Days passed one after another. Hiding behind the stone door, Dongfang Minghui had completely forgotten about the Cass Tribe outside. She had grown deeply suspicious of the Pig Immortal Grass's claim that it would be "soon." She waited day after day, yet Seventh Sister and the Pig Immortal Grass were still busy breaking the formation, without a moment to spare. Mama Qian and Papa Lance had endless sweet nothings to exchange every day, forcing her to swallow mouthfuls of their lovey-dovey displays.
Ding Ding tirelessly fished things out of the river-fish, snakes, any living creature it could catch-and dumped everything it caught on Dongfang Minghui.
Just as she was beginning to grow accustomed to these monotonous, boring days, Ding Ding suddenly started shouting outside one day. "Little Ninth! Little Ninth!"
Knowing how much it liked making mountains out of molehills, Dongfang Minghui simply carried the Herb Mill out of the cave, cutting her fingertip along the way to draw a little blood. Only after doing all that did she quietly mix the blood into the medicinal juice.
"Little Ninth, Little Chubby!"
"Oh my heavens."
Seeing the soaking-wet Chubby coming toward her, Dongfang Minghui nearly dropped the Herb Mill in fright. She hurried over. "Quick, Ding Ding, go check whether anyone besides Chubby is there!"
Ding Ding hurriedly shook its head. "Nope, nope!"
Still uneasy, Dongfang Minghui clutched the Herb Mill and jogged to the riverside. Apart from the Green-Sand Leopard guarding outside, there really was no one else.
"Little Ninth, did something happen?"
"No, no. Chubby just came looking for me."
Chubby shook water from its drenched body, sprinkling it all along the way, though its fur remained plastered down. Dongfang Minghui set the Herb Mill aside, crouched halfway down, and hugged its big head to her chest before releasing