That object flying out was extremely fast, shooting toward Song Yifan like a flash of lightning before landing steadily on his shoulder.
This sudden turn of events gave Qiyue a huge start, making her heart nearly leap out of her throat.
After calming down a little, Qiyue looked closely and discovered that the creature resting on Song Yifan's shoulder turned out to be a yellow-and-green myna bird.
This myna bird had vibrant, brilliant feathers and bright, spirited eyes, making it look exceptionally pretty.
"Oh! What a pretty little bird!" Qiyue exclaimed in admiration.
However, this myna did not seem pleased with being called a "little bird," and immediately retorted, "You're the bird! I am not a bird at all!"
Seeing how vehemently the myna rejected being called a bird, Qiyue found it rather strange and asked curiously, "Then if you aren't a bird, what are you?"
The myna tilted its head, appearing to rack its brain on how to answer the question. After a moment, it finally spoke: "I am... I am a divine bird! I am the divine bird Caige!"
Hearing this, Qiyue could no longer hold it in and burst out with a chuckle. She muttered to herself: Isn't this still just a bird, then?
"Alright, Caige! Stop messing around. From now on, you must be a good teacher and teach Junior Sister how to read characters, or else no one will chat with you anymore!"
Song Yifan quickly interrupted their conversation. He knew Caige far too well; once the bird opened its chatterbox, it would go on and on without stopping.
"Ah! No, no! Having no one to chat with is so boring. Yes, yes, yes, I am the elder, call me Teacher! Call me Teacher!"
Caige cried out excitedly, its voice betraying a hint of smugness and pride.
Upon hearing this, Qiyue quickly wiped away her smile, turned solemn and earnest, and then bowed deeply, greeting respectfully, "Hello, Teacher Caige!"
Hearing Qiyue address it thus, Caige seemed thoroughly pleased. It flicked its wings, flew back onto Qiyue's shoulder, and bobbed its head up and down incessantly, even gently rubbing its head against Qiyue's cheek as if showing affection and fondness.
"Good, good, my disciple is truly good!" Caige chirped cheerfully, bringing a smile to everyone's faces.
Seeing this scene, the people around could not help laughing out loud. They were amused by Caige's cute antics and felt comforted that Qiyue could adapt to her new environment so quickly.
Time passed quickly, and there was still half a month left until the day of the selection. During this time, aside from diligently sweeping the public courtyards and her master's courtyard every day, Qiyue would also carve out some time to search for various wild vegetables on Ziyu Peak. She would carefully cook these vegetables to prepare delicious, earthly meals for her master and senior brothers.
Compared to those utterly tasteless Inanition Pills, the wild vegetables personally prepared by the junior sister had instead become a delicacy in everyone's eyes.
Daoist Yunhe and the senior brothers could not stop praising Qiyue's culinary skills, growing all the more fond of her.
Through this process, Qiyue not only learned many life skills but also gradually integrated into this big family, forging deep bonds with everyone.
During this period, whenever Qiyue had a spare moment, she would tirelessly delve into the study of characters together with the myna bird Caige.
It was truly wondrous to behold: Qiyue's learning speed could only be described as astonishing. After Caige taught her just once, she could firmly remember almost every character in the jade slips, as if this knowledge had been deeply branded into her mind.
Thus, in a mere half a month, she had actually managed to thoroughly master and comprehend all the jade slips brought by Song Yifan and her several senior brothers!
Such a terrifying absorption speed was truly breathtaking, and everyone praised her endlessly, marveling in wonder.
On this bright and sunny day with a gentle breeze, Qiyue set out alone on a path to find wild mountain vegetables. She drifted lightly through the mountain forest, her sharp gaze searching every nook and cranny that might conceal delicious wild vegetables.
Before she knew it, she arrived at Wuyang Peak, which was adjacent to Ziyu Peak.
Just as she was wholeheartedly searching for ingredients, a few unfamiliar voices suddenly came from beside some rocks, arousing Qiyue's intense curiosity.
