The Long Journey to Immortality

The tanuki demon, trapped in the net for several days, was terrified by this turn of events and struggled within the net.

However, the demon-catching net, specifically designed to deal with weak monsters like the raccoon dog demon, did not give them a chance to break free and escape.

The built-in restriction on the Demon-Catching Website has a paralyzing effect. Simply covering these raccoon demons with it is enough to bewitch them, leaving them listless and dizzy in the blink of an eye.

Han Lu and Zhan Yujun, who had been planning this for a long time, came to the tree hole the moment they successfully captured the five captured raccoon demons and chanted incantations in an attempt to tame them.

It's just an ordinary tanuki demon; taming it and making it recognize you as its master using magic is quite simple.

In the blink of an eye, three raccoon demons became Han Lu's beasts, while the other two became Zhan Yujun's pets.

At this point, all the raccoon demons except for the sick cat hiding in the tree hole were captured.

"Great!" Zhan Yujun looked at the several tanuki demons staring at her with wide, dazed eyes in the net and laughed. "What a great harvest! I didn't expect it to go so smoothly. It seems that the cat toy I prepared in advance can only be used as a free gift in the bundled sale. I'll give it away when I sell the cats."

"Let's go, let's hurry back. Maybe we can sell all these raccoon demons before dinner," Zhan Yujun said, grabbing the net and pointing to the fattest, biggest, and cutest raccoon demon among them. "How about this one for your senior sister?"

“Okay,” Han Lu naturally had no objection to this arrangement, but her gaze remained fixed on the tree hole as she asked, “There’s one more, aren’t we going to catch it?”

“It’s just a sick cat, forget it,” Zhan Yujun said, not wanting to waste her time on a cat that wouldn’t fetch a good price. She joked, “Let’s go. Maybe he’ll find another female cat next time, and we can catch another litter.”

“But I do like that cat,” Han Lu said, having her own ideas. “Zhan Yujun, give me the cat toy, I’ll go catch it and keep it as my own.”

Hearing that Han Lu wanted to raise the sick cat herself, Zhan Yuyun didn't understand, but still took a homemade cat toy from her storage bag and gave it to Han Lu, saying, "Take it."

"You don't have to pay for this cat after you catch it. Consider it a gift from me, as I'm giving it away as my share."

Zhan Yujun was generous with this small amount of money.

Taking the cat toy, Han Lu casually flicked it twice before bending down and entering the tree hole.

Inside the tree hollow, the sick cat seemed oblivious to everything outside, still looking sickly, its thin body lying flat on the pile of weeds.

"Meow, meow."

Han Lu waved the cat toy, imitating a cat's meow, and approached it.

To everyone's surprise, this sick cat wouldn't take the same tricks that are used on cats. It remained listless, only slightly raising its head to glance at Han Lu.

"Is this raccoon demon already terminally ill?"

Thinking this way, Han Lu still did not give up on subduing this raccoon demon that she had unexpectedly come to take notice of.

Han Lu muttered to herself, "It shouldn't take too much trouble to tame a sick cat, right?"

Temporarily putting away the cat toy, Han Lu recited the incantation used to subdue low-level demonic beasts.

Strands of spiritual energy were drawn from the spiritual veins, forming a light blue, rope-like object that was looped around the sick cat.

Even so, the sick cat didn't give Han Lu any special reaction.

The light blue rope gradually solidified, firmly binding the sickly raccoon demon.

After the incantation was finished, the rope disappeared, and Han Lu could clearly feel that the sick cat in front of her had a new connection with her.

"Get up, come on, come home with me."

After saying this, the raccoon demon, who had been lying on the pile of weeds, slowly got up and obediently snuggled into Han Lu's arms.

Touching the dry, short fur on the raccoon demon's body, Han Lu could feel the small, thin body trembling slightly beneath the fur.

Han Lu sighed, "Well, you'll have to come with me from now on."

Holding the cat, Han Lu crawled out of the tree hole.

"Resolved?" Zhan Yujun's gaze lingered on the cat in Han Lu's arms for only a moment before she continued, "Let's go back."

The two of them put the cats caught in the net into their respective spirit beast bags according to their master-servant relationship.

