A young empty-nester?

The cave dwelling of Ji Wushuang was situated in the most spiritually abundant area of Zhuxing Peak, unrivaled even by the main peak itself. After Lu Xingzhou and Lian Yuan moved in, they had to share a courtyard. Initially, there was some awkwardness between the two, but that quickly dissolved when Ji Wushuang handed each of them a cultivation manual.

One manual was titled Thunderous Incantation, the other Frost Sutra. Both were handwritten, with an appearance so crude they seemed hastily thrown together. At first, neither man intended to practice the techniques. However, upon glancing at the contents, they couldn't shake the familiarity of what they saw.

Wait a moment—weren't these advanced versions of their current cultivation methods?

The two immediately sought out Ji Wushuang, who was leisurely basking in the sun, combing her sleek black cat's fur. Without lifting her gaze, she replied languidly, "These are improvements crafted by our ancestor. Just practice them. If you manage to break through the first level, you should be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

Ji Wushuang had mulled over a crucial detail: Mo Lanyi's ability to siphon fate relied heavily on her targets sharing the same cultivation stage. Otherwise, with so many geniuses and fortunate souls in Yunlan Sect, why had she targeted these two simpletons in particular?

"Over the next six months, you two will remain in seclusion. You're not to emerge unless you've reached Foundation Establishment."

"What?"

"Unwilling?"

"It's not that… but if we go into seclusion, who will protect you?"

Ji Wushuang gave them a look of profound complexity. Did they truly believe they were here to protect her? She gestured to Fenglian, her radiant pet phoenix, whose feathers gleamed like polished gems. "The day you can defeat Fenglian is the day we'll discuss protecting me."

The two men were speechless. If they remembered correctly, wasn't that creature a Golden Core beast?

Resigned to their fate, they obediently began their seclusion. As for any public notice about their retreat, Ji Wushuang forbade it outright. It didn't take much imagination to know that such a declaration would only invite interference, which suited her just fine.

With the two juniors in seclusion, Ji Wushuang's daily routine simplified: she petted her cat, tended to her chickens, and teleported to her array to nurture the trees with life-giving spring water she'd procured through clever bartering. Yet, the Tianyuan fruit tree remained dormant, and Ji Wushuang began to feel the strain.

The grand Zhuxing Peak's Seventy-Two Constellation Immortal Slaying Array required a rotation of high-grade spirit stones every ten days to sustain. While her junior nephews had generously provided her with plenty, even the wealthiest mine couldn't withstand such rapid consumption. Adding to this burden was the voracious appetite of her spirit beast trio.

Though her juniors were more than willing to "sponsor" her, Ji Wushuang disliked owing favors. After much deliberation, she decided to "expand her revenue streams."

The first step in this endeavor involved sending Bai Ye to Beast God Peak to awaken the latent potential of its spirit beasts. Bai Ye protested vehemently, its cries of "Meow, meow, meow!" ringing with discontent, but Ji Wushuang swiftly quashed its rebellion.

The second step was selling talismans. However, the "spiritless" talismans Ji Wushuang crafted required activation to be marketable. This posed a new challenge—who could she ask to activate them?

Jin Fuxi? Too busy with his affairs on Hongfu Peak.

Second Senior Sister? No, she had entered seclusion after seemingly gaining some profound insight from a new cultivation manual.

The sect master? Out of the question—he was the head of the sect, and she wasn't his legitimate disciple.

After careful thought, Ji Wushuang turned her attention to the one idle being in the cave dwelling. No, not an idle person—an idle chicken.

"Come, Fenglian, try injecting your spiritual power into this talisman to activate it."

The glossy chicken raised its head and pointed at itself with a wing.

"Caw, caw, caw?"

Are you talking to me?!

"Yes, you."

"Caw, caw, caw!"

No way! I'm just at the Golden Core stage—I can't do it!

Ji Wushuang understood that in the Upper Three Thousand Realms, spirit beasts, like human cultivators, could use talismans and treasures. However, activating talismans typically required spirit beasts to have undergone their tribulation to take human form. Though Fenglian was far from that milestone, it carried the bloodline of a phoenix. Who was to say it couldn't succeed?

Patting the chicken's head, Ji Wushuang reassured it, "Don't worry. Even if you fail, it's just a matter of spiritual power. Keep trying—you'll get it eventually. I believe in you."

Moved by her trusting and warm gaze, Fenglian straightened its back with newfound determination.

"Caw, caw, caw!"

Rest assured, Little Wushuang—I will do my best!

Despite its fervent resolve, reality was cruel. After burning through eighty or ninety talismans, Fenglian refused to continue.

Though Ji Wushuang wasn't particularly bothered, Fenglian's distress was palpable. Each failed talisman felt like a dagger to its heart, and its once-proud feathers seemed on the verge of molting from sheer anxiety.

Seeing the poor phoenix reduced to a dejected state, Ji Wushuang felt a pang of guilt.

Had she pushed too hard?

Although Ji Wushuang was skilled in physical cultivation and proficient in alchemy, artifact crafting, and arrays, she was utterly clueless when it came to manipulating spiritual energy delicately. Furthermore, as the Ji clan lacked beast cultivators, her treasury held no relevant texts on the subject.

Clearing her throat, she said, "Though I lack spiritual energy myself, I suspect the talismans are burning because you're pouring in too much power at once. Try refining it into a gentle stream, like trickling water."

Fenglian lifted its tear-streaked face pitifully. "Caw, caw, caw…"

Do you still believe in me, Little Wushuang?

"Of course I do!" Ji Wushuang's radiant smile lit up her face. "Our Fenglian is the best. After all, I can't even activate talismans myself."

Bolstered by her words, Fenglian puffed out its chest once more.

Simple in thought and pure in heart, the phoenix considered Ji Wushuang its savior. She had given it hope and purpose, so it resolved to repay her with unwavering dedication.

Wiping away its tears with a wing, Fenglian picked up another stack of talismans and sought out a quiet corner to continue its attempts in solitude.

In an instant, the cave dwelling was left with only one idle being.

Ji Wushuang: "…"

She couldn't deny it—this sudden stillness felt… lonely.

Why did she, at such a young age, feel like a wistful elder lamenting an empty nest?

Sighing deeply, Ji Wushuang resolved to find something to occupy her time. She had been in Yunlan Sect for a while now, yet no word had come from her other masters' sects. Perhaps it was time to pay them a personal visit.