Chapter 5: A Cat’s Tail and a Cat Are Two Different Creatures!

The little black cat had been scurrying everywhere in the room, its once-tidy fur now sticking up in places and its four pristine white paw pads turning gray.

Feng Xixing got some water, dampened a cloth, and gently wiped the little black cat’s paws. Throughout the process, aside from its tail signaling some displeasure, the little black cat was very well-behaved. However, after Feng Xixing finished, Lin Chuyun silently retreated to the corner of the bed.

The sensation was just too strange!

Although he knew his Little Disciple was doing this because he was currently a cat, to Lin Chuyun, it felt like someone was rubbing and wiping his fingers over and over again. It was indescribably embarrassing.

Add to that the inherent sensitivity of a cat’s paw pads, Lin Chuyun had to hold back repeatedly to keep from unsheathing his claws.

So when Feng Xixing tidied up and came back, he saw the little black cat facing the wall in the corner again. He reached out and poked the furry tail, received an irritable flick in return, and contentedly withdrew his hand.

“Shizun, your disciple has a matter to report.”

Lin Chuyun stirred. After hesitating for a long moment, he only pricked up one cat ear.

Feng Xixing was resigned. “When Shizun fainted earlier, your disciple discovered that the Spirit Power within Shizun’s body… seems to have some issues.”

His gaze had been resting on Lin Chuyun all along, and he noticed that Lin Chuyun’s expression was unusually calm.

He didn’t even swish his tail much.

Lin Chuyun knew, and didn’t care about this matter.

Feng Xixing quickly reached this conclusion but also found it strange.

It wasn’t strange that Lin Chuyun would realize something was wrong with the Spirit Power in his body. But Feng Xixing distinctly remembered that Lin Chuyun had always valued his cultivation highly. He’d even gotten into a huge argument with his Martial Uncle over the matter of forming his Nascent Soul. Yet now, he was so indifferent to the disappearance of his Spirit Power.

Although his heart was filled with doubts, the smile on Feng Xixing’s face remained calm, even showing a trace of well-behaved concern. “Given Shizun’s current situation, I’m afraid cultivation is impossible. We can only use another method to obtain Spirit Power.”

Even possessing the original host’s memories, Lin Chuyun’s understanding of cultivation was still superficial. Hearing Feng Xixing say this, he turned his head to look at him, his jade-green Cat Pupils brimming with questions.

“Shizun, please look.” Feng Xixing opened his hand in front of Lin Chuyun’s face. On his palm floated a piece of nearly transparent Ice Crystal.

The instant this Ice Crystal appeared, Lin Chuyun caught a scent—it smelled just like his favorite braised pork. He subconsciously licked his nose and leaned closer for a few more sniffs.

“This is a Spirit Qi crystal refined by your disciple. Shizun only needs to consume one, and you will not feel hungry for three days,” Feng Xixing said softly, his voice carrying a hint of enticement. “That way, Shizun will no longer faint from a lack of Spirit Power.”

Lin Chuyun blinked, looking at the Ice Crystal before him. He felt like something was off, but… at the same time, it didn’t seem wrong. After hesitating, he meowed a few times at Feng Xixing.

As if he had expected what Lin Chuyun would ask, Feng Xixing explained with a faint smile, “Shizun, rest assured. Condensing one Ice Crystal only takes about a day. It won’t delay your disciple’s cultivation.”

That’s still a delay!

Lin Chuyun wrinkled his nose, anxiously scratching at the bed, then quietly retracted his claws upon realizing his misdeed. He looked at the Ice Crystal, then looked at Feng Xixing, before finally nodding reluctantly.

“Meow…”

Fine, then. When I change back, I’ll give you lots and lots of Spirit Stones!

Feng Xixing didn’t understand this sentence. Seeing Lin Chuyun nod, he smilingly placed the Ice Crystal in front of him. The little black cat was still somewhat hesitant. He circled the Ice Crystal, even nudged it with his paw a couple of times, but in the end couldn’t resist the temptation of its aroma and swallowed the Ice Crystal in one gulp.

