"Look at the second stone tablet, the little turtle… it's back!!"
"First place again! Who is this little turtle? That's two tablets in a row!"
"Senior Sister Zhou is no longer top of all eight tablets, only seven now!"
The outer sect disciples around immediately erupted into chaos. Countless exclamations rang out, and among them, a girl's voice pierced through the noise with great excitement.
"Go little turtle, go!" That girl was none other than Hou Xiaomei. Ever since Bai Xiaochun guided her, she had started idolizing the little turtle. Now, seeing it rank first on the second stone tablet, her admiration soared, elevating the turtle even above Zhou Xinqi in her heart.
The waves of noise grew louder and louder. Everyone was astonished. The little turtle's fame had spread far and wide, and now its actions proved it deserved to keep challenging Zhou Xinqi's dominance.
Some even began to wonder: could the little turtle surpass Zhou Xinqi on all ten stone tablets?
Hidden in the crowd, Bai Xiaochun still felt a bit gloomy, but he couldn't help feeling secretly proud. The only regret was that no one knew he was the turtle.
"Hmph! One day, I'll reveal my identity in front of everyone, in the most dazzling moment!" he vowed to himself.
Still unwilling to stay silent, Bai Xiaochun began to cheer with the crowd, his sharp voice leading the noise.
"Wow! Who is this guy? I'm starting to worship him!"
"Idol of the masses! Lord Turtle is invincible!"
As his shrill voice rallied more people, the excitement grew. But suddenly, a cold snort broke through the air, and a figure leapt from the crowd, landing atop a wooden hut.
"If I ever find out who this damned turtle is, I'll make him pay for stealing Senior Sister Zhou's spotlight!" the cold-faced youth declared.
"Yeah! You're probably hiding in the crowd right now, but we'll find you!" shouted another, also leaping onto a hut and glaring at the crowd, particularly at Bai Xiaochun, who had just been shouting the loudest.
More and more figures emerged—seven or eight in total—all with powerful cultivation, one even appearing to be at the seventh level of Qi Condensation. These were Zhou Xinqi's admirers, now here to defend her honor.
Their presence silenced the crowd. Though many admired Zhou Xinqi, they found this group increasingly unpleasant. Most people respected skillful competition, and the little turtle had clearly earned its victories.
Bai Xiaochun, though nervous, knew they wouldn't dare attack him in public. He stared back boldly, as if daring them to try.
Just as things were growing tense, a streak of blue light flew in. Riding it was the graceful figure of Zhou Xinqi herself.
"It's Senior Sister Zhou!"
"Senior Sister Zhou is here!"
The tension instantly broke. Her admirers collected themselves and greeted her, trying to look their best.
Zhou Xinqi had come after hearing about the second stone tablet's change. Seeing the standoff, she quickly grasped the situation and frowned at her admirers with visible displeasure.
"This is my business. It's not your place to intervene. And besides, a new prodigy emerging in our sect is a blessing, not something to resent. If this happens again, don't blame me for turning hostile," she said coldly.
Her words cut sharply, making her admirers pale and step back awkwardly.
"The disciple who surpassed me in the first and second herbal tablets… you're likely here among the crowd. If you don't wish to reveal yourself, that's fine." She looked at the turtle mark on the tablet, suppressing her frustration. Though she spoke calmly, her pride was still evident.
The crowd's admiration for her only grew. This was the Zhou Xinqi they respected.
Bai Xiaochun, hidden in the crowd, secretly praised her for how well she handled things. Still, he muttered in his heart that the only reason he hadn't revealed himself was because her admirers were out for blood.
"I came here today for another reason," Zhou Xinqi continued. "Lately, Spirittail Chickens have been disappearing. Though my master, Li Qinghou, is away and likely doesn't care, as his disciple, I must take responsibility. I ask all of you to help catch the thief. Whoever captures them, I will gift this spirit jade pendant."
She produced a glowing green jade pendant.
"It has minor protective power, something I found long ago." As her words echoed, the crowd stirred. Everyone eyed the jade pendant with interest.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister. That thief won't escape us!"
"Daring to steal from the master—this is outrageous!"
Voices of loyalty rang out. Zhou Xinqi's admirers shouted loudest, full of enthusiasm.
Bai Xiaochun stood stunned. Looking at everyone full of zeal, he felt a chill down his back.
But he wasn't ready to give up. The hunger from cultivating the Undying Longevity Art was unbearable. Sweat formed on his forehead as his mind raced.
Suddenly, he stepped forward and slapped his chest.
"Senior Sister Zhou, I, Bai Xiaochun, will go through fire and water to capture that chicken thief!"
His voice rang clearly above the others, and everyone turned to look. Even Zhou Xinqi noticed him, impressed by his sincerity.
Then Bai Xiaochun shouted again, "Senior Sister! I have an idea! Let's form a chicken-thief-catching team! United, we can protect all the Spirittail Chickens!"
Many thought it was a good idea. Zhou Xinqi agreed.
"Very well. But since cultivation comes first, joining will be voluntary."
She glanced at Bai Xiaochun again, finding him white-skinned and neat, with a sincere look. She handed him ten blue ribbons. "Since this was your suggestion, you'll lead the team. These ribbons will serve as identification."
"Don't worry, Senior Sister! Leave everything to me!" Bai Xiaochun declared proudly, looking ready to lay down his life for the chickens.
Zhou Xinqi smiled and took her leave. Her admirers glared at Bai Xiaochun with jealousy, upset they hadn't thought of the idea first.
The chicken-raising disciples thanked everyone, especially Bai Xiaochun. He scolded the chicken thief with righteous fury and formed the thief-catching team with low-cultivation disciples.
Later, back in his courtyard, Bai Xiaochun wiped the sweat off his brow and sighed in relief.
"That was close… I nearly lost my food source. Luckily, I, Bai Xiaochun, am clever!" He whistled and looked at the spirit winter bamboo in his field—it had grown impressively thick and tall.
That night, as dark clouds gathered, Bai Xiaochun opened his eyes during meditation and licked his lips.
"It's a moonless, windy night… I think I'm hungry again…"