Chapter 229: Chapter 228: Xiaobai: This Fairy Isn’t Human, But You’re a Real Dog

「Three days later.」

At sunset.

Fuhai Villa Complex.

Birds returning to their nests skimmed past the buildings, and the sunset’s afterglow draped the magnificent villas in a faint golden light. People walked their dogs, strolling along the paths.

The streets were peaceful, and the days were quiet. It seemed the aftershocks of the Beast Tide had passed, washing away the shadows of the past.

Jianghai City had now returned to a state of peace.

Qin Yang and Xiaobai strolled down the street carrying grocery bags. The man and the fox made their way through the city’s bustle, heading leisurely for home.

"Master, I’ll make a camellia pudding for you today, how about that?"

Xiaobai trotted along, keeping close to Qin Yang’s side. "I’ve been looking up new recipes recently, all on an app. I’ll try them out for you when we get back."

"Oh?"

Qin Yang glanced at Xiaobai and teased,

"You’re actually trying new recipes? I thought all you did online was pick fights."

"Hmph, says who!"

Xiaobai snorted. "This Fairy is a very studious fox! When I’m online, I’m not just picking fights with netizens. I’m thinking about you too, of course."

"Just you wait and see!"

Xiaobai put her hands on her hips and said proudly, "When this Fairy was little, the Fox Race’s great-grandma used to say, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach."

As she spoke, she glanced at Qin Yang, watching for his reaction.

There was no reaction.

As they spoke, the man and the fox arrived at their courtyard gate.

Qin Yang took out his key to open the door, seemingly lost in thought.

’By my count... today’s the day Li Qinghe is supposed to visit.’

’Since I promised she could meet her grandmaster, I can’t back out now. But completely fooling this kid is going to take some serious effort.’

’Can’t be helped.’

’She’s a little too clever for her own good.’

’Right now, she’s the only one who knows the Arrow God and the Jianghai Sword God are still alive.’

’As for Xiaobai?’

At this thought, Qin Yang shot a sidelong glance at Xiaobai.

’Hmm, does she even count as a person?’

’Ever since Liu Wushuang met Xiaobai, I haven’t really tried to hide her. The people who were going to find out, have found out. There’s no point in hiding her anymore.’

With this in mind, Qin Yang looked at Xiaobai and instructed her in a low voice,

"My apprentice is coming over later. Don’t blow my cover. Make sure your acting is convincing, got it?"

"Mmm... you mean that silly apprentice of yours, Li Qinghe?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaobai narrowed her long, foxy eyes. She transformed back into her little, white-haired loli form and patted her flat chest. "Don’t worry, Master! I’ll be sure to put on a good show!"

"Don’t forget last time! We completely ran circles around that Liu Wushuang!"

"..."

Qin Yang chuckled and shook his head, at a loss for words.

After watching "An Actor Prepares" these past few days, Xiaobai had even taken copious notes. Her Cultivation hadn’t improved at all, but her acting skills were leveling up like crazy.

’A fox gets by in life purely on her acting skills!’

’I can definitely count on her performance.’

Back in the house, he tossed all the groceries to Xiaobai to handle. Qin Yang went out to the courtyard and resumed his meditation on the Power of Laws.

Soon, the clatter of pots and pans echoed from the kitchen. Xiaobai had put on a loose apron and was busily prepping for dinner.

Washing vegetables, cooking the meal.

Time flowed by leisurely.

The sun fell below the horizon, and the sky completely darkened.

...

A rumbling thunder echoed among the clouds, as if a storm of black clouds was about to arrive. In the courtyard, space shattered like a mirror, and a fiery light shone brightly.

HUMMM—

The Heart of Law hummed and condensed.

It gathered over Qin Yang’s heart, continuously fusing the Power of the Four Laws and deepening their evolution.

Over the last few days, Qin Yang’s fusion with the Heart of Law had grown more complete, to the point where he could feel a bottleneck.

As the Power of the Four Laws—Thunder, Wood, Space, and Fire—fused within him, his mastery over them became much more proficient and effortless.

