My Goddess is Good at Pretending

Chapter 522: The Blood-Winged Vermillion Bird’s Mutual Agreement

"Hmm~" Elysia pondered over it, and she found no malice from the soul essence that resided in Mingyue’s soul. However, it might be uncomfortable for Minyue to know an unauthorized stranger nestled inside one’s soul.

Thus, she gifted Mingyue a soul-nurturing ring. She also checked the advanced information regarding the blood-winged vermillion bird and the Sky-Scorching Clan using her Sacred Heaven Grimoire.

Unfortunately, the blood-winged vermillion bird in history wasn’t just one. The blood-winged vermillion bird went extinct from the Divine World, and the highest rank ever recorded in history was the 16th Rank blood-winged vermillion bird’s ancestor, Zhu Que.

"..." Elysia looked at Elena, Miko, Sylvia, Erina, and Yuuki. She shared the information she had just received and asked for their opinion.

Broadly speaking, what the blood-winged vermillion bird’s soul essence in Minyue’s soul offered was insignificant to the burden that it wished to impose on Mingyue. Mingyue only had to continue being affiliated with Sacred Sakura, and everything this soul essence had to offer would be of little significance.

"Hmm... is that a male bird or a female bird? I also wouldn’t feel comfortable if a random stranger suddenly lived in my soul." Sylvia crossed her arms, staring deep into Mingyue’s chest.

"Erm... how should I know? It’s divine soul essence." Mingyue covered her breasts by reflex.

"If you want to, you may accept the contract, but without the clan revival. Let it do the job for you as well. If it plays a trick on you, you can always come to us. Don’t let it take advantage of you. Truth be told, the strongest blood-winged vermillion bird is the ancestor, Zhu Que, the 16th Rank Immortal Lord." Elysia said her advice, knowing it could help Mingyue put the said soul essence in check.

"Immortal Lord Zhu Que? Thank you for your advice, Goddess Ely. I will talk to the blood-winged vermillion bird now." Mingyue felt relieved.

It was akin to getting a secret helper. The conditions to revive the fallen immortal could wait for the future, but she shouldn’t compromise about the clan revival. The burden and responsibility was too heavy.

She once heard Sacred Sakura Goddess already achieved the dao of supreme. So, a mere Immortal Lord couldn’t even hold a candle before Goddess Elysia for sure. Miko became her close friend, and Miko’s mama was so gentle, beautiful, and pleasant to talk to. With such an invincible backer, the additional support had to remain humble, not enforcing unfair responsibility onto her face!

"Is it a male bird or a female bird? If it’s a male bird, it could be a good match with your firebird, Mingyue. But, the clan revival... he doesn’t intend to nurture and groom you as his wife to hatch more new birds as the clan revival thingy, right?" Elena tapped her chin as it suddenly crossed her mind.

"E-eh?" Mingyue was frozen in shock.

"Isn’t that bad? Mingyue, you need to rearrange the conditions of the contract, or just reject it right away. Also, ask the soul essence to move to the soul-nurturing ring. We can help you out if it tries to bully you." Miko urged her friend to take quick action. The blood-winged vermillion bird inheritance was nice, but if it went too far, Mingyue could always abandon it on the roadside.

"Ye-yes, please wait. I’ll wake it up and negotiate the contract. It can’t force me with anything with you by my side." Mingyue nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes and tried to awaken the sleeping soul essence within her. ’Blood-winged vermillion bird, it’s me, Feng Mingyue. I’ve thought about it, and I will agree to the contract you offered.’

’Uh, good. You finally understand me. This is mutual benefit, and everyone will be happy.’ The blood-winged vermillion bird awakened. It emerged in Mingyue’s subconscious as a little bird and showed the soul contract.

’But, I can’t agree with the clan revival. You need to do it by yourself after I successfully revive you in the future.’

’But, you are my successor. It is your responsibility to revive the clan as well!’

’No buts. This decision is absolute. I have my own clan, family, and friends. You take it or we can leave it. I will throw you out if you are being unreasonable and trying to take advantage of me. I may be young and naive, but I’m not stupid.’

’Well, you can’t compare the mortal clan with my Sky Scorching Clan. You’ll help me out eventually. Alright then.’

’That’s good. Then, this is a fair deal. May I know what your name is, venerable blood-winged vermillion bird?’

Mingyue was pleased that everything went smoothly. The soul essence in front of her was pretty reasonable and good. The deal could be finished with a fair mutual benefit.

’It’s long gone name from a bygone era. Maybe nobody has heard my name ever since, let alone remember it. My name is Zhu Bihua, the 5th patriarch of the Sky Scorching Clan.’ The blood-winged vermillion bird tried to recall it, and the name seemed so faint and distant.

’Lord Zhu Bihua, pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Feng Mingyue. Erm... Also, do you know about the blood-winged vermillion bird, Lord Zhu Que?’ Mingyue introduced herself politely, but several points from the previous discussion bothered her mind.

’Lord Zhu Que?! How do you know the founding ancestor’s name?! How do you know that name?’ Zhu Bihua was shocked beyond belief. It shook Mingyue’s body frantically, forcing the answer out of Mingyue’s lips as quickly as possible.

’Please calm yourself down...’ Mingyue felt dizzy, and the frantic bird finally let go of her.

’...’ Zhu Bihua waited for the answer.

’Ahem! Then your peak cultivation when you were alive cannot be higher than Immortal Lord... am I right?’ Mingyue tried to confirm something first.

