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

Was it him, Nezha, who saved her and brought her back? He even covered her with a cloak?

This realization stirred up a complex mix of emotions in Bai Yeying.

Gratitude was overflowing, but there was also a hint of awkwardness that was hard to explain.

Last night, it seems... she fainted in front of him? And he carried her back?

She shook her head, suppressing those chaotic thoughts. The most urgent thing was to examine herself.

Upon internal examination, the demonic energy was abundant and smooth, even purer than before the injury.

With his spirit stable and his mind clear, there was no trace of the Yin energy intrusion.

Moreover, there seemed to be a gentle medicinal power remaining in her body, nourishing her meridians and bones.

This is an effect that the Mind-Concentrating Herb could never achieve.

Bai Yeying looked down at the plain-colored cloak on her body that didn't belong to her. Her fingers unconsciously caressed the smooth fabric, and the refreshing lotus scent lingered around her nose.

She stood up, stretched her arms and legs, and felt better than ever before.

Her gaze fell on the bottomless pit not far ahead. Cuiluo was just emerging from the pit. As soon as she saw her, her eyes lit up and she quickly ran over, lifting her skirt.

"Madam! You're back!" Cuiluo ran over and saw that although her clothes were somewhat torn and dirty, she was in good spirits and had a rosy complexion, not like someone who was seriously injured. She breathed a sigh of relief, then noticed the cloak she was wearing and asked with a puzzled look in her eyes, "Madam, what's this...?"

"It's nothing, just a little accident, but it's been resolved," Bai Yeying said briefly, carefully folding her cloak and holding it in her arms.

This cloak is of extraordinary quality and has a pure aura; it is definitely not an ordinary object. I must keep it safe and perhaps return it to him in the future.

"Is everything alright in the cave?" she asked as she walked towards the cave entrance.

"All is well! The woodcutter woke up completely the day before yesterday. Although he is still a little weak and his memory is a bit hazy, he is fine now. Huang Wu secretly sent him down the mountain yesterday, and as you instructed, he did not notice anything unusual."

Cuiluo followed behind her, reporting, "We were all so worried because you hadn't come back. Yesterday afternoon, there was a huge commotion in the mountains. We saw red light and black energy colliding in the direction of the back mountain. It terrified us, and we didn't dare to go looking for you rashly..."

That must be the time when Nezha and Elder Heisha clash. Bai Yeying thought to herself.

"I'm fine, I was just caught in the crossfire. A... passing expert helped me, and I'm all better now."

She gave a vague explanation, not wanting the little demons to worry too much, and even less wanting to involve Nezha.

Back in the cave, they bathed, changed into clean clothes.

Bai Yeying sat on the stone bed in the quiet room, looking at the plain-colored cloak she had folded and placed to the side, then touched the spot between her eyebrows that still seemed to retain a warm touch, and stared blankly for a while.

He saved her, more than once.

They even gave her such precious medicine, and even sent her back and covered her with a cloak.

Although he's still as sharp-tongued as ever, his actions...

"Could it be..." Bai Yeying murmured to herself, an absurd thought popping into her head again uncontrollably, "that he doesn't actually hate me that much?"

The idea made her heart skip a beat for no apparent reason, but she immediately rejected it.

"Don't flatter yourself, Bai Yeying!" She patted her cheek. "He was just doing what he could to help! If any Tom, Dick, or Harry were attacked by an evil cultivator, he probably would have saved them too! Yes, that's right! He's a righteous god of Heaven, his duty is to eliminate demons and protect the righteous!"

Forcing herself to accept it, she carefully put the cloak into a clean storage bag, placing it together with the jade slip from before.

Then, she composed herself and began to review what she had gained from the trip to the deep mountains, and what to do next.

After this life-or-death struggle and Nezha's guidance, she clearly realized that the inefficient method of self-cultivation in isolation was too low.

True growth truly requires honing skills in real-world combat and gaining insights on the brink of life and death.

But venturing into dangerous territory as rashly as before was still too risky. If Nezha hadn't happened to be passing by, she would have really been in trouble this time.

We need to think of a more reliable solution.

Bai Yeying frowned, her fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the stone bed.

Perhaps we could proactively seek out some suitable opponents?

Near Trap Mountain, besides the Xuan Yin Sect, there should be other forces or some demons that harm living beings. Could we eliminate them under the guise of exchanging skills and techniques?

Or, could you help the village harassed by the monster? That would provide practical training and perhaps even accumulate some merit.

Thoughts swirled in her mind before finally settling down.

Bai Yeying stood up, picked up the plain-colored cloak again, and ran her fingers over the smooth fabric.

No, she can't always rely on passing by or doing things on a whim. She needs to have something solid of her own.

In the days that followed, Bai Yeying recuperated while thoroughly digesting the insights she gained from her experience in the deep mountains. She no longer ventured rashly into dangerous areas, but instead turned her attention to the wider world beyond the Trapped Sky Mountain.

Huang Wu's intelligence-gathering skills came in handy. Soon, a map was placed in front of Bai Yeying.

Eighty li to the east lies Blackwater Pool, where a wicked dragon dwells, stirring up storms and demanding sacrifices of young boys and girls.

One hundred and twenty miles to the south, at Maple Ridge, there lives a demon with painted skins who specializes in absorbing the vital energy of passing merchants and travelers.

The west... let's leave the west for now, it's close to the Xuan Yin Sect's territory, but Nezha will probably eliminate it completely!

Just to be on the safe side, let's go last!

Two hundred miles to the north, I've heard of a monstrous night owl that specializes in stealing babies; its movements are elusive.

Bai Yeying looked at the map and tapped Blackwater Pool and Maple Forest Ridge with her fingertip. These two targets shouldn't be too much stronger than her, perfect for practice and accumulating good karma at the same time.

She first chose the Painted Skin Demon of Maple Ridge. This creature was treacherous and cunning, perfect for honing her perception and ability to deal with illusions and seduction.

After several days of preparation, I brought enough talisman ash to ward off evil spirits and calming pills.

She made all of these herself using materials from the mountains; the results were unknown, but better than nothing. One cloudy afternoon, she left Trap Mountain alone.

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

Maple Ridge is a strategically important location. An official road winds its way through the area below the ridge, with fiery red maple trees on both sides. The scenery should be magnificent, but it has been shrouded in an eerie atmosphere due to the frequent occurrence of merchants and travelers mysteriously fainting there.

Bai Yeying did not take the official road, but instead sneaked in from the side forest. She concealed her aura and maximized her senses.

The eerie aura on the hill wasn't strong, but it lingered in wisps among the tall maple trees, carrying a decaying smell that made people drowsy.

She quickly found the source of the demonic aura: an abandoned mountain god temple on the hill.

The temple was dilapidated, with crooked doors and windows, yet a faint scent of perfume wafted from within.

Bai Yeying didn't rush in. She found a secluded spot under a tree outside the temple and patiently observed the situation.

As the sun set, a young man carrying a book box, who looked like a failed scholar, walked up the hill in a daze and headed straight for the mountain god temple.

"Another one." Bai Yeying's eyes turned slightly cold. She didn't act immediately, but waited until the scholar was pulled inside by the pale arm that reached out from the temple. The moment the door creaked shut, she moved like smoke and silently pressed herself against the broken window frame of the temple wall.