For a moment, neither of them spoke, and silence fell.
Ling Yunhe held his teacup, glancing at her several times, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, he finally couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Qin, what do you need this cultivation method for?" Feeling his question might be inappropriate, he added, "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to answer."
Mo Tiange gave him a faint, ambiguous smile and shook her head lightly. "My apologies, this question is indeed inconvenient to answer."
Upon hearing this, Ling Yunhe nodded without pressing further. He had only asked casually, not expecting an answer. Who would answer such a question? A Pure Yin Constitution—if a female cultivator with a Pure Yin Constitution truly existed in this world, what a storm it would stir up across Yunzhong! Forget about those Nascent Soul cultivators; having reached the peak of the human realm, they might not harbor such thoughts. But Core Formation cultivators like them would absolutely not let such an opportunity slip. Even he himself, upon thinking of this, felt a surge of agitation in his heart, taking a while to suppress it.
However, he didn't connect this thought to Mo Tiange. Would a female cultivator with a Pure Yin Constitution wander the world so freely? Let alone speak of it so openly. If he knew that not only had Mo Tiange done so, but that thousands of years ago, a Mo Yaoqing had also roamed Yunzhong unhindered, his jaw would likely drop in shock. In a way, Mo Tiange had not only inherited Mo Yaoqing's Pure Yin Constitution but also her boldness.
Setting this thought aside, Ling Yunhe pondered carefully and said, "If Fellow Daoist Qin is certain this cultivation method is within the Danxia Sect, then I, Ling, can indeed find a way to obtain it."
Receiving this definite answer, Mo Tiange's eyes brightened. She immediately responded, "If Fellow Daoist Ling is willing to help with this matter, I will naturally do my utmost regarding the Carefree Valley affair."
Ling Yunhe was taken aback for a moment before a look of delight appeared on his face. "Excellent, then it's settled."
Afterwards, Ling Yunhe spoke about the Carefree Valley matter without reservation, covering every detail.
Previously, since Mo Tiange hadn't agreed, Ling Yunhe had naturally held back some information. Now that they had truly formed an alliance, certain things needed to be laid out openly and honestly.
The Carefree Valley was not simple. While it was indeed a blessed land from the Ancient Era of Yunzhong, it was now overrun with malignant miasma and not easy to enter. Moreover, it housed some strange and bizarre Demon Beasts. Even as Core Formation cultivators, they would need at least five or six people to fight their way in. This was precisely why Ling Yunhe wanted to invite her.
However, after listening to Ling Yunhe for a while, Mo Tiange realized she actually stood to gain quite a bit. The Carefree Valley was located in a secluded area; cultivators in Yunzhong couldn't just go there as they pleased. Although it was overrun with malignant miasma, it also contained some good items left over from the Ancient Era. Securing just one would make the trip worthwhile.
As for the Carefree Fruit that Ling Yunhe wanted, Mo Tiange wasn't particularly envious. She had the Spirit-Attracting Pearl and wasn't lacking in pills. While their effects might not quite match the Carefree Fruit, the difference wasn't huge.
If she helped Ling Yunhe obtain the Carefree Fruit, not only would she not have to worry about the Art of the Plain Maiden, but Ling Yunhe would also help her resolve the enmity she had inadvertently incurred with Han Shizhi.
One could say that in this transaction, as long as she wasn't terribly unlucky, she was guaranteed to profit.
After roughly settling the matter, Ling Yunhe arranged to meet with her again later and then departed.
Mo Tiange stayed outside for a while, restored the defensive formation, and entered the Void Heaven Realm.
As soon as she entered the Void Heaven Realm, a streak of golden light pounced towards her. "Master!"
The tender, delicate voice left no doubt—it was Feifei.
But she also knew that the current Feifei was not the Feifei of before. The old Feifei pounced to act spoiled; this one... was probably up to no good.
So she caught it briefly before tossing it to the opposite side—this Feifei, who considered itself a Divine Beast, enjoyed comfort even more than she did. It insisted on sitting on a meditation cushion; throwing it on the ground like before would definitely provoke a protest.
"Let me tell you, if you want more Azure Cloud Pills, there aren't any. Do you think they're candy? What if you eat them randomly and something goes wrong?"
Feifei rolled over on the cushion opposite her, propped up its little head, and declared, "Who said I want Azure Cloud Pills? I'm not stupid. I haven't finished the last batch yet."
Mo Tiange shot it a glance and poured herself a cup of tea. Actually, Feifei's awakening wasn't without its benefits. For instance, she no longer had to make tea herself; those two stone puppets lacked consciousness and couldn't brew such good tea. Moreover, she now had someone to chat with. Feifei was clever enough to understand anything she said and could even offer advice.
Hmm, the tea aroma was refreshing and soothing. A Divine Beast was indeed a Divine Beast, truly knowing how to enjoy life.
"Then what do you want?"
"Can't I just say hello?" Feifei blinked its round eyes. When it used to make this expression, it was utterly adorable. But now, Mo Tiange only sensed cunning. She suddenly missed the old Feifei a little. Although it only knew how to eat and not do anything, at least it was pleasing to the eye and cute.
After a moment's thought, she looked around and asked, "Where's Little Fire? Why aren't you playing with them?"
