Just thinking about **Xiao Xiao destroying that third-grade spiritual plant** made Qin Shu's scalp tingle.

So young, yet already burdened with **so many debts**—she really wanted to **default on them all**...

As she stood at the **entrance** of Wen Chi's palace, hesitating between **stepping in or making a run for it**, his voice rang out again.

*"Junior Sister, you're not thinking of running away, are you?"*

Caught red-handed in her own thoughts, Qin Shu **sighed in defeat**—there was **no escape**. Even if she ran, Wen Chi knew where to find her.

Resigned to her fate, she **steeled herself** and stepped inside.

Wen Chi was dressed in **a flowing moon-white robe**, woven from some **unknown fabric** that seemed to shimmer with a soft, **luminous glow**. Paired with his **flawless features**, he truly looked like a celestial being.

Resting on his lap was **a small, limp squirrel** sprawled out **four legs up**.

The moment Qin Shu saw **Xiao Xiao**, she **hurried forward in concern**.

*"What happened to her?"*

Given their **master-servant contract**, Qin Shu would have sensed it if **something serious** had happened to Xiao Xiao.

Wen Chi lifted the **tiny squirrel by its fluffy tail**, letting her dangle pitifully. **Her small limbs hung weakly, completely motionless.**

Qin Shu's heart **tightened**.

*"Senior Brother, what's wrong with her?"*

Instead of answering, **Wen Chi let out a long sigh** and gently placed Xiao Xiao onto his arm. Then, he **walked towards her**—slow, deliberate steps.

To **Qin Shu**, it felt like a **debt collector approaching a helpless debtor**. Instinctively, she took a **small step back**.

Wen Chi noticed and **smirked slightly**—a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

*"This is what happens to the greedy,"* he said leisurely. *"Your little one—a mere first-rank Phantom-Sniffing Mouse—decided to snack on a third-grade Golden Feather Orchid. Now she's paying the price."*

Qin Shu frowned.

*"But, Senior Brother, your entire peak is filled with layers of protective formations. How did a first-rank squirrel even get in?"*

As soon as she asked, she saw **Wen Chi's unreadable expression**—his gaze filled with **indescribable complexity**.

*"What...?"*

Without a word, Wen Chi **raised his hand**, and with a flick of his fingers, **a massive book appeared**, glowing faintly with golden light.

*"Take this, Junior Sister. Read it carefully."*

Qin Shu glanced at the cover.

The title?

**《Comprehensive Guide to Spirit Beasts in the Cultivation World》**

Qin Shu: **"..."**

She might be **ignorant** when it came to spirit beasts, but she **wasn't stupid enough** to take Wen Chi's book without hesitation.

What if **accepting a single book** somehow **magically bound her to another sixty years of debt?**

She shook her head **vehemently**. *"I'll just borrow a copy from the sect library later."*

Wen Chi saw **right through her** and let out a **soft chuckle**.

*"Relax. This one is a loan—**no rental fees.**"*

Qin Shu finally **breathed a sigh of relief** and **grinned**.

*"Then I won't be polite, Senior Brother!"*

With that, she **excitedly hugged the book**—which was **half her size**—looking absolutely **ridiculous**.

Wen Chi, suppressing his laughter, **decided to enlighten her further**.

*"A Phantom-Sniffing Mouse's natural ability is **absolute immunity to restrictions and formations**."*

That was why **Xiao Xiao had strolled right in**, completely bypassing all of **his peak's defenses**.

Seeing Qin Shu's **sudden realization**, Wen Chi **continued meaningfully**,

*"You should be grateful that she only came to me. If she had trespassed somewhere... less forgiving, you might have been **dragged down with her**."*

Qin Shu's **expression turned serious**.

*"Thank you, Senior Brother, for keeping her safe. I'll compensate you for the Golden Feather Orchid."*

Wen Chi, however, **wasn't actually concerned**. His **entire peak** was filled with rare **spiritual plants**—stepping on a third-grade one was **as insignificant as crushing a stray weed.**

He had only mentioned it **to tease her**.

But seeing her **take it so seriously**, he **changed his mind**.

*"No need for that,"* he said casually. *"Didn't I tell you to catch a few extra Silver-White Fish in the secret realm? Just use those as compensation."*

Qin Shu **exhaled in relief**.

**Thank the heavens.**

If there was one thing she had in **abundance**, it was **Silver-White Fish**.

With a careful exchange, she **"bought back" Xiao Xiao**, who was still **limp and unconscious**.

The little squirrel **snuggled into Qin Shu's forearm**, eyes shut tight.

If she **listened closely**, she could even hear **soft snores**.

Qin Shu's **lips twitched**.

*"Senior Brother, when will she wake up?"*

Wen Chi returned to his **jade throne**, leaning back lazily.

*"That depends on how long it takes for her to absorb the Golden Feather Orchid. It could be **three months**... or **three years**. It all depends on her fate."*

Qin Shu sighed.

Forget it. Next time, she'd **just keep Xiao Xiao in her space ring** for safety.

Seeing her **troubled expression**, Wen Chi offered a **reassuring remark**.

*"Time flows differently for cultivators. Don't worry too much—once she wakes, she'll have **advanced a rank**."*

That, at least, was **good news**.

—

Leaving Wen Chi's peak, Qin Shu **flew back home** on her **Bodhi Leaf**.

After **more than a month**, she **wondered how the spiritual plants she had grown were doing.**

The moment she landed, she **rushed to her experimental field.**

She scanned the **field**... and then turned her gaze to the **brilliant crimson flower** she had casually planted near her **rose bushes.**

Something... seemed **wrong.**

The roses near the **red flower** **looked withered**, as if their nutrients had been **drained away.**

Meanwhile, the two **spiritual plants that had originally been planted beside the red flower** had... **moved** to the other side of the field?

Qin Shu: **"...???"**

*Did they just... **walk away**?*

Curious, she **decided to test something.**

She carefully **dug up** one of the plants with **Wood Spiritual Energy**, then **replanted** it right next to the **red flower**.

She stood back, watching closely.

The **moment** it was in the soil, the plant's **two leaves trembled.**

She **turned** to leave—only to **whip around** and **catch the plant slowly shifting away.**

Qin Shu: **"...???!!!"**

**Was she hallucinating?!**

Since when could **spiritual plants run away?!**

Then she remembered a passage from **《The Complete Guide to Spiritual Plants》**—

*"If you discover a ginseng-like plant, immediately **use a trapping formation**—or else, next time you look, it might be gone."*

Could this plant be... **a ginseng variant**?

If so, it was probably **high-grade**.

Suddenly, **her frustration with the frog statue vanished.**

If the statue had **given her this**, then she'd **let it live a little longer.**

Just to be safe, she **set up a formation** around the plant—**locking it in place.**

—

Finally **returning to her cave**, Qin Shu **collapsed in relief**.

*Truly—no matter how grand other places were, nothing beat the comfort of one's own home.*

She placed **Xiao Xiao on her lap**, then pulled out Wen Chi's **《Comprehensive Guide to Spirit Beasts》**.

Flipping to **Xiao Xiao's section**, she read—

**Phantom-Sniffing Mouse, First-Rank Spirit Beast, Capable of Evolution, Growth Potential—Unknown.**