Chapter 26: The Outcome Is Decided

Bang!

Ye Feifan kicked open the wooden door. The pocket watch emitted a sharp "click," and the entire cultivation world was suddenly frozen in place.

The wind halted mid-air, ripples on the water ceased, and the men and women driving in the bedroom were all immobilized. The only one who could move was Ye Feifan.

The wooden door didn’t swing fully open; some force held it back. The ticking sound echoed in this frozen world—one tick representing a second, sixty ticks a minute.

Without hesitation, Ye Feifan dashed into the half-open outpost.

Inside, the floor was stained with blood, scattered chunks of flesh, and bone fragments, chilling the heart. The same gruesome dismemberment method as before was evident, yet there was nowhere nearby to hide.

Where was the monster?

Ye Feifan was stunned—there was no monster inside. What had happened? Had it fled?

The ticking continued.

Growing anxious, Ye Feifan turned to leave but was met with a ridiculous sight.

An orange tabby cat lay sprawled against the wall, legs stretched out, head cocked as if to see who had entered. One bloodied claw was raised above its head, ready to deliver a lethal strike.

Observing from the shadows?

An orange tabby?

Not only Ye Feifan was surprised—Zhang Qing, hiding inside the pocket watch, was equally shocked. The dangerous presence turned out to be a mere cat?

The ticking grew louder.

Time was running out!

Ye Feifan quickly ducked behind a table, hoisting it firmly before him.

Click!

The world resumed movement; ripples spread over the water as if no time had passed. Not a single person noticed they had lost a minute.

Bang! The wooden door slammed heavily against the wall. The orange tabby's fur bristled, preparing to attack.

A tense moment passed—no one entered. The room filled with a faint breath.

Without hesitation, the orange tabby sprang up, transforming into a golden blur as it pounced toward Ye Feifan.

Crack...

The wooden table shattered under the sharp claws, but Ye Feifan remained unharmed. His caution had saved his life.

“Can we talk?” Ye Feifan asked.

After failing to land the strike, the orange tabby executed a backward leap skill reminiscent of a graceful dodge from some game, retreating five or six meters. Its tail stood erect in classic feline attack mode.

“How did you get in here, kid?” the cat asked.

“Huh?” Ye Feifan was taken aback. The cat’s voice was soft and cute, much like a little sister from the orphanage he once played with. Gathering his thoughts, he smiled politely and said, “It’s an honor to meet you… Sovereign of the Sandbank.”

At the mention of “Sovereign of the Sandbank,” the cat’s tail twitched slightly as it squinted, appraising Ye Feifan.

“What do you want, human?”

“My team lacks members who appreciate beauty. Would you like to join me to explore the corners of the world?”

“What do you mean?” The cat’s narrowed eyes gleamed with cold menace.

“Do you like dried small fish?”

Just as the cat prepared to attack, its fur relaxed.

It seemed to be effective!

Ye Feifan inwardly rejoiced. When dealing with orange tabbies from Earth, one must exploit their gourmand nature. Judging by the cat’s voice, it was still young—a little girl easily coaxed.

“Actually, I’m a gourmet explorer,” Ye Feifan explained. “I travel the world seeking rare ingredients and craft the most delicious dishes with my own hands. Would you like to join my team?”

“To be honest, there are only two of us now. The others lack a sincere passion for food, so the team is small.” He added silently, “And dangerous,” but he kept that unspoken.

The orange tabby hesitated, clearly tempted.

“Trust me, our team will grow. Do you want to stay cooped up here in this dark, sunless hut forever?”

“I’ll think about it…”

“Oh, come on! Our team is the best in the cultivation world. Breakfast is dried small fish over rice; lunch is fried little fish coated in a batter mixed with dried fish powder and egg, frying to a fragrant golden aroma that drifts for miles. It’s my lifelong pursuit...” Ye Feifan’s eyes glowed with longing, though his other hand gripped his sword tightly, his body trembling with excitement.

He truly was a devoted foodie!

The orange tabby couldn’t help but lick her soft pink tongue over her lips. When was the last time she’d tasted fish?

The Drowning River was choked with weeds; the fish were polluted—none suited her palate. She’d been eating weeds and grudges directly. The first time she ate fish was before her parents died. She missed that flavor deeply…

Thinking of that taste, her eyes dimmed, and her mood sank.

Watching Ye Feifan’s boasting quietly, Zhang Qing inside the watch felt inexplicably vexed. The watch ticked its protest. He realized he’d fallen into Ye Feifan’s trap. This fellow wasn’t scared of ghosts at all—it was all an act, baiting him into a trap!

The little one’s mood was low, so Ye Feifan stopped talking. He noticed the cat’s aura was much like his own orphaned nature.

Pulling out a vial, Ye Feifan uncorked it and gazed quietly at the cat.

The small nose sniffed, and the cat’s golden eyes brightened. Within the black pupils was a golden vertical slit, radiating a terrifying magic that drew one’s soul in, almost entrancing.

Terrifying!

