"Alright, you're not fat, just robust!" Li Meirong kept giggling, only making Bai Qingyue all the more aggravated.

"Humph. Of course, I'm robust, every inch of my body is filled with rippling muscles!" The angry snow kit retorted back at her.

Meanwhile, Bai Qingyue's thoughts turned all the more devious as he began planning his revenge.

Eventually, we'll see who's going to end up with a round belly!

Little Snowball's cheeks puffed up in an obvious display of discontent. Li Meirong stopped her teasing and decided to drop the subject before Snowball's whole face turned into a balloon.

There was a certain type of satisfaction one felt when they were just about to reach their home and Li Meirong couldn't wait to rest her weary body, she felt utterly exhausted.

With Snowball in her arms, she returned to the stables only to discover that Cai Huise was long gone. Without the twin-tailed cat around, she opted to mount one of the available cranes instead, flying to the sect's bustling marketplace.

The sect's inhabitants lived in separation from the rest of the world, not only was it nearly impossible for non-cultivators to reach the sect grounds, the Forgotten Waters sect's inhabitants rarely left the sacred islands themselves, except for rare occasions such as when the Grandmasters ordained a mission upon disciples, or in search for certain cultivating materials such as herbs and special items...

Similarly to a religious faction, cultivators lived in seclusion.

Because of their solitary circumstances, the sect operated as though it was an independent city, filled with residences, transportation systems and education for those entitled and their likes. Here, one was qualified for better standards if they had a good foundation or a worthy attribute. Otherwise, the cultivator would more often than not be treated like a servant or in other words, an outer sect disciple. Deprived of almost all the bonuses that one would supposedly acquire from joining a sect, as Li Meirong did.

By now, having lived here for five years, Li Meirong had already grown used to the sect's system. In her opinion, even living in the "bottom status" of the sect was still pleasant in comparison to what other options were offered in this land. She was collecting herbs once, straying from her path without noticing and came upon a farmer's village, finding the living conditions of the peasants were horrendous. It wouldn't be out of place to say that every day was a struggle to survive for those who were not wealthy in this world.

Of course, as a cultivator, making a living would not be difficult in the secular world. Cultivators stood apart from the crowd and were almost worshipped by civilians for their prowess.

Still, it would be hard for a cultivator to grow stronger after returning to civilization.

Li Meirong and Snowball reached the crowded market. It was filled with stands, beauty parlours, restaurants, inns and even brothels. The place really did seem like an ancient trader square.

The differences were more apparent upon a closer inspection. For example, a pet shop stand would sell low levelled magical Spirit Beasts and the restaurants would offer meals infused with spiritual essence. A jewellery shop may provide items that have grown a consciousness or had a soul residing inside.

Not to mention, the only accepted form of exchange was the trading of goods and services, or the highly sought-after crystal-like gems called Beast Cores.

Beast Cores were harvested from hunting magical beings such as spirits and demons, it was basically life essence extracted from a spiritual entity, containing their mystical powers.

Consuming Beast Cores was highly beneficial for cultivators and the higher the rank of the beast, the more essence provided by the core.

Li Meirong did not have a lot of Beast Cores in her possession except for a select few from the victims who fell prey to Chou's appetite, her usual way of obtaining goods was by trade. She exchanged fruits and herbs and received some other basic necessities like paper, wool and mutton.

Upon their arrival to a stand filled with medicinal herbs, Snowball's ears perked up as he curiously asked, "Why have we come here?"

Pinching her kit's button nose in a doting manner, Li Meirong said, "So I can buy herbal medicine for your bath!"

Snowball's fur didn't seem as dirty anymore, but she knew that his back was injured and getting tossed in the ashes of a volcano certainly wouldn't be good for his health. What if the wound got infected? The spirit infused herbal extract would benefit the condition of his little body.

Snowball's eyes glinted with what Li Meirong assumed was excitement at the prospect of getting pampered by her, his fluffy tail swished around in anticipation as he made a suggestion,

"Let's take a bath together!"