The little coal ball-like Stone Essence hopped out of the rock pile and began to look left and right.
It was now considering where to go.
This sleeping spot had been exposed; it needed to find a new place to sleep!
Otherwise, those two annoying guys from before would definitely come back to cause trouble for it.
“Ding ding. (But I’m so hungry, it hurts. Need ores… need spiritual energy.)”
“Ding ding. (Where can I find something to eat?)”
It knew it needed to find a place rich in spiritual energy and abundant with ores for a good meal, but its instinct also told it not to wander recklessly, or it would be very dangerous.
“Ding ding. (What should I do?)”
Just as the little Stone Essence was at its wit’s end, a figure slowly flew down and landed before it, much to the little creature’s confusion.
What struck it as strange was that it felt this person was different from the ones earlier. This one somehow inspired a feeling of complete trust.
“Hungry? Here, this is for you!”
Immediately after, the figure used spiritual power to gently float a few ores and a blob of spiritual liquid right in front of it.
“Ding ding. (Very hungry, it hurts so much! Thank you!)”
The little Stone Essence used its tiny, rock-formed hands to take the ores and spiritual liquid from Qi Ping, and began to eat, taking a bite of ore and then a sip of the liquid.
The hard ores were actually crunched crisply and crunchily in the little Stone Essence’s mouth, as if it were eating crispy crackers and drinking cola.
It felt like it hadn’t tasted anything so flavorful in perhaps a thousand years.
But just as the little Stone Essence was halfway through its delightful meal, its whole stony body suddenly froze.
Wait a minute…
Who is this person? Why am I eating his things?
And how can this person understand what I’m saying?!
“Ding ding. (Who are you? How can you understand me? Why are you giving me food?)”
“Eat first. I’ll tell you after you finish, so you’ll have the strength to fight if those people come back!”
Qi Ping looked at the little Stone Essence, which could even crunch through hard ores, and urged it to finish eating first.
He didn’t know if the little Stone Essence would be willing to become his animal companion, but he already had a good impression of it.
If the little Stone Essence wasn’t willing, helping it regain its strength and find a place to hide would also be good. That way, it could avoid being caught by other cultivators and forged into a life-bound treasure, its soul becoming an unwilling artifact spirit.
Even if it couldn’t be an animal companion, they could still be friends.
Moreover, the little Stone Essence still had several tracking marks left on it. Clearly, those three people from before definitely wouldn’t let it go.
After a bout of furious munching and crunching, the little Stone Essence finally finished all the spiritual liquid and ores Qi Ping had given it.
“Ding ding. (A bit fuller, feel much better!)”
After eating all that, the little Stone Essence finally felt a lot more comfortable.
“Ding ding. (Thank you so much! Why did you give me food?)”
“Because I want you to become my animal companion!” Qi Ping stated directly.
Talking with a simple-hearted little Stone Essence required no beating around the bush.
“Animal companion means friend, but it requires signing a contract. After we sign, we’ll be friends forever!”
“Ding ding. (Then I’m willing to be friends with you! Do you have a safe place to sleep?)”
If Qi Ping had a safe place, it could have a spot to sleep peacefully.
Sleeping for a few hundred or even thousand years at a stretch – there was nothing more wonderful than that for it.
“Of course I do!” Qi Ping answered affirmatively.
In the future, his territory would definitely become the safest super fortress.
“Ding ding. (Can we go now? I think those bad guys might come back!)”
Creatures like Stone Essences had keen perception and would instinctively avoid potential dangers like that.
“They’re already back!”
Qi Ping smiled helplessly. He had originally wanted to reach an agreement with the little Stone Essence quickly, erase the marks on it, and leave early. That way, they could avoid a risky battle.
Unfortunately, those three had recovered too fast. Before Qi Ping could erase the marks on the little Stone Essence, they had already arrived.
“Ding ding? (Huh?…)”
The moment the little Stone Essence turned its head at Qi Ping’s words, it saw the three figures who had tried to harm it earlier.
“Hey, kid? Who are you? This Stone Essence was ours first. I suggest you don’t bring trouble upon yourself!”
One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators among the three, sensing Qi Ping’s early Foundation Establishment aura and seeing his middle-aged appearance, tried to intimidate Qi Ping into backing off wisely.
[Correct version from 69 Book Bar! Read the original novel on 69 Book Bar First. 69 Book Bar]
However, before Qi Ping could respond, the young man among them spoke up:
“Uncle Seven, don’t let him leave. Let’s deal with him first. Otherwise, when we’re both worn out fighting the Stone Essence, this guy might just swoop in and reap the rewards!”
The one called Uncle Seven fell into thought upon hearing this. There was some logic to it.
But rashly attacking a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator of unknown depth was the last thing he wanted to do.
However, now that the words were out, he had no choice but to act. Moreover, in terms of status, the young man behind him outranked him.
On the other side, upon hearing this exchange, Qi Ping knew there was no room for communication. So, facing their questions, he lost all interest in replying.
He turned instead to the little Stone Essence beside him:
“In this situation, what do you think we should do?”
“Ding ding. (My instinct tells me I should find a way to kill these people, or they’ll cause a lot of trouble!)”
“Ding ding. (Besides, they already tried to harm me!)”
The little Stone Essence didn’t overthink it but answered with certainty.
“Good, you’re right to think that. Then let’s join forces and kill them!”
At this point, Qi Ping had no more hesitation. He had initially wanted to resolve things peacefully, but in the world of immortal cultivation, killing and conflict were always the main themes.
Since force was necessary, Qi Ping had no intention of holding back.
If a fight wasn’t necessary, it could be avoided. But if it was unavoidable, then the goal was to unleash full power and obliterate the enemy.
To be safe, before the battle, Qi Ping simulated combat scenarios and methods, actively triggering his Natural Perception. Sensing no danger, he felt reassured.
Meanwhile, the three on the other side were stunned by Qi Ping’s communication with the Stone Essence and its apparent content.
Qi Ping could actually talk to the Stone Essence? And it seemed they had even formed an alliance!
What on earth had happened in that short time?
But Qi Ping gave them no more time to think.
Caw! Caw!
Ground Armor Bee Swarm!
In an instant, Qi Ping summoned all of his Foundation Establishment combat power.
If he was going to kill, it would be a swift battle, then a quick departure from this place to avoid any unforeseen complications.
At the same moment, the little Stone Essence instantly absorbed the surrounding rocks, arming itself into a rocky monster.
Thanks to the spiritual liquid and ores Qi Ping had just provided, the little Stone Essence’s current state and aura were incomparably stronger than before!
