Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Chen Ji peeled an egg tart and offered it. Second Master Huang's gaze instantly locked onto Chen Ji's hand. Amused, Chen Ji playfully twirled the tart before it, and the weasel's small eyes followed his every move.

Before, it had resembled a yellow-furred rat, but now, bathed in light, the little weasel was predominantly caramel-colored, its fur tips gleaming with golden-brown highlights. It was sleek and glossy, shimmering with a silken luster. Its perfectly round head was adorned with two plump, semicircular ears, making it utterly adorable from every angle.

Seeing Chen Ji withhold the treat, Second Master Huang squeaked in agitation. Chen Ji chuckled and brought his hand closer. Knowing Chen Ji wasn't entirely to be trusted, Second Master Huang promptly latched onto his finger, burying half its head into Chen Ji's palm. Though initially wary, once it began eating, it became utterly engrossed, its entire being focused solely on the egg tart.

The silky fur brushed against Chen Ji's palm, a sensation of exquisite softness. Chen Ji mused that a spirit creature was indeed different; its fur was far more pleasant to touch than that of ordinary animals.

System Cat suddenly felt a pang of indignation: "If I eat more fish oil, my fur will be just as soft!"

Chen Ji replied with a smile, "Yes, yours is even softer."

System Cat was round and plump, offering a comforting, substantial feel when petted. Second Master Huang, with its lithe and graceful form, felt incredibly agile and lively—two distinctly different tactile experiences.

As Chen Ji touched Second Master Huang's ears for the third time, it abruptly lifted its head, whiskers still adorned with tart crumbs: "What are you doing, kid?"

Chen Ji maintained a poker face: "There were some crumbs on your head, Second Master Huang. I was just brushing them off for you."

Second Master Huang let out a haughty "Hmph": "At least you show some respect, not trying to pull a fast one on your Second Master Huang with a cheap trick."

With that, Second Master Huang raised its small head, signaling Chen Ji to clean it. Chen Ji gladly took a tissue and wiped its face. Second Master Huang wrapped its front paws around Chen Ji's finger, chin lifted, saying, "Yes, that's right, scratch under the chin a couple more times~"

The young man's slender fingers gently and rhythmically stroked its chin. Second Master Huang's eyes narrowed in pure bliss, its round, plump ears twitching repeatedly. The next instant, its body gave a sudden jolt, and for some inexplicable reason, it shot Chen Ji a glare. Meanwhile, the two-meter-tall shadowy figure behind it crashed to the ground with a thud, belly up, its head and back scraping fiercely against the floor before it lay motionless.

...It was quite similar to how System Cat would flop down and demand cuddles when petted into contentment.

Chen Ji pretended not to notice, gave a few more satisfying scratches, and then withdrew his fingers.

While the small creature before him was undeniably cute, the large one behind was decidedly not—no sane person would find a two-meter-tall, pitch-black entity with indistinct features but clearly visible palm-length fangs to be adorable.

Especially when that entity had nearly torn him to shreds.

System Cat: "It really has no idea at all..."

Second Master Huang let out a burp. Chen Ji's gaze softened: "Second Master Huang, are you full?"

"Burp~ I could still manage a couple more bites~" Second Master Huang sprawled on the chair, looking utterly spent, as if it had achieved nirvana through food. Clearly, it couldn't eat another morsel, but Chen Ji didn't expose it, saying instead, "Then please have a bit more."

He turned and left, returning with two boxes of egg tarts in one hand and several glass containers in the other. Though already full, Second Master Huang's eyes were irresistibly drawn to the egg tarts—while meat was delicious, egg tarts were simply the best!

Second Master Huang forced itself to perk up, both ears standing erect: "What are you doing!"

Chen Ji packed the remaining dishes into takeout containers, then untied the plastic rope and bent one arm. Second Master Huang nestled into the crook of his arm, its slender body perfectly conforming to his, so comfortable it didn't want to move a muscle. Chen Ji said unhurriedly, "I'll escort you home."

Second Master Huang chuckled: "Oh, so you've learned some manners!"

Chen Ji carried Second Master Huang to the main door. Outside was pitch black, but as he pushed the door open, countless phosphorescent green eyes suddenly ignited in the darkness. Chen Ji paused mid-step, not venturing out—he saw seventy or eighty shadowy forms of various sizes.

These shadows weren't as solid as Second Master Huang's, appearing blurry, but their sheer numbers were enough to be unsettling.

"What's this! What are you all doing! Put it away!" Second Master Huang in his arms waved its tiny paws: "Grandpa is visiting the neighbor! Why are you acting like this! How disgraceful! People will think our Huang family bullies neighbors!"

The shadows vanished in an instant.

Chen Ji blinked, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. Now he saw a group of little weasels, even lined up in a row, each tilting their heads to look at him. The ones at the front clasped their paws together and bowed, their voices sweet and chirpy, as if formally greeting him.

They probably still couldn't speak.

