The appearance of the deer's head shocked her for a second before she gathered her thoughts back.
The beast looked at her with something she could translate as "I found you" like it was actually playing hide and seek with her.
"Ngou" the beast cried creating bubbles in her face before it rubbed its snout on her as if asking for some sort of a praise.
Feng Jiao Xue awkwardly petted the white deer.
Wait, white deer?
Hey! isn't this my little playmate?
Searching the foreign memories in her mind she found the information she was looking for.
She found this deer when it was just a newborn fawn and from the bloodied look of it, its parents were killed due to not being captured to be a mount. The past her even helped this little fawn bury his parents.
Later finding out that the fawn and his parents were hunted down for their silvery fur to be made as the empress's cape. This made her dissatisfied and became prejudiced against the third prince who hunted them down for his mother.
Fortunately, the deer, doe and fawn managed to escape to her little mountain. Unfortunately, the parents were too injured protecting their child.
She felt like a kindred soul with the little fawn, both losing their parents at a young age.
Since the fawn still hasn't gained knowledge yet she took it upon herself to take care of the fawn that was as tall as her waist.
She remembered always sharing the fruits she found with the fawn and some things even having to struggle grabbing a poisoned fruit away from it.
Due to having access to their book pavilion as a kid due to her grandfather, since she couldn't cultivate, she focuses more on her other studies, enriching her understanding and knowledge. This proved to be a worthy endeavor in more ways than one as it became key to her survival.
Every time she came here it would immediately come and accompany her. More often than not, she would grab its newly grown antlers away from poison bushes full of appetizing fruits.
she would scold it every time it tried to eat such fruits and would even share it with her, granted most of the fruits it no he shares were not poisonous.
After gathering fruits and vegetables and if she's lucky some meat from little creatures she could hunt. They would play around in some of the safer areas in the mountain or at least with the less dangerous parts of it.
Every time she left, she would leave enough food for him so that he wouldn't need to look anymore.
Even without cultivation or magic, she managed to strengthen herself physically but could only do so much due to malnutrition and abuse.
Regardless, this would make it easier for the current her to further develop this body's bones and muscles.
"This could be a great mount for you" Huang JinDe's voice sounded in her mind again.
Feng Jiao Xue looked at the white deer she was petting before shaking her head. She smiled assuredly before resurfacing.
"Yin Xiao may be big but he is too weak to be my mount. He has been my or at least the other half of my soul's only friend and I would never forget to put importance to bonds, relationships, ties or what not above anything else." She responded with a sigh.
It may be saddening to think of leaving behind this little companion of hers but, where she is going, what she is about to do, she is very clear of the danger they pose towards her alone. She can't possibly sentence her little cloud with inevitable death.
As she resurfaced and went to change as she arrived on land the white deer also followed before shaking his body and droplets of water glistened in what little light entered the thick vegetation.
It was such an enchanting sight, and she couldn't help but watch this enchanting creature that seemed to glow slightly.
Now that they resurface, she could clearly see Yin Xiao's true form.
Yin Xiao is a majestic deer that captivates all who encounter him. Standing at the height of a horse, his elegant frame is adorned with a lustrous coat that shimmers like moonlight on water, a soft blend of silvery-gray and white that seems to change hues with every step he takes. His large, expressive eyes are a deep shade of sapphire, sparkling with innate intelligence and playful curiosity.
His most striking feature is the set of magnificent antlers that rise gracefully from his head. Unlike traditional antlers, they possess an almost transparent, light shade of blue, reminiscent of the finest jade, shimmering in the light. These antlers twist elegantly, giving off a soft, ethereal glow that enhances his otherworldly presence, particularly at twilight.
Yin Xiao's mane flows like silver silk, cascading down his neck and catching the light with each graceful movement. The texture is so fine that it appears to ripple and shift, reminiscent of flowing water under a moonlit sky. His fur, pure and radiant, reflects the light in a way that seems almost magical, enhancing his majestic appearance.
What truly sets Yin Xiao apart, however, are the swirling mists that envelop his hooves. Instead of touching the ground, he appears to walk upon the very essence of air itself, leaving behind a trail of shimmering silver fog that dances in the breeze. This mystical mist not only allows him to glide effortlessly above the ground but also lends him an air of grace and mystery.
Hearing her thoughts, Huang JinDe could not help but contemplate on his true form.
He wasn't furry. He's a flying bird for crying out loud. He has feathers not fur. Not cuddly either since his body is harder than steel. Adorable? He remembered that he was never described that either. They always describe him as mighty, powerful and fearsome.
If he was in his beast form, you would be able to see a funny sight of a giant bird using its wings to lift his tummy checking if he was cuddly as he cranes his neck all over his body as he wore a pitiful expression.
She wouldn't despise him for not being like those feline, dog and bear clans, right?
Just thinking of his other companions' form, Huang JinDe could only squat on the side drawing circles pitifully with a wronged expression and his whole being radiating a depressed aura.
The perpetrator of this whole thing, Feng Jiao Xue, just stepped out of a rock after having changed her clothes.
Despite the simplicity of the attire and the mark on her face, it did not diminish her imposing regality. Feng Jiao Xue's presence is still akin to that of a mighty ruler above everyone, a rose full of thorns ready to bloom.
She seemed to seep a noble presence from her very core.
Yin Xiao lifted his head and looked at her with reverence and awe.
"Ngao, Ngao, Ngao" Yin Xiao excitedly "talking" as he galumphs towards and around her. It was amusing seeing this majestic deer acting like an excited puppy.
"Hey, JinDe, do you know what it's saying?" She asked curiously trying to calm the ''puppy'' down.
