Shen Shuibei was in a forest clearing.
"Dudu~ lululu~," she hummed an unknown tune, sorting through various furs and bones in her basket while absorbing the Yin Qi from the moon.
It was much like snacking.
The moon, or Yin, naturally emitted Yin Qi when it hung high in the sky, spreading across the heavens and blessing the earth.
For demonic creatures, Yin was a crucial part of their cultivation; they needed to absorb Yin Qi for their practice.
But for Shen Shuibei, this was just a snack.
She practiced orthodox Xuanmen techniques, not demonic methods. As one of the Ten Great Paradises of Daoism, Luofu Mountain's traditions were respected even by demon-hunters who wouldn't dare harm her.
Rather than being called a demonic beast, she was known as a spirit beast or divine beast, seen as an auspicious creature.
With her flawless body, immune to dirt, cold, heat, and poison, she didn't need food but could subsist on the natural Qi of heaven and earth.
Though she was a rabbit, she wasn't an ordinary one.
"Hmm, should be about time he returns? We can probably set off today, right? To Yixian?" Shen Shuibei pondered while organizing her luggage.
It had been seventeen days since Li Qi fell unconscious.
During these seventeen days, Shen Shuibei watched Li Qi train diligently every day and waited for Old Horse's injuries to heal.
After removing the Malevolent Qi, with the help of Great Forest Wood Qi, Old Horse recovered quickly.
A few days ago, he was fully mobile again, but Li Qi insisted on waiting until he was completely healed before setting off.
According to Li Qi, "Sharpening your axe doesn't delay chopping wood." Once everything was ready, they would follow the main road to Yixian, restock on provisions, and then ride towards Luo Fu Niangniang.
With Old Horse, traveling eight hundred miles a day, even a ten-thousand-mile journey would only take a dozen days.
Ten thousand miles beyond Daliangguo, at most a month or two of travel, they would definitely find Nangnang!
This was much faster than running on foot.
Thinking about it, Shen Shuibei couldn't help but hum happily.
Soon, she would see Nangnang!
---
Riding Old Horse and carrying the mountain goat, Li Qi returned to his temporary campsite.
Shen Shuibei hadn't changed much; still ethereal when silent and somewhat silly when speaking, but occasionally eloquent, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
Quite contradictory.
Li Qi tossed the goat onto the ground, greeted Shen Shuibei, and began skinning and butchering it.
The glutinous rice cakes were long gone. For several days, Li Qi had eaten meat, hunting daily with Old Horse's help. If hunting failed, he'd catch fish.
Before, he dared not venture far from the main roads due to his limited strength and speed, making escape difficult if danger arose.
Don't think that because of Carp Flow Intent, catching fish was easy.
There were more things in water than just fish.
Encountering a group of water monkeys staring back at you would mean certain death.
Cautious Li Qi wouldn't take any risks without assurance, staying within a mile of the main road even when finding water sources.
However, after mastering Carp Flow Intent and Old Horse's recovery, he grew bolder, venturing deeper and actively hunting and fishing.
Even if danger arose, how many beasts could outrun Old Horse, a dragon steed?
Another reason was his dwindling supplies.
Without hunting, starvation awaited.
Fortunately, since starting to eat meat and fish, his progress in Carp Flow Intent accelerated significantly.
Martial arts cultivation prioritizes perseverance and resources, living up to its name.
Those who ate meat daily progressed faster.
Over the past few days, Li Qi had accumulated some furs and bones. Though the meat was consumed, the skins and bones could be sold for money.
He also intended to gather some mountain goods for sale. While he managed to collect some mushrooms and fungus, he lacked the skills to preserve them properly.
Attempting to dry them resulted in spoilage.
Lacking preservation skills, he decided to simply gather enough for personal consumption, varying his diet.
As for mushrooms or shiitake, he avoided them entirely, fearing misidentification could lead to poisoning. The Baiyue region's Ten Thousand Mountains, though rich in edible fungi, held countless varieties, dangerous for non-experts.
Li Qi didn't want to see hallucinations after eating.
After skinning and butchering, Li Qi rinsed the entrails in the river, eliminating odors. The meat could then be cooked in a pot.
Fortunately, he had ample salt and other seasonings, preventing bland meals.
Part of the meat went into the iron pot, the rest skewered on branches and roasted, ready to eat soon.
A mountain goat yielded about sixty to seventy pounds of meat, enough for Li Qi to last two days.
Since practicing martial arts, his appetite had doubled.
Old Horse received a piece of meat too. Though herbivorous, horses occasionally ate meat for protein supplements. Knowing this, Li Qi provided occasional eggs, ensuring balanced nutrition.
Old Horse knew this too, enjoying the meat before wandering off to graze.
In the Ten Thousand Mountains, grass was plentiful.
Despite his age, Old Horse remained energetic post-recovery.
While Li Qi prepared the meal, Shen Shuibei approached cheerfully, asking, "Li Qi, are we leaving tonight?"
"Yes, just as planned. First, we go to Yixian, sell these furs, bones, and fresh mountain goods, buy provisions and travel gear, get new clothes, then we can ride freely and look for Luo Fu Niangniang," Li Qi smiled.
"Finding Nangnang isn't just a side trip!" Shen Shuibei waved her fists angrily.
Though usually gentle, even timid, she was resolute when it came to Luo Fu Niangniang.
Understandable, Li Qi thought.
To protect Luo Fu Niangniang, she had crippled her own cultivation.
A Fifth Rank expert willing to do so showed profound affection.
"Just joking, just joking," Li Qi looked up, continuing to roast meat silently.
The campsite quieted down.
Was he really joking?
Not exactly; he was testing.
Li Qi always considered multiple steps ahead.
He was already contemplating what to do after finding Luo Fu Niangniang.
Once found, Shen Shuibei would leave him to reunite with Luo Fu Niangniang.
Then what would become of him?