He could vaguely feel himself gaining a comprehensive understanding by analogy.

He was already showing signs of comprehending the Dao of Heaven and Earth...

’Not bad. Haste makes waste. I’ll stop my meditation here for today.’

’Time for a little test.’

Nodding in satisfaction, Qin Yang took an Iron Tree Seed from his Star Ring and tossed it onto an empty patch of ground in the courtyard. It buried itself in the soil, and he raised a hand, sprinkling a bit of fluorescent light from the Wood Law over it.

A verdant green light fell....

CRACK!

With a rustling sound of shifting earth, a Black Iron Tree burst from the ground. Its body was jet-black and shimmered with a metallic luster. Within a few breaths, it had already shot up to a height of several meters.

However, concealed by an Array, nothing of this could be seen from the outside.

’Wood born as iron, indestructible.’

Qin Yang released his Spiritual Power to sense the tree’s hardness, a touch of nostalgia in his heart.

’This Black Iron Tree is extremely precious. It can be used as a raw material for certain Profound Weapons and can only be found in the uninhabited zones of the Great Prairie.’

’It’s priceless.’

’After I killed the Grassland Sword Saint...’

’...this was part of the loot that dropped. I stored it in my Star Ring, but I never had a proper method to make it sprout, so it’s just been gathering dust.’

’But now that my comprehension has reached this level, I can finally make use of it.’

’It’ll make for some good Artifact Refining Materials.’

Qin Yang formed a sword-finger sign, purple lightning coiling around his fingertips as he pointed at the Black Iron Tree.

The next moment.

BOOM!

The line of lightning and fire warped, erupting with scorching energy.

A brilliant line of attack tore out, blooming from Qin Yang’s fingertips, and struck directly at the center of the Black Iron Tree.

Violent Star Force surged as the temperature instantly skyrocketed to an unbelievable degree, as if a scorching sun had descended upon the yard.

Then, space shattered.

The twin lines of lightning and fire shifted, striking the Black Iron Tree from multiple angles at once.

Under the extreme assault of lightning and fire, the indestructible trunk was torn apart and melted on the spot, until the entire Black Iron Tree was reduced to a puddle of molten metal.

Soon.

The raw materials were secured!

’Tsk, that’s a nasty little trick.’

Qin Yang reflected inwardly as he slowly stored the materials in his Star Ring, thinking back on the technique he had just used.

He thought, ’The Space Law is truly profound.’

’Relying on the Law’s enhancement, my combat power has already increased severalfold!’

’Any attack within my Domain can have its position reversed to a certain extent, shifting according to my will.’

’One moment, my attack might be in front of an enemy, and the next it could shift to their back or side. It’s like a slithering Spiritual Snake—insidious and unpredictable.’

’Nice. Another sneaky trick to add to my arsenal.’

Qin Yang was very satisfied.

Just then.

Suddenly, a delighted cry came from inside the house.

"Yes! Another win!"

"Kill, kill, kill! This Fairy is totally slaughtering you humans!"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Qin Yang was taken aback.

’Xiaobai’s... playing games again?’

’Xiaobai has been obsessed with her game lately. Not just a little obsessed, either—she’s been playing day and night without a shred of self-control.’

’Is this acceptable?’

’I have to cure this gaming addiction of hers!’

Thinking of this, Qin Yang silently took out his phone.

He opened the game.

He searched for nearby "Foxes"...

He found her match and requested to join!

...

「Inside the kitchen.」

The simmering soup bubbled, letting off steam. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Yes! A bunch of useless humans!!"

"You think you can fight this Fairy with that pathetic skill level?"

Xiaobai leaned casually against a kitchen cabinet, holding her phone, her tail wagging behind her.

The little fox was absolutely ecstatic!

’In real life, this Fairy is all meek and submissive...’

’But in the game, I come out swinging and crush everyone!!’

’I don’t have to care what that stinky master of mine thinks at all!’

The match had just ended, and praise from her teammates was pouring in. It was music to her foxy ears, an incredibly satisfying feeling.

"You’re a god! Carry me, please!"