’I almost reached the threshold. So, what’s your point? Not even the blood moon demon ancestors ever reached this realm. So, I am your greatest help.’

’You’re being too arrogant with that remark.’

’You look down on me too much, little girl. Wait until I regain my divine power, and I will show you my might. You shall taste the power over my divine fire so that you can understand.’

’Alright, I’ll greatly anticipate it. Then, can we renew the contract and progress with our mutual benefit exchange?’ Mingyue smiled in reply.

With the renewed soul contract, both Mingyue and Zhu Bihua alternately came into an agreement and a soul contract bond.

’It’s done. You have to help me out during my cultivation, but...’ Mingyue was excited because she felt like she would get an immortal mount in the future.

’You are my successor and disciple. Call me master from now on and kowtow to me three times.’ Zhu Bihua pointed to the ground.

Mingyue felt like it was just a formality, and she got it done without a problem. Kowtow three times to the master was commonplace. With this, she managed to get an immortal master, and the said master would become her pet companion in the future.

’You were going to say something. Tell me now what it is.’ Zhu Bihua nodded in satisfaction.

’Err, I recently obtained a soul-nurturing artifact. Do you wish to move there so your soul essence can regain more soul force, Master Zhu?’ Mingyue put her index fingers together.

Honestly, she felt uncomfortable, but she didn’t know how to persuade this soul essence to move from her soul to the ring given by Miko’s mama.

’Soul nurturing artifact, you say?! Is that the real deal? Why can you get your hands on it so quickly? Are you a child of destiny or something? Certainly, I’ll check it myself. Thank you in advance for your consideration, Mingyue.’ Zhu Bihua waited for nothing more and left Mingyue’s soul. He found the rune ring on Mingyue’s thumb, and it was an authentic soul-nurturing artifact.

The excited bird entered the soul-nurturing ring without further ado to replenish his damaged soul. When compared, not even Mingyue’s soul or that ancient gravestone could compare to this ring.

However, a pair of lady’s fingers suddenly emerged out of the blue, catching him like a small ant.

"Who are you?! Get your fingers off me!" Zhu Bihua tried to resist frantically, but it was a futile effort.

"Hmm? Such a cute, little bird. The 5th patriarch of Sky Scorching Clan, Zhu Bihua." Elysia grabbed the blood-winged vermillion bird’s soul essence out of Mingyue’s soul-nurturing ring.

"Cute? Little bird?! Do you know-" Zhu Bihua was about to throw his temper, but he immediately kept his mouth shut upon realizing several high-rank Goddesses stared at him with a predatory gaze. "Uhm, what do you want from me, esteemed ladies?"

"Nothing. We just want to remind you to take good care of Mingyue. Don’t play tricks on her, understand?" Elysia smiled faintly, but she condensed her suppressive aura towards Zhu Bihua for a second as a warning to prevent the unexpected.

"!!!" Zhu Bihua trembled with fear and nodded by reflex. After he got freed, it entered the soul-nurturing ring to hide swiftly.

Not even in his wildest estimation could know that Mingyue was acquainted with some high-level Goddesses of Heaven, stronger than him and anyone he had ever known in his centuries of life. Not even the founding ancestor could compare!

’Mingyue, who is the esteemed lady just now? Why do I feel like I’m lying bare and helpless before her eyes? Since when did you get to know her? Please be careful as she is super dangerous and scary! Also, why did you never tell me beforehand?’ Zhu Bihua complained.

’Fufu, she is my best friend’s mama. Please be super respectful to her. She is also kind and gentle if you get to know her. Did you know? She is the Sacred Sakura Goddess. An entity that even the Heavenly Palace respected.’ Mingyue covered her mouth in amusement. She knew it, and she could use it to make Zhu Bihua behave.

’Sacred Sakura Goddess? Your friend’s mom? Heavenly Palace? Oh gosh...’ Zhu Bihua fainted right away.

"Hmm, so the patriarch, the male bird. Anyway, don’t let that take advantage of you, Mingyue. We recently encountered the great evil’s inheritance and its successor. The world suffered greatly because of that thing." Elysia tapped Mingyue’s hand.

"Thank you for your advice. I will keep it in mind." Mingyue clasped her fist to pay her respect.

"It’s about the time. We need to return." Elena checked her timer, and it was about the time for them to return.

"It’s time to visit the Divine World again, huh... Mm, let’s go back. I’ll book you a room in this inn, Mingyue. Feel free to stay in this town." Miko looked at her wristwatch. It was still about an hour before the appointed time, but everyone had to prepare something before visiting the Heavenly Palace.

"Thank you." Mingyue felt grateful. She then moved her finger with a sealing mouth hand gesture, indicating she would keep her mouth sealed about anything related to Sacred Sakura’s confidential affairs.

Since it was a special floor, Mingyue couldn’t stay there for long. She paid her respects and went with Miko to the 1st floor.

However, when Miko accompanied Mingyue to the lobby, a dispute between a husband and wife was getting very heated near the reception desk.

"No, I’m not having an affair! It’s her, yes that’s her. She seduced me with her pretty face and seductive body!" The beaten man pointed in a random direction, throwing the blame at the nearby woman.

"Huh?! How dare you to seduce my man, shameless slut!" The angry woman strode, fuming with rage. She raised her mage’s wooden wand high to beat the suspect.

"Uh, huh?!" Mingyue looked right and left in shock. She had no idea what was going on, but someone dared to slander her!