Reciprocity

Half a stick of incense passed.

The Spirit-Hidden Rat ate the three pounds of python meat, mouthful by mouthful, until it was all gone.

Once the roasted meat was finished, it stopped moving again, its eyes fixed intently on Shen Mo as if it still wasn't full.

"I truly don't know how this beast's stomach is made; it's practically a gluttonous beast. No wonder it's grown so fat."

Facing the Spirit-Hidden Rat's expectant gaze, Shen Mo's eye twitched.

He had given the Spirit-Hidden Rat the portion he originally intended to eat himself, yet the creature still wasn't satisfied—it was truly inconceivable.

"Most likely, it's due to the miraculous bloodline of an ancient remnant species."

Thinking this, Shen Mo didn't dwell on the question further. Instead, he kept a straight face and said earnestly, "There is no more roasted meat for today. If you still want to eat, you may come here to find me tomorrow at dusk."

"By then, I will roast some more."

"Ying! Ying! Ying!"

Upon hearing this, the Spirit-Hidden Rat was overjoyed and let out several excited cries.

It had roamed this Mystic Crystal Mine for many years, always sleeping in the open and eating in the wind.

These past two days, however, it had struck gold.

Not only had it eaten delicious food, but by the looks of it, this human cultivator might even be persuaded to feed it long-term, effectively becoming its personal keeper.

At this thought, the Spirit-Hidden Rat grew even happier, and the golden tuft of hair atop its head swayed with excitement.

But soon, Shen Mo continued, "It's no problem to have food, but we humans value reciprocity. Since I am treating you to food and drink, you must also bring me something in return."

"Only then will it be fair."

"If you come to eat roasted meat tomorrow, you must not come empty-handed. Otherwise, don't blame me for not feeding you."

He finally revealed his true intentions, negotiating terms with the Spirit-Hidden Rat.

According to the brief description in the Monster Knower Manual, the Spirit-Hidden Rat possessed a special innate ability to ignore restrictions and natural barriers, and it loved collecting all sorts of treasures.

Shen Mo reckoned he might be able to fleece quite a few treasures from this gluttonous Spirit-Hidden Rat in exchange for roasted meat.

Truth be told, the roasted meat wasn't worth much.

As long as the Spirit-Hidden Rat brought him something good, he wouldn't be at a loss.

"Did you understand?"

He asked repeatedly to confirm, much like a creepy uncle coaxing a little girl.

"Ying! Ying! Ying!"

The Spirit-Hidden Rat nodded slightly and let out a series of cries, seemingly in response to him.

It then leaped off the stone platform and scurried away, disappearing in a flash.

"Let's see if there will be any surprises tomorrow."

Shen Mo withdrew his gaze and went to the cave dwelling's kitchen to prepare a meal.

Senior Brother Guo Zhao and Chen Mengze were out on night patrol and should be returning soon.

Since Shen Mo spent his days slacking off and had nothing to do in the cave, it was only natural that he took on the task of cooking for them.

Sure enough, just as Shen Mo placed the final dish—steamed sea bass—on the table, there was some movement outside the cave.

It was Chen Mengze and Guo Zhao returning from their patrol.

"Senior Brother Guo, Senior Sister Chen, you're back!"

"Mm."

Chen Mengze's reaction was somewhat indifferent, and her expression was rather poor, as if she were exhausted from the patrol.

She didn't eat; instead, she returned to the cave and walked straight into her room, shutting the door tight.

As for Guo Zhao, he nodded at Shen Mo: "Mm, we're back."

"What happened?"

Seeing the forced smile on Guo Zhao's face and noting Chen Mengze's strange attitude, Shen Mo couldn't help but ask.

"Sigh, it's a long story."

Guo Zhao finally couldn't hold it in any longer. He let out a long sigh, his face full of sorrow: "I don't even know if Junior Sister Chen will ever speak to me again."

It seemed it really was related to matters of the heart!

"Senior Brother Guo, sit down and talk." His inner gossip-monger rising, Shen Mo pulled him to the stone table to chat while they ate.

"What exactly happened?"

"I couldn't help but confess my feelings to Junior Sister Chen tonight."

Guo Zhao sighed and spoke.

He had actually confessed.

Hearing this, Shen Mo looked at Guo Zhao's faint, sorrowful expression and didn't ask whether he had succeeded.

Because the answer was already self-evident.

"If I had known, I shouldn't have expressed my feelings so easily." Guo Zhao felt a bit vexed and hammered himself hard.

Before the final layer of the window paper had been pierced, he and Chen Mengze could at least maintain a facade of decency.

But now, he feared that even meeting again would be awkward.

"Senior Brother Guo, why not just give up?"

Shen Mo patted him on the shoulder and said, "Do not force what is not destined to be yours."

Given Chen Mengze's temperament, if she did not like him, it was highly unlikely that her mind would change.

Having spent time together these past few days, Shen Mo and Guo Zhao had become well-acquainted, and he could not bear to see him sink so deep, so he offered a well-intentioned reminder.

"No." Guo Zhao remained silent for a long time before grabbing Shen Mo's arm. "Brother Shen, you must help me!"

Shen Mo: "."

It seemed this Guo Zhao was truly the type of fellow who would not turn back even after hitting a southern wall.

Fine, fine.

Seeing this, Shen Mo no longer tried to persuade him to give up, only asking, "How am I to help you?"

"You must have a way to make Junior Sister Chen pay attention to me again!"

Guo Zhao looked at him, his eyes filled with hope.

"If Senior Brother Guo wishes to make Senior Sister Chen happy, then upon our return, find a way to track down that Azure Water Pearl."

Shen Mo thought for a moment before finally speaking, "If you can procure the Azure Water Pearl, once I have refined the Thunder-Dissolving Pill, I will certainly claim credit for you in front of Uncle Chen."

"Senior Sister Chen shares a deep bond with Uncle Chen; if she knows you have been a great help, she will certainly not ignore you any longer."

Seeing that Guo Zhao was trapped in the web of love and unable to extricate himself, he decided to let him be a tool to the very end.

To find spiritual herbs for himself.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Guo Zhao was as excited as if he had grasped a final straw. "I shall send word immediately to ask if anyone in the sect knows the whereabouts of this item!"

"Hey, Senior Brother Guo, do not be so impatient."

Shen Mo hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Let us discuss the matter of seeking the herb once we return to the sect. For now, I still have many questions regarding casting that I must ask of you."

Previously, he had not only obtained the Profound-grade low-tier magical artifact, the Dragon Sparrow Sword, from Guo Zhao, but had also been gifted a copy of the Basic Casting Manual.

The contents recorded in this Basic Casting Manual were all key points and various experiential insights regarding forging.

Although it was foundational material, its strength lay in its completeness and all-encompassing nature.

Shen Mo had taken the time to study it several times during this period, and after memorizing it, he—who had never touched casting before—had gained a great deal of casting experience.

However, there were still some points he found difficult to understand after reading, and he needed Guo Zhao to provide answers.

"Hmm, whatever you do not understand, just ask!"

Hearing Shen Mo's request, Guo Zhao nodded.

Thus, Shen Mo recounted all the parts of the Basic Casting Manual that he did not understand.

And Guo Zhao, this experienced second-rank caster, answered them one by one.

The two chatted until late into the night; Shen Mo resolved many difficult questions and doubts, and his casting proficiency saw significant progress.