear—this was no friendly encounter.
“You…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Hua Tu took a large step forward.
Si Tu Xuan’s spear trembled in his hand, thrusting upward from a deceptive angle aimed at Hua Tu. However, Hua Tu didn’t dodge. With lightning speed, he reached out and grasped the spear firmly.Si Tu Xuan’s expression shifted to one of shock.
With a powerful tug, Hua Tu pulled the spear, causing Si Tu Xuan to stumble forward a few steps. Then, a shadow passed before Si Tu Xuan’s eyes.
Looking down, he noticed his outer robe had been undone, and the Cooling Pearl and Sweet Rain Stone he kept close to his chest had vanished.
“Ah… how refreshing!”
Hua Tu was now rubbing his face against the Cooling Pearl, enjoying its coldness, while his other hand held the Sweet Rain Stone. As water dripped from the stone, Hua Tu quickly licked it up with his tongue. The cool liquid flowed into his throat, prompting a satisfied rumble. He then rolled joyously in the sand, his antics so exaggerated that they were almost embarrassing to witness.
Si Tu Xuan’s eye twitched, but inwardly, he sighed in relief. While this leopard spirit was undeniably eccentric, he seemed to harbor no malicious intent. Still, it was better to leave sooner rather than later.
Holding his breath, Si Tu Xuan began to carefully inch away to the side. Hua Tu didn’t stop him; he didn’t even glance in his direction.
With quickened steps, Si Tu Xuan soon left the peculiar figure far behind.
Treating Hua Tu as nothing more than an unexpected encounter, Si Tu Xuan resolved to put the matter out of his mind. However, less than half a day later, Hua Tu once again appeared within his perception—and this time, he was drawing closer.
Tension gripped Si Tu Xuan anew.
Fortunately, Hua Tu merely cast him a glance before speeding past without breaking stride. Si Tu Xuan’s anxiety began to ease.
The next day, Si Tu Xuan encountered Hua Tu for a third time.
Unlike the previous occasions, Si Tu Xuan was noticeably calmer. His face no longer bore the same guarded expression as before. Meanwhile, Hua Tu stood motionless in the distance, seemingly lost in thought. Yet, just as Si Tu Xuan was about to catch up to him, Hua Tu suddenly dashed away, leaving a trail of dust behind.
Watching Hua Tu’s retreating figure, a sense of inevitability stirred in Si Tu Xuan’s heart—this wouldn’t be their final meeting.
Sure enough, they crossed paths a fourth time, a fifth, and even a sixth. By now, Si Tu Xuan could face Hua Tu with complete composure.
“Do you also know Yu Zhao?” Hua Tu suddenly called out during their latest encounter.
Si Tu Xuan was startled. He had never interacted with Yu Zhao before, so why would Hua Tu mention her name? Could it be that Hua Tu, like himself, had been drawn to the Desert of Lost Souls because of Yu Zhao?
“Who are you?” Si Tu Xuan demanded.
“You really do know Yu Zhao,” Hua Tu said with a grin. “I’m Hua Tu. I’m here to find her.”
The sincerity in Hua Tu’s words convinced Si Tu Xuan somewhat. However, out of caution, he asked another question. “Why do you keep standing still like that?”
Hua Tu scratched his head. “I’ve been trying to track Yu Zhao’s scent.”
Having spent time with Yu Zhao, Hua Tu had committed her scent to memory. Upon entering the desert, he immediately picked up traces of her scent. But the vastness of the desert and the shifting winds made pinpointing its direction a challenge. Thus, Hua Tu had to stop periodically to discern the trail.
As for why he guessed Si Tu Xuan knew Yu Zhao, it was because Si Tu Xuan moved with purpose, as though searching for someone. Hua Tu had simply decided to test his luck.
His ancestors always said that handsome leopards were blessed with good fortune.
“Scent?” Si Tu Xuan found the notion baffling. Why would someone use such an inefficient method? Yet, recalling how he himself had nearly died of thirst in the desert, Si Tu Xuan felt a flicker of understanding.
“I know where they are. Follow me,” Si Tu Xuan said.
“Alright!”
Hua Tu agreed cheerfully. But before long, he grew impatient with Si Tu Xuan’s slower pace and tried to drag him along, much to Si Tu Xuan’s indignation. Left with no choice, Hua Tu begrudgingly followed behind.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhao and her group were still trapped in a dire situation, unable to devise an escape plan. As time slipped away, Yu Zhao could no longer sit idly by.
“If no one comes up with a solution today, I’ll proceed with my plan,” she declared firmly.
Shao Yi Man frowned. “Daoist Yu, you’re gambling with everyone’s safety.”
“I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot afford delays,” Yu Zhao responded with unexpected resolve.
She had just noticed something alarming—White Blaze, the snake spirit, was radiating heat, an abnormality for a cold-blooded creature. Yu Zhao knew time was running out.
“Si Tu Jian Nan, do you agree with Yu Zhao?” Shao Yi Man asked sharply, even dropping the usual honorifics in her irritation.
Caught in the middle, Si Tu Jian Nan hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
Before he could respond, Ji Han Zhou raised an eyebrow, about to speak. But before he could, Long Fei Fei slammed her hand on the stone floor and stood up.
“Breaking down the wall isn’t just Yu Zhao’s idea—it was also my ancestor’s plan! If you disagree, come up with a better idea. If not, stop complaining!”
“How dare you! A petty thief dares to speak to me this way?” Shao Yi Man roared.
Long Fei Fei sneered. “I’ve stolen your family’s heirloom. What’s a bit of name-calling compared to that?”
Her words struck a nerve, igniting the fury of the three Shao siblings. Already bitter over the stolen treasure, Shao Yi Chuan immediately lunged forward, his fist aimed at Long Fei Fei’s face.
The punch came with a sharp whistling sound, but Long Fei Fei’s eyes glinted mischievously.
“With your measly skills, catching me is a pipe dream. Try again in your next life!” she taunted before vanishing like a phantom.
Shao Yi Chuan’s punch hit nothing but air. He released his divine sense, but Long Fei Fei was nowhere to be found.
“Long Fei Fei! Come out and face me! What kind of skill is hiding?” he bellowed.
“Nyah-nyah! Catch me if you can!” Long Fei Fei’s teasing voice came from behind him.
Spinning around, Shao Yi Chuan saw her standing just an arm’s length away. He swung his elbow at her, only for her to disappear again.
“You idiot! I’m over here!” she called out from Yu Zhao’s side, sticking out her tongue and pulling faces.
Enraged, Shao Yi Chuan charged at her once more.
“Stop this!”
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