In the courtyard on Fragrant Cloud Mountain, Bai Xiaochun looked at the jade pendant in his hand. When he activated his spiritual energy, it immediately emitted a gentle green light, enveloping his whole body.
He formed a hand seal with his left hand and pointed. Instantly, the wooden sword flew out, circled once, then shot straight at him. But the moment it touched the green light, it was as if it sank into water—it suddenly slowed down.
"What a treasure!" Bai Xiaochun retrieved the wooden sword, holding the jade pendant with a somewhat sheepish look, muttering to himself.
"It's fine, it's fine. Li Qinghou is Zhou Xinqi's master, but he's also the one who guided me into cultivation. By relationship, I should call him 'uncle.' I'm the real family member. Zhou Xinqi is only half one." Bai Xiaochun coughed and put away the jade pendant, stretched lazily, and stood there.
His Undying Live Forever Technique had progressed rapidly after eating most of the spirit-tail chicken Li Qinghou gave him. It was already seventy percent complete. After all, this spirit-tail chicken nourished vitality, not spiritual energy. So while his cultivation was still at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, his foundation had improved considerably, as if it had been compressed and refined.
As for the chicken bones, he had buried them all in the spirit soil. The spiritual energy in that patch was now incredibly rich. The spiritual winter bamboo growing there had reached over two zhang in height, turning from green to a dark ink color.
Most importantly, Bai Xiaochun had collected hundreds of spirit tails from the chickens, which could release tricolored flames when burned. Just thinking about it filled him with excitement.
"There's no rush in cultivation. As long as I have enough pills and use the tricolored flame to refine spirit objects three times, I can rise quickly. For now, I'll stabilize the Undying Skin first!" Just as Bai Xiaochun was pondering this, his stomach rumbled.
He glanced toward the direction of the spirit-tail chickens on Fragrant Cloud Mountain but quickly shifted his gaze, staring into the distance at Violet Cauldron Mountain.
"Senior Brother is on Violet Cauldron Mountain. I wonder how he's doing now." Memories of the kitchen filled his mind, and he felt a strong sense of longing. He stood up and walked out of the courtyard, heading straight for Violet Cauldron Mountain.
Among the three mountains on the south bank of the Spirit Stream Sect, Green Peak specialized in sword control, Fragrant Cloud focused on medicinal herbs, and Violet Cauldron was known for spells and spirit refinement. In fact, the foundational technique of the south bank—Violet Qi Cauldron Control—originated from Violet Cauldron Mountain.
Following the sect's path, Bai Xiaochun reached the foot of Violet Cauldron Mountain by dusk. Looking up at the mist-covered peak and the small figures darting like rainbows through the air, he was full of awe.
"I wonder when I'll be able to fly with magical tools. Only then will I truly begin my path to immortality." Eyes shining with anticipation, he started up the mountain.
Although he wasn't a disciple of Violet Cauldron Mountain, as an outer sect disciple, he was allowed to visit any peak. Along the way, he politely asked passersby about Zhang Dahai's residence, and with his endearing demeanor, quickly got directions and made his way over.
Unlike his own simple quarters, Zhang Dapeng's place was on the sunny side of the mountain where the spiritual energy was much denser. The area had only a few pavilions, arranged like stars across the landscape in what appeared to be a deliberate pattern.
Although the light was dim at dusk, the area still looked ethereal, filled with spiritual plants and thick with mist.
"Senior Brother has connections! This place is way better than mine." Bai Xiaochun inhaled the spiritual energy deeply, a little envious.
After searching for a bit, he finally found Zhang Dapeng's residence. The courtyard inside was overgrown with weeds, as if it hadn't been tended in ages. Bai Xiaochun was stunned. He knocked on the door, but no one responded for a long time.
"Did I get the wrong place?" Just as Bai Xiaochun was wondering, the main door of the loft creaked open. A skinny figure holding a flying sword and with a fading silver glow on his left hand walked out tiredly and spoke lazily.
"Who is it?" As he spoke, his body trembled. Seeing Bai Xiaochun across the courtyard, his eyes lit up with joy, as if he'd seen a long-lost relative. He rushed forward, flung the door open, and laughed heartily.
"Ninth Junior Brother!"
"Who are you?!" Bai Xiaochun took several steps back, eyes wide. The man before him looked vaguely familiar but was also a complete stranger.
