Cultivation starts with picking up attributes-Chapter 63: Ch-: Happy Memoirs

The Southern Watchpoint was unusually peaceful. The crisp mountain air was filled with the familiar sounds of daily life—discreet chatter between disciples, the scrape of broom handles sweeping dirt, the clatter of pots as the cook prepared dinner.

It was a welcome contrast to the deadly tension that had shrouded the Spirit Beast Trial just days before.

Tian Shen and Feng Yin finally returned from the peaks, their clothes dusty and tattered but their spirits surprisingly light.

After all, they were alive—and more than that, they had survived one of the harshest trials anyone had been through in the sect recently.

As they passed through the gate of the watchpoint, a small, fluffy red ball jumped out of Tian Shen’s robes.

"Kyuuu~"

’Master! We’re finally back!’

Little Mei was a sight to behold.

A petite fox-like spirit beast no bigger than a child’s hand, with crimson fur that shimmered faintly in the afternoon sun and eyes sparkling with mischief.

Her tiny paws barely made a sound as she skittered up, weaving between Tian Shen’s legs before scrambling up Feng Yin’s arm.

Mei perched herself on Feng Yin’s shoulder and let out a soft, melodious cry:

"Kyuuu~!"

Feng Yin blinked, staring at the creature with raised eyesbrows, while looking at Tian Shen for answers.

"What... is this little thing saying? She always jumps out unexpectedly, anyways, she’s just so... small and cute."

"Kyuuu~"

’Hey, I Ain’t small.’

Little Mei purred in disapproval, but, as always the target is unaware.

Tian Shen crouched down to meet Mei’s gleaming eyes and smiled.

"That’s Mei, after all. She always likes to be playful and surprise us like this."

Feng Yin reached out a hand and gently stroked Mei’s soft fur. The little spirit beast purred in delight, her tail flicking playfully.

"Kyuu~"

’Just like that, little sister.’

"She’s adorable," Feng Yin said with a grin. "I’m guessing she’s liking this and praising me, her big sis, right?"

Tian Shen nodded awkwardly, rubbing Mei behind her ears.

Little Mei suddenly darted forward and brushed her nose lightly against Feng Yin’s cheek, releasing another affectionate.

"Kyuuu~!"

’I am the big sis here, understand?’

Feng Yin gasped, stepping back in surprise.

"Hey! What was that? Did she just... bite me?"

Tian Shen laughed nervously, shaking his head.

"N-no, no. T-that’s j-just her way of saying hello. M-mei’s just really fond of you already."

Mei responded with a little "Kyuuu~".

’Master’s right, little sister.’

And Then scampered behind Feng Yin, making playful pounces as if testing her little sister’s reflexes.

Feng Yin tried to gently shoo the tiny spirit away but Mei was relentless. She leapt onto Feng Yin’s lap and curled up comfortably, looking up at her with big sparkling eyes.

Tian Shen watched, amused and slightly relieved that Feng Yin doesn’t understand her.

Feng Yin narrowed her eyes, raising a brow at the little creature.

"I think she’s trying to claim me."

Mei gave a soft "Kyuuu~!" and wagged her fluffy tail as if to say, ’Definitely.’

The three quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm.

Tian Shen and Feng Yin shared stories of the trial as Mei listened intently, occasionally letting out soft cries that only Tian Shen could interpret.

At one point, Mei attempted to mimic Feng Yin’s talisman casting, fluttering her tiny paws in the air. Her efforts produced a flicker of blue fire that singed Feng Yin’s sleeve.

"Hey! Watch it!"

Feng Yin said, flicking at the small scorch mark.

Mei sat back proudly and chirped.

"Kyuuu~!"

"You’re lucky that you’re cute or else..."

Feng Yin said with a laugh, shaking her singed sleeve.

Tian Shen chuckled, brushing Mei’s fur softly.

"She’s a cuddling cutiepie, apparently."

The afternoon drifted into evening. As the sun lowered behind the distant peaks, Tian Shen, Feng Yin, and Mei settled beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient tree, sharing simple rations.

Little Mei snuggled against Tian Shen’s side and gave a contented "Kyuuu~!"

’Today’s just wonderful. I’m so full.’

Tian Shen smiled warmly, noticing a curious cat beside her, he cooed.

"She says she’s happy here. That she feels safe with us."

Feng Yin reached over and stroked Mei’s silken fur gently.

"Good. Because she’s stuck with us now."

Just as the moment settled into comfortable silence, Mei suddenly leapt up, chirping loudly: "Kyuuu! Kyuuu!"

Feng Yin looked startled.

"What now?"

Tian Shen grinned.

"Mei thinks you’re hiding some delicious food."

Mei’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she darted between Feng Yin’s feet, clearly determined to investigate further.

