Apart from the second eldest, Xin Xiu's other separated brothers and sisters also came to visit her one after another. Xin Xiu prepared bamboo rats and bamboo shoots as gifts for each of her adopted siblings, comforting them as they tearfully returned to their cultivation training.
The Third was brought by two senior disciples who clearly cared for her deeply. When Xin Xiu saw the expressions on their faces, she found them familiar—it reminded her of when she was young and visited her grandfather during summer breaks. Her grandfather would serve her a heap of delicious food and watch her eat with that same expression.
The age differences in the world of cultivation constantly gave one a sense of generational confusion, Xin Xiu mused.
The Fourth couldn't come in person, so he sent a letter through one of his senior disciples. Apparently, after becoming a disciple of Senior Uncle Tian Gong, he was immediately put to work on construction projects from day one, keeping him incredibly busy.
The Fifth remained the most filial son, bringing her a large basket of fruits. Most of Jing Chengzi's disciples were wood-element cultivators who enjoyed growing various flowers, plants, and fruits. The Fifth, being shy, was well-cared for by his senior brothers and sisters, receiving an abundance of edible gifts which he shared with Xin Xiu and the others when he couldn't finish them himself.
The Sixth, who had become a disciple of Senior Uncle Shu Cangsheng, came to see her while hugging two books. He told her, somewhat troubled, that his master was teaching him to read and write, requiring daily practice in calligraphy and memorization.
Xin Xiu suddenly felt that her own master was truly wonderful, not demanding anything of her.
The Seventh and Old Eighth were the most content. In just two or three days, they had visibly become more radiant under their master Bai Fei's care, though they still missed Xin Xiu's snacks dearly. As they tugged at her hands and wheedled, Xin Xiu readily promised to make some snacks when she had time and let them know when to come and get them.
The youngest, Little Ninth, was brought in the arms of Senior Uncle Han Fangzi. Han Fangzi, usually such a serious person, surprised Xin Xiu with his skillful child-handling, clearly experienced in the matter. Little Ninth, who had previously cried and refused to leave Xin Xiu, was now clinging to Han Fangzi's neck and calling him "Dad." Xin Xiu wondered how this senior uncle had managed to comfort the child so effectively.
Each of their respective masters had begun teaching them the basics of cultivation, even Little Ninth had started learning. Only Shentu Yu showed no reaction, allowing Xin Xiu to roam freely on Secluded Bamboo Mountain every day. Xin Xiu herself wasn't in a hurry either.
Life was still long, and cultivation was bound to happen sooner or later, so why rush? Even Senior Uncle Jing Chengzi, with his long beard, could start cultivating, proving it wasn't exclusively for the young.
Now, Xin Xiu preferred running all over the mountains. Besides wanting to familiarize herself with the territory, she had other small intentions. Although she couldn't enter the back mountain, Secluded Bamboo Mountain was connected to it. What if an Iron-Eating Spirit Beast decided to take a walk and accidentally wandered onto Secluded Bamboo Mountain? So, if she lingered near the back mountain's borders, she might be able to see one.
Heaven rewards those who persevere, and after half a month of aimless wandering, Xin Xiu's dream finally came true.
That day, she ventured into a new area she hadn't explored before. Near a small stream, behind a large rock, she discovered a giant panda taking a nap.
Xin Xiu thought: There's a lone wild giant panda!
As expected of a giant panda from the world of cultivation, worthy of being called an Iron-Eating Spirit Beast, it was much larger than the ones she had seen in her previous world! Xin Xiu immediately crouched down, hiding herself behind some bushes without making a sound. Then, she began to inch slowly and cautiously towards the giant panda.
This giant panda that Xin Xiu had stumbled upon was none other than Shentu Yu.
The places he used to frequent for rest had all become his disciple's regular haunts after her arrival. Shentu Yu never imagined his disciple would be so energetic, so he had to find new places to rest.
