Story 10 - The Spy Who Rocked Too Hard (23????)

Story 10 - The Spy Who Rocked Too Hard (23????)

Little Springs POV

My older martial sister was almost always right... except when it came to people. Id noticed this over the years, but she could be a little overly judgemental of certain individuals shed had contact with in her past life. Like my immortal cooking master, Fairy Garlic. She couldnt stand her.

She was the same way towards Little Teasing Mouse.

I knew she had her reasons, but in this case, hating Teasing Mouse just didnt make sense. She might be a little pushy, but she was kind and enthusiastic. Everyone we passed in the sect greeted her with a smile on their face. Even those cultivators that had frown lines would warmly beam at her.

Actually, greeting everybody was why it took so long to get anywhere. Considering the amount of time we had to complete our mission, this might have bothered me. But, by slowly getting to know every disciple on North Peak, I was treated with kindness and became someone people could trust possibly with sect secrets. Like a certain scrolls location.

All of this unearned trust was thanks to Little Teasing Mouse.

She pointed to a small rock wall near a cliff. And just around this corner is one place where we let the herd-type spiritual beasts roam. Be quiet or well cause their wool to fall off.

I briefly considered explaining that sheep didnt work like that, but she was already tiptoeing around the wall. I slowly followed her until I saw a flat grassy field that appeared to have been carved into the mountainside. Fluffy spiritual sheep of various colors grazed nearby in a herd. They looked like a color-stained cloud that constantly changed shape.

This is where we collect some of the material for our sect uniforms. And over there, she pointed to a large but simple building, is where our spiritual silkworms grow. Several beast tamers there specialize in raising and contracting with silk worm-type beasts.

I glanced at her mouse ears. If a beast blood contractor took on a characteristic of their contracted beast, how did it work with silkworm farmers? Did... did they have no ears? Was their skin super white like a silkworm? Oh, no... could they shoot silk... from from their butts?!

I shuddered.

A man with ram horns who had been tending to the herd jogged over to us.

If it isnt Little Teasing Mouse, he whispered with a smile on his face.

Greetings Senior Baa Baa Black Ram.

We both bowed, and she gave her usual over-enthusiastic introduction: This is Junior Verdant Spring! He is super smart and friendly. And he has the cutest puppy ever. He even wowed the poison masters! I just know hell be the bestest, juniorest member of the inner sect.

He nodded to me. Actually, you both came at the right time. How would you two like to earn some contribution points?

Teasing Mouse nodded. What do you need help with?

I want to attend a lecture, but I need to move my herd to the lower field. He pointed to a dirt path that led into a dense forest. Its over by Crab Lake.

She nodded seriously. If you two can herd my sheep without losing a single one while I go listen to the lecture, Ill give you each 1,000 contribution points.

Ill do it! She jumped from foot to foot excitedly. Then she turned to me. Before she could open her mouth and volunteer me, I stepped in front of her. Senior, Ill agree as well, but Id rather do it in exchange for some information. Since Im so new, I could use some advice.

That works better for me. If its something I know about, Ill gladly give you the information. And if I dont, Ill pay you in contribution points.

I nodded.

Before I leave you to it, Id like to know how you plan to herd them. My little lambs are precious to me.

Little Teasing Mouse stared blankly at him. Then she scrunched up her eyebrows really hard and rubbed her glabella.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

M-maybe Lin did have a point about her not being the smartest disciple in the sect.

That meant figuring this out was up to me. I picked up Xiao Bai and stared into his large blue eyes. We have to herd these sheep down that pathway to a field near a lake. Can you help me do that?

His mouth opened and his tongue lolled.

We cant lose a single one.

He licked my face. Probably in agreement.

I nodded. Now, when I set you down, lets move those sheep.

I carefully placed my puppy on the dirt ground and he took off toward the beasts. Once he was only a few feet away, he let out a quiet, Bork!

The sheep froze for a second, then their black faces all turned to stare at Xiao Bai. I could practically see them question his existence.

Bork-bork!

Baaaaahah. Baa.

Bork!

Little Teasing Mouse leaned over and whispered. I think hes communicating with the sheep!

I nodded. He is very intelligent.

I hate to break this to you, Baa Baa Black Ram said, but your puppy is not smart enough for that kind of communication. He is likely a mund

Xiao Bai let out one final BORK! that echoed through the mountainous area. A few rocks fell off the cliff. Further up the mountain, a small avalanche cascaded down, spreading snow into the forest above. The timing was a little strange. It was like his bark had caused those. Except that was just my imagination. After all, Xiao Bai was a perfectly mundane puppy. Sister Lin even said so.

