I don't know how long they had been running before Zhao Shuning finally stopped with the Lotus Green Silk Cat.
Fortunately, the Lotus Green Silk Cat, a spiritual beast known for its speed, had saved them. Otherwise, they might have been pounded into mincemeat by that venomous snake with its huge hammer.
Zhao Shuning dismounted and let out a long breath.
At this moment, the Lotus Green Silk Cat slowly approached. It rested its head beside Zhao Shuning and kept rubbing against her leg.
Zhao Shuning smiled and gently stroked its fur. Only then did it slowly lie down, looking rather aggrieved.
The Lotus Green Silk Cat was originally an ancient ferocious beast from the Tiger clan. If it hadn't fallen into trouble later, it wouldn't have ended up as a spiritual beast.
"Don't be sad. Your mother has gone to a better place."
That place was free of pain, sorrow, tears, and those greedy humans. She would live well there.
The Lotus Green Silk Cat seemed to understand what Zhao Shuning said. It whined at her, and a green light flashed in its eyes.
Although it was extremely brief, Zhao Shuning still caught it.
"Xiaoli, can your pupils turn green?"
The little cat nodded. Then it raised its head and changed the color of its pupils again so that Zhao Shuning could see clearly.
"It's really rare. This means that there might still be the bloodline of the ancient ferocious beast, the Wuchen Dragon Butterfly Tiger, in your blood."
The Wuchen Dragon Butterfly Tiger was a ferocious beast that had served as a pioneer and mount for countless Ninth - Rank Spiritual Herbalists in ancient times. If Xiaoli really had such a rare bloodline in its body, its cultivation talent in the later stage would be immeasurable.
Zhao Shuning didn't expect that the little spiritual beast she had casually rescued would be connected to the ancient ferocious beast, the Wuchen Dragon Butterfly Tiger.
Xiaoli naturally understood what Zhao Shuning meant. Its drooping head perked up a bit with excitement.
Then, Xiaoli slowly got up. It bent its front two limbs and made a sacrificial gesture to Zhao Shuning. As a spiritual herbalist, Zhao Shuning was very familiar with this gesture. The little cat wanted to form a contract with her.
Zhao Shuning smiled but shook her head.
Confusion appeared in the little cat's eyes.
"I'm not looking down on you. The remaining bloodline of an ancient ferocious beast is already extremely rare in the Eastern Swamp Wilderness. You're very good."
The little cat stuck out its head aggrievedly. Zhao Shuning reached out and stroked its body.
"I know you want to help me, but I really don't need it. I have my own divine beast, and I like it very much."
The cat raised its head and looked at Zhao Shuning, its eyes full of longing.
"Do you want to see the divine beast that has formed a contract with me?"
The little cat nodded.
Zhao Shuning smiled. Since she became Zhao Shuning, she had never shown her divine beast spirit in front of others. Xiaoli had just lost its mother, and with that eager look in its eyes, Zhao Shuning couldn't bear to refuse its request.
She closed her eyes and first used the spiritual power of an alchemist to create a barrier around her, so that no one from the outside could see what was happening inside.
Zhao Shuning raised her hands as if she were lifting a heavy object.
When her hands passed over her head, a huge figure suddenly appeared behind her. A large, fiery - red bird soared behind Zhao Shuning. A huge column of flame shot up into the sky, and a resounding phoenix cry erupted. Its gorgeous fiery - red tail feathers trailed long on the ground. Its almost perfect posture demonstrated the majesty of the king of birds.
The phoenix was the king of birds and could even be regarded as the lord of all beasts.
Zhao Shuning opened her eyes and removed the barrier around her.
At this moment, there was only full - fledged awe in Xiaoli's eyes when it looked at her. Xiaoli knew that Zhao Shuning was at most a Second - Rank Spiritual Herbalist and at most a Third - Rank Alchemist. No matter how good her aptitude was, she couldn't possibly have a divine beast like the phoenix.
Among all beasts, they would choose their own masters.
For someone like Zhao Shuning, not to mention the king of all birds, even an ordinary monster wouldn't take a fancy to her.
"What's wrong? Disheartened?"
"Don't worry. I'll choose a good master for you."
As soon as Zhao Shuning finished speaking, she heard Kong Shishuang's calling voice in the distance. She quickly took off her robe, took some pills, cleared her throat, and then responded to Kong Shishuang.
Kong Shishuang trotted all the way over. When she reached Zhao Shuning's side, she was out of breath.
Seeing Xiaoli beside Zhao Shuning, Kong Shishuang's tearful nature flared up again. She went up and hugged Xiaoli, crying loudly.
Xiaoli didn't seem to mind Kong Shishuang's embrace and just let her hug it.
After crying enough, Kong Shishuang looked at Zhao Shuning.
"Are you okay?" she asked carefully.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"How did you rescue Xiaoli? You're so amazing."
Zhao Shuning shrugged. Every time Kong Shishuang praised someone, it was always the same few words. No wonder. A girl of about thirteen years old wouldn't know much.
"I didn't rescue it. I met a young man. He seemed to be from the Broken Dragon Sect. It was him who helped me rescue Xiaoli."
"Oh, I knew it. How could you fight six on your own? So there was someone to help you. Wait, why would someone from the Broken Dragon Sect help you? I heard in the Misty Rain Tower before that you beat Pang Shuai from the Broken Dragon Sect quite badly."
Zhao Shuning shrugged. She thought to herself, if you knew that I had also ransacked the Broken Dragon Sect, would you doubt the truth of what I just said even more?
"Why? Zhao Shuning, just tell me."
On the way back, Kong Shishuang kept pestering Zhao Shuning with questions. Even Zhao Shuning began to wonder. Usually, this young lady seemed to have water in her head and would believe anything. Why was she suddenly so smart today?
Xiaoli obediently followed behind the two of them.
When they were almost back, Kong Shishuang was still asking questions non - stop.
"Miss Kong, I'll give Xiaoli to you."
"Ah?" The topic changed so quickly that Kong Shishuang didn't react for a moment. Her eyes were a bit dazed.
"If you don't want it, I'll give it to Shuang'er."
"No no no, I want it! I want it!"
Kong Shishuang was extremely excited at this moment and completely forgot about all the questions she had in her mind.
"But Zhao Shuning, can you just give Xiaoli to me like this? Will Xiaoli like me?"
Zhao Shuning glanced at Xiaoli. Xiaoli obediently came over and rubbed its soft ears against Kong Shishuang, making her laugh non - stop.
"How about it? Xiaoli likes you, right?"
"Yeah. I knew it. I'm much more charming than you, Zhao Shuning. Xiaoli must like beauties more."
Zhao Shuning didn't say a word but just kept nodding.
After all this commotion, dawn was almost breaking. However, now that it was dawn, after delaying for half a month, they should make some progress.
She had a leather map she had drawn in her hands, which were hidden behind her back.
During the fight just now, she had accidentally taken something.