“Want a drop?” Ye Feifan offered the vial as the cat cautiously approached with feline grace, still wary.

Looking deeply into the cat’s eyes, Ye Feifan slowly crouched and held the vial to her mouth.

The cat carefully observed him, ensuring no attack was coming, then opened her mouth, allowing the liquid to fall inside.

After one drop, the cat shook her head, eyes glowing, seeming invigorated.

Ye Feifan put away the vial and stroked the cat’s head. The soft, silky fur felt like touching silk, instantly winning his heart. No wonder so many loved petting cats—no shampoo commercial could compare.

Though initially reluctant, the energy potion’s effect made her endure momentarily. For now, she’d find a steady food source and tolerate it.

Lifting the cat, Ye Feifan weighed her. So fragile and light. He sighed—she was too thin; he’d have to fatten her up. No fat cat was no cute cat. If she grew up thin, she’d lose her charm and become a “basket cat.” That would be a disaster.

Long live fat cats!

“From now on, you’ll be called Ju Hua Da Huang,” he declared.

The cat sneered, “That’s hideously ugly, foolish mortal!”

“How about some dried small fish?” he teased.

“Get lost!”

...

Click, crack…

Ye Feifan cradled the tabby while holding a tiny dried fish no larger than his pinky. The system rewarded one point per fish—a freshly caught little fish cleaned and sun-dried to lock in flavor. That single fish was enough to get the tabby to accept the name Da Huang for now.

Zhang Qing’s pocket watch proved invaluable. Securing an orange tabby was a huge gain. Elated, Ye Feifan gave Zhang Qing five or six drops of the energy potion. Zhang Qing explained it could improve the quality of grudges and warned to keep it secret.

With Zhang Qing in seclusion, the pocket watch would be unusable for a while. For now, the orange tabby served as his protector; the weeds and water spirits were no match for her. She must be at least a Ninth Tribulation realm or higher.

Tianzi City was no longer safe. Ye Feifan needed to find a respectable sect to join. With a powerful backing, he could return to investigate further.

The Liu family surely dared not openly oppose him. No low-level clan would provoke a sect—some of those reclusive old monsters would be unstoppable.

Dawn broke!

Side Quest [Tick, Tock]: The night streets hide many unseen things, especially the life-threatening ticking sound. Are you next? Tick, tock... Arrive at the Northern Star Tea Pavilion before midnight, uncover the truth, and survive till dawn. Quest complete: gained pet orange tabby cat, blood-stained pocket watch; ambushed and killed attackers; earned 500 points, a lottery ticket, and a newspaper.

The ranch, sealed due to godlike breeding, unlocked thanks to the pet orange tabby. Received breeding shed and grounds; pets can be housed there.

So lucky!

Ye Feifan was thrilled. The system’s sealed ranch was broken open by the orange tabby. Luck really was orange; she was truly his lucky star!

Pet: Orange Tabby (Ju Hua Da Huang).

Species: Spirit Cat.

Power: Third Tribulation Mortal Transformation Realm.

Traits: Soul Devourer, Dazed Claw, Bristling Instinct, Ju Hua Eye...

Description: A mutant descended from a time-traveling orange tabby. The time-traveling chubby tabby and native ghost cat fell in love, producing Da Huang—a cat inheriting two generations of fine bloodlines. She surprises people when least expected. Do you believe in luck?

Reading Da Huang’s profile, Ye Feifan understood everything. No wonder she escaped last time—she wasn’t a match for Zhang’s father. He had to admit her intelligence was almost childlike in sensing danger.

“You’ll stick with me from now on.” The cat lay on Ye Feifan’s shoulder, staring in surprise as his face shifted to another’s.

“From now on, I am Nicholas Swordbase.”

Ye Feifan left the Sandbank, knowing the Liu family would surely send someone to investigate.

At a nearby inn, he took a bath, changed into a military coat, and boldly left Tianzi City.

Spending a few silver coins, Ye Feifan learned from the waiter that the neighboring Wasteland was recruiting disciples. He planned to join a sect there, lay low for a while, and return later.

Just spending a month in the Wasteland would throw Tianzi City into chaos—deadly buses prowling on stormy nights, the vengeful waters of the Drowning River, and ghostly spirits unknown to him. He hoped to give those great families a massive shock.

Still among the forested hills outside Tianzi City, Ye Feifan was suddenly stopped.

By the Liu family’s waiter!

Seeing a dozen men in black, Ye Feifan realized his movements had likely been guessed by the Liu family’s staff, who had sent people to intercept him early. He had not come himself—probably sensing danger. The opponents were not diminished in intellect; they were cunning, high-IQ criminals.

“With no intelligence-lowering aura, the world feels loveless,” he muttered.

With Da Huang on his shoulder, Ye Feifan fearlessly drew his blood-stained long sword, facing the black-clad men.

[PS: Prosperity, Democracy, Civility, Harmony; Freedom, Equality, Justice, Rule of Law; Patriotism, Dedication, Integrity, Friendliness.]