When Golden Finger Meets Salted Fish

The formidable Silver-scaled Black Python had fallen, and the White Tiger who had exerted the most effort could no longer withstand the exhaustion. Her body wavered in mid-air before plummeting straight down. Amid the alarmed cries of everyone present, the White Tiger—who had been the size of an adult tiger—gradually shrank. By the time Yun Qingyue caught her in her hands, she had reverted to the size of a cat—once again that adorably plump tiger cub.

The tiger cub fell into Yun Qingyue's embrace and immediately slipped into unconsciousness, completely motionless.

Su Hao and the others watched from a distance and were terrified. Even though they had just slain a sixth-grade Silver-scaled Black Python, even though beneath the lake waters lay a dragon skeleton and ninth-grade Dragon's Blood Grass, these treasures paled in comparison to Jianbing.

No matter how precious the dragon bones or how rare the ninth-grade Dragon's Blood Grass, their importance to the sect couldn't compare to a divine beast guardian who could protect the sect for thousands of years. Su Hao's group were all senior disciples of their respective peaks—future Peak Masters—and in their hearts, the sect's interests outweighed their own personal gain.

None of them had time to attend to the Silver-scaled Black Python's corpse. They all rushed toward Yun Qingyue, anxiously asking from a distance: "Junior Sister Yun, how is Jianbing?"

Yun Qingyue cared more about the little white tiger than anyone else and had already briefly examined her body the moment she caught her. Discovering that the tiger cub had merely fallen unconscious from overexertion, she sighed with slight relief and answered their inquiry: "No harm done. Jianbing has merely overexpended herself and has fallen asleep. Let's see how she is when she wakes up."

Hearing this, everyone relaxed slightly, though their concerns weren't entirely alleviated—Jianbing was only one year old, still too young. Her previous outburst had been completely unexpected. Who knew to what extent this overexertion had affected her, and whether it might impact her future?

The Xuanqing Sect disciples were worried and brought out their medicinal pills and spirit herbs, attempting to replenish the depleted Jianbing.

Yun Qingyue had gained considerably while accompanying Jianbing on this journey. Moreover, the little white tiger's final burst of power had been for her sake, so she ultimately declined her fellow disciples' precious offerings. While politely refusing their good intentions, she said: "I'll look after Jianbing. Senior Brothers should first deal with the Silver-scaled Black Python's remains. And the items at the bottom of the lake—time is of the essence—we need to consider how best to handle them."

At the mention of the dragon bones at the lake bottom, everyone's hearts warmed. Having confirmed that Jianbing was indeed unharmed, they temporarily shifted their focus. However, since the slaying of the Silver-scaled Black Python had relied entirely on Jianbing, and since the dragon bones at the lake bottom would be useful to her, she would certainly deserve the largest share.

Su Hao looked at the lake water stained red with snake blood and turned to Bai Xu: "The Silver-scaled Black Python's venom is quite potent; we shouldn't rashly enter the water. Junior Brother Bai, please check how to neutralize the poison in the lake water first, then we can go in without delay." He then addressed the others: "Brothers, let's process the Silver-scaled Black Python's carcass first. A sixth-grade spirit beast has many valuable components."

Everyone agreed. Although this Silver-scaled Black Python was Jianbing's spoil of war, nobody would refuse to help with the cleanup. So they immediately set to work in different areas, with only Yun Qingyue remaining by the lakeside maple forest with the little white tiger in her arms; no one asked her to help.

The cultivators worked swiftly. A giant python tens of zhang long was like an ox to a skilled butcher in the hands of cultivators—the snake skin, though damaged in several places, still had many usable sections due to its large size. Snake teeth and bones were excellent materials for artifact refining, the venom could be used for self-defense, and the blood and gallbladder could be used in medicine—all were usable materials. After the giant python was completely dismembered, only a small mountain of snake meat remained.

Bei Luo looked at the mound of meat and smacked his lips: "Snake meat is delicious. I wonder what this Silver-scaled Black Python tastes like? Now that the skin is removed and the blood drained, that snake smell is gone. Perhaps it tastes quite good?"

Cultivators had long ago transcended the need for regular food, but this didn't mean they ate nothing at all—Xuanqing Sect had even specifically set aside an area for growing spirit grains. As for spirit beasts and demonic beasts, their robust physiques and flesh contained considerable energy, especially beneficial for cultivators, particularly body cultivators.

Su Hao laughed and said: "I've heard that Junior Brother Bei Luo's grilled meat skills are exceptional. Later, if Junior Brother Bai Xu confirms this meat is non-toxic and edible, we can sample your culinary skills."

Bei Luo readily agreed, taking out a storage pouch to collect the mountain of meat, and the Silver-scaled Black Python was thoroughly processed. Meanwhile, Bai Xu, who had been examining the lake water, returned and informed everyone: "The lake water is poisonous. It seems to be contaminated with toxins from the Silver-scaled Black Python living there, plus the venom released during the recent battle. For now, it's not advisable to have much contact with the water."

Upon hearing this, Su Hao hurriedly asked: "Then does Junior Brother have a way to neutralize the poison?"

Bai Xu nodded and immediately took out his pill-refining cauldron, telling everyone: "I have detoxifying herbs that can counter the Silver-scaled Black Python's venom. Senior Brothers, please wait while I refine the pills. Once done, we can enter the water."

