Forming Cocoons

Shen Jingchuan looked down at the two Blood-Veined Golden Leaf Grass in his palm, then looked up at Little Black and Treading Snow. Without further hesitation, he reached out and handed the grasses to them.

Little Black and Treading Snow are not as intelligent as Big Black. As soon as the grass is in their mouths, they know it is for them, and their instincts take over. They don't know how to be modest at all.

The two horses lowered their heads and began to nibble, chewing quickly and meticulously, not wanting to waste a single drop of the juice seeping from the grass leaves, licking them clean.

Big Black stood aside and watched, without moving closer.

After eating a blade of grass, it wasn't long before Little Black and Treading Snow's eyes were half-closed, their steps became unsteady, and they turned around and swayed back to the haystack where they usually rested, where they lay down side by side.

Shen Jingchuan was stunned.

"So fast? Such a strong reaction?"

Before the words were even finished, the two horses began to twitch slightly, emitting low whimpers.

Big Black got a little anxious, went over and circled around them, nudging them with its nose and making uneasy growls in its throat, refusing to leave their side.

After a while, a layer of sticky liquid began to seep from under the fur of the two horses.

The juice dripped down the body, then solidified into a thin film on the surface, thickening and densifying layer by layer until it enveloped the entire horse.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Little Black and Treading Snow were each wrapped into a huge cocoon, looking like silkworm cocoons, and remained motionless.

Xian'er's figure floated over, glanced at the two cocoons, and looked relaxed.

"Don't worry, it's working."

She said, "Your bloodline is awakening, shedding this layer of skin. In a few days, you'll see their new appearance. Go and cultivate; I'll watch over things here for you."

Shen Jingchuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

Xian'er's gaze fell on Big Black, and her tone carried a rare hint of approval.

"Big Black is such a sensible child."

She paused, then said:

"After you go out, go and buy three Contract Jade Slips. Big Black isn't ready yet, we'll have to wait a bit longer; Little Black and Treading Snow will be fully transformed into spirit beasts in a few days, then we can sign contracts."

"Remember, sign Equal Contract with them, not a Master-Servant Contract. Equal Contract will not suppress their bloodline, nor will it hinder future development."

"These three horses have a deep bond with you, and you've always treated them well. There's no need to fear a backlash. Signing Equal Contract is just right, especially for Big Black."

Shen Jingchuan was somewhat puzzled.

"Sister Xian, I have such a good relationship with Big Black and the others, why would I need to sign a contract to restrain them?"

Xian'er glanced at him.

"Who gave you permission to use a contract to bind me?"

"This contract isn't for control. Once signed, you'll be in sync, able to communicate directly. It understands your meaning, and you understand itss."

"From now on, whether we're traveling or taking action, our teamwork will only improve, understand?"

Shen Jingchuan suddenly realized.

"Okay, I got it. I'll go out and buy the Contract Jade Slip."

He glanced again at the two cocoons and the Big Black guarding the side, and instructed Su Qingshu and Su Qinghua to take good care of them. Then, with a thought, he left the Heaven and Earth Ring.

The protective barriers inside the house are still in place.

Shen Jingchuan sat cross-legged on the bed, took out a porcelain bottle from his Storage Ring, poured out a High-Grade Spirit Concentrating Pill, and swallowed it.

The pill melted instantly upon entering the mouth, and a cool sensation went straight to the center of the forehead.

He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began to refine his soul little by little.

Shen Jingchuan sat there for the entire night.

He didn't stop practicing and open his eyes until the sky outside the window began to lighten. He felt refreshed and his Divine Sense between his brows was more solid than before.

He probed the sphere of light with his Divine Sense.

That section of the Spirit Vein was still enveloped in a faint green light, slowly repairing itself as if taking a deep breath; it wouldn't be finished in a short time.

The green light emanating from the Appearance-Preserving Pill beside it had dissipated, leaving it hanging silently.

With a flick of his Divine Sense, the pill fell into his palm, appearing even more lustrous than when he had struck it, faintly exuding a pure aura, indicating that it had already reached the middle grade.

Shen Jingchuan held the pills, but was troubled.

This pill was a low-grade pill when it was purchased, but now it has inexplicably been upgraded by one grade and even gained some rejuvenating effects. He couldn't explain its origin to Xiao Mingshu.

If you hand it over directly, you'll inevitably be questioned.

He pondered for a moment, then made up his mind, put away the pills, and went out of the room.

In the courtyard, Xiao Mingshu was sitting on a stone bench while Huan'er was busy preparing breakfast under the stove.

The morning light shone on her, and she looked radiant.

Hearing the noise, Xiao Mingshu looked up and smiled at him.

"You've gotten up?"

Shen Jingchuan, however, keenly sensed something amiss.

She seemed to treat him less warmly than before, and there was a subtle distance between her smile and him.

He was puzzled, but didn't say anything; he just smiled and walked over.

"Sister, I have something nice to give you."

Xiao Mingshu's eyes lit up.

"What good stuff?"

His serious demeanor told her that this product was definitely of high quality.

Shen Jingchuan, however, kept it a secret.

"Close your eyes first."

Xiao Mingshu glanced at him, ultimately trusting him, and closed her eyes as instructed.

Open your mouth.

Xiao Mingshu suddenly opened her eyes and stared at him warily.

What are you going to do?

Shen Jingchuan was both amused and exasperated.

"You really don't trust me? Would I feed you poison?"

Xiao Mingshu glared at him reproachfully, then closed her eyes again, but a subtle smile crept onto her lips.

"If you really want to poison me, I'll accept it and eat it."

As she spoke, she slightly parted her cherry lips.

In the morning light, her face, already exceptionally beautiful, was now even more alluring with her lips slightly parted.

Shen Jingchuan's heart skipped a beat at the sight, his throat bobbed slightly, but he quickly steadied himself and, with a flick of his finger, swiftly fed the pill into her mouth.

The elixir melts instantly upon entering the mouth.

Xiao Mingshu instinctively wanted to vomit to see what was going on, but it was too late; a warm, medicinal force slid down her throat.

She was from the Azure Origin Sect after all, and she knew her stuff very well. As soon as the medicine spread, she immediately recognized what it was. Her expression changed, and without saying a word, she quickly closed her eyes and circulated her internal energy to guide the flow of the medicine.

Shen Jingchuan didn't disturb them, quietly standing by their side.

After completing a Greater Celestial Circuit circulation, Xiao Mingshu slowly stopped her practice and opened her eyes.

As she was being refined, a thin layer of grayish-black grime, carrying a faint fishy smell, seeped from the pores of her face, neck, and the back of her hands.

More than anything, it was a radiance emanating from within, as if a piece of jade covered in dust had been carefully polished, making her whole face glow. The faint traces of time at the corners of her eyes and brows had faded, making her look several years younger, with her charm even more pronounced.

She looked down at the black stains on her hands, then looked up at Shen Jingchuan with a complicated expression.