Chapter 38
Spirit Beast Garden, Rental Area.
The disciple on duty yawned as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. Moments later, his first customer of the day arrived.
“It’s you again,” he said, tone familiar. “Renting a Crimson Hoof Spirit Beast today too?”
Lou Yuqing smiled. “Yes. One day.”
“Alright.” He accepted the spirit stone as usual and handed over a jade slip—authorization to rent a Crimson Hoof spirit beast.
Truth be told, in all his years here, this was the first time he’d seen someone rent spirit pigs so often. Most disciples preferred elegant flying mounts—cranes, hawks, anything that looked dignified.
But the Crimson Hoof was cheap.
He glanced at Lou Yuqing, silently concluding: Probably short on money.
He never imagined the real reason was much simpler.
She liked it.
The “it’s actually pretty good” principle had struck again.
She used to scoff at it.
Now?
“…Yeah. It’s really good.”
Two hours slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Lou Yuqing rode atop the plump Crimson Hoof spirit pig, watching other disciples glide past on their refined mounts. Among them, she stood out spectacularly.
Ling Yunxiao had been right.
Riding a pig… was unexpectedly cool.
And the pig felt amazing.
She patted its soft, white body—springy, smooth, and incredibly… chewy—
She paused.
…No. That was definitely the wrong word.
“Junior Sister, you’re here.”
Si Nidie approached from a distance, her gaze landing immediately on the pig. Curiosity lit up her face.
“This spirit beast… looks very appetizing.”
The Crimson Hoof Spirit Pig: “…Oink.”
Was there no justice left in this world?
Its tiny black-bean eyes shot them a deeply wounded look. Then it snorted, turned its head with exaggerated pride, and gave its backside an indignant wiggle.
Lou Yuqing patted it solemnly. “Don’t worry. I won’t eat you. I’m joking.”
…Wait.
Could it understand her?
Si Nidie blinked in surprise. “It’s quite intelligent. Mind if I join you? I want to try riding a pig too.”
The Crimson Hoof Spirit Pig: Absolutely not.
Unfortunately, its opinion carried exactly zero weight.
Lou Yuqing laughed. “Of course. Its back is wide and sturdy—it can easily carry three or five people.”
The moment Si Nidie climbed on, her eyes lit up.
“Wow—it’s so soft! Even more comfortable than the White Cloud Technique!”
Unable to resist, she gave its rump a cheerful pat. “Giddy up!”
“….”
The pig rolled its eyes.
It carried them forward for a while—then suddenly stopped, panting heavily, as though it might collapse at any moment.
Si Nidie panicked. “What’s wrong with it?”
Lou Yuqing waved it off calmly. “It’s fine. It just needs to rest.”
This had been happening all day—run for a while, stop for a while.
Lou Yuqing couldn’t help but wonder how something like this was supposed to travel a thousand miles in a day… though, considering how rarely it was rented, maybe it simply lacked endurance.
What she didn’t know—the Crimson Hoof spirit pig was thoroughly pleased with itself.
Before coming out, its companions had carefully taught it a few tricks for slacking off.
And it had used every single one.
These two humans?
Completely clueless.
Perfect.
It had successfully wasted an entire hour of its life.
The pig gave a satisfied little wiggle.
Si Nidie’s eyes lit up. “Look! It’s recovered!”
With a nimble motion, she hopped back onto its back.
The Crimson Hoof spirit pig: …Fine. Back to work.
By sunset, Lou Yuqing finally returned the spirit beast, still a little reluctant after such an enjoyable day.
The Crimson Hoof spirit pig, on the other hand, bolted straight into the forest the moment it was freed.
Freedom!
If that human came again next time… it would absolutely recommend its mortal enemy instead.
Bed, oh bed—I’m coming—!
Halfway there, another spirit beast suddenly came charging straight toward it.
The Crimson Hoof spirit pig glanced up—and instantly recognized its nemesis.
Oh? Looking for a fight? Then come!
It lowered its head and charged forward without hesitation.
But just as they were about to collide, the other beast twisted past it in a blur—completely ignoring the challenge—and sprinted straight toward the human behind.
The Crimson Hoof slowed to a stop, blinking.
…Not fighting anymore? Coward.
With its limited attention span, it dismissed the matter almost immediately and turned back around.
Its original destination still stood.
Sleep was far more important.
—
“Roar—!”
A low, furious growl erupted behind her.
Lou Yuqing had just turned to leave when the sound made her pause. She glanced back—and saw a Crimson Hoof spirit beast charging straight at her.
Not unfamiliar.
Those sorrowful black-bean eyes—
Recognition struck.
It was the same one from before.
The one that had lost its… dignity.
