Chapter 3: Couldn’t Understand, But Felt He Was Being Scolded…

Lin Chuyun sulked for a while before finally accepting his reality. Thinking it over, at least he had turned into a cat. What if he had become a snake, or a bird… ?

He’d rather choose death outright.

With that comparison, Lin Chuyun instantly felt being a cat wasn’t so hard to accept, after all.

He still had paws! Four of them!

Though suddenly needing to walk on four paws was something Lin Chuyun was still very unaccustomed to. He wobbled and staggered across the bed, practically doing a somersault with every step he took.

Feng Xixing’s bed was just an ordinary wooden plank bed, and falling hurt quite a bit. Stumbling and tripping like this, Lin Chuyun finally managed to make it to the edge of the bed.

Feng Xixing was still sitting beside the bed, his lips carrying a smile as he watched him. When Lin Chuyun looked up, he was met with the sight of Feng Xixing’s hair ribbon, now only half its original length, and… the hole torn in his sleeve.

Both seemed to be his own handiwork.

Lin Chuyun’s ear tips slightly drooped downwards, his gaze drifting evasively, too ashamed to look at Feng Xixing.

He had only just turned into a cat, and on top of that, being scared by the sudden levitation made him completely forget to retract his claws. Looking at it now, Feng Xixing’s sleeve was covered in tears from his tiny claws.

What was already a tattered garment had now become completely shredded.

Lin Chuyun felt incredibly guilty. If the Original Host’s memory served him correctly, this cyan robe seemed to be the only intact piece of clothing Feng Xixing owned. Because the Original Host neglected him, Feng Xixing was bullied to the point he couldn’t even receive his disciple uniform.

The more he thought about it, the worse Lin Chuyun felt. After a moment of thought, he reached out a front paw and gently tapped twice on the bed. Then, with considerable clumsiness, he summoned the Original Host’s storage bag.

Feng Xixing’s eyes flickered. Before he could speak, the little black cat plunged its head right into the storage bag, leaving just its little tail swishing outside.

Although a storage bag appeared quite small from the outside, the space within was surprisingly large. Lin Chuyun swept his gaze over the interior, a flash of surprise crossing his cat eyes.

The Original Host’s storage bag was actually far from empty. Instead, it contained a mess of various odds and ends. However, all these items looked very old and worn, as if they had been casually tossed in. The Original Host’s memories also held no recollection of these objects.

Lin Chuyun only glanced at them before continuing his search for his target. Fortunately, the Original Host’s memory was accurate in this regard, and he quickly found what he was looking for.

Feng Xixing watched the tiny tail swaying incessantly before his eyes, his fingertips twitching slightly.

The little black cat’s rear paws, visible outside the bag, suddenly exerted force, as if straining to pull something out. Even the tip of his tiny tail was tensed up with effort.

Feng Xixing calmly reached out and lightly stroked the little black cat’s tail. The tiny tail decisively smacked the back of his hand with a “pah-da” sound, expressing clear displeasure at Feng Xixing’s meddling.

Soon, the little black cat’s head withdrew from the storage bag. Before Feng Xixing could see what Lin Chuyun had in his mouth, the little black cat suddenly lost his balance and, along with whatever he was dragging out, tumbled head over heels in a clattering mess against the foot of the bed.

“Meowoo…” Ouch, ouch, ouch, it hurt!

Feng Xixing stared, puzzled, at the chaotic ball before him. The pure black kitten lay tangled amidst white robes, looking like a single drop of black ink fallen onto rice paper.

Lin Chuyun, dazed from the fall, struggled up from the tangle of cloth that bound him. He took one step, only to tumble right back down.

“Meow…” Get your teacher out of this…

The tiny kitten cried out in its milky voice. Before Feng Xixing fully realized what he was doing, his hand had already reached out to scoop the little black dumpling from the pile of robes. Looking at the soft fluff ball cupped in his palm, Feng Xixing couldn’t help but gently poke at those tempting furry ears that had been alluring him.

Lin Chuyun was so rattled by his fall he could barely think straight. He just vaguely felt something brush past his ear tips. He looked up suspiciously, only to meet Feng Xixing’s righteous expression. After looking twice and finding no anomaly, he could only flick his ears and dismiss the earlier sensation as his imagination.

“Shizun, this is…” Feng Xixing’s eyes finally fell upon the robe, the warmth of the smile on his lips slowly cooling.

He had seen this robe before—on Bai Linghan’s body.

The Ice Void Robe, a Heaven-grade Magic Treasure, capable of withstanding a full-force blow from a Grand Ascension stage cultivator. However, what made it even more significant for an ice-attribute cultivator was that this garment could nourish and cultivate the Ice Spiritual Root within one’s body.

When Lin Chuyun first accepted him as a disciple, there were those who speculated in secret whether Lin Chuyun would give this magical robe to him. But not long after, rumors spread that Lin Chuyun intended to give the Ice Void Robe to Bai Linghan.

And later, after Feng Xixing had betrayed and fled the sect, when he saw Bai Linghan again, this was the very robe he was wearing.

