When Golden Finger Meets Salted Fish

"Ding, congratulations host, experience points +500."

There was probably no sound more delightful in this world. Jiang Mo was momentarily stunned, then nearly wept with joy—one pill bringing 500 experience points was far more efficient than the previous nurturing essence pills that added just 5 points at a time. A hundredfold difference! She now regretted her earlier choices; if only she had known not to take so many nurturing essence pills on the journey, since there were far better options here!

With this thought, the little white tiger eagerly pounced forward, her two small paws directly embracing the medicine bottle in Yun Qingyue's hand. Without needing to say anything, her reaction already demonstrated the pill's effectiveness.

Of course, as cultivators of profound cultivation, both Qinglan and Yun Qingyue immediately detected the changes in the little white tiger...

The system level classification could be roughly summarized as one realm per 10 levels. Levels 1 to 10 represented the mortal realm, with differences ranging from a frail infant to an innate expert, but whether infant or expert, they ultimately remained within the mortal category. Level 10 was a threshold, perhaps the most special of all levels—crossing it allowed one to become a cultivator; otherwise, one remained forever mortal.

This level represented a transformation process, which in cultivators' eyes could be summarized in one phrase: "drawing qi into the body." This naturally presented difficulties for ordinary beginners, but for a divine beast white tiger, it wasn't an issue at all.

After all, apart from this peculiar specimen before them, probably no divine beast nurtured by heaven and earth had ever been reduced to such a state.

Returning to the matter at hand, the little white tiger in Qinglan and Yun Qingyue's eyes had essentially drawn qi into her body on the spot after consuming just one Spirit Nurturing Pill. However, this process seemed to lack sufficient momentum, so without a second thought, Yun Qingyue took out a bottle of nurturing essence pills and began feeding them—divine beasts were indeed different. Previously, she had treated nurturing essence pills as candy; now, eating a few more Spirit Nurturing Pills should also be fine.

Sure enough, under Yun Qingyue's feeding, Jiang Mo soon heard the system's level-up prompt again. From Qinglan and Yun Qingyue's perspective, reaching level 11 meant she had successfully drawn qi into her body, finally achieving the first layer of Qi Refinement cultivation.

Yun Qingyue breathed a sigh of relief, her slightly tensed brows imperceptibly relaxing. Only then did she turn to Qinglan: "These Spirit Nurturing Pills are effective for the white tiger. Uncle Qinglan, how many do you have here?"

Having witnessed the little white tiger's feat of taking pills as food, Yun Qingyue had foreseen what would happen next. Besides preparing sufficient Spirit Nurturing Pills for the little white tiger, she would need to promptly find new medicinal pills as replacements once their effectiveness diminished.

Thinking this way, she realized she would probably have many opportunities to visit Mount Qionghua in the future.

Qinglan glanced at the Spirit Nurturing Pills on the shelf, then at the little white tiger leveling up on the spot. Privately amazed, he nevertheless waved dismissively: "Spirit Nurturing Pills are merely third-grade pills. I haven't refined them for a long time; these stocks are all practice pieces from your Junior Brothers and Sisters. How about this—you go back first, and tomorrow I'll have someone deliver medicine to Mount Mingxia. You're also welcome to bring Monitor of Troops here anytime."

Hearing this, Yun Qingyue's typically cool eyes flashed with brightness, and she hurriedly said: "This disciple thanks Uncle."

Hearing her speak this way, even Qinglan, who usually ignored worldly affairs, couldn't help but smile: "Monitor of Troops has decided to stay at Xuanqing Sect. Supporting Monitor of Troops is our responsibility—why should you thank me?"

Yun Qingyue froze slightly upon hearing this, then showed faint embarrassment—perhaps because the little white tiger was too dependent on her and currently too weak, she had unconsciously placed herself in the role of caretaker. But no matter how weak, a white tiger remained a divine beast. Given her pill-popping, level-upgrading momentum, as long as the sect's pill supply continued, this little one surpassing her cultivation would merely be a matter of time.

After all, divine beasts are born with Nascent Soul cultivation, while she had cultivated for decades and was only just approaching the threshold of Nascent Soul.

