Chapter 47: Cousin and Xiao Zhao Swap Snacks

Chapter 47: Younger Cousin and Xiao Zhao Swap Snacks

Jiang Yingxue had a sudden flash of inspiration: she could use these spirit stones to decorate her future shop.

If she lined the four walls with spirit stones, the shop would have a comfortable atmosphere, and she would feel at ease staying there. As for the deep-sea demon beasts, they were also a source of high-quality food.

Bai Yu said, "You know my name is Bai Yu, but I still don't know yours."

"Jiang Yingxue."

"Ying Xue, Xiao Zhao, take care." After stepping out, Bai Yu bid goodbye to Jiang Yingxue and the others. The moment she stepped outside the courtyard, she was taken aback.

Was the air outside for real? Why was the spiritual energy so thin?

She pulled her foot back and turned around, looking at Jiang Yingxue with confusion, wondering why Jiang Yingxue had settled in a place with such sparse spiritual energy.

Xiao Zhao asked, "Sister Bai Yu, what's wrong?"

Bai Yu grinned and said, "Nothing, I'm just curious why you live in a place like this. The spiritual energy here is pitifully weak."

Xiao Zhao sniffed the air and said, "This place is pretty good, though." It had lived in Taoxi Town since hatching and felt quite comfortable at home. However, the spiritual energy outside the courtyard was indeed much weaker than inside.

The spiritual energy inside the courtyard was comparable to that of an inner sect in a cultivation sect. This was because the courtyard not only had a Spirit Gathering Array but was also planted with various spiritual plants. Moreover, the gravel path in the front garden was paved with stones containing spiritual energy. If a low-level cultivator saw this, they would surely exclaim, "How extravagant!" But this was Jiang Yingxue's home, and of course, she wanted to make it as comfortable as possible.

To prevent guests from being shocked or sensing something amiss due to the stark difference in spiritual energy inside and outside the courtyard, she had set up a switch in the yard to adjust the spiritual energy concentration. The stone switch was located in the courtyard; just by turning the stone, the spiritual energy concentration inside would lower, transforming it from inner-sect level to outer-sect level.

Jiang Yingxue explained to Bai Yu, "This realm is called Blue Water Star. The overall spiritual energy is thin, and cultivators are rarely seen out in the open in this mortal society. How many cultivators exist in the shadows, I'm not sure. The air in the countryside is already considered good. If you want to find a good place to go into seclusion, I suggest you head deep into the mountains."

Bai Yu also sensed that this world was different from the one she had been in before. The way people dressed, lived, and got around was one aspect; another was that she noticed the passersby on the road had no spiritual power.

"Thanks for letting me know. Farewell." With that, a white light flashed around Bai Yu, and she vanished on the spot. Her spatial treasure contained many heavenly and earthly treasures; even in a realm without spiritual energy, she could create her own. Whether it was deep mountains or a big city, it made no difference to her.

Just then, a young woman called out from ahead.

"Sister Yingxue, do you have a cat at home?" The young woman was named Jiang Peiyu, 17 years old, currently a sophomore at a key high school in J City. Her grandfather, Jiang Xianyi, and Jiang Yingxue's maternal grandfather, Jiang Xianzheng, were biological brothers. Jiang Peiyu also had an older sister named Jiang Peiyao, 19 years old, a freshman at Y City University.

Jiang Yingxue replied, "No, Peiyu. Today is Monday, why do you have time to come back?" It wasn't a holiday, so Jiang Peiyu should have been in class.

Jiang Peiyu smiled and said, "I took the day off. Sister Yingxue, what kind of bird is that on your shoulder? It's so cute!" She had felt a bit unwell in the morning and took sick leave, but soon bounced back. Since she had already taken the leave, she wasn't going back to school. Coincidentally, her grandfather was returning to their hometown for a visit, so she came along.

She had just seen a large cat standing opposite Jiang Yingxue, but in the blink of an eye, it was gone. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she might have been mistaken.

Jiang Yingxue said, "I found it in the woods, just an ordinary little bird."

"I want to have a pet at home too, but my mom won't allow it. Can I play with the little bird for a while?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yingxue first glanced at Xiao Zhao. After seeing Xiao Zhao seemed willing, she said, "Sure, its name is Xiao Zhao."

Xiao Zhao flew onto Jiang Peiyu's shoulder and then landed on her outstretched hand.

Jiang Peiyu smiled brightly as she looked at Xiao Zhao. "Xiao Zhao, you're so adorable!"

The stone turned slightly, and the spiritual energy in the courtyard instantly dropped from high to low.

"Sister Yingxue, your courtyard feels so comfortable!" Jiang Peiyu took a deep breath, holding Xiao Zhao as she walked into the courtyard and entered the house.

"Heh, there are just a lot of trees."

Jiang Yingxue poured her a cup of hot tea. On the tea table, there were also washed Qiong Peach fruits.

After drinking her tea, Jiang Peiyu went to play with Xiao Zhao in the courtyard.

Xiao Zhao didn't play for long before it pulled out a bag of chocolates and cookies from Jiang Peiyu's pocket, gesturing for her to unwrap them.

The snacks in Jiang Peiyu's pocket were sent by her older sister. They couldn't be bought in J City or online. Because they tasted so good, she usually savored them slowly, but since Xiao Zhao liked them, she was happy to share.

The next moment, Jiang Peiyu's hand, which was tearing the packaging, paused. Wait, Xiao Zhao was a bird. Could birds eat these snacks?

Seeing Jiang Peiyu hesitate, Xiao Zhao flew to the low table beside its small bed. It scooped up the plate of meatballs with its claws and brought it over to Jiang Peiyu.

Xiao Zhao pointed at the snacks with its claw, then at the meatballs, meaning it wanted to exchange the meatballs for the snacks.

Jiang Peiyu had just searched on her phone and found one answer saying all animals could eat chocolate, but the amount should be controlled. However, since this wasn't her own pet, she didn't dare to feed Xiao Zhao without permission. She looked around for Jiang Yingxue and happened to see her right behind her.

She held up the snacks and asked, "Sister Yingxue, can Xiao Zhao eat the snacks we humans eat? Chocolate and cookies?"

"Yes, it can." Jiang Yingxue smiled, thinking Xiao Zhao might have smelled something it liked on Jiang Peiyu; otherwise, it wouldn't casually play with a stranger.

With Jiang Yingxue's approval, Jiang Peiyu tore open the snack packaging and placed it on the plate for Xiao Zhao.

Xiao Zhao picked up a skewer of fish balls and handed it to Jiang Peiyu. Jiang Peiyu initially didn't want to eat it, but the aroma hitting her nose overwhelmed her senses. She lightly bit her lower lip, took the fish balls, and took a bite.

The next second, she looked up abruptly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xiao Zhao. "Delicious!"

Xiao Zhao also nodded—the chocolate and cookies were delicious too!

The girl and the bird ate happily together.

Five minutes later, the plate was empty.

Jiang Peiyu said, "Sister Yingxue, where did you buy Xiao Zhao's meatballs? They're so delicious. I want to buy some to take home."

"If you like them, I'll give you a few boxes later."

"How can I accept that? Sister Yingxue, just tell me where you bought them."

"I made them myself." Seeing the surprise on Jiang Peiyu's face, Jiang Yingxue continued, "I've been setting up a stall near the middle school entrance recently. The meatballs are one of the foods I sell. You can't buy them anywhere else."

"Sister Yingxue, you're amazing! These are the best meatballs I've ever eaten! How much do you usually sell them for? I should pay you; otherwise, I'd feel too embarrassed." Even though they were family, Jiang Peiyu didn't want to take things without giving something in return.