The Huo Family's Troublesome Maid

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Why Did You Transform?

Xi Yunxui gradually settled into the rhythm of cultivation.

As she guided the spiritual energy around her into her body, the sounds of the antique shop slowly faded from her awareness. Her breathing became even, and she carefully followed the cultivation method she had learned since arriving in this world, allowing the cool energy to flow through the pathways within her body.

Although she was still relatively inexperienced with cultivation, Xi Yunxui did not allow herself to become careless. Her previous progress had taught her that spiritual energy was not something she could simply absorb recklessly.

Fortunately, the energy within the antique shop was unusually gentle.

Rather than resisting her, it flowed toward her as though drawn by an invisible force. The more Xi Yunxui concentrated, the more spiritual energy gathered around her, gradually spreading through her body and leaving behind a refreshing sensation.

Time passed without her noticing.

Then, a faint tremor moved through the antique shop.

It was so subtle that it could easily have been mistaken for the vibration caused by a vehicle passing outside. A porcelain ornament resting on a nearby shelf trembled slightly before becoming still again, while the glass panels of one of the display cabinets vibrated almost imperceptibly.

Behind the counter, the young apprentice frowned.

He glanced around the shop, wondering whether he had imagined it.

His gaze eventually landed on Xi Yunxui.

She remained seated in the corner with her eyes closed, completely absorbed in her cultivation. King C, Biyu, and Hui stayed nearby, and nothing about the scene appeared particularly unusual.

The apprentice slowly looked away.

Perhaps it really had been his imagination.

At that moment, a brilliant light suddenly burst from the inner room.

The closed door prevented most of it from reaching the main shop, and Xi Yunxui’s position behind several shelves meant that she remained completely unaware of what had happened.

The apprentice, however, froze.

Before he could react, two voices sounded from behind the door.

”What happened?!”

The elderly man’s voice was filled with unmistakable shock.

A second voice followed almost immediately.

It belonged to the Huo Patriarch.

Although the apprentice could not clearly hear his words, surprise was evident even in his normally composed voice.

The young man instinctively took a step toward the inner room.

”Master?”

No response came.

The strange light disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving the antique shop exactly as it had been before.

Xi Yunxui continued cultivating.

---

Spiritual energy continued gathering around her.

Xi Yunxui carefully guided it through the circulation path she had learned, maintaining control over every movement as the energy flowed smoothly through her body.

Then something changed.

Her eyebrows drew together slightly.

The spiritual energy surrounding her suddenly surged.

For a brief moment, the flow threatened to overwhelm her, but Xi Yunxui quickly steadied herself and continued following the cultivation method. Cool energy rushed through her body, followed by a strange warmth that spread through her limbs.

She remained focused.

Gradually, the powerful flow began to settle.

The pressure within her body disappeared, replaced by an unfamiliar feeling of lightness.

Only then did Xi Yunxui slowly open her eyes.

The antique shop appeared unchanged.

The shelves and display cabinets stood exactly where they had been before, while the young apprentice remained behind the counter. King C and Biyu were also nearby.

Before Xi Yunxui could wonder why she felt so different, the System’s voice sounded inside her mind.

[Congratulations, Host.]

Xi Yunxui blinked.

What happened?

[Host’s cultivation has successfully advanced.]

Her posture immediately straightened.

Advanced?

[Current cultivation level: Intermediate Level, Stage Two.]

Xi Yunxui went still.

For several moments, she simply stared ahead.

Intermediate Level, Stage Two?

[Affirmative.]

Wait.

She had been at Beginner Level, Stage One before entering the antique shop.

And now—

Xi Yunxui quickly checked the changes within her body. Although there was nothing physically visible, she could clearly sense the difference. Her body felt lighter, while the spiritual energy flowing within her was far more abundant than before.

She had crossed several stages at once.

Xi Yunxui slowly looked around the antique shop.

The spiritual energy here is really that abundant?

[The spiritual energy concentration within this location is indeed unusually high.]

Xi Yunxui’s gaze swept across the aged shelves and countless antiques surrounding her.

The shop was becoming more suspicious by the minute.

When she had first entered, Xi Yunxui had assumed that it was simply an old antique shop owned by an eccentric elderly man who enjoyed exchanging insults with the Huo Patriarch.

Now, after cultivating for a relatively short period, she had advanced from Beginner Stage Level, Stage One to Intermediate Level, Stage Two.

There was clearly far more to this place than met the eye.

[Host.]

Xi Yunxui returned her attention to the System.

Yes?

[Due to the Host advancing through multiple cultivation stages, the System has issued an additional reward.]

Her interest immediately rose.

A reward?

[Affirmative.]