Second Master Huang snorted twice: "Since we swore an oath last time, from now on, we'll be good neighbors. If you ever encounter trouble, just offer a tribute and shout 'Second Master Huang, save me!' three times, and Grandpa will come to your rescue!"

Second Master Huang had it all figured out. They'd sworn before Grandfather Mountain—breaking the oath would mean death. That Chen kid might be ordinary in other ways, but his culinary skills were indeed excellent... Second Master Huang's eyes drifted to the egg tarts in Chen Ji's hand—surely meant as an offering, right?

Chen Ji set Second Master Huang on the ground, placed the packed food beside it, crouched down, and extended a hand. Second Master Huang looked puzzled, "What?"

Chen Ji said gently, "May I shake your hand?"

"You think you're worthy of Second Master Huang's hand?!" Second Master Huang paused, then, looking into Chen Ji's dark eyes, changed its tone: "But since you're so sincere... it's not impossible!"

With that, it placed its paw in Chen Ji's palm, acting very magnanimous: "Go on, shake it!"

Chen Ji held the furry paw, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes. He rubbed his thumb over Second Master Huang's paw, then guided it to the plastic container, patiently showing how to open the latch: "Push here, and it will open."

Second Master Huang was still in a daze when Chen Ji repeated, "Did you learn it?"

Suddenly, Second Master Huang felt a pang of nervousness, inexplicably guilty: "Got it, got it! Your Second Master Huang is omnipotent! Why would I need you to teach me?!"

"Second Master Huang is all-knowing." Chen Ji agreed, closed the container, handed the egg tarts to the nearby little weasels, stood up, and bid farewell: "It's late, Second Master Huang should go home and rest."

Second Master Huang nodded flusteredly, not bothering with anything else, and darted away. The little weasels hurriedly took the tarts and containers, bowed to Chen Ji again, shouldered their goods, and ran after Second Master Huang.

"Chen Ji~" System Cat materialized out of nowhere, landing lightly on Chen Ji's shoulder, teasing: "Should we order a couple more boxes of egg tarts?"

"Mm." Chen Ji closed the door behind him: "And order some salmon too. I'll make salmon oil for you."

"Aw! Love you!" System Cat rubbed its big head vigorously against Chen Ji's cheek: "I knew you still love me the most!~"

The hundred points from the system's newcomer welfare had been exchanged for a stamina recovery potion. The main reward for the previous pigment-finding task was a one-click renovation pack, along with a symbolic ten-point baseline.

Chen Ji and System Cat shared a look, understanding each other: "Exchange."

"Alright!" System Cat operated internally with a series of clicks. Instantly, a flashy prize wheel popped up in front of Chen Ji, complete with firework effects from System Cat, making Chen Ji's eyes water.

Chen Ji examined the wheel's contents carefully. It was divided into six sections, but each was marked with asterisks, completely obscuring what they were. He looked at System Cat, which guiltily averted its eyes, coughing twice: "...I promise they're all good stuff!"

Chen Ji didn't mind the ten points. System Cat was a cultural relic preservation system, not some life-or-death infinite system. Its shop leaned more toward cultural relic restoration-related items, with the rest being daily necessities. There wasn't much use hoarding points.

For example, to exchange for a purple pigment described as extracted from a certain shell, it cost 10,000 points. But on Taobao, purple pigment could be as cheap as one yuan, or up to a hundred—all usable for tasks. Why would Chen Ji bother exchanging in the system shop?

Since he couldn't see the items, Chen Ji casually clicked start. Soon the wheel stopped, the asterisks turning into starlight, then two words appeared—Blind Box.

Chen Ji: "...?"

"..." System Cat fell silent for a moment: "...Open it and see?"

Chen Ji reached out, and a wooden box dropped into his hands. He slid open the lid to find an ancient blue-covered book. Chen Ji read the title: "《The Supreme Cave Abyss Divine Curse Scripture · Part One》."

Just from the name, Chen Ji knew this was exactly what he needed.

System Cat flipped like a salted fish then sprang up like a carp, proudly raising its head: "See! I told you it'd be useful! Quick, see what it is!"

Chen Ji petted System Cat's head, storing the book away: "No rush. Turn on the full-area scan."

System Cat nodded, "Give me a minute~"

A minute later, a full map of the Mountain Lord's temple appeared before Chen Ji's eyes. With the main hall as the anchor point, the structures of everything within thirty meters above and below were displayed.

System Cat gave Chen Ji the short version: "There's a hidden compartment behind the main hall statue, another in the cellar, and a secret room next door—your grandpa's old room. That one has the most stuff! I recommend checking that one first. The statue and cellar can wait till tomorrow."

Chen Ji: "Hmm?"

System Cat: "Just a reminder, it's almost your bedtime. If you hurry, you might still have twenty minutes to scroll on your phone before sleep."

Chen Ji: "...Okay."

—System Cat: The ultimate system for keeping its host on a strict healthy routine, just like requested.