"Oh, it's praising you. His saying that you're starting to act like a worthy master now and how proud he is that you can cultivate now. Also complaining how you didn't visit him, he was very worried that you were extremely hurt again" JinDe's voice sounded in her head, she could not help but think that she imagined a little bit of petulant in his tone before shaking off that thought. She might just have imagined it.
"Settle down Yin Xiao, I'm sorry I was unable to visit you." She continued to stroke his soft mane. The hair in his chest was actually fluffy and soft, it was nice to touch.
"Xiao Xue, my feathers are also soft" Huang JinDe chimed in to which she just hummed in response.
"I know but you will always be by my side, there is no need to be jealous JinDe." She assured helplessly knowing what he felt from the bond, finally realizing that it was not indeed just her imagination.
"You're not planning to keep this little fella?" He asks with a little disappointment as this would also be a perfect mount for his little mistress.
He could also tell that his little mistress is fond of this deer. Leaving him here would not only be a waste but would also saddened her. After all, it may have been her other soul that he accompanied but when they merged, she managed to inherit not just the memory of that soul but also its emotions.
"No, Yin Xiao is safer here. He may be big already, but he is too weak. He will only be put in danger if he comes with me, and this kingdom will not be able to accommodate me for long." She answered as she watched Yin Xiao trudge towards the water and splashed on everything.
It does amaze her how light he is despite his size and weight. If she was not cautious and well trained, she would not have heard his footsteps at all.
"Of course, he's weak now after all you did not raise him correctly and he's still very young and has not reached its mature state at all. We have enough time to nurture it for when you're ready to take flight from this tiny kingdom, its growth and cultivation would already be back on Track" Huang JinDe scolded, confusing her.
"What do you mean I did not raise him correctly and "mature state"? Do you mean Yin Xiao can still grow bigger than this?"
"Your little deer has a pure bloodline. He is still considered as the Antiquity snow deer now but when the bloodline of The Sacred Antiquity Silver Deer awakens, its attack and mental strength would be top notch."
"Not to mention how rare they are, he might be the only one in this realm now. They are easily mistaken as a simple Snow Deer, so in regard to staying low his perfect."
"What about its maturity and the way it's raised? You didn't answer my question"
"Oh, he needs to eat a lot of spiritual herbs to be nurtured in his young state, the higher the grade the better. From the looks of it, he's only in his third phase so it's alright to only start nurturing him now, though if you nurtured him when he was just a fawn his cultivation would have already risen by leaps and bounds" Huang JinDe patiently explained.
"Explain to me the phases and as for the spiritual herbs those are very rare you know. If you have yet to notice, I am as poor as a beggar! Where the hell would I find a spiritual herb!"
"Antiquity Snow Deer's have Five phases, The first would be their Fawn state, which is a low level rank 9 spirit beast. It's born as a rank 4 but rising to the king rank should have been as easy as eating, because all they need to do is eat spiritual herb and cultivate, the second phase is where it would grow its antlers, by this time they should already be a guardian beast, phase three would be when it's reaching its full height, which your Yin Xiao have yet to finish, the cultivation rank should be Saint spirit beast, phase four would be the growth of wings and the appearance of the spirit mist or more like clouds on his hove, cultivation, legendary beast, phase five would be the transition state where he would need to undergo tribulation lightning, his color would then change and only then would it become a sacred beast" Huang JinDe explained again without any impatient in his voice. Answering all of her questions tolerantly.
"Then what rank is Yin Xiao now?" Feng Jiao Xue asks excitedly.
Not only did she not have to leave Yin Xiao behind, She could also have another golden finger. Of course, she focused more on being able to continue having her first friend with her.
"Rank 6" Huang JinDe answered bluntly, making her feel like she truly has failed poor Yin Xiao.
Feng Jiao Xue looked at the playing Yin Xiao in guilt and pity. If it wasn't for her, he would have already been a sacred beast now.
"It would have had to survive first, although their mental attack and speed is strong it would have still been killed easily. Not to mention how scarce herbs with spiritual energy are in this realm. It would have still been at this level even if you didn't find it" Huang JinDe comforted.
"Oh, I still feel like I wronged him somehow. JinDe, is there a way to get rich fast too so that I would be able to buy him his spiritual herbs?" Feng Jiao Xue thought hard on how to earn.
The only idea that comes out of her mind is her second occupation, being a godly thief.
"You have the attribute of all elements, remember? You can just pick an occupation. Alchemy, however, has the best source of income. I can also teach it to you. However, you don't need to buy spiritual herbs, you can just grow it" Huang JinDe responded.
"Are you kidding me? Do you know how long one ordinary herb becomes a spiritual herb? Hundreds or even thousands of years!" She exclaimed in exasperation.
"Oh, right you haven't seen the little realm yet, Master come check it out just enter your consciousness here" Huang JinDe excitedly urged her.
"Alright, Yin Xiao I'll just cultivate here so don't let anything disturb me alright?" She asks as she calls out to Yin Xiao.
Hearing what she said he nodded and walked over and marched around her with his head high up with vigilance like a little soldier making her smile.
After all, as she has said. Her coldness is only for those who are strangers to her while her warmth is reserved to those she deems as important.
Since he had grown, he would sneak to the edge of the mountain and saw guards doing this, so he automatically thought that guarding meant to be done like this.
Reaching out her tiny hand she pets his forehead which Yin Xiao had to bow a little. "Good boy, Yin Xiao". The deer preen at her praise.
With that said, she closed her eyes.
A young girl sat crossed legged in front of a magnificent white deer. It was such a serene scene. Especially when the breeze passed through them making the girls hair wave and so did the vigilant Deer's mane.