The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 23

System: “Thirty percent! Host, you’ve made significant progress. Next time, it’ll be one hundred percent!”

Jian Li: “Do you ever blush?”

The System paused briefly before replying, “I lack the capability to blush.”

Jian Li: “No wonder you keep making empty promises and exaggerating.”

The System emitted a cunning mechanical laugh as it accepted 31,100 Spirit Stones.

From the Great Tonic Pill in the shop, a perfectly identical pill materialized and dropped before Jian Li. Crystal-clear and radiating iridescent light, it dimmed to reveal its extraordinary nature.

Jian Li cradled the pill in her palm, sighing contentedly, “The progress bar is almost a third full now.”

Just then, the System delivered a timely notification: “Host, having exchanged over 30,000 Spirit Stones in the shop, you’ve earned a free blind box draw.”

“Another blind box?” Jian Li watched as the shop interface transformed into three wooden chests and clicked one open with anticipation.

This time, there was no Golden Legend fanfare. Instead, a simple ding announced the appearance of a whip. Its striking end was crafted from leather and feathers, suggesting it wouldn’t inflict much pain upon impact.

Jian Li: “……”

She quickly stashed the item away. What is this?! What even is this?!

Who would even use this?!

System: “Huh? Host, you’re not reacting much?”

Jian Li: “Why are all your blind box rewards related to… that? Your shop’s inventory is way too broad.”

The System had an explanation: “Host, we can’t help it. The blind boxes are sponsored by Joyful Union Sect Co., Ltd.”

“Wait, you’re collaborating with the Joyful Union Sect?”

System: “Didn’t I tell you? The sect leader of the Joyful Union Sect is also the Deputy Director of our Time-Space Administration.”

Jian Li’s mind reeled. “So… I’m not the only one who transmigrated?”

System: “It’s different. The Deputy Director transmigrates for fun. She has territories in every world.”

Jian Li: “Why don’t you have her save the world?”

System: “You don’t make your boss do the work, do you? Besides, she doesn’t have the authority to change worlds. Only those chosen by the system are qualified.”

The Little Snow Leopard tilted its head, half understanding. “So… I’m actually useful after all.”

The wait stretched until nearly dusk. Jian Li had unconsciously fallen asleep, only stirring when she heard the door open. “Little Shuang?” she mumbled groggily, her eyes still closed.

“Xiao Li, wake up and eat.”

Jian Li mumbled something unintelligible.

Yan Qingshuang leaned closer and heard her say she wanted to eat in bed.

As they drew closer, Jian Li frowned. “Did you cough up bl00d again this afternoon? The metallic smell is so strong.”

“Perhaps it’s from chopping meat,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

Meat? It must have been a gift from Wu Yun. No matter how Yan Qingshuang explained their relationship, Jian Li couldn’t shake her unease.

“Oh, I’m awake now. Let’s eat.”

As soon as the words left her lips, Yan Qingshuang bent down, bracing her arms against the lingering dull ache in her body, and carried Jian Li to the dining table.

Settled in her seat, Jian Li let Yan Qingshuang feed her for a while until she was fully awake.

The food tasted delicious, though the situation felt a bit awkward. Jian Li proposed, “I have an extra 400 Spirit Stones. Let’s use them for household expenses.”

“Alright,” Yan Qingshuang agreed, “but keep them for now. The Sect distributed monthly stipends yesterday.”

Jian Li found it odd that Yan Qingshuang didn’t question the source of the 400 Spirit Stones, but she figured it probably wasn’t a big deal.

After all, they would eventually part ways, and Jian Li understood the principle that asking too many questions could make the other person uncomfortable.

“What’s your monthly stipend?”

“100 Spirit Stones.”

Jian Li nearly choked on her Four Joy Meatball, indignant. “That’s not right! Direct Disciples get 500! Are they secretly skimming your Spirit Stones?!”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “My mother not only brutally murdered people but also destroyed a lot of the Sect’s resources. I have to repay that debt.”

“There’s no logic to making a child pay for their parent’s debts!” Jian Li protested. “Besides, you weren’t even involved back then. You have no memory of any of this.”

After feeding Jian Li, Yan Qingshuang opened the Spirit Mirror and entered her unique Spiritual Imprint. A brightly lit, spacious hall appeared, called the Heavenly Mandate Pavilion.

The pavilion was vast and tall, with layer upon layer of shelves crisscrossing the space. Each shelf held the Soul Lamp of a Sect disciple.

Without needing to use Spiritual Power to sense the location, Yan Qingshuang accurately pinpointed the location of the deceased disciples’ spirit tablets.

“Fifty-six people,” she said. “All killed by my mother, the Demon Venerable.”

Jian Li glanced at the spirit tablets before turning away. Regardless of who killed them, it wasn’t Yan Qingshuang’s fault.

She snatched the Spirit Mirror from Yan Qingshuang’s hand and pressed it beneath her bottom, stubbornly declaring, “I don’t care! Even if you killed them yourself, since they didn’t expel you from the Sect, you still have the right to take it.”

