She unfolded the automatic Treasure-Hunting Map and focused on her location, carefully examining the distribution of wild beasts and prey throughout the back mountains that day.
On the virtual map, several small red dots moved slowly along winding paths. They represented pheasants and wild rabbits running across the ground, while sparrows flew through the skies above. Suddenly, a flashing red warning bar appeared on the screen, pulsing rhythmically.
Curious, Song Xiaoyu tapped the floating light screen.
A small line of text immediately appeared.
Warning: An adult Five-Paced Viper is lurking in this direction. Highly venomous!
Even though it was a deadly snake, Song Xiaoyu felt no fear whatsoever.
As long as it didn’t cross her path, everything was fine. But if it did, she would catch it and turn it into a jar of premium medicinal wine.
The prey displayed on the Treasure-Hunting Map was rendered with remarkable clarity. Deep within the back mountains, a massive dark-red dot glowed far brighter than any pheasant or rabbit.
She didn’t need to think twice to know it was either a fierce tiger, a wild wolf, or an enormous wild boar.
After selling a giant black bear yesterday, she intended to keep a low profile today.
Dragging huge beasts out of the mountains every day would eventually attract suspicion. If she wasn’t careful, she might end up wiping out all the large animals in the back mountains.
Song Xiaoyu understood this very well.
Allowing those beasts to continue multiplying for a while would only provide her with a more sustainable source of income in the future.
Besides, catching a few pheasants or rabbits every few days was perfectly normal.
What truly worried her was hunting apex predators day after day. If that happened, the villagers might eventually decide she was some kind of demon or evil spirit, tie her up, drag her to the village square, and burn her alive.
That would be a genuine tragedy.
As she walked deeper into her mystical space, she reflected on how busy she had been these past few days.
This was the first opportunity she had to thoroughly inspect her golden finger.
Inside this pocket dimension, one hour was equal to an entire day outside. Anything could be stored here, including living creatures.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became.
If a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood ever occurred in the future, couldn’t she simply bring her entire family into the space for shelter?
Having a golden finger really was wonderful.
She carefully observed her surroundings.
The space resembled a secluded paradise hidden from the world. Vast stretches of fertile land extended as far as the eye could see. In the distance, thick white mist drifted slowly through the air, making the place resemble a legendary sanctuary where immortals secluded themselves to cultivate.
Pushing open the ancient wooden door of the cottage at the center of the space, she stepped inside.
A square table crafted from precious yellow pearwood stood in the middle of the room, accompanied by matching chairs.
On the tabletop rested a flawless tea set made from white jade and blue celadon.
Farther inside was a frost-white jade bed large enough for two people. Translucent curtains woven from cloud-like gauze hung gracefully around it.
Curious, she reached out and touched the edge of the bed.
The moment her fingertips made contact, an icy chill surged through her body like frozen needles piercing her veins.
She shivered violently and immediately pulled her hand back.
An exquisitely carved red sandalwood wardrobe.
An ancient bronze tripod cauldron.
A sandalwood incense altar.
A purple-lacquered tea table decorated with gold wave patterns.
A sandalwood bookshelf carved with a magnificent Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix design.
The luxurious furnishings dazzled Song Xiaoyu until her eyes felt overwhelmed.
Unable to resist, she picked up the teapot and planned to pour herself a cup.
To her surprise, there wasn’t a single tea leaf inside.
The pot was filled entirely with spiritual spring water, carrying the same sweet and refreshing taste as the spring outside.
A frown slowly appeared on her face.
The cottage was spotless.
There wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere.
Even the teacups looked as though they had just been cleaned.
Could someone else be living inside this space?
The moment that thought surfaced, Song Xiaoyu instinctively held her breath and sharpened her senses, listening carefully for any sign of life.
After waiting for quite some time, she heard absolutely nothing.
Unwilling to leave any corner unchecked, she walked over to the carved red sandalwood wardrobe and threw open its doors.
She searched through it thoroughly.
Still nothing.
Just as she stood there deep in thought, a delicate birdcage woven with golden threads hanging beside the carved wooden window trembled ever so slightly.
The movement was extremely subtle.
Unfortunately for its occupant, it didn’t escape Song Xiaoyu’s keen eyes.
“Hey, little birdie, where did your master go?”
She poked a finger through the bars and questioned the tiny bird inside.
The bird’s expression was astonishingly human.
It narrowed its eyes and gave her a disdainful sideways glance.
Then it deliberately turned its back on her and lifted its head proudly, as though it couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her existence.
The bird’s appearance was quite unusual.
Its entire body was covered in blazing crimson feathers. Upon closer inspection, every feather carried a faint metallic golden sheen.
On top of its head was a magnificent tuft of golden crest feathers.
“Hey, Red Feather, where’s your master? If you don’t answer me, I’ll pluck every one of your feathers, roast you until you’re golden brown, and eat you as a midnight snack!”
Song Xiaoyu’s patience finally ran out.
She reached directly into the cage and grabbed the bird’s golden crest, intending to force an answer out of it.
The next moment, a sharp, clear voice that sounded like a seven- or eight-year-old boy suddenly rang out.
“You little brat! Who are you calling Red Feather?”
“Your entire family is Red Feather!”
“I am a Primeval Divine Beast!”
“How dare an ignorant little child show such disrespect to this Divine Beast?”
“Hurry up and kneel before me!”
“Perform the grand kowtow of worship at once!”