"What's Big White messing around with now?"
Li Xuan heard the commotion in the backyard and felt a bit confused.
"This fellow never rests, even after eating his fill."
Li Xuan looked up towards the garden, and soon saw Big White's massive figure charging over.
As the saying goes, clouds follow dragons, and wind follows tigers.
As Big White sprinted, a fierce gust of wind immediately pressed down.
The fur on Li Xuan's body couldn't help but fly upwards.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and thought, "If it were summer, this would make a good fan."
Li Xuan had already made up his mind to assign Big White a good job next summer.
Otherwise, with so much meat fed to him every day, how could he not work?
In a flash, Big White reached Li Xuan, staring intently at him.
Li Xuan didn't understand what this big fellow wanted to do. Just as he was about to ask, he was met with Big White's wet, large tongue.
Caught off guard by Big White's sudden lick, Li Xuan almost stumbled and fell.
"Meow!"
Li Xuan cried out in anger, half his body drenched.
But Big White showed no awareness of having done anything wrong, continuing to lick Li Xuan relentlessly.
Big White's large tongue gradually focused on licking Li Xuan's front paws.
Li Xuan thought to himself that something was wrong and quickly withdrew the Ice-Cold Breath from his paws, fearing he might accidentally injure Big White's tongue.
As a result, Big White's actions also stopped. He sat upright in front of Li Xuan, his large eyes filled with confusion, and even began to whimper pitifully, sounding like a small cat.
"Hmm?"
Li Xuan immediately felt puzzled and couldn't help but ask Big White, "Meow? (What are you doing?)"
But Big White seemed not to understand Li Xuan's question, only meowing more and more urgently. Finally, he lay on the ground, rolling around endlessly, anxiously scratching at the marble tiles on the ground with his paws.
"Meow, we just finished renovating this palace, don't you dare ruin it!"
Li Xuan felt distressed for the marble tiles and quickly pressed down on the restless Big White.
Although there was a huge difference in their sizes, Big White obediently allowed Li Xuan to hold him down, not daring to resist.
Li Xuan stepped on Big White's nape and listened to him still whimpering pitifully, his brows furrowing.
"He was just fed, so he definitely isn't hungry."
"The large litter box in the garden should also be enough for him."
"So besides eating, drinking, and relieving himself, what else could make Big White so anxious?"
Li Xuan recalled the previous situation and slowly turned his gaze to his paws.
"Could it be…"
Li Xuan's heart stirred. He immediately extended a paw in front of Big White's eyes, then condensed a wisp of Ice-Cold Breath within it.
Immediately, Big White became energetic again, licking Li Xuan's paw endlessly.
"This fellow seems to really like Ice-Cold Breath."
Li Xuan had only condensed a wisp of Ice-Cold Breath, and Big White reacted immediately.
While continuing to observe Big White, he condensed more Ice-Cold Breath onto his paw.
As soon as he saw Big White looking uncomfortable, Li Xuan would immediately stop.
However, even when Li Xuan once again performed "Qi Manipulation into Form," freezing a round ice cube on his paw, Big White showed no intention of stopping his tongue.
"Li Xuan, you can create ice out of thin air now?"
Princess Ankang had been watching the strange interaction between the big cat and the small cat, and seeing the ice cube on Li Xuan's paw, she exclaimed in surprise.
Princess Ankang remembered Li Xuan once telling her that such a feat could only be achieved after his next breakthrough.
Li Xuan knew Princess Ankang might have misunderstood and immediately explained:
"I haven't broken through to the fifth rank yet. It's just that after helping you absorb the cold today, the Ice-Cold Breath in my body increased quite a bit."
"I tried it just now, and I was actually able to perform Qi Manipulation into Form."
"But Yin Yang True Qi still can't do it, which is truly strange."
Li Xuan also hadn't expected that, compared to the Yin Yang True Qi in his body, the Ice-Cold Breath would be able to perform "Qi Manipulation into Form" a step earlier.
