txolops Chapter 73 Bubble's Greatest Hobby: Spirit Stones
Chapter 73 Bubble's Greatest Hobby: Spirit Stones
Three days later, as dawn broke and the cicadas began to sing.
On the bluestone path in the backyard of "Youjian General Store," a young man strolled in slowly. He was burly, but dressed in a plain blue scholar's robe, with dark circles under his eyes, looking like an ordinary person who had stayed up for three days and three nights straight.
A listless spirit pet perched on his shoulder, too lazy to even wag its rear end, its head buried in the cloak, looking utterly dejected.
The boy, familiar with the place, dragged a bamboo recliner out from under the eaves, unfolded it with a "bang," and slumped into it like a rag doll.
Sunlight filtered through the branches of the old locust tree, casting dappled shadows on his face. He squinted, let out a long sigh, as if he had finally returned to a place where he could let down his guard.
Just then, a cold gaze quietly descended from the end of the corridor.
Yuan Yao stood beside the medicine cabinet, sorting through a newly arrived bag of Soul-Nourishing Grass, but out of the corner of her eye, she had already thoroughly sized up this "uninvited guest".
His aura was weak and his spirit was slightly agitated... Was it because he had forcibly interrupted his seclusion? Or perhaps... his mental energy was excessively depleted?
Although she had already guessed the man's identity, she remained calm and turned to go to the Mo Family Medical Clinic next door to find Lu Xueqi.
Before long, the little girl came running back angrily, her ponytail flying wildly in her anger.
When she saw the boy on the recliner, her eyes widened, her nostrils flared, and her face turned bright red.
"This is my wretched young master!" she gritted her teeth, her voice urgent and crisp, as if she wanted to kick over the recliner. "He disappeared for three days, and when he comes back, he's just sprawled out pretending to be dead! Let's ignore him!"
After saying that, he grabbed Yuan Yao's wrist, turned around and was about to leave. His movements were swift and decisive, as if looking at her for even a second would shorten his lifespan.
Yuan Yao was pulled along by her for a few steps, but couldn't help but look back. The boy didn't even lift his eyelids, but lazily turned over and buried his face in his arms, looking just like a "salted fish in the world of cultivation".
She frowned slightly and asked softly, "Sister Xueqi...you were so rude to your young master, won't he punish you?"
Lu Xueqi paused, her anger vanishing instantly.
She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a faint shadow crossed her eyes, as if she were recalling some old story she didn't want to touch.
But in an instant, she raised her chin, her eyes brightening again with a hint of cunning and certainty:
"Hmph!" She curled her nose and a smug smile played on her lips. "If he dares to bully me, I'll go tell Madam! I'll let her deal with him herself!"
When she spoke the word "Madam," a hint of tenderness and affection flashed in her eyes, as if she were the most solid support in this chaotic world of cultivation.
Yuan Yao saw Lu Xueqi again in the afternoon.
She and Yanli had just returned from the busiest "Baobao Lane" on Tiandu Street. Together, they had attracted three groups of independent cultivators and sold two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills, five low-level fire talismans, and a low-grade magic weapon—a remarkable achievement.
Yanli continued to count the spirit stones she had extracted with pride, her laughter as clear and crisp as a bell.
But as soon as Yuan Yao stepped into the backyard of "Youjian General Store", she stopped abruptly, her pupils shrinking.
On the bluestone ground in the courtyard, Lu Xueqi stood in a standard horse stance, her knees slightly bent and her back straight.
Her small body was taut like a fully drawn bow, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she gritted her teeth and remained silent.
Before her stood the round, plump spirit pet, its claws gripping a thick iron rod as thick as an arm, which was whipping her waist, abdomen, shoulders, and back with astonishing speed!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The dull thuds of the iron rods striking flesh were as dense as rain, causing ripples to spread in the copper basin in the corner of the courtyard.
If Lu Xueqi hadn't been yelling, "Use more force! I don't feel anything!" while being hit, with a hint of disgust in her voice, Yuan Yao would have almost thought that the little girl was being abused.
That force... I'm afraid I couldn't withstand even three blows!
Even more chilling was that Han Xiaoliu, reclining on a nearby chair, had his legs crossed, holding a scroll of the "Blood Demon Body Tempering Technique," and without even lifting his eyelids, lazily urged, "Hit harder, haven't you eaten?"
Yuan Yao's heart pounded wildly: Was this punishment? Just because she called him "pathetic" this morning?
Her fingertips twitched slightly, almost as if she were about to summon the jade talisman from her sleeve. If it was truly abuse, she would not stand idly by!
But as Bubble swung the iron rod faster and faster, the sound of the blows became as dense as drumbeats. Lu Xueqi didn't even frown. Instead, she grinned and smiled brightly, as if she were enjoying a massage.
"Junior sister?"
Yanli's voice came from behind.
She was carrying two bulging cloth bags when she saw Yuan Yao standing blankly at the doorway, staring at the courtyard with a bewildered expression. "What's wrong?" she asked.
She followed the gaze and looked in that direction.
The next moment, his eyes almost popped out!
"Damn it! Stop!" Yanli roared, rolling up her sleeves and about to rush in. "Whose spirit pet is so fierce? How dare it hit my Xueqi!"
