NOVEL NEXT 16. Understanding Tiger's Intent
“Ding! Congratulations, host. Experience +500.”
There was perhaps no sound more delightful in this world. Jiang Mo was stunned, then nearly wept with joy. One pill yielded 500 experience points, far more efficient than the 5 points at a time from her previous Nurturing Essence Pills. A hundredfold difference! She now regretted consuming so many Nurturing Essence Pills on the journey—if only she had known better ones were available here!
With this thought, the little white tiger eagerly pounced forward, her small paws grasping the pill bottle in Yun Qingyu’s hand. Her reaction alone spoke volumes about the pill’s effectiveness.
Naturally, as accomplished cultivators, both Qinglan and Yun Qingyu immediately sensed the changes in the little white tiger…
In the system’s level classification, each realm roughly spanned 10 levels. Levels 1 to 10 represented the mortal realm, ranging from frail infants to innate experts, though all remained within the mortal category. Level 10 was a threshold, perhaps the most crucial of all levels. Crossing it allowed one to become a cultivator; otherwise, one remained forever mortal.
This level marked a transformation process, described by cultivators as “drawing qi into the body.” While challenging for ordinary beginners, it posed no problem for a born divine beast like the white tiger.
After all, besides this peculiar specimen, no divine beast nurtured by heaven and earth had likely ever sunk to such a state.
To return to the matter at hand, in Qinglan and Yun Qingyu’s eyes, the little white tiger had essentially drawn qi into her body on the spot after consuming a single Spirit Nurturing Pill. However, the process seemed to lack follow-through, so Yun Qingyu instinctively took out another bottle of Nurturing Essence Pills and began feeding them. Divine beasts were indeed different; previously, she had treated Nurturing Essence Pills as candy, so consuming a few more Spirit Nurturing Pills now should be fine.
Sure enough, under Yun Qingyu’s feeding, Jiang Mo soon heard the system’s level-up prompt again. To Qinglan and Yun Qingyu, this advancement to level 11 signified her successful qi circulation, finally reaching the first layer of Qi Condensation.
Yun Qingyu sighed in relief, her slightly tense brow imperceptibly relaxing. She then turned to Qinglan and asked, “These Spirit Nurturing Pills work for the white tiger. Uncle Qinglan, how many do you have here?”
Having witnessed the little white tiger’s feat of consuming pills like food, Yun Qingyu foresaw what would happen next. Besides preparing enough Spirit Nurturing Pills for the little white tiger, she would need to find new pills to replace them once their effectiveness waned.
Thinking this, she realized she might be visiting Qionghua Peak quite often in the future.
Qinglan glanced at the Spirit Nurturing Pills on the shelf, then at the little white tiger leveling up on the spot. Inwardly marveling, he outwardly waved his hand and said, “Spirit Nurturing Pills are merely third-grade pills. I haven’t refined them in ages; these stocks are from your junior disciples’ practice. How about this: you go back first, and tomorrow I’ll have someone deliver pills to Mingxia Peak. You’re also welcome to bring Jianbang here anytime.”
Hearing this, Yun Qingyu’s usually cool eyes flashed with brightness. She hurriedly said, “Disciple thanks Uncle.”
Hearing her words, even the usually aloof Qinglan couldn’t help but smile. “Jianbang has decided to stay in Xuanqing Sect. Supporting Jianbang is our responsibility; why should you thank me?”
Yun Qingyu was momentarily stunned, then slightly embarrassed. Perhaps due to the little white tiger’s dependence on her and its current weakness, she had unconsciously placed herself in the role of caretaker. But no matter how weak, the white tiger was still a divine beast. Judging by its pill-popping and leveling speed, as long as the sect supplied pills, it was only a matter of time before this little one’s cultivation surpassed her own.
After all, divine beasts were born with Nascent Soul realm cultivation, while she had barely touched the threshold of Nascent Soul after decades of cultivation.
