The moment the spirit beast pouch was opened, Zhu Yurun did not, as usual, immediately leap out. Xiao Lingyu was momentarily taken aback, thinking something had gone wrong with Zhu Yurun, especially since the old ghost had mentioned that Zhu Yurun, unlike ordinary spirit beasts, could not remain in the pouch for extended periods.
Cautiously, he flipped the pouch to pour out Zhu Yurun, only to see the little creature pressing its soft white forehooves tightly against the opening, refusing to come out.
Xiao Lingyu’s expression darkened. “Zhu Yurun, what are you trying to do?”
Zhu Yurun cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Lingyu, trembling at his expression. Its first instinct was to leap out and cling to his leg, whining and rolling about, but this time it resolved to resist. It would maintain its dignity and stand firm as a proud little pig!
Thinking this, Zhu Yurun dug its hooves deeper into the pouch and whined, “I can smell it—so many wonderful scents ahead. If you want me to lead you, you can’t keep me trapped in this dark pouch, can’t take my snacks, can’t call me stupid. Our ancestor said, if you want a horse to run, you must give the horse grass!”
Xiao Lingyu could only stare at the pig lecturing him as if it were a person. Xiao Hezi, curious, looked on. “Xiao Lao Da, what kind of spirit beast is this?”
Just as Xiao Lingyu was about to answer, Zhu Yurun stiffened, eyes wide with terror, staring at Xiao Hezi. “That smell… that monster’s scent… it’s terrifying!”
Startled by the smell emanating from Xiao Hezi, Zhu Yurun immediately released its grip, rolled to the ground, and froze, activating its first skill—playing dead. Then, as if remembering something, it scrambled upright, leaping to cling to Xiao Lingyu’s leg. “Little monster, little pig was wrong! Protect little pig! Little pig will make no more demands!”
Xiao Lingyu, calm on the outside, felt a twinge of sympathy, sensing Zhu Yurun’s genuine fear. He carefully held it in his arms, stroking its slick white fur to calm it. “Xiao He is someone I know. He won’t harm you.”
“Really?”
“Really!”
“So, little monster, will you still lock me in the dark pouch?”
Xiao Lingyu, seeing Zhu Yurun’s pitiful face, replied patiently, “I’ll try not to.”
“Will you still take my snacks?”
“Only if you behave properly,” Xiao Lingyu said, veins throbbing.
“Will you still call me stupid?”
Watching the increasingly audacious little pig, Xiao Lingyu turned to Xiao Hezi with a smile. “Are you hungry? Little pig is delicious when roasted.”
“AAAHH!!!”
The sudden shout from Zhu Yurun startled Xiao Hezi mid-sentence. The little white pig hopped from Xiao Lingyu’s arms into the ground, sniffing around energetically.
“Little pig is ready, little monster! Let’s go treasure hunting!” Zhu Yurun bounced with excitement, eager to show Xiao Lingyu its usefulness, secretly glancing at Xiao Hezi as it scuttled to stay by Xiao Lingyu’s side.
The old ghost, used to Zhu Yurun’s antics, marveled at how it continually surpassed its previous levels of silliness. He pondered whether any spirit pig from the ancient legends had ever been this clever. In utter bafflement, he shrank back into his ghostly bracelet.
On the other side of Green Mountain, a half-human-high stone stood. Leng Hanyuan and a few black-robed disciples of the Ghost Spirit Sect circled it warily. Leng Hanyuan performed hand seals while manipulating a talisman to shield himself, holding a milky-white jade pendant in his palm—a talisman meant to resist illusions. Around him, fewer disciples than in Wucheng formed an irregular formation, seemingly immune to illusions.
Not far from the stone, countless spiders, each the size of a millstone, crawled densely. Most terrifying were the faces—they were beautiful, yet grotesquely mounted on spider bodies. The disciples felt their hearts seize with fear at the contrast.
The sect disciple leading them cursed inwardly. What kind of monster was this? He had come secretly to Wucheng, hoping to investigate, but now truly found a legendary lair. He’d foolishly kept it secret from the sect, seeking personal glory, forgetting to send word. If he died here, none would know. He considered pushing Leng Hanyuan into danger, though he knew the other disciples might not survive.
Leng Hanyuan paid him no mind, his gaze drawn to the antique ring on his left hand, regretting that the ancestor had slept at an inconvenient time. If the ancestor were awake, he could offer guidance; now he had to navigate the dangers alone.
The spiders were unknown magical creatures, their black silk corroding spiritual energy and resisting talismanic attacks. If not for their wariness of the nearby Qianhuan Stone, Leng Hanyuan would have long been devoured. Using his magic meant risking the lives of the other disciples.
Amidst this, Xiao Lingyu, trailing Zhu Yurun, carefully circled toward the other side of Green Mountain, while Xiao Hezi furrowed his brows, deep in thought. Just now, Xiao Lingyu had indicated he had other matters, and if Xiao Hezi rushed to the summit, they would part ways. Instinctively, Xiao Hezi wanted to stay close, recalling his earlier eagerness with a rueful smile.
Images from the illusion flitted through Xiao Hezi’s mind. Having grown up in the Eternal Hall, under strict watch of Ying Jiuhua, he had little experience with such matters. He had assumed his feelings were for Xiao Lingyu, a fixation of many years—but now, seeing his master in the illusion, he blushed.
Xiao Lingyu had said illusions reveal the truest desires of the heart. Was it possible Xiao Hezi’s feelings were really for his master? He recalled Ying Jiuhua’s hostility toward Xiao Lingyu—could it be, as in the illusion, that his master truly cared for him?
Swallowed by such thoughts, Xiao Hezi avoided encountering Ying Jiuhua and followed closely behind Xiao Lingyu.
Ahead, Zhu Yurun scampered quickly, four stubby legs pumping.
“Little monster, the scent you let the little pig smell is right ahead!” Zhu Yurun whined, eager to demonstrate its usefulness, secretly darting close to Xiao Lingyu.
Xiao Hezi watched the wary little pig warily, then noticed Xiao Lingyu pause, motioning for silence.
The moment Xiao Lingyu’s spirit sense spread, his expression changed drastically. What were these monsters ahead?
The old ghost, realizing it too, said gravely, “Xiao Yuzi, these creatures are called Ghost-Faced Spiders. Even ancient great practitioners struggle against them. Their black silk corrodes spiritual energy. At your current cultivation, you cannot hope to contend with them.”
Xiao Lingyu briefly wondered why such beautiful faces were called ghost-faced, but quickly focused on the crucial point of the old ghost’s warning. “You mean we should give up on that Qianhuan Stone?”
Rarely serious, the old ghost replied, “No treasure is worth losing your life.”
Xiao Lingyu surveyed the three parties silently, then spoke. “Those monsters seem wary of the Qianhuan Stone behind them.”
The old ghost immediately caught on. “You mean to use the Qianhuan Stone in your hand?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Just as precious materials are guarded by spirit beasts, acquiring them always entails danger. If we fear everything, we might as well stay obediently in the Cloud Sky Sect.”
The old ghost asked, unusually serious, “Xiao Yuzi, you already have one Qianhuan Stone. Why insist on this one?”
Instinctively, Xiao Lingyu replied, “The eldest senior brother doesn’t have one yet.”
The old ghost chuckled meaningfully. Xiao Lingyu, annoyed, immediately pushed him out of his mind, ignoring his calls.
Amused, the old ghost observed Xiao Lingyu’s flustered reaction and silently wondered when this boy would truly understand.