"Boss, what was that sound just now?"
Xiao Rong suddenly popped up, pushing open the window latch that had only been closed moments earlier.
A gust of cool night wind swept in, scattering the pages of the book in Yao Ranran's hands. The dense writing on the first page seemed to leap straight into her mind.
The damaged Yin Eye Pearl in her arms appeared to sense a mysterious summons, releasing black mist that seeped into her breath and burrowed into her body.
In an instant, Yao Ranran's forehead turned a purplish hue. She clutched her cheeks, her mouth forming a perfect "o" as her eyes widened in horror. "I've fallen to demonic cultivation!"
Xiao Rong's drowsy eyes cleared at once, his pupils widening. "Boss, you… why are there so many spirit stones on your bed?" He had meant to check on her, but his gaze couldn't help drifting to the pile of spirit stones scattered across the wooden bed.
Before Xiao Rong's two vine tendrils could reach for them, Yao Ranran swept her arm in one decisive motion, shoving every last stone into her storage pouch.
Xiao Rong's disappointed expression was impossible to hide.
"This isn't how someone possessed by demonic energy should act. This is how someone obsessed with spirit stones behaves!" he muttered under his breath, puffing out his cheeks.
"Ah…"
"Eh…"
"…Hm?"
Within just a few breaths, Yao Ranran's expression went through several changes.
Xiao Rong stared at her eyes, which still glimmered faintly even in the dark, and instinctively took half a step back. "Boss, did you really fall to demonic cultivation?"
In the middle of the night, a pile of spirit stones appeared out of nowhere on his boss's bed. And earlier, he had heard the sound of the window opening and closing. Could it be…
"Boss made a deal with a demon?!"
The thought made cold sweat bead on his forehead. His toes edged toward the window, clearly ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
Yao Ranran closed the book and caught sight of his trembling little feet. She gave him a sidelong look. "If I really had turned to demonic cultivation, would you be the first to run?"
Xiao Rong froze like a statue.
"H-how could that be! I—Rong-yé—fear neither heaven nor earth!"
"..."
He lasted less than half a second before cracking.
Xiao Rong bit his lip, his eyes nearly brimming with tears. "Boss, did you really turn to demonic cultivation? Please don't kill me! I'll work hard to earn spirit stones!
"I'll even give up my ten percent share, Boss! Just let me live!"
Seeing him on the verge of crying, Yao Ranran said in a calm voice, "Since you're giving up that ten percent, I'll spare your life."
"Uu… Boss, you're okay?" Xiao Rong blinked, his eyes still misty.
Yao Ranran frowned slightly. "For now I'm fine. As for later, who knows."
Xiao Rong wiped at the corners of his eyes, looking confused. "Then what should we do now?"
"It's night. Sleep." Yao Ranran slipped under the blanket in one swift motion.
Xiao Rong opened his mouth to speak, but a yawn escaped instead. "…Then I'll go back and sleep too!"
Dawn broke slowly, the world wrapped in a hazy silver mist.
Only one towering mountain stood apart, shrouded in dark clouds, a stark contrast to the surrounding beauty.
After a night's sleep, Xiao Rong descended the mountain as if nothing had happened and headed for Longyin Village.
Today, Yao Ranran didn't rush into the black clouds to cultivate. Instead, she opened the blacksmith shop and poured out the spirit stones she had saved.
[Blacksmith Shop]
Level: 5
Spirit stones needed for upgrade: 0/15000
Proficiency: 0/15000 (Max proficiency has a chance to produce artifacts of the next grade)
Bound to: Yao Ranran
New forging blueprints obtained: Lotus Petal Cloud-Stepping Boots, Water Zhi Flowing Silk Skirt, Crimson Hibiscus Moon Hairpin.
Yao Ranran picked up the blueprint rewards granted after the shop's upgrade.
Seeing the list of required materials made her frown. "Just from the names, I can tell these won't come cheap. Better store these away first. I'll ask about the prices at the Baibao Pavilion another day."
With a wave, she hid the blacksmith shop's interface.
Stepping outside, she noticed that yesterday's window latch, which had been flung wide open, was now damaged and barely hanging from the frame.
"Window latches are made of wood… Xiao Rong seems to have plenty of that…"
A glint of light flashed, and the blade left no trace!
At that very moment, while Xiao Rong was happily chatting at Grandma Zhang's house, his shoulder suddenly throbbed with pain. Jiang Shengxiang immediately stepped forward to massage it. "Rong-yé, how's this? Feel better?"
Xiao Rong blinked, then nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. You've got some sense. A bit harder!"
"Got it! Brother Jiang understands!" Jiang Shengxiang grinned, pressing harder.
Yao Ranran looked at the brand new window latch and smiled. "Perfect. Now no more drafts at night."
With the window fixed, she set off on foot into the black clouds.
Unbeknownst to her, the surrounding black mist wavered between wanting to draw close and fearing her presence.
As always, Yao Ranran cultivated near the demon bat cave.
But today, the spiritual power she released carried faint traces of black mist. In the deepest part of the dark clouds, something stirred, quietly watching her.
…
"Hic~ I'm so full~"
Xiao Rong lay sprawled on the Taishi chair Jiang Shengxiang had specially bought for him, rubbing his round belly with contentment.
"As long as Rong-yé is satisfied!" Jiang Shengxiang said sincerely.
He watched as Xiao Rong's eyes drooped shut, his voice softening. "Rong-yé, are you not going back tonight?"
"No… not going back…" Xiao Rong mumbled, falling fully asleep, oblivious to the world.
Grandma Zhang brought over a floral quilt to cover him, smiling kindly as if tucking in her own grandson.
Jiang Shengxiang tiptoed outside.
Grandma Wang from next door approached with a cane, wearing a smile he hadn't seen in a long time. "Xiao Jiang, I've already sent word to my eldest grandson outside. Just a little longer, and they'll be able to return to Longyin Village!"
Jiang Shengxiang hurried to support her. "Congratulations, Grandma Wang. You'll finally be reunited with your family!"
Two tears rolled down Grandma Wang's cheeks. "It's all thanks to the Fairy from Gu Ling Mountain! If not for her, I might have died without ever seeing them again."
Jiang Shengxiang patted the back of her hand gently. "Don't worry, Grandma Wang. With Fairy Ranran here, the people of Longyin Village will return one by one."
The Eastern Wilderness was not a peaceful place. Even those who had escaped Longyin Village could not always avoid the ravages of war. Only the lucky ones might live out their lives in peace.
He escorted Grandma Wang back home.
When he stepped outside again, the sky had grown darker.
He opened his palm and felt the light drizzle.
"Tonight… is something going to happen?"
His steps quickened as he rushed home.
A torrential rain began to pour. His feet splashed through puddles, the sound of his hurried footsteps sharp against the dark night.
Jiang Shengxiang's clothes were drenched, his heart pounding with unease.