Huoyun Cave was not an isolated Cave Abode suspended between Heaven and Earth.
It lay within an entire mountain range of rolling peaks.
Layer upon layer of mountains rose around it, Ancient Trees towered overhead, clouds and mist lingered in the valleys all year round, and spiritual energy flowed through the forest, nourishing all things.
Such an environment had also given rise to quite a few mountain spirits.
Most of these spirits had developed intelligence and attained some cultivation. They were not vicious beings.
So long as they did not cause trouble, the Human Race would not deliberately hunt them down.
Cultivators of Huoyun Cave had always followed one principle—do not disturb the people's livelihoods, and do not slaughter living beings indiscriminately.
Thus, these mountain spirits often moved about nearby, forming a subtle balance with the Human Race.
To many of the spirits, Yang Tianyou counted as a human neighbor.
Among them was a weasel named Huang Xi, who was particularly active.
He had a hobby—eating chicken.
Especially the chickens raised by Yang Tianyou.
These chickens lived near Huoyun Cave all year round.
The spiritual energy in the mountains was rich. The grasses and trees absorbed it, and even the insects carried traces of it.
Raised in such an environment, the chickens were plumper and tastier than ordinary mortal chickens.
Their meat was tender, and their blood and vitality abundant.
To spirits, they were a rare delicacy.
Whenever this weasel passed Yang Tianyou's Small Courtyard, he would always find some way to make off with one or two chickens.
But over time, stealing chickens gradually became a semi-public "exchange."
Furthermore, the weasel himself was quite talkative.
Before long, the two sides became familiar with one another.
In truth, this weasel was no ordinary mountain spirit.
He had once cultivated for