Feng Xixing’s gaze fell upon the tiny black ball of fluff resting in his palm, his eyes narrowing slightly.

So… Lin Chuyun’s poisoning attempt failed, and now he’s scared Bai Linghan will get angry, so he’s impatient to try and curry favor with him again?

Thinking this, Feng Xixing’s mood soured once more. He let out a silent, mild click of his tongue.

Might as well just kill him now.

Lin Chuyun had absolutely no idea the person behind him was contemplating murder once again. He quite adeptly used his rear paw to scratch at his ear tips a couple of times. Once that tingling, numbing sensation passed, he wobbled his way right off Feng Xixing’s palm. He squatted down beside the robe, meowing once in an utterly self-righteous manner.

Disciple, Disciple, time to change clothes!

Feng Xixing looked into those jade-green cat eyes. He was silent for a long moment, but still reached out and ruffled the soft cat ears. He then reached for the robe. Since Lin Chuyun wanted to give it, so be it. It was just a single Heaven-grade Magic Treasure, nothing more.

“This disciple understands.”

Lin Chuyun nodded in satisfaction. He was just pondering whether he should turn his back to give the boy some privacy, when he saw Feng Xixing take the robe and head towards the door.

He stared blankly, the tail behind him curling into a large question mark. He’s just changing a robe, why go outside to do it?

Lin Chuyun strongly suspected Feng Xixing had absolutely misunderstood something. Seeing the man was about to leave the room, Lin Chuyun hurriedly tried to call him back. “Meow meow meow meow!”

What are you doing?!

Feng Xixing paused in pushing open the door, helplessly turning his head to look at the little black cat. “This disciple will deliver the robe to Junior Brother Bai. Shizun need not worry.”

Junior Brother Bai? Bai Linghan? That universally adored protagonist? No, why would he randomly give him something?!!! Not a chance.

Lin Chuyun was beside himself with anger at Feng Xixing.

Do you know how broke your teacher is right now? And you, you spendthrift, are trying to give things away?!

His heart blazed with frustration. He angrily smacked the bed with his paw. “Meow meow meow meow meow meow!”

You spendthrift, get your butt back here right now!!!

Feng Xixing: “?”

He couldn’t understand the words, but he definitely felt like he was being scolded.

However, the tiny kitten’s voice was simply too soft. Even knowing Lin Chuyun was definitely not saying anything nice, Feng Xixing just couldn’t summon any anger in his heart. In fact, he was a little worried about the soft paw pads hitting against his bed.

After all, his bed wasn’t exactly soft.

Mulling over how to get a new bed, Feng Xixing turned back and walked to the bedside, bending down to kneel on one knee. “What is the matter, Shizun?”

The little black cat squatted at the edge of the bed, its eyes blazing with considerable authority.

“Meow meow meow!”

This robe is for you!

Feng Xixing: “Shizun, be at ease. This disciple will personally hand it to Junior Brother Bai.”

“Meow meow meow meow meow!”

This robe is FOR YOU!!

Feng Xixing: “This disciple will tell Junior Brother Bai that it was Shizun who gave it to him.”

“Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow!!!”

I said this robe is FOR YOU!!!

“This disciple…”

Feng Xixing’s sentence couldn’t continue, because the little black cat on the bed had shut down completely. He buried his little head beneath his body, his tail drooping over his ear tips, refusing to pay him any more attention.

He’d teased him too far.

Feng Xixing noted to himself, though he didn’t feel much remorse. He gently touched the tiny white spot on the cat’s tail tip and asked softly, “Is Shizun giving this robe… to this disciple?”

The little black cat’s ear tips twitched. His head shot up immediately. He cried out and nodded simultaneously. “Meow meow meow meow!”

Finally, he understood… Lin Chuyun felt deeply gratified.

Feng Xixing’s eyes deepened in hue. He bowed slightly, his lips still carrying a smile, his tone gentle. “Has Shizun thought this through? If you give it to this disciple, it cannot be taken back.”

He meant it—once something was in his hands, it either belonged to him forever, or it would be destroyed outright. It would never become someone else’s possession.

Although Feng Xixing’s tone was light and his expression mild, Lin Chuyun couldn’t help the urge to puff up his fur defensively. He retreated backwards but ended up tripping over his own tail.

The little black cat lay sprawled on the bed, innocently blinking his jade-green cat eyes. His ears were flattened against his head in fear, which made his round kitty face look even chubbier. One look at that face, and it seemed impossible to muster any anger.

Feng Xixing’s fingers curled. He really wanted to poke the black dumpling again.

Lin Chuyun had no idea why he was feeling so cowardly. He was clearly the one giving the gift, so why did he feel so lacking in confidence? He could only let out a tiny “Meow.”

It was meant for you anyway. He had no use for this thing himself.

Feng Xixing’s eyes curved into crescents. Lin Chuyun suddenly noticed a tear mole beneath the outer corner of Feng Xixing’s left eye. The mole was extremely faint; if Feng Xixing hadn’t been so close, he wouldn’t have seen it at all.

