As he was concentrating, a 'thud' sound filled the cave. He felt the weight on his palm lessen significantly. Puzzled, he opened his eyes again and lowered his head, only to see one half of the fist sized gem lying on the ground in front of him. The other half was still in his grasp.
A few seconds passed...
Tao Fuyuan lifted his head in shock and shot Bai Li a guilt ridden look. The latter, however, was staring at the broken gem as well, at a loss. An awkward silence filled the cave. Bai Li has decided to break the silence upon seeing the human's pathetic yet funny reaction.
"Well, this has never happened before...but it's just an average soul testing gem. It's very old so it must've split on it's own. No worries, I've got another one."
He once again made a hand gesture. Another fist sized stone was brought out and handed to the panicking, puny human being sitting in front of him.
"These stones are easily replaceable."
Tao Fuyuan sighed before attempting to calm down. This was probably the first time the fox had attempted to reassure him.
In conclusion, Bai Li isn't completely soulless!
However, he soon repressed his thoughts. That sly old fox would beat me until I'm green and blue if he knew what I was thinking!
He put aside the two broken halves of the previously 'used' gem before closing his eyes anew, the new gem firmly within his grasp.
Ten seconds in…
'Crack'
Accompanied by the sounds of stone cracking, he felt the weight on the center of his hand lessen once again, now leaning towards the sides of his palms.
…
Tao Fuyuan's eyes shot open. He lowered his head once more and, sure enough, the gem has split on its own again.
"Big bro…"
"Say no more. One last time, got it?"
Bai Li interrupted Tao Fuyuan and brought out another gem. He cried dry tears. Although soul testing gems were easy for him to get, they're still valuable!
Stop wasting my resources, human!
But of course, these words were never spoken aloud. He handed the third and last gem to the sorry youth before instructing him to concentrate again.
Half a minute later, three broken gems laid in front of Tao Fuyuan. His last attempt had also failed. He was very devastated, and so was the fox sitting in front of him.
"All three attempts failed. If the first one fails, it would be understandable. The second one, not so much...but thrice in a row? Could it be that there's something wrong with your soul?"
Bai Li rubbed his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
Huh?
There's something wrong with my soul?
Am I a cultivation cripple?!
Tao Fuyuan felt like vomiting blood. He really didn't want to spend his second life picking rubbish in order to make a living. How awful would that be?!
Only after a few minutes passed did Bai Li snap out of it. He stood up and dusted his white robe before heading towards the cave's exit. These actions took the youth by surprise.
"You're leaving already?"
"There are some things I ought to take care of. Rest well today, I'll be waiting in front of the cave tomorrow morning."
With that, Bai Li left.