Chapter 62: Sparrow Feather Robe

The voice was soft and alluring, causing Zhao Xing's outstretched hand to pause involuntarily. He turned his head to look for the source of the sound. At the edge of the small stream, a young girl suddenly appeared. Her face was delicate and beautiful, her eyes clear and bright; she wore a white dress, with a sash fluttering at her waist, exuding an ethereal aura.

Her red lips parted slightly as she called out 'brother' in a sweet voice, raising her fair arms to wave, her smile pure and innocent. It was as if she had finally seen her beloved after a long time, and she ran towards him eagerly.

"You called me?" Zhao Xing paused for a moment, still picking up the Zhu Fruit.

The girl noticed his action, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, and her steps quickened. At the same time, the silver bells on her wrist jingled, producing a clear and melodious sound.

"Brother, have you forgotten me so quickly? I'm Qian'er," the girl floated across the stream, stopping with a slight bow, seemingly a bit shy.

Zhao Xing looked at her quietly, remaining silent.

"Brother, last time you promised to come find Qian'er, and you said you would bring the best treasure for me. Now Qian'er is here," Lu Qian slowly approached, her aura becoming more enchanting.

She pointed at the Zhu Fruit in Zhao Xing's hand, her red lips parting slightly: "Is brother going to give this to me?"

"You mean this?" Zhao Xing raised the Zhu Fruit in his hand, his expression like that of a fool, taking two steps forward.

"Yes," Lu Qian smiled even more happily.

"You're dreaming."

"??" Lu Qian's smile froze, immediately realizing something was wrong. This person was unaffected by her charm! Not only that, but she also felt a hint of danger!

"Not good!" Lu Qian quickly retreated. She tiptoed, taking quick steps back like a nimble dancer. Her sleeves fluttered, colorful silk ribbons extending from them, her movements graceful and agile.

But she was still a step too late. From the earth covered by autumn leaves, a golden hand emerged, grabbing her ankle!

"Hahaha~" Immediately, figures rose from all around her, quickly surrounding her.

"These are... scarecrows?" Lu Qian was a bit shocked, her dance sleeves suddenly stiffening like a great sword, slashing towards the powerful golden grip holding her ankle.

"Clang!" The sound of metal clashing rang out, her dance sleeves rebounding, while the powerful golden arm only showed a shallow white mark.

"What? It can't cut through?" Lu Qian was stunned. This was a second-tier silver silk sleeve sword, and it couldn't even cut through a scarecrow?

"Take her down," Zhao Xing ordered calmly.

"Wait!" Lu Qian's face was filled with shock. She wanted to say something, but a powerful golden fist charged at her.

"Oof!" A punch landed on Lu Qian's face, causing her right eye to swell immediately.

"Ah—" She was knocked back, her cry of pain cut short.

Another powerful golden figure jumped up, delivering a blow to her left eye.

"Oof!" The fairy-like girl in white was knocked to the ground, lying in the dirt with panda eyes.

"Hang her up," Zhao Xing waved his hand, instructing the scarecrows to hang the unconscious Lu Qian on a tree. She was treated the same as Zong Shichang, strung up between two trees like a character in a play.

"Splash~" A basin of water was poured over Lu Qian, waking her from her stupor.

"You, let me go!" Lu Qian, drenched, her figure faintly visible, bit her lower lip, appearing pitiful: "What do you want to do? Don't come over!"

Zhao Xing actually stopped, saying blandly, "Stop pretending."

"What are you talking about?" Lu Qian's eyes showed some unease.

"You're wearing a third-tier Sparrow Feather Robe underneath. If I really came over to tear your clothes, I'd be charmed immediately. Do you think I don't know?" Zhao Xing looked at her with a half-smile.

Lu Qian's expression changed. She knew she was caught today. Her inner garment had been seen through, and the person before her was much stronger than she imagined. Her charm magic had no effect on him!

She didn't know that Zhao Xing was a man who had passed the tenth level of the Heart Inquiry Platform. Her little illusion was nothing compared to the national-level elite checkpoints of the Great Dream Academy.

"Since you've seen through me, please let me go. I don't want the Zhu Fruit anymore," Lu Qian said seriously.

"What do you mean you don't want it? It was never yours. You planned to steal it from me."

Lu Qian argued, "The Zhu Fruit was something I discovered up there. I was about to pick it when it fell down. By rights, I found it first."

Zhao Xing remained unmoved: "That's not a reason for me to let you go."

"What do you want then?"

"Simple, buy your life with money. I want that Sparrow Feather Robe."

"You..." Lu Qian was both ashamed and angry. The Sparrow Feather Robe was not only a treasure but also her intimate garment. To have it taken by a stranger was something she couldn't accept.

Zhao Xing, however, didn't give her much time to consider: "Due to the rules, I can't kill you directly. If you want to save face, take it off yourself. Otherwise, I'll have to help you."

"Fine, I'll take it off myself! You better keep your word!" Lu Qian gritted her teeth, accepting her fate. If she stayed tied up here, her life would be in danger.

Zhao Xing warned, "Don't have any other thoughts, or I can't guarantee the control of the counterattack force."

With that, he waved his hand, and the scarecrows released Lu Qian.

Having been punched twice, her whole body was sore. She knew she couldn't resist and could only comply. This outcome was already quite good.

So she didn't make any more small moves, turning her back, her hands reaching into her collar. After some fumbling, she removed a multicolored inner garment.

"Here you go," Lu Qian turned around, handing over the Sparrow Feather Robe. She still held a bit of hope that Zhao Xing would be affected by the robe.

Unexpectedly, he was completely unaffected, which extinguished her last hope.

"Good stuff." The high-tier Sparrow Feather Robe was made from the feathers of the rare beast, the sparrow. This one used the feathers of a phoenix sparrow. However, one of the feathers used was from a fourth-tier rare beast, and the eye pattern on it was somewhat mesmerizing.

Zhao Xing looked directly at the robe, his eyes a bit dazed, quickly using Bright Eyes Magic Arts to block the spiritual connection.

The girl before him should be a sixth-tier Gathering Essence illusion dancer, usually a performer of music and dance, popular in the Zhou Dynasty's ritual music system, used for sacrifices and grand official ceremonies.

"I've already taken the robe, please allow me to leave," Lu Qian said stiffly, clearly in a bad mood. She was a bit light-headed and anxious, seeing Zhao Xing was only at the fourth tier of Gathering Essence, not even using dance skills or the Sparrow Feather Robe, otherwise, her charm magic could have been stronger.

"Wait a moment."

"What, you..." Lu Qian was both shocked and angry, just about to resist, but was knocked out by a powerful golden palm, collapsing to the ground.

"I said I'd let you go, but I didn't say when," Zhao Xing didn't know if Lu Qian had companions. His Diamond Bamboo was almost ripe, so naturally, he had to wait until he left before releasing her.

(End of Chapter)