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As the carriage rolled through the city gates, the driver cracked the reins with a sharp "Hyah!" and the horses picked up speed along the dirt road.
"Xiao Ming, when we reach the outskirts of Star Dou Forest, how about we find Sister Xiao Rou first? With her around, we'll be much safer. After all, the two of us would struggle against a two-thousand-year-old spirit beast. And if we run into another dangerous situation like last time, we'll be in trouble," the Blue Silver Emperor suggested, sitting across from Lin Yongming.
Lin Yongming recalled the Soft Bone Rabbit from before—despite the word "soft" in its name, she had brutally beaten the Wolf King mid-air until it exploded. Clearly, violence ran in her blood.
Besides, the Blue Silver Emperor had a point. This time, his target spirit ring couldn't be just a thousand years old. His second ring was already a millennium-level ring—his third should be at least two thousand years or more.
However, hunting such a powerful beast was no easy task. Now that the Blue Silver Emperor had suggested seeking help from the Soft Bone Rabbit, Lin Yongming had no reason to refuse. After all, she was a Spirit Emperor. Dealing with thousand-year-old spirit beasts would be effortless for her.
"If Sister Xiao Rou is willing to help, that would be perfect. And besides, you haven't seen her in over a year," Lin Yongming agreed readily.
Having a free bodyguard and refusing? That would be pure stupidity.
"But, favors are always the hardest thing to repay," Lin Yongming sighed inwardly.
The next two days were spent on the carriage, stopping only for short breaks at night.
Arrival at Star Dou Forest
"Finally here. I'll never get used to riding carriages," Lin Yongming muttered as he stepped off, slightly dizzy from the bumpy ride.
"Seriously, why don't they just make the roads smoother?" the Blue Silver Emperor grumbled, rubbing her temples.
"Dear passengers, we've arrived. I'll be heading back now," the driver said after receiving his payment and then slowly drove away.
After resting for a bit to recover from the nausea, Lin Yongming turned to the Blue Silver Emperor. "Sister A-Yin, where does Sister Xiao Rou live? The sun's still up—we should go find her now."
The Blue Silver Emperor stood up, brushing dust off her clothes. "She lives in a small village nearby. Follow me."
After walking for several hundred meters and passing through a grove of trees, they spotted a small village.
The settlement wasn't large—only about twenty or so households. The buildings were made of wood, which made sense given their proximity to Star Dou Forest, where timber was abundant.
"Sister Xiao Rou is a Spirit Emperor, yet she chooses to live in such a secluded place?" Lin Yongming asked curiously.
"She used to travel and explore the outside world, but eventually, she grew tired of it and chose this quiet place to cultivate in peace," the Blue Silver Emperor explained.
"I see. Sister Xiao Rou really has the mindset of a reclusive expert, unbothered by fame or fortune. That's something I should learn from," Lin Yongming mused, touching his chin.
Of course, he knew that was just a cover story. She lived in this remote village to avoid detection while still maintaining some level of interaction with humans.
Soon, they arrived in front of a wooden house with an attic. The Blue Silver Emperor ran ahead and knocked on the door.
"Sister, I'm back! Are you home?" She knocked for a while but got no response.
"Xiao Ming, she's probably out working in the fields. Let's just sit here and wait for a bit," she suggested.
"Sounds good."
But just as they sat down on the porch steps, the Soft Bone Rabbit returned—holding a pink rabbit in one arm and a basket of vegetables in the other.
Her appearance hadn't changed—she was still dressed in simple brown linen clothes, looking every bit like a village girl. The only thing that stood out was the rabbit in her arms, which had exceptionally clean and shiny fur.
"Sister Xiao Rou! It's been a year—I missed you so much!" The Blue Silver Emperor ran up and hugged her.
"Xiao Wu, don't talk nonsense—we have a guest," she subtly reminded the rabbit in her arms.
"A-Yin, why are you back after only a year? Something urgent?" Soft Bone Rabbit asked, though she already had an idea of their purpose.
Since both her hands were occupied, she didn't return the hug.
"Of course, I missed you, so I came back," the Blue Silver Emperor said playfully.
"Just to see me? Then what's that guy behind you doing here?" Soft Bone Rabbit raised an eyebrow.
"Greetings, Sister Xiao Rou. Sorry to trouble you again," Lin Yongming stepped forward and greeted her politely.
"That rabbit… Could it be Xiao Wu in her early years? Strange, I can't sense any spirit beast aura from her," Lin Yongming wondered inwardly. But then again, given Xiao Wu's age, it made sense that he wouldn't be able to detect her presence.
"Ah, I remember you. Lin Yongming, right?" Soft Bone Rabbit said.
Lin Yongming nodded.
"You little girl, don't tell me you've been with him this entire year," Soft Bone Rabbit teased, seeing through the Blue Silver Emperor's thoughts.
"Of course not! I've been traveling to different villages from time to time," the Blue Silver Emperor huffed.
It was true—over the past year, she had visited several villages near Ulto Town.
"Come inside," Soft Bone Rabbit said as she walked up the steps, crossed the small wooden porch, and pushed open the door.
Before going in, she set the pink rabbit down, letting it hop around freely. A small wooden bowl filled with fresh greens sat near the porch railing—clearly the rabbit's designated snack station.
The Blue Silver Emperor followed Soft Bone Rabbit inside, while Lin Yongming lingered at the door.
"Sister Xiao Rou, this rabbit looks adorable! Can I pet it?" Lin Yongming called out.
"Go ahead, if you dare. But just so you know, it bites strangers," the Blue Silver Emperor answered for Soft Bone Rabbit.
"It's just a rabbit," Lin Yongming muttered as he reached out to stroke its back—only for his hand to grab nothing but air.
"Hmph! A blind man wants to touch me? Not happening!" the rabbit thought, swiftly dodging.
"Huh? Pretty fast," Lin Yongming was momentarily surprised, then reached out again. "Don't run!"
But every time his fingers were just millimeters away, the rabbit skillfully evaded his grasp.
"Come on, blind guy, catch me if you can!" The rabbit started playing along, dodging at the last second every time.
After a few minutes of futile chasing, Lin Yongming gave up and trudged inside, sulking.
"Hmph! Weakling!" The rabbit smirked as she watched him leave.
"Hahaha! You couldn't even pet a rabbit?" The Blue Silver Emperor teased him.
"No," Lin Yongming admitted, looking defeated.
"Sister Xiao Rou's rabbit is really smart. She's raised it for years and treats it like her own child. Sometimes, she won't even let me hold it," the Blue Silver Emperor explained.
"A-Yin, stop saying nonsense. Let's have lunch first, then we'll head into the forest," Soft Bone Rabbit called out from the kitchen.
"Right, Xiao Ming? I'll call you that too since A-Yin likes you," Soft Bone Rabbit added.
"Uh… sure, Sister Xiao Rou," Lin Yongming agreed.
After lunch, the three of them set out toward Star Dou Forest—leaving the rabbit behind in the wooden house.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 100 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.