In the middle of the night, at Old Li's Shop.
Front hall.
"Damn it, Stuffy Gourd, you really went all out!"
Du Ke, with a swollen face and bruised nose, was tightly bound and hanging from the ceiling beam, casting resentful glances at Stuffy Gourd below.
Thirteen was also suspended alongside him.
The only difference was that Thirteen's mouth was gagged, while Du Ke's mouth was free.
After all, Thirteen's curses could be particularly foul at times.
Moreover, since Stuffy Gourd had beaten up Du Ke in front of Thirteen, the curses from Thirteen became even more obscene.
But even with his mouth gagged, Stuffy Gourd defiantly stared back at Thirteen.
If you have the guts to loosen Wang's mouth, let's have a fair fight for three hundred rounds.
Stuffy Gourd paid no attention to Du Ke's resentful sighs from the ceiling beam or Thirteen's frustrated gaze. He simply sat crouched by the edge of the fish tank, wearing a troubled expression.
How should he clean up the mess this brat made?
Now the entire city is on high alert due to the previous earthquake, and everyone looks like they're fleeing, carrying their valuables and bringing their cats to the streets or seeking refuge in open spaces.
This brat caused such a big commotion, and all he got was a beating. It's too cheap for him.
And he still adamantly denies everything, claiming he was just catching mice to feed his dog.
Feeding?
Could feeding cause such a massive pit?
You're just a newbie in the path of cultivation, your poetic talent hasn't even sprouted yet, how can you possess such great powers to create such a disturbance?
If you did this somewhere else, it would be one thing, no matter what you destroyed or harmed, it would all belong to someone else's home.
But doing this in your own home, especially right next to your most important lifeline, is asking for trouble.
Isn't this just asking for a beating?
If the tremors were a bit stronger and attracted the attention of the Earth Dragon, that would still be minor.
But if it caused the collapse of your own path of cultivation and released what's inside, that would be a disaster.
Inside the path of cultivation are the sealed spirits of the previous generations of spirit cats. If they were to be released, there's no way you could catch them again.
With these thoughts, Stuffy Gourd glared at Du Ke in anger.
How did this brat turn out like this?
Why is he such an idiot?
In the lineage of Chi Yu Xiao Fei, how did such an unlucky creature like him appear?
"Roar!"
Amidst the tiger's roar, the door curtain connecting the front hall and the backyard also shook violently.
When the curtain settled down, Qian Sui also charged in with a majestic aura.
As soon as Qian Sui entered the front hall, he glared at Du Ke angrily. How long has it been since I left? Not even a day and night has passed yet?
In just one day, you've created such a big commotion, do you not want to live anymore?
Confronted with Qian Sui's fierce gaze, Du Ke awkwardly turned his head aside, whistling as if he knew nothing.
A look that said, "I don't know anything."
To avoid exposing the Black Cauldron, it's worth enduring another beating.
Qian Sui's long tail swung, creating a gust of wind as it struck directly at Du Ke's buttocks.
"Roar!!"
Du Ke let out a wolf-like howl from the pain caused by Qian Sui's tail. He shook violently, and it seemed that Qian Sui had used some means because even the Water and Fire Immortal Robe couldn't withstand the pain of this lashing.
Stuffy gourd observed the scene and tapped the water jar, using spiritual resonance to convey meaning.
With this kid causing such a big commotion, how can it be appeased?
Qian Sui glared at Du Ke and then approached Stuffy Gourd, leaping onto the edge of the water jar.
The fish inside the jar, seeing both cats perched on the edge with an imposing demeanor, quickly shrunk to the bottom, afraid of becoming an extra meal.
"Meow!"
How can it be appeased?
Qian Suisui glared at Du Ke for the third time, but he was still swinging on the rafters, which made her even more frustrated.
What else can be done? Just handle it the usual way!
The lion-faced Arhat sighed silently. With this kid causing such a mess, they could only resort to their usual methods.
Qian Suisui nodded in agreement. It seemed that there was no other choice.
After jumping down from the water jar, Qian Sui headed straight for the backyard. She would take care of it herself, and Stuffy Gourd would watch over this kid, making sure he reflected on his actions.
Not to mention the upcoming Spirit Cat Festival, Stuffy Gourd had already warned earlier. The former concerned cultivation, while the latter concerned their home.
Now, Du Ke had caused such a troublesome situation, truly giving them a headache.
However, no matter what, he was a member of the Spirit Cat sect. Both Qian Sui and Stuffy Gourd had to clean up after him!
After Qian Sui left the main hall, Du Ke looked at Stuffy Gourd.
The blow he took earlier didn't hurt much now.
"Where did Qian Sui go?"
Facing Du Ke's question, Stuffy Gourd tapped the water jar. She went to the City Lord's Mansion. The City Lord's Mansion is the representative we supported to manage Maocheng.
"Oh~"
Du Ke nodded with a heightened tone, and suddenly thought, since the City Lord's Mansion was supported by the Spirit Cat sect, could they help him collect the ingredients for the Extreme Realm Pill, which could temper his bones?
If he could gather the ingredients, he could refine the pill himself.
With this thought, Du Ke looked at Stuffy Gourd, but Stuffy Gourd shook her head, clearly seeing the desire in Du Ke's heart.
No matter what you want to do, after tonight, you must stay here honestly.
The Spirit Cat Festival is approaching, and we can't afford any more trouble.
The festival not only concerns the entire city but also their cultivation. It must not be disturbed.
"What is the Spirit Cat Festival?"
Du Ke furrowed his brow. "Is it specifically a ceremony for the spiritually gifted cats in the Spirit Cat Shrine?"