“Then this disciple thanks Shizun for the gift,” Feng Xixing said with a faint smile, straightening up.

Regaining his freedom, Lin Chuyun cautiously shrank back, watching Feng Xixing remove his outer robe and put on the Ice Void Robe. But the robe was originally white; once Feng Xixing put it on, it turned pure black.

Lin Chuyun blinked, slightly confused.

The Original Host’s memory said this garment would change color based on the wearer’s attribute. But wasn’t Feng Xixing an Ice Spiritual Root? Then why did the robe turn black?

Feng Xixing, however, was very pleased with this color. His attitude towards Lin Chuyun became even better. Noticing Lin Chuyun staring at him, he asked, “Does Shizun find it pleasing?”

Lin Chuyun snapped back to his senses and looked him over.

The young man in the black robe stood before him. His brows were gentle yet carried a hidden sharpness. His light-colored pupils fell upon Lin Chuyun coolly, yet the smile on his lips broke through that icy indifference.

He was like a collection of contradictions. You could feel the danger, yet he didn’t seem threatening. You could sense a tenderness, yet it felt as though he could tear your throat out in the next second.

Lin Chuyun fixed his gaze on Feng Xixing for a long while. In the end, he decided to trust his instincts. Wasn’t it said that a cat’s sixth sense was the strongest? He just felt that Feng Xixing would not hurt him.

“Meow meow meow.” It looks very good.

The tiny kitten mewed softly.

…

The little black cat Lin Chuyun had become was very small, not even half the size of Feng Xixing’s palm. It looked just like a tiny kitten barely a month old.

Sure enough, before long, the little black cat’s eyelids began to droop drowsily.

The black dumpling curled up into a ball on the bed. At first, its small tail would occasionally give a flick, but soon it was fast asleep. The smile on Feng Xixing’s lips slowly faded. His expression as he looked at Lin Chuyun was complex.

He hadn’t expected Lin Chuyun would actually give this garment to him.

Of course, Feng Xixing wasn’t going to forget all the past hatred just because of a single piece of clothing. Yet, inexplicably, he kept feeling that the Lin Chuyun in front of him now was somewhat different from the one in his memories.

Could Lin Chuyun have experienced something similar to him, returning from the future?

Feng Xixing paused in thought, then shook his head. Knowing that treacherous, petty villain, if Lin Chuyun had also returned from the future, his first move would be to kill Feng Xixing with a single sword strike, eliminating any future threat.

So… it was simply a case of his mind being affected?

…

Initially, Lin Chuyun still clung to the hope that perhaps sleeping it off might allow him to change back. But when he opened his eyes and found himself staring at his pink paw pads once more, Lin Chuyun gave up completely.

He shakily stood up and surveyed the room.

The room held nothing but a bed, a table, and a chair. Feng Xixing could only sit beside him, meditating and cultivating.

Lin Chuyun could sense Spirit Qi surging towards Feng Xixing at a speed dozens of times faster than what he’d seen in the Original Host’s memories.

So this is the difference in natural talent… Lin Chuyun sighed heavily.

Using the method from the Original Host’s memories, he did a thorough scan of his own body. Only then did he realize all the Spirit Power within this body had vanished.

Confirming his Spirit Power was indeed gone, Lin Chuyun found he didn’t feel much about it. Perhaps it was a kind of… slack, carefree mentality—so be it, big deal, just be a little kitty for life.

Lin Chuyun even felt that nothing could defeat him now!

And then… he got hungry.

At first, Lin Chuyun thought it was just his imagination. After all, in the Original Host’s memories, he had long since achieved Fasting.

But gradually, the hunger pangs intensified. Eventually, his entire feline self was draped over the edge of the bed, too weak even to cry out, only able to whimper quietly.

Feng Xixing, meditating beside him, heard the sound and roused from his cultivation. Glancing sideways, he noticed the previously lively little black cat was inexplicably listless.

“Shizun?” Feng Xixing’s brow furrowed in concern. He called out softly.

Lin Chuyun raised his cat eyes. His gaze at Feng Xixing was utterly aggrieved. “Meow…”

Disciple, if you don’t find your teacher something to eat soon… you might need to start preparing your teacher’s funeral rites.

This time, Feng Xixing truly couldn’t decipher Lin Chuyun’s meaning. It wasn’t until he heard a rumbling sound coming from the little black dumpling’s belly that Feng Xixing finally realized the truth: to pet a cat, one must first raise a cat. To raise a cat… one needed to feed it.

A little troublesome, but still within the realm of acceptance.

Feng Xixing crooked his finger and gently nuzzled the top of the little black cat’s head. Before Lin Chuyun could puff up in outrage, Feng Xixing smiled and said, “Please wait a moment, Shizun. This disciple will go find you something to eat.”

Lin Chuyun’s indignation halted mid-fluff. Torn between food and the dignity of a Shizun, he finally silently chose the food. He shot Feng Xixing a look and thwapped his tail against Feng Xixing’s wrist.

“Meow…” Go quickly, go quickly, your teacher is about to starve to death…