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

A plump little fish carved from white jade swims innocently in an invisible spring, straining to reach the plum branch above with its crimson buds.

The jade is not of the highest quality, the carving is not particularly exquisite, the spring water is just an ordinary mountain spring, and the plum branches are even more ordinary.

But when combined, they create a vibrant effect, quite different from the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the temple.

It's like a piece of fun that was accidentally found in the mountains and fields, carefully cleaned and sent here.

Nezha fell silent. He stared at the jade fish holding a plum blossom for a long while.

Imagine how that white-haired mouse, which is always either panicked, trying to remain calm, or fawning, was crafted, and how it was eventually secretly delivered by a little demon.

Why? To please? Unlikely. If she really wanted to please, she wouldn't have been terrified last time.

An apology? Perhaps a little. But it seems to be more than that.

A birthday celebration?

The thought struck Nezha as somewhat absurd. Throughout the Three Realms, countless immortals, gods, demons, and monsters had offered their birthday wishes, each bringing lavish gifts and elaborate prayers. Who would send him such a…childish toy?

But ironically, he quite liked this kid's toy.

A sneer rang out in the empty, quiet room of the Cloud Tower Palace.

Nezha's true form remained seated cross-legged, but the corners of his mouth curved upwards slightly before quickly pressing them down again.

eventful.

He made his own assessment.

The divine sense then withdrew silently, just as it had come.

Inside the temple, everything was as usual. The dozing temple keeper smacked his lips, and the wisps of smoke from the incense burner rose straight up.

Only in the wooden box at the corner of the offering table, when no one was paying attention, did it ripple very slightly and then disappear.

Nezha gently tapped his knee with his hand.

The wooden box quietly appeared at his knees. He scanned the jade fish with his divine sense, and a ray of spiritual light entered the jade fish.

The wisp of mountain spring water contained within the jade fish seemed even more refreshing and vibrant, and the flower buds on the plum branches also seemed to be imbued with some kind of vitality, ready to bloom at any moment.

After completing this insignificant little action, he resumed his cultivation.

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

Trapped in the Void Mountain, a bottomless abyss.

Huang Wu returned safely and reported that the item had been delivered and placed behind the prayer cushion in the farthest corner of the temple. He had cleverly moved it to an even more secluded location.

When Bai Yeying heard that Huang Wu had reported that the items had been delivered, she nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

For her, this matter is now considered closed.

Whether it was a birthday wish or an apology, she had already done it. As for whether Nezha would accept it or how he viewed it, that was his business.

She now focuses more on her cultivation and her small plot of land on Trapped Sky Mountain.

After some time, Bai Yeying clearly felt a bottleneck in her cultivation. Her demonic energy circulation seemed to have reached a stagnation; no matter how much she refined it, progress was minimal. She knew this was normal, but she couldn't help feeling anxious. How long would it take to improve through sheer patience and effort?

That day, after instructing Teng Han on how to use his demonic power to regulate the soil energy in the herb garden, she looked at the few spiritual herbs that were drooping and felt as if a stone was pressing on her heart.

Back in the quiet room, he took out the broken jade slip he had obtained in exchange and tried to probe it with his demonic power once more.

This time, she was more careful and patient than before.

The chaotic and fragmented mental attacks still persisted, like countless fine needles piercing her consciousness. However, she forcibly stabilized her mind, neither resisting nor being drawn in. Instead, she was like a stream flowing around a stubborn rock, carefully discerning the fragmented information that might be contained within.

Time passed slowly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Just when she felt her demonic power was about to be exhausted and her consciousness was becoming somewhat hazy, she caught a faint sense of sharpness!

The feeling was fleeting, yet it carried a sense of antiquity, completely different from the agility and speed of her own demonic power, yet it still drew people in.

It's the aura of Geng metal! And it's an aura that no ordinary mineral vein could possess!

Bai Yeying abruptly withdrew her demonic power, panting heavily, her heart pounding, but her eyes gleaming with excitement. The clues hidden in this jade slip might be more valuable than she had imagined!

