Chapter 8 : A Temporary Farewell
“By the way, Susu, why did you give me the Silver Fruit earlier?”
Holding the gleaming fruit in her hand, Bai Yiyi looked at Su Xiao with curiosity. This was a fruit that countless demons would covet, one of the most precious treasures of Mount Qi.
Because I was afraid you’d think I was stealing the spirit herb and kill me on the spot…
Su Xiao nearly rolled his eyes but managed to stop himself. Without the slightest embarrassment, he looked at Bai Yiyi and said, “I once heard a saying from the human world. A treasured sword belongs to a hero, and a spirit fruit should be given to a beauty. The moment I saw you, I knew that this Silver Fruit could only be enjoyed by someone as beautiful as you. If anyone else obtained such a heavenly treasure, it would merely tarnish it, like covering a shining pearl with dust… You see, the value of a treasure never lies in the object itself, but in the person who possesses it. Yiyi, I believe the Silver Fruit suits you best.”
Su Xiao praised her in a serious and confident tone, his expression utterly sincere. Having grown up in an era of information overload, he had seen countless flattering lines like these online. Normally he would only show off in comment sections, but now that his life had been on the line, he had no choice but to go all out. If necessary, he was prepared to praise her all the way to the heavens just to ensure she didn’t kill him.
After talking for several minutes, Su Xiao looked up and realized that Bai Yiyi’s fair face had turned faintly red. “H-hey… I’m not as great as you’re saying!” Bai Yiyi covered her face, feeling it grow hotter and hotter.
Did I overdo it? Is she getting embarrassed and angry? Su Xiao felt a little alarmed.
After all, as a lifelong single man, this was the first time he had ever praised a girl like this in real life. He had no idea whether her reaction was normal.
If she were in my world, countless shut-ins would worship her as a goddess… A cat-eared goddess. Those guys would probably praise her even more shamelessly than I did.
Thinking this, Su Xiao felt that he himself was actually quite honest and innocent. Surely a good person like him would receive a “good person card” and escape danger safely… right?
After being shy for a while, Bai Yiyi finally calmed down. She composed herself and looked at Su Xiao seriously.
“Susu… I’m leaving.”
Su Xiao, who had been thinking about how to cling to this powerful ally, froze. His thigh to hug was about to disappear!
“Why?” he asked.
Although they had only known each other for a short time, Su Xiao had already realized that despite her strength, this half-demon girl was unexpectedly pure-hearted. If she suddenly said she had to leave, there must be a reason.
“Because the lord of this mountain has disappeared,” Bai Yiyi explained with a solemn expression. “It’s not just the Ancient Vine Wraith, other Refined Spirits will likely gather here as well. I have to leave.”
Compared to other mountains, Mount Qi was especially hostile to outsiders. Bai Yiyi couldn’t stay here for long. The only reason she had come at all was because the Silver Fruit, which she needed to fully transform into a demon, belonged to the lord of Mount Qi. And by coincidence, that mountain lord had recently vanished. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken such a risk.
“Refined Spirits… like you?” Su Xiao asked, confused.
He had only half understood the complications of the term Refined Spirit from the system’s explanations earlier.
“They’re very strong, Susu,” Bai Yiyi said. “Refined Spirits are different from ordinary demonic beasts like you. Demonic beasts can only passively absorb the moon’s spiritual essence. But once something becomes a Refined Spirit, it can actively absorb not only the moon’s essence but also the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate. Some even awaken the talents of their ancient ancestors. Their strength is far greater than that of normal demonic beasts. That’s why what you did earlier was actually very dangerous. If you encounter a Refined Spirit-level monster, the first thing you should do is avoid provoking them and find somewhere to hide as quickly as possible.”
Bai Yiyi realized that her new friend lacked basic common knowledge. Yet at the same time, this little fox possessed astonishing courage, which she had experienced firsthand.
Most demonic beasts would tuck their tails and run the moment they saw her. But Susu? Susu had calmly picked the Silver Fruit right in front of her and handed it over. And that wasn’t all. When faced with the troublesome Ancient Vine Wraith, Susu hadn’t run away, instead they had teamed up and defeated it together.
Now that they were friends, Bai Yiyi felt obligated to patiently teach her brave but reckless companion some survival basics.
Su Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. Refined Spirits could actively absorb moon essence… Which meant they could cultivate. No wonder every Refined Spirit he had seen was absurdly powerful.
One group passively gained experience. The other actively farmed it.
The gap would only keep growing wider.
While Su Xiao was lost in thought, Bai Yiyi suddenly looked up at the sky. “I have to go. Remember what I said. If you encounter a Refined Spirit-level monster, don’t act recklessly. Don’t. Act. Recklessly!”
She placed one hand on her hip, leaned slightly forward, and pointed a finger at him as she warned him sternly.
“And one more thing. After midnight, don’t wander around. The human world has been very chaotic lately. Many strange spirits and monsters have appeared. Midnight is when they’re most active, so it’s easy to run into danger.”
Faced with Bai Yiyi’s serious advice, Su Xiao could only nod obediently.
Soon, the wind began to rise again. It was clear she was about to leave.
By the time Su Xiao looked up, her graceful figure had already disappeared. There were no long farewells, no complicated emotions like humans often shared.
Looking into the distance, Su Xiao could just barely see a faint apricot-yellow silhouette leaping between the treetops.
“What a strange half-demon… I wonder if we’ll ever meet again.”
Su Xiao shook his head. Unknowingly, the feeling he held toward Bai Yiyi was strangely similar to the one she had toward him.