"Do you want to put your sick cat in there?"

"Never mind," Han Lu said, looking down at the sick cat that was already asleep in her arms. "I'll hold it; it's not heavy."

“Alright,” Zhan Yujun hung both spirit beast pouches on her waist, tossed a portion of dry rations to Han Lu, and said, “Eat your meal and then go back.”

When they returned to the sect, it was only early afternoon.

The fattest and cutest tanuki demon was handed over to Han Lu, and together with the tanuki demon that now had another name, "A Xiao," Han Lu led it back to her courtyard.

"I'll come find you after I sell the cat, and I'll give you the spirit stones." As they parted, Zhan Yuyun was still emphasizing the matter of splitting the money.

Han Lu wasn't in a hurry. She teased A Xiao, who had just woken up, and said, "It's okay. I trust you. Just give me the spirit stones when we meet again after you sell the cat. There's no need to make a special trip."

"However, my senior sister probably won't come to ask me for the cat until tomorrow, so my share of the money won't arrive until the day after tomorrow at the earliest."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Yujun hummed in agreement, assuming that Han Lu was not as lacking in spirit stones as she was. She accepted Han Lu's trust and hurriedly left with her spirit beast pouch.

Returning to the courtyard with the cat, Han Lu looked at the emaciated A Xiao and muttered to herself, "Should I take it to see a vet?"

[Author's Note] I got a new phone and I feel great; I'm much happier now.

Chapter 55 Medical Visit, Senior Sister Comes to the Door

Does the Zhengyi Sect have veterinarians who specialize in treating spirit beasts and demon beasts? The answer is yes.

These veterinarians were not hired by the official Zhengyi Sect organization, but rather were disciples who saw a business opportunity and were skilled in caring for and healing spirit beasts and monsters. They took on the role voluntarily and eventually organized themselves into a commercial organization.

Named "Imperial Veterinary Clinic," it is located in a small courtyard within the Five Elements Mountain Academy. As long as the disciples of the Zhengyi Sect are willing to pay spirit stones and contribution points, they can have their injured spirit beasts and demon beasts treated there.

Weak monsters like the Tanuki Demon are prone to contracting diseases, and it's common for spirit beasts and monsters to get injured during battles. Therefore, the Imperial Veterinary Office is one of the more bustling places in the Zhengyi Sect.

Although the veterinarians at the "Imperial Veterinary Institute" varied in skill level and were not all miracle doctors who could cure any disease, Han Lu felt that it shouldn't be too difficult to completely cure the sickly A Xiao.

Holding Ah Xiao and stroking his dry, stiff fur, Han Lu prayed, "I hope it's not some kind of rare disease."

Although Han Lu immediately took a liking to A Xiao, the sickly raccoon demon, she knew that if she couldn't cure him and they were destined to part ways soon, she wouldn't waste any more time and emotion on this passerby.

After temporarily settling the fat raccoon demon in her small courtyard, Han Lu didn't dawdle and immediately carried A Xiao towards the Five Elements Mountain Courtyard.

After walking for nearly half an hour, Han Lu finally arrived at a large courtyard using her lightness spell and her own legs.

Looking at the four characters "Imperial Veterinary Institute" written in bold strokes by a Golden Core cultivator from the Zhengyi Sect on the gate.

This nameplate was obtained by a "veterinarian" in the Imperial Veterinary Hospital who, with his superb medical skills, saved the spirit beast of a Golden Core Elder.

After glancing at the doorplate and then at the fellow cultivators selling spirit beasts and demon beasts outside the courtyard, Han Lu was finally certain that she had come to the right place.

In the past, Feng Bailu preferred to rely on his spirit sword for combat. He didn't have many spirit stones in his pocket, so he never owned any spirit beasts or demon beasts, and he had never been to the Imperial Veterinary Hospital. He had only heard about the place from his fellow disciples.

Because this place has some connection with spirit beasts and demon beasts, it is also regarded by some disciples of the Zhengyi Sect as a good place for spirit beast trading.

Just like selling cats and dogs in the mortal world, low-level spirit beasts and demon beasts may also have some undetectable hidden ailments. Selling them here allows you to ask a veterinarian to help examine them and resolve any potential problems.