Feng Yin sighed, shaking her head in amusement.

"You’ve got a spy on me, Tian Shen."

The teasing continued well into the night. At one point, Mei staged a "theft," snatching a piece of dried meat from Feng Yin’s pack and darting around the campfire, yipping gleefully.

Feng Yin scrambled after her, trying to retrieve the stolen treat while Tian Shen laughed at the spectacle.

"Little thief," Feng Yin said, finally cornering Mei.

Mei dropped the meat and gave an innocent "Kyuuu~!", as if to say, "All in good fun."

Tian Shen smiled, pulling Feng Yin close as she caught her breath.

"She keeps us on our toes."

Feng Yin rested her head against Tian Shen’s shoulder.

"Yeah... I think I’m starting to enjoy the chaos."

...

Morning.

The next morning, the trio awoke to the soft chirping of birds and a light breeze teasing the treetops.

Tian Shen stretched, feeling the ache in his muscles from the previous days’ trial slowly fading.

Feng Yin was already up, packing away their gear with practiced efficiency.

Mei scampered around them, inspecting everything with great curiosity.

"Mei’s got quite the personality," Feng Yin remarked, watching the spirit beast hop excitedly.

"She’s stubborn as a mule," Tian Shen replied with a grin. "But loyal as a dog."

Little Mei inwardly: i am a fox, neither a mule nor a dog.

Suddenly, Mei let out a sharp "Kyuuuu~!" and darted toward Feng Yin’s waist pouch.

Feng Yin turned just in time to see Mei swiping a small scroll from her bag.

"Hey! That’s important!"

Feng Yin exclaimed, lunging forward.

Mei scurried away, darting under a nearby table. Feng Yin pursued, but suddenly stopped as she saw Mei sitting peacefully, unrolling the scroll with her tiny paws.

Tian Shen’s laughter rang out.

"Looks like Mei wants to read your notes."

Feng Yin gave a wry smile.

"Or she wants to mess with me."

Mei looked up, blinking her golden eyes as if to say, "Maybe both."

The lightheartedness carried through their morning as the three shared jokes and stories.

Feng Yin revealed some of her past training mishaps, much to Tian Shen’s amusement.

"You should have seen her attempt to summon a fire talisman," Tian Shen teased. "It ended with her singeing her own eyebrows off."

Feng Yin shot him a playful glare.

"That was just my first time."

Mei let out a delighted "Kyuuu~!" as if laughing along.

Later that afternoon, Tian Shen and Feng Yin found themselves alone, walking along a quiet riverbank beneath swaying willows.

The gentle sound of water over stones and the warm sunlight filtering through leaves created a perfect moment.

Tian Shen glanced at Feng Yin, heart swelling with something he rarely admitted out loud.

"You know," he began, voice low and a bit shy, "after everything... I’m glad we made it back together."

Feng Yin smiled, her eyes meeting his.

"Me too. It feels like... we survived more than just the trial."

He laughed softly.

"You always have a way with words."

She nudged him playfully.

"Only because I have to keep up with your poetic side."

Tian Shen’s fingers brushed hers, and for a moment, time seemed to still.

Suddenly, Mei sprang out from behind a tree with an excited "Kyuuu! Kyuuu!", breaking their moment with a bounce and a small pounce on Tian Shen’s feet.

Feng Yin laughed.

"Looks like someone’s got stage fright."

Tian Shen grinned, scooping Little Mei up.

"Or maybe she just can’t stand to be left out."

As the days passed, their quiet life at the watchpoint blossomed with laughter and small adventures.

Little Mei’s mischievous antics continued to test Feng Yin’s patience in the most endearing ways, from hiding shoes to ’borrowing’ food.

One afternoon, Feng Yin sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully teaching Mei a new talisman technique.

The little spirit beast’s paws twitched in concentration, her ears perked.

After several failed attempts, Mei finally produced a small, flickering flame that danced on her tiny paw.

"See? Even a spirit beast can be taught."

Feng Yin said proudly.

Tian Shen smiled, watching from the doorway.

"I think Mei’s your best student."

Mei let out a triumphant "Kyuuu~!", before promptly sneezing out a tiny burst of smoke that made Feng Yin cough.

"Okay, maybe not the best yet."

She said.

The room filled with laughter, the sound as warm as the afternoon sun.

That evening, as the stars scattered across the sky, Tian Shen and Feng Yin sat by the campfire, Mei curled up in Tian Shen’s lap.

Feng Yin rested her head on his shoulder, content.

"You know," she whispered, "this... this quiet. It’s the kind of peace I want to fight for."

Tian Shen nodded. "Me too."

Mei gave a soft, satisfied "Kyuuu~", as if sealing their promise.

Together, the three watched the flames flicker and dance, hearts quietly entwined—ready for whatever the future held.