As he grood the fur, Lu Fengmian silently thanked the system.
That had been during his second year after joining the sect. He had finally diated an internal dispute within the sect. The disciples had argued inside an immortal cave, and it had nearly escaladed into a chaotic brawl. He had been utterly exhausted and parched, and had originally hoped the system would reward him with so increase in cultivation or a powerful magic treasure.
And what had happened?
【Task “Resolve the Dispute in the Immortal Cave” completed.】
【Reward issued: 《Complete Guide to Spirit Beast Fur Care》. Content includes comprehensive knowledge covering spirit beast fur characteristics, spirit-pattern maintenance, aura-guidance techniques, emotional soothing techniques, and more.】
At the ti, Lu Fengmian had nearly sprayed out the mouthful of tea he had just taken.
“《Complete Pet Grooming Guide》?! System, are you serious?! I worked myself to the bone playing peacemaker, and this is what you give ? What, you think being a senior brother isn’t busy enough already, so I also have to work part-ti as a barber or pet groor?!”
The System had replied calmly:
【A skill is never a burden. Building good relationships with the sect’s non-human mbers is also an important part of becoming the “Perfect Senior Brother.” This skill will play an important role.】
At the ti, Lu Fengmian had still been skeptical and had even thought the system was ssing with him.
However, the facts proved that the system had not deceived him.
Later, relying on this “skill,” he had first unintentionally helped Luwu, who had been in a molting period and so irritable he had almost torn down half the Spirit Beast Garden, by combing out his tangled mane. After that, he had used a particular massage technique to soothe Bifang, who had beco anxious and restless because of stormy weather.
Through these interactions, he had actually won the favor of several guardian spirit beasts of exalted status.
At that mont, his hands skillfully moved down along Lord Fuzhu’s back, while threadlike qi seeped inward and helped guide those slightly stagnant qi channels.
Lord Fuzhu felt extrely comfortable, letting out a soft purring sound from his throat, and the light on his four jade horns also beca softer and more fluid.
The immortal cave was utterly quiet, holding only the sound of Lu Fengmian gently grooming the fur and Lord Fuzhu’s relaxed breathing.
Just as the grooming was about to end and Lu Fengmian was preparing to stop, the watery barrier at the entrance of the immortal cave rippled again.
A low, deep voice ca from outside, carrying a trace of impatience: “Lord Fuzhu, why did you block the way with a water curtain? I followed the scent of tea here... hm? Soone ca?”
The water curtain slowly opened, and an enormous exotic beast stepped in at an unhurried pace. It resembled a fierce tiger, yet had nine tails.
Its entire body was covered in long fur interwoven with fiery red and gold. On its forehead was a silver mark shaped like a bolt of lightning. Every step it took was completely soundless, and it radiated the natural majesty of the king of beasts.
It was none other than Luwu, the foremost of the eight guardian spirit beasts.
Luwu’s golden eyes swept across the immortal cave. When he saw Lu Fengmian, his gaze brightened slightly, but then when he noticed that Lord Fuzhu was enjoying the pleasure of being grood, he snorted out a breath of hot air laced with sparks.
“So I was wondering why you refused to open the door for so long; turns out you were enjoying being attended to.” Luwu’s voice was low and faintly teasing. “Lord Fuzhu, you really have been indulging yourself.”
Lord Fuzhu did not even lift an eyelid and lazily made a sound. “What is it? If there’s nothing important, then don’t disturb .”
“I ca to find this kid.” Luwu’s golden eyes fixed directly on Lu Fengmian as he said bluntly, “Do you still have any of that ‘Snow Peak Cloud Sprout’ you brewed last ti? Brew another pot. The weather has been stifling lately, and I need sothing cool to drink.”
Lu Fengmian’s hands did not stop moving, but inwardly he felt delighted.
This Lord Luwu was straightforward by nature, and he even still rembered the tea Lu Fengmian had brewed. That tea had been a reward he had received after completing a certain task. There was not much of it, and even he himself could not bear to drink it often.
“Reporting to Lord Luwu, there is still a little tea left,” Lu Fengmian replied respectfully. “Once this disciple finishes attending to Lord Fuzhu, I will brew so for you. Would that be acceptable?”
