The glowing sphere of light dimmed, revealing a teenage boy.
He wore brown gauze, his chestnut hair loose, his skin snowy white, and his eyes big and bright. The corners of his mouth curled slightly upward, giving him a sweet, obedient, and handsome look.
Lily Bai: "..."
He transformed just like that?
"Warden!" He bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for your help!"
"Huh? Please get up, I didn’t really help you with anything…" Lily Bai said. "I just took a nap on your branch, that’s all."
The Tea-Tree Spirit pointed at the stone where Lily Bai had drawn a talisman earlier: "First, that helped block the baleful energy of the transformation tribulation. Then last night, you bestowed an immortal tear, and that let me transform."
"Oh…" Lily Bai had actually forgotten about that. "Well, congratulations! But you’re a bit odd—how come you can speak human language as soon as you transformed?"
"That’s because I gained awareness centuries ago, and over the years, lots of people have come here and talked. Chacha heard enough to pick it up."
"I see!" Lily Bai nodded. "So, what do you plan to do next?"
"Plan?" The Tea-Tree Spirit looked at her, utterly confused, his eyes pure as a newborn's.
"Here in the Primeval Demon Wilds, with powerful demon beasts everywhere, a newly transformed little spirit like you could easily get eaten if you don’t have protection," Lily Bai said. "How about this—you could go to the Demon Emperor’s Palace over there. The Demon Emperor has some karmic connection with you; maybe he’ll take you in."
"Huh?" He asked anxiously, "Warden, are you not planning to take Chacha yourself?"
"Me?" Lily Bai shook her head. "You’ve reached immortal rank with your transformation; you could find somewhere much better."
"But you already gave Chacha a name! Only a master can name me."
Lily Bai: "I just blurted that out…"
"I don’t want to go anywhere else. I just want to follow the Warden." The Tea-Tree Spirit gazed at her, full of longing. "I can give you tea leaves and tea dew, and I can release my fragrance—you said you liked my scent, didn’t you?"
Lily Bai: "..."
Chacha: "I also have innate wood-element magic: healing, clearing the mind, forest tracking, and I can use vine-binding to strangle enemies. Chacha can learn even more spells…"
"Alright, alright," Lily Bai said. "If you really want to follow me, then come along. But if you ever find somewhere better, just let me know."
"Thank you, Warden!" Chacha beamed with joy. "Chacha isn’t going anywhere—Chacha will follow Warden for life!"
Lily Bai said, "Come on, I’ll take you to meet my junior brother."
"Okay." Chacha followed Lily Bai back to the Demon Emperor’s Palace.
Nine Li was over by Baxa.
He was getting along especially well with Baxa’s underling little demons.
Lily Bai brought Chacha over and asked Nine Li to find him some clothes, fix his hair, and generally clean him up.
When Chacha appeared before Lily Bai again, he looked even neater and more refined—his features delicate as a painting, strikingly handsome, and his smile so warm it felt innately healing.
"Is this the Spirit Tea Tree from Fallen Feather Peak?" Baxa asked.
Lily Bai: "Fallen Feather Peak?"
"The tallest mountain here is called Fallen Feather Peak," Baxa said. "You didn’t know?"
Lily Bai shook her head. "That name’s a bit odd. Why ‘Fallen Feather’? There’s always a gentle breeze over there—I think ‘Flying Feathers’ would be better."
"Maybe the name has some deeper meaning!" Baxa said, looking at her.
"Oh…"
"When did he complete his transformation?"