Xi Yunxui waited expectantly.

[Reward: Cultivation Skill.]

Her eyes brightened.

What skill?

[Congratulations. The Host has obtained the cultivation skill: Spiritual Sense.]

Xi Yunxui frowned slightly.

Spiritual Sense?

[Spiritual Sense is a cultivation skill that allows the Host to perceive spiritual energy, spiritual fluctuations, unusual objects, and potentially dangerous presences within a limited range.]

Xi Yunxui’s expression immediately brightened.

That was considerably more useful than she had expected.

Considering the number of strange creatures and increasingly mysterious situations she had encountered since arriving in this world, a skill that allowed her to sense unusual things could prove invaluable.

[The range and accuracy of Spiritual Sense will increase alongside the Host’s cultivation.]

That makes sense.

Xi Yunxui was about to ask whether she could try the skill immediately when she noticed movement beside her.

She turned her head.

Then stopped.

King C was still there.

Biyu remained nearby as well.

However, Hui—

Xi Yunxui’s gaze shifted toward the spot where the ash-grey creature had been sitting.

Hui was gone.

Instead, a little girl stood there.

Xi Yunxui stared at her.

The little girl stared back.

She was dressed in the same neat clothes she had worn the previous night, and her large eyes blinked innocently as though there was absolutely nothing unusual about suddenly appearing in the middle of an antique shop.

For several seconds, Xi Yunxui’s mind went completely blank.

”Hui?”

The little girl blinked.

Xi Yunxui looked toward the floor.

There was no sign of the tiger-like creature.

Her gaze slowly returned to the child.

”Hui?”

The girl continued staring at her.

Xi Yunxui pointed at the little girl, then toward the empty space beside her.

”You were just...”

She stopped.

There was no sensible way to complete that sentence.

Xi Yunxui pressed a hand against her forehead.

”Why did you turn back now?”

The little girl tilted her head.

”Can you speak?”

No answer came.

Xi Yunxui studied her more carefully.

”Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The girl blinked again.

That was not particularly helpful.

Xi Yunxui mentally called for the System.

System.

[Yes, Host?]

Why can’t Hui talk?

[The System does not possess sufficient information regarding Hui’s current condition.]

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

What exactly does that mean?

[It means the System does not have sufficient information.]

Xi Yunxui stared blankly ahead.

Very helpful.

The System wisely remained silent.

Xi Yunxui sighed and looked back at Hui, who continued watching her with the same innocent expression.

Then, suddenly, another thought occurred to her.

Xi Yunxui slowly turned her head toward the rest of the antique shop.

The apprentice was still behind the counter.

The Patriarch and the elderly shop owner remained inside the inner room.

She looked back at Hui.

Then she called for the System again.

System.

[Yes, Host?]

How exactly am I supposed to explain this?

[Please clarify.]

Xi Yunxui almost laughed.

The Patriarch saw Hui as a tiger-like creature. The elderly man saw Hui. His apprentice nearly screamed the shop down because of Hui.

She paused.

And now Hui has disappeared and been replaced by a little girl.

There was a brief silence.

[The Host raises a reasonable concern.]

Xi Yunxui closed her eyes.

Thank you.

[However, instead of wondering why Hui has been replaced by a little girl, Host should perhaps consider how she intends to explain the appearance of an unfamiliar little girl.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes opened.

That was exactly the problem.

The System continued mercilessly.

[The Host may also wish to consider explaining where the tiger-like creature disappeared to.]

Xi Yunxui slowly looked at Hui.

Hui looked back at her.

King C moved closer and glanced between them.

Leaning toward Xi Yunxui, he whispered quietly enough that the apprentice would not hear him.

”This is going to be difficult.”

Xi Yunxui slowly turned toward him.

”Don’t.”

King C immediately closed his mouth.

Biyu made a faint sound.

Xi Yunxui glanced at it.

”Don’t start either.”

Biyu immediately became quiet.

Meanwhile, Hui suddenly smiled.

Xi Yunxui stared at her.

For some reason, that innocent little smile made the situation considerably worse.

Then the sound of the inner door opening reached her ears.

Xi Yunxui froze.

Hui continued blinking at her innocently.

King C leaned closer once more.

”I think they’re coming.”

Xi Yunxui did not respond.

Her mind was already racing through increasingly ridiculous explanations.

A few minutes ago, she had entered the antique shop with three creatures.

Now she was sitting in the same corner with two creatures—

And one little girl whose appearance she could not explain.

Xi Yunxui slowly lowered her head.

Her life had officially become far too complicated.

And judging by the sound of approaching footsteps, she was about to discover whether calling Hui a dog had truly been the most ridiculous lie she would tell that day.