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Chapter 32: My Body Says No
Chapter 32: My Body Says No
Lu Chen handed over thirty-two spirit stones to the stall owner and received from him a Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub with verdant green irises.
To prevent the cub from running away, the owner also gave Lu Chen a black rope to tie around the lynx's neck.
Holding one end of the rope in one hand and gently cradling the lynx in the other, Lu Chen left the market.
Before heading home, he made a special trip to the shop where he had bought the Red-Whiskered Carp.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub was covered in wounds and needed treatment. Fortunately, this shop specialized in selling various spirit pets and also carried healing medicines for spiritual beasts.
He purchased a small vial of ointment and returned to his courtyard with the lynx.
"Now, now, don't move. I'll untie the rope." Lu Chen gently soothed the lynx while loosening the black rope around its neck.
"From now on, this will be your home. Remember to be well-behaved and don't wander off, or else those bad people with ill intentions might catch you." Lu Chen tried to intimidate the lynx, but it only stared at him with its round, emerald green eyes, its gaze cold and detached as it surveyed its new surroundings.
Seeing that the lynx was relatively well-behaved, Lu Chen felt slightly relieved. He focused his spiritual senses on the lynx's sleek black fur.
A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Green-Eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx, a first-grade demon beast. Feeds on demon fowl eggs, demon beast meat, and the like.
Possesses heterochromatic eyes, capable of seeing things that are normally difficult to perceive and even discerning illusions from reality, exposing true natures."
"It truly is an unusual demon beast. Those heterochromatic eyes seem rather special." Lu Chen clicked his tongue in admiration.
Demon beasts were typically restricted by their bloodlines, and it was rare for them to surpass their inherent grade. However, this did not apply to the occasional unusual demon beasts.
These beasts possessed an extra touch of the divine, increasing their chances of breaking free from the limitations of their bloodline.
"I am a lynx from the north, wandering the boundless wilderness, battered and bruised yet still relishing in solitude. Ahhh~"
This was the current state of the Green-Eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx.
Seeing the lynx's proud demeanor despite its injuries, Lu Chen felt a pang of sympathy.
"Come now, let's apply this medicine." He gently pressed down on the lynx's head, holding it steady between his legs as he took some ointment and carefully applied it to the lynx's wounds.
Soon, the once sleek black body of the Cloud-Stepping Lynx was covered in patches of ointment, making it look rather less attractive.
"There, try not to move around too much for the next few days. We don't want to disturb the formation of the scars. After a couple more applications of this ointment, you should be mostly healed." The Green-Eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx continued to gaze at Lu Chen with cold indifference.
"Come now, let me give you a good scratch." Sensing the lynx's loneliness through their spiritual connection, Lu Chen felt the urge to give the big cat a good petting.
He beckoned to the lynx, but it only twitched its short tail, unmoved.
"Hey now, who's being disobedient?" Lu Chen reached out, pulled the lynx into his embrace, and began stroking its head. He playfully tugged on the tufts of grayish-white fur on the lynx's pointed ears.
"Awoo..."
As he focused his spiritual senses on the lynx, Lu Chen could have sworn he heard a pleased purr.
He lowered his head, meeting the lynx's emotionless green eyes, and wondered if he had imagined that thought.
Lu Chen couldn't help but chuckle softly. He went into the kitchen, cut off a piece of dried Spinefish meat, tore it into thin strips, and placed them before the Green-Eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx.
"Do you like it?" Lu Chen asked softly.
The lynx with the emerald eyes continued to eat the Thornback Pork on the ground nonchalantly, as if merely satisfying its hunger.
However, Lu Chen noticed its slightly retracted paws, the round, widened green irises, and the erect tufts of fur on its pointed ears.
He focused his spiritual senses on the lynx.
"Awoo... Who knows? Today I got to eat something called Thornback Pork, a real treat for a lynx."
"Hahaha!"
Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh. He felt like he was finally seeing the true nature of this Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub.
On the surface, it seemed aloof and cold, but in reality, it craved warmth and affection, hiding these desires deep within. If not for Lu Chen's ability to sense the immediate state of spirit plants and beasts, he might never have discovered this aspect of its personality.
"Your body may say no, but your heart is very honest!"
A smile tugged at Lu Chen's lips as he reached out and stroked the lynx's head, despite its feeble attempts to resist.
After the lynx with emerald eyes had its fill, Lu Chen went to the spirit field and scooped a bowl of spirit spring water.
The lynx sniffed the water with its tiny pink nose and extended its soft tongue to lap at the spring water gently.
Once it was full and content, Lu Chen carried it back to the spirit field.
"These are the spirit plants I cultivate. Each one is very important, so you must be careful not to harm them when you're playing in the yard, or else I won't let you off easily."
"Also, stay away from the Three-tailed Red-whiskered Carp in the spirit spring. If I find one missing, you'll be the first one I'll question."
The lynx with emerald eyes looked around the courtyard, its head unmoving.
Lu Chen knew that its true thoughts were different from what its expression suggested. He brought the lynx back into the house.
Leaving the Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub to rest, Lu Chen went out to the spirit field alone. He inspected each spirit plant, tending to their every subtle need.
He then took out a handful of spirit rice and scattered it into the spirit spring for the carp to eat. Only after they had finished their meal did he return home.
By then, it was dusk.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw the Cloud-Stepping Lynx's pair of emerald irises staring at him. Upon noticing Lu Chen, the lynx subtly shifted its gaze away and moved to the side.
"Come, sleep in my bed."
After cultivating for a few cycles and freshening up, Lu Chen prepared to turn in for the night.
He gestured to the curled-up lynx, sensing the loneliness and solitude within it, and patted the other side of the wooden bed, inviting it to join him.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub closed its eyes, unmoving.
Lu Chen could only let it be.
He blew out the candle, lay down, and closed his eyes to rest.
After a while, Lu Chen opened his eyes and found himself staring into the lynx's pair of shiny green eyes.
"This little guy seems to be a nocturnal beast. I hope it doesn't get more energetic as the night goes on."
Lu Chen muttered, got up, and picked up the lynx, ignoring its struggling body, and placed it on the empty spot on the bed.
"Behave, and get some rest!"
He instructed, then closed his eyes.
Soon, Lu Chen's breathing evened out, becoming deep and steady.
The lynx with emerald eyes felt the warmth emanating from Lu Chen's body. Its green eyes glanced at Lu Chen's profile, and its short, stubby tail flicked before it closed its eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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