A Moment of Leisure

Time flowed like sand through fingers, passing slowly.

In recent days, Qin Yan had settled into a peaceful routine. He would often engage in cultivation, practice his spear techniques, and when there was nothing else to do, he would play with his pet, a cat-like creature named Meow Lady.

Yes, a cat lady.

She had deep brown hair, pointed cat ears on her head, a petite frame around 1.45 meters tall, and wore a white gown with blue eyes. Her appearance was youthful and innocent.

Qin Yan had named her Xiao Li.

Around Xiao Li’s neck was a black collar with a small bell that would jingle as she moved, a sound that occasionally chimed ‘tingling ling ling.’

Currently, she was at the first level of Qi Cultivation, an impressive feat for someone who had only recently taken human form.

”Master…” Xiao Li said, looking at Qin Yan as he sat in the courtyard sipping tea. Noticing his gaze, she felt a mix of fear and uncertainty, as her life was entirely in his hands.

”There’s no need to be so frightened,” Qin Yan replied, motioning for her to come closer. Xiao Li approached hesitantly, lowering her head as a large hand gently stroked her hair. Her eyes closed, and she let out a contented ‘purr’ sound.

Qin Yan looked at the young girl lying on his lap, feeling a strange sense of discomfort. He patted her head, and Xiao Li looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

”I prefer you in your cat form,” Qin Yan said.

”Yes, Master,” Xiao Li replied, revealing a hint of fangs. She then shrank down, transforming into a small leopard cat, settling on Qin Yan’s lap. She closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle strokes.

Although she appeared to be at ease, her mind was filled with resentment – ‘Damn humans! One day, I’ll make you wear a collar just like this, and give you a silly name like Xiao Li. What kind of name is that, anyway?’

Suddenly, a sweet fragrance wafted through the air, causing Xiao Li to drool. She looked up to see Qin Yan holding a black pill, which he offered to her. Xiao Li tentatively licked it, feeling her ethereal form solidify.

Without a physical body, her existence was that of a pure spirit. As she finished licking the pill, she looked at Qin Yan, who nodded in approval. With renewed confidence, she licked the pill into her mouth, feeling a surge of vitality flow through her.

”Mmm~” Xiao Li murmured, her initial resentment fading as she basked in the pill’s effects. Perhaps this life of comfort wasn’t so bad after all.

In her mind, a natural path had always been present, known as the ‘Breath Path.’ However, it seemed to be slipping further away.

”Junior Brother, you have quite the leisurely life,” a gentle voice called from outside the courtyard. It belonged to Yu Qingxuan, who walked in wearing a green dress.

”Senior Sister!” Qin Yan stood up, causing Xiao Li to almost stumble. But as a cat, she quickly regained her balance with a graceful jump.

”We’re like family, Junior Brother. No need for such formality,” Yu Qingxuan said, waving her hand as she sat across from Qin Yan at the stone table. Her gaze drifted to the leopard cat, which had returned to Qin Yan’s lap. She felt a twinge of annoyance, knowing that Xiao Li’s human form was quite striking.

‘What a unique relationship,’ Yu Qingxuan thought, as she watched Qin Yan pour her tea. Their fingers briefly touched, and Qin Yan released the teapot without a word.

”No need for you to trouble yourself, Junior Brother. I can pour my own tea,” Yu Qingxuan said with a smile, taking the teapot and pouring herself a cup. She sipped it, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

”How is your recovery, Senior Sister?” Qin Yan asked.

”It’s been a blessing in disguise. Now, my Golden Core contains a trace of dragon energy. If I reach my previous cultivation level, I’ll be at least three times stronger than before,” Yu Qingxuan boasted, her face beaming with pride.

”May you recover quickly,” Qin Yan replied with a warm smile.

Yu Qingxuan’s heart raced at the sight of Qin Yan’s smile. She continued, ”That’s not all. I’ve discovered something new.”

”Oh? What is it?” Qin Yan asked, intrigued.

Yu Qingxuan stood up and retrieved a small dragon figurine from her storage ring, tossing it into the air. It transformed into a lifelike dragon soaring through the sky.

Xiao Li yelped in surprise, but quickly realized it was an illusion. The dragon had no aura, just a clever trick. Yet, the next moment, a fierce dragon aura emanated from the figure, making it seem as if a real dragon was ascending into the clouds.

Xiao Li, startled, instinctively transformed, her body arching like a taut bow. Qin Yan felt his robes grow damp as Xiao Li, in her panic, had urinated.

‘Don’t let her die of fright,’ Qin Yan thought, quickly covering Xiao Li’s eyes. She shuddered in his embrace, feeling the warmth of his palm.

”What do you think, Junior Brother? I’ve infused this puppet with the dragon aura from my Golden Core. It looks just like a real dragon,” Yu Qingxuan said, her eyes sparkling with pride.

”Senior Sister, this technique could frighten even the most steadfast of cultivators or make a beast tremble,” Qin Yan replied.

He wasn’t afraid because he had seen this dragon before. Anyone experiencing it for the first time would surely be terrified, though perhaps not as much as Xiao Li, who had nearly wet herself.