“Who’s in charge of the monthly stipends? I’ll help you get what’s due.”

“Besides,” Yan Qingshuang said patiently, “I won’t be able to stay home with you as much lately.”

Jian Li’s attention was easily diverted. Yan Qingshuang didn’t press the matter, and Jian Li didn’t pursue it further.

“That’s okay! Your world doesn’t revolve around me. Go handle your important business.”

Yan Qingshuang patted her head. “I’ll keep my promise to you.”

What promise? Jian Li didn’t understand her cryptic words, but she figured it wasn’t important. She eagerly grabbed Yan Qingshuang’s hand and presented the Great Tonic Pill with a mysterious, precious air.

Yan Qingshuang clasped her slender paw in return. “What’s this?”

Jian Li offered her this windfall. “Snow Leopard Brand Great Tonic Pill! It’s good for your health. I told you about it before.”

Yan Qingshuang activated her Spiritual Sense. The pill was crystal-clear, with a Stars Surrounding the Moon pattern swirling within. Jian Li’s body couldn’t sense the immense Spiritual Power hidden within.

This was a supreme-grade spiritual treasure, the highest tier in this realm. Each of the Three Sects and Five Immortal Clans possessed one such artifact. Yan Qingshuang had once seen the Grotto-Heaven Origin Wheel at the Grand Profound Dao Palace.

This artifact could peer into the heavens, deduce the myriad phenomena, and discern the past and future. It was used to determine Yan Qingshuang’s destiny, but after the former Palace Master of the Grand Profound Dao Palace performed the calculation, he was left a broken man.

Yan Qingshuang trusted no one, except Jian Li, whom she believed implicitly. Yet Jian Li described this treasure as casually as she would an ordinary medicinal pill—it was far too precious.

She couldn’t possibly repay such a gift.

Jian Li nudged her, treating her as if she were blind. “Little Shuang, just take it! Stop fussing. It’s right here in my paw. Just reach out and touch it.”

“Oh, there’s one Four Joy Meatball left. Feed me, feed me!”

Yan Qingshuang took the remaining food and fed it all to Jian Li. Once Jian Li had finished, Yan Qingshuang completely ignored the Great Tonic Pill.

Jian Li covered the pill with both paws and held it up to Yan Qingshuang, pouting in frustration. “Little Shuang, you don’t want to eat something I gave you?”

Yan Qingshuang pushed the pill back against Jian Li’s chest, her voice filled with genuine concern. “Why wouldn’t you keep such a celestial treasure for yourself?”

You wouldn’t understand even if I told you, Jian Li thought quickly, searching for a plausible excuse. “Because I like you! I want you to have the best things!”

Yan Qingshuang paused, her eyes flickering, then smiled faintly. The Little Spiritual Beast’s affection is probably just the fondness a child feels for a friend.

“I like you too,” Yan Qingshuang replied, “which is why I can’t accept this. I haven’t earned it—I haven’t done anything for you.”

Jian Li’s face instantly darkened. She lowered her chin, pressed her brow ridges down, and glared with wide eyes. “I’m angry!”

Yan Qingshuang rubbed Jian Li’s fluffy face and stood up to clear the table. “Don’t be angry, okay?”

“No.”

“Hmm… then how about I make you some pastries? I still have some Spirit Stones left.”

Seeing her sulking was ineffective, Jian Li sprawled out on all fours, pouting and acting spoiled. “You don’t have any money! I want the best pastries in the world! You gave all your Spirit Stones to Du Xiaqing—ten thousand of them! That hurts more than skipping stones!”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “Money is just an external possession; it can be earned back in time. As for pastries… I’ll do my best to buy you the finest ones.”

“Fine. When will you buy them for me?”

“Next month.”

Not with just a hundred Spirit Stones a month, right? Jian Li thought. And why is she so stubborn? It wasn’t like she really wanted pastries; Yan Qingshuang’s cooking was already top-tier in her eyes.

Jian Li sighed. “Carry me to bed. I’m dizzy from the charcoal and so sleepy.”

“Wait until I finish cleaning up.”

“No! Now! Immediately! Right now!” Jian Li commanded imperiously.

Reluctantly, Yan Qingshuang took out a handkerchief, carefully wiped each finger, bent down, and skillfully lifted Jian Li into her arms. The large tail swayed between Yan Qingshuang’s legs as they moved.

Their gazes met at the same level.

“Little Shuang!”

Startled by the sudden call, Yan Qingshuang opened her mouth. “What?”

Jian Li, having committed to her plan, acted decisively. With a forceful shove, she threw the Great Tonic Pill forward. Before Yan Qingshuang could react, the silky pill melted smoothly between her lips and teeth, leaving a lingering sweetness.

Yan Qingshuang froze for a long moment. Jian Li grinned, her eyes wide with childlike curiosity. “How is it? How is it? Does it taste good?”

“Mm.”

