On the journey back to the Liu Family, all was unexpectedly calm. He did not encounter any bandit cultivators.
Of course, this had much to do with the destitute appearance Li Qing had maintained from beginning to end. The bandit cultivators probably could not be bothered with someone like him, who had little oil or water to squeeze out.
Moreover, he had chosen rather secluded routes. The moment he left the marketplace, he plunged headfirst into the vast mountain forests, where not even a human shadow could be seen.
After making certain no tail was following him, Li Qing released Rice Bucket from the Beast Taming Pouch.
"Awooo!" Rice Bucket let out two disgruntled howls. Having stayed in the Beast Taming Pouch for so long had clearly made him rather uncomfortable.
Li Qing merely smiled and fed him a Beast Raising Pill brimming with medicinal potency.
After swallowing the pill, Rice Bucket immediately became lively and vigorous once more, forgetting his earlier displeasure completely.
"Let's go, back to the Liu Family!" Li Qing mounted Rice Bucket's broad back, gently patted his tiger head, and galloped swiftly through the mountain forest.
Nine days passed in an instant.
After hurrying along for nine consecutive days, the travel-worn Li Qing once again arrived at the edge of Longevity Valley.
His gaze fell upon the towering ancient trees rooted within the valley, and he finally let out a long breath.
"Finally, I'm back!"
Saying this, Li Qing put Rice Bucket back into the Beast Taming Pouch and prepared to return to the Liu Family on foot.
After running wild in the mountains for nine days, Rice Bucket had thoroughly indulged in the thrill of being king of the mountain. What should have been a seven-day journey had been dragged out until the ninth day.