"Done!"
Lord Pig flicked the brush with a flourish, clapped his little paws together, and stepped back to admire his work. A look of profound satisfaction settled upon his chubby face. It seemed that becoming a golden pig-bear Grandmaster had not only preserved his artistic skills but had significantly boosted his architectural and textile engineering vision.
In his past life, he might have been a mere spectator, lacking the crucial, hands-on inspiration of walking among a literal sea of flowers! Of course, Lord Pig had maintained his moral fiber and was completely unscathed by the experience.
"Lord Pig, what is this intricate sketch? It looks like a highly advanced mask, perhaps for an opera performance?" Jin Ping'er asked, her beautiful eyes tracing the lines of the design. She sensed a profound, disruptive innovation, but the application remained mystifying. She was close, yet utterly missing the point.
"Ping'er, this is meant for here," Lord Pig declared, running over to her and rubbing his little head against her ample chest as he spoke the word.
"Lord Pig, you are so incredibly vulgar!"
Jin Ping'er blushed a magnificent crimson and playfully swatted him away. However, as the most outstanding successor of the Hehuan Sect—a path that deals extensively with matters of the flesh—she was hardly a shrinking violet. She knew all manner of strange and tricky arts. Instead of shouting, she settled for an impossibly charming, alluring glare at the Lord Pig.
"Ping'er, listen to Lord Pig! This garment, which I shall name the Cloud Catcher, provides many profound benefits! First, it ensures that the wearer's Spiritual Qi remains stable and undisturbed by external vibrations. Second, it is a piece of form-fitting, protective armor that prevents premature dissipation of vital energy. And third, it is supremely comfortable, ensuring the proper flow of the woman's body geometry as she progresses in her cultivation!"
Lord Pig gesticulated wildly with his paws as he launched into a detailed, pseudoscientific lecture. Since Jin Ping'er and the other women worked constantly in the embroidery room, they were instantly able to grasp the garment's technical merits and, more importantly, its staggering commercial value.
It wasn't just a garment; it was a luxury pleasure item, a medical aid, and a potent fashion statement all rolled into one. Even if virtuous women didn't buy it, men would undoubtedly purchase it for their lovers, ensuring a perpetual, massive market.
"Lord Pig, this gift is far too precious! I feel profoundly unworthy to accept this masterpiece!" Jin Ping'er said, hesitating only because the potential market value was incalculable—the sketch itself could rival the wealth of a small sect.
"That's utterly insignificant. How about this: from this day forward, whenever Lord Pig requires any clothing or exotic apparel, you shall supply it to me for free. Furthermore, you will begin immediate production on a small initial batch for me right now. Agreed?" Zhu Hao waved a dismissive paw. He was the founder of a sect, after all; he didn't care about these small, worldly profits. The experience points derived from the resulting chaos were the true treasure.
"Agreed! But I must obtain the precise measurements to ensure they fit properly!" Jin Ping'er, the expert merchant, instantly understood the intricacies of custom tailoring.
"Lord Pig knows the measurements!"
Zhu Hao sat back, closed his eyes, and began issuing rapid, arcane commands, occasionally making tiny, precise gestures with his paws—a quarter-inch here, a slight curve there—to convey the exact specifications of the garments for the ladies of Qingyun. He already had these dimensions mentally cataloged with shocking accuracy.
After receiving the cryptic measurements, Jin Ping'er started the meticulous process of creation, electing to handle the first few pieces herself due to the design's complexity.
"Lord Pig, whose magnificent physique shall I begin with?"
"Begin with Xiao Ru Ru!" Lord Pig commanded.
"And who might this 'Xiao Ru Ru' be?" Jin Ping'er asked, her brow furrowed in concentration as she threaded a needle with spiritual silk.
"Su Ru, the wife of the Little Fatty from Dazhu Peak!" Lord Pig replied cheerfully.
Jin Ping'er's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Tian Buyi and Su Ru were both venerable cultivators, hundreds of years old and terrifyingly powerful, yet in Lord Pig's mouth, they were reduced to 'Little Fatty' and 'Xiao Ru Ru.' I can only imagine their faces if they ever heard these nicknames!
"Then, let's create samples for Xiao Yueyue, Xiao Minmin, Ling'er, and of course, Xueqi..." Lord Pig muttered, running through the names of his target 'clients'—all the women of Qingyun who would soon be participating in his new spiritual economy.
Despite the lengthy list, Jin Ping'er's hand speed, boosted by her Upper Clarity cultivation, was formidable. It took her only a short time to finish two exquisite pieces for each name, crafting them from the finest spiritual silk. Once complete, Lord Pig stored them carefully in his spatial ring, alongside the five hundred general apparel sets and silk scarves prepared by Ding Ling.
With the inventory secure and the supply chain established, Lord Pig jumped back into Jin Ping'er's arms, rolled twice for maximum comfort, and waved his paws in farewell. "Lord Pig is going back now! We have a market to establish."
"I bid you a safe journey, Lord Pig! Please return soon!" Jin Ping'er rubbed his back with genuine warmth.
"Hmph!" Zhu Hao nodded curtly, summoned his Wind-Thunder Sky Wings, and vanished in a roaring, golden streak.
The moment Lord Pig disappeared, Ding Ling rushed over to Jin Ping'er.
"Sister, can we truly trust this Lord Pig? He is the spiritual beast of the righteous Qingyun Sect's founder!" Ding Ling asked, her beautiful eyes still full of longing for a chance to hug the adorable golden creature.
Jin Ping'er smiled, watching the direction where Zhu Hao had vanished. "His identity is undoubtedly genuine. And yes, he can be trusted—for now. Furthermore, until he demonstrates hostility, establishing a friendly relationship with the peer of a Qingyun Patriarch is incredibly beneficial. I suspect that one day, we may have to rely on him for protection."