Yan Qingshuang tossed Jian Li a single, frosty syllable before falling silent. She shifted her feet toward the room and carried Jian Li back to bed.

Jian Li had no intention of sleeping. She was eager to witness the pill’s effects firsthand, her excitement palpable. She clung tightly to Yan Qingshuang’s neck, refusing to let go.

“Don’t just give me an ‘mm’! I want to hear what it feels like.”

“A warm current is flowing continuously. It’s very comfortable, more effective than the pills Aunt and Physician Chang gave me.”

Jian Li gasped and released Yan Qingshuang, grabbing her arm and shaking it. She pressed her nose against Yan Qingshuang’s body, sniffing intently.

She showered Yan Qingshuang with lavish praise. “I told you it was amazing! You were being so reserved and polite, saying you didn’t need it. Even the bl00d smell is gone!”

Given Jian Li’s cultivation level, she couldn’t perceive the flow of Spiritual Energy directly. She relied solely on scent to discern the changes. Yan Qingshuang’s natural fragrance was already exquisite, richer than any flower. Sleeping in her arms would undoubtedly be heavenly.

Yan Qingshuang replied coldly, “Thank you.”

“Heh heh, no need for thanks,” Jian Li said, flicking her ears. She hadn’t quite figured out how Yan Qingshuang should repay her when Yan Qingshuang abruptly left the room, her footsteps hurried.

Jian Li’s mouth dropped open, her two rows of sharp teeth gleaming white. “Little Shuang! Where are you going?! Are you coming back to sleep?!” she called after her retreating figure.

With that, Jian Li hopped back onto her makeshift bed on the floor. Though Yan Qingshuang’s bed was incredibly comfortable and carried her alluring scent, Jian Li was a woman of principle and wouldn’t casually sleep in someone else’s bed.

Just then, Jian Li heard suppressed gasps from outside, mingling strangely with the sound of dishwashing water.

Yan Qingshuang had maintained a calm demeanor earlier. Logically, anyone who had consumed the potent Great Tonic Pill, with its earth-shattering restorative effects, would be overwhelmed with excitement.

But this was Yan Qingshuang—the exception. To become a Great Demon God, one must possess unwavering composure in the face of any crisis.

After spending several days together, Jian Li had realized Yan Qingshuang’s personality was icily cold, not merely outwardly cold with a warm heart beneath, but cold through and through. At best, she could be described as someone who valued gratitude and showed thoughtful consideration.

She’s probably secretly celebrating alone, too embarrassed to let me see, Jian Li thought.

Being considerate, Jian Li figured Yan Qingshuang was too excited to return to sleep tonight.

After all, Yan Qingshuang was a cultivation fanatic. Given this rare opportunity, she’d likely train day and night until she collapsed.

“Looks like I’ll be spending the night alone in my empty room tonight,” Jian Li said casually to the System. “I want to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill. Give me a price.”

“There are three grades: low, medium, and high. We recommend the low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. It’s cost-effective and perfectly matches your Host’s near-zero cultivation progress.”

Jian Li retorted indignantly, “Don’t underestimate me! Just look at Yan Qingshuang’s Favorability toward me—I’m destined to be the Chosen One! Or rather, the Chosen Leopard!”

“I haven’t seen a Host this confident in ages,” the System replied.

Jian Li happily grabbed her tail and bounced up. “Of course! Spirit Stones are my confidence! Give me a high-grade one.”

“Alright, that’ll be 1000 Spirit Stones. Catch!”

In an instant, Jian Li’s wallet was reduced to just 400 Spirit Stones.

The exquisite pill landed securely in her paw. After examining it briefly, she stashed it away. She wanted to wait until Yan Qingshuang was watching her take it, so if anything went wrong, Yan Qingshuang could cover for her.

The whip from the blind box was utterly useless—too embarrassing even to display as decoration. Things bought with money were far more reliable.

Her body was still that of a young leopard, so resting more than moving was perfectly normal. Jian Li curled up on her small pillow, daydreaming about the good times ahead. Her thoughts drifted like clouds as she drifted off into a deep, sweet sleep.

Yan Qingshuang stumbled up the mountain, her expression dazed. Her illness had unexpectedly flared up today, a monthly affliction that struck without warning.

Though it wasn’t painful, her skin flushed crimson, burning hotter than usual, an unbearable, scorching sensation.

She had concealed the side effects of her illness from Jian Li. Beyond the bone-scraping, ant-like gnawing pain, it also brought on an indescribable surge of desire. However, the agony far outweighed the torment of lust.

This Immortal Grade Pill lived up to its reputation. The Forbidden Curse had plagued her since birth, defying countless attempts to break it. Yet now, thanks to this pill, its effects had been significantly mitigated.

But it wasn’t enough. With the pain lessened, the feverish desire surged to the forefront, engulfing her from head to toe. She fought with all her might to suppress it.

She couldn’t let Jian Li see her acting too strangely.

Now, she struggled to take each step, collapsing several times onto the muddy ground. Her knees stained with dirt, she gasped for breath.

