Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

The next morning, Yu Luoning took a fasting pill and took the animal bones in her hand to sell in the outer sect's black market.

She first used the Illusionary Breath Technique to conceal her aura. Then, she changed into black clothes, masked herself, and entered the Ghost Market.

There are many monsters in Yunyou Valley, and because of their large numbers, they are not very valuable.

"Young lady, I'm not trying to be rude, but these demonic beasts of yours are all ordinary, and their spiritual energy is mixed up. I can only offer you 50 low-grade spirit stones at most. If you're willing, I'll take them; if not, then go look elsewhere."

Looking at the animal horns and furs piled on the counter, Yu Luoning couldn't help but feel disappointed.

She had originally thought these demonic beasts could fetch a good price, but they could only offer fifty low-grade spirit stones.

She frowned, said nothing, put everything into her Qiankun bag, and turned to leave the shop.

Yu Luoning was in a heavy mood throughout the journey, but she quickly cheered herself up.

There's no need to feel bad about feeding the large number of demonic beasts to the Cleaners using the Transcendent Technique.

Until midday.

Yu Luoning walked out of a shop called Wanhuhang.

After visiting several shops, I found that the prices outside were quite consistent.

In the end, he only received sixty low-grade spirit stones.

She had already made up her mind.

The large number of demonic beasts produced in Cloud Valley are low-grade materials that are skinned and dismembered to make cushions, and are not considered very valuable in the eyes of cultivators.

It seems I should avoid accepting any more missions from Cloud Valley in the future.

The spiritual energy was mediocre, time-consuming and laborious, but then she thought of the Cleaner's insatiable abyss.

If we want to give the cleaners extra food in the future, we can consider it.

Just as Yu Luoning was about to leave the bustling market, she overheard two disciples who had just returned from their training whispering around the corner.

"Have you heard? Su Man'er is offering a reward for the essence blood of the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast. I heard it's to celebrate Master's birthday. The price of just one drop of that essence blood is enough for us to lie around in the outer sect for three years."

"Are you crazy? Do you think we can take on that mission? The Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast has a cultivation level of at least Foundation Establishment, is extremely fast, and is not to be trifled with."

Yu Luoning stopped in her tracks, her eyes flickering slightly.

Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast?

Foundation Establishment stage cultivation? She has many magical treasures; it's worth a try.

Yu Luoning memorized the information. She then returned to the relatives' quarters alone.

Inside the house, she called out in her heart, "Shushu."

The treasure-hunting rat instantly popped out of the spatial bracelet and jumped into Yu Luoning's palm.

"Master, did you call me?"

Yu Luoning nodded slightly and said softly, "You were a good guard for Mo Fei and Lu Mingyu in Yunyou Valley before. It was hard work for you. And when I was trying to break through to the Great Perfection realm a while ago, you were the one who went to the inner sect to get reinforcements."

Mouse: "Yes, it's only right."

Yu Luoning smiled and took out the white jade spirit-sealing box from her Qiankun bag.

Inside lay seven-leaf jade dew, blood-nourishing lotus, and blue orchid.

She took out one of the seven-leaf jade plants and two blood-nourishing lotus flowers and put them into another small jade box.

"This is for you."

The mouse's eyes widened in disbelief. "Give it to me? It's so valuable! What have I done to deserve this?"

You deserve it!

The simple phrase "You deserve it" moved the mouse to tears.

Yu Luoning didn't explain further.

The mouse was a great help to her along the way.

It's just providing some employee benefits. You can't expect the horse to run without feeding it, can you?

That kind of capitalist style is unacceptable!

The little mouse wiped its wet eyes, expressing its gratitude to Yu Luoning, "Master, I'm so touched!"

Yu Luoning's lips twitched.

"Alright, you should hurry up and finish this. Also, I hope you'll give this box of white jade spirit-sealing box to your old friend."

The mouse was taken aback.

Yu Luoning paused and said, "That friend helped me out of respect for you. I'll remember that favor. Please pass on these spiritual herbs and say thank you."

"Master, my friend might not need it..."

Whether or not it is useful is one thing, as long as the sentiment is there, that's enough. In social interactions, there is no loss or debt.

The mouse twitched its nose. "Relationships are reciprocated, nothing's owed or taken advantage of." Why did those words sound so strange coming from its master?

It felt that its master had wronged its childhood sweetheart.

Yu Luoning: "Oh, by the way, could you please add that you ask your friend to continue to take good care of you in the future?"

The mouse's eyes drooped. "...Oh."

No wonder they sent it the magical herb today; it turns out they were waiting here.

The rat was so moved that it almost wanted to spit out all the elixir it had secretly eaten.

A shrew is a shrew!

Yu Luoning remained silent. Shu Shu's friend from the upper sect was definitely no ordinary person.

That time when she was trying to reach the Great Perfection, that person's attack was both steady and accurate.

Not only that, he also cast a spell on himself to conceal the aura of the treasure. Such cultivation is definitely not something an ordinary elder possesses.

She had a vague feeling that the man had probably seen through her secret.

But after all this time, that person hadn't contacted her, as if nothing had happened. This, in turn, terrified Yu Luoning.

The so-called delivery of the elixir was merely a means to convey a message.

I know you're watching, but I won't cause trouble, so please continue to be lenient.

It's more dignified to show your sincerity with gifts than to ask for them.

Yu Luoning wasn't sure if the other party would accept it. In any case, she decided to give it a try first.

The mouse, holding the jade box, suddenly spoke softly.

"Master, I've noticed that you're quite cunning for your age..."

Yu Luoning said awkwardly, "Isn't it good to be more careful? In the cultivation world, those who are not careful don't live long."

"Don't talk about me, you and I are two of a kind, which means we are destined to be together."

Yu Luoning seemed to have thought of something.

She looked at Shushu: "Shushu, what you just said about being cunning... you don't actually think I gave you those elixirs because I asked you to do something for me, do you?"

The mouse froze on the spot, clutching the jade box tightly with its little paws, and blinked twice.

Yu Luoning clutched her chest and let out a long, heartbroken sigh.

How could you think of me like that?

Mouse: "..."

"Am I a bad person? Or do you feel you haven't tried hard enough, that you don't deserve what I've given you?"

"I'm giving you these herbs today only because you've worked so hard these past few days. I'm giving these herbs to your friend because he's your friend and he saved my life. If I don't think about repaying this favor, do you expect me to keep owing him?"

"And then, won't your friend think, 'Hey, this rat asked me for help, I helped it, and its master didn't even reciprocate. What kind of master does this rat have?'"

The mouse opened its mouth, looked up, and stared at her blankly.

So it was all for this?

It held the jade box and stood still, its eyes brimming with tears, all of which were filled with emotion.

"Master, you've been so kind to me, I thought you were just trying to give me a treat. I was being cynical..."

Yu Luoning didn't speak, but patted its head, which was about the size of a peanut: "Keep the jade box safe and pass on my message."

The mouse nodded and turned to leave. The jade box also turned into specks of light and flew into the mouse's forehead.

In this world, sentient beasts that have developed intelligence all possess small storage spaces once their cultivation reaches a certain level.

For example, in their mouths, or on their foreheads, or inside their bodies.

The mouse's storage space is located in the center of its forehead.