Chapter 8: The Beloved of the Genius Summoner 8

In the depths of the night, several pairs of cold, greenish glints stared at her, flickering incessantly.

Lu Ningshi hugged her arms, which had broken out in goosebumps, and took a cautious step backward. Could Yu Xuan be planning to use someone else's hand to get rid of her, throwing her into a beast's den to be torn to shreds, leaving not even a bone behind?

"Big sister?"

A cute, naive voice filled with confusion drifted slowly from the darkness. Recognizing the owner of the voice, Lu Ningshi quickly pinpointed the source. She ran over, scooped her up into her arms, and rubbed her cheek against her soft face.

"Green Vine, you’re my savior! I really like you so much."

The bold confession left Green Vine shy and bashful, its vines twisting and tangling into a thick braid. It stayed obediently in her arms, whispering, "I like you too, Big Sister."

"Green Vine, is she the Master’s sixth contractor?"

A Flame Bird landed on the back of a White Jade Spider, blinking its large, round eyes and tilting its head to examine her with curiosity. A White Tiger crouched nearby, quietly licking its paws in an attempt to keep its white fur clean.

Lu Ningshi realized with a start, "You are Yu Xuan’s contractors?"

"Yes."

"We’ve wanted to meet you for so long. The last time you appeared, it was for such a short time that we didn't even have a chance to greet you before you were gone again." The White Jade Spider, having been beaten to the punch by the Flame Bird, took the lead this time. Its voice was somewhat mechanical and cold, yet it asked with genuine warmth, "Don't you feel uncomfortable staying outside all the time?"

"I don't..."

Lu Ningshi was about to say that she didn't like the dark, but as she looked at the four demonic beasts staring at her with clear, simple, and direct gazes, a spark of inspiration flashed in her mind. A strange smile slowly crept across her lips.

She sat down on the grass with absolutely no regard for her image and heaved a long sigh, looking up at the night sky.

"Actually, I wanted to meet you all sooner, but the Master wouldn't allow it."

"What do you mean, the Master wouldn't allow it?"

Demonic beasts needed to rest in their alternate space to recover their strength. They had all gone through that; why was it different for her? The White Tiger’s breath ruffled its white whiskers as it spoke, unable to hide its surprise.

Lu Ningshi let her head droop, looking dejected. "Perhaps it's because I'm in human form. You are all so strong, and I... I can't do anything. I’m just a waste. The Master probably doesn't want me, but he’s too proud to say it outright. He probably wants to drain my energy this way so I disappear from this world, and he can summon someone else."

"That’s impossible! Even if the Master isn't one for words and keeps a cold face all day, and even if his temper seems terrible... he’s always been very good to us." The Flame Bird squawked in protest.

Lu Ningshi raised a delicate eyebrow as she listened to its long list of complaints about Yu Xuan. Her eyes darted, and she immediately stood up, hands on her hips, and huffed at them.

"Oh, how bold of you! Do you want me to report you to the Master for bad-mouthing him behind his back?"

"When did I bad-mouth the Master?" The Flame Bird stared with wide, shocked eyes. It had treated her like a sibling, and now she was going to stab it in the back?

Lu Ningshi smirked. "Doesn't speak, cold-faced, foul-tempered—aren't those bad things to say?"

"You, you, you... how could you?" The Flame Bird couldn't find the words to accuse her, so it flapped its wings, flying in anxious circles. Those weren't bad things—they were facts!

Green Vine tugged at her clothes, asking nervously, "Big Sister, the Flame Bird actually admires the Master. Are you really going to report it?"

"I was just teasing it." Lu Ningshi said, feeling quite pleased. She offered some advice: "Little sister Green Vine, take my word for it: we demonic beings shouldn't be too naive, or we’ll be taken advantage of and suffer for it."

The White Tiger and the White Jade Spider exchanged a look and quietly took two steps back, keeping their distance. The newcomer might be less powerful than them, but she had a heart full of schemes; they were too simple to play her game.

Catching their subtle movements, Lu Ningshi turned to them and flashed a brilliant smile. "I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Poison Vine. Shall we be friends?"

The two beasts remained silent.

"Oh, you know, there’s another downside to staying outside all the time." The three beasts pricked up their ears simultaneously.

Lu Ningshi placed a finger on her chin, feigning deep thought. "I’m with the Master every single moment. If I accidentally let slip a word or two of complaint—once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, do you think the Master might grow dissatisfied with me?"

"What are you trying to do?" The White Tiger bared its teeth. It finally understood: she was blatantly threatening them.

"You don't need to be so guarded against me. I’m actually very simple and kind. I’m the kind of person who would help an old person up if they fell." Lu Ningshi shamelessly boasted.

Green Vine’s eyes widened slightly. Remembering how she had previously beaten up a child with a dark expression on her face, it looked up at her, then lowered its head, saying nothing.

"Good people get good rewards, living for ten thousand years!" Lu Ningshi raised her right fist and shouted her slogan with high spirits. After she finished, she spoke softly, "We are of the same kind; there’s no need for us to kill each other."

"Besides being of the same kind, we’re friends, so if I ever encounter danger, you have to save me." She didn't add that if Yu Xuan and she were both in danger, they should prioritize her. But that was unrealistic. After all, if Yu Xuan died, they would be finished too—what was there to talk about then?

The White Jade Spider breathed a sigh of relief. "We all serve the Master. You don't need to tell us; we will help one another."

"Very sensible." Lu Ningshi nodded happily. She pulled some soft candies from her pocket and handed them over. "A first meeting gift for my new friends."

"Is this the food you gave Green Vine before?" The Flame Bird stopped its squawking and flew down immediately, drooling over the sweet-smelling treats.

Lu Ningshi hadn't expected it to be such a foodie, so she laughingly gave it two. As the "chicken" sacrificed to warn the others, it deserved an extra one.

The Flame Bird had never tasted human food. It popped the candy into its mouth and mumbled, "You really are a good person."

"Exactly, I’m a great person. So, you have to remember my kindness." Lu Ningshi chuckled.

Green Vine received two as well. It looked at the fruit candy in its hand, then up at Lu Ningshi, and said with great conviction, "Big Sister, I will protect you."

Lu Ningshi froze for a moment, then smiled and stroked its flower bud. "Get well soon, I’ll be waiting for you to protect me."

With such noisy and cute companions, Lu Ningshi no longer found the night boring. She leaned against the White Tiger, with the Flame Bird perched on her head, and held Green Vine in one arm and the White Jade Spider in the other, falling into a peaceful sleep.

The Arctic Wolf returned from its training just in time to see this scene. But before it could start a commotion, a cold voice echoed through the sky of the alternate space.