Leaning on her Bamboo Cane, she forced her frail, sensitive body to stand.

She wouldn’t betray Jian Li’s kindness. Having absorbed the pill’s effects, she retreated into the mountain cave.

Amidst the overwhelming heat, Yan Qingshuang pinched the Bl00d-Rending Needle between her fingers and resumed her routine. Each day, she refined her Sword Bone three times using this method.

Tonight, she would endure a refinement process that would be unbearable for ordinary people, using it to combat the illness’s flare-up. For now, this was her only option.

The next day, Jian Li woke up feeling unusually warm. Having slept at Chang Chi’s place before, she knew firsthand that Yan Qingshuang’s room simply wasn’t as comfortable.

But today, the sensation against her cheek was not only soft and fluffy, but also carried a faint, pleasant fragrance. More importantly, her small body felt completely enveloped in a sense of security.

Driven by her feline instincts, she burrowed deeper into the warmth, letting out a contented purr. “So soft…”

Upon touching the heat source, she instinctively opened her mouth, but before she could bite down, the warmth vanished abruptly.

In the next instant, Jian Li found herself pushed against the wall, her back pressed against the cold, hard surface instead of the soft cushion.

She rubbed her eyes in confusion, still unaware of her misdeed. “Ugh, so annoying. Can’t a girl get some sleep?”

A blurry white figure gradually came into focus through her misty vision. Jian Li let out a soft “Oh, Little Shuang, you’re back from last night?”

A cold draft slipped through the window crack, carrying the chill of mid-autumn. Yan Qingshuang gathered the clothes that the little creature had pawed open.

Propping herself up on one elbow, her silky black hair cascaded down, gently brushing her pale cheek.

“Mm, sorry for waking you.”

Jian Li blinked, her vision gradually sharpening to reveal Yan Qingshuang’s face, though her lips seemed slightly more vibrant than usual.

She grinned foolishly. “How did I end up in your bed again? Was I sleepwalking?”

Yan Qingshuang said, “I moved you here. The night dew is heavy, and you’re so small. If you catch a cold, it’ll be very uncomfortable.”

“I have fur,” Jian Li replied, patting her belly. “I won’t get cold.”

The fur on her belly was thinner than elsewhere, but she was still growing. With the pat, some of her fur drifted onto the bed.

“Oh!” Jian Li began picking up the shed fur from the bed. “I’m sorry, Little Shuang. It must be shedding season.”

Yan Qingshuang gently took Jian Li’s slender arm. “It’s fine. The room is a bit chilly anyway. The fur will add extra warmth to the bedding.”

“Okay, as long as you don’t mind,” Jian Li said, looking up. Yan Qingshuang’s clothes were also covered in her fur, especially around her chest. Jian Li didn’t suspect anything.

“Um, Little Shuang, the fur on the bed doesn’t matter, but honestly, you should change your clothes.”

Yan Qingshuang didn’t use her Spiritual Power, but even in her blindness, she knew exactly what Jian Li meant. She blushed and said, “I’ll go change right away.”

“Wait, you haven’t told me yet—did you cultivate all night?” Jian Li, who had gone to bed early, was now brimming with energy, enough to flip the roof off the house. She crept mischievously closer to Yan Qingshuang to ask.

Yan Qingshuang gently placed her hand on Jian Li’s head. “Yes, I did. Thank you, Xiao Li.”

“No problem at all,” Jian Li replied. “We’re family, after all. No need for formalities.”

Yan Qingshuang pondered Jian Li’s unfiltered words for a moment before replying, “Yes, Xiao Li is my family now.”

This time, it was Jian Li’s turn to regret her impulsive remark, wishing she could take it back. Why did Yan Qingshuang have to take it so seriously?

Jian Li deftly feigned ignorance and changed the subject. “Anyway, focus on your cultivation. You’re destined for greatness.”

“Alright.”

“Um…” Jian Li strategically scratched her stomach. “I’m hungry, and I have things to do later.”

“There’s no time to make breakfast now,” Yan Qingshuang said. “Let’s go to the Dining Hall.”

“Ah, isn’t that a bit far? We could just eat something simple at home—some congee and pickles would be fine.”

The real reason was Wu Yun. Jian Li didn’t want them to meet, at least not yet.

“Alright.”

After speaking, Yan Qingshuang deliberately avoided Jian Li’s gaze, changed her clothes, and disappeared into the kitchen.

When the meal was ready, the table was laden with salted vegetables, braised pork, and meatball soup—a feast of flavors and aromas, its quality rivaling the Dining Hall’s offerings.

Eating such a hearty meal in the morning was typical for a Spiritual Beast; after all, they needed the energy for their physically demanding tasks.

Jian Li immediately showered Yan Qingshuang with praise. “I thought you were busy! How did you manage to make such a lavish breakfast?”

Yan Qingshuang fed Jian Li as usual. “You said you had things to do, so I wanted to make sure you ate well.”