"Are you a girl? Can I add you as a friend?"

"That’s pure skill! So sick! With that hand speed, you could go pro!"

"Ever thought about streaming!?"

...

’Hehe, this Fairy really is amazing.’

Xiaobai glanced at her post-game stats, basking in her teammates’ adoration. Her confidence swelled to its Peak.

’I might not be good at other things, but when it comes to my game record, if I claimed to be second, no one on the entire server would dare claim first. Maybe I should start a livestream...’

’Becoming a pro streamer...’

’Raking in the cash... wouldn’t that be great?’

’Besides, after doing some power-leveling for others lately, my personal stash has gotten pretty full. I just need to wait for Master to play against me again, and I’ll achieve financial freedom in one go.’

’This Fairy will definitely win it all back!!’

Just then.

"DING—"

A message popped up in the notification bar.

[You have received a match invitation. Accept/Decline?]

Fresh off a win, Xiaobai snorted. Without a second thought, she tapped Accept.

[Match found!]

[Opponent has joined the match.]

A moment later.

The game began.

’How dare they challenge this Fairy?’

Xiaobai bared her teeth. "Watch this Fairy crush you till you cry!"

...

Quickly.

The match began. In this game, Xiaobai had always reigned supreme with her hand speed.

But her opponent’s hand speed was even faster. A single, silky-smooth combo was all it took to create a complete rout, leaving her fumbling in a panic.

Her fingers moved so fast they left afterimages.

But she just couldn’t keep up with the opponent’s speed!!

In no time.

Her screen went gray!

"Huh?"

Xiaobai stared, dumbfounded. Her foxy eyes went wide as she leaned closer to her phone screen, beginning to question her entire existence as a fox.

’I’m dead?’

’Just like that?’

’They got first blood on this Fairy just like that?!’

"How is that possible!"

Refusing to accept it, Xiaobai focused again, her killing intent flaring. The opponent had managed to get her riled up, and her fingers flew across the screen.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

But it was completely useless!

Her death notification popped up again and again.

She couldn’t even lay a finger on her opponent!

"This shouldn’t be happening..."

Xiaobai mumbled, completely crestfallen. She felt utterly crushed.

’This person isn’t human.’

’Unless my opponent is an Emperor Level Star Beast...’

’Or... a dog!’

Xiaobai looked towards the living room and suddenly discovered that Qin Yang, at some unknown time, had returned to the sofa, his phone screen lit up.

Unsurprisingly,

his screen showed the very game she had just played.

"Figured it out?"

When Qin Yang saw Xiaobai looking over, he said with a grin, "Looks like you’re not that great at this game, huh?"

As his voice fell.

Xiaobai looked as if she’d been struck by lightning.

The little fox was utterly dumbfounded.

"I give up!"

Xiaobai’s eyes turned red. Thinking back on what just happened, she let out a wail and started crying, burying her face in the sofa and pounding the floor in frustration.

In an instant, she understood everything!

’What Emperor Level Star Beast?!’

’This Fairy might not be human, but Qin Yang is a real dog!’

’And he was doing it with one freaking hand!’

’You bad master, are you trying to make this fox die of anger?!’

Just then.

DING-DONG—

The doorbell rang.

"Master, it’s me."

Li Qinghe’s voice came from outside.

"Go get the door, my little defeated fox."

Qin Yang swaggered over, waving his phone. "Let’s see if you feel like playing so much after this."

"Sob..."

Xiaobai’s eyes were red and she pouted, wanting to say something but ultimately giving up. She shuffled unwillingly to the door.

...

「Meanwhile, outside the door.」

Li Qinghe stood there holding a gift bag. Dressed in hip-hugging jeans, she had the look of a tomboy and was pondering how to begin the conversation.

’I’ve been preparing for this meeting for a long time.’

’I can’t afford to be careless in the slightest.’

CLICK.

At this moment, the door opened.

"Ma—??"

Li Qinghe started to speak, but the word died on her lips. She could only stare blankly at the figure who had opened the door: a little, white-haired loli with red, puffy eyes, as if she’d just been crying.