Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 188: Xi Chun [2]

"Since when do people die of... whatever you just said?"

[Monotony.]

"Yeah, that."

[People do. If I say so.]

Ace didn't bother responding.

Arguing with a newborn, hot-headed Qiong Qi felt like a waste of brain cells.

He shifted his attention elsewhere, surely there were more worthwhile things to focus on.

[Human! One day, I'll eat you! You disrespectful being!]

The beast growled, but its rant was cut short as its gaze drifted to Rei and more specifically, the basket she was carrying.

A basket full of golden spirit mangoes!

[Human… get me that basket and I will forgive you.]

Ace followed the beast's line of sight and saw Rei hovering not far off.

He raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you go get it yourself?"

Qiong Qi flinched, clearly troubled.

[No. My ancestors made a pact with the fairy creatures, we're not to interact with them directly. In return, they tend to our spirit farm.]

Ace blinked, confusion creeping into his features. A sacred pact over mangoes?

Then Qiong Qi added,

[Ahem… I'll be at your command if you bring me those spirit mangoes.]

Now that caught his attention.

Without another word, Ace walked over to Rei.

"I'll be taking this basket," he said casually. "Bring another one over later."

Rei looked at him, then simply handed the basket over.

"Okay, Master."

Before he turned away, Ace asked, "How's Angie doing?"

Rei's expression soured.

"She stopped after she destroyed seventeen spirit apple trees."

Ace winced. "Ouch. That's… a lot."

"It was painful to watch," Rei said with a sigh.

"Why didn't you stop her?"

She turned her gaze sharply to him, eyes narrow.

"Yeah, right. Since someone said, 'Just let it be.'"

With that, she huffed and flew off.

Ace scratched his head. "ah shit."

Ace walked back at a leisurely pace, the basket of spirit mangoes tucked under one arm.

He could already see Qiong Qi practically bouncing in place like an impatient child, tail swishing, eyes glued to the fruit.

"Here," Ace said dryly, handing over the basket.

The beast snatched it like a spoiled prince, cradling it dramatically as if it had just been reunited with its long-lost treasure.

[Heheheh… You really believed that whole 'at your command' thing?]

Ace simply chuckled but didn't respond as he looked at Qiong Qi.

[Ahhh, you humans are so gullible! Of course I was joking. There's no way I'd let anyone command me! If anything, I should be the one doing the commanding!]

It raised its head proudly, then promptly sank its sharp teeth into the juiciest mango.

Splat!

Juice exploded out as the beast moaned in delight.

[Ohhh, yes! This is the flavor of freedom! Of power!]

Ace crossed his arms and stared at him, expression unreadable. "I knew you were lying."

[Then why did you give it to me?]

Ace shrugged. "Because watching you eat is like watching a drama unfold. You're more entertaining than I expected."

[Hmph. Keep flattering me, human. Perhaps I'll allow you to witness my greatness a while longer.]

The beast chomped into another mango, juice dripping from its fangs as it reclined like a lazy king.

Ace simply watched as he smiles, it was light, but at the same time, internally he was sighing.

Why does it feel like the heavens thought one Liu Mei wasn't gluttonous enough? Now they've sent me a beast with similar features.....

Qiong Qi, lazily gnawing on a spirit mango, caught the smile on Ace's face and instantly froze.

The beast bolted two steps back, eyes wide.

[H-Human, wait! What are you doing?! I merely asked for food, that's all! Have some mercy! I still have my pride!]

Ace didn't even move.

"...I literally just smiled," he muttered.

Before their nonsense could escalate, the first note rang out.

It was like a drop of water falling onto still glass, soft, subtle, but rippling through the air.

Xi Chun's fingers danced lightly over the guqin strings, drawing out a melody both sorrowful and serene.

The garden fell quiet.

Tushan clasped her hands together with excitement, while the others slowly fell into a reverent silence.

Then, Xi Chun began to sing, her voice pure and haunting, like a lullaby,

"In the garden where silence grows,

Beneath moonlight's silver glow,

A dream once lost begins to show—

Whispers of spring, soft and slow.

Petals fall where memories lie,

Ink on paper, tears gone dry.

Yet in each note I sing tonight,

Hope takes root and learns to fly."

The melody gently soared, wrapping around the spirit herbs, causing a few to shimmer faintly in response.

Ace let out a quiet breath, the absurdity of the moment still lingering then the note struck, soft and shivering, drawing his gaze without command.

Even Qiong Qi froze mid-bite, a piece of mango dangling from his fangs, forgotten.

His ears twitched, tail stilling as the notes washed over him like moonlight on water

Akha's eyes misted over.

Aunt Hong closed her eyes, a rare smile on her lips.

As Xi Chun's melody flowed like a gentle river, something subtle stirred in the garden.

It began with the Yin Tulips, those shy, purple-tipped blooms that rarely opened during the day.

Slowly, gracefully, they began to sway, their blossoms unfurling in unison as if entranced by the music.

A faint shimmer of spiritual energy glowed around them as they released a soft, calming fragrance into the air.

Ace blinked. "They're… blooming?"

Just then, a soft chime joined the guqin's melody.

He turned his head.

The Lunar Bell Grass, known for its crescent-moon shaped buds, was swaying as well, its delicate silver petals tingling like wind chimes in harmony with the tune.

With each note Xi Chun played, they answered back with their own soft, ringing resonance.

Soon, other spirit herbs followed.

The Soulleaf Ferns began to pulse gently with light, their leafy fronds dancing like flames to the rhythm.

The Spiritroot Vines stretched lazily toward the guqin, curling upward as if trying to touch the music itself.

The entire herb garden had come alive.

The once still plants now moved together, not wildly, but with elegance, like a performance only they could offer in return.

Ace was stunned. His eyes slowly widened as the realization sank in.

"This is… real?"

But he wasn't alone.

Even Mati face alight with shock and joy.

"She's... singing the garden into growth,"

Mati whispered, almost reverently.

"I-I've only read about this in ancient cultivation texts. Spirit harmony resonance... it's real!"

Tushan puffed out her chest proudly. "That's my sister!"