Eagles naturally enjoyed eating rabbits, and even though both sides had cultivated into spirits, they still had an innate fondness for little white rabbits. So, without a word, they each took out their communication jade tokens and added the cute "little white rabbit" as a friend.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) felt a long-lost sense of emotion as her solitary friend list on the jade token finally displayed two new entries. She hadn't expected that the first friends she would make would be from the avian tribe.
After bidding farewell to the Zheng brothers and the eagles, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) headed directly to the "cultivation room" in her own quarters.
The perimeter of each "cultivation room" was protected by special restrictions placed by powerful beings, so when lesser demons like them cultivated techniques inside, they generally wouldn't cause any damage to the room.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) sat down on the meditation cushion in the cultivation room. As she began to meditate, she noticed the extremely dense spiritual energy within.
Upon opening the "Guiyuan" secret manual, a light screen appeared before her. The techniques and hand seals from the manual were then displayed one by one before Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) as if watching a movie.
"Guiyuan" was divided into three stages: the first was "Building Qi in the Body," the second was "Gathering Spirit into the Core," and the third was "All Things Return to the Origin." As she watched these "short films," Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) unconsciously entered a profound realm, as if she were present, witnessing a cultivator with an indistinguishable face demonstrating the techniques.
Once all the movements had been shown, the elder spoke, "Little rabbit demon, this is the cultivation method I have researched throughout my life, combining techniques of both monsters and humans. However, this method requires a high demand for spiritual energy, and the spiritual energy in our vast land is diminishing. Therefore, it may take a considerable amount of time. Cultivate diligently, and I will await you in the starry lands!"
After speaking these words, the elder before her vanished. The "Guiyuan" secret manual in front of Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) spontaneously ignited, instantly turning into countless specks of light that flew into her head.
It was unclear how much time had passed before Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) awoke from her meditative state. Her mind felt heavy, like it was filled with paste, and her head was slightly dizzy. However, her hungry stomach occupied most of her thoughts, making her feel as though she hadn't eaten for days.
The first thing she did upon regaining her senses was to check the time on her "communication jade token." Good heavens! Twenty days had passed since she entered the "cultivation room." She quickly called out to the system in her mind, "86365, why has so much time passed?"
"Wenqiang, you've finally woken up. Your soul was suddenly out of contact before, and I couldn't sense your presence. If it weren't for the fact that the mission hadn't failed, I would have suspected your soul had scattered." System 86365 was also puzzled. If it couldn't contact Xiao Wenqiang again, it would have had to report to the main system, as this was the first time it had encountered such a situation during a mission.
"Is that so? I was just here looking at the manual, I didn't go anywhere!" Xiao Wenqiang explained. Inwardly, a thought quietly formed: So, her soul could temporarily escape the system's control?
However, she dared not dwell on these thoughts, fearing discovery by the main system. She quickly shifted 86365's attention, "I'm so hungry! Let's find somewhere to eat first!"
Following the location on the jade token, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) entered the public cafeteria. During her time at "Tongling Academy," she hadn't seen many students. Finally, here she saw a large number of fellow demon clan members.
She ordered a few dishes she usually enjoyed and also grabbed two carrots before heading to the checkout. Yes, even here, one needed to pay with spirit stones to obtain food.
Taking out the spirit stones previously prepared for them by Yan Jiuxing from her mustard seed space, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) paid and found a quiet corner to sit and eat.
As she paid, she recalled Yan Qinghuai, who had entered with her. However, since the demon beast and the demon human sections of the public cafeteria were separated, she hadn't seen him around. It had been twenty days since she arrived; she wondered how he was doing.
She devoured her meal at lightning speed before finally slowing down to nibble on a carrot. As she was lost in thought, a voice suddenly sounded from behind her, "Oh, little rabbit, fancy meeting you again!"
She turned around and saw it was the exquisite cat demon lady who had first guided her – Mao Peilan.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) was also delighted. Seeing that the other party was also carrying a food tray, she quickly invited, "Wow, Sister Peilan, would you like to sit with me?"
Mao Peilan nodded and casually sat down opposite her, asking as she ate, "I haven't seen you around lately, what have you been busy with?"
"Oh, I've been in the cultivation room studying techniques! Besides going to the technique hall on the first day, I haven't been out since!"
"Wait! You wouldn't happen to be the new student living in East Twenty-Six, would you?"
"Yes, Sister Peilan. Could it be... you're the cat demon neighbor who lives next door to me?"
Mao Peilan nodded, her face lighting up. "When you mentioned you hadn't been out, I guessed it must be you!" She had already known a new neighbor had moved in from the restriction setting at the entrance, but after so many days of no sign of them, she hadn't expected it to be this little rabbit.
"That's great, Sister Peilan, we're neighbors!" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) quickly took out her communication jade token. "Shall we add each other?"
And so, the cat demon Mao Peilan became the third friend in Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s contact list.
Both demons happily chatted and ate. Just then, a man's voice came from beside them, "Yo, wild cat, who are you conning now? Let me see, it's a little white rabbit!"
"Damn dog! What business is it of yours who I'm talking to! You'd be better off cultivating more, lest you get beaten to a pulp by me again!" Mao Peilan's expression instantly turned grim.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) glanced over. In his human form, this demon was actually a rather cute young boy, but his tone was unpleasant. Her gaze shifted to his token; it turned out to be a "Golden Wolf" from the same beast hall.
Noticing Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s stare, the Golden Wolf changed his expression to a gentle one and said to her, "Fellow Daoist Bai Qiushui, I suggest you stay away from this stinky cat. Don't be deceived by her appearance; she's not a suitable friend!"
Before Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) could reply, Mao Peilan jumped up, angrily scolding, "Damn dog, are you never going to stop? Don't speak ill of my friend in front of me. If you have a problem, let's go outside and settle it!"
"Settle it, settle it, you think I'm afraid of you!" The Golden Wolf immediately responded, ready to fight.
Without another word, the two demons left to settle their dispute, leaving Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) bewildered, holding a half-eaten carrot, unsure whether to continue biting it.
"They're always like this, little rabbit, don't mind them!" A woman sitting behind her spoke up.