Jian Li swallowed her mouthful almost without chewing. “Aren’t you even going to ask what I have to do?”

Yan Qingshuang, worried about Jian Li overeating, gently rubbed her stomach with a free hand. “What’s so important?”

Jian Li nodded eagerly. “To feed the Spiritual Beasts on Spirit Taming Peak. You forgot?”

“I didn’t forget,” Yan Qingshuang said, dabbing at the corner of Jian Li’s mouth with a handkerchief. Little Spiritual Beasts were like that, oblivious to food remnants on their faces.

“Can’t I come help you feed them?”

“No need,” Jian Li replied. “I have someone I know there.”

Yan Qingshuang smoothed a stray strand of hair on Jian Li’s head, combing it carefully. “Ah, Hua Feiyi,” she said calmly.

“Exactly!” Jian Li recited their conversation from the Spirit Mirror: “She said to meet me at the usual spot. You don’t need to worry. This way, it won’t interfere with your important matters.”

Jian Li felt virtuous, sacrificing her own comfort for others. Once they parted, she would have to endure the discomfort of the tightening restraints alone.

Yan Qingshuang didn’t press further and agreed.

Thanks to Yan Qingshuang’s care, Jian Li’s fur was now much sleeker and cleaner than when they first met, and her vitality was visibly flourishing.

Before leaving, Yan Qingshuang offered to escort her, but Jian Li firmly refused, declaring herself a mature Spiritual Beast with strong independence.

Yan Qingshuang pressed ten Spirit Stones into her hand, secured the Storage Pouch, and said, “If you encounter unreasonable Spiritual Beasts, give them two Spirit Stones, and they’ll leave you alone.”

Just as humans value social etiquette, Spiritual Beasts also follow these rules. Jian Li initially declined politely, knowing she had plenty of money.

Unable to resist Yan Qingshuang’s insistence, Jian Li reluctantly accepted, swayed by her Favorability rating of 100.

Standing at the doorway, Yan Qingshuang reminded her, “Xiao Li, come home early.”

Jian Li promised and ran a short distance outside before turning back. Raising her hand to Yan Qingshuang, who still stood motionless at the entrance, she shouted, “I’m off! Don’t just stand there like a fool—go inside! If you miss me, you can send me a message on the Spirit Mirror.”

Yan Qingshuang took her words to heart, immediately retreating indoors as instructed. Jian Li couldn’t waste her Teleportation Watch; Yan Qingshuang’s presence would interfere with her teleportation.

After only a brief stay inside the familiar spherical space, she spotted Hua Feiyi fishing. Hua Feiyi sat cross-legged on the ground, a small yellow bird perched atop the flower-adorned hairpin in her hair, looking utterly relaxed.

The sphere opened, and Jian Li plummeted downward.

Hua Feiyi yawned as a splash from the pond drenched her face. The startled yellow bird flew away, instantly jolting her awake.

Hua Feiyi wiped her face and squinted, thinking she’d caught a big fish. But when Jian Li surfaced, she realized she’d only snagged a Drenched Leopard and burst into laughter.

Jian Li lifted her dripping chin and paddled doggy-style, moving from awkward strokes to smooth, natural swimming.

Surprised by her own ability to swim, she couldn’t resist retorting, “What’s so funny? Show some compassion! You call yourself a Beast Tamer?”

Hua Feiyi bent down and scooped Jian Li out of the water, raising an eyebrow. “I haven’t even asked yet—why the sudden rush to complete missions? Did your playful side finally kick in, or did my goading actually work?”

The waterlogged, elongated Jian Li shook her head violently, sending droplets flying in a blur. Hua Feiyi instinctively backed away several steps.

Satisfied with shaking off most of the water, Jian Li decided to let the rest air-dry.

“Do I look that childish? Neither of those reasons is right.”

Hua Feiyi exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be that Yan Qingshuang is short on funds? But since she’s currently powerless, she’s forced you to take on odd jobs for her?”

Jian Li considered explaining Yan Qingshuang’s situation, but Hua Feiyi was half-right anyway, and she couldn’t be bothered to argue.

She didn’t actually need Hua Feiyi to guide her; she had a map of the area. But she needed to understand the danger levels of the local Spiritual Beasts.

Hua Feiyi opened the Spiritual Beast Manual and pointed out the different classifications: auxiliary types, combat types, Sect transport beasts, and so on.

Jian Li couldn’t remember it all; her brain’s capacity was too limited. She repeatedly cried out, “Just tell me who I’m supposed to feed!”

“Alright,” Hua Feiyi said, producing a small mountain of Spirit Grain and Spirit Meat. “Take this. Calculate the proportions carefully. I don’t want the beasts complaining to me about unfair distribution.”

“Why can’t you just leave the supplies at the Mission Management Office?”

“Different missions, different procedures.”

“Oh, okay. Well, the reward is 300 Spirit Stones, so don’t try to cheat me.”

Hua Feiyi flicked Jian Li’s forehead. “Little thing, do I look like someone who would cheat you?”

