Free Web NovelChapter 294: Chapter 182: Xiaojiu Becomes a Spirit Beast
Back in the house, he checked on Xiaojiu, who was still fast asleep.
Xiaojiu was curled up in her soft cat bed, her breathing even and deep. Her fur seemed shinier and smoother than before, with a faint glimmer flowing over it that was imperceptible to an ordinary person.
"Woof~"
Bai Wan walked over and nudged Yang Qi’s hand with his head.
’Master, Sister Jiu still hasn’t woken up. Is she okay?’
"Don’t worry, Xiaojiu is fine."
Yang Qi patted Bai Wan’s head reassuringly. "She’s just digesting the pill’s medicinal power. The process is a bit slow and takes time."
The Spirit Rice Porridge was soon ready, its aroma rich and fragrant.
Yang Qi set aside a bowl for Xiaojiu, keeping it warm in the pot, then enjoyed dinner with the three large dogs.
Even though Hu Zi and Leopard had trekked through the mountains all day, after a meal of porridge infused with Spiritual Qi, their exhaustion vanished, and they were full of energy.
After dinner, Yang Qi went upstairs and entered the Cultivation Chamber.
He sat down cross-legged and began circulating the Great Derivation Spirit-Controlling Technique.
The formless feedback from his "destiny" was still present, gently and continuously pushing the circulation and growth of his Magical Power.
A night of cultivation left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.
The first thing Yang Qi did after finishing his cultivation early the next morning was go downstairs to check on Xiaojiu.
In her cat bed, Xiaojiu’s eyes were still closed, but Yang Qi keenly sensed that the aura around her had completely stabilized. The turbulent fluctuations from the medicinal power were gone, her breathing was deeper and more natural, and her entire body had reached a state of perfect equilibrium.
’Soon. She should wake up within the hour.’
Yang Qi felt relieved.
He walked to the backyard and dismantled the Demon Extermination Array that had been running all night.
He took stock of his gains. The mosquitoes and other insects had been unusually active last night, netting him over six hundred contribution points.
’Six draws in a row!’
Yang Qi was in a good mood.
The first four draws were all routine supply replenishments, and the variety was decent.
The fifth draw—
[Congratulations, Host. You have drawn a prize: Low-grade Spirit Stone (Wind Attribute)]
’Another Wind Spirit Stone!’
Joy sparked in Yang Qi’s heart.
He was one step closer to the nine Wind Spirit Stones required to set up the Cloud Plate Enchanting Array.
The final draw.
[Congratulations, Host. You have drawn a prize: Low-grade Spirit Stone (Wood Attribute)]
’A Wood Spirit Stone isn’t bad either.’
Yang Qi stored it away.
He did a quick inventory. Including this one, the total number of wood-attribute Low-grade Spirit Stones he had accumulated had reached sixty!
Setting up the Hundred Trees Nourishing Body Array required one hundred Wood Spirit Stones as a continuous power source, but this was already considerable progress.
He put away all the prizes.
Yang Qi went back inside and prepared breakfast for Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard—dog food and fresh water.
The three large dogs began to eat happily.
Just as Yang Qi finished changing and was about to head out for the day’s work, a sound came from the cat bed.
Xiaojiu first gave a big, lazy stretch, her four limbs extended and her body arched into a graceful curve. Then, she slowly opened her eyes.
Her emerald-green eyes seemed even clearer and more profound now, exceptionally nimble and intelligent.
She sat up and meticulously washed her face with a forepaw, grooming the fur behind her ears. The entire sequence of movements was as smooth as flowing water, carrying an ineffable grace and spirituality.
"WOOF!"
Bai Wan was the first to notice, barking with delight.
’Sister Jiu is awake!’
"Awoo~" Leopard also trotted over happily.
’Sister Jiu, you’re finally awake!’
Although Hu Zi didn’t bark, he lifted his head and looked at Xiaojiu with concern.
"Meow~"
Xiaojiu hopped out of her cat bed and bounced lightly in place a couple of times, as if getting used to the changes in her body. Then she looked at Yang Qi and let out a cheerful, clear cry.
’Master, I slept so well.’
’And I understand how to cultivate now.’
’All those things I couldn’t understand or figure out before are suddenly clear.’
"Excellent."
A pleased smile appeared in Yang Qi’s eyes.
’The Spirit Awakening Pill really is extraordinary!’
He took a Beast Spirit Pill he had prepared earlier from his Hundred Pouches Belt and offered it to Xiaojiu.
"Xiaojiu, eat this pill and stay home today. Try to cultivate the way you now understand. Remember, don’t rush. Take it slow."
"Meow~!"
’Thank you, Master.’
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiaojiu swallowed the Beast Spirit Pill in one gulp.
The pill entered her stomach and dissolved into a stream of pure, gentle Spiritual Qi—energy perfectly suited for beasts to cultivate and absorb.
She licked her lips, walked over to her food bowl, and ate every last bit of the Spirit Rice Porridge Yang Qi had left for her. Only then did she lick her paws in satisfaction.
"Whine~"
Leopard watched with envy, rubbing his head against Yang Qi’s leg.
’Master, I want to cultivate too.’
’But I still don’t understand how...’
Bai Wan and Hu Zi also looked over with longing gazes.
"Don’t worry. Your turn will come soon."
Yang Qi patted each of their heads, his gaze falling on Xiaojiu, who had already closed her eyes in concentration. She was trying to guide the medicinal power of the Beast Spirit Pill and circulate it according to the Ten Thousand Beasts Devouring Moon Technique. A realization dawned on him.
’It seems digesting and absorbing the Spirit Awakening Pill takes a full day and night.’
’I wonder how long it’ll take for Xiaojiu to refine the first wisp of her own Spiritual Power once she officially starts cultivating?’
...
...
As it turned out, Xiaojiu’s talent for cultivation was not low.
That evening, Yang Qi finished dinner and washed up. Just as he was about to go upstairs for his nightly cultivation session, a distinct, pure spiritual fluctuation suddenly emanated from Xiaojiu. She had been lying quietly in her cat bed in the corner, circulating the Ten Thousand Beasts Devouring Moon Technique.
This fluctuation was different from the aura an ordinary animal might emit. It was purer, more restrained, and carried a trace of the unique quality belonging to a "Spirit Beast."
’Did she succeed?’
Yang Qi stopped and turned to look at Xiaojiu’s cat bed.
He saw Xiaojiu slowly open her eyes. A faint light seemed to flow in the depths of her pupils. To her already exceptionally nimble aura, an ineffable sense of composure and a faint, imposing might had been added.
