Of all parrots, budgerigars were the most common variety. Native to inland Australia, they had been genetically modified and bred into varieties such as England and America, with vast numbers artificially bred domestically.
Because they were so plentiful, budgerigars were the cheapest, and many people treated them as beginner pet birds.
Yet few people knew that budgerigars could talk.
However, such budgerigars were rarely seen on the market. Teaching one to speak required its owner to invest tremendous patience and effort early on, while also taking a high risk of failure.
The success rate was at most one in five, and even then, the bird could only learn a dozen or so phrases. Compared to the value of the budgerigar itself, it simply was not worth the effort—why not spend that time and energy training a better, more valuable breed of parrot instead?
Yet even a trained talking budgerigar could never possibly be this clever and quick-witted, speaking so fluently!
It was simply unbelievable!
Old Sun, the pet shop owner, felt as though he was about to have a heart attack.
Just half a minute ago, he had secretly laughed at Zuo Yi for being a fool, spending thirty yuan on a sick bird that was practically about to croak.
Never in his wildest dreams had he expected such an unbelievable reversal.
So how much was this budgerigar worth now?
Old Sun's mind was twitching, and he could not put an accurate price on it, but there had to be at least another two, maybe three, zeroes after that thirty!
The sight of the budgerigar spreading its wings, flying, and speaking human words had attracted the attention of quite a few passersby, including people from the shops next door and across the street. Everyone cast curious, astonished looks their way.
Bao'er did not realize that she had become the center of attention. All her focus was on the little parrot on her shoulder. Tilting her head and pouting, she stressed, "I really can't guess."
The budgerigar giggled again and opened its beak. "Then I'll tell you later."
Bao'er gave it a look that said, You're so annoying, but she still asked, "Then what's your name?"
The budgerigar hopped on her shoulder. "I don't have a name yet. Bao'er, give me one!"
"Hmm..."
Bao'er thought for a moment and said, "Pipi. I'll call you Pipi from now on!"
Daddy said it was a budgerigar, and it looked very naughty too. Pi plus pi made Pipi!
"Okay, okay!"
The budgerigar hopped even more enthusiastically, chirping brightly, "My name will be Pipi from now on!"
It rubbed itself hard against the little girl again. "Thank you, Bao'er!"
Bao'er giggled. "That tickles."
She had no idea that her interaction with Pipi had completely stunned all the surrounding passersby.
What the hell? Didn't they say animals weren't allowed to become spirits after the founding of the nation? What was this?
Old Sun stared blankly, making hoarse sounds in his throat. His claw-like hands shook as if he had suffered a stroke, making people wonder whether a blood vessel might burst at any moment and send him collapsing to the ground.
The middle-aged shop owner next door had recovered some of his composure. He picked up the tea mug from the ground and, seeing Old Sun looking as if his parents had died, let out a gloating chuckle.
Whether Sun the Hunchback had mistaken a treasure for trash and sold it himself, or whether Zuo Yi possessed the ability to turn decay into magic, this incident alone would provide gossip for years and be passed around West Market for a long time.
As someone who had witnessed it firsthand, he had not only seen Old Sun make a fool of himself today, but would also have plenty to talk about at the dinner table in the future!
"Sweetie."
Seeing more and more people gathering around, Zuo Yi rubbed the little girl's head. "Let's go."
Bao'er nodded. "Okay!"
She could not help reaching out to gently stroke the feathers of her new little companion.
Pipi cooperatively enjoyed her caress.
Woof!
Feeling terribly neglected, Taike barked unhappily. He looked up at Bao'er with pitiful eyes, wagging his little tail furiously.
Bao'er, Bao'er, you can't forget your old love just because you have a new pet!
Of course, Bao'er could not forget her classmate A-Tai. She hurriedly gave him a head pat too, comforting his wounded heart.
A-Tai, A-Tai, we'll always be the best of friends!
Now it was Pipi's turn to be unhappy. It cocked its head and looked down at Taike, who was acting cute, its eyes full of disdain.
Taike happened to catch its little look and immediately flew into a rage. Woof woof!
Dead bird, just you wait!
