Chapter 347: The Carnivore’s Attack

The wind was biting cold today, and the secret realm’s weather, unlike the norm, cycled through the four seasons in a single day. As night fell, a winter chill set in. Jin Xiaoqin, a little intolerant of cold, used Ye Wenxin to block the wind. Ye Wenxin struggled to walk while being clung to, and decided to offer the Vermilion Bird Dagger to Jin Xiaoqin for warmth, only to be met with Jin Xiaoqin’s scorn.

“I don’t want her stuff.”

“But it’s my stuff now. Feel how warm it is,” Ye Wenxin tempted. As the cold finally became unbearable, Jin Xiaoqin accepted the dagger and tucked it into her sleeve. Although she felt the warmth, she remained very close to Ye Wenxin.

“Old Jin, can you not get so close? I’m having a hard time walking.” Ye Wenxin tried to pull her hand back, but Jin Xiaoqin held on tightly. Jin Xiaoqin’s smile grew even brighter as she continued, “I’m just worried you’re cold.”

She leaned close to Ye Wenxin’s ear, whispering, “How about sneaking out with me tonight?” Her eyes sparkled with flirtation, and thanks to the Beauty-Preserving Pill she had taken, her features appeared even more refined.

Jin Xiaoqin showed no hint of shyness, as if suggesting to Ye Wenxin that they should find a place to indulge themselves tonight. Ye Wenxin glanced up and noticed that the flesh-colored condor had fully manifested. Although it looked small, it was clear that Jin Xiaoqin had firmly set her sights on her.

Ye Wenxin shuddered at the thought of what might happen if she went along with Jin Xiaoqin tonight, so she quickly pulled over Hei Haowen, the lay disciple from Southern Dipper Temple, as a buffer against potential trouble.

As the herbivore naturally got along harmoniously with the carnivore, Ye Wenxin hastened over to Long Qing’er, who was smiling contentedly.

“Senior Sister, have you come across something good?” Ye Wenxin asked with a smile. Seeing Long Qing’er’s expression, Ye Wenxin guessed that Fairy Fengya had given her something.

“Yes, my master gave me a bottle of pills. It’s the first time she’s shown concern for me. I’m so happy,” Long Qing’er said with simple joy. Ye Wenxin initially wanted to join in the conversation, but noticed that the pills Long Qing’er was holding were ones she had previously given to Fairy Fengya.

Fearing that Long Qing’er might realize this, Ye Wenxin quietly stepped back and squeezed over to Xuan Luofei and Xi Mengxuan. The two were startled by Ye Wenxin’s sudden appearance but soon began chatting with her.

Ye Wenxin remained somewhat uneasy. She cautioned Xi Mengxuan not to let Luo Hong bite people while she was out, and to keep her away from Jin Xiaoqin, lest she use the same trick, dragging her into some corner to eat her clean.

While Xi Mengxuan was still confused by this warning, Xuan Luofei had already shifted the topic. “Zhu-zhu, Beast Taming Garden will be holding the Spirit Beast Tournament in two months. Would you like to join in the fun?”

Before Ye Wenxin came by, they had been discussing the upcoming Spirit Beast Tournament, which the Beast Taming Garden would host. The tournament, which primarily featured spirit beasts, was always popular among cultivators who had a fondness for these creatures.

Ye Wenxin was initially worried about being bored after leaving the secret realm, so she eagerly accepted Xuan Luofei’s invitation.

“Hehe, just right. You can be my spirit beast, Zhu-zhu.”

Ye Wenxin responded with a glum face, “Senior Sister Xuan, please don’t joke about that. How can a person be a spirit beast?”

Just as Xuan Luofei was about to clarify, Xi Mengxuan interrupted, saying, “Why not? That’s how it is between me and Luo Hong.”

Xi Mengxuan’s revelation shocked Ye Wenxin. She had assumed that Xi Mengxuan and Luo Hong had a reversed master-servant relationship in appearance only, but it turned out to be genuinely the case. Xi Mengxuan seemed proud of her role, even though she willingly became a mere accessory.

Sensing Ye Wenxin’s surprise, Xuan Luofei explained that the Beast Taming Garden’s approach to spirit beasts differed from ordinary spirit beast masters. In the Beast Taming Garden, spirit pets and their masters held equal status. Neither party could coerce the other into improper actions. The relationship could be akin to friends or family, and some even became Dao companions with their spirit beasts.

“Becoming Dao companions with spirit beasts?” Ye Wenxin felt like her fundamental values was being refreshed again. She had thought she knew a lot, only to realize she was still a frog at the bottom of the well.

“Yes, since a spirit beast can transform after a thousand years, the cultivator only needs to endure loneliness for that long.”

Ye Wenxin pondered Xuan Luofei’s explanation and found it reasonable. Cultivators, with their long lives, often engaged in activities that ordinary people might not even dare to imagine.

She then recalled Luo Hong’s needs during mating season. Looking at Xi Mengxuan, Ye Wenxin patted her shoulder, feeling a sense of sympathy for her future challenges.

If a normal snake required a day for satisfaction, a top-grade giant snake like Luo Hong might need an entire month of vigorous bedroom activity to feel somewhat satisfied.

“Luo Hong is smarter than me, so I always let her take the lead.” Ye Wenxin’s sympathy went completely over Xi Mengxuan’s head, and she kept praising Luo Hong’s various wonderful qualities.

Xuan Luofei also shared stories about helping Zhu-zhu find mates, which drew everyone’s attention and lightened the mood during their journey.

The reduced number of Yin Fetuses and the fact that there were only three days left before the secret realm reopened contributed to this. Soon, they would be forcibly returned to their original world and resume their normal lives…

Three days flashed by, neither fast nor slow. Jin Xiaoqin had also returned to her usual self. Ye Wenxin couldn’t help suspecting she had done some self-comforting in private, which would explain her newfound restraint. With Jin Xiaoqin’s pursuit no longer a concern, Ye Wenxin resumed her regular interactions with her.

However, on the last night before leaving the secret realm, Jin Xiaoqin once again used some pretext to take Ye Wenxin away. The others watched in tacit understanding, with Hei Haowen even quietly giving a hand gesture as if to offer his blessing for their night.

The secret realm was still as desolate as ever, but now that they had reached the mountaintop, there were more places to conceal themselves. Ye Wenxin obediently followed Jin Xiaoqin down a path leading deeper, her heart on edge.

The path grew increasingly secluded until they reached a point deep enough no one would come to disturb them. Jin Xiaoqin finally stopped, surveyed the surroundings, and let out a sigh. She then said, “Come here.”

Her tone was commanding, giving no indication that anything unusual was about to happen. Ye Wenxin suddenly felt she might have been overthinking, and as she moved closer to Jin Xiaoqin, she saw her start to undo her outer garment.

Jin Xiaoqin’s imposing figure reappeared—perfectly proportioned, with her long legs crossed as she sat there, beckoning Ye Wenxin with a finger.