Li Jing was overjoyed and quickly seized the opportunity, as the Golden Silk, the color of molten gold, shot through the bamboo shoot and pulled it over.
The golden mouse saw its bamboo shoot snatched away, stood up directly, and rubbed its eyes with its small paws, seemingly crying from anger.
"Hahahaha!"
Li Jing laughed heartily. "You little rascal, still trying to snatch my bamboo shoots!"
The golden mouse was somewhat exasperated, putting its paws on its hips and squeaking incessantly, seemingly cursing quite foully.
Before it could finish its tirade, a Golden Silk suddenly appeared behind it, firmly binding it.
Li Jing gave a gentle tug, and the golden mouse flew back, spinning.
"Oh, oh oh, keep cursing then! You look quite plump, so you'll be extra food for lunch today!"
Li Jing feigned a fierce expression, pointing at the golden mouse's belly and snorting coldly.
Upon hearing that it would be made into an extra dish, the golden mouse's eyes instantly widened, and its small body twisted frantically. Seeing that it couldn't break free from the Golden Silk, its small eyes looked at him piteously.
"What breed is this little mouse?"
Li Jing ignored the golden mouse's pleas, staring intently, his mind racing.
After a long period of thought, he finally remembered seeing something similar in a Yao Beast bestiary back when he was in the Li family.
This golden mouse strongly resembled a Treasure-Seeking Mouse, but a Treasure-Seeking Mouse only had a wisp of golden fur on its head. This fellow was covered in golden fur. Could it be a mutation, or a Bloodline atavism?
With that thought, Li Jing dismissed the idea of turning the Treasure-Seeking Mouse into a dish, revealing a kind and amiable smile.
Shu Shu shivered, feeling a terrifying chill from his smile.
"Hehe, little fellow, do you want to follow me from now on? I, your Dao Master, will let you eat well and live lavishly!"
Li Jing chuckled, coaxing it like a mischievous uncle.
Shu Shu seemed to understand, its small head turning constantly, clearly disagreeing.
Li Jing's face darkened. He pinched the golden mouse with one hand and said with a smile, "You know, I love roasted mice the most. Looking at how fat you are, you'd probably sizzle with oil when roasted."
Shu Shu was terrified upon hearing this, its tiny tears falling like broken pearls.
"Of course, as long as you follow me, you can eat as many bamboo shoots as you want, and there will be gold spirit rice too~."
Li Jing threatened it, then offered a sweet date. He wouldn't believe that with a stick and a carrot, a small mouse wouldn't agree.
Patting his Storage Pouch, a small handful of leftover gold spirit rice appeared in his hand.
Upon seeing the gold spirit rice, Shu Shu's eyes immediately lit up, and its small paws reached out, looking eager.
Li Jing smiled and offered the gold spirit rice. Shu Shu grabbed the gold spirit rice and stuffed it into its mouth, its cheeks soon bulging.
"Follow me, and you can eat gold spirit rice whenever you want," Li Jing said with a slight smile.
Shu Shu's eyes gleamed, and its small head nodded vigorously. Li Jing's lips curled into a smile. It fell for it, just like that. Indeed, drawing a big picture is an art.
He activated a Magical Artifact, slowly condensing an ancient seal character for 'Control.' Li Jing spat out a drop of his essence Blood, which merged into it, and the 'Control' character then integrated into Shu Shu's brow.
"Beast Heart Spiritual Connection Record: With my heart, I understand the beast's heart; with my spirit, I perceive its soul; with my thoughts, I communicate its language; with my sincerity, I forge its contract."
This was the Equal Contract of the Beast Heart Spiritual Connection Record. Neither party's injuries would affect the other, but if the controlled beast ever harbored hostility or killing intent towards him, he would immediately sense it.
Through this contract, he could also understand what the controlled beast wanted to express and comprehend its beast language.
"Squeak, squeak."
Shu Shu squeaked twice, not knowing what was happening to it.
Li Jing chuckled. Once this contract was signed, it was like boarding a pirate ship; it could only be dissolved with mutual consent.
"You don't have a name yet, do you?" Li Jing asked.
Shu Shu seemed to realize it had boarded a pirate ship, feeling a sense of impending doom, and squeaked twice to indicate it had no name.
"Hehe, you're a Treasure-Seeking Mouse, so from now on, I'll call you Duobao. You must find treasures for me!"
