[Little Sister Appetite Index: 87%. Warning: If host does not stop her promptly, little sister may rush forward to snatch food from the demonic beast.]
Before Lin Che could say anything, he saw Lin Ying had already released his sleeve and was tiptoeing toward that ancient tree. The purple-eyed spirit rabbit seemed to sense danger, ears perking up, hugging the spirit fruit and wanting to run. But Lin Ying was faster. A flying pounce—
"My fruit!"
"Squeak!"
One person and one rabbit crossed in mid-air. Lin Ying successfully snatched that golden, shining spirit fruit, while the purple-eyed rabbit was knocked by her and rolled twice, its fluffy tail trembling with anger.
Lin Ying hugged the spirit fruit like a food-guarding little beast, warily watching the rabbit, then without hesitation wiped it on her clothes hem and took a crunch bite, her eyes happily curving into crescents: "Brother! This fruit is so sweet! And it bursts with juice!"
That purple-eyed rabbit hopped in place, emitting aggrieved "squeak squeak" cries.
[Ingredient Identification: Second-grade spirit fruit "Golden Dew Fruit," rich in pure spiritual qi. Market price: 50 spirit stones each. Little sister made massive profit this wave.]
Lin Che facepalmed: "...Yingying, that's a demonic beast's food."
"But it looks so delicious." Lin Ying said with perfect justification, then stared at that angry, puffed-up rabbit, suddenly having a bold thought, "Brother, that rabbit's meat looks very tender too. Why don't we... roast it?"
The purple-eyed rabbit seemed to understand. All its fur exploded as it turned to flee.
[Little Sister Killing Intent: 0. But Appetite Value: 99%. Recommendation: If host refuses, little sister may throw a tantrum.]
Before Lin Che could refuse, Lin Ying had already nimbly grabbed the rabbit's long ears and lifted it up. The rabbit's four legs kicked wildly, purple eyes full of terror.
"Brother, I'm really hungry! Teleporting here consumed so much energy!" Lin Ying hugged the rabbit, looking at him pitifully.
[Little Sister Pouting Index: 95%. If host refuses, may trigger "Little Sister Cries" scenario, affecting sibling feelings.]
Looking at those watery big eyes, Lin Che could only sigh: "...Only this once, no next time."
"Yay! Brother is the best!" Lin Ying cheered, immediately pulling a seasoning pouch from her storage bag—this girl had come prepared.
She skillfully started a fire, set up a roasting rack. Her practiced movements made even Lin Che stunned. Three years in Tianmen Village, this girl had learned quite a bit of cooking skill from Auntie Wang. Roasting a rabbit was child's play.
[Cooking Skill Detection: Little sister's roasted rabbit proficiency: Master level. Recommendation: Host may eat with confidence.]
Aroma soon filled the air. That unfortunate purple-eyed rabbit had already become a string of golden, glossy roasted rabbit legs. Lin Ying couldn't wait to take a bite, happiness making her eyes narrow into slits. She didn't forget to tear off the tenderest piece for Lin Che: "Brother, try it! It's even better than Auntie Wang's!"
Lin Che accepted a bite. The meat was indeed tender and juicy, rich with spiritual qi. Not bad.
However, Lin Ying's foodie actions didn't end there.
Just after finishing the rabbit leg, she keenly spotted two colorful pheasants in the underbrush not far away, feathers flowing with brilliant colors, tail feathers dragging long. Clearly spirit beasts.
"Brother! Look at those two chickens!" Lin Ying lowered her voice, eyes flashing with the light of wanting to eat them clean, "Those feathers... that build... The soup must be very nourishing!"
[Detected second-grade spirit beast "Five-Colored Pheasant," meat delicious, rich in spiritual qi. Market price: 200 spirit stones each. Little sister's ingredient identification ability: SSS-rank.]
Before Lin Che could stop her, Lin Ying had already shot out like a little leopard. Those two pheasants reacted extremely quickly, flapping wings to fly, but Lin Ying's speed was faster. Her figure flashed. The back of her wooden saber struck twice with precision, knocking them unconscious.
"Got them!" Lin Ying ran back holding two plump pheasants, happy as a victorious general, "Brother, we'll have chicken soup tonight! I have dried wild mushrooms in my storage pouch that Auntie Wang gave!"
[Ingredient Gift Pack: Spirit Beast Pheasant×2, Wild Mushrooms×some. Recommendation: Host may anticipate little sister's culinary performance.]
Lin Che was completely helpless.
He watched Lin Ying skillfully handle the pheasants, pluck feathers, wash them, then pull out various seasonings and dried goods from her storage pouch, as if she'd long prepared for a big feast. This girl... Her first priority upon teleporting here wasn't observing surroundings or staying vigilant against danger, but eating first.
[Little Sister Survival Priority Ranking: 1. Eat 2. Brother 3. Cultivate 4. Danger.]
Just as Lin Che wanted to lecture her, the system suddenly popped up a red warning:
[Detected Qi Condensing stage cultivator team has approached to 500 meters, estimated arrival in 3 minutes.]
[Team Identity Analysis: Heaven Profound Sect outer sect disciples×5, cultivation Qi Condensing stage late phase. Hostility Value: 78%. Recommendation: Host should immediately dispose of roasted chicken traces to avoid being mistaken for a resource-snatching rogue cultivator.]
Lin Che's expression changed. Looking at Lin Ying who was still enthusiastically preparing soup, he sighed: "Yingying, put the chickens away first. People are coming."
"Ah?" Lin Ying paused, but still obediently stuffed the half-prepared pheasants into her storage pouch, quickly extinguished the campfire, and covered traces with dirt.
The purple-eyed rabbit's remaining bones were kicked into the underbrush by her foot. Her corpse destruction technique was practiced enough to make one mourn.
[Crime Scene Cleanup Speed: A-rank. Little Sister's Corpse Destruction Technique: Full marks.]
Lin Che shielded Lin Ying behind him, his gaze coldly fixed on the forest depths.
Footsteps grew closer. Five young cultivators in azure daoist robes pushed through the undergrowth. The leader had a Heaven Profound Sect outer sect disciple token at his waist. His gaze swept Lin Che and Lin Ying, finally landing on Lin Ying, eyes carrying scrutiny and greed.
"Two kids not even at Foundation Establishment, yet able to teleport to Sky Wind Mountain Range's core region?" The corner of his mouth hooked into a meaningful smile, "Interesting..."
[Team Captain: Zhao Mingxuan, Heaven Profound Sect outer sect disciple, Qi Condensing stage 9th layer. Characteristics: Greedy, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Recommendation: Host may consider striking first, killing him and framing demonic beasts.]
Lin Che's eyes turned cold, killing intent quietly spreading.