Who knows? You can know someone’s face but not their heart, Jian Li thought, scanning the raw food and mentally calculating which beasts to feed first.

Jian Li took the manual and the food and left.

Hua Feiyi watched her waddle away on her short legs. The Little Spiritual Beast was remarkably confident, likely possessing the bloodline of an Ancient Great Demon. She should be fine.

The vegetation on Spirit Taming Peak was particularly lush, and Jian Li encountered no bottlenecks in her early feeding efforts. The outer edges of the mountain forest were inhabited by small Spiritual Beasts with newly awakened sentience.

These creatures were quite friendly, eating whatever she offered without fuss. Once they received food, they focused solely on eating.

After a morning of effortless feeding, Jian Li took a nap under a tree. Upon waking, she resumed her mission.

However, as she ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew increasingly humid, and the swampy odor intensified. The autumn wind ruffled Jian Li’s half-dry fur, triggering a series of sneezes.

Though it was only afternoon, the sunlight was almost completely obscured. A chill ran down Jian Li’s spine. She found no Spiritual Beasts at the mission site, but the sounds of combat grew increasingly clear.

A sharp gust of wind whistled past her head. Jian Li quickly grabbed her tail and ducked behind a tree to observe.

A human and a beast were locked in fierce aerial combat. The beast, resembling a tiger with sharp fangs and claws, clashed with the human, who wielded a staff that sparked with each strike.

After only a few exchanges, most of the surrounding trees had been reduced to bare stumps, yet Jian Li’s hiding spot remained miraculously untouched.

Unwilling to get involved, Jian Li abandoned the remaining food and darted off to another mission site, only to find yet another battle raging.

She initially thought it was a coincidence, but every subsequent location proved the same: humans and beasts locked in fierce combat, their colorful techniques echoing across the sky. Jian Li’s eyes swam with the chaotic spectacle, her eardrums ringing from the cacophony.

As she fled, the Great Goose suddenly materialized, its long neck craned forward as it pecked her rear. “Where’s my food?!” it demanded.

Heavens Above! Jian Li had planned to save some food for the Great Goose until the end, but now she was practically penniless, left with only a few hundred Spirit Stones.

Jian Li yelped and tried to reason with the goose. In the Cultivation World, everything had a price. She splurged five Spirit Stones to order takeout for the Great Goose.

Only then did the Great Goose release her. Jian Li, seething with frustration, rushed back to Hua Feiyi, ranting about reporting the situation. Meanwhile, a golden carp in the pond snatched the Spirit Worm from her fishing rod, spitting out tiny bubbles as it swam away.

Hua Feiyi sighed, used to Jian Li scaring away the fish. She set down her rod, noticing Xiao Li covered in twigs and fallen leaves, looking like an abandoned stray spirit pet.

“Speak calmly,” Hua Feiyi said, gently brushing large leaves from Jian Li’s fur. “Is the valley really that terrifying?”

Jian Li took a deep breath, feeling her neck return to normal. “Thank you,” she said quickly. “It’s a serious matter! Ferocious beasts and disciples are fighting in the valley. I’m worried someone will get killed!”

She actually wanted to complain about how the Great Goose kept pecking at her butt, but the thought was too embarrassing, so she swallowed her grievances.

“Ha! I told you you were a coward,” Hua Feiyi said. “Beast Tamers and Spiritual Beasts often spar and train together.”

Jian Li blinked, realizing that this was what Hua Feiyi meant by “sparring.” So I was just meddling?

As her mind relaxed, Jian Li suddenly sneezed, a clear stream of mucus dripping from her nose.

She wiped it away with her furry hand, stubbornly insisting, “I haven’t even cultivated yet. Putting me in that situation is no different from sending me to my death.”

“A wise person—achoo!—doesn’t stand beneath a crumbling wall.”

“Fine, just be careful not to catch a cold.” Hua Feiyi tapped her Spirit Mirror, transferring 300 Spirit Stones to Jian Li.

Sniffling, Jian Li asked, “Aren’t you supposed to wait for the Spiritual Beasts to file any complaints?”

Hua Feiyi politely crouched down, retrieving a handkerchief from her Storage Space to wipe the snot from Jian Li’s pink nose. “I couldn’t bear to see you suffer. What can I say? I’m just too compassionate.”

Jian Li grinned warmly. “You’re so kind, Hua Hua.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget about me when you become rich and famous.”

“When I’m wealthy, I won’t forget you,” Jian Li promised, patting her chest confidently.

“Xiao Li, have you had lunch yet?”

“No, I’ve been working tirelessly to help you complete your mission.”

She dutifully handed over the Spiritual Beast Manual.

Hua Feiyi accepted the manual and, with a flourish, produced an exquisite lunchbox. “I’ve brought something delicious. Why not eat while we fish? No time like the present!”

It was nearly sunset, and Jian Li should have been heading home. But then she remembered her Teleportation Watch could get her back in minutes.

