Chapter 410: Little Jiu: I Can’t Just Practice All Day!
Su Lan Qian clutched the clothes her master had given her, glanced at the closed door, then turned to Bai Feng beside her. She lowered her head and softly said, “I—I’m going to change clothes first?”
“Sure, I’ll whip up some study materials for the new disciples while you’re at it.”
Bai Feng nodded; he already had some ideas brewing. He planned to draft a rough framework and then consult others in the research room to polish it up, aiming to help everyone adjust to life in the research facility quickly.
A moment later, Su Lan Qian quietly lifted a corner of the makeshift changing room curtain, revealing half of her head.
“What’s the matter? Is the outfit tricky to put on?” Bai Feng tilted his head, half-jokingly asking, “Need a hand?”
“N-No, it’s fine…”
Su Lan Qian shook her head and stealthily stepped out from behind the curtain, revealing her newly donned outfit.
The ensemble resembled a mix between a long robe and a qipao, but far less heavy and cumbersome. The fabric was a bit thin and form-fitting, showcasing her figure. The hem was short, with high slits on both sides, revealing snug white stockings that wrapped around her legs.
“It’s just a bit… unusual,” she mumbled, glancing down. Although her face was hidden, the red hue on her ears suggested she was quite bashful.
“Uh…”
Bai Feng leaned back a little, studying Su Lan Qian’s outfit while rubbing his chin—what on earth did the master buy? Is this even appropriate for daily wear? Seriously, is it really a good idea for a master to buy such clothing for their disciple?
After mentally rolling his eyes, he stood and draped his robe over Su Lan Qian’s shoulders. “I think this outfit is better suited for home wear.”
“Yeah, I… agree.” Su Lan Qian tightened the robe around her, sneaking a glance at Bai Feng. “Um, can you come over to my place this afternoon? I’ve been trying to make some new pastries.”
“Sounds good.” Bai Feng nodded, “Then let’s hurry up and get to work so we can finish sooner and relax.”
“Right, I’ll go change back.”
Su Lan Qian quickly nodded and dashed back to the changing room.
…
After sampling some tiny, squishy pastries at Su Lan Qian’s house, Bai Feng plunged back into his whirlwind of tasks.
Merging alchemy furnaces with Lin Yan, teaching the new array disciples, negotiating with the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, maximizing the use of precious materials in his storage ring—all in a day’s work!
“Ugh, so tired.”
Bai Feng collapsed onto the sofa, lightly brushing the fox tail in his hand. He lowered his gaze to Little Jiu curled up in his lap playing games and felt a sudden spark of annoyance.
Why does she get to laze around all day gaming while he’s running around like a headless chicken?
He let his fingers wander up the tail, coming to rest on her head. “Little Jiu, I think you’ve been getting a bit too lazy lately.”
“Am I?” Little Jiu replied without lifting her head, “I think I’m working really hard!”
“Working hard at gaming, huh?”
“Hmph, I’m actually gaining fans on the game strategy forum! I’ve hit three thousand followers already!”
“…You’re quite proud of that, aren’t you?”
Bai Feng sighed in exasperation. The game strategy forum was something his master Liu Meng had set up and was similar to a certain well-known social media platform. Despite being a bit quirky, it had quickly gained traction. Who would’ve thought Little Jiu would be posting gaming strategies on it?
This fox is hopeless…
He ran his hand over her head. “So, have you made any progress in your cultivation lately?”
“Uh…” Little Jiu paused, shifting her gaze. “I think… maybe?”
“Translation: no progress. You’re training with me from now on—no slacking off!” Bai Feng lightly tapped her ear, doubling down on his lesson since he was also teaching Little Qi. “Or else…”
Little Jiu gulped instinctively. “Are you going to take away my fox food?”
“No, I wouldn’t do something so cruel.” Bai Feng grinned. “I’d just store you in my ring to help Tian Yan with the herbs and spirit beasts.”
Upon hearing that, Little Jiu breathed a sigh of relief. Just work? That she could handle.
But then Bai Feng dropped the bombshell: “Oh, right, you can’t access the forum from the ring, and I’m taking your image retainer too. So, you can enjoy your farming fun!”
“Noooo!” Little Jiu cried out dramatically, “I’m off to practice now! Don’t take away my image retainer!”
“…And here I thought you had some ambition.”
Bai Feng pinched her ear playfully. Luckily, he’d thought ahead when setting up the communication array and integrated an anti-addiction system. Otherwise, if all the disciples at the Heavenly Sword Sect were like Little Jiu, they’d all be in big trouble!
As for why Little Jiu didn’t have an anti-addiction system, it was because she was using his spare image retainer, which lacked the feature.
He was now considering whether to reinstate the anti-addiction system.
Little Jiu curled her tail around her ears as she retorted. “But if I’m not gaming, what else is there to do? I used to just lounge at the door soaking up the sun. I can’t just practice all day long, can I?”
“…”
It seemed Little Jiu’s laziness had little to do with gaming; perhaps he was blaming the wrong culprit.
“Alright, I’ll give you a task.”
“What kind of task?” she asked, her tone laced with reluctance, but curiosity bubbling beneath.
“Don’t worry, it’s something you’ll enjoy.” Bai Feng ruffled her head. “Your illusion art should be decent, right?”
Upon hearing this, Little Jiu perked up slightly. “It’s okay, I’m just slightly better than those half-bl**d nine-tailed foxes who only know how to cultivate the charm art.”
“Great! Go make a game, since I need someone skilled in illusion art to help out.”
“Really?” Little Jiu’s interest piqued, “Let me take this task!”
“Just a heads up—making a game is tough, so no bailing halfway through.”
“I’m not afraid of tough!”
“Good, full of spirit.” Bai Feng nodded. “You’re in charge of the game project then, and during this time, I’ll teach you some illusion techniques. If your game turns out well, I’ll throw in a special bonus—upgraded fox food.”
He punctuated his statement with a tempting visual feast to boost Little Jiu’s motivation.
“Mm-hmm.”
Little Jiu began swishing her tail. She’d been wanting to make a game anyway, since some games out there were downright terrible; she could definitely do way better with her tail!
Ding-dong~
Just then, the doorbell rang. Bai Feng gently shifted Little Jiu off his lap. “Little Qi’s here. Come on, time for some cultivation!”
