Qin Shu obediently nodded. She already knew these fruits belonged to someone else. Even if she had the courage of a lion, she wouldn't dare pick them.

When she looked up again, Wen Chi, who had been standing in front of her, had vanished without a trace.

Staring at the now-empty valley, Qin Shu couldn't help but marvel inwardly. When would she ever learn such a skill of appearing and disappearing at will? Walking everywhere on her own two legs was just too exhausting.

She took a couple of steps and suddenly glanced down at the five fruits she was holding. A thought crossed her mind.

All the abilities in the cultivation world were based on spiritual energy. She tried channeling spiritual energy into her legs as she walked. It really did feel a lot easier.

Delighted by this discovery, she dashed down the mountain with great enthusiasm.

What would have normally taken her half an hour now only took two quarters of an hour.

She was still thrilled about her newfound skill when she noticed the spiritual energy she had painstakingly cultivated that afternoon had now dwindled to just the size of two peanuts.

Shocked, Qin Shu almost exploded on the spot. At this rate of consumption and her slow recovery of spiritual energy, how could she possibly duel with anyone?! Even running away would be a challenge!

She wasn't sure if it was just her who was so slow at cultivating, or if everyone else was the same.

Qin Shu felt a pang of regret. She should have asked Wen Chi earlier when she ran into him.

Although the original novel mentioned Wen Chi had a rather unpleasant personality, being scolded by him was still better than fumbling around in the dark like she was now.

The day was overcast, and the wind outside rattled the windows. The crescent moon, which should have been hanging in the sky, was hidden behind the clouds. Darkness enveloped the house inside and out.

Qin Shu got up to close the windows and lit a lamp.

This lamp was rather peculiar. It didn't use any oil, just a complex pattern drawn on it.

Qin Shu had gradually adapted to the peculiarities of the cultivation world. Whatever existed must have a reason. If it didn't seem reasonable, it was only because she hadn't seen enough.

She ate one of the fruits Wen Chi had forcibly given her, fed half of it to the little black snake, and then began unwrapping the pink scarf she had used as a bandage to change its medicine.

As soon as she removed the scarf, an unbearable stench filled the air.

Qin Shu wrinkled her nose, and a bad premonition began to creep into her mind.

Could this snake be dying?

She gently washed the snake's wound, revealing the horrifying injury underneath. Two blackened scales even fell off.

Thankfully, the little black snake wriggled weakly in her palm, reassuring her it was still alive.

She took out some more healing powder and liberally sprinkled it on the wound. Then, she wrapped it in a clean scarf and placed it on her bed.

With her slender fingers, she tapped the snake's head lightly and murmured, "You're lucky to be alive. Rest well. Goodnight."

Anyway, for the past eight years, she'd been meditating to sleep, so she didn't need the bed herself. She let the snake have it.

However, every time Qin Shu touched Xie Shiyuan, he was fully aware of it.

As a cold-blooded creature, his body was naturally chilly. The warmth of her fingertip on his brow felt like a delicate hand stirring ripples in his spiritual sea.

Xie Shiyuan, naturally, was awakened by the sensation. He found that the culprit playing with him again was this young human girl. Though displeased, he tolerated it.

At least she meant no harm.

And, to be fair, the fruit she had fed him was quite good. Though it didn't contain much spiritual energy, obtaining a Gold Rainbow Pomegranate Fruit couldn't have been easy for her.

The fruit's cleansing properties had partially alleviated the poison in his wound. The old scoundrel from the Venom Sect had poisoned him, preventing his injuries from healing and leaving his flesh to fester.

Thanks to this girl's accidental good deed, the symptoms had been somewhat alleviated. Unfortunately, the amount she fed him wasn't nearly enough to fully detoxify him.

But that was fine. His physical body was resilient. As long as he had time, he could heal on his own.

He knew he was lying on the little girl's bed. Before drifting back to sleep, a thought crossed his mind: Are humans always this casual? Letting any male creature sleep in their bed?

If Qin Shu could read his thoughts, she would have promptly hung him outside on the fence to dry into snake jerky!

Late into the night, Qin Shu sat cross-legged, repeatedly forming a series of hand seals.

Her movements became increasingly fluid as she entered a mysterious, profound state. Her hands moved so quickly they almost left afterimages. The small purple spiritual energy in her dantian seemed eager to burst forth.

Following her instincts, Qin Shu drew a small amount of spiritual energy out, and the seal in her hand glowed brightly. At the moment it was about to release, she stopped herself.

The room returned to its previous tranquility, the only movement being the flickering of the weak candlelight.

Qin Shu thought about the instinctive knowledge that had suddenly surfaced in her mind—it was as if she just knew.

That seal was a means of attack. If she had released it just now, her small wooden house might have been blown apart.

It was only her second night at the sect, and she was already causing such a ruckus. If the sect demanded compensation, she wouldn't be able to afford it.

With a sigh, she set aside her practice of hand seals and returned to meditation.

The next morning, as daylight streamed in, Qin Shu opened her eyes.

She let out a long breath, feeling that her spiritual energy had mostly recovered. Yet, the slow pace of her cultivation left her frustrated.

After washing up, she fed half of the Gold Rainbow Pomegranate Fruit to the little black snake and ate the other half herself.

Just as she was about to head out, she heard someone calling her name from outside, "Qin Shu!"

Opening the window, she saw He Xin standing outside.

Qin Shu opened the door, dispelling the enchantment that concealed her cabin. He Xin, startled to see the cabin and girl appear out of nowhere, quickly waved at her.

As Qin Shu closed the door and walked out, she failed to notice the two fallen scales outside her cabin had grown to the size of a palm, covered in a fine layer of dust.

"Finally found you! I thought I had the wrong place."

As soon as He Xin approached, she eagerly shared, "I heard that all our wooden cabins are hidden by an illusion spell to help us choose a residence. Once you reach the first level of Qi Refining, you can see them. But the cabin's barrier can block divine sense below the Nascent Soul stage, which is super convenient."

Qin Shu finally understood. If she wanted to hide her cabin again, she'd have to use a more advanced formation in the future.

"Did you need something?" Qin Shu asked.

"I heard there's a gathering in Chijin City in five days. You can trade for lots of good stuff that's perfect for new disciples. Do you want to go together?" He Xin asked.

Qin Shu was intrigued.

Staying cooped up indoors wasn't ideal; she needed to explore.

However...

"But we just joined the sect. We're penniless. What do we have to trade?"

He Xin chuckled, covering her mouth. "Did you forget? Today's the third day since we joined. We can go claim our new disciple benefits!"

Qin Shu's eyes widened as she inhaled sharply.

Oh no! How could she forget something so important?!