She cautiously approached the rocks, trying to stick her head out to see what was going on. Her heartbeat accelerated, and she could almost hear her own nervous breathing. As the distance closed, the voices grew clearer, though she still could not make out the specifics, so she moved closer to the edge of the rocks.
Finally, she successfully poked her head out and saw the source of the voices—four young girls around her own age.
Qiyue's gaze locked tightly onto the four girls not far away. Three of them were dressed in lavish attire with exquisite fabrics and fine tailoring, clearly hailing from wealthy families. The jewelry on their bodies flashed with dazzling light, complementing their gorgeous garments and making them look even more opulent and noble.
However, what caught Qiyue's attention more was the fourth girl. Her clothing was simple and elegant, yet possessed a unique fresh and natural beauty.
Although she lacked the dazzling splendor of the other three, her unique temperament was impossible to ignore. Like a flower bud waiting to bloom, she radiated a faint fragrance, giving off an approachable, girl-next-door charm.
At that moment, the three girls were surrounding her in a tight formation, as if trapping her in a narrow space with no escape.
Among the three, a rather domineering-looking girl glanced at the encircled person with a look of utter contempt, appearing disdainful and even carrying a trace of mockery and provocation. That scornful gaze exuded self-confidence and arrogance, as if she felt superior to the other party.
"Liao Qing'er, why are you here too? You? You want to learn immortal cultivation arts as well?"
"Xiaoqian Sister..."
"Stop. Are we that close?"
"Indeed, I've never seen anyone so thick-skinned."
"Exactly, and she doesn't even look in the mirror. With a tiny sect like your Liao family, how dare you try to cozy up to us!"
The two girls beside the one called Xiaoqian also chimed in to mock her.
The girl blushed and stammered, "My sister..."
Before she could finish, she was cut off sharply by Xiaoqian.
"What about your sister? She's still shamelessly latching onto my brother! Let me tell you, I am myself, and my brother is my brother. Don't try to claim kinship with me."
Hearing this, Liao Qing'er bit her lip.
"Yes, Miss Zhao! I also want to learn immortal cultivation arts."
Zhao Qian looked her up and down.
"I think you'd better go find somewhere else to study!"
"Why?" Liao Qing'er asked in bewilderment. "Isn't our sect the only one within a radius of five hundred miles that accepts disciples for immortal cultivation?"
"That's none of my business. Anyway, I just don't want to see people from your Liao family."
Ignoring her, Zhao Qian stared at her freshly painted, beautiful nails and commanded imperiously.
"No, I can't leave!"
Though fearful in her heart, Liao Qing'er still mustered up the courage to protest.
However, before the girl named Zhao Qian could speak again, the two lackey-like women beside her rushed over aggressively and began shoving her forcefully.
"Hey! Telling you to leave is giving you face! What? You dare disobey?" one of the women glared with wide eyes, speaking viciously.
"Exactly! You're from a minor sect, so get lost the moment you're told to. What's with all the nagging?" the other woman echoed, her face full of disdain.
Liao Qing'er was pushed back step by step by the two of them, grievances and helpless tears welling up in her eyes and spinning incessantly.
"I beg you, don't treat me like this..." Her voice carried a sob as she spoke tremulously.
"Like what? How did we treat you?" the first woman demanded relentlessly.
"That's right! Why don't you spell it out?"
The second woman followed up closely, showing no intention of letting Liao Qing'er off.
The two women gradually increased the force behind their hands, seemingly intent on teaching Liao Qing'er a lesson. Liao Qing'er felt as though she were caught between two fierce beasts, every step an arduous struggle. Her body began to sway, and several times she nearly lost her balance and fell to the ground.
Just as Zhao Qian opened her mouth to say something, before the words could even leave her lips, someone suddenly leaped out from out of nowhere. This person rushed straight in front of Liao Qing'er and swiftly sheltered her behind their own back.
"Stop it! Aren't you going too far? How can you bully someone like this?"
Hearing these words, the four girls present fixed their gazes on the newcomer, only to discover that the sudden arrival was a girl dressed very simply, yet possessing exquisitely clear and lovely features.