Lu Xuan handed thirty-two spirit stones to the stall owner and received a cloud-stepping lynx cub with emerald pupils from him.
To prevent the cub from escaping, the stall owner also gave Lu Xuan a black rope, which he tied around the lynx's neck.
With one hand holding the rope and the other gently cradling the lynx, Lu Xuan left the marketplace.
Before heading home, he made a special stop at a shop selling red-whiskered carps.
The lynx cub was covered in wounds, needing treatment. The shop not only sold various spiritual pets but also offered healing medicine for such creatures.
He bought a small bottle of ointment and took the lynx back to his courtyard.
"Be good, don't move. I'll untie the rope now."
While soothing the lynx cub with gentle words, Lu Xuan untied the black rope.
"This will be your home from now on. Remember to behave and not wander off. Otherwise, those with ill intentions might capture you."
Lu Xuan warned the lynx cub, whose emerald eyes widened, glancing coldly at Lu Xuan before surveying the surroundings within the house.
Seeing the lynx cub relatively obedient, Lu Xuan relaxed a bit, focusing his attention on its dark fur.
A thought flashed through his mind.
"The emerald-eyed cloud-stepping lynx, a first-class monster, feeds on monster bird eggs and monster meat.
Possessing unique eyesight, capable of seeing things that are usually imperceptible and even piercing through illusions to perceive true nature."
"Truly an extraordinary monster. Those unique eyes seem to hold something special."
Lu Xuan remarked with a click of his tongue.
Due to bloodline constraints, monsters generally find it difficult to break through their innate rank. However, occasional exceptions exist among extraordinary monsters like this one, possessing more mystical qualities and a higher chance of transcending bloodline limitations.
"I am a lynx from the north, wandering in the vast wilderness, covered in wounds, yet still relishing solitude. Aow~"
This was the immediate state of the emerald-eyed cloud-stepping lynx.
Observing the lynx, Lu Xuan felt a pang of pity seeing its proud demeanor despite its numerous wounds.
"Here, let's apply this ointment."
He gently pressed the lynx's head down, securing it with his leg, and applied some of the ointment to its injured areas.
In no time, patches of ointment resembling bandages covered the lynx's previously sleek black fur, slightly diminishing its appearance.
"There, for the next few days, don't move too much to allow the scars to heal properly. After applying this ointment a couple more times, you'll be mostly healed."
The emerald-eyed cloud-stepping lynx continued to stare coldly at Lu Xuan.
"Come here, let me pet you."
Sensing the loneliness within the lynx from its immediate state, Lu Xuan felt an urge to comfort the large feline.
He beckoned to the lynx, but it remained unmoved.
"Oh, not listening, are we?"
Lu Xuan reached out, scooped it up, and stroked its head, tugging at the two tufts of gray-white fur on its pointed ears.
"Aow~"
As his focus centered on the lynx, Lu Xuan seemed to hear a contented low growl.
Lowering his head, he met the lynx's emotionless emerald pupils, realizing that the notion had been merely his own illusion.
Unable to resist, Lu Xuan chuckled softly, went to the kitchen, and sliced a piece of dried pufferfish, tearing it into small pieces before offering them to the lynx.
"Enjoy some pufferfish. I usually don't eat it myself."
The emerald-eyed lynx first ignored the dried pufferfish strips on the ground, then, as if stepping on four tiny clouds, elegantly walked over and delicately nibbled on the fish.
"Is it tasty?"
Lu Xuan asked softly.
While the lynx consumed the pufferfish calmly, as if merely satisfying hunger, Lu Xuan noticed its slightly curled paws, its widened emerald eyes, and its upright ear fur.
Focused on the lynx, Lu Xuan remarked, "Aow~ Who knew? Tried some pufferfish today, quite the lynx delicacy."
"Hahaha!"
Unable to contain himself, Lu Xuan laughed. He had come to understand the lynx cub before him.
Outwardly aloof and proud, it secretly yearned for warmth and care, concealing these feelings deep within. Without his ability to perceive the immediate states of spiritual plants and beasts, it might have been challenging to uncover this trait.
"It refuses physically but is honest deep inside!"
With a smile on his lips, Lu Xuan, despite the lynx cub's resistance, patted its head.
Once the lynx had eaten enough, Lu Xuan went to the spiritual field, scooped a bowl of spiritual spring water.
The lynx cub sniffed the spiritual spring water with its small nose, extended its delicate tongue, and lightly licked the water.
Satisfied with its meal and drink, Lu Xuan carried it back to the spiritual field.
"These are the spiritual plants I cultivate, each one extremely important. When playing in the courtyard, don't harm them. If you touch the three-tailed red-whiskered carp in the spiritual spring, I'll hold you accountable."
The lynx cub surveyed the surroundings, its head motionless.
Lu Xuan sensed that its true thoughts were different from its exterior and brought it back inside.
After settling the lynx cub to rest in the house, Lu Xuan went alone to the spiritual field, checking and meeting every small need of the spiritual plants.
He sprinkled a handful of spiritual rice into the spiritual spring pool. After the red-whiskered carps had finished eating, he returned home.
It was dusk by now.
As soon as he entered, he noticed the lynx cub's emerald eyes fixed on him. Upon seeing Lu Xuan, it nonchalantly shifted away.
"Come, sleep in my bed."
Lu Xuan had completed several cycles of practice and, after freshening up, intended to rest.
Sensing the loneliness and coldness within the lynx cub, Lu Xuan tapped the side of the wooden bed, signaling it to jump up.
The lynx cub closed its eyes, unmoved.
Left with no choice, Lu Xuan proceeded to bed alone.
After a while, he opened his eyes and saw the lynx cub's shiny green eyes staring at him.
"Does this fellow become more active at night? Perhaps it's a nocturnal monster?"
Muttering to himself, Lu Xuan got up, lifted the uninjured part of the cub, despite its struggles, and placed it in the empty space beside the wooden bed.
"Behave, rest quickly!"
He instructed and closed his eyes.
In no time, Lu Xuan's breathing grew steady and strong.
The lynx cub felt the warmth emanating from beside it. Glancing at Lu Xuan's profile, it shook its short, thick tail and gently closed its emerald eyes.
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