The coal-like little Stone Spirit jumped out from the pile of stones, looking around cautiously.

It was now considering where to go.

This sleeping spot had been exposed, and it needed to find a new place to sleep!

Otherwise, those two annoying guys from earlier would definitely return to trouble it.

"Ding ding... (But I'm so hungry, unbearably hungry. I need minerals... need Spiritual Qi...)"

"Ding ding... (Where can I find something to eat?)"

It knew it had to find a place rich in Spiritual Qi, full of minerals to have a proper meal, but its instincts also warned it not to run around recklessly, as it could be dangerous.

"Ding ding... (What should I do?)"

Just as the little Stone Spirit was at a loss, a figure slowly flew in front of it under its puzzled gaze.

What puzzled it was that this person felt different from the ones before, seemingly evoking a deep sense of trust.

"Hungry? Here, this is for you!"

Immediately afterward, the figure wrapped several pieces of ore and a blob of Spiritual Liquid with Spiritual Power and sent them in front of it.

"Ding ding... (Very hungry, unbearably hungry! Thank you!)"

The little Stone Spirit took Qi Ping's ore and Spiritual Liquid with its small stone-made hands and began to consume them, alternating between the ore and the liquid.

The hard ore was being crunched crisply in the small Stone Spirit's mouth, almost as if it were eating crispy skin pastries and cola.

It seemed it hadn't tasted anything this flavorful in millennia.

But just when the little Stone Spirit was halfway through enjoying its meal, it suddenly froze.

Wait a minute!

Who is this person? Why am I eating their food?

And this person can understand what I'm saying!

"Ding ding... (Who are you? How can you understand me? Why are you giving me food?)"

"Finish eating first; I'll tell you afterward, in case those guys come back and you lack the strength to fight!"

Qi Ping watched the little Stone Spirit crunching the hard ore crisply and told it to finish eating first.

He wasn't sure if the little Stone Spirit would be willing to become his Animal Companion, but he had a good impression of it.

If the little Stone Spirit was unwilling, restoring its strength and finding a place to hide would be good enough, so it wouldn't be caught by other cultivators and turned into a Lifebound Treasure, with its soul becoming an uncontrolled Artifact Spirit.

Even if it couldn't become an Animal Companion, being friends was also an option.

Furthermore, several tracking imprints were left on the little Stone Spirit; evidently, those three people would not let it go.

After a wild feast, the little Stone Spirit finally finished Qi Ping's Spiritual Liquid and the ore.

"Ding ding... (I'm somewhat full, feeling much better!)"

After finishing the earlier items, the little Stone Spirit finally felt much more comfortable.

"Ding ding... (Thank you so much! Why did you give me food?)"

"Because I want you to become my Animal Companion!" Qi Ping stated directly.

Conversing with the simple-minded little Stone Spirit required no cunning detours.

"An Animal Companion means being friends; it just requires a contract. Once signed, we'd be friends forever!"

"Ding ding... (Then I'd like to be friends with you! Do you have a safe place to sleep?)"

If Qi Ping had a safe place, it could rest there peacefully.

Sleeping for hundreds or thousands of years is the most delightful thing for it.

"Of course!" Qi Ping assuredly responded.

His future territory would indeed become the safest fortress.

"Ding ding... (Can we go now? I feel those nasty guys might come back!)"

Creatures like the Stone Spirit have sharp Perception and instinctively avoid potential dangers.

"They're already back!"

Qi Ping smiled helplessly. Initially, he wanted to reach an agreement with the little Stone Spirit, erase the imprints from it, and leave early to avoid a risky battle.

Unfortunately, those three restored their strength too fast. Before Qi Ping could erase the imprints on the Stone Spirit, the trio had already arrived.

"Ding ding... (Huh? ....)"

As soon as the little Stone Spirit heard Qi Ping's words and turned its head, it saw the three figures who intended harm towards it earlier.

...

"Kid? Who are you? We saw this Stone Spirit first; please don't meddle unwisely!"

One of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators sensed Qi Ping's early-stage Foundation Establishment aura and, considering Qi Ping's mature look, wanted him to back off sensibly.

However, before Qi Ping could respond, the younger person among the three spoke up:

"Seventh Uncle, don't let him leave. Let's deal with him first; otherwise, once we're both weakened from fighting the Stone Spirit, there's no guarantee he won't seize the opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, the one called Seventh Uncle fell into thought; it was reasonable indeed.

But taking action against a same-level Foundation Establishment Cultivator whose depth was unclear was something he preferred not to do.

However, being shouted at like this left him no choice, especially considering the younger person's higher status...

Meanwhile, Qi Ping, hearing this conversation, knew there was no room for communication, so he lost interest in responding to their questions.

He turned to the little Stone Spirit beside him:

"In this situation, what do you think we should do?"

"Ding ding... (My instinct tells me to find a way to kill them; otherwise, it'll be very troublesome!)"

"Ding ding... (Besides, they already intended harm towards me earlier!)"

The little Stone Spirit responded confidently without much thought.

"Alright, you think correctly. Let's join forces and kill them!"

At this point, Qi Ping had no hesitation; he had originally hoped for a peaceful resolution, but slaughter and strife are perpetual themes in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

Fighting, if unnecessary, can be avoided, but if inevitable, then deliver death with full force.

For safety's sake, Qi Ping, before the fight, simulated battle states and modes to proactively trigger Natural Perception. Finding no significant dangers, he also felt relieved.

But, on the other side, the trio, seeing Qi Ping communicating with the Stone Spirit and understanding the content, was stunned.

Qi Ping could communicate with the Stone Spirit? And, seemingly, they had formed an alliance!

What on earth happened in the brief moments just now?

However, Qi Ping no longer gave them the chance to think further.

Yaya!

Earth Armor Bee Swarm!

In an instant, Qi Ping summoned all his Foundation Establishment combat power.

If killing was the task, then do it quickly and leave promptly to avoid complications.

The little Stone Spirit beside him simultaneously absorbed the surrounding stones, armoring itself into a stone monster.

With the replenishment of Qi Ping's Spiritual Liquid and ore, the little Stone Spirit's current state and aura were far stronger than before!

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