Chapter (6)

Wang Hua jolted at the pain that approximately wrecked her back. Not saying that she didn't experience bad sleeping positions already but she had never leaned back on a rock to sleep overnight. She preferred sleeping on the straw in the barn she was locked in most of the nights.

Stretching her arms, she yawned. She could not open her eyes! Rubbing on her eyelids, she groaned. Her salty eyes itched and scratched the rims of her eyes as they dried over the night. Blinking a few times, eventually, the blurry images became stable.

Sharp rays of sunlight ravaged the cave and stung her sight.

"Wolfie is gone!"

Her cub was a few inches away from her, and she hugged Xiaojiao. Her feet hit a black pearl near her sword. She bent to pick it up.

"Did he leave it here?"

She shrugged and sighed. How could he lose such a precious pearl? That should be very expensive!

Ignoring her bewilderment, she squeezed Xiaojiao into her chest. Her stomach growled, both of them were hungry.

"My lovely wolf, you could make it. You are fine."

The cub's eyes snapped open and scratched her hand with her small paws. She was strangling her.

'Can't she just treat softer!' Xiaojiao told herself.

"Oh, I'm sorry my dear!"

She released Xiaojiao and smiled, but soon her smile was replaced with terror.

"We are in the Spirit forest area, and the wolf is gone!"

She jumped on her feet in distress, desperately looking around hoping she was wrong. How could she leave a forest that was riddled with hazards?

Embracing Xiaojiao between her arms tightly, she steered her way out of the cave, carefully looking around not to be caught by any witch or fiend.

The assaulting heat kissed her skin and beads of sweat popped out on her forehead. This summer was bone scorching. But the pearl she was squeezing in her palm was unbelievably cold.

Wang Hua opened her palm and the black pearl was exuding a blue aura.

"Accept this gift from me in exchange for saving my life. It helps you navigate your way back home."

Her eyes widened in shock as she heard the message from the wolf and the blue aura changed to a blue butterfly spirit.

The voice was rough, haughty, and emotionless. She couldn't say whether the wolf was one of those boastful immortals or a mortal like herself or rather other species but regarding what she discovered last night, he was very robust. Not ordinary people could be healed this fast.

"I was born with no magic core, but who said that I can't create one and begin to cultivate with amplifier-elixirs? if I have to bleed during refining practices, I won't neglect my tasks. I will avenge those who kicked me out of a regular life."

"Xiaojiao, I need a good tutor and the Moon bird's egg. Let's show some bravery."

The cub nodded, her eyes sharpened with courage and the blue light of the butterfly spirit glinted in them. She agreed with this idea.

Wang Hua was delighted that the wolf left this pearl. She was sincere and the wolf paid her favor. Although, the Pink Bride herb was also very expensive approximately equal to this pearl.

But she needed to be attentive and sell it somewhere safe otherwise her stepmother would catch her and take it, accusing her of robbery.

"Alright, butterfly! Take me out of this Forest!"

The butterfly's wings flapped and dust poured down, it stained everywhere the spirit flew hence she wouldn't lose the path. It seemed he wasn't a pretentious carefree monster and had thought of her being in danger and needy of aid.

She rushed to the depths of the woods where the small magical butterfly led her. Gazing around carefully and taking everything in mind, she realized that if it were not for the monsters living here, the area would be dazzling and captivating.

Also, a very enriched bed for remedial herbs to grow. While being drowned in the prosperous area, she discovered thick thorns and the 'Crane flower' herb.

She couldn't skip this rare herb. It was growing every ten years and could help her regain her stamina for her journey to find the Moon bird's egg. An elixir from this herb concluded to a temporary magical power she could use during any attack. It consisted of ten-year massive qi essence.

During all these years, her interest had grown in alchemy extensively. Making elixirs of significant herbs was a talent that not everyone was born with.

She recalled Wang Ah Lam's constant suggestions for finishing her formulas. She believed that Wang Hua would become an outstanding scholar one day. For that she didn't need magic but knowledge of helping others to grow their magic vigorously.

"She is innocent, I'm certain of it."

Taking the herb out, she stood up when the bushes rustled. She didn't look back to see what was behind her, instead, she hugged Xiaojiao and began to run after the butterfly spirit.

~

A gorgeous man with white hair, wearing a black robe draped by glistening beads came out, his eyes were green and a grin masked his face. His pale skin was glowing as if the full moon appeared in the sky last night.

"What a silly girl!"

His teeth were white and his fangs were a bit larger than humans. He walked to Spirit Lake and put his hand in the water, a drop of water floated in the air across him and showed the girl who came here last night.

"A girl from the wolf clan with no spiritual magic! But why did I feel sacred spiritual essence from her?"

Silver-colored fish flakes glimmered on his wrist as his hand drawled along the water's surface.

"Follow her!"

He ordered the water droplet softly and it glided up into the air, dashing out after the girl.

"Who is this girl?"

He whispered and his eyes twinkled a few stars. His beauty was ten times greater than any human.

It was a Merman, a rare haughty demon. One of those that could not be attracted by humans in any case. But this girl…

Something was odd about her.

~

She didn't come to think of taking a breath, and could not bear another unwanted conflict with people who held magic. The last night's hit had gotten her helpless and nauseous, and its place still charred her back.

She needed what could enable her to construct a magic core and she wouldn't refrain from death if it was on her way to achieve that goal.

Now that those she loved were tempted to take her life, she couldn't care less about the coming dangers. Yet, her affection for living life was beyond belief.

She was sick of people always looking down upon her.

Hence, she wouldn't succumb to this ridiculous fate!

She would clasp onto any opportunity that might appear to her, being weak and a ridicule tool for others' amusement was enough.

After sprinting continuously for about an hour, she found herself at the borders of the forest.

As they crossed it, the butterfly faded away.

Wang Hua was exhausted and starving. She hadn't had food since yesterday's noon and with her wounded feeble body, she would momentarily get bedridden.

"Xiaojiao, we can't go back home at all! Perhaps we should go to the father's secret cabin!"

The secret cabin was a place that her father made for his solitude, he used to schedule his plans and built his formulas there, to avoid disturbance.

Once she followed him secretly, he discovered her skill and interest in mustering enchantments and elixirs, he was resolved to instruct her on how to develop her formulas.

Her maiden was the only one who had this cabin's address and Wang Hua beseeched to the Edens that the girl would not reveal it to Wang Xiuying at any cause.

The girl had pledged to her not to speak a word once and Wang Hua prayed that she would not break her vow.