After he mastered the Yin Yang True Qi, his emphasis on Ice-Cold Breath was far less than before.
If it weren't for its continued use when helping Princess Ankang absorb the cold, Li Xuan would have almost forgotten the existence of Ice-Cold Breath.
After all, the enhancement from Ice-Cold Breath was far less than that of Yin Yang True Qi.
But now it seemed that this Ice-Cold Breath also had other wondrous uses, allowing Li Xuan to prematurely come into contact with the mysteries of Qi Manipulation into Form.
Moreover, judging by Big White's current reaction, Ice-Cold Breath still held many secrets for Li Xuan to discover.
"I heard Old Zhao mention that Big White came from the northern regions. Could this fellow be related to Fierce Tigers?"
Li Xuan wasn't very clear about Big White's origins, but now he had developed quite a bit of interest.
"I'll have to ask Old Zhao about it later."
Big White licked for a long time, but didn't manage to lick away even a trace of the Ice-Cold Breath from Li Xuan's body; he was purely indulging in the pleasure of eating an ice pop.
"Could this fellow really have talent?"
Li Xuan thought for a moment and took out the purified Linhu Essence Blood from his di hong bone ring.
Big White reacted immediately. Even though Li Xuan was stepping on his nape, he still resisted violently, trying to break free and pounce on the jar containing the Linhu Essence Blood.
"It seems Big White wasn't just being gluttonous before."
"But can this Linhu Essence Blood be absorbed even without practicing the Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw?"
Li Xuan thought for a moment, and with a try-it-and-see attitude, he dipped a claw blade into a drop of Linhu Essence Blood and then dripped it into Big White's mouth.
Seeing that there was Linhu Essence Blood to eat, Big White immediately stopped making a fuss, opening his large mouth and waiting patiently, afraid that Li Xuan would go back on his word.
A drop of light blue Linhu Essence Blood landed precisely on Big White's scarlet tongue. He quickly rolled his tongue and swallowed it immediately.
Li Xuan, with his paw on Big White's nape, immediately used Yin Yang True Qi to probe Big White's internal condition, fearing something might be wrong with him.
Big White lay on the ground, contentedly smacking his large mouth, looking completely satisfied.
The next moment, an expression of surprise appeared on Li Xuan's face.
A faint wisp of Ice-Cold Breath had actually appeared spontaneously within Big White's body.
Although its quality was far inferior to the Ice-Cold Breath in Li Xuan's body, it was indeed Ice-Cold Breath without a doubt.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Without even practicing, just by eating Linhu Essence Blood, Ice-Cold Breath formed in his body?"
"Could Big White be a Fierce Tiger!"
Li Xuan suddenly thought of a possibility.
But if Big White was a Fierce Tiger, Zhao Feng wouldn't have failed to tell Li Xuan.
"Meow, meow? (Big White, are you a Fierce Tiger?)"
Li Xuan asked.
But Big White, after eating a drop of Linhu Essence Blood, was enjoying himself and completely ignored Li Xuan's question.
"This fellow!"
Li Xuan carefully probed Big White's body with Yin Yang True Qi, discovering that the Ice-Cold Breath that had just formed in his body was still very weak and was wandering aimlessly within his body.
Even if this Ice-Cold Breath could be used, it could only be done instinctively, with extremely low efficiency, far inferior to the Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw.
"It seems Big White also needs to practice the Tiger Form Ten Styles and the Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw."
"At least he needs to master the method of cultivation, otherwise this Ice-Cold Breath will be wasted."
Li Xuan saw that Big White was satisfied for a long time with just one drop of Linhu Essence Blood and didn't pester him for more, which made him relieved.
He currently only had one jar of Linhu Essence Blood, which also had to supply Cat Overlord and Fat Orange for their cultivation.
If Big White had too big an appetite, Li Xuan could only make him endure it.
After all, this fellow hadn't even started learning the Tiger Form Ten Styles and the Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw. How could Cat Overlord and Fat Orange's cultivation be delayed just because he was greedy?