As her thoughts shifted, Yun Qingyu’s arms unconsciously tightened around the little white tiger, feeling that she might not be able to hold this uniquely affectionate milk tiger for long. However, her face remained impassive as she said, “Uncle is right. Disciple spoke out of turn.”
Jiang Mo vaguely sensed Yun Qingyu’s emotional fluctuation but didn’t understand. She let out an “aow” towards Qinglan, mimicking gratitude.
Qinglan had no interest in such trivialities. After briefly acknowledging Jianbang, he quickly sent the pair on their way.
Leaving Qionghua Peak with matters settled, the next step was naturally to bring the little white tiger back to Mingxia Peak. On the way, Yun Qingyu explained to the little white tiger, “Uncle Qinglan is an eighth-grade pill refiner. Pills from his hand are at least superior grade, and third-grade pills are trivial for him. Compared to the practice pills made by Qionghua Peak disciples, the efficacy might be tenfold or even greater.”
Of course, given Venerable Qinglan’s current status, only the little white tiger could motivate him to return to refining these basic third-grade pills. So even though it was his responsibility, the little white tiger should still be grateful.
Jiang Mo appreciated the gesture but harbored some doubts, as games typically only differentiated pills by type, not grades within the same category.
As the little white tiger pondered, the scenery rushed by. They encountered a flock of celestial cranes along the way, but before the little white tiger’s curiosity could lead her to observe or play with them, the cranes veered away upon spotting them.
Jiang Mo looked at her tender tiger paws, confusion flashing in her golden eyes. Had she gained the divine beast’s aura after leveling up, exerting bloodline pressure that scared off these cranes from afar?
The puzzled Jiang Mo didn’t look up, missing Yun Qingyu’s slightly pursed lips.
The pair soared through the sky on the flying sword. In the time it took Jiang Mo to secretly consume a couple more pills, they had arrived at Mingxia Peak. It was nearly evening, with the sunset painting the sky. Viewing the mountain peak from high above, they saw swirling clouds and mist, a breathtaking sight.
Yun Qingyu guided her sword to land on a platform on the left side of the peak. A glance revealed signs of habitation—not just her own, but seven small courtyards protected by formations, the residences of Mingxia Peak’s seven true disciples. Two were away on training missions, three were in seclusion, and only one junior sister of shallow cultivation was still active, though not currently present.
Thus, when Yun Qingyu landed with the little white tiger, only the rustling of leaves in the mountain breeze seemed to welcome them. The platform before the small courtyards was utterly quiet; the senior sister’s return had clearly not disturbed anyone.
Yun Qingyu, accustomed to this, walked directly to the leftmost courtyard, disabled the barrier, and entered.
The barrier rippled like water as they passed through, but they felt nothing. Inside, the scenery changed dramatically. Jiang Mo curiously looked back at the formation barrier, reaching out a paw to try touching it without success, then regained her composure.
Turning to look closely, the courtyard appeared larger than it had from outside. A green pine stood to the left, while several clusters of bamboo grew on the right, creating a simple yet elegant, fresh, and verdant atmosphere. Unknown flowers and plants dotted the ground, adding color and vitality. Most striking, however, was a peach tree laden with fruit before the window.
It felt somewhat down-to-earth, less like a cultivation realm…
The little white tiger had recently focused on drinking milk and consuming pills, barely touching other food. Now, seeing the plump, pink peaches that looked so sweet, tears of desire nearly leaked from the corners of her mouth.
The little white tiger secretly swallowed, her throat bobbing.
With cultivators’ keen senses, this slight movement didn’t escape Yun Qingyu’s notice. She glanced at the peach tree, waved her hand, and a fragrant peach landed in her palm. She held it before Jiang Mo and asked, “Do you want it?”
Though puzzled why a tiger would eat vegetables, she showed remarkable understanding of tiger’s intent.
The little white tiger didn’t hesitate, gratefully hugging the peach.