Perhaps it was due to the soul change; Bai Qiushui's (Xiao Wenqiang's) inner core formation was a few days earlier than the original host's.
Generally, spirits first form their inner core, and only after its completion can they fully transform into human form. However, the crucial moment of inner core formation is when spirits are at their most vulnerable. Therefore, most spirits would hide in a safe area before transforming. In the original book, "Peach Blossom Spring," Bai Qiushui lacked experience and, unable to prepare adequate defenses, transformed outdoors.
At that time, the original host was unaware that she had already been targeted by a weasel spirit. Thus, as soon as her inner core formed, she was almost robbed of it. Fortunately, Jiao Long passed by and saved the weakened Bai Qiushui. It was then that the original host's heart fell for Jiao Long.
Following the original host's memories, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) hopped and skipped towards her home. Her current residence was a gigantic burrow beneath a massive boulder nestled within a dense forest.
However, her home was still a considerable distance away. Not wanting to encounter the weasel spirit or Jiao Long again, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) had to run even faster, the surrounding plants becoming mere white blurs.
Unexpectedly, the weasel spirit had been watching this white rabbit spirit, who was on the verge of forming her inner core, for many days. Seeing Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) suddenly sprint, he instantly appeared before her, his voice a high-pitched cackle, "Little rabbit, where are you in such a hurry to go?"
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) slammed on the brakes, her little rabbit paws kicking up several patches of grass. Fortunately, she stopped in time, otherwise she would have run straight into the weasel spirit's embrace.
"It's Elder Brother Weasel, I'm just heading home!" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) knew she was no match for the weasel spirit in her current state, as there was a qualitative difference between a spirit with and without an inner core.
They all lived in the same forest, so they knew each other's reputations. The weasel spirit had secretly observed the more intelligent animals weaker than him, and the white rabbit was the most likely candidate to cultivate an inner core soon.
For spirits to increase their cultivation, besides through diligent effort and hard work, they could also seize others' inner cores to supplement their own. The most opportune time to snatch an inner core was right after it formed, as every spirit experienced a period of weakness. However, such actions went against heavenly principles, and most spirits dared not openly engage in them.
But this weasel spirit thought differently. He had long harbored a secret crush on Taoyaoyao, the peach tree spirit from "Vast Lands," but due to his low cultivation, he had always been too self-conscious to confess. This time, he had resolved to seize the little white rabbit's inner core as it formed, to boost his own cultivation.
"Is that so? I thought you were rushing off for something good!" The weasel spirit felt a flicker of doubt, wondering if the rabbit had discovered him lurking or if there was another reason.
The burning sensation in Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s abdomen intensified, but she dared not show it on her furry rabbit face. "It's nothing good, I just suddenly felt hungry and wanted to go back to my burrow to eat some grass. Elder Brother Weasel, would you like to join me? The grass at my home is very sweet!"
The weasel spirit, naturally uninterested in grass, took another look at Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang). Seeing no issues, he moved aside.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) gritted her teeth and managed a thank you to the weasel spirit before speeding off.
As she neared her cave, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) could no longer suppress the speed of her inner core formation. A brilliant golden light erupted from her abdomen, and she collapsed onto the ground.
With no time to consider anything else, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) quickly tucked her short legs and began meditating, channeling all her spiritual energy into her dantian for the final push to form her inner core.
The weasel spirit, peeking from behind a large boulder, revealed a sinister smile on his sharp-featured face and whispered, "Little rabbit, you still thought you could trick me! I knew something was up when you suddenly started running. You're known for being slow!"
The weasel spirit's eyes were fixed on the progress of the inner core formation. "Good thing I was cautious and followed. Otherwise, I would have missed this excellent opportunity to replenish my inner core... Hahahaha..." He remained poised, ready to strike at the critical moment.
At this point, a large tribulation cloud had gathered above Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s head, rumbling with thunder. After about fifteen minutes, three bolts of lightning descended from the cloud, striking the white rabbit spirit below.
As the last peal of thunder faded, the inner core was formed. However, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) did not open her eyes. During her meditation, the grass beneath her had transmitted information, and she knew the weasel spirit was lurking nearby, watching her intently.
Seeing the tribulation cloud dissipate, the weasel spirit was about to make his move, but he noticed the white rabbit spirit was still motionless. "Did she fail her transformation tribulation? Impossible, there were only three lightning strikes. Most thousand-year-old spirits who haven't done anything bad can safely pass!"
The weasel spirit scratched his ear, hesitating whether to attack. Suddenly, an alarm bell sounded in his mind, and he instantly teleported away from his hiding spot behind the boulder.
The next second, the boulder exploded, scattering into pieces. A man in black slowly emerged from behind the bushes. "You're quite quick to escape!"
"Jiao Long, we have no past grudges and no recent enmity. Why attack me?" The weasel spirit's heart tightened upon seeing it was the Flood Dragon spirit.
"There are no grudges, but I cannot stand by and watch you harm this innocent rabbit spirit. Consider this a warning," Jiao Long said, his black hair cascading down his shoulders, his figure tall and lean.
"You would be so kind? Don't be ridiculous!" the weasel spirit scoffed.
"Snatching inner cores is already against the will of heaven. We are all spirits, and cultivation is not easy. Be merciful when you can be merciful!" Jiao Long declared loudly.
"And what if I refuse?" With that, the weasel spirit attacked, engaging Jiao Long in a fierce battle.
Amidst their confrontation, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) seized the opportunity and finally completely refined and controlled her inner core. With a flash of white light, a maiden in a white gauze dress and double-bun hairstyle appeared before them.
Both combatants stopped fighting upon seeing this, retreating to opposite corners.
The weasel spirit, realizing he had no chance to steal the inner core today, glared hatefully at Jiao Long. "We'll settle this debt another time!" With that, he unleashed a foul-smelling poisonous gas and vanished from the scene.
Seeing Jiao Long's appearance, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) marveled at the strength of the plot, managing to be saved even though she transformed days earlier. Regardless, she still needed to express her gratitude. She walked up to Jiao Long, bowed deeply with clasped hands, and said, "This humble rabbit, Bai Qiushui, thanks you, benefactor, for saving me."