Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

On the first day, Bixiao was attracted by the sugar figurine stall on the street.

"How is this made? It's so exquisite!" She squatted in front of the stall, her eyes fixed on the old craftsman using melted sugar syrup to outline birds and animals.

Su Yunbai followed behind her and paid for two sugar figurines, one a rabbit and the other a phoenix.

Bixiao held the sugar phoenix, carefully licked it, and her eyes instantly curved into crescent moons: "It's sweet!"

Then, quite naturally, she handed the candy rabbit to Su Yunbai: "Here you go!"

Su Yunbai took it, and seeing her childlike smile, he smiled too.

[Ding! Target 'Bixiao' is pleased with sharing sweets, her favorability increased by 3.]

The next day, Bixiao became fascinated with the storytelling teahouse.

She sat in the corner, holding a plate of melon seeds, listening to the storyteller tell tales of the strange and supernatural!

When they heard something particularly interesting, they joined the other tea drinkers in clapping and cheering.

Upon hearing the part about the "fox demon repaying a debt of gratitude," she secretly asked Su Yunbai, "Fellow Daoist Yunbai, are there really so many stories of spirits and monsters in the human world? There are also little demons with intelligence near our Three Immortal Islands, but they don't seem to have as many love and hate stories."

Su Yunbai said in a low voice, "Stories are three parts truth and seven parts acting. Ordinary people live mundane lives and always like to hear strange and unusual tales to express their feelings."

Bixiao seemed thoughtful, then laughed again: "But it sounds quite nice!"

[Ding! Sharing the joys of the mortal world, the target character 'Bixiao' has increased her evaluation of the host's companionship, with a +5 favorability rating.]

On the third day, Bixiao suddenly had a whimsical idea: she wanted to try the most authentic "human touch".

Su Yunbai then took her to the busiest snack street in the West Market.

The rich aroma of mutton soup with flatbread, the crispy texture of roasted flatbread, the refreshing taste of sour juice... almost every household in Bixiao tries a little bit of these.

She had long since abstained from grains, but the taste of delicious food still brought a smile to her face.

"This is delicious!...This is good too!...Wow, there are so many delicious foods in the world!"

Her cheeks were bulging from eating, making her look far from ethereal, yet she was full of life.

Su Yunbai followed behind her, taking care of paying for the food and accepting the various dishes she offered after taking a bite, always with a gentle smile on his face.

[Ding! Sharing a delicious meal satisfies the target's desire to explore, increasing favorability by 4. Current favorability: 37 (Familiar, Pleasant, Slightly Close).]

After three days, the way Bixiao looked at Su Yunbai!

They've gone from being initially curious and polite to being much more natural and friendly.

She found this "Fellow Daoist Yunbai" quite interesting. His cultivation level was unfathomable, and his knowledge was extraordinary (he could see her tribulation aura), yet he was willing to play these "boring" mortal games with her, and he had a very good temper, never finding her annoying.

The evening of the fourth day.

The two sat on the city wall, watching the fiery sunset on the horizon.

Bixiao swung her legs, holding a string of candied hawthorns she had just bought.

"The human world... is actually quite interesting." She suddenly sighed. "Back on Three Immortal Islands, all I did was cultivate, occasionally listen to my eldest sister and second brother discuss the Dao, or play with the island's spirit beasts. I've never been like this before, walking among so many people, watching them busy making a living, and experiencing joy and sorrow over trivial matters."

She took a bite of a candied hawthorn and mumbled, "Although they have short lifespans and little strength, they seem to... live very lively lives."

Su Yunbai sat next to her, watching the sunset cast a golden glow on her profile.

"In this vast world, everyone has their own way of living," he said slowly. "Cultivating immortality is about transcending the mundane. Experiencing life and death is about introspection. It's not a matter of which is superior or inferior."

He paused, then looked at Bixiao: "Just like you, fairy, cultivating in seclusion on the Three Immortal Islands is the way, and experiencing it in the mortal world is also the way. Perhaps, the opportunity to resolve that trace of tribulation energy within you lies in the word 'experience'."

Bixiao slowed down her chewing.

She turned her head and looked at Su Yunbai earnestly: "Fellow Daoist Yunbai, you seem... to understand tribulations very well?"

She had been having so much fun these past few days that she had almost forgotten about it. But now that it was brought up again, that lingering worry in her heart resurfaced.

"I only know a little bit." Su Yunbai was not modest. "The path I walk is closely related to emotions and all living beings. I am more sensitive to calamities and fortunes than ordinary people."

This isn't entirely a lie. The laws of emotion are inherently intertwined with the thoughts, feelings, and karmic entanglements of all beings.

Bixiao blinked: "Then... can you tell whether my sneaking out this time is a calamity or a blessing?"

Su Yunbai pretended to ponder, but secretly used his Eye of Truth to observe Bixiao's aura once again.

That wisp of calamity energy was still faint, but it seemed... to have a very subtle connection with the human fortune of Jizhou City.

Is it because she was visiting this place and caught the crowds?

Or... is there some causal connection between him and Su Yunbai?

"Whether it's a calamity or a blessing, it often depends on a single thought." Su Yunbai gave an ambiguous yet mysterious answer: "Your journey was originally a spontaneous act, which can be considered a 'blessing.' However, if it involves certain karmic consequences or requires certain choices, it may turn into a 'calamity.'"

He looked at Bixiao with clear eyes: "The key is, where will what the fairy sees, feels, and does in this place lead you?"

Bixiao listened, seemingly understanding but not quite, yet finding it very reasonable.

She chewed on a candied hawthorn skewer, tilted her head and thought for a moment: "I was just feeling bored, so I came out to have some fun... I hope I won't cause any big trouble, right? I don't plan to get involved in human conflicts."

Her tone was somewhat uncertain.

Su Yunbai smiled: "Ordinary sightseeing is fine, of course. But the fairy's identity is special and her cultivation is profound. Sometimes, you don't need to do anything; your 'existence' itself can affect the people and things around you."

He pointed to the city of Jizhou below, where lanterns were just beginning to light up: "For example, if the people in this city knew that a fairy had descended, even if you were just passing by, it would cause their hearts to flutter and they would offer incense and prayers. This subtle change in the power of their wishes might trigger some previously latent causes and effects."

Bixiao opened her mouth, somewhat bewildered: "It's so complicated..."

She was just out having fun!

"The ways of Heaven are vast and unpredictable, and the entanglements of cause and effect are inherently complex," Su Yunbai said gently, with a reassuring tone. "However, Fairy need not worry too much. Just let things take their natural course and stay true to yourself. If you truly encounter something difficult to decide..."

He smiled slightly: "Isn't there still me, the 'host,' to discuss things with?"

Looking at Su Yunbai's gentle and peaceful profile in the twilight, Bixiao's sense of confusion and unease suddenly subsided.

Yes, isn't Fellow Daoist Yunbai still here?

He seems to know a lot, and he's a good person, so... I guess I can trust him?

[Ding! The target person, 'Bixiao,' has developed a sense of dependence and trust towards the host! Affection +8!]

[Ding! Successfully played the roles of 'guide' and 'reliable companion', deepening the relationship!]

[Current Affection Level: 45! (Good Friend, Trust and Dependence)]

[System Notification: Affection level has exceeded 40, entering the 'Deep Interaction' stage! It is recommended to arrange more challenging 'events' requiring cooperation from both parties to accelerate emotional bonding!]

Bixiao may seem lively and carefree, but she is relatively simple-minded and easy to trust.