The smile on Tang Dou's face instantly froze. This was simply...
More agonizing than swallowing a fly!
He forced an awkward laugh, turned around, and bolted.
Damn it!
Of all kinds of people in the world, he didn't even lay a hand on anyone!
How on earth was that harassment?!
Finally, Tang Dou arrived in front of Yue Jinxuan's Cave Abode.
He straightened his clothes and eagerly called out,
"Junior Sister, I'm back!"
Yue Jinxuan was leisurely sipping fragrant tea.
Hearing the voice, she slowly raised her head, her gaze landing on Tang Dou's turtle-shaped hairstyle, and she spat out her tea in a sudden burst.
Her eyes went wide round!
"Hahaha..."
Yue Jinxuan slapped the table, clutching her stomach with one hand. That laughter...
Shipped the entire Cave Abode into a tremor.
Tang Dou was completely bewildered!
He touched his cheek and asked in confusion,
"Junior Sister, even though I've become more handsome, there's no need to react quite this strongly, is there?"
Yue Jinxuan laughed so hard she rocked back and forth, waving her little hands frantically.
She couldn't take it anymore; she was dying of laughter.
How was she unable to hold it in at all?!
After finally managing to stop laughing, she grabbed Tang Dou's hand and dragged him over to a bronze mirror inside the Cave Abode.
The bronze mirror was as smooth as water, clearly reflecting Tang Dou's figure, except...
His hair had been braided into the shape of a turtle!
Tang Dou looked at himself in the mirror. He was stunned for a second, and then he couldn't help letting out a snort of laughter.
He scratched his head, the turtle head swaying gently with the movement.
It was utterly adorable!
Seeing this, Yue Jinxuan laughed even harder, doubling over.
Tang Dou didn't stay long. With an embarrassed chuckle, he waved goodbye to Yue Jinxuan.
Watching his receding figure, Yue Jinxuan couldn't help clutching her sides and laughing uproariously all over again.
Tang Dou's steps were hurried and flustered, as if a fierce beast were chasing him from behind.
He crossed the threshold, his expression changing drastically as he looked up with grief and indignation toward the sky. Up there, Xiaoxiao was circling playfully, letting out bouts of unbridled laughter.
"Xiaoxiao, I'll fight you to the death!" Tang Dou's roar echoed through the valley.
His legs kicked hard against the ground, spraying a cloud of dust with every step.
Like an enraged wild boar, he charged forward recklessly.
Xiaoxiao was extremely agile in the air, sometimes diving, sometimes making sharp turns.
Every movement was accompanied by laughter and provocation, yet he managed to dodge Tang Dou's pursuit with pinpoint precision.
"Stop right there!" Tang Dou's cry rang out once more.
He kept jumping and running, trying to catch Xiaoxiao.
Instead, Xiaoxiao became even more excited, tracing graceful arcs in the air and teasingly saying,
"Come and catch me! Catch me and I'll change you back to normal!"
A flash of annoyance crossed Tang Dou's eyes, and he leaped fiercely into the air.
Xiaoxiao executed a gentle turn and evaded the capture.
Amidst the mountain woods, laughter and shouts rose and fell in turn.
Until night fell, Tang Dou was finally exhausted and lay flat on the grass, panting heavily with a lingering sense of fear.
Damn it!
This Artifact Spirit...
He is toxic!!
Is it still too late for me to return him?!
Xiaoxiao flew lightly in front of Tang Dou with an apologetic look on his face.
"Stop being mad, Tang Dou. I just wanted to collect some joyful emotions."
"As long as you stop being mad, I'll change you back to normal, okay?"
Looking at Xiaoxiao's apologetic gaze, the anger in Tang Dou's heart gradually subsided, and he let out a helpless sigh.
"Change my hair back first, and we'll talk."
Xiaoxiao shook his head.
"No way!"
"You have to promise not to be angry first, and then I can change you back."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't dare take the risk."
Although Tang Dou was still somewhat displeased, considering that Xiaoxiao's original intention was just to gather joyful emotions, he ultimately compromised.
"Fine, hurry up and change me back."
Xiaoxiao waved his hand gently, and the tightly bound "turtle hairstyle" instantly loosened. His full head of hair swept back like a spring breeze, returning to its proper appearance.
Afterward, Tang Dou turned and returned to his Cave Abode.
When he reached the lounge, his exhausted body could no longer hold out, and he collapsed heavily onto the bed.
Early the next morning, after getting up and washing up, Tang Dou went to find Yue Jinxuan and said with a smile,
"Jinxuan, interested in going out on a mission together?"
Yue Jinxuan was slightly startled, then nodded.
"Alright, let's go together."
The two walked side by side to Tianshu Hall.
Tang Dou stood before the mission board, carefully browsing through the entries, until his gaze fell upon a scroll.
"At Yunhe Pavilion in Cuilan City, customers have been suddenly disappearing while dining one after another. Mission: Find the missing customers."
Tang Dou quickly finished the registration procedures and led Yue Jinxuan to a luxurious carriage.
At the driver's shout, the carriage slowly set off.
Inside the carriage, Tang Dou looked at Yue Jinxuan.
"Jinxuan, how much do you know about this world?"
Yue Jinxuan gave a faint smile and slowly began.
"The realm of cultivation is divided into nine domains, home to the Human Race, Demon Race, Demon Race, Elves, and Phantoms."
"The central five domains are the main gathering places of the Human Race. The five great provinces usually govern themselves, but when foreign races launch large-scale invasions, they support one another."
"The southeast, northeast, and other domains are occupied by the other four races respectively."
Tang Dou nodded repeatedly as he listened, a look of yearning on his face.
"I really want to visit the various major provinces and domains to broaden my horizons."
Unbeknownst to them, the two arrived at Yunhe Pavilion, where the tavern owner had been waiting for a long time.
This was a middle-aged elder. He led Tang Dou and Yue Jinxuan into a private room and spoke with trembling voice.
"Two immortal friends, ever since the beginning of last year, cultivators have been disappearing one after another here at Yunhe Pavilion, and this is already the sixth incident."
"Every time someone disappears, it happens right after a meal, vanishing into thin air without a trace."
Tang Dou asked,
"Owner, could you tell us in detail whether there were any abnormalities before and after each disappearance?"
The owner shook his head.
"Those missing people seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving behind no clues whatsoever."
Tang Dou knitted his brows.
"In that case, we shall first enter the tavern as customers and secretly investigate the truth."
...
The next day, Tang Dou and Yue Jinxuan changed into ordinary clothes and stepped into Yunhe Pavilion.
They found a table by the window, ordered a few dishes, and began to observe their surroundings closely.
The interior of the tavern was luxuriously decorated, yet the atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.
The staff bustled about, but their eyes revealed an unspeakable terror.
Customers gathered in small groups, speaking in low tones.
As night fell,
a series of eerie cat meows suddenly echoed inside the tavern. These cries sounded near and far, as if luring something in.
Tang Dou instantly grew alert. He took hold of Yue Jinxuan's delicate hand and said,
"These cat meows are not right. Junior Sister, be careful!"
Yue Jinxuan nodded in response.
"Mm, I know."
With that, the two scanned their surroundings with solemn expressions.
Right at that moment, apart from Tang Dou and Yue Jinxuan, the eyes of everyone in the tavern turned glazed and vacant.
The two of them quickly stood up, gazing vigilantly toward the entrance.