Chapter 33.2 - Is Master trying to cultivate them?

After Sun Xiao left his room, Li Xinwen locked the door once more and his expression changed. He sent the rest of the books back into the dimension before he himself enters the dimension. Upon entering, he noticed several big changes inside the dimension. Near the house, Li Xinwen saw that there were fences made out of bamboos and within the fences stood a decent-sized house. The house was made out of bamboo and mud.

Curious, Li Xinwen walked over and peeked into the fence. Within the fence, the cat toys that the original got for his cats were arranged and some of the cats were playing around, while some just lazed around and napped. Amongst the cats that were napping, Li Xinwen saw Lanyu laying on top of one of the cats' belly.

"Lanyu?" Li Xinwen called out and the small fairy opened his eyes. When the fairy saw Li Xinwen, his eyes went wide and quickly flew over to him.

"Master! You came!" Lanyu greeted Li Xinwen. "What brings you here?" Lanyu asked.

"I'm here to cultivate. Something happened in the outside world and I have to get stronger quickly," Li Xinwen replied. "The time-flow in this dimension is slower than the outside. So I wanted to take advantage of this."

After saying that, Li Xinwen glanced over at the thirteen cats that were making themselves at home. "They seemed to be healthy..." Li Xinwen trailed off before he narrowed his eyes. Activating Moyan, Li Xinwen saw that the spiritual energies around some of the cats were reacting to them. Curious, he guides his spiritual energy and sends them into those cats. His eyes widened upon his discoveries and he quickly turned to Lanyu. "Did you give them the water from the lake?" Li Xinwen asked.

"Huh? No! If I do that, they might end up dying, ah!" Lanyu replied.

"Then, what did you give them?" Li Xinwen asked once more.

"Lanyu only gives them what master provided," the small spirit fae replied. "Oh, but their milk has run out and there was only the powdered milk left. So Lanyu just mixed the powdered milk with the water extracted from the bamboo," Lanyu explained.

"Show me those water," Li Xinwen quickly said and Lanyu went over to the nearby jar. The small fairy removed the lid and scooped some of the water using the bamboo cup he made. Then, he handed it over to Li Xinwen who proceeded to check the water. "There are some spiritual energies inside but it shouldn't be enough to turn some of the cats to spirit animals. Alright, say it. Is there something you're hiding from me?" Li Xinwen asked Lanyu as he gave him a warning glare.

"Master! There really is nothing that I gave them other than these! Believe me, ah! As for why they turn to a spirit animal, isn't it because they lived here for a while?" Lanyu replied, feeling wronged. "If some animals live here for a long time, even if they are just a normal one, they are bound to absorb some of the spiritual energy in here. Then it is only a matter of time before they turn to spirit animals. Not just animals, even plants can absorb spiritual energy. You can see it from the bamboo water..." he continued to explain.

"Really?" Li Xinwen continued to press Lanyu who only nods his head quickly. "Alright then. Since it is this way... how long until they can reach spiritual awareness? Right now, they are only passively absorbing the spiritual energy."

"That would depend on each cat's own ability. But there is one who is close to reaching that stage!" Lanyu replied.

"En. That's good. When that cat reached spiritual awareness, inform me as soon as possible," Li Xinwen told Lanyu.

"Is Master trying to cultivate them into spirit beast?"

"Since they are able to do so, why not?" Li Xinwen just smirked at Lanyu. "Speaking of which, I have already sent the book back into the study. You should go and arrange them back in place. I only kept 11 books with me," Li Xinwen informed Lanyu before he went into the house.

Finally having a task other than taking care of the cats, Lanyu also entered the house and started to sort out the books back into the shelves. Meanwhile, Li Xinwen sat down cross-legged in the living room and began to cultivate. It has been a few days since he stopped cultivating in order to consolidate is spiritual energy. Now, it was time for him to pick up the pace again, especially since there is the demon threat that might come before the apocalypse.