Compared to his human form, he preferred to use his original form when resting, which was related to another reason. In any case, to avoid frightening this small child with his original form, Shentu Yu had intentionally avoided the areas where his disciple played.
The small mountain stream was quite far from the bamboo house, and Xin Xiu hadn't been here before, so Shentu Yu had been staying here for the past couple of days. However, Xin Xiu's territory expansion was unexpectedly fast, leading to this accidental encounter between master and disciple.
Shentu Yu was used to being free in his own territory on Secluded Bamboo Mountain and truly had no sense of vigilance. Earlier, his attention had been focused on another split body, so he hadn't paid much attention to his surroundings. By the time he sensed Xin Xiu's presence, the child was already almost touching his paw.
He slightly turned his head to look at his disciple. She had made a crude disguise and was slowly approaching in a way she thought he wouldn't notice. Sitting there, he felt as if he was watching a little creature wanting to play with him, making silly but adorable movements.
Just as giant pandas appear cute and lovable to humans, in the eyes of a giant panda, his overly energetic human cub disciple was equally cute and lovable.
Since she had already seen him, Shentu Yu decided to stay put.
He would just pretend to be a spirit beast without much intelligence. His disciple had mentioned wanting to see an Iron-Eating Spirit Beast, so he might as well let her see one.
Xin Xiu noticed the panda, sitting against the large rock like a human, move its head slightly. She immediately stopped moving. When it squinted its eyes and lazily shifted its body a bit before going still again, she resumed her stealthy approach.
Although giant pandas look cute, they are in fact formidable beasts with surprising killing power. If angered, they can transform from adorable creatures into swift and ferocious wild animals. However, because giant pandas expend too much energy when active, they generally appear lazy. As long as one doesn't do anything to anger them, it should be fine.
Xin Xiu glanced at the bracelet she was wearing. This bracelet was given to her by her master, who said it could protect her in case she was attacked by spirit beasts while roaming around the mountain.
With this item in hand, Xin Xiu confidently moved two meters closer to the giant panda, which showed no signs of disturbance. She crouched behind the rock, pondering for a moment as she gazed at the panda's snow-white fur gleaming in the sunlight and its two round black ears.
She decided to throw caution to the wind and touch it. After all, she had her master's protective charm, so what was there to fear? It was rare to see a panda, and who knew when she'd get another chance? She couldn't let this opportunity slip away!
She began to understand the mindset of those lecherous men who claimed they'd "die happy under a peony flower, even as a ghost." Because right now, she felt the same way.
She tiptoed to the giant panda's side, waiting for a reaction from this big fluffy cutie, but the panda didn't respond at all. Xin Xiu was secretly delighted and quickly extended her mischievous hand to gently touch its fur, withdrawing immediately to test its reaction.
A friend had once told her that adult pandas' fur wasn't soft, not even as soft as her pet dog's, and that it felt like a brush when touched.
But this one was completely different.
Xin Xiu's heart leaped, enchanted by the soft texture. Her hand seemed to develop a mind of its own, reaching out to stroke the fur again.
Could it be that because the pandas in the world of cultivation were spirit beasts, they felt different to the touch? Like how well-maintained hair feels smoother?
Xin Xiu, like an impatient admirer, clumsily petted the panda while closely examining this incredibly good-tempered giant panda.
Indeed, it was much larger and cleaner than any panda she had seen before. Its white fur was snow-white and fluffy, feeling smooth and soft to the touch. This was truly a top-tier giant panda.
Xin Xiu began to fantasize about a multitude of such beautiful, soft, and good-tempered giant pandas on the back mountain, waiting for her to pet them.
After petting the panda several times without any reaction, and seeing that it didn't seem angry, Xin Xiu spoke to it in a voice one might use to coax a child, "I'm also a disciple of Shuling Mountain. I'm a good person, I won't hurt you. Don't be afraid. I really like you. You're so beautiful and cute. I just want to pet you a little. Don't be angry. I promise I'll stop soon..."
