C11 Qing Fumei!

"Scared of ghosts?" Ye Tian asked with a light chuckle.

The slim girl glanced back at Ye Tian, popping melon seeds into her mouth, and gave a nod, followed by a shake of her head, laughing, "Sure, I'm scared of ghosts, but people terrify me more. Ghosts just give you a fright, but like my mom says, you have to be killed to become one. That's why I think people are the real horror. And at least ghosts don't hit me the way my mom does."

"I haven't come across any ghosts here. And even if there were any, they'd steer clear of me..."

At her words, Ye Tian's eyebrows lifted in amusement. He affectionately ruffled the girl's hair, set the meat pie on a plate inside the house, then washed the plate clean and handed it back to her. "Thank your mom for me, will you? Once I've got some money, I'll take you both out for a meal."

"You better start making money fast then, because I've got a whole list of things I want to eat. I'm so over these melon seeds!"

The girl bobbed her head in agreement, then bounded out the gate, plate in one hand and melon seeds in the other.

She's quite the character... Ye Tian mused, not expecting to find a devil on Earth.

Watching the girl's retreating figure, a mischievous smile played on his lips. In the Square Inch Spirit Domain, besides Daoist Priests and Pure Warriors, the realm was teeming with various demons and devils.

Devils were unique, born of peculiar origins—transformed from a breeze, a drop of water, the essence of literature, the clink of coins, or the power of incense. Given the right circumstances, any of these could give rise to a devil.

These devils came in all shapes and sizes, many offering significant benefits to those on the path of Cultivation. Take, for instance, the Succubus by the pillow, born from the realm of dreams and used by many sects within the Square Inch Spirit Domain to hone their disciples' Daoist Heart.

Or consider the Green-robed Succubus, emerging from a flowerpot, an invaluable ally to a pill cultivator, aiding in the nurturing of Spiritual Medicine. Adding just a hint of the Succubus's essence to a Pill could elevate its quality.

Back in the Square Inch Spirit Domain, Ye Tian had a particular fondness for these curious creatures and kept many, becoming intimately familiar with their auras.

The moment the slender girl stepped into the courtyard, he recognized her as a devil.

Moreover, if Ye Tian's instincts were correct, the aura emanating from the girl bore a resemblance to that of Qing Fumei, born in the vaults of wealth.

Qing Fumei had dual forms, always destined to reunite no matter the distance between them. Cultivators in the Square Inch Spirit Domain would use Baby Qingfu Bug as currency, then summon the Mother Qingfu Bug to bring the spent money fluttering back into their pockets.

Yet, the aura surrounding the girl was somewhat muddled, lacking the purity of the Qing Fumei from his home domain.

"Could it be that Earth once harbored Daoist Cultivators, perhaps even remnants of Cultivation sects? Only the waning of Spiritual Energy could explain the presence of such a devil."

Ye Tian's gaze deepened, the world before him shrouded in a veil of mystery, the truth just beyond his grasp.

Ye Tian was well aware that if things were as he suspected, then all he needed to do was persist in his cultivation to eventually intersect with that other world.

Besides, the Qing Fumei was inherently not malicious, so he had nothing to fear.

Shaking his head, Ye Tian closed the door, went back to his room to finish off the meat pies, and then sat down cross-legged. He began the practice of the Idea of Flint Monastery, drawing in the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth to bolster the wisp of Spirit Fire within him.

Once this shadowy wisp solidified, it would signify his breakthrough to the second level of the Cavern Stage, expanding his world even further.

The moment he engaged the Idea of Flint Monastery, the surrounding Spiritual Energy rushed towards his humble abode, the sky's light subtly shifting in response.

To any Daoist Cultivator from the Square Inch Spirit Domain witnessing this, the shabby rental would seem as radiant as a temple under the fierce midday sun!

After his session, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes, his stomach rumbling twice. He found himself missing the meat pies from the thin girl.

"I never imagined I'd be troubled by basic necessities one day..."

Rising from his practice, Ye Tian chuckled at the irony, then his gaze turned somber as he looked out at the moon.

If Ning Yao were on Earth, she might be facing these same concerns. But could she find her way as he had?

Knowing her character and abilities, not to mention the earthbound living tips he'd shared, she'd surely thrive wherever she was.

And maybe, just maybe, she was looking at the moon too, wondering when they'd reunite.

"Yao'er, wait for me! Our paths will cross again," he whispered, his fingers tightening. After a refreshing shower to cleanse the day's grime, he grabbed the Peach Wood Amulets and headed back to his hospital stall to earn his keep, grabbing a bite along the way.

Selling the amulets to Ning Xue had netted him five thousand yuan, but after rent and deposits, only thirty-five hundred remained.

He needed to keep making money; foresight was key.

By ten that night, Ye Tian was at the hospital entrance, his stall set up, amulets displayed. No customers came, so he closed his eyes to meditate, silently cultivating.

"Isn't that Ye Tian? Setting up a stall at the hospital entrance, selling amulets? That's hilarious!"

"He was so wealthy before, now reduced to a street vendor. Life is unpredictable. But really, he's no saint—selling amulets here, he's clearly preying on the sick."

"Qingqing, you dodged a bullet with him. With the way he is now, it's doubtful he can even fend for himself. Sticking with him would've been a curse..."

A clamor arose from down the street half an hour later. It was Hsu Qing and her friends out for a leisurely walk.

"Wait for me a second..."

Surrounded by the din of the crowd, Hsu Qing's gaze fell upon Ye Tian, who sat with his eyes closed beside his stall. Her brow furrowed in hesitation before she offered an awkward smile to the onlookers and hastened over to confront him. "How can you stoop to this?" she demanded.

Ye Tian lifted his head with serene composure and slowly opened his eyes. Despite his meditative breathing exercises, he was fully aware of the surrounding bustle, and Hsu Qing's conversation with her friends had not escaped his notice.

"Even if you don't find your behavior disgraceful, I'm mortified by it. You refuse the money I offered, yet you resort to this!" Hsu Qing's voice trembled with a mix of anger and shame.

"And what right do you have to criticize my choices?" Ye Tian's eyes swept over her with a cool detachment. The disgust he felt for her was palpable. She had broken off their engagement as soon as her family's fortunes had turned, a move he could comprehend, albeit painfully. But now, she had no claim over him, and yet she had the audacity to judge his actions as if they were a personal affront to her dignity. Her self-righteousness was astounding.

At his words, Hsu Qing's retort stalled, her lip caught between her teeth. The truth was, Ye Tian's life was no longer intertwined with hers; his actions were none of her concern.

"I don't steal, I don't deceive. I earn my keep honestly, and my life is none of your business. I'll ask you to leave now," Ye Tian stated, his voice icy as he fought to keep his disdain in check.

Hsu Qing's gaze remained fixed on Ye Tian, her lip still bitten, her fingers tightly clenched. A hollow feeling gnawed at her, leaving her simultaneously empty and suffocated.

"You've got some nerve. After swindling me yesterday, you have the gall to show up here again to deceive others!" she accused.

However, it was then that Lin Faang's voice, laced with a mix of triumph and malice, cut through the air from not too far away. "If I don't break your legs today, my name isn't Lin!"