Upon entering the courtyard, Han Lu was somewhat startled by the scene inside.

The small courtyard was filled with cages of all sizes. Many injured demons and spirits had been entrusted by their owners to the Imperial Veterinary Hospital for temporary safekeeping and treatment.

The cries of various mythical beasts and monsters echoed throughout the courtyard.

In front of several cages, veterinarians from the Imperial Veterinary Hospital were busy relieving the pain of the injured spirit pets.

Carrying A-Xiao into the house, Han Lu found a veterinarian to examine her, briefly explained A-Xiao's symptoms and problems, and paid five contribution points as a consultation fee.

Following this, the veterinarian performed a simple diagnosis on Xiao before handing Han Lu a number plate with the number "6" on it.

Room number three.

This first veterinarian was essentially a general practitioner, helping with the initial diagnosis.

Once a general assessment is made, the treatment will be sent to a veterinarian who specializes in treating that type of monster, depending on the type of monster being treated.

Following her number, Han Lu entered room number three. Ahead of her, a Foundation Establishment stage female cultivator was leading a raccoon demon there for a consultation and treatment.

The female cultivator's raccoon demon wasn't seriously ill, so Han Lu waited patiently for a while before it was her turn.

After giving A-Xiao a mental command to lie still, Han Lu handed A-Xiao over to the veterinarian.

The veterinarian first used the "observation" method, briefly examining A-Xiao's eyes, paws, and abdomen before placing his hand on A-Xiao's body, releasing spiritual power, and performing a technique for detection and examination.

After a moment, the veterinarian came to a conclusion.

"There's nothing seriously wrong with him, he's just lost weight from starvation."

Han Lu blinked, somewhat disbelieving. "Senior brother, could you say it again? I didn't hear you clearly."

"There's nothing seriously wrong with it, it's just gotten thin from hunger," the veterinarian said seriously. "You must have just caught this raccoon demon, right?"

Han Lu nodded.

“It’s only two months old,” the veterinarian analyzed. “It has a naturally large appetite and is one of the more difficult to raise in the wild.”

"It just so happens that many fellow disciples have been heading to the Zhengyi Mountain Range these past two months because of the spirit stones."

"Naturally, the environment for these monsters to forage for food deteriorated, and the same was true for the raccoon demon."

"He has a big appetite but eats little, which is why he was born thin and small."

“I’ve taken your consultation fee, so I can’t just give you a few words and send you away,” the doctor said, picking up a pen and writing as he did so. “Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll prescribe some tonics for it, and you can give it more food and water. It should recover in about two weeks.”

Han Lu took the prescription, thanked the veterinarian, picked up A Xiao, and went to get the medicine.

These tonics are just ordinary medicinal herbs, not worth more than 5 contribution points, and are considered a gift to Han Lu.

Although the outcome of being starved to death left Han Lu with a feeling of both laughter and tears, being free from illness and disaster was ultimately a good thing.

After having dinner with A-Xiao, Han Lu fed A-Xiao the tonic that the veterinarian had given her.

Perhaps because she was full, Xiao was much more lively than when Han Lu had caught her.

After playing around with the cat and the person for a while, Han Lu felt her mind clear and her mood much better.

A clear and tranquil mind is naturally very beneficial to spiritual practice.

Overnight, Han Lu felt that the spiritual energy channels opened up two points faster than usual, and the circulation of spiritual energy was also smoother.

"No wonder some people say that raising a raccoon demon can increase the speed of cultivation. So that's the reason."

Feeling the comfort of having A-Xiao by her side, Han Lu grew even more fond of this not-so-cute raccoon demon.

As for the other raccoon demon who was destined to be sent away, it was given the cold shoulder by Han Lu.

Apart from having a place to eat and sleep, life there wasn't much different from when we were in the wild.

After her intensive cultivation the next day, Han Lu rushed home to pet her cat, only to find a female cultivator already waiting for her at the gate of her courtyard.

This female cultivator wore a hairstyle favored by married women, the Flying Immortal Bun. While her looks couldn't compare to Wen Erya and Han Lu, she was still considered pretty. Her figure, naturally, was much better than Han Lu's and Wen Erya's due to her age.