Chapter 13: Kindred Spirits

She had seen this girl before; she was the earth-element Heavenly Spirit Root who had taken the test in the same year as her.

Sensing Ji Jiuxuan’s approach, Feng Hanxiao, holding a half-eaten roast spirit chicken in her hands, looked up and grinned with a simple, honest face. “Xuanxuan, do you want some?”

Ji Jiuxuan hesitated for a moment where she stood, then strode over decisively and sat down beside her, taking out a beautifully polished spirit jade bead from her spatial ring.

Spirit jade beads like this were valuable and mostly used as toys for children in the cultivation world. They also made excellent gifts for friends. Some even had formations engraved within, making them more versatile.

This girl before her, though she looked guileless, struck Ji Jiuxuan as shrewd—a face that invited instant goodwill. So, Ji Jiuxuan generously handed over the spirit jade bead. “This is for you, a meeting gift.”

Though her soul was that of an adult and she ought to have shown more restraint, she felt none of the self-consciousness of adulthood.

The truth was, she was simply tempted by the delicious food.

When Feng Hanxiao tore off a generous portion of the roast chicken and handed it over, Ji Jiuxuan gladly accepted it.

“Then this will be my meeting gift to you,” Feng Hanxiao said cheerfully, taking a bite of the chicken in her hand. “So you like this too!”

Her expression was as if she had found a kindred spirit, her happiness plain to see.

“Yes, whenever I have something tasty, I’ll share it with you too,” Ji Jiuxuan replied, taking a bite of the roast spirit chicken. The aroma struck straight at her soul, spiritual energy seeping from the juicy meat. The more she ate, the more delicious it became. She almost regretted not trying it sooner!

For this one bite that had led her into the wondrous world of culinary delights, Ji Jiuxuan decided she would share her delicious finds with Feng Hanxiao from now on.

“Great! It’s a deal!” Feng Hanxiao’s usually honest face brightened, her eyes sparkling at the mention of food, and a shrewdness added to her adorable features.

Ji Jiuxuan finally understood why she always felt a sense of contradiction when looking at Feng Hanxiao.

On that guileless face were a pair of exceptionally bright, clever eyes—the windows to her soul. She was anything but slow-witted.

Feng Hanxiao clearly belonged to the type who could use her appearance to mislead others, lulling enemies into lowering their guard.

“I remember you live on Wangchen Peak. What brings you over to the main peak today?” Wangchen Peak was the farthest from the main peak within the sect.

Wangchen Peak was mainly populated by earth-element cultivators, for whom sensing the power of the earth was crucial. Though the lowest of the main mountains, Wangchen Peak had the broadest surrounding lands.

Making a special trip from Wangchen Peak to the main peak just for roast spirit chicken seemed a bit of a stretch.

Feng Hanxiao leaned in close to Ji Jiuxuan and whispered, “My father heard that Elder Dongcheng from the Beast Taming Sect is here, so he wanted to come and find out about this year’s entry to the Spirit Valley.”

Seeing that Feng Hanxiao was so forthright, Ji Jiuxuan replied just as openly, “I want to go too, but if the Beast Taming Sect offers spots, I’m not sure what the situation will be...”

It was wise to be cautious, but for some reason, from the moment she first set eyes on Feng Hanxiao, Ji Jiuxuan felt there was no need to guard herself against her.

She trusted her instincts implicitly, just as she had always known she had terrible luck with games of chance.

Feng Hanxiao was taken aback by Ji Jiuxuan’s lack of reservation and straightforwardness.

On Wangchen Peak, most of the young cultivators she interacted with were either deferential or even a bit ingratiating. Now, seeing Ji Jiuxuan like this, she inexplicably enjoyed simply sitting and chatting with her.

“There’s no need to worry about that. I heard that in past years, there were always two or three spots. This time, with Elder Dongcheng here in person, I doubt there will be fewer.” Seeing Ji Jiuxuan’s surprise, she explained, “That’s what my father said. He believes the list won’t be short this time, so he’s here to ask the sect leader if I can get a place.”

Both girls were candid, and this was hardly a secret—just that, as children, they weren’t as well informed.

After sharing the spirit chicken, Ji Jiuxuan still felt unsatisfied and couldn’t help asking, “Where did you buy this roast spirit chicken? It’s delicious.”

At the mention of food, Feng Hanxiao’s eyes curved in a smile. “I got it at the dining hall. The elder there makes spirit dishes in limited quantities—it took some effort to get one. Tasty, isn’t it!”

At this, Feng Hanxiao sighed a little regretfully. “I can’t cook myself, otherwise the senior brothers and sisters on Spirit Beast Peak always raise extra spirit fowl, and those in the Spirit Herb Garden grow all sorts of edible spiritual plants. If only I could cook, I’d buy them and make something delicious.”

Thinking of this, Feng Hanxiao couldn’t help swallowing, her half-full belly suddenly feeling hungry again.

After this introduction from Feng Hanxiao, Ji Jiuxuan could no longer suppress her inner foodie.

Wen Ying had told her about life in the sect before, but none of these details had been mentioned.

She had always thought most cultivators subsisted on fasting pills, and figured she’d have to look for ingredients at the markets outside. Who would have guessed the sect itself provided them?

“There are actually a lot of us in the sect who enjoy spirit food, but it’s costly in spirit stones. Fasting pills are cheaper, and they taste fine, which is why most people don’t bother with spirit food,” Feng Hanxiao explained, lowering her voice like someone conspiring to mischief. “I can take you next time if you want?”

She was actually a little nervous inside.

Back at the Dao Ancestral Pavilion test, they had all seen with their own eyes how this fairy-like girl possessed extraordinary talent. Yet now, Feng Hanxiao felt as though she’d found a soulmate, someone she genuinely wanted to share this with.

“Alright!” Ji Jiuxuan exclaimed, delighted at this timely offer. She quickly took out her communication jade and established a connection with Feng Hanxiao.

“Shall we go tomorrow? There’s free time before morning cultivation hours, so this works out well. The lectures at the Academy don’t start until the afternoon, so the morning’s completely free.”

Thinking ahead, she realized she’d be free most mornings from now on, while everyone else in the sect tended to have more time in the afternoon. Wouldn’t that make it inconvenient to seek out food and fun?

So Ji Jiuxuan asked the system, “System, can I change my cultivation schedule to the morning from now on?”

“That’s not possible. This is part of your penalty. Unless you’re penalized for several more hours, your schedule won’t change to mornings,” the system replied, cold and unyielding.

Ji Jiuxuan had come to understand the system’s tricks by now. If the penalties built up to a whole day, everything would reset, but the punishment would be much harsher.

Just thinking about the pain, she knew she’d never choose it if she had the option.

“It’s a deal, then!” Feng Hanxiao reached out, grabbing Ji Jiuxuan’s hand and giving her a high-five, grinning mischievously like a cat who’d just stolen a fish.

“Yes, it’s settled.”

At that moment, Feng Hanxiao’s communication jade lit up. She stood up and bade farewell. “My father’s calling me home. I’m off now—don’t forget our promise!”

Watching the reluctant Feng Hanxiao depart, Ji Jiuxuan turned toward the courtyard with a happy heart.

Though Profound Harmony Court was her maternal grandfather’s residence, ever since she’d moved in, she rarely saw him there.

But just as she reached the gate, she unexpectedly spotted his figure and joyfully ran over. “Grandfather!”