If Big White were to learn these two cultivation methods in the future, Li Xuan would certainly not show favoritism.
"I still need to get more Linhu Essence Blood."
"Last time, Chief Steward Shang mentioned that specialized personnel deliver Linhu Essence Blood every autumn. I wonder if this year's Linhu Essence Blood has been delivered yet?"
Now that the Double Ninth Festival had passed and winter was approaching, the Internal Affairs Bureau probably already had stock.
Li Xuan planned to visit the Internal Affairs Bureau in the next couple of days to inquire about the Linhu Essence Blood… "Linhu Essence Blood?"
"This year's hasn't arrived yet."
Zhao Feng replied casually.
He had come in the morning to instruct Yu'er in martial arts, but Li Xuan had latched onto him, relentlessly asking why this year's Linhu Essence Blood hadn't arrived yet.
"Logically speaking, it should have arrived at the palace long ago."
"But there's been no news, so it's probably been delayed on the way."
Zhao Feng was used to this and didn't seem overly worried.
"Don't worry, Li Xuan."
"There should be news in a while."
"The hunting team won't spend winter in the northern regions."
"They'll definitely return before winter."
Zhao Feng said with certainty.
Li Xuan felt a bit regretful that the Linhu Essence Blood hadn't been restocked.
But when he heard Zhao Feng mention the hunting team, he also became interested.
"Is the hunting team a group of people from the Internal Affairs Bureau specifically responsible for hunting?"
Li Xuan hadn't expected the Internal Affairs Bureau to have such a department.
"Haha, the hunting team isn't from the Internal Affairs Bureau. It's the Royal Hunting Team, directly under His Majesty, and their job is to hunt rare and exotic beasts throughout the world."
"This job isn't simple, and it's very dangerous."
"But if you do it well, you can secure a good future."
"My godfather and I, when we were young, both had some experience in the Royal Hunting Team."
Li Xuan's interest grew even stronger upon hearing this.
Such a small hunting team had actually produced two Chiefs of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
"Tell me about the hunting team."
Li Xuan wrote with a smile.
"I want to hear too."
Princess Ankang also came closer.
She had originally been reading a book nearby, but hearing Zhao Feng bring up an interesting topic, she immediately joined them.
Just then, Yu'er also finished her morning cultivation. Seeing their keen interest, she couldn't help but ask, "What are you talking about?"
"Sister Yu'er, Chief Zhao said he served in the Royal Hunting Team when he was young, and he also said that Chief Steward Shang was once a member of the Royal Hunting Team."
Upon hearing this, Yu'er smiled and asked, "Game Warden?"
"Sister Yu'er, what is a Game Warden?"
Princess Ankang, seeing that Yu'er also knew, immediately asked curiously.
Li Xuan also perked up his ears nearby.
"A Game Warden is an official position. Once appointed, it's a fifth-rank official, directly under His Majesty. Although nominally serving in The Great Within, I hear they travel all over the world to hunt, free and unconstrained."
"There's probably not a single eunuch or palace maid in the palace who hasn't dreamt of becoming a Game Warden."
"But becoming a Game Warden is probably even harder than becoming a Flower-Clothed Eunuch in the Internal Affairs Bureau."
Yu'er sighed, and it was clear that she too had once yearned for the position of Game Warden.
Li Xuan and Princess Ankang had been in the palace for so long, yet this was the first time they had heard the name Game Warden.
But this was also normal.
A cat and a princess would never pay too much attention to a fifth-rank official position responsible for hunting.
But Yu'er was different. As a palace maid, she naturally cared about the promotion paths within the palace.
Hearing about such a desirable position as Game Warden, who could resist inquiring more about it?
"Haha, Yu'er is right."
"Although a Game Warden is only a fifth-rank official position, its significance is quite different because it is directly under His Majesty."
Zhao Feng then said mysteriously, "This job is a good stepping stone for gaining experience. Besides being chosen from The Great Within, there are also many scions of prestigious families who can participate in the selection."
"After serving as a Game Warden, one can at least hold an important position."
