After hopping out from the pile of rubble, the coal-like Stone Spirit looked around in confusion. It was considering where to go. Since its sleeping spot had been exposed, it had to find a new place to rest. Otherwise, those two annoying fellows would surely return to trouble it.
"Ding! Ding! (But I'm so hungry... it hurts... need minerals... need spiritual energy...)"
"Ding! Ding! (Where can I find something to eat?)"
It knew it needed a place rich in spiritual energy and minerals to have a full meal, but its instincts told it not to wander aimlessly, as it would be dangerous.
"Ding! Ding! (What should I do?)"
Just as the little spirit was at a loss, a figure slowly flew down before its confused gaze. What surprised the Stone Spirit was that this person felt different from the ones before. It felt a strange sense of deep trust toward him.
"Are you hungry? Take this."
The figure used spiritual energy to wrap several ores and a glob of Spirit Liquid, sending them toward the spirit.
"Ding! Ding! (So hungry... it hurts! Thank you!)"
The little Stone Spirit used its small stone hands to take the ores and liquid. It began to eat, alternating between a bite of ore and a sip of liquid. The hard ores were crushed in its mouth with a satisfying crunch, as if it were eating crispy snacks with a cold drink. It felt as if it hadn't tasted anything so flavorful in a thousand years.
However, halfway through its meal, the spirit suddenly froze.
Wait! Who is this person? Why am I eating his food? And how can he understand what I'm saying?
"Ding! Ding! (Who are you? How can you understand me? Why are you giving me food?)"
"Eat first. I'll tell you once you're done. We don't want you to have no strength left to fight if those people return."
Qi Ping watched as the little spirit crunched through the hard minerals and told it to finish its meal. He didn't know if the Stone Spirit would be willing to become his Animal Companion, but he had a good impression of it. If it refused, he would still help it recover and find a place to hide. He didn't want to see it captured and refined into a treasure, its soul becoming a bound artifact spirit. Even if they couldn't be companions, they could be friends.
Moreover, several tracking imprints had been left on the Stone Spirit. The trio clearly had no intention of letting it go.
After a frantic feast, the little spirit finally finished the liquid and ores.
"Ding! Ding! (Fuller now... feels much better!)"
Having finished the food, it finally felt comfortable.
"Ding! Ding! (Thank you so much! Why did you give me food?)"
"Because I want you to be my Animal Companion," Qi Ping replied directly.
When talking to a simple-minded Stone Spirit, there was no need for complex games.
"An Animal Companion is like a friend, but we sign a covenant. Once signed, we are friends forever."
"Ding! Ding! (Then I'm willing to be your friend! Do you have a safe place to sleep?)"
If Qi Ping had a safe place, it could sleep in peace. To a Stone Spirit, nothing was better than sleeping for several centuries or even a millennium.
"Of course I do," Qi Ping answered with certainty. In the future, his territory would become an impregnable fortress.
"Ding! Ding! (Can we go now? I feel those bad people might come back!)"
Creatures like Stone Spirits had sharp perceptions; they instinctively avoided potential danger.
"They are already back," Qi Ping said with a helpless smile.
He had hoped to reach an agreement quickly and leave before the trackers arrived. Unfortunately, the trio had recovered much faster than anticipated. Qi Ping hadn't even had time to erase the imprints before they reappeared.
"Ding! Ding! (Ah?...)"
The little spirit turned its head just as three figures appeared, clearly harboring ill intent.
"Kid? Who are you? We saw this Stone Spirit first. Don't make a mistake you'll regret!"
One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators sensed Qi Ping's early-stage aura. Seeing Qi Ping's middle-aged appearance, he tried to intimidate him into leaving.
However, before Qi Ping could respond, the young man spoke up. "Uncle Seven, don't let him leave. Kill him first. Otherwise, when we are exhausted from fighting the spirit, he might try to swoop in and take the prize!"
The man called Uncle Seven fell into thought. The logic was sound. However, attacking an unknown cultivator of the same rank was something he loathed to do. But now that it had been shouted out, he had to take action. Moreover, the young man behind him held a higher status than he did.
On the other side, Qi Ping knew there was no room for negotiation. He ignored their questions and turned to the little Stone Spirit. "What do you think we should do?"
"Ding! Ding! (My instinct tells me I should kill them, or it will be troublesome!)"
"Ding! Ding! (And they already tried to hurt me earlier!)"
The little spirit didn't hesitate. Its answer was firm.
"Good. You're right. Then let's kill them together!"
At this stage, Qi Ping no longer hesitated. He had wanted to resolve this peacefully, but in the cultivation world, slaughter and conflict were the dominant themes. Since action was required, he had no intention of holding back.
To be safe, he actively triggered an Omen Reading for the upcoming battle. Seeing no danger, he felt at ease.
The trio on the other side was stunned. Qi Ping could communicate with the Stone Spirit? And they had seemingly formed an alliance? What had happened in that short span of time?
But Qi Ping gave them no more time to think.
"Ya Ya! Earth-Armor Swarm!"
In an instant, Qi Ping summoned all his Foundation Establishment combat power. Since he was going to kill, he would do it quickly and leave immediately to avoid any complications. Beside him, the little Stone Spirit began absorbing nearby rocks, arming itself into a massive stone monster once more. With the replenishment from Qi Ping's Spirit Liquid and minerals, its aura was far stronger than before!