Stuffy Gourd shook her head and thumped her tail against the water jar, conveying her meaning.
It's true that the Spirit Cat Shrine is dedicated to the spiritually gifted cats in Maocheng for hundreds of years, but Maocheng was built because of these Spirit Cats.
Therefore, the Spirit Cat Festival is a grand ceremony specifically dedicated to their Spirit Cat sect.
"Oh, I see!"
Du Ke's eyes lit up with realization. By worshiping the Spirit Cat sect, the people of Maocheng would concentrate their spirits on them during the ceremony, with their thoughts and intentions focused on them.
And there is a connection between spiritual resonance and human spirit and thoughts.
In other words, at that time, they could freely absorb the spiritual resonance of those who participated in the Spirit Cat Festival.
As soon as Du Ke thought of this, his tail twitched with excitement.
Stuffy Gourd could tell what Du Ke was thinking, but he didn't say much. The Spirit Cat Festival was an important day for the Spirit Cat clan's cultivation.
It was even more significant for Bai Mao, a newcomer to the practice.
However, with the way things were going today, it was still uncertain whether the Spirit Cat Festival could proceed smoothly!
Moreover, this little brat had previously taken away his own dragon bone, which made Stuffy Gourd even more angry.
But despite his anger, he wouldn't ask for it back.
Since this brat could take it away, it meant that there was a connection between that dragon bone and him.
If there was no connection, he wouldn't have been able to take the dragon bone.
The Lion-Faced Arhat valued the cycle of cause and effect and the rise and fall of destiny.
Although he felt a bit heartbroken, he had already given it away, so there was no reason to take it back.
Half an hour later, Qian Sui returned to the shop.
As soon as she entered, she nodded at Stuffy Gourd, indicating that everything had been settled.
Seeing this, Stuffy Gourd also breathed a sigh of relief.
Since the city lord's mansion would take care of this matter, he didn't need to worry anymore.
In other words, there was only one problem left.
Stuffy Gourd and Qian Sui both looked at Du Ke at the same time, their eyes filled with seriousness.
"What on earth did you do?"
"Huh?"
When Du Ke saw Qian Sui and Stuffy Gourd starting to question him, he immediately looked evasive and said in a vague tone, "I don't know..."
"I was just catching a mouse. Who knows how it turned out like this!"
"Ah!"
Qian Sui showed her claws, her eyes full of hostility.
You little bastard, do you still want to hide it?
Stuffy Gourd also jumped off the water tank, stretched his muscles, and prepared to team up with Qian Sui to confront Du Ke.
Seeing the two cats looking unfriendly and about to take action, Du Ke took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and prepared to withstand it.
He couldn't reveal the existence of the Black Cauldron no matter what.
"Cough, cough!"
A light cough came, and Old Li also walked into the front hall from the backyard.
Old Li, wearing an outer coat, held an oil lamp in his hand.
The light from the oil lamp illuminated the old man's face, and at the same time, Old Li came to Du Ke's side and looked up at the smoking Du Ke, saying calmly, "Alright, put him down!"
"Ah!"
Qian Sui immediately bristled, wondering how this brat had caused such a big incident. It was one thing not to teach him a lesson, but couldn't she find out how he did it?
"Does anyone have secrets, Qian Sui?"
The old man said calmly, "Whether it's him, you, Stuffy Gourd, or even me, we all have secrets."
"But have you asked me?"
"Did you ask Stuffy Gourd?"
"Did you ask me?"
"Did Stuffy Gourd ask you?"
"No, right?"
The old man squatted down and touched Qian Suisui's back.
"In the many years of the Spirit Cat sect, there have been many cats with secrets, but has anyone tried to dig deep and find out?"
"Is it bad for this brat to have a secret?"
"I think it's great!"
"At least he has a trump card he can rely on, and his character is good too. When he goes out, he won't be bullied."
"Furthermore, the Spirit Cat sect naturally protects its own. We're all family."
"Why worry so much about these things among family members?"
Old man Li gently tapped Qian Sui's forehead and said, "Family, isn't it about accepting and accommodating each other?"
"He has returned home and caused some trouble there. You, as his elder sisters and elder brothers, should take care of it, shouldn't you?"
"At home, don't dwell on these matters too much."
With that, Old man Li added, "Alright, let it go."
"Everyone should rest early!"
After saying this, Old man Li turned and left. Du ke glanced at his receding figure and felt a warmth in his heart.
This old man is indeed a great patriarch.
However, these two below...
They may be good, but their tempers are too explosive. They resort to violence at the slightest provocation!
As Du ke pondered, Qian Suisui flicked his tail, freeing Du ke from the rope.
After being released, Du ke shook off the rope and pointed to his dog, saying, "Oh, by the way, what about my dog?"
Qian Suisui released Thirteen unkindly. As the dog landed, he glanced at Qian Suisui and then ran towards the Lion-faced Arhat.
However, the Lion-faced Arhat raised its paw and pressed down on the dog's head, preventing it from advancing even an inch.
"Um..." Du ke forced a laugh twice. Qian Suisui glanced at him, remained silent, and turned to walk towards the miscellaneous room.
"I know I was wrong!"
Upon hearing Du ke's words, Qian Suisui paused for a moment but continued walking. However, the tip of his tail twitched slightly, indicating that he was in a very good mood.
"So, can you ask someone from the City Lord's Mansion to help me find some medicinal materials?" Du ke said, adding, "They're for cultivating martial arts!"
Qian Suisui's foot slipped, and he glared fiercely at Du ke.
This rascal is indeed too reckless!