Shentu Yu: "..."
His feelings were inexplicably complex. It was somewhat amusing, yet also left him at a loss for words.
He had previously thought his little disciple's desire to raise an Iron-Eating Spirit Beast was merely out of curiosity after hearing about their reputation, like the man who claimed to love dragons but was terrified when he actually saw one. He expected she would be frightened upon seeing a real Iron-Eating Spirit Beast, as they were dangerous fierce beasts after all. But he never imagined this child would be truly fearless, clinging and snuggling up to him for so long, almost sticking to him entirely.
She was truly like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
To avoid scaring the child, Shentu Yu remained motionless, sitting there and allowing her to pet his fur.
Xin Xiu spent a while stroking the panda's chubby paw with its black sleeve. Her eyes, however, were fixed longingly on the white fur of its belly, her fingers twitching nearby, eager to touch. Slowly, ever so slowly, she placed her hand on the panda's stomach, ready to pull back at the first sign of irritation.
But the panda merely glanced at her, as if it were a large, placid stuffed toy.
Xin Xiu thought to herself that this must be a mother panda, more gentle and tolerant towards cubs. Perhaps because she was so small compared to it and appeared harmless, it didn't react to her touching its fur.
Feeling that her analysis made perfect sense, Xin Xiu relaxed and pressed her hand down firmly. Now that the panda had grown larger, its fur had lengthened too, especially the snow-white patch on its belly. As she pressed her hand down, it felt like sinking into a fluffy forest, the soft fur tickling her palm.
Growing bolder, she used both hands to stroke the fur, glancing at the panda mother's reaction. No reaction was the best reaction. So, feeling reassured, she buried her face in the panda's belly and took a deep breath.
Oh~ It was truly a paradise of softness~
How was it that the panda didn't have even a hint of animal smell? Such a clean scent~ She had owned a dog before and had been quite diligent about bathing her big baby, but it still had a bit of an odor. Cultivator pandas were wonderful!
Xin Xiu was practically intoxicated, like a cat high on catnip, with half her body sprawled across the panda's belly.
Shentu Yu glanced at his belly fur, now ruffled and sticking out in all directions from the girl's nuzzling, then at his disciple who was making cat-like noises. He looked up at the sky, feeling a slight headache coming on.
Cubs were truly terrifying. They would do things that adults couldn't comprehend at all, suddenly becoming excited and happy, playing by themselves. He didn't think there was anything particularly fun about his belly, nor did he understand why his disciple was so thrilled.
The giant panda sat there with one leg bent, resting a paw on it, and sighed silently in a very human-like manner. He only knew that playing with his disciple was a bit tiring.
Xin Xiu, still engrossed in burying her face in the panda's furry belly, didn't see this. By now, she was completely smitten with this gentle, kind, and generous panda mother.
She was so absorbed in petting the panda that she forgot to eat, her stomach growling loudly, yet she still didn't want to get up. Suddenly, she felt something nudge her head. The panda had raised its paw to gently push her, with a very gentle force, just like a mother urging her child to eat.
Xin Xiu was no longer afraid of it at all and felt extremely close to it. Reluctantly, she stroked the fur a couple more times before ending this panda-cuddling feast. It was indeed very late. She sat up and boldly grabbed the panda's paw, praising it with utmost sincerity and enthusiasm: "You must be such a good mother!"
Watching his disciple leave, the giant panda transformed back into human form.
The aloof master with black eyeliner appeared. He raised his hand with black nails and slowly smoothed his slightly frizzy hair ends, then straightened his clothes and fur collar. The child he was looking after was too wild. It wasn't noticeable in his original form, but now in human form, his clothes were a bit wrinkled, and his collar had almost been pulled open.
Shentu Yu tugged at his collar and slowly walked back, deciding not to transform into his original form for the next few days.
Human form was better after all. In human form, his disciple was well-behaved and wouldn't come over to nuzzle his belly.
