"Seed?"
"Yes, if planted in a place rich in spiritual energy, it can grow into a Tian Yuan fruit tree. The fruit can enhance the physique, stabilize the spiritual roots, improve the divine sense, cleanse the marrow and bones, and stabilize the divine soul. However, unfortunately, you cannot make use of the Tian Yuan fruit. Meow."
"So, it is useless?"
"Not necessarily, meow. While the fruit is of no use to you, the trunk of a Tian Yuan fruit tree that has been growing for a million years is fully spiritualized. It could help you reconstruct your spiritual bone."
Ji Wushuang: "???"
Is this even human speech?
A million years?
Why don't you just go to the heavens?
Faced with Ji Wushuang's icy glare, Xiao Bai Ye awkwardly said: "Ah, don't look at me like that, meow. Tian Yuan fruit trees are connected. If you manage to grow this seed and carry it around, one day you'll find another Tian Yuan tree. Maybe there's one that's a million years old! You're destined for great fortune if you've encountered me. You must believe in yourself!"
Ji Wushuang chose to ignore the wildly imaginative little black cat. If she were truly such a fortunate person, how would she have fallen from semi-saint to someone unable to enter even the Qi Refining stage?
Ji Wushuang casually picked up a biscuit from the table and handed it to Xiao Bai Ye.
Xiao Bai Ye pawed at the biscuit and said in confusion: "I don't eat vegetarian food, meow."
Ji Wushuang sneered: "Heh, look at this biscuit. It's big and round, doesn't it look just like what you drew earlier?"
Xiao Bai Ye: "..."
No matter how much Ji Wushuang mocked and protested, she still obediently made a little nest for Xiao Bai Ye.
Ordinarily, cultivators who form contracts with spirit beasts can keep them in spirit beast bags, but Ji Wushuang couldn't even use a basic Qiankun bag, let alone a spirit beast one.
So, she had to set up a separate place for Xiao Bai Ye.
For the most luxurious design, the softest feathers, the most skin-friendly materials, and, of course, a multitude of books to prepare.
Ji Wushuang: "..."
Don't ask, it's just a day for tormenting the beast.
As a White Ze, who understands all things, Xiao Bai Ye didn't care much for the books Ji Wushuang had copied for it. Instead, it buried itself in reading the romance novels Ji Wushuang's senior sister had brought.
Ji Wushuang curiously glanced at the novels. They were all full of love, hatred, and dramatic twists.
What? A Demon Lord falling in love with a righteous maiden!?
What? A flirtatious saint child having a one-night affair with a fisherman!?
What? A father and son both falling in love with the same woman!?
What? A good-for-nothing cultivator with five spiritual roots making a reverse climb to immortality!?
Ji Wushuang stared at Xiao Bai Ye, dumbfounded.
"???"
Wait!
Is this the kind of taste all your divine beasts have?!
Xiao Bai Ye licked its paw, saying: "Ah, we White Ze are creatures of heaven and earth, we cultivate not only cultivation but also the heart. Only with a heart that comprehends all things and the principles of the universe can we advance. So, it's only right that we read about love and hatred, entanglements and complications. Meow!"
Ji Wushuang didn't understand, but was deeply shocked.
Indeed, the beast tribes are truly the favored children of the heavens and earth.
"You take your time reading. I'm going to find someone else to place a bad luck talisman on Mo Lanyi."
"Wait a sec!"
"Hm?"
"The Mo Lanyi you're talking about, is that the girl from last time?"
"Yes, it's her."
"She has a very strong aura of luck. I advise you not to do that, meow."
Ji Wushuang was well aware, but if she didn't take action, her senior brothers and sisters might. It wouldn't matter much if she herself were struck by lightning, but if her seniors were marked by the heavens, it would lead to greater trouble in the future.
As Xiao Bai Ye, her contracted beast, could sense her emotions, it pouted and said: "Little Wushuang."
"Hm?"
"Don't you think you two are like the villains in those novels?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look, in those novels, the villains are jealous of the protagonist's good luck, making all kinds of troubles for her. But the protagonist is the child of destiny, so she always wins in the end. Doesn't that make you both the tragic ones?"
Ji Wushuang remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Hm, you make a fair point."
"Right? Meow, young one, don't act impulsively."
Don't act impulsively?
Heh, impossible.
But Xiao Bai Ye's words gave Ji Wushuang a new perspective.
Since the heavens wouldn't let her use despicable, underhanded means, then she would go straight for the confrontation!
Without hesitation, Ji Wushuang went to the Enforcement Hall and found Hall Master Tian, stating that she wanted to issue a challenge.
Although Yunlan Sect had always upheld the doctrine that disciples should not fight each other privately, people inevitably have grudges and emotions. Especially cultivators, who contend with heaven and earth for their lives—who doesn't have a little temper?
Thus, the sect allowed for "duels" between disciples!
Both martial and literary duels were permitted!
Each disciple was allowed to issue one challenge per month, but whether the other party would accept depended on their mood.
Typically, the challenged disciple would accept, or else they'd be seen as a coward.
Ji Wushuang found Hall Master Tian and announced that she wanted to challenge Mo Lanyi.
Hall Master Tian was stunned: "You... Little Wushuang, you want to challenge Mo Lanyi?"
"Yes."
Mo Lanyi was well-known among the new disciples, not only because of her rare pure spiritual roots but also her extraordinary luck and graceful movement techniques.
Mo Lanyi was, after all, a child of destiny. Despite her sharp temper and malicious heart, her talent and comprehension were undeniably high.
Otherwise, she wouldn't deserve to be called the child of destiny!
Mo Lanyi was a formidable example to the new disciples. Within a few short months of joining the sect, she had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, an astonishing rate of advancement.
Ji Wushuang, a mere mortal who hadn't even entered the Qi Refining stage, was actually challenging her?
This...
Isn't this suicidal?!
Hall Master Tian, growing anxious, wanted to persuade Ji Wushuang, but he was careful not to say anything that might upset her, for if he did, the Sect Leader would surely take his life.
Hall Master Tian cautiously said: "Well, Little Wushuang, why do you want to challenge Mo Lanyi? Is there some misunderstanding between you two?"
Ji Wushuang straightforwardly replied: "No misunderstanding, but she keeps talking behind my back, yet when faced with me, she shrinks back. It's really annoying. So, I decided to challenge her to a fight. The loser will be the coward, unless she refuses to come out, in which case, she'll be the coward's coward."