Few hours passed, and when Li Xinwen opened his eyes once more, he revealed a smile. "The spiritual energy here is truly pure. It has only been a few hours and I could easily break through the fourth stage and entered the fifth stage of Houtian," Li Xinwen murmured in a soft voice. He was just about to leave when he saw Lanyu asleep on the floor in front of him. Staring at the fairy, Li Xinwen wondered if he has something to tell him, and thus was waiting here until he fell asleep.

He lightly poked Lanyu on his stomach to wake him up. Lanyu stirred, and slowly opened his eyes.

"Ah, master! Are you done cultivating?" Lanyu asked. But he didn't wait for Li Xinwen to answer when he suddenly exclaimed happily. "Master!! Congratulations on breaking through!" Lanyu smiled.

"Thank you. Now, is there anything you would like to tell me? Or else, why would you wait on me until you fell asleep?"

"Ah, yes... Master, did you really take only 11 books?" Lanyu asked. His expression looked extremely nervous.

"Yes. I am sure of it. What's wrong?"

"There are three books that are missing..." Lanyu replied.

Hearing this, Li Xinwen can't help but frown. "The books that I've taken are Muguang Zhihun Cultivation Manual. As for the other ten books..." Li Xinwen listed the names of the martial cultivation technique to Lanyu. "Other than that, I didn't take anything else. Are you sure it didn't fall under the table or anything?" Li Xinwen asked and Lanyu only shook his head.

"I've checked. I also checked the whole shelves just in case I misplaced it. But the books are really not there, master."

"What are the names of the three books that are missing?" Li Xinwen asked.

"For the martial cultivation technique, it was Asura's Wrath and Demonic Profane Flame. While the cultivation method manual was Xiaohao Linghun," Lanyu answered.

Hearing the name of the cultivation method, Li Xinwen gave Lanyu a questioning look. "Soul Devouring... just by this name alone, isn't it a cultivation method for a demonic cultivator?" Li Xinwen asked. "I asked for cultivation methods that are suitable for those with Yang constitution, ah! Why did you also send those out?" Li Xinwen asked as he flicked Lanyu on his head.

"It must've slipped along when I took the book out of the shelves!! I'm sorry, master!" Lanyu rubbed his head to soothe the pain.

"And the Demonic Profane Flame?"

"Also... slipped?" Lanyu replied with hesitation.

Li Xinwen closed his eyes and massaged his head before he let out a heavy sigh. Then he turned back to Lanyu, who looked worried. "Don't worry. I will find the books..." Li Xinwen told Lanyu.

'Since the books went missing in the outside world, then there is only one person who can be the culprit. He could already reach the first stage of body transformation. If he were left with the manuals, he will be even more dangerous...' Li Xinwen thought darkly as he was reminded of Xue Liang.

"Actually, even if the books are not found, it is still okay. Lanyu can just make a copy," Lanyu replied, his tone was still filled with guilt.

"No. I will find it," Li Xinwen said. "You just focus on taking care of the cats. Also, in the next few days, I may send some seeds. Help me plant those," Li Xinwen told the spirit.

"Alright. And... Master?"

"Hmm?"

"Lanyu... wants to eat some chicken. Can you also send some chicken?" Lanyu asked with a pleading expression. "If you can send live chicken, Lanyu will make sure to take care of them properly!"

"... Fine. Just chicken?" Li Xinwen asked.

"Well, Lanyu also wants some red meat but master is still unable to send such large living things into the dimension. But maybe some fishes? Lanyu can also share the fishes with the cats. According to the book that master gave me, fishes are one of their favourite treats!"

"Alright. I will send them over soon but, how are you going to keep the fishes? Should I also send some water for you?" Li Xinwen asked. "I doubt the bamboo water is suitable for the fishes."

"Then Lanyu will leave that to master! Lanyu will prepare to make the pool for the fishes then," Lanyu became excited and quickly flew out of the house.

Seeing the excited Lanyu, Li Xinwen can only shake his head. "Well, this is also good. It can be our emergency live-stock during the apocalypse," Li Xinwen said to himself before he finally exited the dimension.