Chapter Sixty-Three: Just Give It a Try

While studying the mecha before her, she turned to Zhan Yu beside her and asked, "Have all my Morphing Grasses matured?"

"Yes," Zhan Yu replied, watching her intently.

Scenes like this played out between them nearly every day. Each evening, Xuan Xuan would log onto the starnet and head to her little base to pore over the books, mecha models, or other curious items that Zhan Yu brought her daily. Meanwhile, Zhan Yu would quietly practice his own abilities nearby, occasionally helping Xuan Xuan shape metal into whatever forms she desired.

There was a harmonious, tacit understanding between the two.

Xuan Xuan’s eyes lit up at his answer. She put down what she was holding and said, "Come on, let’s go gather them."

The phantom fox had been dozing by her side. Seeing its owner about to leave, it hurriedly leapt onto her shoulder. Xuan Xuan stroked the creature, noting how much heavier it had grown lately—she wondered if its abilities had increased as well.

She hoped the Morphing Grass wouldn’t go to waste; otherwise, this fox’s pelt would indeed make a lovely coat.

The phantom fox shivered on her shoulder, trying to please her by sweeping its fluffy tail across her face and nuzzling her affectionately.

Zhan Yu silently followed behind Xuan Xuan, as he always did. They were both long used to this routine.

Xuan Xuan glanced over the newly planted vegetation around them before making her way to the Morphing Grass patch. The phantom fox was beside itself with excitement—this was all its food, and there was so much more than before, and better quality too.

Xuan Xuan patted the fox, casually plucking a leaf and handing it to him. Perched on her shoulder, the fox grasped the leaf with its front paws and began to munch contentedly.

It could sense it was on the verge of another breakthrough.

Xuan Xuan regarded the Morphing Grass with a satisfied smile, her eyes narrowing in delight. Once she turned it all into morphing elixirs, she was certain there’d be more than enough to deal with her father.

It was sufficient.

She squatted down, collecting the grasses one by one, passing each to Zhan Yu, who deftly packed them into crystal boxes for her.

Watching Xuan Xuan bustling about, Zhan Yu couldn’t quite name the feeling in his heart—only that it was full, content, and joyful.

No matter how busy he became, every night he’d log onto the starnet, knowing she’d be here. It had become his habit, just as following behind her, helping with whatever she needed, had become second nature.

Even now, though he had never seen Xuan Xuan’s face, he could recognize her instantly from her eyes, her silhouette, or even just her hands. He remembered every part of her, every gesture and habit with perfect clarity.

One thing, though, always seemed odd to Wan Qi Lianhao: Xuan Xuan, like the little chubby girl from the Wan Qi family, was especially fond of meat.

He hadn’t seen that chubby girl in a while. Rumor had it she was now in the sixth grade, though her grades hovered perpetually around the passing mark. He wondered why everyone was in such a rush—after all, the girl was only seven.

Another stalk of Morphing Grass passed from Xuan Xuan’s hand to his. As Zhan Yu packed it away, he glanced to the side.

Moments later, a red figure swooped toward them. There was no need to look; Zhan Yu knew it was the flamboyant Kuang Shao.

His voice arrived before he did: "What are you two doing, stealing veggies?"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Zhan Yu’s brow. The vintage game "Happy Farm" had recently been re-released, and Kuang Shao was thoroughly obsessed with it.

Xuan Xuan had no idea what he meant and simply replied, somewhat dazed, "I grew these myself."

She always answered in earnest, no matter how ridiculous the comment, utterly unaware of her own naive charm.

Kuang Shao’s lips curled into a seductive smile, wasted on an audience that did not appreciate it.

"What’s this good stuff?" he asked, squatting beside Xuan Xuan and plucking a leaf without ceremony.

The phantom fox jumped from Xuan Xuan’s shoulder, ready to scratch Kuang Shao—this was its food, and only its master was allowed to pick it.

But Kuang Shao was alert and not about to let the fox have its way. He grabbed the scruff of the fox’s neck and tossed it back into Xuan Xuan’s arms.

She placed the fox back on her shoulder, ignoring its attempts at coaxing affection.

Realizing Xuan Xuan would not seek vengeance for it, the fox could only sulk, clutching its leaf and gnawing away in frustration.

Watching the interaction, Zhan Yu parted his lips as if to speak, but said nothing; a faint sense of unease pressed at his chest.

Kuang Shao had been showing up here often lately, for reasons unknown. Xuan Xuan assumed he was from Zhan Yu’s family and never turned him away—after all, he wasn’t particularly annoying, and still within the limits of her tolerance.

Kuang Shao himself couldn’t figure out who had leaked his whereabouts. The eldest daughter of the Bai family had been pestering him relentlessly, leaving him no free time at all.

Zhan Yu simply stepped forward and continued to collect the Morphing Grass Xuan Xuan handed him, his thoughts wandering: Perhaps Miss Bai had been busy lately.

It seemed necessary to spread a few more rumors. After all, Kuang Shao’s entanglements extended far beyond just Miss Bai.

Kuang Shao glanced at Zhan Yu, shivering slightly as if from an inexplicable chill.

"You still haven’t told me what this is," Kuang Shao pressed.

Xuan Xuan, without even looking up, replied as she continued to pick, "Morphing Grass."

"And what does it do?" Kuang Shao examined the leaf in his hand, unable to discern anything special. Still, having witnessed Xuan Xuan’s abilities firsthand, he dared not dismiss it outright.

"It’s good stuff," she said simply, refusing to elaborate further. She still remembered how Kuang Shao had dismissed her Morphing Grass as nothing special last time.

What good stuff? What does it do? Kuang Shao, naturally curious, circled around her, bombarding her with questions.

Driven to exasperation, Xuan Xuan finally said, "Just try it yourself."

Kuang Shao hesitated. He’d been tricked by Xuan Xuan and Zhan Yu more than once, starting with that detoxification potion. Though the girl before him always spoke truthfully, she never told the whole truth.

"Is it really edible?" he asked again, unconvinced.

Xuan Xuan pointed to the little creature on her shoulder.

Kuang Shao observed the phantom fox happily munching a leaf, beginning to doubt his own suspicions. Could it really be edible?

He packed the Morphing Grass away, unwilling to fall for their tricks.

Zhan Yu took the next stalk from Xuan Xuan and shook his head slightly at Kuang Shao’s cautiousness—what a pity.

When had Kuang Shao’s wits improved so much? Otherwise, he would have learned firsthand the effects of the Morphing Grass.

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From the 19th to the 24th, Douya will not be online, but there are plenty of scheduled chapters ready to go. If you have any questions, please leave a message in the comment section. Once I’m back on the 24th, I’ll read them carefully.

While Douya is away, please continue to support Alchemist and show Douya your love. On the first of next month, the book will be officially launched, so save your pink tickets and get ready to support Douya!

ps: I recommend a book by Xiaoran, "Apocalypse: Supporting Girl Becomes the Main Character." It’s very good!