A wave of coolness washed through his mind. That lingering, faint feeling of hunger vanished, and even his fatigue dissipated considerably. The little black cat licked his paw, suppressing the urge to ask for another one, and meowed softly at Feng Xixing.

Feng Xixing smiled and rubbed the little black cat’s ear tips. “Shizun needn’t worry. This is merely what your disciple should do.”

Lin Chuyun looked at the gentle-faced youth and sighed for the hundred and first time. What an excellent disciple! And the original host had even disliked him—truly too blind!

In the days that followed, Lin Chuyun stayed quietly in Feng Xixing’s room. And despite the original host disappearing for several days, no one actually noticed. One had to admit, the original host’s popularity was truly abysmal.

As for Feng Xixing… because of the original host’s neglect, Feng Xixing had no friends in the sect either. If someone came looking for him, it was basically never for anything good.

Lin Chuyun was already a fairly homebound person, the type who could zone out in one spot all day. Feng Xixing, having finally gotten a second chance at life, would seize this opportunity even more—spending every day cultivating and nothing else.

Thus, the two of them coexisted in surprising harmony.

This peaceful life continued until the seventh day, when it was shattered.

The sky was still dark when Lin Chuyun was jolted awake by a knocking at the door. He instinctively hid in the corner of the bed, his tail tucked in, a trace of unease flickering in his jade-green Cat Pupils.

He hadn’t yet met anyone else in this form besides Feng Xixing. Lin Chuyun couldn’t help feeling a bit panicked.

Feng Xixing soothingly stroked the little black cat before getting up to open the door.

Outside was an Outer Disciple. He seemed quite displeased by how long Feng Xixing took to open the door, his tone rather impatient. “Hurry up. You’re the only one we’re waiting for.”

Feng Xixing’s gaze swept lightly across his face. Even though he didn’t say anything, the disciple suddenly felt a chill down his back, and his attitude subconsciously reined in slightly.

“What’s the matter?” Feng Xixing asked.

The disciple muttered a couple of things under his breath before reluctantly speaking. “Today is the day to go to the Thunder Echo Grotto. Everyone else is already prepared. Only you haven’t come yet.”

Feng Xixing paused, only then recalling. In his previous life, he had already betrayed the sect by this time, so he naturally wouldn’t remember when the so-called Thunder Echo Grotto opened.

“Understood.” Feng Xixing said flatly. “I’ll tidy up and come over.”

With that, not caring about the other disciple’s reaction, he shut the door directly.

Outside, the disciple’s face soured. But Feng Xixing had already reached Foundation Establishment two years ago and was now only a step away from Core Formation. He wasn’t someone this disciple could afford to provoke.

After mulling it over, the disciple turned and left with a dark expression.

Hmph, just some brat nobody cares about. Once we’re inside the grotto, Senior Brother Bai will naturally teach him a lesson!

A feline’s hearing was excellent, and Lin Chuyun had caught every word of their conversation.

He blinked, inwardly pleased that Feng Xixing could go to the Thunder Echo Grotto. The Thunder Echo Grotto was the first Secret Realm the protagonist (shou) visited; it held countless opportunities. With Feng Xixing’s capabilities, he should be able to snatch two or three for himself.

Seeing Feng Xixing return, Lin Chuyun even happily gave a soft meow. Then Feng Xixing’s next question completely stunned him.

“Would Shizun like to accompany your disciple?” Feng Xixing half-crouched, looking at the tiny black cat on the bed.

The little black ball tilted his head, clearly puzzled by Feng Xixing’s question. The opportunities in the Thunder Echo Grotto were only effective for Foundation Establishment stage Cultivators. What business did he, a former Nascent Soul, current… pet-stage Cultivator, have going there?

Seeing Lin Chuyun didn’t seem to catch on, Feng Xixing asked with a faint smile, “If your disciple leaves, Shizun won’t have Ice Crystals anymore.”

