Did the raised flag co to fruition? Well... no, because Bubai encountered no danger the entire route. Heck, he didn't even see critters or animals.
With so many hungry mortals and poor loose cultivators living nearby, does anyone really believe they will let go of the lively creatures serving as the important puzzle pieces to nature?
At higher levels, they plunder the heavens. At lower ranks, they plunder the life of creatures.
Unfortunately, most lower-level loose cultivators did not understand sustainability. The small forests and woodlands around Ling City had long been the victims of their hunts, resulting in their present serenity.
And for months, Bubai had truly felt the sorrow of the situation… sorry for his own stomach.
Bubai soon approached the crystal-clear shores of the spring with a deep blue center. With a sweep of his eyes, he vigilantly scanned the area but noticed nothing wrong.
"I should have known…" He breathed a sigh of relief as he squatted down, dipping his bucket into the crystal-clear water to scoop up half a bucket. "How am I so unlucky to have a random encounter after setting up a death flag? That's sothing only-"
Suddenly, he heard the sound of the water being disturbed.
Bubai's eyes narrowed as he tensed up, heightening his senses. At the sa ti, his hand instinctively reaching for the closest weapon- his bucket.
There's sothing in this crystal-clear spring, and it managed to escape his perception!
"No way…"
Sight is an important part of perception, but as a mortal, sight can be easily impaired for many reasons.
Most early stage Qi refiners may also be affected by these deficiencies, and it isn't until the mid-stage, where they could learn perception techniques, that they could resolve these weaknesses.
However, if a mortal had so special physique or have so mysterious treasure, even at early stage or below, they could even have a stronger perception than higher level cultivators.
Although Bubai couldn't claim his perception could compare to those high-level cultivators, but with his physical body gradually being nourished by the mysterious green qi over the months, he had noticed an overall improvent in all aspects of his physique, including his senses such as his perception of external Qi!
Eye sight improvent was amongst his gains.
With his current eye sight, although Bubai still couldn't achieve the exaggerated feat of seeing the fine details of a leaf from kiloters away, his sight could still clearly observe a radius of tens of ters around him with no problem.
Yet, his earlier scan rendered no result on the incoming threat!
Instinctively, Bubai turned his head towards the source of the disturbance and saw ripples forming on the surface not far from the shores of the spring. A mont later, a figure erged from beneath the water, water cascading down from a head of disheveled, black hair.
Bubai's eyes dilated as they fixated on the beauty rising out from the spring, water rolling down her fair white, slender body. The beautiful scene of spring was laid bare before his gaze!
His gaze eventually trailed upwards, greedily taking in the perfect side portrait, finally fixating on the familiar heart-shaped face, her long wet black hair draping over her shoulder, "WeiWei?!"
Despite his soft voice, WeiWei seed to have heard him as she looked over. Noticing the entranced Bubai, a playful smile arose on her as she turned towards him, gloriously presenting a beautiful artwork to him as she waded over. "Well, if it isn't Brother Chen..."
Coming to a stop in the shallow water in front of Bubai, allowing Bubai to see the fine droplets of water rolling off the enticing curves of her anatomy, WeiWei's bell-like giggle reached Bubai's ears, "Brother Chen is staring at like that… why? Am I that beautiful?"
Waking up from his stupor, Bubai abruptly stood up, backing up a couple of steps, "Apologies. I didn't know-"
"Didn't know I was here?" WeiWei finished Bubai's sentence as she stepped out from the spring, "Oh, all you n like using the exact sa excuses. Isn't it all the sa in the end?"
Bubai scratched his head nervously, his honest smile faltering as his gaze honestly feasted on the beautiful sight before him like a true cultured gentlen, "I really didn't expect soone to be bathing here. I'll co back to get water-"
"Hehe…" WeiWei's laughter echoed in the tranquil forest as she waved her hand dismissively, "If it's Brother Chen, I don't mind. It's refreshing to have Brother Chen appreciate my beauty..."
Her eyes glinted with a mischievous spark as she arrived before Bubai.
Grasping Bubai's hand, WeiWei gently guided his hand to perform a task he had done for the past months – stealing soft buns...
...
Clack. Clack. The rhythmic sound of beads sliding against each other filled the air as Manager Qin ticulously counted on the abacus. The dimly lit room was suffused with an air of impatience that clung to the manager like the dust on his worn-out robe.
As he flicked the final bead into place, Manager Qin raised his eyes, and a scowl settled on his face.
"I don't have all day to spend on you all. Don't make wait so long next ti or you will lose even your ager harvest," he grumbled, his gaze fixed on Ah Niu standing before him.
Ah Niu, a thin figure in a coarse robe, bowed in apology, his pale face reflecting the guilt that weighed on his conscience. His eyes nervously swiveled, avoiding direct contact with Manager Qin.
"Y-yes, Manager Qin, I'll make sure I'm not late next ti," Ah Niu stamred, his hand sweeping the small pile of grain into a pocket sewed onto his robe.
A faintly familiar sll lingered in the air, catching Manager Qin's attention.
He frowned unhappily, but after a mont's consideration, he dismissed it and waved for Ah Niu to leave. Not everyone was as easy to take advantage of as that honest young man.
Manager Qin was well aware of the shady dealings within his group, but he chose to turn a blind eye as long as they didn't cross certain boundaries. After all, their gains didn't co out of his own pocket.
Manager Qin rose from his seat, tying up sacks of spirit rice. As he peered into the sack destined for the landlord, a hint of greed flashed in his eyes. However, he quickly suppressed the desire.
"Wait until I establish a foundation… Then, I will also have my own share," he muttered to himself, determination flickering in his gaze.
After concealing the sacks, Manager Qin glanced out at the setting sun. A self-satisfied smile played on his lips.
"I've worked hard all day, so I deserve to relax… Kaka, I guess I'll have that obedient woman wash my feet tonight."
Leaving his study, he stepped into the small square courtyard of his dwelling. His eyes scanned the side room he had assigned to WeiWei.
"Hmm? Not there? Where did she go?" Manager Qin wondered aloud, recalling the familiarity of the scent he had sensed earlier from Ah Niu. Frowning, he walked across the courtyard toward the entrance.
...
Ha...Ha… The heavy breathing blended with the cultural music in the forest.
Bubai's movents abruptly ca to a halt.
Wait, what the heck was he doing?! How did he end up in this situation?!
Before Bubai could react further, he felt a hollow sensation in his body as if it was drained from a day of working both fields. Had his physique not been strengthened, he might even topple over from weakness!
However, his strength was still there, so he quickly pulled back.
This ti, WeiWei allowed him to escape, their gazes intersecting.
Despite sensing the hollowness within his own body, this look induced Bubai's competitiveness once more, and he couldn't help but think he wanted to show off more of his master thief skills!
At this critical mont, Bubai instinctively drew a wisp of qi from his mysterious space. As the refreshing sensation breezed through his mind once more, an ounce of fear was aroused in Bubai's heart. This… evil!
With a swift motion, he tucked his robe back into place, turned around without hesitation, and rushed away as if escaping from so inexplicable horror.
Watching the escaping Bubai, WeiWei licked her lips as she recalled the amazing sensation when she added all the loot to her own hoard, "So much vitality… Oh… What secrets do you have, my dear Brother Chen?"
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