Everyone relaxed at this news and naturally had no objections. While waiting for Bai Xu to refine the pills on-site, they questioned Yun Qingyue and Tan Xin about the lake bottom conditions, and then formulated one, two, three, four, five... plans for excavating the dragon bones despite the dragon's aura. Su Hao also reminded Bai Xu to refine several batches of detoxification pills in case they couldn't complete the excavation in one attempt and needed to continue.

Bai Xu agreed and began refining the pills with full enthusiasm. The others were also eager, their gazes toward the lake water burning hot, as if already envisioning the successful excavation and the bright future of advancing their cultivation with the dragon bones.

However, they could never have imagined that at the bottom of the lake, there was nothing but silt—absolutely nothing else.

༻༺❀༻✧⋆｡°✩☽༓☾✩°｡⋆✧༺❀༻༺

The little white tiger slept for who knows how long. When she awoke, the sky had already turned completely dark.

She was nestled in Senior Sister's familiar embrace, with a bonfire burning not far away. The blazing heat dispelled the night's chill, warming her fur. The light from the fire illuminated the surroundings, revealing a layer of red maple leaves on the ground.

The little white tiger had barely opened her eyes when Yun Qingyue noticed. Her slender index finger stroked the tiger cub's round ear as she slightly lifted the arm cradling her and asked: "Awake? How are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

The tiger cub rested her chin on Senior Sister's arm, listlessly tilting her head, seemingly still not fully awake: "So tired, no strength."

Cubs are usually full of energy, and the little white tiger had always been the same. Yun Qingyue had never seen her so lethargic before, and her heart ached. Her hand gently stroked the little white tiger's head as she spoke softly: "Then rest a bit longer." After a pause, she asked: "We've collected many medicinal herbs before. Are any of them useful to you?"

The little white tiger thought for a moment before shaking her head: "Don't need any. Save those for Senior Sister."

Yun Qingyue frowned upon hearing this and was about to say something when she noticed the little white tiger's paw lightly scratching her arm. Looking at the little white tiger again, she saw her blinking her eyes, seemingly hesitant to speak. So Yun Qingyue swallowed her words and instead asked: "What is it?"

The little white tiger was somewhat restless yet also a bit shy, her gaze wandering: "Not feeling well... want Senior Sister to give me cuddles and kisses..."

Yun Qingyue, who had been completely serious, was taken aback by these words, realizing the little white tiger was acting coquettishly. She found it both amusing and novel—though she had raised many Junior Brothers and Sisters as the master of Mount Mingxia, no one had ever dared speak to her like this. But undeniably, the way the little white tiger softly coaxed her melted her already tender heart even further.

However, the little white tiger ultimately didn't receive Senior Sister's kisses because a poorly timed "pfft" sound suddenly came from nearby—someone had heard Jianbing's sweet talk and couldn't help but laugh.

The little white tiger's gaze quickly shifted toward the sound. Though her eyes were fierce, in her current state, they could only be described as adorably fierce.

Bei Luo couldn't help but laugh harder, quickly covering his mouth and even half his face with his hand. Unfortunately, his exposed eyes were still curved, obviously smiling... What kind of person laughs at a baby tiger being affectionate?!

The little white tiger grew angry, and even Yun Qingyue cast a reproachful glance in his direction.

Bei Luo had no choice but to suppress his laughter and apologize to both woman and tiger: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop." After barely regaining his composure, he looked at the little white tiger: "Jianbing is awake. Is your body alright?"

The little white tiger puffed up in anger and replied irritably: "Over-exhausted, need nourishment. Do you have any treasures for me?"

She had merely spoken out of spite, but to her surprise, Bei Luo actually took several spirit fruits from his storage ring. The little white tiger didn't recognize them, but she could sense the rich metal-attributed spiritual energy emanating from them—these were rare metal-attributed spirit fruits... Bei Luo also had a metal spiritual root, so these fruits must have been specially collected by him and were quite useful to him, yet he generously offered them all at once.

With Bei Luo being so generous, the little white tiger felt too embarrassed to remain angry. She raised her paw to block the offering: "I was just saying that. I don't want your things." She didn't really need them anyway; not to mention the dragon bones, the spirit crystals she had dug up earlier were enough for her.

Speaking of spirit crystals, with Bei Luo being so generous, perhaps giving him some when they left the secret realm wouldn't be unreasonable?

This commotion also disturbed the others who were meditating around the fire. Almost all of them interrupted their cultivation and looked over, the suddenly concentrated gazes nearly making the little white tiger's fur stand on end.

Su Hao was the first to sense the awkwardness. He withdrew his gaze, cleared his throat, and said: "Our apologies, we didn't mean to intrude. Is Jianbing's body alright now?" After a pause, he continued: "If Jianbing is well, there's a matter we'd like to consult with you about."

The little white tiger looked at Su Hao, then at the surroundings, determining that they were still by the lake where the Silver-scaled Black Python had dwelled. She more or less guessed Su Hao's question—with the Silver-scaled Black Python eliminated, these people naturally wanted to go to the lake bottom to find the dragon bones. However, since the dragon bones had been collected by the system, there was nothing at the bottom of the lake now. They were probably asking about the whereabouts of the dragon bones.

The dragon bones were her discovery and she had taken them, but everyone had contributed to some extent, and she had no intention of keeping everything for herself. Just as she was about to directly state that she had taken the dragon bones, her ear was gently pinched by Senior Sister.