Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Spirit Pet

Bai Lingzhi’s question left He Lang helpless. He glanced at his little disciple, who had bitten his lower lip to the point of drawing blood, and pursed his lips. He knew they had misunderstood.

He Lang shook his head. “Not for me, for him.” He pointed to his little disciple beside him and patted his cheek, urging him not to look so despondent.

His search for the bodhi seed was, of course, for his disciple. However, he hadn’t told him in advance, fearing he would refuse and try to dissuade him.

Hearing He Lang’s response, Bai Lingzhi was momentarily surprised. After a long pause, she finally pouted, a trace of envy rising in her heart.

How could a bodhi seed compare to spiritual treasures or stones? Her uncle was going to such lengths, even venturing out to search for it, just to give it to Zheng’er? This was too much indulgence! She had never seen a master care for a disciple to this extent. Comparing her own master, who spent every day lazing around like a mischievous child, Bai Lingzhi couldn’t help but mutter, “My master only knows how to order people around and tease others. I wish I had such a caring master…”

Mumbling to herself, she glanced at the honest Jiang Hanzheng, recalling some mischievous moments with her fellow disciples and feeling a sudden urge to tease him. She cleared her throat, feigning seriousness, and playfully asked, “Little Zheng’er, isn’t Uncle very kind to you?”

Jiang Hanzheng nodded quickly, his agreement unequivocal.

“Of course, Master treats me very well.”

“And what about your senior sister? See, I even went down the mountain for days to research the bodhi seed for you.”

Jiang Hanzheng hesitated briefly, but remembering her constant support and guidance, he replied earnestly, “Senior Sister has been very kind to me too.”

Bai Lingzhi’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She turned around, clasping her hands behind her back, and said with mock seriousness, “But Senior Sister also wants a good master. How about giving your master to me? Would you agree?”

Though her teasing tone was obvious, Jiang Hanzheng didn’t catch on immediately. His brows furrowed deeply, and his expression grew sharp, as though facing a dire threat. He instinctively blurted, “Master is mine!”

His tone was completely different from his usual gentle demeanor. Bai Lingzhi, seeing her success, covered her mouth and laughed. Her silvery laughter left Jiang Hanzheng red-faced. Realizing how absolute and domineering his response had been, he knew she’d laugh at him for this.

Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Hanzheng scratched his head, his face still flushed. He didn’t dare look directly at He Lang and stammered, “Disciple was speaking nonsense… Master, please don’t mind it.”

He Lang didn’t take offense, treating it as a childish outburst. Seeing Jiang Hanzheng’s distressed expression, he couldn’t help but chuckle. He patted his head and reassured him, “Of course, I’m yours. I’m only your master.”

Jiang Hanzheng beamed, satisfied. With news of the bodhi seed confirmed, He Lang held his hand and led him away, reminding him, “Let’s return to the cave. You haven’t taken your Qi Absorption Pill today. Take it soon, and if you can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage this month, that would be excellent…”

Jiang Hanzheng nodded attentively, committing it to memory. He should’ve said goodbye to his senior sister, but listening to his master speak made him forget anyone else existed. He quickly followed behind He Lang.

Bai Lingzhi didn’t say much, following them out and inadvertently overhearing their conversation about cultivation progress. Her scalp tingled.

Under Wu Ding Zhenren’s guidance, she had only reached the mid-stage of the Enlightenment realm. Yet fifteen-year-old Jiang Hanzheng, with his five spiritual roots, was already attempting the Foundation Establishment stage. A so-called “useless” spiritual root achieving such progress was shocking enough, but his pace far exceeded his peers, overturning her perception of five-root cultivators.

She had to admit that his progress was terrifying. At this rate, he would easily surpass the Enlightenment stage within ten years and likely achieve even greater heights. While she was still young, she couldn’t help but marvel at the prodigy before her.

And the credit for all this success wasn’t just Jiang Hanzheng’s diligence; it was undoubtedly due to He Lang’s unparalleled guidance.

Watching the tall, upright figure ahead of her, Bai Lingzhi felt a surge of admiration.

Just as they were leaving the cave, He Lang paused and turned his attention to a white spirit dog guarding the entrance.

The dog had a sturdy build, its ears twitching. It looked endearing yet exuded an intimidating aura.

Curious, He Lang asked Bai Lingzhi about it.

She approached the dog, stroking its fur. It leaned into her touch affectionately, occasionally exhaling spiritual energy.

“This is a mid-tier spirit dog. I usually use it as a guard or greeter. When I go out to fight, I bring a fiercer fire-type beast to intimidate opponents. Why, Uncle, are you interested in this spirit pet?”

