Xiao Wu and Little Jade Fight Over Food

In the temporary camp on the outskirts of the forest, a bonfire crackled, tearing a patch of warm yellow light through the night. Yan Hu counted the Soul Beast materials, while Su Qing used her Green Grain Martial Soul to treat the minor injuries he had picked up while Soul Hunting. The faint scents of herbs and roasted meat filled the camp.

Yan Zu leaned against an ancient tree. While everyone was busy, he silently called out in his heart, System, monthly sign-in.

[Ding! Monthly sign-in successful!]

[Congratulations, host! You have received: Spirit Beast Pill × 500 (bottled)]

[Reward description: These pills were refined specifically for Soul Beasts and contain pure vitality and ingredients that nourish intelligence. Long-term consumption can accelerate a Soul Beast's growth and gradually enhance its intelligence, with no side effects. Suitable for Soul Beasts of all ranks.]

Yan Zu rejoiced inwardly as a lustrous white jade bottle appeared in his palm. The moment he opened it, a sweet, fresh scent of grass and trees spread through the air.

He was about to take a closer look when an urgent little cry came from his spiritual world. Little Jade leaped out in a streak of jade-colored light and landed on his shoulder. His little nose twitched incessantly, his big, watery eyes fixed on the jade bottle, and his tiny claws tugged at Yan Zu's sleeve. He looked ready to drool.

"Looks like you know a good thing when you see one." Yan Zu chuckled and tipped a round Spirit Beast Pill from the bottle. It was lustrous white all over and slightly warm to the touch. He gently held it to Little Jade's mouth, and the little fellow immediately took it between his teeth. The pill melted in his mouth, turning into a stream of pale green energy that flowed through his meridians.

Within moments, a soft jade light suffused Little Jade's body, and his already lively eyes grew a little clearer. He affectionately rubbed against Yan Zu's cheek, making soft, sweet little cries. His intelligence seemed to have improved a little in an instant, and his gaze held a little more dependence and slyness.

The effect really is immediate, Yan Zu thought. He was about to feed Little Jade another pill when light footsteps suddenly sounded behind him. Xiao Wu came bounding over, and a twitch of her nose was all it took for the scent from the jade bottle to catch her attention. "Little brother A-Zu, what are you holding? It smells so good!"

Yan Zu quickly put most of the jade bottle away, leaving only one pill in his palm. "Nothing much. It's just a Spirit Beast Pill for Little Jade. It can help him grow."

"A Spirit Beast Pill?" Xiao Wu's gaze locked firmly onto the pill, her eyes sparkling as though she had spotted a beloved snack. "It looks so tasty! Little brother A-Zu, I want to try one too!"

"It's for Soul Beasts to eat. It's not suitable," Yan Zu said helplessly, trying to dissuade her.

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. For Soul Beasts to eat? Wasn't that tailor-made for me?

Xiao Wu took hold of Yan Zu's arm and gently shook it, pleading coquettishly, "Oh, come on, just one! I feel so drawn to it. Maybe I can eat it!"

Seeing Xiao Wu's expectant face, Yan Zu ultimately couldn't say no and had to hand her the Spirit Beast Pill in his palm. Xiao Wu took it at once and bit into it without hesitation. A sweet, fresh taste burst across her tongue, and a stream of gentle energy slipped into her stomach. Her eyes lit up. "Wow! It's delicious! Even sweeter than the wild fruit in the village! And my body feels so comfortable after eating it, all warm and cozy."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Wu suddenly wrinkled her nose and reached up to scratch her scalp. "Hiss... why does my scalp feel a little itchy?"

Seeing her adorably vacant expression, Yan Zu couldn't resist teasing her. "That's the pill helping you develop your intelligence. Does it feel like you're about to grow a brain?"

At first, Xiao Wu didn't catch on and nodded along. "Yes, yes, yes! It's just like my head feels a little clearer!"

But as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized Yan Zu was making fun of her. Her eyes immediately went round with embarrassed anger, and she reached out to tickle him. "Oh, you! A-Zu, how dare you make fun of Sister Xiao Wu for having no brains! Just watch me teach you a lesson!"

