Chapter 2282 — The Miraculous Mask

"Very well, then I shall trouble you," Wei Zhao said.

"It is no great trouble. To repay a kindness, no trouble is too great," the Heaven-Rank Spider said with a shake of its head and a smile.

Wei Zhao nodded and said no more. He was, after all, rather curious about that teleportation formation—curious enough that the spider clan would go to the immense trouble of weaving a silk bridge merely to satisfy him.

"By the way, though this cave is protected by an ancient restriction, the outside is not. If you should wish to go out tonight, you had best be careful," the Heaven-Rank Spider warned. "With us gone, I fear your enemies might seize the chance to slip in. I have here a Thousand-Silk Mask. Once worn, your appearance will become that of an entirely different person. If you need to step out for any reason, put on the mask; should anyone question you, simply say you are guests of our spider clan. The spider clan and the Fire Lion clan have long been at odds—if it is someone from the Tagan family, they will surely know this. Seeing unfamiliar faces who are our guests, they should not make trouble for you."

"Then I thank you for your consideration," Wei Zhao said, genuinely grateful for the Heaven-Rank Spider's thoroughness. Indeed, if he and Sun Jingyan were guests of the spider clan, they could not possibly be "Zhang Naipao," who was on friendly terms with the Fire Lion clan—and with different faces besides, the matter would not be probed further. Still, Wei Zhao was curious: what exactly was this Thousand-Silk Mask? "That mask you mentioned—what is it?"

"It is a special treasure our spider clan alone can craft. The making, however, is exceedingly difficult—it requires two spiders of Heaven-Rank or above working together, along with many external conditions and materials. Thus we have only one in reserve," the Heaven-Rank Spider said. "Only one of you two can use it."

With that, the Heaven-Rank Spider produced a Thousand-Silk Mask and handed it to Wei Zhao.

"This is it?" Wei Zhao studied the thin mask in the Heaven-Rank Spider's hand with some amazement. At first glance it resembled a facial mask made of transparent silicone, yet the moment he took it, it felt altogether different—silky smooth, like human skin, and pleasant to the touch.

"Yes. Try it," the Heaven-Rank Spider said with a nod.

Wei Zhao did not try it himself. Instead, he placed the Thousand-Silk Mask directly over Sun Jingyan's face—and sure enough, she at once became another person, utterly unrecognizable from her former self!

Even Wei Zhao, who knew her better than anyone, could not recognize who she was at that moment!

This was truly a fine treasure—for disguise, nothing could be better!

"So miraculous?" Wei Zhao said in astonishment. "Can this mask change its appearance at will?"

"No. The appearance it grants is fixed; it cannot be altered according to one's imagination," the Heaven-Rank Spider said, shaking its head. "I have heard of masks that can change one's features according to imagination, but I do not know how to make them."

"I see. Still, this is already quite wonderful," Wei Zhao said. "Such a precious item, and your clan has only one—I feel somewhat embarrassed to accept it."

"Heh, keeping this mask is of no use to our clan; we have no need to alter our appearance," the Heaven-Rank Spider said. "My former contract master and the second person to pass through this teleportation formation had no use for it either. So it goes to you, benefactor."

"Then I shall not decline," Wei Zhao said, accepting the mask without further protest. It was indeed a fine thing—he truly could not bring himself to refuse.

"That is all settled, then. I must take my people and begin the work. See you in the morning! Mr. Lin!" the Heaven-Rank Spider said.

"See you in the morning!" Wei Zhao nodded.

After the Heaven-Rank Spider departed with its subordinates, Sun Jingyan and Wei Zhao lay down to sleep. The cave had sleeping mats and beds prepared by the Heaven-Rank Spider, so there was no worry about a place to rest.

Sun Jingyan was tired and soon fell asleep, while Wei Zhao entered the jade pendant space to continue his cultivation...

Ever since leaving the Great Fire Lion's lair, Wei Zhao's heart had been on edge, fearing that the Great Protector and his lot might come looking for trouble. But this night, Wei Zhao and the others rested soundly, free from worry about foreign enemies or other mishaps. Though Wei Zhao remained within the jade pendant space, sensing his surroundings with his divine consciousness and spiritual power, it was truly far more relaxed than the previous nights.

Sun Jingyan slept well, and the little Sky Thunder Pig slept soundly too. When the one human and one beast awoke, the horizon had already turned gray-white—day had broken.

"Mmm—" Sun Jingyan stretched languidly but did not get up; instead she lingered on the sleeping mat, watching Wei Zhao with a lazy, naturally alluring air. "I slept so soundly. I haven't slept this soundly in a long while!"

Wei Zhao looked at Sun Jingyan. In this state she was at her most tempting. There was an indescribable seductiveness about this woman—the slightest unconscious movement could stir a man's heartstrings and make him involuntarily want to push her down.

Among the women around Wei Zhao, there truly was no one quite like her. The eldest young lady was somewhat cold and aloof; Xiaoshu and Xiaoxiao were somewhat wild and boisterous; Wang Xinyan was somewhat quiet and demure; Qiu Lingshan was somewhat fiery. But Sun Jingyan—she possessed an indescribable allure.

No wonder Wu Chengtian had once been so bewitched by her. If Wei Zhao's self-control had been weaker, he would likely have fallen by now.

Wei Zhao did not mind something happening between him and Sun Jingyan—but now was truly not a good time.

"Must you tempt me like this?" Wei Zhao's gaze swept over Sun Jingyan's lovely figure as he spoke calmly.

"Tempt you? Are you so easily tempted?" Sun Jingyan said with a half-smile. "When I first met you and asked for your help, you seemed to have strong self-control—not the least bit dazzled by beauty."

"People change," Wei Zhao said. "My self-control has been rather poor lately—perhaps because Xiaoxiao has gone."

"Let's not talk about that..." Sun Jingyan did not dislike this somewhat ambiguous topic; she merely feared that if Wei Zhao steered the conversation toward Feng Xiaoxiao, it would then lead to Tang Zhi—a subject best avoided, one she could not easily discuss. "What time is it?"

"It's already past six in the morning," Wei Zhao said, glancing at his phone. Though it had no signal, it served well enough as a watch.