After lunch, Xiao Zhu eagerly led Ye Ling out of the village.
On the way, Ye Ling asked Xiao Zhu, "Xiao Zhu, you seem so happy. It's not because we're going to catch a thief, is it?"
Xiao Zhu apologized to Ye Ling, "I'm sorry, Brother Ye Ling... Actually, I don't want to catch demons at all. It's just that Grandpa rarely lets me go out to play. Only when guests come to the village and Grandpa is happy will he let me go out."
Ye Ling asked again, "Do guests come to the village often?"
Xiao Zhu replied, "Well... maybe a traveler passes by once a month. But cultivators like you, Brother Ye Ling, are rarely seen."
"In our village, we only get to see cultivators when the Xianwu Sect comes to recruit disciples every three years. Grandpa said that Brother Dazhuang is the best talent in the village, and he'll be able to go for cultivation next time the Xianwu Sect comes. I'm really envious of him."
Ye Ling nodded, "Indeed, Dazhuang has good roots and can be considered a genius. However, your roots, Xiao Zhu, are even more exceptional, a one-in-a-million genius, much better than Dazhuang!"
"Really?"
Xiao Zhu's eyes lit up, then quickly dimmed. "But Grandpa says I'm not suited for cultivation, and Grandpa never lets me go for testing whenever the Xianwu Sect comes."
"Is that so..."
Upon hearing Xiao Zhu's words, Ye Ling's gaze slightly sharpened.
Xiao Zhu had excellent roots, and spiritual energy always lingered around her. She was clearly a seedling suited for cultivation, the kind that major sects would compete for.
If the village chief could recognize Dazhuang's cultivation talent, he would have no reason not to recognize Xiao Zhu's.
Moreover, the fact that the village chief consistently prevented Xiao Zhu from participating in tests indicated that he wanted to hide her, to prevent others from discovering her.
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire then said, "Kid, why do you think the village chief doesn't let Xiao Zhu cultivate? With Xiao Zhu's talent, if she had started cultivating earlier, she should have reached the Heavenly Palace realm by now. But she's almost past the optimal cultivation age. If it's delayed any longer, her future potential will be limited."
Ye Ling replied, "Perhaps the village chief has his own considerations. There's no point in us guessing wildly here. Let's focus on what's in front of us first."
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire said, "That's right. You should focus on healing your injuries first, so no matter what the village chief's plans are, we can deal with them."
While Ye Ling and the World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire were talking, they had already reached the outskirts of the village and saw Dazhuang guarding the entrance.
"Brother Dazhuang!"
As soon as Xiao Zhu saw Dazhuang at the village entrance, her face lit up with joy, and she immediately ran towards him.
"Xiao Zhu!" Dazhuang's face broke into a silly grin upon seeing Xiao Zhu, and he opened his arms to welcome her.
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire, seeing Xiao Zhu's cheerful back, couldn't help but say, "So Xiao Zhu is this happy because of that silly boy!"
Ye Ling chuckled, "It's normal for young men and women to be in love. We shouldn't be a third wheel. Let's go catch the demon."
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire said, "Alright. I sense a demon beast approaching the farmland in the northwest direction. Let's go check it out."
"Okay."
Ye Ling nodded, then said to Dazhuang and Xiao Zhu, who were already holding hands, "Dazhuang, Xiao Zhu, you two play by yourselves. I'll go catch the thief first."
Dazhuang smiled at Ye Ling and said, "Brother Ye, leave the thief catching to Xiao Zhu and me. You're a guest, how can we let guests do the work?"
Ye Ling replied, "But I've already promised the village chief."
Xiao Zhu also said, "Brother Ye Ling, please trust Brother Dazhuang. He's set up traps for that grain thief for a week, and he's sure to catch it today!"
Dazhuang patted his chest and said, "Brother Ye, you just watch from behind. Leave the thief catching to me!"
With that, Dazhuang led Xiao Zhu towards the farmland in the northwest.
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire watched Dazhuang and Xiao Zhu walk away and said to Ye Ling, "Kid, what should we do now? The job has been snatched away..."
Ye Ling replied, "Let's watch from the side first. That grain thief is just a herbivorous demon beast, not difficult to deal with."
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire said, "Then let's do that. We'll watch from the side first, and only intervene if there's real danger."
"Okay."
Ye Ling nodded slightly and followed Dazhuang and Xiao Zhu to the ambush spot.
Dazhuang, with Xiao Zhu and Ye Ling hiding behind a large rock, stared at the empty farmland and said, "Today, I've put enough knockout medicine in this field. As soon as that grain thief arrives, I guarantee it will regret it!"
Ye Ling asked Dazhuang, "How do you know that the grain thief will definitely come to this farmland?"
Dazhuang replied, "After observing for a while, that grain thief prefers plump grains. It has already ruined other good fields, and this is the last good field. The grain thief will definitely come here today!"
Xiao Zhu praised, "Brother Dazhuang is so smart. I'm quite stupid. I've set up traps in every field, but I haven't caught the grain thief, and instead, I've caused trouble for many people in the village. Grandpa has scolded me several times."
Dazhuang smiled and comforted her, "Hehe! Xiao Zhu, you're not stupid. It's the villagers who were careless. Look, I've never stepped into a trap!"
Xiao Zhu's eyes lit up, "Really? I'm not stupid?"
Dazhuang nodded, "Really! Xiao Zhu is the smartest!"
Xiao Zhu giggled, "Hehe, Brother Dazhuang is the best!"
Listening to Dazhuang and Xiao Zhu's rather childish and affectionate words, Ye Ling suddenly felt like his presence was redundant.
The World Extinguishing Spiritual Fire grumbled, "Kid, you look like a third wheel right now. I feel awkward for you."
Ye Ling also smiled awkwardly. At this moment, he didn't know how to respond, so he simply shut his mouth and continued to heal his injuries quietly in the back.
Just then, a plump green sphere appeared outside the farmland. It had wings on its back, large eyes, and a pig-like head. It was covered in fluff and looked quite cute.
"It's here! The grain thief! Everyone hide quickly!"
Dazhuang's eyes gleamed as he saw the little demon beast and quickly pulled Xiao Zhu to hide behind the giant rock.
The little demon beast looked around, confirmed that no one was nearby, and then burrowed into the farmland to eat the rice.
After a while, the little demon beast began to sway as if drunk, and then it fell into the farmland, appearing to have passed out!
"Finally caught it!"
Seeing the little demon beast pass out, Dazhuang let out a cheer, immediately emerged from behind the giant rock, jumped into the farmland, and pounced towards the little demon beast.
However, before Dazhuang could grab the little demon beast, it suddenly opened its eyes, transformed into a green light, and escaped from the farmland!
"Not good!"
Seeing the little demon beast escape, Dazhuang panicked and tried to chase it. However, he accidentally tripped in the field, inadvertently ingested the knockout medicine he had placed there, and fell asleep in the field.
"Brother Dazhuang!"
Seeing Dazhuang fall and unable to get up, Xiao Zhu couldn't help but exclaim and looked at Ye Ling, "Brother Ye Ling... Brother Dazhuang failed!"
Ye Ling looked at Dazhuang, who was sleeping soundly in the field, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile, sighing, "Never mind, I'll go catch it. You go help Dazhuang out of the field."
With that, Ye Ling leaped out from behind the giant rock and chased after the little demon beast.