Her thoughts barely formed before the distance closed—three zhang, then less.
“Junior Sister, move!” Si Nidie shouted, panic sharp in her voice.
Lou Yuqing’s mind raced.
No cover. Nowhere to run.
If something that massive hit her head-on—she’d be flattened instantly.
The spirit boar had already locked onto her.
It’s her.
A few days ago, she had witnessed its greatest humiliation.
And now she dared to stand here again?
Unforgivable.
Even its long-standing rivalry meant nothing in comparison.
Revenge came first.
With a furious snort, the Crimson Hoof Spirit Boar leapt into the air—
Mount Tai Press.
At that exact moment, heat flared at Lou Yuqing’s neck.
She glanced down.
Her necklace.
A soft white light burst forth, instantly enveloping her entire body.
Right.
Her master’s protective artifact.
“Awooo—!”
The spirit boar shrieked as it was flung back, crashing to the ground in pain.
Its attack… had been reflected.
The mighty Mountain Boar King—defeated in a single move.
“….”
Was this how legends ended?
“Junior Sister! Are you alright?”
Si Nidie rushed over, but froze when she saw Lou Yuqing’s pale face.
Lou Yuqing gasped, as if enduring unbearable pain.
Si Nidie’s expression changed instantly. “Did it damage your internal organs? That’s serious!”
She turned, glaring at the boar. “It dared injure someone? It doesn’t deserve to live! I’ll report this to Captain Wei—have it executed and turned into a dish for you!”
The spirit boar: ???
Excuse me???
I’M the one who got hurt!
It hadn’t even touched a hair on her head!
This was blatant injustice!
Lou Yuqing quickly grabbed Si Nidie’s arm, grimacing. “Senior Sister, I’m fine. I just… twisted my ankle when I got nervous.”
Understandable, really.
Something that size flying at you?
Anyone would panic.
Si Nidie let out a breath. “That’s good. Come, I’ll take you to the medical hall. Even a sprain should be checked—could be bone or tendon.”
She had medicine, but without knowing the exact condition, better to be safe.
“Okay,” Lou Yuqing nodded obediently.
As she turned, she noticed—the cunning pig was already gone.
Ran fast. She narrowed her eyes. We’ll settle this another day.
Just as she looked away, she caught sight of a familiar figure.
A girl carrying a bucket of water.
Long hair falling forward, partially obscuring her face.
The red birthmark peeked through.
“Do you know her?” Si Nidie asked casually, pulling Lou Yuqing onto a drifting cloud.
Lou Yuqing shook her head. “No. Just met her once. A friend said she has no spiritual power… Senior Sister, would the sect accept someone without spiritual roots?”
“No.”
Si Nidie answered immediately—then hesitated.
“She used to be… well-known. Talented. Everyone knew her. Then something happened. She became like this.”
Lou Yuqing’s heart skipped. “Because of the birthmark?”
“No.” Si Nidie sighed. “Her cultivation disappeared overnight. No matter how she trains, nothing accumulates. Like pouring water into a broken jar—it all leaks out.”
Lou Yuqing frowned. “They don’t know why?”
“If they did, it would’ve been fixed already.” Si Nidie spread her hands. “Even the Medical Sage couldn’t find the cause.”
Some things…
Even the greatest healers couldn’t solve.
—
Medical Hall.
In the back room, Shi Xiuxiu carefully processed herbs, movements gentle yet precise. Her expression was calm—but beneath it, something resolute burned quietly.
She was no longer the same person she had been before awakening.
At that moment, a young apprentice called out: “Xiuxiu! A patient’s here. Physician Qin wants you to observe.”
“Okay.”
She quickly finished her task, washed her hands, and hurried to the main hall.
“Master, you called for me?”
Physician Qin looked up, smiling gently. “Yesterday I taught you how to treat a sprain. You understood it well. Today, why don’t you try it yourself?”
Shi Xiuxiu blinked.
Not just observe… but treat?
A flicker of nervousness rose in her chest—tight, unfamiliar—but it was quickly chased by something brighter.
Anticipation. Excitement.
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then looked up at her master, unable to hide the light in her eyes.
“Master… can I really?”
“Of course.” His tone was firm, reassuring. “You’re my disciple. There’s nothing you can’t do. I’ll be right here.”Something settled quietly in her chest.
“Disciple won’t disappoint you.”
She went over the steps in her mind—one by one, steady and precise. With each repetition, her confidence grew.
“Master… where is the patient?”
He lifted a hand and pointed ahead.
Shi Xiuxiu drew in a breath, then turned—a small, composed smile already forming on her lips.
Then she saw the patient’s face.
Her expression froze.
It was her.
The one who had saved her.