The Shopkeeper’s New Errand Boy and a Shrunken Master

“Um, shopkeeper…”

“How may I help you, honored guest?”

Jiaofeng considered for a moment, deciding not to disturb Luo Yingkong.

“Could you be flexible with the lodging fees? We plan to stay long-term; would it be alright to settle the bill later?”

The shopkeeper’s expression shifted slightly as he scrutinized Jiaofeng from head to toe. “It seems you don’t have the money, do you? We don’t allow any credit here. Several guests have slipped away after staying. Either pay now, or leave!”

“You!” Jiaofeng suppressed his surging anger. When had a mere mortal ever dared to be so presumptuous with him?

Yet, unwilling to escalate the situation, he could only attempt to persuade the shopkeeper gently.

“Shopkeeper, how about I help out with chores? While I may not have other skills, I possess immense strength.”

“What good is strength alone? Still, if you want to do odd jobs, that’s fine.” The shopkeeper called out into the establishment:

“Waiter, come here!”

“Coming, coming! What is it, shopkeeper?”

“From now on, he’ll assist you with chores. Show him the ropes…”

****

And so, Jiaofeng began working as a handyman to cover Luo Yingkong’s lodging expenses. Initially, he was clumsy and was often scolded.

However, after he single-handedly resolved several incidents of customers causing trouble, the shopkeeper’s attitude towards him completely reversed.

On one occasion, a few Qi Condensation cultivators even started a brawl in the inn. Jiaofeng, without ceremony, subdued them in a few swift moves.

Feeling Jiaofeng’s spiritual pressure, the cultivators were stunned. It was utterly absurd that this small inn would hire a Foundation Establishment cultivator as a waiter.

Three months passed, and the shopkeeper had almost forgotten that Luo Yingkong was still staying at the inn. Then, one day, he suddenly remembered and instructed Jiaofeng to clean her room.

“Shopkeeper, I have a friend inside, so it might be inconvenient to disturb her.”

“I know. It’s been three months, and that door hasn’t opened once. Even with ample travel funds, she must be tired of her own provisions by now. I’ll send a table of dishes up to her.”

The shopkeeper insisted on pushing open the room door. Inside, the room was immaculately clean. A girl of eight or nine years old had her back to them, draped in a large black robe.

However, the garment seemed far too big, revealing her pristine white shoulders.

“Hm?” The young girl heard the commotion and turned her head, glancing at the two of them.

“Master?” Jiaofeng looked utterly bewildered. If not for sensing Luo Yingkong’s aura, he would never have believed it was the same person.

“Oh! What a cute little girl! You really should have said you were traveling with a child earlier!” the shopkeeper chuckled.

“Wait here, little one. Uncle will make you something delicious!”

As the shopkeeper went downstairs, Jiaofeng entered the room and closed the door. “How did you become like this? And your cultivation… you’ve reached the fifteenth layer of Qi Condensation?!”

Luo Yingkong lightly patted the oversized black robe, and it instantly shrank to fit her perfectly. This garment, stripped from a skeleton, was clearly a magical artifact.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve cultivated the Jade Bone Heart Scripture. My body and bones will shrink, then slowly grow back, repeating the cycle.”

She had already broken through to the fifteenth layer of Qi Condensation a month ago. It wasn’t the right time for Foundation Establishment, so she had decided to study the Jade Bone Heart Scripture. After all, having passed such a difficult test, it would be a waste not to practice it.

Her rapid breakthrough was largely thanks to the previous illusionary trial. Afterward, her mental state had transformed, and all matters concerning Earth had been cast aside.

Luo Yingkong now understood the purpose of the red pills she had collected from the manor: they were to be used in conjunction with the Jade Bone Heart Scripture.

The Jade Bone Heart Scripture alone only shrinks the bones, but consuming the red pills causes even the flesh and blood to contract. Her skin and muscles had been compressed, making them incredibly resilient. By repeatedly growing and compressing her body, her physical strength could reach astonishing levels.

The shrinking process was accompanied by unbearable pain, but fortunately, having endured the previous trials, she could still tolerate this degree of suffering.

