This kind-hearted red hedgehog had even helped Nan Zhi during her fight with Ma San, and Nan Zhi hadn't forgotten to bring it along during her escape.
The little hedgehog had been recovering in the gourd, muddled and unaware of the passage of time. When it was suddenly released in a daze, it didn't see its savior, “Nan Zhi.” Instead, it saw a beautiful woman in green robes holding the gourd, and instinctively assumed Nan Zhi had met with misfortune. It immediately burst into whimpers:
“Whimper, whimper… whimper… whimper…”
With spiritual energy scarce in reality, the hedgehog couldn't use glamour to transform into human form. Its cries were weak and feeble, like a child's.
“Hey, hey, hey, don't cry.”
Realizing the misunderstanding was huge, Nan Zhi quickly squatted down and coaxed it like a child:
“Don't be afraid, I'm Nan Zhi. I gave you medicine before. It's just that I've taken on this appearance to escape my enemies.
Back then, Wanniang and I were resting at Ma San's inn, and I even asked you to deliver hot soup noodles and hot water upstairs. I gave you over a dozen copper coins as a reward. Have you forgotten?”
At these words, the red hedgehog stopped crying and stared at Nan Zhi, half-believing, half-doubting, letting out a few soft squeaks:
“Whimper, whimper, whimper, whimper?”
Nan Zhi quickly placed some ghost incense under her tongue and recounted many events that had occurred between the two of them. Only then did the little hedgehog relax, familiar with the routine, and burrow into her sleeve, its tiny quills trembling uncontrollably.
—It must have been terrified.
“Squeak, squeak?”
Corn was curious about the new friend, but the putrid stench in the air was unbearable. It tugged at Nan Zhi's hair, wanting to hide in the big gourd:
“Squeak, squeak, squeak! Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
“Wait a moment, this red-skinned gourd is troublesome. I'll see if I can form a contract with you, then you can stay in this Spirit Beast Talisman.”
Nan Zhi took out a Spirit Beast Talisman, placed it in her palm, and was about to form a contract with Corn by channeling a wisp of spiritual energy. Corn delicately extended a paw, allowing Nan Zhi to take a drop of its essence blood.
The talisman paper warmed slightly, then poof, it spontaneously combusted, turning into black ash in the blink of an eye:
【Target spirit beast quality too high, contract failed.】
【Recommended to use a Spirit Beast Talisman of corresponding quality.】
Only then did Nan Zhi remember that even though Corn spent its days eating, drinking, playing, and acting cute to beg for pills and snacks, appearing to have no special abilities, this little creature was Purple Quality!
Corn didn't understand why it failed, but it still nudged Nan Zhi's face like a spoiled child, fawningly squeaking twice:
“Squeak? Squeak!”
“Alright, your part is done. Go back to the gourd and gnaw on your snacks, but don't eat them all.”
Nan Zhi helplessly took out a new spirit beast pill and gave it to Corn, then sent the treasure-seeking mouse into the red-skinned gourd before putting the gourd away.
As for the remaining two Spirit Beast Talismans…
She looked at her sleeve, meeting the red hedgehog's round, black eyes. The latter froze for a moment, then, realizing something, frantically nodded repeatedly, its short limbs flailing:
“Whimper, whimper, whimper! Whimper, whimper, whimper! Whimper, whimper, whimper!”
It was a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times willing!
Its name was White 49. It had a poor background, was born ugly among its litter of hedgehog pups, and unlike ordinary hedgehog spirits, its back had a striking reddish-brown color, making it easy to be caught by others.
To cultivate successfully sooner, it had believed its fellow clan member Mao San and followed the evil cultivator Ma San.
Ma San was an evil cultivator who committed all sorts of wickedness. He treated these little demons as expendable, summoning and dismissing them at will, caring little if they were injured or died.
There were so many little demons eager to become spirits; one more White 49 didn't matter, and one less made no difference.
If Nan Zhi hadn't rescued it this time, after turning on and biting its own kind, it would most likely have been bitten to death upon returning.
It had originally worried that its savior would despise it for being useless and abandon it somewhere, so White 49 had even wished its injuries would heal slower.
Unexpectedly, Nan Zhi actually offered to form a contract with it!
Although it couldn't discern Nan Zhi's cultivation level, the fact that she could easily kill Ma San proved she was capable.
If she cultivated successfully in the future and ascended to the immortal realm, it, as a little demon serving by her side and always following her, might also attain the Dao.
