Just as An Xiaoya thought she was going to be hit by the fireball, it merely grazed her ear, igniting a strand of her hair.
Quicker than the charred smell of her burnt hair was the arrival of a shrill, wretched scream.
An Xiaoya was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously opened one eye.
There was indeed no fireball in front of her, just a pair of cold, somber eyes not far from her.
Shi Yaoguang beckoned to her.
An Xiaoya obediently walked forward in a robotic manner.
It wasn’t until she reached Shi Yaoguang that she realized something was off.
"Master Shi... what just happened?"
Standing beside Shi Yaoguang, she clearly saw a small pit on the ground, scorched by flames.
Shi Yaoguang said, "There was something filthy just now."
Upon hearing this, An Xiaoya couldn’t help but show a shocked expression.
She didn’t doubt Shi Yaoguang’s words.
She hadn’t felt anything at all.
How could Quan Jinbei have felt it before she did when she had not sensed a thing?
He not only felt it, but he also took action.
The more she thought about it, the more startled her gaze towards Quan Jinbei became.
Quan Jinbei glanced at her, his tone nonchalant, yet carrying a touch of condescension.
"It’s normal for you not to notice these things with your limited skill."
The inadequately skilled An Xiaoya: "..."
You might not believe it if I told you, but I am the most talented disciple of the Celestial Master Sect!
Of course, she only dared to say this in her mind.
As for saying it directly to Quan Jinbei?
No, she didn’t have the courage.
She made an excuse for her own cowardliness in her mind, but when she looked at Shi Yaoguang again, her eyes were filled with more expectation.
Quan Jinbei, seeing her , furrowed his brows, "What do you want to do?"
An Xiaoya giggled, "I... I just want to talk to Master Shi, is there a problem with that?"
Quan Jinbei huffed coldly, "You might as well write ’ill intentions’ across your face."
Alright then, this guy is just a jealous type.
She says one extra word, and she’s despised to this extent!
An Xiaoya couldn’t feel more aggrieved.
But there was nothing she could do about it.
For her to be the one in need?
Before she didn’t know of Quan Jinbei’s strength, but now that she did, she definitely couldn’t let this opportunity slip by!
Thinking this way, she firmed up her resolve, looking at Shi Yaoguang with excitement.
"Master Shi, do you still take disciples?"
Shi Yaoguang looked surprised at the question.
Why on earth did An Xiaoya suddenly come up with the idea of taking a disciple?
An Xiaoya, seeing her confusion, nudged her chin in Quan Jinbei’s direction, her tone dripping with sourness, "He learned from you as well, didn’t he?"
Shi Yaoguang did not deny it.
An Xiaoya snorted lightly, "I knew it!"
Then, she looked eagerly at Shi Yaoguang, "Master Shi, I have great talent, you won’t regret taking me on!"
Shi Yaoguang didn’t agree, but she didn’t outright refuse either.
Seeing this, An Xiaoya thought there was hope and promptly promised, "Master Shi, rest assured, I will definitely study hard!"
"I have both talent and dedication, all I lack is a master like you. You surely won’t have the heart to refuse me, right?"
She batted her large eyes at Shi Yaoguang, her gaze brimming with anticipation.
Shi Yaoguang pondered in her heart whether to take her on as a disciple or not.
According to the laws of drama, the masters of the male and female protagonists are almost always doomed.
She couldn’t just get rid of the plot constraints related to Shi Yiqing and then get tangled up with An Xiaoya’s storyline as well.
Seeing that she didn’t respond, An Xiaoya couldn’t help feeling a bit disheartened.
But soon enough, she changed her strategy.
"Mr. Quan, I’ve always felt that you resemble a relative of mine."
Quan Jinbei was caught off guard by her address and gave her a questioning look.
An Xiaoya rubbed her hands together, her expression filled with slyness, "Won’t you ask me which relative you resemble?"
Quan Jinbei remained expressionless, "Not interested."
An Xiaoya’s forced smile stiffened, but she quickly regained her composure.
Just a green-eyed monster, huh?
Adopting a shameless attitude, An Xiaoya continued with the topic despite Quan Jinbei’s lack of interest in her words.
"Mr. Quan, has anyone ever told you that you are very handsome?"
He gave her a look that said, "Isn’t that obvious?"
An Xiaoya continued to flatter, "With your peerless handsomeness, a god-carved visage, only my master is worthy of you, don’t you think?"
"I’ve had a dream since I was a child, filled with images of you and my master in a loving and harmonious relationship."
She said, tallying on her fingers, "It’s my fault for not recognizing you earlier, Mr. Quan. If I had known you were my mater’s spouse, how could I have opposed you?"
"As long as you fulfill this dream of a master-disciple relationship, I promise to climb mountains of swords and plunge into seas of flames for you!"
Quan Jinbei was very cold: "I don’t need you to climb mountains of swords or plunge into seas of flames for me."
An Xiaoya’s face fell, but quickly she thought of a new approach.
"Mr. Quan, you should know who Master Shi is, right? She’s skilled in the ways of immortality, not just fascinating to the Metaphysics Organization but also to others."
An Xiaoya spoke, carefully observing any small change in Quan Jinbei’s expression.
Seeing him frown, she seized the opportunity to press on.
"I’m not bragging, but I, An Xiaoya, also have some clout in this circle."
"Even out of respect for me, others would show my master a bit more reverence."
"In this way, they would be one step removed from Master Shi. Mr. Quan, wouldn’t you say that’s nipping any untoward thoughts in the bud?"
Quan Jinbei frowned but still didn’t say anything.
An Xiaoya continued, "Mr. Quan, don’t think I’m exaggerating. You know Shen Antai, right?"
Of course, Quan Jinbei knew.
That old man had previously wanted to introduce his grandson, Shen Huan, to Shi Yaoguang!
He was blatantly trying to poach!
An Xiaoya observed his expression and smirked, "Even though such people can’t shake your status as the rightful spouse, you wouldn’t want them wandering around Master Shi, right?"
"This is when I need to step in!"
"With me around, those with ulterior motives towards Father Shi won’t have a chance to get close to him, not even half a step!"
She patted her chest, guaranteeing her words and attempted to cajole Quan Jinbei with rather poor tricks, "Mr. Quan, what do you say, if I call you ’mater’ right now, would you agree?"
Shi Yaoguang listened to An Xiaoya’s bluff and felt somewhat helpless.
Shouldn’t she have just outright refused earlier?
At the same time, she thought that Quan Jinbei definitely wouldn’t agree to An Xiaoya’s condition.
Unexpectedly, she heard a "hmm" from nearby.
Then came An Xiaoya’s jubilant voice, "Mr. Quan, did you agree?"