"What's fun about that?" Feifei laid its head down on the tea table. "One can't talk, the other is stupid as can be. I ask you, Master, what kind of spirit beasts have you been finding?"
"..." That was too harsh. Mo Tiange glared at it fiercely. "You used to be both speechless and stupid as can be."
"That was then." Feifei said disdainfully. "When you were a baby, you needed people to take care of you too."
"..." Mo Tiange looked up at the sky for a moment, somewhat helplessly saying, "Feifei, aren't you a Divine Beast? Why do you talk like some lowlife from the mortal world?" An ancient Divine Beast—shouldn't it be detached from worldly affairs, living in some ethereal paradise? Even if its temperament wasn't particularly gentle, it shouldn't be this cunning, right?
Feifei pouted and said, "In the past, we lived together with humans."
"Huh?"
Feifei lifted its head to look at her. "You didn't know?"
Mo Tiange truly wasn't clear about this. How people lived in the primordial times was now only fragments of information. What was recorded in the ancient texts were merely legends.
Feifei raised its head and slowly said, "Back then, we spirits and humans lived together. There weren't so many cultivators, nor so many conflicts. It was a joyful time." A look of yearning slowly appeared in its eyes. That era was distant even to it. Although it possessed some memories, it was ultimately not a spirit beast from that time.
"Master," Feifei paused for a moment before continuing, "these past few days, I've thought very carefully and discovered that this world... is not right."
"Hmm?" Mo Tiange set down her teacup, noticing that Feifei's gaze was now very serious.
It looked at Mo Tiange and said, "Since ancient times, spirits and demons have been separate. Although it has been a long time in the human world, and great changes are inevitable, it shouldn't have become like this. I don't remember much, but many things in the present are vastly different from ancient times, even completely opposite—this is not normal."
Mo Tiange didn't doubt that Feifei possessed sufficient intelligence. It had awakened. Although it didn't have the power of a Divine Beast, its intellect was undiminished. However, she didn't know how to respond to such a conclusion—she was merely a Core Formation cultivator. To explore the origins of the world, her strength was still far from enough.
Seeing Mo Tiange at a loss for words, Feifei sighed and lowered its head. "I know you don't understand... Forget it. Let's talk about it when you Advance to the Nascent Soul stage. By then, you should be able to understand what I mean."
"..." Since its Advancement, Feifei had always had a sly, cunning air. But now, Mo Tiange felt its expression was filled with melancholy. She could understand Feifei's feelings. Having inherited its ancestors' memories yet living in a human world that had long been abandoned, it must feel very lonely. But this was a loneliness she was currently powerless to alleviate.
Power and realm—these things even determined the height of one's thoughts.
She said, "Advancing to the Nascent Soul stage isn't a matter of a day or two. If you're just feeling bored or troubled, you can talk to me about it. Even if I might not fully understand."
Feifei propped its head on the table, looking at her. Its appearance was still as cute as before, but the feeling it gave off was completely different.
After a while, it said, "Although you're not a great master, at the very least, you're a good person."
"..." Mo Tiange glared at it. "Where am I not a great master? I give you whatever you need. Where would you find a master like me?" It didn't even consider how it had Advanced.
Feifei stretched its limbs, making a yawning motion, and tilted its head. "You mean these spirit herbs? You can't use all of them by yourself anyway, and you got them for nothing. If you still didn't let us eat them, that would be too stingy."
Mo Tiange was speechless. But thinking about it, Feifei wasn't wrong. The reason she was so generous was precisely because she possessed too much, and it had come too easily. If she were like those other cultivators, toiling hard for just a few spirit herbs, would she still be willing to let them eat like this? Just think, before Foundation Establishment, she hadn't even been interested in raising a spirit beast because she knew she couldn't afford it...
"However, if you didn't have such opportunities, we wouldn't be where we are today either." Feifei's gaze passed through the bamboo hut, looking towards the distant herb fields. "You humans are truly clever. To create an independent space like this requires the great divine ability to shatter the void, along with some ingenious minor techniques. Even among the elite of our Divine Beasts, the Four Symbols and Five Spirits, none could achieve this. No wonder the gods left the human world to you."
Mo Tiange's heart stirred. "You said the current state of the human world is vastly different from ancient times, and also that the gods left the human world to us humans... Do you know the gods' intentions?"
Feifei blinked its eyes and turned its head away. "How could we possibly comprehend the gods? Asking such silly questions."
Mocked by her own spirit beast. Mo Tiange rubbed her nose. "Then why did you say it's unusual?"
"Because... no matter how much the human world changes, some rules shouldn't change." Feifei said, stroking the golden fur on its body. "When the gods left this world and separated the four realms of demons, spirits, Immortals, and devils, they intended to leave the human world to humanity. But now, in a human world inhabited only by humans, many rules are completely different from back then."
"Rules... you mean?"
"The gods' principles of the Dao." Feifei continued grooming its fur. "Don't ask me anymore. I can't explain it clearly now. First, teach me to recognize these characters. I need your human texts to understand the current world."
"...Alright." Mo Tiange also knew that even if Feifei explained, she probably wouldn't fully understand at her current level. The problem was—was there such an arrogant spirit beast? From start to finish, it had been ordering its master around.