Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan

Baishuang stepped forward and carefully examined Youquan's body, a smile appearing on her face. "Your injuries have mostly healed, but since you soaked in the water for too long, you still need to rest for a while longer. Otherwise, there may be lasting effects."

Youquan nodded and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I understand. Thank you. I'll have to trouble you these next few days."

"It's no trouble. You've been unconscious for several days, so eat something first." Baishuang picked up a bowl of plain congee and handed it to Youquan. A few vegetable leaves floated in it. Baishuang looked a little embarrassed. "Our circumstances aren't good, so this is all we have. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Back Mountain and see if I can find something for you to eat."

"This is already very good," Youquan said hurriedly.

Baishuang smiled at Youquan, then took Zhuang Yanyan's hand and sat down beside her, picking up her own bowl to eat.

Youquan looked at the sisters' bowls and froze. "This is all you eat?"

Baishuang finished the porridge in her bowl—or rather, the rice water. "We're still young and can't do much farm work. The rice was given to us by the villagers, but their lives aren't easy either. What they can give us is already a lot. We may not be full, but as long as we can survive, that's enough. Once we grow a little older, we'll be able to do more work. I believe life will slowly get better then."

Though their days were difficult, Youquan saw no resentment or complaint on the sisters' faces—only longing and anticipation for the future.

Youquan set down her bowl. She could not bring herself to eat. They had only met once, yet they had saved her and used their scarce food to make such a full bowl of porridge for her, while they themselves drank rice water.

Seemingly seeing through Youquan's thoughts, Baishuang smiled. "You're a patient, and you haven't eaten for so many days. Wait until you've recovered before talking about anything else."

"I heard from an elder in my family..." At the mention of her nanny, a flash of grief passed through Youquan's eyes. She quickly composed herself and continued, "Spirit Hall provides subsidies. Why don't you go collect them?"

"Spirit Hall's subsidies are for Lord Soul Masters. There are also subsidies for commoners, but we already received them when my little sister was sick as a child, so we can't receive them again. Even Spirit Hall can't possibly take care of every commoner's food and drink across the continent. My sister and I both have worthless spirit souls and can't cultivate, so naturally we can't receive Spirit Master subsidies." Baishuang explained.

"What does it take to receive the subsidy?" Youquan thought of how she could cultivate and was even said to possess Innate Full Soul Power. She could go claim Spirit Hall's subsidy and use it to improve Baishuang and her sister's lives.

"It seems you have to become a Spirit Master, which means obtaining at least one Spirit Ring." After saying that, Baishuang put away her and Zhuang Yanyan's bowls, then turned to Youquan. "The porridge will get cold. Eat quickly, then get some proper rest." She then said to Zhuang Yanyan, "Once this older sister finishes eating, bring her bowl and chopsticks over, understand?"

"Don't worry, Sister Shuang," Zhuang Yanyan nodded.

Seeing the adorable Zhuang Yanyan, Youquan's maternal instincts immediately overflowed. She beckoned to her. "Yanyan, I'm not fully recovered, so I can't eat this much. Can you help me finish some of it?"

Zhuang Yanyan's eyes lit up, but she still hesitated. "Sister Shuang said you're sick and need to eat better."

"But if I can't finish it, it'll go to waste. Sister Shuang must have told you not to waste food, right?" Youquan said with a smile.

Zhuang Yanyan hesitantly nodded, took out a small bowl, and said softly, "Just a little bit."

Youquan poured more than half the porridge into Zhuang Yanyan's bowl, then smiled and patted her head before finishing what remained in her own bowl.

Zhuang Yanyan gave Youquan a shy smile, carefully held her bowl, and ran out.

First, I need to find a way to obtain a Spirit Ring and become a Spirit Master. Then I can claim the subsidy to improve their lives before finding a way to solve the problem of my spirit soul being unusable. Youquan thought through her plans.

The next morning.

Baishuang carried a basket on her back and took Zhuang Yanyan's hand, preparing to leave. Youquan came out from the doorway. "Take me with you."

"You're still sick. You should rest properly." Baishuang frowned.

"I'm much better now. Let me come with you." Youquan looked at her pitifully.

Baishuang sighed and could only agree. "If you feel uncomfortable at all, you must tell me immediately."

"Don't worry. I know my limits."

"Let's go, older sister." Zhuang Yanyan smiled and took Youquan's hand.

"Don't call me older sister anymore. My name is Youquan—You from deep and secluded, Quan from spring water." Youquan introduced herself.

"Sister Youquan, how old are you this year?" Zhuang Yanyan asked.

"Six years and five months."

"I'm six years and one month old, so I'll keep calling you Sister Youquan. Sister Shuang is seven years and two months old, older than both of us. You can call her Sister Shuang too," Zhuang Yanyan introduced happily.

"Sister Shuang." Though Youquan was already quite old if her age from her previous life was included, she was a child now after all. To show Baishuang respect, she called her Sister Shuang.

Baishuang smiled and nodded. The three of them headed toward the Back Mountain together.

After arriving at the Back Mountain, Youquan spread out her Soul Force. On one hand, she remained alert for danger nearby; on the other, she searched for small animals to hunt and improve their meals.

Baishuang held Zhuang Yanyan's hand as they gathered wild vegetables and medicinal herbs. Seeing that there were no useful herbs nearby, Youquan said to Baishuang, "Sister Shuang, I'll go look over there and come find you later."

"Be careful." Baishuang nodded.

Youquan followed the direction indicated by her soul perception and soon found a rabbit warren. The wild rabbits scattered at once upon seeing her.

Youquan immediately used her Soul Force to seal off the surroundings. Soon, a great net made from Soul Force trapped the entire warren of wild rabbits.

"This will let Sister Shuang and Little Sister Yanyan improve their meals." Youquan smiled as she packed up all the rabbits.

Suddenly, Youquan looked into the distance and broke into a broad smile. "Looks like there's something good."

Youquan hurried over and saw an enormous cow.

"Oh, looks like we'll have beef to eat." Youquan's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

The large cow, which she had thought would be as easy to catch as the wild rabbits, did not collapse as she expected. Instead, it glared at Youquan angrily and assumed an attacking stance.

"What is this?" Youquan was curious, but she quickly reacted. At once, she condensed a sharp sword from Soul Force and thrust it toward the cow.

The cow collapsed to the ground. Youquan stared in shock as a white Spirit Ring slowly emerged above its body. It was like the one she had seen on Huo Kun, only its color was different.

Youquan raised her hand. "So this is a Spirit Ring?" Feeling the stirrings of the Fennel Art within her, she wondered, If I absorb this, will I become a Spirit Master?

Just as Youquan prepared to circulate the Fennel Art and absorb this Ten-Year Spirit Ring, a cold voice sharply shouted:

"Stop!"