Yan Zu had been prepared and dodged to the side with a laugh, but Xiao Wu wouldn't let him off, chasing him around the bonfire as they scuffled. Little Jade jumped down from Yan Zu's shoulder as if to join the fun, circling the two of them and occasionally tugging at Xiao Wu's skirt with a little paw, letting out cheerful little cries.

Watching the scene, Yan Hu cracked melon seeds and remarked, "Does this mean our family's raising two little beasts?"

Su Qing rolled her eyes at him, though she couldn't keep the smile from her lips. "You're the beast."

"I'm the beast and you're the beast tamer. Happy now?" Yan Hu said with a cheeky grin.

Su Qing couldn't be bothered with him. Her gaze fell on the two children, her eyes full of tenderness.

After their scuffle, Xiao Wu flopped down on the grass, still thinking about the bottle of Spirit Beast Pills. "No, these Spirit Beast Pills are too delicious. I want them from now on too! Every day!"

Yan Zu shook his head helplessly. Looking at those stubborn, expectant eyes, he ultimately couldn't bear to refuse. "All right, three a day. No more than that."

"Yay! Little brother A-Zu is the best!" Xiao Wu cheered, throwing herself at him and planting a smacking kiss on his cheek. Then she ran off, thoroughly satisfied, to show off to Little Jade.

From then on, Spirit Beast Pills became Little Jade's daily fare, as well as Xiao Wu's exclusive "little snacks." Every evening, the two "beasts," one big and one small, would crouch in front of Yan Zu on time, waiting eagerly to be fed.

Little Jade ate elegantly, chewing the pills slowly, one by one. Xiao Wu ate with abandon, swallowing each one in a single gulp and then closing her eyes to savor it for a long while.

And as Little Jade took Spirit Beast Pills every day, his growth became more and more astonishing, and his intelligence continued to rise. Gradually, he could understand more of Yan Zu's instructions.

One month later.

Xiao Wu charged into Yan Zu's room like a whirlwind, shouting excitedly, "Little brother A-Zu! I'm level fourteen!"

Yan Zu, who had been practicing his swordsmanship, finished his movement and turned around. Seeing Xiao Wu's little face flushed with excitement, he smiled. "That fast? Half a month earlier than I expected."

"Of course!" Xiao Wu lifted her chin proudly. "I do what I say!"

Yan Zu nodded. "Good. Then I'll keep my promise."

He took Xiao Wu back to his room and shut the door, his expression turning solemn.

"Sister Xiao Wu, what I'm about to teach you is extremely precious. You must never pass it on to anyone else," Yan Zu said seriously.

Seeing how serious he was, Xiao Wu put away her smile and nodded emphatically. "I swear I won't tell anyone!"

Only then did Yan Zu take two handwritten booklets out of his Storage Soul Tool. He had spent several nights writing them out from memory.

The cover of the first read: "Nine Yin Manual."

The second read: "Complete Explanation of Wind God Leg."

Yan Zu slowly explained, "The Bone Forging Chapter of the Nine Yin Manual is an internal cultivation method. It can improve the circulation of Soul Power and solidify your foundation. The Healing Chapter can speed up recovery from injuries. Wind God Legs is an external combat technique. Paired with your Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul, it can unleash astonishing power."

Xiao Wu carefully accepted the booklets and opened the first page.

The Nine Yin Manual began: "The way of heaven is to take from what has surplus and make up for what is lacking..."

After reading only a few lines, she felt the Soul Power inside her faintly tending to circulate on its own.

"This... this is too precious..." Xiao Wu looked up, her big eyes full of emotion. "Little brother A-Zu, are you really willing to teach me?"

Yan Zu smiled and tousled her hair. "You're my Sister Xiao Wu. If I don't teach you, who would I teach?"

Xiao Wu's eyes reddened, and she threw herself forward, wrapping Yan Zu in a tight embrace. "Little brother A-Zu, you're so good to me... I'll definitely protect you well from now on, and Uncle Yan and Aunt Su too!"