Golden Finger 5

When Qin Ji emerged from Chen Xing's sea of consciousness, he discovered that Chen Xing had returned to her small dragon form. She lay curled up on the mat, asleep in the center. Seeing her small figure like this tugged at Qin Ji's heart. It wasn't a matter of developing feelings for someone; rather, he realized he couldn't abandon his grievances, forget the tragic deaths of his fellow sect members, or overlook the fact that the Guiyuan Sect had been reduced to mere stepping stones for others.

In the book he had read, the Guiyuan Sect received at most a passing mention as "a pity." However, for Qin Ji, the Guiyuan Sect was his home, and its disciples were like family.

As the inner demon threatened to consume him, Qin Ji channeled his spiritual energy, struggling to suppress it. Yet, an unexpected sensation emerged as a coolness emanated from his Nascent Soul, flowing through his meridians. Not only did it calm his agitated spiritual energy, but it also purified it, making it even more refined. Eventually, this coolness returned to his Nascent Soul.

His Nascent Soul assumed the posture of the "Five Hearts Facing the Heavens¹", with the broken sword suspended before it, connected by a silvery light.

Qin Ji thought of the white jade-like object he had received within Chen Xing's sea of consciousness. He could only wait until she woke up to inquire about it. After briefly checking on Chen Xing, he informed Xiao Bao outside and returned to his room for meditation.

Xiao Bao remained in his Treasure-Seeking Mouse form. After ensuring Chen Xing's well-being, he decided to depart. Since he was going out, he needed to make preparations to prevent any further hardships for his young master.

Chen Xing enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep, oblivious to the world when Qin Ji carried her outside under the moonlight. In her slumber, she instinctively absorbed the moonlight's energy.

It wasn't until sunrise that Chen Xing stirred awake. She lazily resisted getting up, opting to stretch out her entire dragon body to bask evenly in the sunlight. Although she wasn't certain if dragons could get sunburned, she wanted to avoid looking like a zebra².

Wait, what's a zebra? 

Why did she associate alternating black and white with zebras?

Curious, Chen Xing turned to Xiao Bao, who was busy tending to spiritual herbs nearby, and asked, 

"Xiao Bao, do you know what zebras are?"

Perplexed by the question, Xiao Bao replied, 

"Young Master, what's a zebra? Do you want to eat zebras? Are they spiritual creatures?"

Chen Xing felt that zebras shouldn't be eaten under any circumstances. She hastily clarified, 

"I don't know if they're spiritual creatures, but you definitely shouldn't eat them."

Xiao Bao questioned, "Why not?"

Chen Xing pondered for a moment before stating solemnly, 

"Eating them will lead to something terrible."

Xiao Bao was taken aback and quickly assured, 

"Alright, I won't eat any horse-like creatures."

Chen Xing nodded and gave her tail a slight wag. She decided to put this matter out of her mind and remarked, 

"Later, I'd like to eat xiaolongbao with meat filling."

Xiao Bao responded promptly, 

"Sure, I'll prepare it."

Chen Xing rolled over, stretched her belly upwards, and waved her four paws playfully. She retrieved a handkerchief from her spatial ring with her tail and covered her belly. She didn't want to catch a cold or risk getting diarrhea. 

"On second thought, I'll eat whatever."

Xiao Bao had risen and said, 

"Didn't you mention wanting beef noodles earlier? I'll prepare some xiaolongbao, and they'll complement each other."

Chen Xing's appetite had been stimulated, so she tilted her head from the mat, looking at Xiao Bao upside down. "Then I'll water the plants."

Xiao Bao agreed, "Sure."

As Xiao Bao left, Chen Xing intended to flip back over. However, her head felt strangely heavy, or perhaps her scales were too slippery. Instead of leaping up, her entire body began to slide downward. Panicking, she flailed her short limbs in desperation.

"Ahh!"

Unbeknownst to Chen Xing, Qin Ji was practicing his sword nearby, attentively observing her situation. Before she could fall, he swiftly intervened, using a surge of spiritual energy to lift her back onto the mat along with her handkerchief.

Chen Xing let out a relieved sigh and thanked him, 

"That scared the dragon out of me. Thank you so much."

Qin Ji remarked, 

"Flying should be instinctual for dragons."

Dragons were meant to soar, just as humans instinctively ate when hungry. This should have been a natural reaction for Chen Xing, and she shouldn't have been so frightened.

Sometimes, Qin Ji felt that Chen Xing wasn't entirely like a dragon. Yet, he was certain she wasn't a spirit that had taken over someone else's body. Moreover, despite the incomplete inheritance, Chen Xing's temperament and behavior deviated from what was recorded about the dragon species.

 

Chen Xing flew over to Qin Ji and said, 

"I forgot about it earlier."

Qin Ji, with a lowered gaze, sheathed his sword and inquired, 

"I've never heard of a spiritual creature called a zebra."

Chen Xing perched herself on Qin Ji's shoulder as if she were an embroidered pattern on his clothing, replying, 

"Then it's probably not a spiritual creature."

Curious, Qin Ji asked, 

"What does a zebra look like?"

Chen Xing thought for a moment and said, 

"It looks like a horse but with black and white stripes all over."