He Lang shook his head, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

He had almost forgotten that disciples with sufficient ability could raise spirit pets.

Spirit beasts, once subdued and bound by contract, would obey their master unconditionally. Though resource-intensive to raise, they provided significant aid, assisting in combat and cultivation, with different attributes serving different purposes.

On the way back, He Lang noticed several inner disciples accompanied by spirit pets. Thinking about how his own disciple had none, he resolved to find him a suitable one.

Since Jiang Hanzheng’s cultivation level was sufficient to control a spirit pet, having one would only benefit him.

Thus, instead of heading directly to the cave, He Lang sent Jiang Hanzheng back to continue his cultivation and ensure he didn’t miss the best time to take his pill. Meanwhile, He Lang diverted to another destination.

The sect’s spirit beast enclosure allowed disciples to adopt pets in exchange for contribution points.

As a major sect, Tianshan would never bother with subpar beasts, so the enclosure’s spirit pets were of relatively high quality. Yet He Lang was unsatisfied, seeking something rarer. After thoroughly browsing, nothing caught his eye.

Guatu emerged from his handbook, perched on He Lang’s shoulder, twitching its whiskers at the scent of animals. Realizing He Lang was searching for a pet, it became indignant. “You’re looking for another pet behind my back?!”

He Lang ignored it, continuing to examine the lively spirit pets, thinking how they could become as intelligent as Guatu with proper training.

Hearing this, Guatu smacked He Lang’s head with a paw.

“No way! I forbid it!”

Amused, He Lang plucked it from his shoulder, pointing at the spirit pets. “These are all cuter than you.” Besides, Guatu seemed useless in battle, spending its days eating, lounging, and making a mess.

The spirit pets, sensing He Lang’s attention, showcased their spiritual energy, eager to be chosen.

Guatu panicked. A new pet would steal food and attention! Determined, it raised its ears, extended its claws, and declared, “I’m powerful too!”

“Oh?” He Lang raised an eyebrow, dismissing the caretaker disciple before turning to the rabbit-like creature. “According to this world’s standards, what level are you?”

“Top-tier!” Guatu puffed out its chest and unleashed its energy, flooding the area with spiritual pressure. The caged spirit beasts immediately cowered.

After scrutinizing it, He Lang realized it wasn’t lying. Seeing the other pets’ fear, he relented and returned to the cave.

At the entrance, he was surprised to see Jiang Hanzheng waiting.

“Finished cultivating? Why are you at the door?”

“Yes, I have completed the Qi absorption, but I was thinking about Master and couldn’t help but wait at the door,” Jiang Hanzheng admitted honestly, scratching his head in embarrassment.

He Lang nodded and took Guatu out of his arms to hand it to Jiang Hanzheng. However, Jiang Hanzheng stepped back slightly, hesitating to accept it, and looked at He Lang with a puzzled expression.

“Other disciples all have spirit pets to assist them. Since you don’t have one yet, I wanted to find one for you. I went to the beast garden earlier but couldn’t find one I liked, so I decided to give you this spirit rabbit. Though it looks unassuming and weak, it’s actually a rare top-grade spirit beast. I believe it will be very useful to you.”

Jiang Hanzheng listened attentively, his smile growing wider until it blossomed into a radiant grin. Instead of taking the spirit pet as He Lang intended, he walked up to He Lang and hugged him tightly, rubbing his head lightly against He Lang’s chest in a gesture of affection.

This rabbit was familiar to him. He had often seen it accompanying his master, though it came and went without a trace, always greedy and a little silly. He had never imagined it was actually a top-grade spirit beast.

Indeed, anything that stayed by his master’s side was unlikely to be ordinary. But now his master intended to give this rare creature to him as a spirit pet? Although his master had always treated him well, Jiang Hanzheng still found it difficult to accept such a valuable beast that had been by his master’s side.

“It’s fine. Just treat it as an ordinary companion; you don’t need to form a contract,” He Lang reassured him.

Only then did Jiang Hanzheng feel at ease, resolving to take good care of this spirit pet.

Guatu, handed over just like that, was furious. It scratched at He Lang in indignation, realizing that its master had gone to the beast garden to find a spirit pet for his young disciple. It had assumed there was going to be a new animal competing with it for its master’s attention.

He Lang stared at Guatu impassively, using the threat of cutting off its food to subdue it. Finally, it reluctantly scurried into Jiang Hanzheng’s arms, crossing its paws and clasping them tightly together, blinking innocently in a show of obedience.

Author’s Note:

This chapter feels a bit filler-ish. Do you guys think it’s boring? My storytelling might be a bit lacking…