The little black cat was dumbstruck.

Oh, right. If his disciple left, what would he eat? Feng Xixing was now not just his disciple but also his mobile food supply. He had to go with Feng Xixing.

The little black cat aggrievedly swished his tail a couple of times, then could only yield to reality and reluctantly meowed, “Meow—”

Fine—.

Feng Xixing wasn’t surprised. He lowered one hand to the bedside, watching the little black cat slowly stroll onto it. But once the little black cat reached his palm, it didn’t stop. Instead, it scurried straight up his sleeve onto his right shoulder, looking down and craning its neck.

“Shizun?” Feng Xixing was somewhat puzzled.

Lin Chuyun looked left and right, quickly finding a good spot. His two front paws hooked onto the outer robe—the Ice Void Robe couldn’t possibly be damaged by him, anyway—and his two hind paws reached down, stepping onto Feng Xixing’s collar.

Then, with a release of his front paws, the little black ball fell into Feng Xixing’s clothes.

Feng Xixing’s outer robe was black, and Lin Chuyun’s color was also black. Hidden this way, he was indeed not easy to spot. Even if someone drew near, Lin Chuyun could simply bury himself deeper into Feng Xixing’s clothing.

Quite satisfied with the spot he’d found, Lin Chuyun looked up and urged, “Meow meow meow.”

Hurry, hurry, don’t be late.

Feng Xixing’s entire body stiffened. A warm, furry ball was right against his chest, and that always restless tail was still swaying, occasionally brushing against his collarbone and leaving an itchy trail.

The heart and neck were the most vulnerable parts of a Human Cultivator. Feng Xixing rarely let anyone get close, much less approach these two areas. Yet looking at the little kitten nestled comfortably in his robes, Feng Xixing couldn’t bring himself to move it elsewhere.

He’d just have to be extra vigilant.

Feng Xixing sighed inwardly, somewhat helplessly tucking the little black cat’s tail into his clothes. Could it be that he was actually a hidden fur-lover, which is why he indulged Lin Chuyun in cat form so much? Good thing no one in his past life had tried to assassinate the Devil Lord with a little kitten, otherwise…

Sighing, Feng Xixing stood up. The little black cat in his arms, having had its tail tucked away, was a bit unhappy. It burrowed its little head into the clothes and ignored him completely.

Feng Xixing: “…”

Was he being a bit too soft on Lin Chuyun? This was his enemy.

But then, looking at the little black cat’s pitiful Cat Pupils, Feng Xixing had to helplessly coax, “Shizun, don’t be angry. Once we enter the grotto, your disciple will separate from the others. Then Shizun can…” He cleared his throat, his voice growing quieter, “…can let your tail out then.”

Lin Chuyun: “…”

He silently, sheepishly, tried to tuck his tail—in—in—. The little black cat watched his own tail tip, still swishing about despite everything, and in a fit of pique, pounced on his tail with one paw, catching it in his mouth and curling himself entirely into a ball.

“Meow!” It’s put away!

Feng Xixing absolutely did not dare laugh out loud, fearing the little kitten would bristle and swipe at him. It wouldn’t hurt, but he feared the little black cat’s own claws might ache.

When the two arrived at the square, the timing was just right. Feng Xixing stood silently at the edge, not bothering to join the bustle in the center. From his angle, he could see four people standing in the middle, their clothing distinctly different from the other disciples’ robes.

Feng Xixing’s gaze slowly swept over the figures, finally settling on a youth dressed in white.

The youth’s skin was pale, almost translucent. His brows were lightly furrowed, his figure frail. Just standing there, he exuded an air of fragility.

To think that without Lin Chuyun, Bai Linghan had still managed to get a spot for the Thunder Echo Grotto. If Lin Chuyun knew, he’d probably be very upset.

Feng Xixing thought with a touch of malice, yet he had no intention of calling Lin Chuyun out to take a look. Instead, he turned around, placing his back towards Bai Linghan and blocking him from view.