In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 75 Daily Life of Horse Racing on the Grassland

It was clear that Zhou Liangwu had made a great decision to come to her. Ning Xiaoxi smiled and said to Zhou Liangwu, "Uncle Zhou, please speak freely."

Zhou Liangwu slowed his speech, slowly recounting the prepared statement, "My family has four sons and one daughter. Because they all achieved official positions, they never had the opportunity to come into contact with the Celestial Master Pavilion. Now that my family is listed as criminals, our past can be cleared. I wonder if my family members have any opportunities, so I would like to ask the young lady for her help." Zhou Liangwu's tone was very sincere. He had seen the Ning family's young lady and gentleman become more and more outstanding along the way. His family was already in such a situation, so why couldn't they try another path?

Ning Xiaoxi understood Zhou Liangwu's meaning. Since he was no longer an official, he could consider becoming a Celestial Master. However, becoming a Celestial Master required spiritual veins and roots, but she had already awakened her insight and assessment skills, so checking for potential wouldn't be a problem. However, she wasn't familiar with the Zhou family; they had only exchanged greetings along the way. She decided to inquire about the normal procedures for him first.

"Uncle Zhou, this is not difficult, but I need to discuss it with my subordinate. Would it be alright if I gave you an answer tomorrow?"

"Alright, alright, no rush. The young lady has already worked hard today, let's talk about it tomorrow." Zhou Liangwu didn't expect Ning Xiaoxi to say that, and he was very grateful no matter what the outcome was.

Ning Xiaoxi picked up a bowl and poured herself a cup of hot water, but Ming Luoying took it away and handed her a cup of tea instead. "This is honeysuckle tea that Physician Zhao brought over. Drink this. The old physician also said that along the way, they also picked some other medicinal herbs. Although his words were unpleasant, he said that if needed, just go to him."

Ning Xiaoxi smiled, feeling good as she thought of that spirited little old man.

After finishing her tea, Ning Xiaoxi strolled over to Chang Qing's tent. "Is Brother Chang here?"

Chang Qing came out carrying a bowl of tea. "Xiao Xi, why didn't you rest for a bit?"

"I have something I'd like to discuss with Brother Chang. Shall we go for a walk?" Ning Xiaoxi always felt very relaxed with Chang Qing, and spoke quite casually.

Chang Qing turned around and handed the teacup to the guard who was following him. "Come on, there's a grassy pond over there, and it looks like there's a swamp too. Let's go see if there are any wild ducks!"

Ning Xiaoxi followed Chang Qing with light steps, "Brother Chang, it's so good to have you with me all the way through this Jizhou region!"

Chang Qing chuckled, "You silly girl, why are you being so polite with your older brother?"

"Brother Chang, have you ever been to Youzhou?"

"I wouldn't call it a trip! I spent more time at the garrison before, and I've been to Jizhou a few times, but I only went to Beiyue City in Youzhou. That time!" Chang Qing recalled, "The strategist had a friend there who loved food. He went to climb the Beiyue Mountains to hunt yaks, but he was injured by some kind of monster and was on the verge of death when he was carried home. In the end, he sought help from the strategist, and that was when I went to Beiyue City with him." Chang Qing suddenly stopped talking at this point.

"Strategist?" Ning Xiaoxi asked wistfully, gently touching her chest. The heart on the fountain responded with a strong beat. "You truly have a wide circle of friends!"

Chang Qing smiled slightly, "Yes, the Bai family of Qingping is skilled not only in magic but also in healing arts. Countless Celestial Masters throughout the Nine Provinces have been saved by the Bai family, so they are highly respected among the Celestial Masters!"

"Brother Chang, are there any restrictions on becoming a Celestial Master? If someone has a criminal record but possesses a spiritual vein, can they cultivate to become a Celestial Master?"

"Someone is looking for you?" Chang Qing turned to look at Ning Xiaoxi.

Ning Xiaoxi smiled shyly, "Maybe it was because of my story that they were inspired, so they wanted to try a different way of life."

Chang Qing nodded. "That's understandable. Actually, there are no restrictions on becoming a Celestial Master. As long as you're not an official or have an official family, you can become one. Ordinary people, merchants, peddlers, and even criminals can become one if they have the right opportunity." As he spoke, Chang Qing suddenly lowered his head.

She gently tugged at Ning Xiaoxi's sleeve, signaling her to be quiet. It turned out that the two of them had unknowingly reached the edge of the swamp, the ground beneath their feet becoming soft and damp.

The two crouched down, parted the grass, and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw several wild ducks swimming leisurely on the shallow beach not far away. Their gray feathers shimmered faintly in the dim light, and they would occasionally dive into the water and then happily pop out of the water.

"Duck!" Ning Xiaoxi exclaimed softly, then took out the spirit crystal dagger and began to activate the immobilization talisman on the front of the dagger. "Brother Chang, use this immobilization talisman. I'll point it in front, and you can pick it up from behind."

Chang Qing looked at Ning Xiaoxi's slightly smug expression and nodded, "Okay!"

Ning Xiaoxi bent over, her steps as light as a cat's, and moved closer step by step. Water Qi gathered under her feet, and she used the moisture to accelerate her Water Step. Her figure disappeared instantly and appeared beside the flock of ducks. With a swift movement, she touched each duck with her dagger.

Although Chang Qing wasn't as fast as Ning Xiaoxi, he was quick with his hands. For every duck that fell, he would break its neck. In a short while, he had harvested seven ducks.

"Only a girl like you would use a freezing spell to catch ducks." Chang Qing grabbed a handful of dried reeds, tied them into a rope, and strung seven ducks together around their necks. It was quite heavy.

Chang Qing took out a whistle and blew it a few times. Soon, the two guards appeared in front of them. When they saw the duck on the ground, they laughed happily and picked it up quickly.

Ning Xiaoxi stood up from the bushes. "Brother Chang, there are still duck eggs here, come quick!"

Chang Qing strode over, and with a clatter, a dark shadow leaped swiftly from the grass, heading straight for him. Chang Qing reacted quickly, reaching out to grab a thick green snake that coiled around his arm. Caught by its vital spot, the snake could only writhe helplessly. Chang Qing tightened his grip, and the snake slumped limply, about to throw it away.

"Brother Chang, don't throw it away." Ning Xiaoxi stepped forward, stretched out her hand, and realized that she was still afraid of this kind of mollusk. "Keep it to make soup or roast snake meat."

Chang Qing and his two guards stared wide-eyed at Ning Xiaoxi. Chang Qing held up the snake, unsure whether to throw it away or not.

"Listen to me, go back and pack it up, skin it and get the gallbladder. Give the gallbladder to Doctor Zhao, and we'll eat the snake meat."

Just then, Yin Biao arrived with several constables. Seeing their appearance, he understood why Chang Qing had blown the whistle.

"Haha, Officer Chang, Miss Ning is right, this snake meat is quite delicious." Yin Biao summoned several constables behind him, "Go and help."

Seeing that someone finally recognized their value, Ning Xiaoxi turned back and parted the bushes, saying, "Chairman Yin, there are still duck eggs here. Take them all back."

The group's commotion stirred up the shallows, causing unknown birds to flutter into the sky and several wild ducks to quack as they flew away from other mudflats.

“Now that we’re out here, let’s go over there and see if there are any rabbits, and have another meal.” Yin Biao led two constables into the depths of the bushes.