Chapter 24: A Huge Windfall

The man was filled with guilt; in order to save him, the young boy had used up all the Spirit-Focusing Pills he possessed. In this world, it was all too common for people to kill for treasures. The fact that the boy hadn’t taken advantage of his unconsciousness to rob him bespoke a rare and genuine sincerity.

With that thought, his gaze softened further. Forcing himself upright, he smiled and asked, “You’re just a youth—why have you come to such a place all by yourself?”

Shen Luo’s expression turned wistful as he sighed, replying, “I am from the Shen family of You Prefecture on the Southern Continent. After calamity befell my clan, the elders sent me to the Qishan Secret Realm to find our kin.”

So, he was from the Shen family of You Prefecture. The man’s expression stiffened; recalling his own identity, he was about to probe further when the boy continued, “Although my cultivation surpasses that of my peers, I’ve been frail since birth and was raised behind high walls. Truthfully, this is my first time venturing out—I don’t even know how dangerous the Qishan Secret Realm might be…”

Only now did the man notice how terribly thin and weak Shen Luo looked. In the next moment, his eyes widened. “How old are you this year?”

Feigning confusion, Shen Luo replied, “My eleventh birthday will be this time next month.”

To reach the third tier of the Heart-Moving Realm at just ten years old—this boy was a prodigy among prodigies.

“What is your name? Where do you rank among your siblings?”

“My name is Shen Luo, and I am the third child in my family.”

The man frowned. He had never heard the name Shen Luo, though he did recall a genius beast-tamer named Shen Fan. Remembering the boy’s mention of his frail health and it being his first journey from home, realization dawned, and a hint of sympathy colored his gaze.

On the path of cultivation, aside from innate talent and diligence, many owed their meteoric rise to fortuitous encounters. Perhaps this youth had stumbled upon such an opportunity, thus regaining his family’s favor.

His expression grew even gentler. “I am acquainted with your clan leader. From now on, you may call me Uncle Ke.”

In the comic books, there was an Elder Ke Rongzi of Cloud Abyss Mountain in the Nine Heavens, a mid-stage Soul Departure cultivator and eighth-tier Pill Master. Could it be…

Su Li’s lips twitched—this really was a stroke of luck.

Shen Luo looked surprised. Was this man highly ranked in his sect? Following the cue, he addressed him, “Uncle Ke.”

The more Ke Rongzi looked at Shen Luo, the more fond he became, and his words flowed more freely. “After the rampage of the beasts in the Qishan Secret Realm, all manner of factions have been drawn here. These are not people to be trifled with. Aren’t you afraid, coming here alone?”

Shen Luo shook his head, his tone brimming with naïve confidence. “The spirit beast I’ve bonded with is very powerful.”

Ke Rongzi’s gaze naturally shifted to Su Li, and his brow immediately furrowed.

“Big Sis Tuan, he actually doubts your strength. Teach him a lesson,” the tiger spirit muttered, stirring up trouble.

Su Li pressed her lips together, meeting his gaze with calm composure. Her dark red feline eyes shone with a sharp, clear light, reminiscent of a tranquil pool. Most striking of all was the vivid totem on her forehead.

All in all, she was a very cute and cuddly spirit beast, Ke Rongzi concluded, frowning even harder.

Just then, he heard a strange sound. Looking toward it, he saw a chubby bluebird flapping its wings as it ran, dragging behind it two sandbags larger than its own body.

One word leapt to mind: foolish!

Seeing the youth’s beaming expression, Ke Rongzi felt compelled to save this innocent child. With a rustle, he produced a heap of spirit herbs, several hundred talismans, and a thousand high-grade spirit stones from his storage space, packed them into a single pouch, and handed it to the youth. “Take these for your protection.”

Truthfully, he couldn’t bear to tell the boy that his spirit beast was utterly unreliable. At least, with these pills, the boy might preserve his life in a crisis.

“Uncle Ke, I can’t accept this. You should keep them for your recovery,” Shen Luo demurred, feigning reluctance.

Su Li watched with great curiosity.

Ke Rongzi found the youth all the more pure-hearted and considerate. He had planned to return to his sect, but now changed his mind on the spot. “Take them—gifts from your elders cannot be refused.” Afraid Shen Luo might feel embarrassed, he quickly added, “I also need to gather information in the secret realm. I’ll help you find your family while I’m at it.”

Things were progressing beyond expectations.

Su Li thought that this outcome must have been brought about by Shen Luo’s sincere heart deeply moving Ke Rongzi. With Ke Rongzi’s companionship, their bond would surely deepen along the way, and some pill-refining knowledge might be passed on—perhaps Shen Luo would one day become an alchemist too.

In that case, they would always have plenty of fourth-tier supreme Spirit-Focusing Pills as treats.

Su Li was quite pleased with her idea, and patted the boy’s shoulder with her paw, signaling him to accept quickly.

But Shen Luo lowered his head and politely refused, “Uncle Ke, you must have important matters to attend to. I’d only hold you back—I couldn’t possibly trouble you.”

Why?

Just as Su Li raised her paw, the youth glanced back at her, a scrutinizing look in his eyes.

Suddenly, she understood his meaning.

On the verge of tears, Su Li nearly raised her paw to swear she had not the slightest interest in Ke Rongzi. With no other choice, she forced herself to nuzzle the protagonist’s cheek, all the while thinking resentfully: If this goes on, she really will be tamed into a proper spirit beast.

The scene of boy and beast leaning on each other only made Ke Rongzi feel more sorrowful. Even as a Soul Departure cultivator, he had nearly perished in Qishan—how much more perilous for this child? Not allowing any refusal, Ke Rongzi made the decision. “It’s settled, then.” With that, he swallowed a few high-grade pills and sat down to meditate.

By the time Ke Rongzi had recovered seventy percent of his strength, three days had passed.

The moment he opened his eyes from meditation, he was greeted by the rich aroma of grilled fish. He had smelled it for three days straight, and his craving had long been aroused. His stomach gurgled loudly, betraying him.

Man, cat, and bird all turned to look.

Ke Rongzi was so embarrassed that even his neck turned red. He had long since ceased needing food, and cultivators prided themselves on emotional discipline. In hundreds of years, he had never once lost face in front of a junior because of gluttony.

In the silence, the boy’s gentle voice sounded. “Uncle Ke, these fifth-tier Red-Finned Croakers were coated with Wind Spirit Grass, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, and Phoenix Sunflower. These herbs not only keep the fish tender, but also aid in focusing the spirit and nourishing the mind. Would you care to sample them and give your opinion?”

Ke Rongzi’s eyes lit up. “How did you know about these herbs?” He walked over, unceremoniously taking the grilled fish from the boy and sniffing it. He could indeed detect the scents of Immortal Orchid and Wind Spirit Grass.

Shen Luo replied somewhat dejectedly, “My health is poor, and I’m often alone. Fortunately, I once found a book describing all kinds of spirit herbs. Over time, I learned how to use some of them.”

Ke Rongzi’s throat tightened as he imagined the scene: an abandoned child, forced to seek ways to survive, only to discover a knack for it.

He took a bite. The fragrance of spirit herbs mingled with the fish, tantalizing his palate. Ke Rongzi thought it was the most delicious fish he’d ever tasted. Soon, he sensed subtle changes within—those hidden injuries no longer ached.

He hadn’t expected such a combination of herbs to have this effect.

Was this boy a genius?

Ke Rongzi looked at Shen Luo with fervent eyes, asking eagerly, “Would you like to learn alchemy from me?”