Pipi glanced sideways at him in contempt. So scary!
"Alright..."
Bao'er sensed the "killing intent" spreading between her two little companions and hurriedly said, "Let's go."
She had not forgotten that she had come here with Daddy today to set up a stall and sell things.
"Wait!"
Just as Zuo Yi was about to leave with Bao'er, Old Sun seemed to snap out of a dream and jumped over to block their path.
"What?"
Zuo Yi said with a faint smile, "Boss Sun, are you trying to go back on your word?"
Although the Xixi Underground Trading Market was not an underground black market, it had one rule in common with black markets, and it was explicitly stipulated.
That was, no regrets after a sale. If you bought something too expensively, do not expect a refund. If you sold something too cheaply, do not regret it. Both parties relied on their own ability, and if you lacked judgment or skill, you had no right to complain after taking a loss.
This rule was displayed in bold letters on a sign at the market entrance. Anyone who was not blind would see it upon entering.
"No, no, no..."
Old Sun repeatedly waved his hands, shaking his head like a rattle drum—he ran a shop here, not some roadside stall. His reputation mattered, and he definitely could not break the rules.
No matter how much this budgerigar was worth now, it belonged to Zuo Yi!
Old Sun was an experienced old fox himself and quickly realized that he had another reason for stopping Zuo Yi.
"Sir, no, Master!"
Old Sun lowered himself completely, bowing and scraping with a fawning smile. "Your skills are absolutely incredible. This old man has never seen anything like them in his life. Since fate has allowed us to meet today, could Master leave some contact information?"
He had thought it through clearly. He had not misjudged the budgerigar today. It truly had been an ordinary sick bird on the verge of death. Zuo Yi was the true expert!
Old Sun had lived for sixty or seventy years. During his travels, he had heard of and seen some extraordinary people and strange things. He guessed that Zuo Yi possessed some special bird-training ability, which was why he could turn decay into magic.
As for whether such an ability was scientific, he had no interest in looking into it. As long as Zuo Yi had that capability, he was worth currying favor with.
Just imagine it: if every budgerigar could be trained by Zuo Yi to be so clever and intelligent, speaking Mandarin even more accurately than people, how much money could they make?
Sun the Hunchback did not ask to eat meat or share in the profits. If he could run errands and work for the master, even getting a little soup would be a hundred times better than his current situation.
However, Zuo Yi merely chuckled, took Bao'er by the hand, walked around him, and strode away.
Zuo Yi saw through Old Sun's thoughts perfectly. How could he possibly pay him any attention?
In truth, Zuo Yi had not instantly restored this budgerigar's health and turned it into a clever, eloquent bird because he possessed any special ability. He had simply used another method.
Just now, Zuo Yi had fed Pipi half a drop each of Life Spring and Wisdom Spring.
The Spring of Life, Spring of Wisdom, Spring of Youth, Spring of Fortune, and Spring of Souls were the five most mysterious holy springs of Sadea World, each possessing incredible effects.
The water of the Spring of Life could greatly increase vitality, slow aging, improve constitution, and work on any living creature.
Wisdom Spring increased intelligence, Youth Spring preserved youth, Spring of Fortune improved luck, and the Spring of Souls repaired the soul.
Zuo Yi was one of the very few people in Sadea World—perhaps even the only one—to possess all five holy springs at the same time!
Yet the Holy Spring Water he currently possessed was already running low. Every drop he used was one less.
If it had not been for Bao'er, Zuo Yi would never have taken out such precious Life Spring and Wisdom Spring to save a budgerigar, even if it was only half a drop of each.
Most of the Holy Spring Water currently stored in his Spatial Ring was something Zuo Yi planned to save for Bao'er in the future.
So even if Old Sun had knelt on the ground and begged bitterly, it would have been useless.
Besides, Zuo Yi had no favorable impression whatsoever of that crafty old fraud who spouted nonsense at every turn.
"Master, Master!"
Old Sun did not dare chase after them. He could only watch helplessly as Zuo Yi and Bao'er disappeared into the bustling crowd.
He stamped his foot, feeling as if he had lost a hundred million, his heart aching beyond measure!
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