Qin Ji noted that despite Chen Xing bringing up zebras, she didn't actually know what they were. Rather than probing further, he decided to make a mental note of her description and check for relevant scrolls in the library later.

Once Qin Ji had escorted Chen Xing to the area where Xiao Bao was cultivating spiritual herbs, Chen Xing took flight joyfully. A small cloud appeared in the sky, and she hovered above the spiritual herbs. After shaking her tail on the cloud, rain began to fall gently upon the herbs.

Qin Ji inquired, 

"What was that white jade-like substance in your sea of consciousness? I sensed a primordial aura within it."

"It's not a primordial aura," Chen Xing clarified, moving her claws to guide the cloud's rainfall over each spiritual herb field. "It's chaotic energy, something different."

Qin Ji looked at Chen Xing with surprise. Although primordial auras were rare, they did exist. Just like when a baby was born, they possessed a natural primordial aura. The stronger the spiritual roots, the longer this primordial aura persisted, enhancing innate qualities and making the body and spiritual energy more compatible.

This was why some rogue cultivators and dark cultivators used infants for cultivation. In the past, several major cultivation sects had united to eradicate such rogue and dark cultivators, establishing a rule that forbade harming ordinary people. Those who violated this rule and harmed ordinary people often had their souls scattered during tribulations, as their actions violated divine laws.

Aside from infants, heaven and earth treasures, high-quality elixirs, and magic tools also contained primordial auras. Chaotic energy, however, was distinct—it was the fundamental power of a small world.

Qin Ji had dared to assume that the broken core of his sword heart was slowly healing due to the relatively pure primordial aura he had discovered. Yet, he hadn't even considered chaotic energy.

Chen Xing stretched her neck and glanced down at the spiritual herb fields below. Sensing that the soil wasn't sufficiently moist, she decided to let the rain continue a little longer. She retracted her head and continued, 

"And it's not white jade; it's the eggshell I didn't finish eating."

Qin Ji remembered how Chen Xing had nibbled on the eggshell protectively while watching him. 

So, do dragons eat eggshells to replenish chaotic energy?

Realizing this, Qin Ji's expression became serious as he asked, 

"Why didn't you finish eating it? Could it have any adverse effects on your body?"

Seeing Qin Ji's concerned look, Chen Xing, who had only taken a small piece for him, retracted her claws and felt a bit embarrassed. "I was already full, and eating too much might have adverse effects."

Qin Ji cautioned her, "Chaotic energy is very precious. If others find out, they might kill you to seize it." He then added, "I won't mention this to anyone either." It was something not even recorded in the Guiyuan Sect's library.

Chen Xing nodded obediently, knowing all too well about the consequences. However, she wouldn't reveal that she had given the eggshell to Qin Ji because she no longer needed it. How else could she leverage Qin Ji's guilt and gratitude?

"I know."

After a moment of silence, Qin Ji said, 

"If there's anything I can do for you, just tell me."

Chen Xing perked up, retrieved a jade slip from her storage ring, and swayed her tail. The jade scroll floated into Qin Ji's hand as she asked expectantly, 

"Would you be willing to help me gather all the items listed here? Both Xiao Bao and I don't know anyone skilled in crafting, and we have no idea where to buy these things."

Qin Ji, after reviewing the contents of the jade slip, regarded Chen Xing with a complicated expression. These items, while precious, were far less valuable than chaotic energy.

Chen Xing suddenly felt somewhat unsure. Had she asked for too much, something beyond anyone's capabilities?

Qin Ji lowered his gaze slightly and stated, 

"I will gather all these items for you. But my promise still stands."

Chen Xing praised him sincerely, 

"You are indeed a great cultivator!"

Qin Ji felt like he needed a drink, not due to physical pain but because he had a headache. He gazed at Chen Xing in silence, then turned and walked away.

Chen Xing proudly wagged her tail, ensured each spiritual herb field had been adequately moistened, and then returned to her mat to bask in the sun. 

She truly is a clever little dragon, and when she faces the clan again, especially those who rule through force, she will undoubtedly be the smartest among them.

After breakfast, while Xiao Bao remained on Spiritual Peak preparing things, Qin Ji took Chen Xing shopping. Some of the items they needed required custom craftsmanship, and acquiring everything listed in the jade scroll, both in terms of quantity and variety, would take some time. There was much to gather.

 

When Qin Ji completed his tasks and settled into his evening meditation, he cast a glance at Chen Xing. She had positioned her round cushion next to him, and even in her slumber, she had a small pillow under her head and a tiny blanket draped over her. Qin Ji was suddenly struck by a question.

Had Chen Xing never been curious about why she had hatched prematurely by his side? It seemed she had never inquired, accepting the fact of her incomplete heritage and consciousness with remarkable equanimity.

Could it be that her partial consciousness played a role in this?

In his previous life, Qin Ji had interacted with cultivators who were exceptionally talented and possessed excellent character. The only disturbances had come from his self-proclaimed disciple and that disciple's admirers. Nonetheless, those individuals, at least, had fully intact consciousness. Now, faced with Chen Xing's unique situation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness.

Observing Chen Xing curl into a ball and drift into sleep, Qin Ji contemplated silently for an extended period. He turned away from her and began his meditation.

Perhaps, for the time being, the wisest course of action is to ignore these thoughts, to put them out of sight and out of mind.