Yuan Yao reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and whispering, "Don't go! They're practicing. Xueqi is refining her body; look at her—she doesn't seem uncomfortable at all, she looks very relaxed."
Yanli looked closely and, sure enough, saw that Lu Xueqi wasn't crying or shouting. Instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, taunting, "Put some effort into it! You're so weak, where did you put all your strength? Did you use it on someone else last night?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xiaoliu, who was reclining on the chair, finally opened his eyes.
He slowly sat up straight, his eyes deep and unfathomable, a dangerous smile curving his lips: "So arrogant? Young Master will grant your request."
At that moment, he felt offended!
Before he finished speaking, he had already stood up.
Lu Xueqi's face turned pale instantly. She turned and ran, screaming as she ran, "Hey! What are you doing! Don't come any closer! I knew you wanted to settle a personal score! I'm not stupid!"
She ran frantically to the corner of the courtyard wall, and seeing that Han Xiaoliu hadn't chased after her, she leaned on her knees, panting, her face pale and aggrieved, looking at him pitifully: "...You scared me..."
Han Xiaoliu snorted coldly, lay back in his chair, waved for Paopao to leave, and then lazily raised his eyes to look at the two new female cultivators at the door.
"You two," he said calmly, yet with an undeniable air of authority, "are the servants the little girl hired? Tell me, how much have you gained these past few days?"
Yanli immediately stepped forward, her chest puffed out, her smile as bright as the sun. Hands on her hips, chin slightly raised, her voice clear and confident:
"You're the boss! My name is Yanli, and this is my junior sister, Yuan Yao!" She patted her chest, the gold rings jingling. "You've really struck gold by recruiting us sisters! Not only have we sold thirteen items in three days, but we've also brought over customers from the 'Treasure Pavilion' next door! From now on, you can just lie there and count your spirit stones—wealth will flow in like a river, customers will flock in like clouds, and I guarantee your 'Youjian General Store' will become an 'Infinite Treasure Trove'!"
After she finished speaking, she winked playfully and added, "Don't worry, we're not only good at selling goods, but we can also fight, run a shop, brew medicine, and identify poisons... We guarantee you'll get your money's worth!"
Upon hearing Yanli's boast, Bubble's round body immediately sprang up from the ground, its eyebrows twitching excitedly. After a few hops, it landed at Yanli's feet, beaming with delight.
It stretched out its front paws and eagerly took the storage bag that Yanli handed over. Its two big amber eyes widened, and its spiritual sense "whoosh" probed into it.
A moment later, it suddenly leaped up, its short legs pushing off, and it nimbly landed on Han Xiaoliu's shoulder, shoving the storage bag into his arms. Then, patting its belly, it exclaimed in a crisp, clear voice, "They sold 267 spirit stones! That's half a month's worth of sales!"
It turned its head and grinned at Yanli and Yuanyao, revealing two sharp little canine teeth, its eyes full of undisguised joy.
These are all talismans, pills, and magical artifacts that I personally crafted!
These spirit stones are all mine!
"These two girls are great, I like them!" Bubble rubbed her head against Han Xiaoliu's cheek and hummed sweetly.
Han Xiaoliu quickly straightened up and said, "Then we should hurry up and win them over! Don't forget the commission we promised them!"
Bubble hesitated, reluctant to part with her spirit stone.
Han Xiaoliu glanced at it helplessly, then lightly tapped its forehead with his fingertip: "You little money-grubber, only what you sell will become spirit stones. From now on, you'll just be responsible for counting the money!"
Bubble thought about it and realized it was true, so he quickly took out thirty spirit stones.
"Here! This is your commission!"
Bubble was smug, its eyes narrowed into slits!
"The more you sell, the bigger the bonus will be! The more you sell in the future, the bigger the bonus will be!"
Han Xiaoliu leaned back in his recliner, his gaze slowly sweeping over the two of them, and relayed Bubble's words in a calm yet unquestionable tone.
Han Xiaoliu then made another empty promise to the two of them.
"After working for a full year, I can sell you a bottle of Foundation Building Pill at half price."
Upon hearing this, Yanli's eyes widened suddenly, her mouth slightly agape, and she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.
"Really...really?" Her voice trembled, her eyes reddened slightly, and she grabbed Yuan Yao's hand, her nails almost digging into her palm.
Foundation Establishment Pill! The Foundation Establishment Pill we've been dreaming of!
Yuan Yao's breath hitched, and a hint of barely suppressed emotion finally surfaced on her usually aloof face. Her fingertips trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes to conceal the surging emotions within: This is a good person!
"Thank you, boss!" Yanli almost shouted, her voice choked with a mix of sobs and overwhelming joy. She grabbed the thirty spirit stones and clutched them tightly to her chest, as if holding her entire future in her hands.
That night, the two returned to the cottage in the backyard, lay on their respective beds, and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, and the room was silent, with only the sound of our rapid heartbeats resonating softly in the darkness.
Yanli suddenly sat up, lowering her voice but unable to hide her laughter: "Junior sister... are we... really about to have a change of fortune?"
Yuan Yao stared at the roof for a long time, then softly hummed in agreement.
That sound was extremely soft, yet it was like the first crack of spring ice, revealing a long-lost warmth.