Chapter 24: The Price of a Free Lunch

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Today, a certain little fox girl finally learned this profound truth.

Stepping out of the ‘Green Dining Hall,’ Su Mei found it utterly amusing to see the adorable little girl she held by the hand. Xiao Xixi, her belly comically distended like a ‘watermelon,’ wore a pained expression on her small, scrunched-up face.

In truth, Xiao Xixi’s distressed expression stemmed from two things. First, she was heartbroken over the enormous debt of ‘one raw stone’ she now owed her beautiful master for the meal she’d just eaten.

Secondly, as she had walked out of the ‘Green Dining Hall’ with a full bowl of rice, the “meal-serving auntie” had informed her that leftovers could not be taken away, nor was there any takeout service. This, apparently, was a long-standing rule of the Azure Luan Sect.

Afterward, Xiao Xixi’s food container was taken away. Watching the “meal-serving auntie” pour out nearly an entire bowl of “rice and dishes,” Xiao Xixi felt her heart bleed.

After all, if those dishes were reheated, she believed she could have eaten them for several more meals. Thus, now that she had left the ‘Green Dining Hall,’ Xiao Xixi, who had always lived a frugal life, wore a deeply pained expression.

Just thinking that she would have to visit this ‘cafeteria’ again for her future meals made her sigh.

With these thoughts, Xiao Xixi instinctively glanced at her beautiful master, who was smiling sweetly beside her.

Meeting those profound, peach blossom eyes, Xiao Xixi felt as if the smiling gaze was invisibly telling her: ‘I can lend you money, you know?’

Looking at these seemingly speaking eyes, Xiao Xixi felt as though she had eaten too much and was now experiencing ‘dark-bellied’ hallucinations.

She shook her small head, finally feeling a bit clearer.

****

Having resolved the issue of food, and considering Xiao Xixi’s Qi Condensation cultivation, Su Mei would typically hand over newly initiated disciples to the outer sect elders.

These elders would then assign ‘cultivation tasks’ and ‘daily outer sect disciple tasks.’

However, looking at the adorable little girl curiously surveying her surroundings, Su Mei suddenly realized a problem: the little girl could not yet speak.

While the sect did not discriminate against ‘transformed beings’ – indeed, many considered ‘spiritual beast transformation’ a symbol of good fortune – the thought that a ‘demonic beast’s’ demon core could enhance one’s cultivation, coupled with Xiao Xixi being a defenseless little fox girl, gave Su Mei pause.

After careful consideration, Su Mei ultimately decided that for safety, she would first teach the little girl human language before allowing her to begin learning with the ‘outer sect disciples.’

Having made this decision, Su Mei quickly embraced Xiao Xixi, experiencing sword flight once more, just as they had arrived.

However, this time, the direction of their sword flight was not the ‘Inner Sect Disciple Dormitories’ they had departed from, but rather the secluded courtyard atop ‘Purple Haze Peak.’

Moments later, the two, riding their sword, landed steadily in the familiar courtyard.

Although Xiao Xixi had caught a cold yesterday after transforming, due to the lack of fur protection and the cold air at high altitude, this time, upon arriving at the familiar courtyard, she felt only a slight chill.

Perhaps it was due to the ‘spiritual energy’ infused meal she had just eaten, but the chill was nowhere near enough to cause a cold.

Before her transformation, Xiao Xixi had been a small fox, and Su Mei’s embrace was always so comfortable. As such, Xiao Xixi had never meticulously observed this tranquil courtyard.

Now, the thought that she would soon reside in this serene courtyard filled her with a sense of anticipation. Gazing at the small courtyard and feeling the soft warmth of her master’s embrace, Xiao Xixi couldn’t help but wonder which room would be hers.

Would she perhaps even get to sleep with her beautiful master? Thinking of Su Mei’s soft, full figure and her gentle, approachable aura, Xiao Xixi realized she would soon be her beautiful master’s neighbor.

With this realization, Xiao Xixi couldn’t help but look forward to her future life. Yet, just as Xiao Xixi was sweetly fantasizing about a wonderful future in Su Mei’s arms, a massive, ancient book was suddenly presented before her.

Looking at the traditional characters for ‘3000 Ancient Poems’ on the cover, Xiao Xixi paused, momentarily bewildered. She couldn’t quite grasp what Master Su Mei intended with this action.

Fortunately, Su Mei, who was holding her, soon clarified her confusion. The next moment, she casually flipped open the thick book and spoke softly.