As her thoughts shifted, Yun Qingyue's arms holding the little white tiger tightened almost imperceptibly, feeling that she wouldn't be able to hold this uniquely affectionate milk tiger for much longer. However, her expression revealed nothing as she said: "Uncle speaks truly. This disciple misspoke."

Jiang Mo vaguely sensed Yun Qingyue's emotional fluctuation but didn't understand it. Still, she gave an "aowu" sound toward Qinglan, as a form of thanks.

Qinglan had no interest in such trivial matters. After briefly acknowledging Monitor of Troops, he quickly sent the human and tiger on their way.

Leaving Mount Qionghua with everything decided, the next step was naturally to take the little white tiger back to Mount Mingxia. On the way, Yun Qingyue explained to the little white tiger: "Uncle Qinglan is an eighth-grade pill refiner. Pills from his hands are at least superior grade; third-grade pills are nothing to him. Compared to the practice pills made by Mount Qionghua disciples, the efficacy might differ by tenfold or more."

Of course, given Venerable Qinglan's current status, no one except the little white tiger could motivate him to return to refining these basic third-grade pills. So even as a responsibility, the little white tiger should appreciate this favor.

Jiang Mo was grateful, but she had some internal doubts, since in games, pills only had different types, not quality grades within the same type.

As the little white tiger mused about this, the scenery before her rapidly receded. Along the way, the human and tiger encountered a flock of immortal cranes, but before the little white tiger's curiosity could lead her to observe or tease them, these cranes spotted them from afar and flew away on a different path.

Jiang Mo looked at her tender tiger paws, confusion passing through her golden tiger eyes—had she finally developed divine beast pressure after leveling up, causing bloodline suppression? Had these cranes recognized her from afar and fled in fear?

The perplexed Jiang Mo didn't look up, so she didn't see Yun Qingyue's slightly pursed lips at that moment.

The human and tiger flew through the sky on the flying sword. In the time it took Jiang Mo to secretly take a couple more pills, they had already arrived at Mount Mingxia. It was nearly evening, with the sunset filling the sky. Standing high above and looking down at this mountain peak, one could see the swirling clouds and mist—a breathtaking sight.

Yun Qingyue directly landed her sword on a platform on the left side of the peak. A glance revealed signs of habitation—and not just hers. In fact, the small courtyard encircled by formations had seven residences, belonging to Mount Mingxia's seven true disciples. Two were away on training expeditions, three were in seclusion, and only one junior sister of shallow cultivation was still active, though not currently at home.

So when Yun Qingyue landed with the little white tiger, apart from the rustling sound of tree leaves in the mountain wind seemingly welcoming them, the platform before the small courtyard was completely quiet. The Senior Sister's return evidently hadn't disturbed anyone.

Yun Qingyue was accustomed to this and walked directly to the first small courtyard on the left, opening the barrier and entering.

Like a ripple of water, the barrier offered no sensation when passing through, yet the scenery changed dramatically inside. Jiang Mo curiously looked back at the formation barrier, reaching out her paw to try touching it without success, then regained her composure.

Turning back to look carefully, the courtyard before her seemed larger than it had appeared from outside. A green pine was planted on the left, several clusters of bamboo grew on the right—verdant and fresh, simple yet elegant. The ground was also adorned with unnamed flowers and plants in full bloom, adding brightness and vitality to the courtyard. Most distinctive, however, was a peach tree laden with fruit beneath the window in front of the house.

It felt somewhat down-to-earth, less like a cultivation setting...

The little white tiger had recently focused solely on drinking milk and taking pills, barely consuming other foods. Now, seeing those plump, pink peaches on the tree that looked so sweet, tears of desire nearly flowed from the corners of her mouth.

"Gulp"—the little white tiger secretly swallowed.

With their keen hearing and sight, cultivators naturally wouldn't miss such a subtle movement. Yun Qingyue glanced at the peach tree, waved her hand, and a fragrant peach fell into her palm, which she then placed before Jiang Mo: "Do you want one?"

Though she didn't understand why a tiger would eat vegetables, she was certainly remarkably attuned to the tiger's thoughts.

The little white tiger didn't hold back, emotionally embracing the peach.