Chapter 1: The Girl and the Cat

Northern Xuan Province, Qingyun Empire, Long Python County.

Somewhere in the mountain range.

A solitary figure was being chased by five others, darting rapidly through the forest.

The pursued was a girl of sixteen or seventeen, lovely in appearance but far from elegant in demeanor. She held a half-eaten chicken drumstick between her teeth; her once fair cheeks were smeared with oil, her white long dress stained with greasy spots, and littered with grains of rice and bits of vegetable. Altogether, she looked rather untidy.

In her left hand, she carried a large mutton leg; in her right, she clutched the scruff of a pure white kitten named Destiny. As she sped away, the white cat swung helplessly, wearing a look of utter resignation.

Even as she fled, the girl in white glanced over her shoulder at her pursuers. Realizing they were gaining on her, she seemed to make a decision. She tipped her head back, and somehow the remainder of the chicken drumstick disappeared into her mouth. Two breaths later, she spat out only the bone, not a scrap of meat left.

With the bone discarded, her speed suddenly surged, and in an instant, she widened the gap between herself and her pursuers. In the blink of an eye, she vanished from their sight entirely.

The pursuers were dumbfounded.

"Damn it! She's only at the third level of Qi Refinement, and we've been chasing her for so long—how can she suddenly speed up? Isn't she running out of spiritual energy?"

"I refuse to believe someone at the third level of Qi Refinement has so much spiritual power. She must have used some secret art. She must be at her limit now—keep chasing!"

"To think she dared to steal on the day of our young master's wedding, making us work so hard. When we catch her, I'll make sure she wishes for death but can't find it!"

Smack!

No sooner had he finished speaking than the leader slapped him on the back of the head.

"Idiot! The young master ordered us to bring her back. If you make her suffer, and the young master finds out, you'll be wishing for death yourself!"

"Huh? Why? Isn't punishing her here and then bringing her back the same as just bringing her back for punishment?"

"I call you an idiot and you truly are one. Do you think the young master cares about the stolen food? He wants that woman—he told us to bring her back to be his concubine!"

"But didn't the young master just get married today?"

"You know nothing. To marry a wife and welcome a concubine on the same day—that's double happiness, a sign of good fortune!"

"You really do know a lot, big brother. No wonder the young master favors you!"

"Enough with the chatter! Hurry up. If we're any slower, we might really lose her!"

Each took a Qi-enhancing pill to replenish their spiritual energy, then accelerated in pursuit toward the direction where the girl in white had disappeared.

Not far ahead.

"Oh, I'm so tired. I don't want to run anymore!"

The girl in white stopped, panting heavily.

Before her stood a peculiar house. It resembled a palace, several stories tall, entirely black, its material unknown. Clouds drifted by, sunlight cascaded down, and the surface reflected a metallic sheen.

"In these wild mountains, where fierce beasts roam, to find such a grand building... There must be a master here. Wonderful, Little Meow, we’re saved!"

She danced with delight, shaking the white cat. After a while, she set the cat down, took the mutton leg in hand, and bowed deeply toward the door.

"Esteemed elder, I am Tie Pipi, and this is the cat I raise, Little Meow. We are being hunted by a band of vicious criminals. I hope you will show mercy and help us."

The door remained tightly shut, without the slightest response.

Tie Pipi, the girl in white, spoke again.

"Elder, if you help me and Little Meow, I... I'll..."

Her face twisted in hesitation for a long moment before she finally resolved herself.

"I’ll give you this mutton leg... share half with you! It’s delicious, and I haven’t had the heart to eat it yet. If you don’t believe me, please come out and try it!"

Still, there was no reply.

Tie Pipi surmised that if even the tempting mutton leg failed to attract the elder, then he must not be home.

Should she take Little Meow inside and hide, just for a moment?

If the elder suddenly returned, surely he wouldn’t blame them, seeing the mutton leg as a peace offering.

Just as Tie Pipi hesitated, a cold laugh echoed behind her.

"Ha! So you’ve reached your limit, but do you think hiding here will help? Are you seeking someone’s protection?"

"The entire Long Python County belongs to the Long family. In this territory, no one dares oppose us. Don’t even think about anyone helping you. Come back with us, and don’t make trouble!"

"Little lady, you’re lucky—the young master has taken a fancy to you. From now on, you’ll have endless cultivation resources. If your talent is good enough, even reaching the Middle Three Realms won’t be a problem!"

"But, big brother, in these wild mountains, where beasts roam, to find such a grand house—don’t you think it’s strange?"

The leader, called big brother, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It is a bit odd, and this house isn’t ordinary. It might be the legacy of some powerful cultivator..."

At that moment, a voice sounded abruptly.

"What are you doing at my doorstep?"

The leader was startled by the voice. But when he turned and followed the sound, he saw a young man with no trace of spiritual energy—a clear sign he was an ordinary person—and relaxed.

"What did you say? This is your house?"

The leader narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him.

Luo Xingchen nodded slowly. "It is my home. Why?"

The leader sneered.

"This house is clearly extraordinary. How could an ordinary person like you claim it as your own?"

One of the henchmen chimed in, "Exactly! I could say it’s my home, too!"

The leader shot him a glare. "Hmm?"

The man hastily corrected himself, "Oh, no, no, this is the Long family’s house!"

"Speak! Why are you scheming to steal the Long family’s property? Are you tired of living?"

Luo Xingchen laughed, pointing at the house. "Your house? Then call out to it and see if it responds."

The leader scoffed, "A house is an inanimate object—how could it respond to a call? I think you’re out of your mind!"

Luo Xingchen spoke calmly, "But if I call it, it will answer."

The leader replied mockingly, "Fine, then call it."

Luo Xingchen looked at the house and called out loudly, "I’m home!"

As the words fell, the door automatically swung open, and a gentle, sweet voice issued from within.

"Welcome home, honored master!"

Everyone was stunned.

"This... this house is a spiritual artifact!?"

"Well, well, you little brat! An ordinary person dares to covet the Long family’s spiritual artifact? Courting death!"