However, after the initial excitement came a sense of bewilderment. To the northwest, deep in the mountains, the remaining map offered very few clues.

The Three Realms are vast, and in the northwest direction there are countless mountains and demonic lairs.

With her meager skills, going to search for it rashly would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, extremely dangerous.

The problem is still a lack of strength. Not only is it insufficient to seek opportunities, but it's even barely enough to protect itself.

She paced restlessly in the quiet room, her gaze suddenly falling on the painted clay figurine of the God of Wealth on the stone shelf in the corner. It was one she had brought back from Qing Shi Town.

The clay figure is endearingly simple, holding a gold ingot.

Looking at the clay figure, a flash of inspiration struck her.

Money? No, it's not money.

It is the fortune of the human world, the incense offerings, the merits, and the resources for spiritual practice in a more orthodox way.

With her rat spirit background, the path of demon cultivation would be difficult for her, but if she could accumulate some merit and harmonize her demonic energy, perhaps she could walk more steadily? Even if she didn't aim to become an immortal, having more means of protection would always be good.

But how does one accumulate merit? By learning from those benevolent demons who can summon rain and heal the sick? She doesn't have that ability. The simplest way seems to be helping mortals and relieving their suffering?

Once the thought crossed her mind, she found it hard to suppress. But she quickly calmed down.

Going out into the mortal realm to stir up trouble? She was lucky last time and didn't run into any tough opponents. What if she encountered a powerful cultivator, or something even more troublesome? She didn't want to be chased to the ends of the earth again.

He racked his brains, but couldn't come up with a solution. The initial excitement he felt from discovering the jade slip clue was gradually replaced by a sense of powerlessness in the face of reality.

Finally, she sighed and carefully put the jade slip away.

"Never mind, things will work themselves out," she muttered to herself, pushing open the door to the quiet room and walking out.

Inside the cave, Cuiluo was directing two little flower fairies to wipe the stone table and benches. Huang Wu was nowhere to be seen; he had probably gone off to patrol the mountain and gossip again.

Everything was in good order, peaceful and tranquil.

But this peace made her feel even more empty inside.

It's like being trapped in a transparent dome, able to see the vast world outside, but unable to touch it.

She strolled to the entrance of the cave, where a small platform had been carved out. Leaning against the railing, she could see the lush green forests outside and the undulating blue mountains in the distance. The mountain breeze, carrying the scent of grass and trees, rushed towards her.

His gaze wandered aimlessly, then suddenly settled on a certain direction in the distance.

That's the direction of Five Elements Mountain.

It felt like something had gently bumped into my heart.

Yes, how could we forget about the Great Sage! We're all stuck here, making things up and indulging in wild ideas, why don't we go and ask the Great Sage?

He was knowledgeable and experienced; even if she were trapped at the foot of the mountain, a casual remark from him might enlighten her.

Even if I can't, going to see him and hearing his unrestrained and flamboyant stories is better than staying cooped up here.

As soon as the idea came to her, she immediately took action.

"Cuiluo!" she called out as she turned around.

"Madam?" Cuiluo quickly put down her work and came over.

"Prepare some food, things that keep well, and plenty of fruits and pastries, especially peaches and bananas—choose the best ones." Bai Yeying's tone quickened. "I'm going out to visit an old friend."

Upon hearing this, Cuiluo immediately replied, "Yes, Madam! I'll go prepare right away!" She didn't ask who Madam was going to see, but seeing that the gloom in Madam's eyes had dissipated and regained its radiance, she felt happy as well.

Soon, an even more abundant package than before was prepared. Inside, besides fresh peaches, bananas, and honey cakes, there were also sugar cakes that Cui Luo had recently invented, made with wild mountain fruits and nuts, with an enticing aroma.

Bai Yeying weighed the bundle in her hand and nodded in satisfaction. She transformed back into her original form, tied the bundle to her back, and waved her paw at Cuiluo: "Keep an eye on the house. I'll be back in a few days."