She readily agreed. Fishing was fun, like a picnic, and she enjoyed chatting and laughing with Hua Feiyi, her mouth greasy with food.

The night sky was clear, with a bright moon and few stars, but Jian Li remained oblivious.

“Xiao Li.”

Jian Li, still chuckling at Hua Feiyi’s jokes, casually replied, “Hmm? I’m here.”

A beat.

Wait, that’s not right?

That’s… Yan Qingshuang’s voice.

Her eyes widened, and she whipped her stiff neck around.

“Little Shuang, what… what are you doing here?” Jian Li’s voice grew increasingly guilty as Yan Qingshuang slowly approached, her chin sinking into her neck.

Yan Qingshuang leaned on her Bamboo Staff and smiled, bending down to gently wipe a stray piece of meat from the corner of Jian Li’s mouth with her finger.

“It’s late. I’ve come to take you home.”

A fragrant breeze brushed Jian Li’s face, and the white veil hanging down briefly obscured her vision. Cold sweat streamed down her back, her mind blank. She numbly replied, “Okay, okay.”

“Are you full?”

“Yes… no, not quite. I could still eat more. I’m starving.”

No sooner had she spoken than a long, satisfied burp escaped Jian Li’s mouth. She quickly puffed out her belly and held her breath, only to let out an even louder burp moments later.

Yan Qingshuang gently rubbed her stomach. “That’s better. Holding it in is bad for you.”

Jian Li buried her face in Yan Qingshuang’s embrace, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry. I seem to have broken my promise again.”

“It’s fine. I just finished my work too.”

Hua Feiyi’s fishing rod bobbed up and down, as if a fish were about to take the bait. She glanced at Yan Qingshuang, ignoring the intimate interaction between human and beast. “Senior Sister Yan, will you be attending tomorrow’s Immortal Alliance Deacon Meeting?”

Yan Qingshuang answered without hesitation, “Yes.”

Hua Feiyi narrowed her eyes. Xiao Li was the most careless Spiritual Beast she had ever seen. Yan Qingshuang had been waiting in the distance long before Jian Li completed her mission.

Only a few rocks had blocked her view. If Jian Li had been more attentive and sniffed around, she would have easily discovered Yan Qingshuang.

But because the newcomer was Yan Qingshuang, Hua Feiyi found herself intrigued by the once-proud prodigy’s fall from grace and chose not to alert Jian Li.

Hua Feiyi leisurely rose to stretch her limbs. “Senior Sister Yan, try not to steal the show at the meeting this time.”

“Mm, let’s go,” Yan Qingshuang said, feeling bits of grass tangled in Fur’s fur. “You’ve worked hard. Time for a bath at home.”

Hua Feiyi smiled, shaking her Spirit Mirror at Jian Li. “Shall we continue our conversation here?”

Jian Li nodded twice, snuggling against Yan Qingshuang’s chest as she bid Hua Feiyi farewell.

Yan Qingshuang summoned a Celestial Crane. Having learned the fare from Xiao He earlier, she winced at the cost. “You’re already poor. Why waste money on this?”

“Spending money on you is worth it,” Jian Li replied.

Yan Qingshuang coughed softly, embarrassed, and stopped arguing. Jian Li had wasted five Spirit Stones earlier dealing with the Great Goose anyway.

Leaning against Yan Qingshuang’s thigh, Jian Li poured out her grievances about the incident. She even started planning a winter feast of iron-pot stewed Great Goose, rattling off the ingredients she’d need while Yan Qingshuang plucked out the grass and brushed Fur’s fur in quiet agreement.

Lost in her chatter, Jian Li suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t you say this morning that I could contact you on the Spirit Mirror if I missed you?”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “I don’t have a Spirit Mirror.”

Jian Li’s face fell. “Oh no, I completely forgot! You only bought me this one back then.”

Just as she finished speaking, she added, “But it’s fine. I earned three hundred Spirit Stones feeding Spiritual Beasts, which is equivalent to three months of your wages. We can go buy one at Bailian Peak right now.”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “Alright.”

How rare, Jian Li thought. Given Yan Qingshuang’s aversion to owing anyone even a single Spirit Stone, she would normally reject such an offer.

Sensing something was off, Jian Li rolled over, her belly facing Yan Qingshuang.

Yan Qingshuang had always been beautiful, and with the Great Tonic Pill, her complexion should have been radiant, glowing with health. Yet the more Jian Li looked at her today, the more fragile she seemed.

Jian Li stretched out her short arms and wrapped them around Yan Qingshuang’s slender waist, trying to measure its circumference.

She frowned. Though Yan Qingshuang’s waist was soft, it was as thin as a matchstick, so fragile it could snap with the slightest pressure.

Yan Qingshuang’s pupils trembled slightly, and she unconsciously tightened her abdomen.

She lifted Jian Li away from her waist and held her up to eye level. “Don’t move so much. What if you fall?”

Jian Li gazed down from the clouds, where mountain peaks pierced through the mist. Fearlessly, she asked, “If I fell, would you catch me?”

