Chapter 2857 — The Silkworm Transformation? The Silkworm Fairy!

"Xiao Ming, it's past four in the morning, and there are still trial-takers coming out of the teleportation array?" Tian Canbian had clearly not rested either; his eyes were threaded with blood, and he looked somewhat haggard.

"Four cultivators passed the trial and brought back the trial spirit medicine." Kang Jingming hurriedly produced the record book and handed it over. "Young Sect Master, this is the list of those four!"

"Oh? Let me see." Tian Canbian took the record book from Kang Jingming and glanced at it. After reading the names, his expression instantly turned disappointed. He said nothing, and no one could tell what he was thinking.

Kang Jingming did not dare make a sound either, standing cautiously to one side and waiting.

"Eighteen days now, and he still hasn't come out..." Tian Canbian murmured to himself and handed the record book back to Kang Jingming.

"Young Sect Master, what did you say? Who hasn't come out?" Kang Jingming had not caught it clearly and hastily asked.

"Nothing..." Tian Canbian shook his head. "I'm tired and need to rest a while. Xiao Ming, you may go down for now. But if anyone else comes out, tell me at once!"

"Yes, Young Sect Master." Kang Jingming nodded, then smiled slightly. "Young Sect Master, you're tired, aren't you? Let me give you another massage!"

As he spoke, Kang Jingming reached for Tian Canbian's shoulders. Over this period he had come to feel quite familiar with Tian Canbian, and he massaged him often, so he no longer bothered to ask permission.

Although Tian Canbian seemed to be in a poor mood today, Kang Jingming paid it no mind.

"Smack!"

A crisp sound, jarringly loud!

Before Kang Jingming's hands could touch Tian Canbian's shoulders, Tian Canbian's palm cracked across his face!

"Ah!" Kang Jingming was startled, clutching his cheek. A tooth inside had been knocked loose. It hurt, but it also left him utterly baffled, and he whined with injured grievance, "Young Sect Master, why did you hit Xiao Ming..."

Xiao Taohong was stunned as well. Hadn't Kang Jingming been giving him massages all this time? Why had he suddenly struck Kang Jingming today?

"What massage? You forget your place, Xiao Ming—remember your station!" Tian Canbian said furiously.

"Huh?" Kang Jingming was dumbstruck. What was this? Had Tian Canbian lost his memory? Why was a massage allowed before but not today? And not only was there no massage, he had been slapped and told he had forgotten his place?

If he had forgotten his place, why not say so before? Why only today? Kang Jingming was thoroughly miserable, though he did grasp one truth: Xiao Taohong had been right—serving a lord was like tending a tiger. What reason was there to be had with the Young Sect Master?

He hit when he wanted to hit, and whatever he said was law—you did not dare talk back!

"Yes... Young Sect Master, I'm sorry... I acted on impulse..." Kang Jingming clutched his cheek, on the verge of tears.

"Forget it, you may go down..." Tian Canbian also felt his reaction had perhaps been too violent. Seeing Kang Jingming's aggrieved look, something stirred faintly in his heart. Could it be that his younger brother had let him give massages? Otherwise, given Kang Jingming's character, he would hardly dare to do something so reckless!

At that thought, Tian Canbian suddenly felt he had wronged Kang Jingming—the fellow was unlucky enough. But as the Young Sect Master of the Xuandan Sect, dignity was indispensable. At this moment she felt no sympathy at all; she closed her eyes and let Xiao Taohong lead Kang Jingming away.

Only after Xiao Taohong had left the room did Tian Canbian open her eyes again... What was wrong with her? Why did she care so much about him? Was it because... he had fought shoulder to shoulder with her, a friend forged in hardship? Or was it because he was the first man ever to touch her body?

Had Wei Zhao been here, he would have recognized her: this Tian Canbian was in fact Tian Chan, the girl in yellow from the trial! She was Tian Bian's elder sister, and she had always been the Young Sect Master of the Xuandan Sect, Tian Canbian!

During the few days she had spent in the trial, the role of Young Sect Master had been temporarily played by her younger brother, Tian Bian. But from the look of things, his performance had not been a great success—he had actually let Kang Jingming massage him? Tian Chan was caught between laughter and tears!

After passing the trial, she had changed her clothes and resumed the identity of Tian Canbian, taking up residence in the travelers' villa. Her purpose here was in fact to secretly watch whether Zhang Naipao had successfully passed the trial. Zhang Naipao was a man of great importance to the Five Luminaries Sect and to that future plan, which was why Tian Chan had kept close watch on news of him!

Only now, Tian Chan seemed to care more about news of Wei Zhao; word of Zhang Naipao had become incidental!

In the past, Tian Chan would surely have put that plan first. It was her mission, and the mission of the Xuandan Sect's rise. The Five Luminaries Sect had already promised her that once the plan succeeded, all the Five Luminaries Sect forces left behind would belong to the Xuandan Sect—and then the Xuandan Sect could become the foremost sect in the world of cultivation!

For the dreams of her father and grandfather, Tian Chan had sacrificed herself.

But now, Tian Chan suddenly felt that all of it was so illusory... and yet she could not escape it.

The course of her life had already been set in the direction of that plan; there was no way to change it...

Tian Chan touched her chest, her face flushing slightly. There was a strange feeling there—that moment of heart-stirring was something to be cherished.

But from now on, she would probably never have any dealings with Wei Zhao again. And even if she did, it would be as Tian Canbian, Young Sect Master of the Xuandan Sect—not as Tian Chan.

By then, she and he might already be standing on opposite sides...

At this thought, Tian Chan felt somewhat dejected. Before him, she would never again admit that she was Tian Chan.

She must be strong. Tian Chan existed only within the trial; back at the Xuandan Sect, she was still Tian Canbian, and she must shoulder this responsibility!

Kang Jingming left the travelers' villa with Xiao Taohong. His face was still swollen high, but he dared not take a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill and could only endure it. Xiao Taohong's heart ached to see it. "Brother Kang, why don't you take a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill? Our Xuandan Sect has plenty of them—you can refine them yourself..."

"The Young Sect Master struck me—how would I dare take one?" Kang Jingming smiled bitterly. "Xiao Taohong, you were right. The Young Sect Master's temper is unpredictable. He must have been in a bad mood today, and I was the unlucky one..."

"Yes, Brother Kang, you must be careful from now on. Otherwise, if you fall out of favor, how will you marry me?" Xiao Taohong was worried too.

"Don't worry, Sister Taohong. I will work hard for your sake and make the Young Sect Master accept me!" Kang Jingming said.