"Wait a moment."
Seeing Chu Lingwei actually leaving, the ninth-rank Spirit Armored Dragon Beast immediately called out, "Take me with you, and I'll trade all my spirit herbs and magical artifacts."
As Chu Lingwei took a step forward, a voice echoed in her mind.
She turned back to see the Spirit Armored Dragon Beast staring at her from the ground. "Take me away from here, and I can also help you with three things."
The Spirit Armored Dragon Beast knew that if it couldn't leave with the cultivator in front of it, the cultivators who would soon arrive to investigate would find it. It was like meat on a chopping block to them, to be dealt with as they pleased.
"You're in such a state, what can you do to help me?"
Its offer held no appeal to Chu Lingwei.
"I am a ninth-rank spirit beast and have accumulated many spirit herbs and immortal medicines. I am already invincible among spirit beasts and can help you with many things," the Spirit Armored Dragon Beast said anxiously, sensing a presence approaching them. "You must be looking for something at Bingji Cliff. I've been here for thousands of years, and I can help you find anything you desire."
This struck a chord with Chu Lingwei, who desperately needed someone to help her find her father.
With a wave of her hand, Chu Lingwei collected it into her spirit beast pouch, mounted the divine-level flying artifact with Feng Ming, concealed herself, and left quickly.
"Weiwei, someone's coming," the Phantom Cat said, producing spirit herbs and approaching Chu Lingwei. It had already sensed several powerful presences heading their way.
They hadn't found an exit yet, and Chu Lingwei had no choice but to turn around and enter her space.
As Chu Lingwei entered the space, Yu Qinghong sensed it.
"Weiwei, why did you enter the space at this time?" Yu Qinghong walked up to Chu Lingwei, seeing her disheveled state and minor injuries. "Did you encounter trouble?"
"I did encounter some trouble, and I had to come in to hide," Chu Lingwei said with a wry smile. She had just resolved not to enter the space, only to find herself doing so moments later, a swift comeuppance.
Yu Qinghong burst into laughter upon hearing Chu Lingwei's words. Since he had entered the space, Chu Lingwei had rarely done so. This time, the trouble she faced must be considerable.
"Fighting a ninth-rank spirit beast, I accidentally attracted several powerful beings and spirit beasts," Chu Lingwei shrugged, admitting that her entry into the space was quite justified.
"Grandpa Yu, why don't I see Uncle-Master Lichen?" She had been in the space for a while but hadn't seen Lichen.
"He's having some insights and is in seclusion." Yu Qinghong led Chu Lingwei to the spirit waterfall, set up a table, and with a wave of his hand, a large spread of spirit meals appeared before them. "Weiwei, you must have suffered a lot during this time. These are all made by Grandpa Yu himself."
"Thank you, Grandpa Yu."
Chu Lingwei spoke with Grandpa Yu while using her divine sense to survey the situation outside the space.
After she entered the space, a supreme realm cultivator appeared at the original location. He stared at the spot where the Spirit Armored Dragon Beast had been for a long time, only leaving when the next cultivator arrived.
If she had left earlier, the Spirit Armored Dragon Beast would have been torn to shreds by that cultivator.
"Grandpa Yu, do you know of a spirit beast that lives in Bingji Cliff, with a white body, a white tail, and white eyes?"
Chu Lingwei thought of the spirit beast that had ambushed her. Although she might not seek revenge, she should at least know what it was.
"You're talking about the Snow Domain Flying Bird, aren't you?" Yu Qinghong said with a smile upon hearing Chu Lingwei's description. "Did you encounter it?"
"Yes, it ambushed me, and I almost died." Chu Lingwei nodded. "Grandpa Yu, tell me about the Snow Domain Flying Bird. I didn't even see it, and it almost crushed me."
Chu Lingwei sighed, recalling her predicament. She felt helpless, as if she hadn't even had a chance to fight back.
"That's strange?" Yu Qinghong's eyes flashed with confusion upon hearing Chu Lingwei's account. "The Snow Domain Flying Bird is usually very gentle and never actively attacks cultivators."
Chu Lingwei: "..." No way, she didn't even know how she had been defeated.
"But I was indeed tricked by it; we didn't even have a chance for a frontal battle."
Yu Qinghong pondered for a moment, then said, "Perhaps you have a fated connection."
"There's such a thing as fate?" Chu Lingwei didn't quite agree.
"You must have gained some benefits by now." Yu Qinghong pointed to the side, where the Phantom Cat and Feng Ming were quietly discussing something in an open area. "The Snow Domain Flying Bird is highly intelligent and might be offering you guidance."
"Really?" Chu Lingwei expressed her disbelief. How could it have known she could defeat a ninth-rank spirit beast?
"Some high-ranking spirit beasts can foresee opportunities." Not just spirit beasts; some cultivators, after reaching the Dominator realm, could also foresee opportunities, which could disrupt their cultivation.
Chu Lingwei pondered thoughtfully.
"It seems I need to go look for that Snow Domain Flying Bird again."
"If you have a fated connection, you will meet again," Yu Qinghong shook his head, a profound and enigmatic look in his eyes.
"Feng Ming, come here."
After Chu Lingwei and Yu Qinghong finished their spirit meal, they noticed Feng Ming and the others hadn't joined them. Chu Lingwei called out.
"Weiwei, we've planted the Ice Ling Flowers in the space. After some time, we'll have plenty of Ice Ling Flowers here." Feng Ming, holding a spirit box, placed it in front of Chu Lingwei, seeking praise.
Chu Lingwei opened the spirit box. Inside was a flower that radiated spirit energy, resembling a snowflake. As she looked at it, its spiritual energy fluctuated.
"This is an Ice Ling Flower. It can heal damaged spirit meridians of ice and water elements, and it can triple a cultivator's cultivation," Yu Qinghong said with an expression of understanding. Weiwei had clearly obtained a great fortune.
"If a ninth-rank spirit beast obtains this Ice Ling Flower, it can transform."
Yu Qinghong elaborated, suggesting that the spirit beast Chu Lingwei fought had been waiting for this Ice Ling Flower.
"So that's how it is."
No wonder the Spirit Armored Dragon Beast hadn't wanted to leave when it sensed danger; it didn't want to miss the opportunity for transformation.
"Weiwei, this Ice Ling Flower will be very helpful to you and can boost your cultivation."
"I understand," Chu Lingwei said, looking at the Ice Ling Flower in the spirit box, she felt an even greater desire to find the Snow Domain Flying Bird and understand why it had helped her.
Seven days later.
"Grandpa Yu, we're leaving." Chu Lingwei had spent seven days in her space and, confirming that no one was outside, decided to depart.