"In the imperial court, they are key figures; in The Great Within, they are trusted confidantes of His Majesty."
"Almost without exception."
The Three Little Ones hadn't expected that an official responsible for hunting would have such intricacies, and they listened intently.
"Game Wardens are divided into four teams: East, West, South, and North. The Linhu Essence Blood you asked for, Li Xuan, is what the Northern Game Wardens should bring back."
Zhao Feng explained to Li Xuan.
"Then, Chief Zhao, are Game Wardens only responsible for hunting all over the world?"
"That sounds like a good job."
Princess Ankang said with a hint of envy.
She had never left the capital in her entire life.
"Haha, Your Highness."
"This hunting is not as easy as you imagine."
"This is, after all, the Royal Hunting Team, and they have corresponding tasks every year."
"And how could the prey that catches the Imperial family's eye be simple?"
"If the corresponding tasks cannot be completed by the end of the year, salaries will be withheld."
"There are even quite a few people who have to pay to work."
Zhao Feng recalled when he was young, some people became Game Wardens to gain experience, but their strength was insufficient, and they ended up paying to work every year.
By the time they finished their experience, they had spent over a hundred thousand taels of silver, which was a huge expense even for prestigious families.
"Ah, that much money?"
"Is the Game Warden's salary that high?"
Li Xuan asked in surprise.
"No, it's just the normal salary for a fifth-rank official position."
"It's just that in order to complete the task, that person bought prey from the market, so of course, it cost a lot of money."
Zhao Feng seemed to be recalling the past, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
Seeing Zhao Feng's expression, Li Xuan couldn't help but ask mischievously:
"Chief Zhao, was that person a woman?"
Princess Ankang and Yu'er's gazes shot towards Zhao Feng in unison, their eyes burning with the fire of gossip.
"It's getting late, and this Chief Steward still has things to do. You all play by yourselves."
Zhao Feng, ignoring all etiquette, turned and left directly, leaving the Three Little Ones with a dashing back.
"Meow! Meow? (No more questions! Is that okay if I don't ask anymore?)"
"Meow. (Tell me more about the Game Warden.)"
Li Xuan urgently tried to persuade him to stay, but Zhao Feng had already climbed over the courtyard wall and disappeared.
"Li Xuan, it's all your fault for asking random questions. I wanted to hear Chief Zhao's stories from the hunting team."
Princess Ankang said resentfully.
Li Xuan loudly protested his innocence; he had clearly seen Princess Ankang's gossipy eyes earlier.
But now Princess Ankang was turning her back on him, blaming Li Xuan instead.
At this moment, Yu'er added, cuttingly:
"Li Xuan, this is where you were wrong."
"How could you ask so directly about Chief Zhao's private matters?"
The two gossipy girls both accused Li Xuan.
"Alright, alright, you want to play like this with me, huh?"
Li Xuan, angered, opened his mouth wide and chased after the two girls, biting at them, scaring them into running all over the courtyard.
The Three Little Ones thus chased each other in the courtyard of Jingyang Palace, laughing incessantly and meowing loudly.
Outside the gate, the team of Flower-Clothed Eunuchs guarding Jingyang Palace heard the commotion in the courtyard and couldn't help but become agitated.
"Should we go in and check? Nothing bad happened, did it?"
Just as the others were feeling uneasy, two people calmly said:
"Relax, if something were wrong, someone or a cat inside would call us."
"From now on, when you guard the gate at Jingyang Palace, you'll need to get used to this daily routine."
The other eight new Flower-Clothed Eunuchs, seeing how calm their two seniors were, also relaxed.
But these eight newcomers still couldn't help but prick up their ears, listening carefully to the sounds from inside Jingyang Palace, fearing that something unexpected might happen later.
However, for a long time afterward, apart from the angry meows of the cat, only the silvery laughter of two young girls drifted on the wind.
After listening for a long time, a hint of a smile couldn't help but appear in the eyes of the stern-faced Flower-Clothed Eunuchs.