“Mm, hurry up.” Luwu was not the least bit polite. He went straight to lie down on a warm jade platform on the other side of the immortal cave. His nine long tails swayed leisurely, but his gaze remained fixed on Lu Fengmian’s movents, as though he found the act of watching soone groom fur very interesting.
Lord Fuzhu, however, was quite displeased. It slightly lifted its head, and its ice-blue eyes shot Luwu a glance. “Go queue up. Don’t you see I’m busy?”
Luwu did not get angry and rely chuckled. “Fine, you first. I’ll wait.”
After saying that, he truly lay there without moving, though the tips of his tails occasionally swept the ground impatiently, showing that he was actually a little anxious.
Watching this scene, Lu Fengmian did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Who could have imagined that those two guardian spirit beasts, outwardly so imposing and mighty, creatures that could even stand alongside divine beasts, would actually be so unfathomable—and even so... childish?
The elders had to treat them with utmost courtesy, yet here they were—one waiting to have his fur grood, the other waiting to drink tea, and even arguing over the “queue order”?
He quickened the movents of his hands, used the “Qi Rhythm Guidance thod” to complete the final round of treatnt, then took a clean, soft cloth dampened with Moonlight Dew and gently wiped Lord Fuzhu’s four jade horns.
“My lord, how does it feel?” Lu Fengmian stopped and asked softly.
Lord Fuzhu slowly rose and walked a few elegant steps. The qi throughout its body was clearly circulating much more smoothly, and its fur also looked even more glossy and radiant.
It nodded in satisfaction, and a rare trace of approval flashed through its eyes.
“Acceptable.” It was still a brief evaluation, but compared with the previous “crude” assessnt, it was a world of difference.
It lightly swished its tail, and a pigeon-egg-sized pearl, ice-blue all over and giving off dense water-attributed qi, flew toward Lu Fengmian.
This was your reward.
Lu Fengmian quickly caught it. The mont he touched it, he felt a chill, and he could sense the pure water-elent qi contained within. It was a “Cold Pool Pearl,” highly beneficial for cultivating water-elent techniques and also a rare refining material.
“Many thanks, my lord, for your generous gift.” Lu Fengmian bowed in thanks.
Lord Fuzhu did not speak again. It walked to the cold pool and gracefully lowered its head to drink water, which counted as seeing them off.
Tactfully, Lu Fengmian turned to Luwu. “Lord Luwu, please move to this disciple’s residence. Otherwise...”
“Let’s go to your place. It’s quiet there.” Luwu rose to his feet, his huge body unexpectedly agile. “It’s too damp and cold here at Lord Fuzhu’s place. I’m not used to staying here.”
Lu Fengmian naturally agreed. He bowed to Lord Fuzhu again in farewell, then followed Luwu out of the immortal cave.
Outside the immortal cave, Steward Li was still waiting anxiously. Seeing Lu Fengmian erge safely with Lord Luwu following close behind, he was first startled, then when he noticed the ice-blue pearl in Lu Fengmian’s hand, his eyes went wide.
“Lu, Lord Lu, th-this... succeeded?” Steward Li was so excited that he could barely speak coherently.
“Lord Fuzhu is fine now.” Lu Fengmian smiled. “If Martial Brother encounters a similar situation in the future, perhaps he could observe my lord’s daily qi circulation more carefully. His technique must also be more flexible.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Lord Lu, for the guidance! Thank you!” Steward Li bowed repeatedly, overco with gratitude.
Lu Fengmian exchanged a few simple words with Steward Li, then flew together with Luwu toward Luo Xia Peak.
On the way, Luwu glanced at him and suddenly said, “Kid, you really are good at serving others. Even Lord Fuzhu’s picky temperant was sothing you could handle.”
Lu Fengmian smiled bitterly. “My lord is too kind. I rely happened to learn a few minor skills.”
“Minor skills?” Luwu let out a cold snort. “There aren’t many in this sect who can satisfy both Lord Fuzhu and at the sa ti. Kid, work hard. Maybe in the future there’ll be even more ‘old ancestors’ waiting for you to attend to.”
Lu Fengmian: “...”
He suddenly felt that the system’s 《Complete Pet Grooming Guide》 might actually have only been an introductory textbook.
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