This heart scripture had six layers. The first layer was incredibly time-consuming, requiring several bottles of colorful liquid. As the body shrank and grew, an additional bone would develop.

The scripture referred to this bone as the Supreme Bone. It could resonate with all bones in the world, and prolonged practice would make one as formidable as the Headless Man. In the later stages, one could even summon bone soldiers to fight.

“Is Master about to emerge from seclusion?” Jiaofeng hurried over, gazing at her adorable little face and feeling a strong urge to pinch her cheek.

“It’s time to go back. I plan to buy more pills and begin Foundation Establishment…”

While Luo Yingkong was still speaking, Jiaofeng stepped forward, picked her up, and lifted her high above his head.

“Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!”

“The Heavenly Dao has its cycles. This time, it’s your turn to be a child, haha…”

Luo Yingkong responded by kicking him directly in the face, nearly knocking out his front teeth.

Her body might have shrunk, but her strength seemed to have grown. Jiaofeng clutched his mouth, groaning in pain.

Just then, the shopkeeper entered, carrying a table laden with dishes, and smiled. “Little girl, eat as much as you like! It’s on me. Is little Feng your father?”

Luo Yingkong’s eyelid twitched. Beside her, Jiaofeng burst into laughter, though his mouth still ached, creating a truly exasperated expression.

“There’s no need for food. Here’s the silver.” Luo Yingkong pulled out a piece of broken silver, tossed it to the shopkeeper, and then stepped out the door.

“Eh… where are you going?” The shopkeeper held the silver, looking bewildered.

Seeing this, Jiaofeng quickly followed, not forgetting to snatch a chicken leg from the table.

****

“Master, cultivating so quickly, be careful of an unstable foundation and shaky cultivation base.”

The two walked and chatted.

“Does cultivating quickly have an impact?” Luo Yingkong asked, puzzled. Her cultivation was genuine, not achieved through any unorthodox means.

“Of course, it has an impact. Young geniuses are everywhere; they might reach the tenth layer of Qi Condensation, or even higher, by seven or eight years old. But have you ever seen a young Foundation Establishment cultivator?”

“Isn’t Brother Jiao one? I remember you were a child when I first met you.”

“Sigh.” Jiaofeng, seeing no one else around, shrank his body, transforming into a child roughly Luo Yingkong’s height.

“You are my third master, and also the one with the lowest cultivation. I’ve lived for over a hundred years, but I’m still a bit short of adulthood.”

“Lived for a hundred years… yet your mind is still like a child’s.” Luo Yingkong cast a disdainful glance at him.

“I’m like a child? I wonder who’s been tricked so many times…”

Luo Yingkong truly couldn’t refute this point. Jiaofeng continued:

“I only gained sentience about twenty years ago, but following my previous master, I’ve seen a lot of the world. To achieve Foundation Establishment, one’s mind must be mature, and all worldly attachments must be severed. One should be at least thirty years old; otherwise, even if Foundation Establishment is successful, they will quickly fall back.”

“Mature mind… that’s not a problem.” Luo Yingkong was twenty-nine on Earth, and with this current life, she was nearly fifty mentally. It certainly wasn’t an issue. She had no lingering attachment to the mortal world and was even grateful for the previous illusionary trial that had made her cease wishing to return to Earth.

****

“There’s no one around now; let’s fly back.” Jiaofeng grabbed Luo Yingkong’s robe, slung her onto his back like a small chick, then transformed into his true form and took flight.

Luo Yingkong was now at the peak of Qi Condensation, her divine sense capable of covering two mountain peaks. Sitting on Jiaofeng’s back, she had a clear grasp of everything below, even sensing a distant rabbit.

Of course, this was also due to the effects of the Mad Soul Art; her divine sense was twice as potent as cultivators of the same rank.

“Oh? Why is there such a powerful aura on that rocky mountain? Is some senior cultivating in seclusion there?”

“No, that’s a late Tier 2 demonic beast. Do you want to go take a look?”

A demonic beast of Jiaofeng’s caliber would undoubtedly be a treasure trove, and Luo Yingkong naturally wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by.

“Let’s go down and see. If we can’t beat it, we can always make a quick escape.”