"That makes sense, Mistress. Then should we study them while we eat, take some back and plant them, and just make sure we don't damage their ecosystem? I saw quite a few interesting rare birds and exotic beasts in the little river too, like that Azure-Scaled Rat Sister Xiaojiao ate just now. I think we could breed and raise some of them?" Shao Zi said eagerly, looking at her husband.
The wife flipped through the descriptions in the ancient text, then glanced around and shook her head. "These immortal creatures survive by extracting immortal qi. They're not something we can afford to raise in the place we come from. Even every blade of grass and every tree here would quickly wither and die upon reaching the Nine Provinces Realm. For ornamental purposes, however, they would certainly make beautiful plants and animals."
"So nothing can be taken away after all." Xiang Ling said regretfully.
I smiled. "Why be so fixated on eating them and taking them away? Just as bees draw nectar from flowers without harming the beauty or fragrance of their petals, the benevolent follow fate wherever it leads. They draw only wisdom and do not lose themselves in other things. When you live in this world, it nourishes you without end—so how can we take endlessly in return? Of the three thousand rivers of Weak Water, one ladle is enough."
The wife looked at me and smiled. Shao Zi nodded in sudden realization. "Master possesses great wisdom indeed. No wonder you're our master."
After her moment of bewilderment, Xiang Ling performed a disciple's bow to me. "Master, I understand now. I absolutely mustn't act with boundless greed."
"Mm. We take what fate grants us and leave it for later generations. That too is another kind of opportunity." After saying