The white deer's eyes flickered. It was clearly tempted, yet a seed of doubt remained in its mind. “But Master has never let me manage these things before...”
Xue Mingzhao clapped her hands and said with a sigh, as if frustrated by its lack of ambition, “That's because you hadn't passed the test before, so of course there were no rewards. This time, once you pass, your spirit fruits will double!”
Patting her chest, she guaranteed, “When the elder returns, the two of us will definitely do everything we can to help you claim the credit. We'll say the entire spirit field was managed and directed by you, and we were merely your helpers at best.”
The white deer was finally swayed.
It threw its head back and let out a long, clear cry. The crisp sound of the deer echoed across the sky above the spirit field and rippled through the mountains.
In less than half an incense stick's time, the rustling of leaves echoed from the forest as several figures either flew or leaped out, arriving one after another.
A grey-feathered crane folded its wings and landed.
A chubby, yellow-furred spirit mouse dug its way out of the dirt and shook off the soil.
A small, pitch-black spirit monkey swung down from the tree canopy, landing steadily beside the white deer.
The three spirit beasts curiously sized up the two strangers before them.
The crane yawned and said lazily, “Why did you call us here? Let's get one thing straight: don't look for me if it's a fight.”
The cloud-patterned white deer stood tall, chest puffed out, and casually uttered, “To work. Once it's done, there will be spirit fruits.”
The three spirit beasts instantly perked up.
“Really?”
“When have I ever lied to you?”
Just as the crane was about to bring up past grievances, the white deer cut it off. “Once the work is done, my master is going to reward me immediately. I'll share them with you as soon as I get them.”
The three exchanged glances, thinking: We'll give it a try first. If we don't get anything, we'll settle all our scores, old and new, at once.
The crane spread its wings and soared into the air. Opening its long beak, it sprayed a steady, clear stream of water evenly across the spirit field.
The yellow-furred spirit mouse plunged into the soil. Wherever it went, the dirt loosened on its own, its speed more than ten times faster than a hoe.
The little black monkey ran wild across the field clutching a bag of spirit fertilizer, scattering it quickly and evenly.
With the three spirit beasts working in full swing, Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye were left standing idly on the ridge of the field, unable to find a way to help.
The two exchanged a glance, tacitly stepping over to stand beside the white deer, and began to chat openly.
Watching the bustling scene of labor before him, Su Ye admired her from the bottom of his heart. “Junior Sister, you're amazing.”
Xue Mingzhao waved her hand modestly. “It is mostly thanks to Lord White Deer's excellent leadership.”
The cloud-patterned white deer stood proudly on the ridge of the field, its tail wagging smugly.
Su Ye quickly added, “With this kind of influence and prestige, you can tell at a glance that you are the undisputed leader among the spirit beasts of Zhenlang Peak.”
Xue Mingzhao chimed in, “More than just the leader! Look at this aura. Standing here without having to lift a finger, and the subordinate spirit beasts automatically finish all the work. What do you call this? This is called leadership!”
Su Ye nodded like a chicken pecking at grain. “Yes, yes, yes! Leadership!”
Xue Mingzhao continued to heap on the praise. “I often hear people say that the foundation of a peak depends not only on its cultivators but also on its spirit beasts. Seeing Lord White Deer today, I now know just how deep Zhenlang Peak's foundation runs.”
Su Ye agreed, “Incredibly deep!”
The white deer felt as light as a feather from all the compliments. It cleared its throat and directed the overall situation with full authority, “That ridge on the east has been watered too much! Stop, stop, stop!”
The crane rolled its eyes and turned to fly toward the west.
The yellow spirit mouse poked its head out of the soil, and the white deer looked down. “You plowed too shallowly. Do it again!” The mouse squeaked in protest but buried its head and dove back in anyway.
Seeing the white deer's attitude of doing absolutely nothing but talking, Su Ye couldn't help but whisper, “Good grief. Everyone else does the work, while it gets all the glory.”
Xue Mingzhao shook her head and said earnestly, “You couldn't be more wrong. Lord White Deer knows how to delegate—no, delegate to beasts. Getting the job done just by speaking is the mark of a true general.”
Su Ye was silent for a moment. “...It really is easy to fool.”
“What do you mean 'fool'? That was my heartfelt praise.”
Sure enough, the three spirit beasts did not disappoint, finishing the job neatly before the sun set.
The cloud-patterned white deer made a grand promise, “Don't worry, once the spirit fruits are in hand, you will get your share.” Provided I get them first, it thought to itself, too embarrassed to say it out loud.
Only after hearing this promise did the three spirit beasts drag their tired bodies away and disperse.
Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye bid farewell to the white deer and walked back under the cover of twilight.
Returning to Cloud Listening Peak, the two said goodbye at the entrance of the courtyard.
Xue Mingzhao slipped into her small courtyard. After washing up, she sat cross-legged on her bed, eager to study her new ability.
She had already figured it out while slacking off by the spirit field in the afternoon.
With the thought “on” in her mind, she could see the spiritual energy drifting all over the sky in the blink of an eye.
With the thought “off” in her mind, another blink would return everything to normal.
It was even easier than flipping a light switch.
But... what did this Heavenly Eye have to do with her birthmark?
Why did that flower look exactly like her birthmark?
Out of habit, she spread open her right hand to take a look.
And then, she instantly jolted awake with excitement.
The five-colored petal birthmark she was born with had never changed across her two lifetimes, always remaining a uniform pale pink.
But right now, one of the five petals had turned a translucent, warm milky white, standing in stark contrast to the other four delicate pink petals.
Xue Mingzhao stared at her palm. This birthmark had followed her through two lifetimes, always ordinary and without the slightest anomaly.
Its sudden change of color today was truly an unprecedented first.
She counted on her fingers the events of the day—the spirit flower shattered, the streaming light entered her eyes, she gained the Heavenly Eye, and her birthmark changed color.
So, this birthmark was actually a hidden treasure chest?
Unlocking one petal granted one skill?
If the remaining four petals all bloomed, wouldn't she be able to soar to the heavens?
The more Xue Mingzhao thought about it, the more excited she became, holding her palm and giggling foolishly for a long time.
Although she didn't know the origin of this birthmark, it was undoubtedly a good thing.
Heaven had treated her well.
On the other side, at the peak of Zhenlang Peak, Mu Tianqing looked at the cloud-patterned white deer standing before him with its head held high, looking as if it were claiming credit. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you saying that most of the watering, plowing, and fertilizing of the spirit field today was done by you?”
The cloud-patterned white deer nodded proudly.
Mu Tianqing didn't believe it for a second. When did his own spirit deer, which was dedicated to quiet cultivation, learn how to do farm work?
He had the white deer recount the events at the spirit field today in detail.
After listening to the white deer's narration, Mu Tianqing was instantly caught between laughter and tears.
Those two newly arrived disciples looked well-behaved and honest, yet they certainly knew how to smooth-talk a spirit beast.
Amused and exasperated, Mu Tianqing helplessly retrieved five plump, juicy spirit fruits from his storage ring and handed them over. “Eat, eat. I really do owe you.”
The cloud-patterned white deer's eyes went wide.
Five!
Giving one each to the crane, the spirit mouse, and the black monkey, it would still make a net profit of two.
It happily lowered its head to nibble on the sweet fruit flesh, its heart bursting with joy—that new little girl really hadn't lied to it!
As long as the work was done, there really were spirit fruits to be had!
Next time there was such a good deal, they had better call it again!
Rate on N.U.
