Daily life of a cultivation judge
Chapter 1200 - 1200: Haishi's strangeness (2)

That being the case, they likely didn't see Feng Xin as a threat, hence why the seal hadn't reacted or triggered any strangeness from Haishi. A puny late-stage core formation expert, even a talented one, was nothing before a soul formation expert, not even against a mere wisp of their soul or spiritual will.

Yang Qing was confident of this. He, Dai Chen, Zhang Qingge, and the others had nearly died to the spiritual will of a soul formation expert and had been utterly helpless against it. If not for the timely intervention of one of the vice presidents and the chief inquisitor, they would have perished.

Yang Qing still had nightmares about that day. Fortunately, he had Old Fiend Lei's nightmares to counteract them.

As such, he strongly felt the reason the seal reacted had nothing to do with his realm or his prodigious abilities. It likely had more to do with Haishi's new environment.

Against such a figure, Feng Xin, Yang Qing—they were worms. A self-aware person like Yang Qing knew that well. But their home didn't only house worms, it had dragons too. And whoever was behind that seal likely sensed this. That was why they acted, revealing the seal's presence not only to show Haishi had a backer, but also to demonstrate they bore no ill will, as evidenced by allowing the seal to be noticed and even probed.

While the figure who placed the seal likely bore no ill will, that didn't stop Yang Qing from feeling nervous and anxious about how to treat Haishi, feelings that only intensified whenever he noticed the gazes Ellie usually gave her. His nerves only settled when the hall master of the Beast Tamer Hall advised him to treat Haishi casually, reminding him of his own backing. She may have a powerful backer, but wasn't that true for him as well?

That statement became the tonic that quelled all his fears. Yang Qing did his best work when he did nothing and let others carry the load. Did it happen often? No, but when it did, there was no better feeling... well, maybe eating, and deciphering the mysteries of cultivation arts. But aside from that—well, and maybe his vengeance against Old Fiend Lei—but other than that, few things came close to the sense of satisfaction he felt when others shouldered the burden and his only role was to sit there and look pretty.

So while he didn't forget about Haishi's secret, which she didn't even seem aware of, the trepidation he once felt toward it had completely faded. Now, all that remained was unbridled curiosity: about Haishi's connection to the figure who left the seal, how powerful that person was, the seal's mechanisms and hidden functions, and, most of all, how strong Haishi would one day become.

That final part was the one that filled him with endless joy, because the stronger Haishi became, the easier his job would be, and the less he'd have to do. Now that he no longer had to worry about her backing, he had no qualms about exposing her to the dangers that came with the job. Like bringing her with him to some war-torn territory to investigate clues related to a palace realm kidnapping... and a ferry.

If her great-grandparent, grandparent, or parent had any problems with that, they were welcome to help with the case and lessen the dangers facing their descendant.

What if they take her back? Yang Qing thought worriedly as he eyed Haishi. An instant later, he shook his head and chastised himself for overthinking.

They might want to take her back, but would Haishi even agree? With the way she buzzed around Yang Qing joyfully, her eyes full of expectation, he had a feeling she'd rather stay.

Between her and Bolin, she was the one who had quickly taken to the Order's environment. Her only problem was Ellie, which Yang Qing had already taken steps to address, though it would likely take a few more pummeling sessions for the message to sink into that bird's head.

Other than that, Haishi genuinely seemed to enjoy life at the Order. She'd already made friends with the staff and even bonded with other spirit beasts.

Her dunce-like nature made it easy for her to get along with others, and given her temperament, she didn't seem the combative type. So it was only natural that someone like her wouldn't be too eager to return to a violent cesspit like the Green Fog Region, where fights broke out on nearly every corner and every day was a struggle for survival.

While the seal would definitely protect her if she encountered life-threatening danger, Haishi didn't know that.

So, that being the case, given the option, would Haishi really leave a place where she could be as carefree as she wanted? Or would she return to an environment where she had to stay constantly alert, always on guard against becoming cultivation nourishment for some other spirit beast?

Given the coward he knew her to be, Yang Qing was certain what she'd choose. They were kindred spirits in that regard.

Though that wasn't the only thing they shared.

There was another trait they had in common, and it was that trait that gave Yang Qing confidence she wouldn't leave so easily.

Haishi was just as much of a voracious eater as he was—a fact he discovered the more time he spent with her. She ate as much as he did, and thankfully, while she devoured nearly everything, including her old buddy the green-flowered babirusa, he found she had an especial fondness for fruits and plants. That gladdened Yang Qing to no end, since that was something he was never short on, thanks to his abilities.

"I will make a disciple glutton out of you yet..." schemed Yang Qing as he quickly wore a gentle smile and brought out an array of fruits and berries from his abode.

"Haishi, I brought this for you," he said gently and coaxingly, handing over the bundle to the excitable Haishi, who buzzed ecstatically around him. She used all her limbs to snatch up the fruits in a flash, inaudibly offering her thanks with sparkling eyes.

Not one to play favorites, Yang Qing gave some to Bolin as well. Though he was just as appreciative, especially given the quality of the fruits, his reaction was far more reserved compared to Haishi's.

"Let's go. I have a mission I need you to accompany me on. Think of it as a relaxing break from your training," Yang Qing said as he led them back toward the tower, hoping to find old fiend Lei and ask if he had any connections to the Silver Crane Sect.