Chapter 18 – Stalking
Lu Youyou truly wasn't someone good at lying. Watching her retreating figure, Xu Jie became even more certain that something was amiss.
Running all the way back to her place, Lu Youyou murmured to herself with lingering fear, "That was close, almost got caught by Third Senior Brother."
After calming her mind, she began to look forward to dinner again. Checking the time, she wondered why it hadn't arrived yet.
For Lu Youyou, the most anticipated part of her day was the three meals.
On the other side, Ye Changqing, returning from Yiyuan City, landed in the courtyard riding Xiao Bai.
Casually tossing a Body Refinement Pill into his mouth, Xiao Bai nudged his head over, looking like he wanted one too.
Seeing this, Ye Changqing chuckled and fed a Body Refinement Pill to Xiao Bai. "Go play in the backyard, I need to prepare dinner."
The time was almost right. After organizing the items he bought, he began preparing dinner.
Today, Ye Changqing planned to make two dishes: Stir-Fried Pork and Mapo Tofu.
As the fragrance wafted from the kitchen, Xiao Bai couldn't resist coming to the kitchen door.
Watching Ye Changqing busy at work, the little guy drooled continuously, his eyes glowing green as he stared at the freshly cooked Stir-Fried Pork.
Seeing this, Ye Changqing smiled helplessly. "You want some too?"
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread.com".
Xiao Bai nodded repeatedly, indicating he wanted to eat. Ye Changqing then found a small bowl and scooped some out. "Go ahead."
The aroma was overwhelming, and even as a beast, Xiao Bai couldn't resist. Taking a bite, the unprecedented flavor burst in his mouth, and Xiao Bai chirped excitedly, never having tasted anything so delicious.
As a Red-Crested Immortal Crane, Xiao Bai's usual feed was certainly not bad, but compared to this bowl of Stir-Fried Pork, it was on a completely different level.
Unable to contain his excitement, Xiao Bai devoured the Stir-Fried Pork in no time, then looked eagerly at Ye Changqing.
"That's all there is. This is for everyone's dinner. If you eat more, there won't be enough."
Who would have thought an Immortal Crane would enjoy this so much? But Ye Changqing refused directly, as giving it all to Xiao Bai would leave none for the others.
Hearing this, Xiao Bai looked disappointed, while a system notification appeared in Ye Changqing's mind.
[Received one praise, reward: Talent +1, Cultivation Level +1.]
Even beasts can provide praise? Turning to Xiao Bai, Ye Changqing was full of surprise.
[All living beings can provide praise.]
The system's response was affirmative.
This was unexpected, a pleasant surprise indeed. Looking at the disappointed Xiao Bai, Ye Changqing thought for a moment and said, "If you want more, you'll have to queue up at mealtime."
Hearing this, Xiao Bai's eyes lit up instantly. As long as there's a chance.
Even Xiao Bai, a beast, was eagerly anticipating mealtime.
As time slowly passed, mealtime drew nearer, and the menial disciples across Divine Sword Peak began to stir restlessly.
Dinner was about to start.
"Hurry, let's finish up here and head for dinner."
At the back mountain lumberyard, several menial disciples were swinging their axes vigorously.
These weren't ordinary trees but Black Iron Wood, with trunks as black as coal, extremely hard, comparable to steel.
This was the primary material used for building houses on Divine Sword Peak, solid and durable, but cutting it down required considerable effort.
Five menial disciples working together could only fell three Black Iron Wood trees a day.
The current tree was the third one. Once it was down, today's task would be complete.
Hearing that dinner was about to start, the exhausted menial disciples suddenly seemed energized, their axes swinging with afterimages.
"What the hell..."
Another group of menial disciples nearby was dumbfounded by the scene.
Their task was also to fell Black Iron Wood, and they had been working for about the same time. They were all exhausted, so why did this group suddenly become so vigorous?
However, what shocked them even more was yet to come.
Seeing that their efficiency was still too slow, one of the menial disciples spoke up.
"Brothers, burn your vitality, or we won't make it in time to queue."
"That's right, if we're late, we won't get a spot in line."
"A little vitality is nothing; a bowl of Stir-Fried Pork will make up for it."
Immediately, a few of them began emitting strands of vitality, leaving the already dumbfounded other menial disciples questioning their sanity.
Is this necessary? It's just cutting a Black Iron Wood tree. Why burn your vitality? Anyone would think you were going to have a life-and-death duel with the tree.
Burning vitality wasn't a sophisticated technique; every Body Refinement Cultivator knew how to do it.
However, after burning vitality, one would become weak for a period and need to recuperate and replenish vitality to recover gradually.
It's usually only used in combat, but now it's just for cutting trees. Is it really necessary?
Completely baffled, under the boost of vitality, the group of menial disciples quickly felled the last Black Iron Wood tree, completing today's task.
One would think they should be utterly exhausted now, but surprisingly, they didn't stop burning their vitality. Instead, they dashed madly towards the foot of the mountain, taking advantage of the remaining strength.
"Charge, charge, charge, while there's still strength left."
Are they crazy? Burning vitality to sprint, even if their house was on fire, it wouldn't be like this, right?
Faced with this group's bizarre actions, the surrounding menial disciples were stunned, until someone spoke up.
"These guys are acting strange."
"Indeed."
"I remember, recently, many people have been like this, as if injected with adrenaline at specific times."
"Something's up, they're definitely hiding something from us."
"What should we do?"
"Have two people follow them quietly."
"Alright."
Sensing something was off, two menial disciples quietly followed them.
Meanwhile, Lu Youyou finally endured until it was almost mealtime at her place, happily heading towards the foot of the mountain.
To be quicker, she even used Agility Martial Arts, pushing her speed to the limit.
However, she didn't notice that a figure was closely following her, none other than Third Senior Brother Xu Jie.
Following from her place to now, Xu Jie's confusion only grew.
"Junior Sister is even using Agility Martial Arts, what's she up to? Why the rush?"
Normally, one wouldn't use Agility Martial Arts for traveling, as it consumes a lot of spiritual power, especially when used with full force like Lu Youyou is doing now.
What urgent matter could make Lu Youyou go to such lengths?