Li Jing had already thought about how to exploit Duobao. Its treasure-seeking talent couldn't be wasted. He would provide food and shelter, so it should at least repay his kindness.
Duobao was quite satisfied with the name, jumping onto Li Jing's shoulder and squeaking twice.
Li Jing's eyes lit up. "Quick, take me to see!"
Duobao jumped off his shoulder, sniffed around, then stood up, pointed in a direction, and immediately transformed into a golden streak, speeding away.
Seeing this, Li Jing quickly followed. Amidst the verdant bamboo, his figure moved like a blur, his clothes rustling against the bamboo leaves.
Soon, Duobao stopped. They had reached the foot of the mountain, and faintly, they could hear the plinking sound of water droplets falling into a pool.
Duobao stood up and pointed its small paw at two bamboo stalks not far away. Li Jing followed its gaze, and his eyes lit up. These were Qing Yu Bamboo!
The Qing Yu Bamboo was entirely lustrous like congealed fat, with light green glimmers at its nodes. Its leaves were long and narrow, like jade cut into shape, and the veins were clear as if outlined in gold.
When the wind blew, the bamboo swayed gently, and a verdant light flowed, as if jade light was moving among the branches and leaves.
"Hahaha, I didn't call you Duobao for nothing!"
Li Jing's face couldn't hide his joy, and he said with great pleasure.
Duobao put its paws on its hips, looking a bit smug. Li Jing rewarded it with the previous bamboo shoot, making it quite happy.
This Qing Yu Bamboo was a low-grade first-order Spirit Bamboo, which could be used to refine Magical Artifacts, with a market price of over twenty Spirit Stones.
Li Jing used the Golden Thread Technique to cut the Qing Yu Bamboo. He carefully cut off the separated bamboo branches; these could be used for planting in the future. The Qing Yu Bamboo produced Qing Yu shoots that were incredibly delicious.
As for the roots, Li Jing left them. Qing Yu Bamboo grew quickly, and perhaps next year, new ones would grow again. This was a continuous source of income.
After collecting the Qing Yu Bamboo, Li Jing was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he walked towards the bamboo forest. He had heard the sound of water and wanted to investigate the situation.
He was not very familiar with many places in Cuiwei Mountain now, and given his low cultivation, it was best not to wander around carelessly.
After walking for a short while, a cliff appeared before him, and the scenery opened up dramatically. Beyond the mountain were undulating green peaks, with clouds swirling like gauze between the valleys.
The cliff face was like it had been carved by knives and axes, embedded with ancient, dark green vines. Cool spring water cascaded from the rock crevices, breaking into silver beads.
The pool below the cliff was emerald green like a mirror, reflecting the rosy glow of half the sky. Several Spirit Fish flicked their tails, stirring the surface of the pool into shimmering golden specks.
"What a good place!"
Li Jing hadn't expected Cuiwei Mountain to have such a spot. The pool below the cliff was not small, at least a hundred square meters, suitable for raising Spirit Fish or other spiritual creatures.
However, he didn't rush to check it. If there were any Yao Beasts in the pool, he would be finished.
After cutting a few thick bamboo stalks, Li Jing returned. Once he bought Spirit Fish fry in the future, he could start farming.
After building a cowshed for Niu Niu, Li Jing hitched the Yellow Origin Ox to the curved-shaft plow and began to plow the field with grunts and snorts.
The Yellow Origin Ox truly lived up to its reputation as an experienced plower, with ample stamina. He also soaked the Spirit Field with spring water, and he directly rode the curved-shaft plow, speeding through the field like surfing.
"Woohoo!"
Li Jing exclaimed from behind. The Yellow Origin Ox snorted a puff of hot air, its four hooves flying. In just two hours, all four acres of Spirit Field had been plowed.
The remaining Spirit Fields were still covered in weeds, which he hadn't had time to clear. The front side of Cuiwei Mountain had dozens of acres that could be reclaimed as Spirit Fields, and even with the Yellow Origin Ox's help, it would take at least four or five days.
The three stars gradually rose.
Niu Niu was completely submerged in the small pool, with bubbles occasionally rising. Li Jing saw it and worried it might suddenly float up after drinking its fill.
Li Jing lay on a chair he had made that afternoon from leftover bamboo, enjoying the evening breeze. Duobao lay on his belly, exposing his round tummy. One person and one mouse looked extremely leisurely.