73: Chapter 73 Moonlit Nightingale

The next morning, before the sun had fully risen, the valley of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was already filled with the aroma of the food Ah Yin had prepared.

Everyone sat around the table; Xiao Wu, the last to wake, held her bowl and drank soup, while Ning Rongrong stirred the porridge in her bowl with a small spoon.

Dugu Yan leaned back in her chair reading a book, Zhu Zhuqing was not far away with her eyes closed to Cultivate, Meng Yiran was wiping her Throwing Knives, and Ye Lingling sat quietly in a corner by herself, holding a teacup.

As for Bai Qi, having not eaten his fill, he had just accepted a second bowl of soup handed over by Ah Yin.

Suddenly, he frowned and looked up toward the Poison Array.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Bai Qi's movement, Ah Yin followed his gaze.

"Something is flying through."

Bai Qi put down his bowl and stood up, his Purple Demon Eye glowing slightly.

Hearing this, everyone became alert; Meng Yiran gripped her Throwing Knives, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, Xiao Wu placed her bowl on the table and looked in that direction, and Dugu Yan closed her book as the phantom of the Jade Phosphor Serpent flickered beside her.

A moment later, a silver-white shadow flew out from above the toxic mist, its movements light and graceful, like a piece of cloth cut from the moonlight.

They could see clearly now; it was a large, entirely silver-white bird with a wingspan of over two zhang, its moonlight-colored feathers casting a soft shimmer under the sunlight. It did not fly fast and maintained a composed posture, as if it were not afraid of them at all.

"Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow."

Bai Qi said in a low voice.

"It looks to have a cultivation of around seven thousand years. A Healing System, very rare. But why would it come here?"

The large bird flew into the valley and circled once above everyone's heads.

Its golden eyes scanned every person present, showing no intention of attacking.

Then, it slowly descended and landed on the open ground, its wings folding in, less than three meters away from Ye Lingling.

Tilting its head, its golden eyes stared straight at Ye Lingling, as if it were sizing something up.

Ye Lingling held her teacup, too frightened to move, even her fingertips feeling slightly cold.

The large bird took two steps forward, moving a bit closer.

It lowered its head, its golden pupils reflecting Ye Lingling's face. Then it gave a soft cry, not loud, like the wind blowing through silver bells—crisp and gentle.

Ning Rongrong said in a small voice.

"It seems to really like Lingling."

Then the large bird took another two steps forward, extending its head in front of Ye Lingling. The edges of its feathers shimmered with a faint golden light, and the crescent-moon-like patterns on its wings were clearly visible.

Seeing that Ye Lingling still hadn't moved, the large bird gently rubbed its head against the back of her hand.

This action made Ye Lingling's fingers tremble, and the teacup nearly fell from her hand.

She looked down at the massive silver-white bird; its eyes were like two golden stars, containing no hostility, only curiosity.

Ye Lingling hesitantly reached out and stroked the top of the bird's head. The feathers were smooth and soft, feeling cool to the touch, like touching silk washed by moonlight.

The large bird narrowed its eyes and let out a comfortable low cry.

Xiao Wu leaned over, her eyes sparkling.

"How rare, it's actually not afraid of people. Xiao Qi, what's going on?"

Seeing that the bird posed no threat, Bai Qi had already sat back down, but his gaze remained fixed on the bird.

"This Spirit Beast is naturally gentle in temperament, especially since it's a Healing System. This Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow was likely attracted by the fragrance of the Medicinal Herbs we've been planting these past few days. The fact that it could fly through the Poison Array shows it has a certain resistance to toxins."

The sparrow seemed to hear what Bai Qi said, glanced at him, and then turned back to nuzzle Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling looked at the Spirit Beast before her and pursed her lips slightly into a small smile; Dugu Yan, hearing it was no threat, glanced at her and said nothing.

Ning Rongrong picked up a small twig and tried to lean in to tease the large bird.

The bird tilted its head to look at the twig, ignored her, and remained standing by Ye Lingling's side, unwilling to leave.

Xiao Wu also leaned in, reaching out her hands to touch its wings.

Bai Qi's slightly teasing voice rang out from behind.

"Don't touch it, careful it doesn't peck you."

Startled, Xiao Wu quickly pulled her hand back and muttered at Bai Qi.

"Honestly, Xiao Qi, you gave me a fright."

The large bird stayed by Ye Lingling's side for a long time until the sky was fully bright, then it stood up, shook its wings, and flew up to a protruding rock ledge next to the Herb Garden to curl up.

Its golden eyes shone brightly even in the sunlight.

"It doesn't plan on leaving?"

Meng Yiran put away her Throwing Knives.

This Spirit Beast was very suitable for Ye Lingling, but Bai Qi glanced at the spot the bird had chosen, then at Ye Lingling. At this moment, Ye Lingling was still stroking the back of her hand where the bird had just rubbed against her, seemingly without any intention of acting.

He then calmly stated his opinion.

"It probably thinks it's safe here; plus, with its lack of offensive capability, it's easily preyed upon in the wild. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well has Dugu Bo's Poison Array, which most Spirit Beasts can't enter, so it's actually safer here."

Afterward, Ah Yin called them to eat some more, and everyone sat back down at the table; Xiao Wu was still chirping about how beautiful the bird was.

Ning Rongrong said she had looked at everything from the crest on its head to its tail feathers, and Dugu Yan also remarked that the feather color was nice.

Holding his bowl, Bai Qi's gaze swept past the silver-white shadow on the rock ledge and fell back onto Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling lowered her head to drink soup without speaking, but it could be seen from the slight upward curve of her lips that she was in a very good mood.

Although the morning had been delayed for a bit, they went back for a morning nap after finishing breakfast.

By the time Bai Qi came out of his tent, the large bird had already woken up. It was squatting on the grass by the Herb Garden with its head tucked under its wing; hearing the movement, it raised its head, glanced at Bai Qi with its golden eyes, and then turned to look at the tent where Ye Lingling was.

When Ye Lingling emerged from the tent, the bird immediately stood up, walked to her side on its short legs, and rubbed its head against her shoulder. Ye Lingling also smiled and reached out to stroke the top of its head.

"Lingling, it seems to only be close with you."

Ning Rongrong poked her head out and said.

Bai Qi walked over, glanced at Ye Lingling, then at the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow, and said in a casual tone.

"This Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow, with nearly seven thousand years of cultivation and being a Healing System, is most suitable for your Nine Heart Begonia. If you are willing, it can become your fourth spirit ring."

Ye Lingling's hand paused. She looked down at the bird, which was looking up at her, its golden pupils reflecting her face. The bird rubbed against the back of her hand again, letting out a cooing sound as if acting spoiled.

Ye Lingling shook her head, her voice soft but firm.

"I don't want to kill it."

Bai Qi didn't say anything more, just nodded with an "Mhm" and turned to walk away, though his back still looked quite happy.

The bird seemed to understand Ye Lingling's words, as its rubbing became even gentler, as if afraid of hurting her.

Ye Lingling crouched down to look the bird in the eye and reached out to groom the feathers on its head.

"You can stay here; leave whenever you want to."

The bird tilted its head at her, its eyes curving as it comfortably enjoyed Ye Lingling's petting.