The area around Yanzi Ridge had been suffering from drought for the past few years, leaving many farmers who relied on agriculture with nothing to harvest. Those with the means had already moved their families to regions with more abundant water sources, while the less fortunate were forced to remain, hoping for the heavens to bestow ten days of rain for their survival.
The three demons had traveled for two days in Yanzi Ridge before finally stumbling upon a small eatery that was still open for business. They entered, sat down, ordered some food, and took a moment to rest their weary feet. After twenty consecutive days of arduous travel, it was no wonder that Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang), a newly transformed demon, felt exhausted, let alone Jiao Long and Tao Yaoyao, who had been in their human forms for thousands of years.
"It's a good thing the people outside aren't like us," Jiao Long said, wolfing down a bowl of plain noodles. "It means the demons are currently confined to that area."
Tao Yaoyao, though equally tired, elegantly ate her wontons and nodded in agreement with Jiao Long. Despite being demons, they had not yet reached the stage of complete spiritual sustenance and still required food, albeit not as frequently as before they transformed.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) also buried her head in her wontons, occasionally biting into a carrot. Internally, she grumbled to the system, "86365, this white rabbit is a demon, but she still can't kick her habit of eating carrots! I personally hate carrots, but they taste so delicious right now!"
[This is a rabbit's bodily instinct! Wenqiang, I'm actually envious that you can eat all sorts of food. We systems have never eaten anything because we are just pure energy without physical form.]
"Can't you systems apply for a body from the Soul Management Bureau?"
[Applying for a body requires a lot of points and there's a waiting list. In my memory, only five systems have ever managed to get a body.] 86365's voice clearly carried a hint of envy.
"86365, then I'll work hard on my missions, and I'll help you exchange for a body then!"
[Thank you for being so thoughtful, but Wenqiang, you should pay me back the points you owe me first!]
"..." She had never felt so speechless.
"Qiushui, what are you thinking about? I've called you several times, but you didn't respond?" Tao Yaoyao nudged her arm.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) finally snapped back to reality. She had been too engrossed in her conversation with the system and had zoned out. "Oh, oh, Sister Yaoyao, I was just a bit tired and spaced out. What were you asking me?"
Tao Yaoyao gently stroked the two little buns on her head, her voice filled with concern. "It must have been tough for you, following us on this bumpy journey."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) could tell from their physical contact that Tao Yaoyao's words were sincere. She flashed a wide smile. "It's not tough at all. Being with Sister Yaoyao is what makes me happiest."
Indeed, after spending time together, Xiao Wenqiang understood that Tao Yaoyao genuinely cared for Bai Qiushui, the white rabbit demon. At least, based on their interactions, Tao Yaoyao's expressed affection seemed to align with her words.
However, she recalled from the original novel, "Tao Zhi Yao Yao," that when Tao Yaoyao eventually discovered her damaged inner core could be repaired because Jiao Long had dug out the original owner's inner core and fed it to her, her reaction was one of disappointment at Jiao Long's cruel act, not much grief for the original owner. She never even considered finding a way to bring back the original owner, help her reconstruct her inner core, and atone for Jiao Long's mistake.
Tao Yaoyao had only distanced herself from Jiao Long for a short period, conveniently finding a perfect excuse to be with her admirer, Zhang Yunpeng. Later, when her relationship with Zhang Yunpeng experienced minor turbulence, she returned to Jiao Long's side for solace, claiming that although Jiao Long had made mistakes in the past, everyone made mistakes, and it was never too late to mend them.
This made Xiao Wenqiang realize how superficial Tao Yaoyao's kindness and affection were. While she might like someone, when it conflicted with her own interests, that affection would only amount to fleeting regret.
Hearing Bai Qiushui's words, Jiao Long feigned a displeased protest. "What do you mean it's happiest to be with Yaoyao? Little Qiushui, are you ignoring me?"
"I'm sorry, Brother Jiao, I misspoke. I'm happy to be with both you and Sister Yaoyao, no matter where we go!" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) feigned an apology, bowing comically, which made the other two demons laugh heartily.
When they finished their meal and went to pay, they were surprised when the waiter informed them that the meal was on the house. "The boss asks you to wait a moment, he'll be here shortly."
Shortly thereafter, the restaurant owner entered with a boy around fifteen or sixteen years old. He first ushered the three demons into a private room and closed the door behind them.
Then, under the wary gaze of the three demons, without a word, he and the boy performed a grand salutation to them in the demon realm. "Greetings, three demon friends! I can see that you are all powerful demons. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Yan Nanshan, and I am the owner of this restaurant."
Yan Nanshan introduced himself as a powerful demon in Yanzi Ridge, a Cliff Swallow demon with eight thousand years of cultivation. He had opened this small restaurant because he loved the area, and the owners had been him for generations, serving as a form of guardianship for the region.
"For some unknown reason, Yanzi Ridge has been lacking rain in recent years," Yan Nanshan said with a hint of sadness. "So, every year, I use my demonic power to transport clouds to bring rain. However, with my strength, I can only manage ten days of rain annually, which is like a drop in the bucket. Because of this, I cannot leave Yanzi Ridge. If I leave, there will truly be no more rain here."
Yan Nanshan then pushed the young boy forward and introduced him. "This is my only son, Yan Qinghuai. I was planning to send him to the Tongling Academy in Huoling City to study this year. Due to the reason I just mentioned, I cannot leave this place. Therefore, I hope you three great demons can help me send Qinghuai to Huoling City."
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) found this strange, as this part of the story was not present in the original novel, "Tao Zhi Yao Yao." She had no prior impression of Yan Nanshan and his son. At that time, the three demons had been injured while escaping from the mountains, which had slowed their travel speed considerably compared to their current journey.
Jiao Long and Tao Yaoyao exchanged a look. Then, Jiao Long stepped forward to offer a polite refusal. "Brother Yan, it's not that we are unwilling to help. To be frank, we have detected traces of demons in the area where we have been active, and we are heading to Xingchen Great Land to report this matter to the celestial beings. As we have urgent matters to attend to, thus..."
"But there is a barrier between Xingchen Great Land and our Cangmang Great Land. How do you intend to travel there?" Yan Nanshan posed the crucial question.