“No,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

Jian Li pouted. “Such a beautiful person, yet such a cruel heart.”

The corners of Yan Qingshuang’s lips curved slightly. “I would fall with you.”

Die together?

Jian Li had long suspected that Yan Qingshuang, having lost both her parents and burdened with the guilt of matricide, wouldn’t fear atoning with her life.

But in Jian Li’s view, as long as one lived, they had a responsibility to their own life. Even if life was as insignificant as an ant’s, one should still strive to live each moment to the fullest.

She understood Yan Qingshuang, believing that what she needed most was a reason to keep living.

Jian Li pressed her padded palm against Yan Qingshuang’s head, comforting her. “Don’t be sad, Little Shuang. You’ll get more pills in the future. Don’t lose hope in life.”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “I haven’t lost hope.”

Such a stubborn girl, Jian Li thought. So tough on the outside.

Giving her some space, Jian Li said, “Good. You’ll reach the pinnacle of life someday, becoming the Leader of the Righteous Path.”

High in the vast sky, Yan Qingshuang smiled and pulled Jian Li into her arms, gently rubbing her ear.

The sensation tickled Jian Li’s ear. Leaning into the soft embrace, she closed her eyes, savoring the fleeting warmth.

After a moment, Yan Qingshuang murmured softly, “Xiao Li, don’t give me that pill again.”

Jian Li straightened up, her voice frantic. “What did that pill do to you?”

Yan Qingshuang shook her head. “I’ve never seen such potent Immortal Medicine before, but using it on me would be a waste of such a precious resource.”

The pill Jian Li described as a “candy” could allow a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage to directly advance to the Soul Transformation Stage.

If auctioned on the market, it would undoubtedly spark a fierce bidding war among the Immortal Sect Grandmasters of the Cultivation World.

“What ‘heavenly treasure’?” Jian Li scoffed. “It’s just a common snack. I can buy as many as I want.”

I’ll just work a few extra jobs, she thought.

Yan Qingshuang asked, “Xiao Li, I don’t know where you obtained this item, but I’m curious—why haven’t you used it yourself?”

In a moment of desperation, Jian Li blurted out, “I told you already! I like you, so I want to give you the best things.”

Yan Qingshuang smiled faintly. “You like me… merely because you don’t dislike me.”

Jian Li froze, a strange sensation gripping her heart—a suffocating pressure worse than the bracelet’s side effects.

She opened her mouth, struggling to understand the difference between Yan Qingshuang’s “dislike” and her own “like.” Does it even matter?

Jian Li looked up, her eyes gradually reddening. “Anyway, you can’t refuse it. This is… this is…”

Unable to reveal the truth and unwilling to let Yan Qingshuang see her about to cry, she bit her tail to stifle her sobs.

Yan Qingshuang waited patiently for Jian Li to calm down. As they neared Bailian Peak, she asked, “Shall we still buy from Senior Sister Long? Is that alright?”

Jian Li stubbornly refused to speak.

Yan Qingshuang reached out to touch Jian Li’s face.

Before her fingers could make contact, Jian Li dodged away, pouting. “Go wherever you want. It’s not like I dislike you anyway. I’m just your little tagalong.”

Yan Qingshuang unconsciously bit her lip, curling her fingertips into her wide sleeves as she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry, Xiao Li. I spoke too harshly.”

Jian Li wasn’t foolish. She understood that Yan Qingshuang couldn’t bear to part with her, just like the older generation who always saved the best things for their juniors, even if they expired. It was the sentiment that mattered.

Suddenly, it dawned on Jian Li: Yan Qingshuang saw her as a daughter.

The generational gap was a bit wide, but Jian Li could understand.

Having come to terms with this, Jian Li stopped arguing and willingly offered her paw pad for Yan Qingshuang to squeeze.

“It’s okay. Even wives have disagreements. Besides, our relationship is… complicated.”

Yan Qingshuang: “Our relationship? Like family?”

Jian Li: “More or less. Just don’t ask any more questions. Let’s go buy a Spirit Mirror.”

Now she needed to figure out how to force-feed the Pill to Yan Qingshuang. Simply tossing it into her mouth wouldn’t work; you can’t repeat the same trick twice.

Before she could come up with a plan, Yan Qingshuang landed with her and asked again, “Xiao Li, are you really not angry anymore?”

“Of course not,” Jian Li replied. “I still love you.”

“I love you too,” Yan Qingshuang said.

Jian Li walked beside her, her eyes following the direction of the Bamboo Staff. With her tail in her mouth, she could only manage a muffled “Mmm-hmm.”

As they approached Long Qianmeng’s stall, three disciples suddenly blocked their path.

Yan Qingshuang stopped and asked, “May I help you?”

A wealthy disciple, lounging casually, smirked. “Senior Sister Yan, is this your Spiritual Beast?”

Yan Qingshuang remained silent, crouching down to pick up Jian Li. She brushed past the trio, her voice icy. “Excuse me.”