The sheep started stampeding toward the silkworm building.

Little Teasing Mouse gasped and grabbed my sleeve. Oh no! We have to stop them before they destroy that building and all the silkworms again!

Finally!

Sadly, I couldnt just ask him if hed heard anything about the evil scroll, since that would be too suspicious. That left me with one option: lying.

Since Im close to reaching Golden Core, I wanted to buy a better sword for myself. The ones on the first floor of the treasure pavilion dont suit me, so I was hoping to find a way to the second floor.

Black Ram stroked his scruffy beard. Hmmm. There are a few ways. For one, if you were at Golden Core, youd be allowed to visit there at any time.

That option was out. Id merely reached the peak of Foundation Establishment only a little over a week ago. My martial sister and I didnt even have the right defensive tools to go through a tribulation as massive as ours would be. Though she had been teaching me how to make protective items so I could help her forge them when the time came.

If thats not possible, you could take on a long-term sect mission to earn a treasure from the second floor.

Too slow. We only had a little over two weeks left before the Founding Day Festival.

What about going through the Beast Blood Contract Bath? Teasing Mouse piped up with her squeaky voice.

But Id told her that oh, well. She just did what she wanted, didnt she? Kind of like Sister Lin not that Id risk suffering through hell training again by saying as much.

He snapped his fingers. Right. I almost forgot about that! Since the bath can be dangerous the first time, the sect offers those who attempt it a chance to choose a treasure on the second floor.

That... wasnt possible. And even if it was, Sister Lin had told me not to do anything weird that might affect my cultivation wait! So, even if it fails, Id still get to go up and receive a treasure?

They nodded.

Though you wont earn one the next time you go through it.

I clutched my hands into fists and hid them behind my back so they wouldnt see my excitement. Because this showed possibility. Tell me more about this bath.

Little Teasing Mouse jumped up and down excitedly. Oh! Its really easy. The poison masters prepare a bath for you, then you step in. Next, your beast must willingly drop its blood into the alchemical solution. Which is important because if its not willing, you will fail and ruin your cultivation base!

That explained why this sect found it essential to have a good relationship with their beasts! They really hadnt lied to me about that.

It just takes a half day of bathing and youll be physically stronger by the end of it, Black Ram said.

Dont forget to mention the best part, senior. Youll gain a deeper connection to your newly contracted beast! Youll even take on characteristics of your partner! She sighed like that was the most wonderful thing in the whole world.

Black Ram grimaced. But it can still be dangerous. If your chosen beast isnt compatible with you, its possible that you could die.

Has anyone ever accidentally used the wrong blood before? Like one that wasnt theirs? Or a mundane beasts?

Teasing Mouse giggled. How did you know?

Black Ram sighed. Yes. It was someone who loved their pet lizard so much that theyd deluded themselves into believing that it had become a spiritual beast.

What happened to them?

Oh, they completely failed, which angered the poison masters so badly they coughed up blood, he said.

I remember that! He basically had an expensive bath!

I frowned.

She pulled on my sleeve. Even though he failed, he still received a token to go up to the second floor! Though... he had to pay for his treasure. So, even if something weird happens, youll be able to find a good sword if you can afford it!

Hmmm. Perhaps there was a way to fool the bath? I could even secretly add some of my spiritual spring water.

Here, let me check with Viridescent Fire Snake to see when the next available bath appointments are.

She pressed her finger to her glabella and whispered to send a secret sound transmission. Then she tilted her head and frowned.

Well, if there werent any open within the week, then

Her eyes grew wide, and she grabbed my sleeve. We gotta leave! Now!

What? Why?

Someone canceled their bath appointment! If you dont go through with it right now, youll have to wait three to four weeks.

She brought out a flying fan, pulled my puppy and me onto it, and then flew faster than Id ever seen her move before.

But... I hadnt even decided to go through with it yet. I picked up Xiao Bai to prevent him from rolling around on the fan.

Well, if I could get Xiao Bai to pretend to cut himself, and then use some thin syrup I dyed to replace his blood, I could fool the poison master! That would cause the bath to fail. Because Id sabotaged the concoction, there wouldnt be any problems with my cultivation base either. Essentially, I would be perfectly safe!

Getting that second-floor token, like I had promised, would definitely surprise Sister Lin. And it should make up for all the time I was forced to spend with Little Teasing Mouse instead of forging tools to help us get home.

But, most importantly, once I reached the second floor, we could finally ask about the evil scroll!

This was the perfect plan! I just knew it.

But, in case it failed somehow, Id keep it a secret from Sister Lin. I didnt want to get her hopes up, only to fail at the last minute.