Chapter 51: The Hind Leg of the Gold-Devouring Beast

Huan Yue gazed at the flock of rustic chickens before her, feeling dizzy as if an invisible force prevented her from looking at them directly.

"Sister! My head is spinning. Why do these chickens in the yard feel so oppressive?" she exclaimed.

Could it be that these chickens were not ordinary creatures?

"I can't tell what they are either," replied Ruo Feng, her face complex. "But since our master raised them, they must be extraordinary! Think about it—he feeds them with sacred herbs and holy spring water!"

Ruo Feng could not discern what these chickens truly were.

Jealousy welled up inside her. They were gifted and, back in the Holy Land, could rely on their abilities to obtain some valuable resources. Even if they weren't the most outstanding, they were at least a hundred times stronger than those from ordinary sects.

Yet, compared to what they saw here, their achievements seemed insignificant.

Even the simplest animals in Zhu Xiaoyuan's courtyard enjoyed food and drink superior to theirs.

The envy was overwhelming!

If outsiders knew about the situation in Elder Zhu's courtyard, they would be furious beyond measure.

But upon reflection, both girls realized they were now disciples of their master and ought to feel content.

"All right, now that we're full, let's begin painting," Zhu Xiaoyuan said, walking over to the chicken coop. He casually pulled out an egg the size of a fist and handed it to Huan Yue.

"Your task today is to paint this egg."

Huan Yue took the egg, still in a daze.

Today... she was to paint an egg?

She stared at the egg in her hand, unable to believe it.

Was this really an egg?

How could a chicken egg be as large as a fist?

Ruo Feng's eyes nearly popped out. "I can sense that this egg contains boundless energy—it's like a volcano! And the shell bears faint phoenix patterns. What on earth is this?"

"Sister Ruo Feng, I feel as if this egg possesses the power of a supreme being!" Huan Yue carefully held the egg, not daring to move.

What kind of chickens were these, to lay such potent eggs?

Most astonishing was the revelation that, according to Elder Zhu, the chickens had stopped laying eggs recently, forcing them to eat vegetable porridge.

Did that mean... Elder Zhu regularly ate these eggs before?

"Are you unwilling?" Zhu Xiaoyuan noticed Huan Yue standing motionless with the egg and spoke gently. "I want you to paint the egg to help you refine your fundamentals. Only by mastering the basics can you train your eye to see the essence behind appearances."

Only then could she claim to have laid a solid foundation.

He patiently instructed her, knowing Huan Yue was a raw gem. Since he had accepted her as his disciple, he would not waste her talent.

Upon hearing Zhu Xiaoyuan’s explanation, Huan Yue nodded repeatedly. "Master, I understand!"

She set her painting tools on the stone table nearby, carefully placed the egg beside them, and began to study it.

Zhu Xiaoyuan nodded with satisfaction.

"Ruo Feng, set up the zither over there. Pour me a cup of tea, and let’s begin," he said leisurely.

Ruo Feng promptly poured him tea, handing it over with both hands, then walked to her spot and began her performance, her heart serene.

The small courtyard was tranquil.

Peach trees swayed gently.

Zhu Xiaoyuan reclined on his chair, tea in hand, serene and content.

One beauty played music, another painted.

Beautiful indeed! Such days were too wonderful!

A sense of happiness and fulfillment suddenly rose in Zhu Xiaoyuan's heart. What did it matter to be a cultivator? He was happier than most!

After a long while, Ruo Feng finished her piece.

Zhu Xiaoyuan offered her guidance, then lectured Huan Yue on painting the egg.

Both girls were enlightened.

A knocking sounded.

Someone was rapping on the courtyard gate.

"Is Xiao Zhu home? Hurry up and open the door!" came a loud voice from outside.

Zhu Xiaoyuan immediately got up and opened the gate. Auntie Niu stood there, holding the hind leg of some unknown animal, smiling widely.

"Auntie Niu! What did you bring me?" he asked.

"Oh, Xiao Zhu! You don’t know! There was an earthquake in the mountains yesterday. Many hills collapsed, lots of places were destroyed, but our little village remained unscathed, not a single problem."

"And these wild beasts, for some reason, all died near our village. And thanks to you! Remember that kitchen knife you made for me? It was so easy to use—I barely exerted any effort, and here I am, bringing you a hind leg!"

"Let me tell you, this meat is delicious!" Auntie Niu rattled off, leaving Zhu Xiaoyuan dumbfounded.

An earthquake?

Huan Yue and Ruo Feng overheard Auntie Niu and were stunned.

An earthquake in the Nanling Mountains?

Could something momentous have occurred?

Moreover, if their eyes weren’t deceiving them, Auntie Niu was holding the leg of a Gold-Swallowing Beast!

A legendary divine beast!

"Thank you, Auntie Niu! I didn't even know about the earthquake. I'll go out and have a look later," Zhu Xiaoyuan said, taking the leg and setting it aside.

He didn’t care much for such meat, but it could be fed to the little white cat.

Thinking of this, he patted the red-furred Xiaoyue nestled in his arms. "I'll get you some tonight!"

The whole cat—no, the entire feline—was beside itself with excitement, meowing incessantly.

This was the leg of a Gold-Swallowing Beast! Now she was to eat it! The Gold-Swallowing Beast was a descendant of the Qilin, with a trace of Qilin blood within.

A legendary divine beast, and now it would be Xiaoyue's meal!

Was she dreaming?

Red Xiaoyue, the little white cat, rubbed herself fervently against Zhu Xiaoyuan, utterly grateful—her master was truly wonderful!

Zhu Xiaoyuan patted the cat, then turned to Ruo Feng and Huan Yue.

"They said there was an earthquake outside. Why don't we go take a look together?"

The two nodded.

Zhu Xiaoyuan led them out of the courtyard, heading toward the Nanling Mountains.