After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

She did owe him a favor. Although the process wasn't pleasant, he ultimately killed the Black Dragon and didn't really do anything to her.

"Get ready..." Bai Yeying murmured repeatedly, her mind racing.

He didn't want to give her anything expensive, and even if he did, it probably wouldn't catch his eye.

What special gift could she possibly have?

Sending a greeting card? With a message saying "Wishing the Third Prince boundless happiness and longevity"? You'd probably get nailed to the wall with a fire-tipped spear.

As she was pondering this, her gaze inadvertently swept over a small stone tank in the corner of the quiet room. Inside were several silver threadfin fish that she had caught from the mountain stream last time. They were entirely silvery-white, and as they swam, they created streaks of light in the dim room, which was quite beautiful.

She suddenly remembered hearing somewhere that Nezha made a ruckus in the sea when he was a child, skinning the dragon and pulling out its tendons. Did he really like things that swim in the water?

An idea popped into my head, it was a bit absurd, but maybe I could give it a try?

"Cuiluo," she said, her voice regaining its usual clear tone, "go find me a few things."

"Please speak, Madam!" Cuiluo perked up.

"I need the clearest, flawless white jade, about the size of my palm. Also, I need a section of hollow, thin bamboo, and... um, go and call Huang Wu. He knows where the spring water is the sweetest and most refreshing. Bring him a small pot. Also, that old plum tree by the cliff behind the mountain, it hasn't bloomed yet, has it? Go and break off a small branch with buds, one that looks good."

Cuiluo was a little confused. Jade, bamboo, spring water, plum branches—what did this have to do with a birthday celebration? But she immediately replied, "Yes, Madam, I'll take care of it right away!"

Everything was prepared quickly.

The white jade is the best piece of jade stored in the warehouse; it has a warm and smooth texture and is almost flawless.

The hollow bamboo was cut by Huang Wuxian; its inner walls are smooth. The spring water is taken from a small spring at the source of the spiritual vein of Xiankong Mountain; it is clear, sweet, and refreshing, carrying a trace of spiritual energy.

The plum branch is an old branch that has grown sideways, adorned with seven or eight plump, scarlet buds, full of vitality.

Bai Yeying placed the items on the stone table and rolled up her sleeves.

She first picked up the piece of white jade, gathered her demonic power at her fingertips, and carefully began to carve in the center of the jade.

This is not about crafting magical artifacts; it doesn't require complex runes. The only requirement is a lively and dynamic form.

She sculpted a small fish with simple, flowing lines, a round head, and a gently swaying tail, giving it an endearing appearance. The fish's body is hollow, connected to a specially left entrance.

Then came the thin bamboo. She cut a suitable section, softened one end slightly by heating it, bent it into an arc, and shaped it into a small water ladle with a handle, then polished it smooth.

Next, she poured the clear spring water into the hollow belly of the white jade fish, just enough to fill it about seven or eight-tenths full. The clear spring water rippled slightly in the jade, making it appear even more translucent.

Finally, she fixed the plum branch diagonally next to the white jade fish, so that the budding flower buds hung just above the fish's mouth, as if the fish was leaping out of the water to touch the plum blossoms that were about to bloom.

After doing all this, she stepped back two paces and examined her work.

A clear spring is confined within a delicate white jade, and a small fish seems about to leap out to reach the winter plum blossoms on the branch. It's not particularly exquisite, nor does it possess the power of a magical treasure; it even has a touch of childlike innocence.

But this jade is a spiritual jade from the mountains, the water is a living spring, and the plum blossom is a branch that braves the snow and cold.

"It's a small gift... but I don't know how much sentiment it carries," Bai Yeying muttered, still feeling unsure. Had she acted on her own initiative again?

But the work has already been done.

She found a wooden box, put the jade fish holding a plum blossom ornament inside, and closed the lid.

"Huang Wu," she called to the weasel spirit who was peeking out, "You're fast on your feet. Take this and go to... well, the Nezha Temple that's closest to Trapped Sky Mountain and has the most popular incense offerings. Just put it in the most inconspicuous corner of the offering table. Come back immediately after putting it down. Don't linger, and don't let anyone see you."

Huang Wu took the wooden box, a little nervously asking, "Madam, will the Third Prince accept this? Will he be offended?"

"You just let it go and ran away, who would know it was you who did it?" Bai Yeying patted his shoulder to encourage him, "Go and come back quickly, be careful."

Huang Wu tucked the wooden box away and ran off in a flash.

Bai Yeying watched his figure disappear at the end of the mountain path and let out a soft breath.

The sentiment has been conveyed; whether the recipient accepts it or likes it is beyond her control.

In short, she did her best. She thanked him for sparing her life and wished him a happy birthday.

After doing all this, the inexplicable restlessness in her heart subsided, and she sat down cross-legged again, preparing to continue her cultivation for the day.

However, it seems that my mind is not so easy to calm down.

She couldn't help but wonder if the jade fish ornament had already arrived at the temple? Would the temple keeper have taken it away as an ordinary offering? Or perhaps, he really could see it?

Imagine Nezha's expression when he finds this thing. He'll probably be puzzled at first, then pick it up and examine it, then frown and purse his lips in disgust: "What is this thing? It's so ugly."

He might even casually poke around with the fire-tipped spear a couple of times.

But...maybe it won't be burned immediately?

Bai Yeying shook her head, trying to banish these chaotic thoughts.

"Cultivate! Cultivate!" She forced herself to concentrate and guided her demonic energy to circulate throughout her body.

..................

Yunlou Palace, the martial arts training ground.

Guns flashed like dragons, flames soared into the sky, the Hun Tian Ling transformed into crimson clouds that filled the heavens, and the Qian Kun Quan rippled out layers of golden light.

The boy moved with lightning speed, each move carrying the force of wind and thunder, stirring up the void into a scorching, churning atmosphere.

Today is his birthday, and the Heavenly Court will hold a celebration, but he has always been impatient with those tedious rituals, so he made an excuse to sneak back to his own territory to practice his shooting.

After finishing his spear technique, Nezha stood still, the red mark on his forehead even more vivid, and steam rising from his body. He casually stuck the Fire-Tipped Spear aside and picked up a towel from the stone table to wipe his forehead.

I felt little joy at my birthday; instead, I felt a vague sense of unease. It's the same every year; the celebrations belong to others, and the rules are theirs too.

Just as I was about to practice again, a slight stirring occurred in my mind.

A very faint sensation came from somewhere in the lower realm; it was the power of incense offerings from his temple, but it seemed to contain something else.

It wasn't a plea, nor an offering; it was more like an awkward approach.

Nezha raised an eyebrow slightly.

He scanned the area with his divine sense and instantly detected the source of the strange sensation: the aura of the white-haired rat demon from the direction of Trapped Sky Mountain.

It's her again?

What are they up to this time? Haven't they learned their lesson from setting up memorial tablets?

With a thought, his divine consciousness descended upon the Nezha Temple, which still had a decent amount of incense offerings.

It was afternoon in the temple, and there weren't many worshippers. The temple keeper was dozing against the door. The offering table was piled high with all sorts of offerings: sacrificial animals, fruits, cakes, and wine—a dazzling array.

In the innermost corner of the offering table, in an inconspicuous spot, a wooden box sits quietly, out of place with the abundant offerings around it.

Nezha's divine sense swept over the wooden box, and with a slight thought, the lid opened silently, revealing the contents inside.