His face was plain, his body was scrawny—almost skeletal. Though his eyes were bright, they were sunken, and his cultivation aura had reached the peak of the fourth level of Qi Condensation.
"Nine-Fatty, I'm Big Fatty!" The thin youth was actually Zhang Dapeng. His voice was full of sorrow.
"Ninth Brother, you don't know how hard this past year has been. My master despises fat people. She starved me for half a year!"
"Half a year! Do you know what I became during that time? What you see now is after months of recovery." Tears streamed down his face.
Bai Xiaochun studied him again. Hearing his voice, he finally confirmed that this person was indeed his senior brother. He gasped, stunned by the complete transformation.
"You and your master must have a blood feud," Bai Xiaochun said sympathetically.
"That old witch, I…" Zhang Dapeng gritted his teeth but stopped mid-sentence with a shiver and quickly changed the subject, dragging Bai Xiaochun inside.
"Ninth Brother, I miss the kitchen! This place is hell. I haven't had a full meal since I got here. Not a drop of oil in months. I'm starving!" He poured out all his woes.
Hearing this, Bai Xiaochun felt that compared to Zhang Dapeng, stealing chickens was clearly the right decision. He patted Zhang Dapeng's bony shoulder.
"A senior brother in trouble—how can I not help? Give me the time of one incense stick!" With that, Bai Xiaochun darted out of the courtyard.
Earlier, he had already noted where the spirit-tail chickens were kept on Violet Cauldron Mountain. Under the cover of darkness, he vanished.
Zhang Dapeng was confused but waited. Before even one incense stick had burned, Bai Xiaochun returned quietly with two chickens in hand.
Zhang Dapeng's eyes widened. Before he could speak, Bai Xiaochun dragged him into the courtyard. Expertly, he got the pot ready, boiled water, plucked feathers, and threw the chickens in. Dusting his sleeves off, he raised his chin and looked at Zhang Dapeng.
Zhang Dapeng gawked at the chickens, then at Bai Xiaochun. "You… don't tell me you're the infamous Chicken Thief of Fragrant Cloud Mountain?!"
Bai Xiaochun grinned, pressed down on the pot, and infused it with spiritual energy, accelerating the cooking. Fragrance soon filled the air. He grabbed a drumstick and placed it before Zhang Dapeng.
"Eat," he said proudly, mimicking the pose Zhang Dapeng had once struck with a spiritual mushroom.
Zhang Dapeng stared, then snatched the leg and devoured it. Without a word, he leapt to the pot and nearly dunked his head in. The two chickens were gone in moments—bones and all. He even drank the soup.
Lying back, belly full, he looked at Bai Xiaochun. The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
"Nine-Fatty, you've always been clever. I can't believe my own brother is the legendary Chicken Thief!" Zhang Dapeng beamed with pride.
"Cultivation is about defying the heavens. Stealing a few chickens is nothing." Bai Xiaochun waved dismissively, enjoying the satisfaction of sharing his secret at last.
"Too bad Fragrant Cloud Mountain's chickens are all gone. If not, I'd keep you well-fed until you got fat again." Bai Xiaochun sighed.
Zhang Dapeng's eyes lit up. He shot up.
"There are chickens on Violet Cauldron Mountain—north, south, and west ends. Guards rotate in two shifts of seven!" He spoke quickly, only to see Bai Xiaochun looking at him suspiciously.
Zhang Dapeng coughed awkwardly. "When I heard about the Chicken Thief, I wanted to learn. But the chickens are too alert—they scream the moment I get close. I almost got caught."
Bai Xiaochun laughed, leaned in, and they began whispering. Zhang Dapeng's eyes grew brighter. Soon, both were cackling together.
That night, laughter echoed from their courtyard—somehow sinister and mischievous…
From that day on, Bai Xiaochun moved in with Zhang Dapeng. And gradually, chickens started disappearing from Violet Cauldron Mountain.
Late at night, two figures moved in secret—one stealing, the other keeping watch. Rumors spread.
"Did you hear? The Chicken Thief from Fragrant Cloud is here!"
"I saw it myself! There are two of them!"
When the news reached Fragrant Cloud Mountain, its disciples all sighed sympathetically.
At least the Chicken Thief is learning balance and not only targeting us…"