Chapter 18 Little Bunny Meng

Before Bai Xiaoyue could finish her sentence, Yan Chixia had already unfurled the entire scroll with a swift motion. Instantly, he was left speechless.

It was a painting titled “Beauty Bathing Under the Waterfall.”

Upon the canvas, beneath a cascading waterfall, stood a woman of striking presence upon a rock. She showered amid the mist, standing in profile, her skin luminous as snow and her figure shapely and full. Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, her jade-like face was raised, and her arms extended as if to catch the falling water. The gentle curve of her well-formed chest was half-veiled between her arms, exuding a myriad of charms and an unending spring-like allure.

Yan Chixia recognized at a glance that the woman was Bai Xiaoyue herself. His face flushed red, and he quickly turned away, saying to her, “Sister, forgive me! I didn’t know this was your painting... This is something private. You should put it away.”

Although Bai Xiaoyue felt embarrassed, seeing Yan Chixia’s awkward expression brought a soft smile to her lips. She comforted him gently, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, little brother. There’s nothing improper about this painting... Since it’s already open, you might as well appreciate it.”

Yan Chixia, somewhat bashful, grinned. “Sister, you’re so generous! Truly, I love your paintings… Since you don’t mind, then I’ll take a good look.”

He turned his gaze back to the “Beauty Bathing Under the Waterfall,” his heart filled with joy as he admired it.

Bai Xiaoyue, cheeks aglow, stood beside him and explained the circumstances under which she painted it.

Yan Chixia listened with keen interest, his eyes fixed on the painting. The more he looked, the more he liked it, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Sister, you paint so beautifully! Looking at your work is truly a feast for the eyes!”

Bai Xiaoyue’s heart fluttered at his words. “If you like my paintings, little brother, then I’ll give both of these to you.”

“Really?” Yan Chixia was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful! Sister, with these, I’ll be able to see you every day! Hehe… Sister, would you paint a portrait of me as well?”

“Of course!” Bai Xiaoyue replied without hesitation. “Little brother, I’ll paint you right now.”

Yan Chixia was elated. “Wonderful! Sister, where should I stand for you to paint me?”

Bai Xiaoyue smiled. “You don’t need to stand anywhere special… Just perform a sword dance here in the cave for me.”

“Huh?” Yan Chixia blinked. “That’s all? Alright, then! Sister, I’ll show you my sword dance…” With that, he drew the Scarlet Hero Sword, stepped back a few paces, assumed a ready stance, and began his vigorous display.

With his cultivation advancing, Yan Chixia’s Scarlet Hero Sword technique had grown ever more formidable. Now, as he moved and the sword flashed with cold light, the energy radiating from his strokes was overwhelming. Bai Xiaoyue, watching from the side, was dazzled by the spectacle, unable to take her eyes off.

Suddenly, the two colorful butterflies fluttering in the cave were swept down to the ground.

Bai Xiaoyue saw what happened and, realizing the sword’s energy had wounded the butterflies, cried out in distress, “Ah—!”

Startled, Yan Chixia immediately sheathed his sword and rushed to her side. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Bai Xiaoyue replied. “Little brother, your swordsmanship is incredible! If my own skills were half as powerful, I wouldn’t have been injured by that scorpion yesterday… All right! Sit down and rest, I’ll paint you now.”

She fetched her brushes and a blank scroll from beneath the stone bed, spread it out, and, after a moment’s thought, set her brush to the paper. With swift, fluid strokes, she captured the heroic scene of Yan Chixia brandishing his sword, rendering him vividly alive on the canvas.

“Ah!” Yan Chixia gasped in admiration, clapping his hands. “Sister, you’re amazing! I envy you! Will you teach me to paint?”

“Certainly!” Bai Xiaoyue replied with a radiant smile. “You teach me the art of talismanic painting, and I’ll teach you how to paint. Deal?”

“It’s a deal!” Yan Chixia agreed happily. No sooner had he spoken when a loud “bang” sounded, followed by a sharp cry at the cave’s entrance—a girl’s voice.

Startled, the two looked over and saw, a dozen paces in front of the cave, a little white rabbit lying stiff on the ground.

Bai Xiaoyue saw that the rabbit had struck the barrier, her face changing as she cried out in alarm and hurried over.

Yan Chixia followed her. When they reached the rabbit’s side, they saw its eyes closed tight. Both felt a pang of sympathy and called out in unison:

“Little white rabbit, are you all right? Wake up…”

“I’m perfectly fine!” As soon as they called, the rabbit opened its eyes, stood up, and answered, “Just a little dizzy…”

“What?” Yan Chixia exclaimed in astonishment. “Little white rabbit, how can you speak?”

“Hee hee!” The rabbit grinned mischievously at him. “That’s my secret—I won’t tell you!” Its voice was quick and delicate, its tiny three-lobed mouth set in a look that seemed to say, “You’re not trustworthy,” making it all the more endearing.

Bai Xiaoyue was unfazed. She saw in the little white rabbit a reflection of her own cultivation years ago and asked with heartfelt emotion, “Little white rabbit, are you cultivating to become human too? That’s no small feat! From my experience, since you can already speak, you’ve surpassed the Spirit Awakening stage… It won’t be long before you reach the Tribulation Crossing, will it?”

“Ah?” The rabbit was astonished. “Beautiful elder sister, how did you know my secret?”

Bai Xiaoyue stroked its head and laughed. “Of course I know—I was once just like you.”

“Really?” The little rabbit gazed up at her with large, jewel-bright eyes. “So you cultivated from a rabbit as well? That’s wonderful news! Hehe… I just happened to pass by, saw this cave, and wanted to look inside, but suddenly bounced back—only to meet a senior of my own kind! Please, elder, allow Tutu Meng to pay her respects!”

With that, Tutu Meng stood upright, brought her forepaws together, and gave Bai Xiaoyue a solemn bow.

Yan Chixia, watching from the side, couldn’t help but laugh at her distinctly human manner.

Bai Xiaoyue, overjoyed, gathered her into her arms and asked gently, “So your name is Tutu Meng?”

“Yes!” Tutu Meng nodded proudly. “Elder, what do you think of my name? Isn’t it adorable?”