Demons gravitate towards power and care nothing for dignity or face. As long as there were benefits and a chance to overcome the heavenly tribulation and become an immortal sooner, even if it had to be an immortal's mount, White 49 would be overjoyed and willing.
“So readily?”
Nan Zhi found it a little amusing. She flicked the tip of the little fellow's nose and said gently:
“Although I have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I've been framed and am wanted by the Demon Suppression Division. If you're still willing to follow me, I can't promise you heavenly materials and earthly treasures or spirit pills and miraculous medicines, but for the trial of heavenly lightning alone, I will wholeheartedly protect you and help you cultivate.”
A Foundation Establishment cultivator so young?!
She must be under thirty years old?!
White 49's eyes widened. It almost eagerly stood up and, imitating Corn's previous actions, tugged at Nan Zhi's sleeve, tentatively acting cute:
“Whimper, whimper, whimper?”
A fist-sized adorable creature, using all its strength, its small, soft paws warm, its round black eyes fixed intently on you—
Nan Zhi simply couldn't refuse.
She tentatively took out a Spirit Beast Talisman. The little red beast eagerly bit its paw, dripping a drop of essence blood onto it. Moments later, the talisman glowed, and something new appeared in the minds of both Nan Zhi and the beast.
【Spirit Beast System activated】
【Spirit Beast Name: Corn (Treasure-Seeking Spirit Mouse) (Purple Quality)
Spirit Beast Status: Uncontracted
Spirit Beast Mood: Joyful
Spirit Beast Talent: Treasure Seeking
Spirit Beast Skills: Cannot be viewed】
【Spirit Beast Name: White 49 (Hedgehog) (Green Quality)
Spirit Beast Status: Contracted
Spirit Beast Mood: Excited
Spirit Beast Talent: None
Spirit Beast Skills: Glamour, Miscellaneous Tasks】
With the contract formed, Nan Zhi could even sense White 49's mood, and a faint understanding emerged in her mind:
If she wished, she could even crush that drop of essence blood and take White 49's life at any moment.
This thing is really useful.
She wondered if it could be used on humans.
Logically, humans are also a type of animal.
Nan Zhi stroked her chin.
Fortunately, before her thoughts could stray too far, White 49 rolled over, transforming into a young boy of thirteen or fourteen, still wearing its tattered servant's uniform.
In Nan Zhi's eyes, the young boy standing there appeared illusory, like a blurry, distorted human figure, behind which was still actually a small red hedgehog.
It wasn't like a fully transformed great demon that genuinely changed its appearance.
“Is this glamour? What else can you transform into?”
Nan Zhi stared with interest for a while before noticing something amiss:
“Hmm? You're a girl? Why are you dressed as a boy? And your parents gave you such a crude nickname as White 49.”
The hedgehog's transformed appearance was handsome, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a clever and delicate young girl.
“My mother's litter had seven or eight hedgehogs that survived. When it was my turn, I got the lowly name 49. Others found it troublesome to call, but I'm illiterate…”
White 49 looked a little embarrassed, mumbling:
“My true form's color is strange and ugly, and I always lose when fighting for food. Transforming into a girl isn't convenient, so I… Master, please don't be angry. I will definitely eat well from now on and make myself strong! I can do many chores! I'm very capable!”
“I'm not angry with you. From now on, you'll follow me, and you can take on whatever appearance you wish. It's just that I left in a hurry this time and didn't bring clothes that fit you.
Right now, we're inside a fish's belly, and there are many demon beasts outside. Once I kill them, I'll take their fish skin and tendons to make you clothes.”
Nan Zhi patted White 49's head, speaking softly:
“White 49 isn't a good name either. There are so many '49s' in the world; if I call out, how would you know I'm calling you?
Your body is red, like a red conch. How about I call you Hongluo from now on?”
The little hedgehog froze, tears welling up in its eyes. It buried its head in Nan Zhi's embrace, and after a long moment, shyly peeked out half its face:
“Alright, Hongluo thanks Master for the name! From now on, I'll be called Hongluo!”
“You don't need to call me Master, call me Miss.”
Nan Zhi then carefully instructed: “When you follow me from now on, don't reveal my true name to others. My current name is Ma Jiu, so just call me ‘Miss Ma’.”
Hongluo responded clearly, her eyes filled with adoration.
Rate on N.U.
