"Master, it's truly delicious! I've never had such delectable grilled meat before! It's simply exquisite!"
Xiaoqing exclaimed after taking a bite, abandoning her ladylike demeanor and chewing voraciously.
Would the meat of a transcendent realm deer demon taste anything less than exceptional? Moreover, Lu Li had chosen a Five-Color Deer Demon, already a rare breed among deer demons.
Lu Li sliced a few more pieces and handed them to Xiaozhao and Axiu beside him. Meanwhile, Bier, with eyes full of anticipation, received her share from Lu Li.
As for whether pangolins consumed meat, Lu Li wasn't sure. However, after demonic beasts transformed, their diets likely aligned with those of humans. It would be absurd for a herbivorous demon to continue nibbling on grass while transformed into a humanoid form.
The mental image was too picturesque, and Lu Li dared not contemplate further.
The young ladies received their grilled meat, initially savoring it leisurely. Especially Bier, who, after a single bite, abandoned all pretense and manners.
Praises for the deer meat echoed, especially from Xiaoqing, the food enthusiast. Once she finished a piece, she fixed her gaze on Lu Li, urging him to carve another. If Lu Li were a bit slow, she might even snatch the knife herself.
Lu Li, his hands oily from the meat, pinched Xiaoqing's round face, calling her a glutton.
Days passed in haste, accompanied by daily cultivation alongside the White Deer and nightly feasts of grilled meat. Luo Xiaozhao was on the verge of breaking through to the Eighth Meridian Connection Realm.
Lu Li's attention, however, was not entirely on this matter. He observed how, in the past few days, Luo Xiaozhao had transformed into a little glutton under his influence. After nourishing her body with the meat of demonic beasts, her initially slender frame gradually filled out, no longer resembling the thinness of her initial days.
Lu Li, during these days, regularly examined Luo Xiaozhao's body. Each time, he marveled at the perfection of creation. Of course, this perfection was limited to those exceptional works.
Axiu, after consuming the pills aimed at improving her muscles, bones, and blood vessels, exhibited a remarkable increase in her cultivation speed. Having recently broken through to the Third Meridian Connection Realm, she was now rapidly approaching the Fourth.
It was evident that the four types of pills had brought about tremendous changes in Chen Axiu. One could say it was a complete transformation, an ongoing process. At present, Chen Axiu was considerably improved, not just in terms of complexion and figure, but also in terms of both cultivation aptitude and physical appearance.
These four pills were nothing short of heaven-defying in their effects on Chen Axiu, turning her from ordinary to extraordinary.
Among the group, Lu Li was still at the Ninth Meridian Connection Realm. However, he already sensed the barrier to transcending the Mortal Realm. His current cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Meridian Connection Realm, but breaking through to the Transcendent Realm required accumulation and a leap in realms, not merely diligent practice.
Xiaoqing remained at the First Meridian Connection Realm. Despite her ability to cultivate, her aptitude was ordinary. Even with the assistance of the White Deer and a continuous supply of Qi-Gathering Pills, her progress remained steady but unspectacular.
Bier, being a demonic beast, underwent a different form of cultivation compared to human practitioners. Lu Li paid less attention to her changes.
One day, with the weather pleasant and serene, the group, after concluding their cultivation, left the side of the White Deer as usual. Lu Li stayed behind in the courtyard, intending to practice his swordsmanship.
After a while, he noticed Xiaozhao opening her room door, silently watching him.
"Aren't you sleepy?"
Xiaozhao yawned, indicating her weariness. Nevertheless, she didn't return to rest and continued observing Lu Li.
Seeing the obvious preoccupation on her face, Lu Li approached her, pinching her round face as he questioned her.
"What's wrong? Usually, you'd be lying on the bed like a little lazy pig. Today, you look so tired but still won't go to sleep!"
"Master, I also want to consume the pills you gave to Sister Axiu!"
After uttering these words, Xiaoqing unexpectedly knelt down. If Lu Li hadn't stopped her, she would have kowtowed. Yet, when Lu Li tried to pull her up, she remained on her knees.
"Master, please, give Xiaoqing the same pills you gave to Sister Axiu! Xiaoqing knows she's not very bright, and her cultivation aptitude is mediocre. Xiaoqing shouldn't be asking Master for this, but Xiaoqing doesn't want to remain foolish forever. Xiaoqing doesn't want to have average aptitude while Master, Sister Xiaozhao, and Sister Axiu become exceptionally outstanding. Xiaoqing still wants to be a fool, and it's embarrassing to stay here."
"Master, Xiaoqing knows she's not intelligent and has many shortcomings. But Xiaoqing has always been wholeheartedly devoted to Master, with Master being the only one in her heart. Master, please, Xiaoqing really doesn't want to continue like this. Master, give Xiaoqing a chance, and Xiaoqing is willing to repay Master for a lifetime!"
After Xiaoqing finished speaking, she bowed deeply to Lu Li three times, and Lu Li did not stop her.
"You know, sometimes gains come with sacrifices."
"I'm willing to make sacrifices. Whatever Master asks Xiaoqing to do, Xiaoqing is willing to do. Master likes pinching Xiaoqing's face, right? Xiaoqing is willing to let Master do it."
Lu Li pinched her face, finding it amusing. This girl was now willing to be rewarded by having her face pinched.
"Get up first and come inside with me."
Lu Li spoke and walked into Xiaoqing's room. Xiaoqing, visibly stunned, glanced at Lu Li and then closed the door behind him.
"Does Master want me? Most likely, but why else would Master ask me to come inside? Anyway, I only have Master in my heart. If Master wants me, it's fine. After all, I don't mind giving myself to Master. It's not like I have anyone else in my heart. If I can repay Master, it's worth it!"
Xiaoqing's thoughts took a mischievous turn, and she confidently walked into the room.
At that moment, Lu Li sat on Xiaoqing's bed. Xiaoqing glanced at Lu Li, then turned around, beginning to undress.
"What's going on in that head of yours all the time?"
Lu Li couldn't help but scold her.
"Master asked me to come inside; it must be for those things, right?"
"You've really turned your thoughts in the wrong direction, little glutton. Come here!"
"Oh!"
Xiaoqing walked over, and this time, Lu Li didn't tease her. Instead, he looked at Xiaoqing seriously, with a hint of concern in his heart.
Xiaoqing's aptitude was indeed mediocre. If her aptitude remained the same, her future in cultivation would be limited. On the path of martial arts, aptitude played a crucial role; with mediocre aptitude, achieving extraordinary cultivation was nearly impossible. While aptitude was typically unchangeable, in Lu Li's case, he could make exceptions. The cultivation of servants could alter their aptitude, as Axiu's case had demonstrated.
Axiu's initial aptitude was poor, stuck at the First Meridian Connection Realm when she first met Lu Li. Even after becoming Lu Li's servant and receiving an abundant supply of pills, it took a considerable amount of time for her to break through to the Second Meridian Connection Realm. The four pills had brought about an enormous change in Axiu's cultivation, a transformative process that continued.