She sighed, a languid look in her eyes. "In the tumultuous world of cultivation, one is rarely given a choice in their alliances. Without the power to fully control one's destiny, trouble inevitably finds you. Acquiring a powerful, if unconventional, backer is paramount."
Ding Ling nodded slowly, digesting this harsh truth of the cultivation world. "Yes, Sister. But... is he truly as soft and plump as he looks? Was it comfortable being held by Lord Pig?"
"You will know the answer the very next time you manage to catch him and try it yourself," Jin Ping'er replied with a mischievous smile, already turning her attention to the pattern for the revolutionary new 'Cloud Catcher' garment. It's time to corner the market.
Xiaozhu Peak
"Lord is back! Lord Pig has returned!"
Zhu Hao's sudden re-appearance instantly sparked cheers from the waiting disciples. His absence had caused worry that their beloved golden tyrant had finally flown the coop.
"Lord Pig!"
Shuiyue, Lu Xueqi, Wen Min, and several other disciples hurried out, their relief palpable.
"Lord Pig is home!"
Zhu Hao let out a triumphant squeal and leaped directly into Shuiyue's welcoming arms, rubbing his little head affectionately against her chest.
"Where did Lord Pig go?" Shuiyue asked softly, rubbing his head in return.
"Lord Pig went out to procure a surprise for you all!" he announced mysteriously. "Come, let us retire to the inner room. Lord Pig has a very special gift to present!"
Shuiyue laughed and carried him inside. Lu Xueqi and Wen Min followed, a hint of genuine surprise and curiosity in their eyes. They hadn't expected Lord Pig to be so considerate, actually venturing down the mountain to buy gifts. What could it possibly be?
"Lord Pig, what is this mysterious gift? Why the secrecy?" Shuiyue asked once they were alone, gently stroking his round belly.
"Xiao Yueyue, feast your eyes! This is something Lord Pig personally designed and commissioned just for you. Xiao Minmin and Xueqi also have a set!"
Lord Pig reached into his spatial ring and dramatically produced six small, folded bundles of silken cloth—two for each woman.
"What… what in the name of the Heavenly Scripture is this?"
Shuiyue, Lu Xueqi, and Wen Min took the items and unfolded them, their expressions shifting from curiosity to utter, baffled confusion. They knew what they were looking at, but they refused to believe it.
"This is a revolutionary piece of spiritual body architecture," Lord Pig began, launching into his professional presentation. "It is called the Cloud Catcher, and its function is to prevent Qi Dispersal and ensure Structural Integrity."
He then launched into a detailed, eloquent explanation using technical terms. He spoke of the gravitational force vectors generated by certain anatomical features, the way unconstrained motion could lead to unnecessary energy expenditure during spiritual flight, and the importance of optimal positioning for maximum comfort and cultivation focus.
When he finished, the faces of the three venerable cultivators were scarlet—a deep, magnificent red that rivaled the finest silk. They were not accustomed to the shameless, scientific deconstruction of their anatomy by a golden pig. Jin Ping'er might have been able to handle it, but these were the righteous ladies of Qingyun.
"You… you wicked, rotten pig!"
Snap!
With a simultaneous, synchronized movement born of pure, justifiable outrage, the three women launched the Lord Pig out of the open window.
THWUMP!
Zhu Hao hit the soft earth of Xiaozhu Peak outside.
He immediately bounced up, scrambled onto the windowsill, and stuck his little face back inside, pouting. His fat cheeks were puffed up like twin dumplings. "Hmph! Lord Pig gives you this gift out of pure, technological advancement, and you show no gratitude! If you don't like it, feel free to just throw them away! See if I care!"
In the room, Shuiyue, Wen Min, and Lu Xueqi stood motionless for a moment. Then, driven by an irresistible, feminine curiosity, they looked at the delicate, revolutionary spiritual garments in their hands again and again. It was certainly soft. It was certainly unique. And Lord Pig's logic, however vulgar, was technically sound regarding Qi flow.
Finally, unable to resist the temptation of modern technology, the three women wordlessly moved behind the ornate screen in the corner to try on the Cloud Catchers.
A moment later, the window opened, and a firm, white hand shot out, grabbing Lord Pig and yanking him back inside.
"Woman, hmph!" Zhu Hao thought smugly, his big eyes twinkling. I knew they'd put them on! The mouth says 'no,' but the body is always honest!
"Release Lord Pig! Lord Pig is still deeply upset!" he declared, twisting his body.
"Lord Pig has a magnificent and generous heart. Surely he wouldn't be so petty as to argue with three small, innocent girls, would he?" Shuiyue asked, reaching out to gently prod Zhu Hao's round belly with her finger, a charming smile playing on her lips.
"Hmph!" Zhu Hao refused to answer, stubbornly turning his head away.
The next second, a fragrant breeze washed over his face, followed by a soft, cool touch against his cheek.
Experience +100
"Well, that was a start," Zhu Hao thought, instantly mollified. He shouted, "That single, meager act is not sufficient to earn Lord Pig's full forgiveness!"
Bang!
Shuiyue laughed and tossed Lord Pig gently across the room toward Wen Min. "Your turn, little sister!"
Wen Min instinctively caught the golden animal, feeling a wave of nervous embarrassment. Lord Pig twisted his body in her arms, raising his little fat face and staring at her with large, expectant eyes. The meaning was crystal clear: Pay up.
Wen Min rubbed Zhu Hao's little head, and, leaning down, kissed him softly on the forehead.
Experience +50
"Now, junior sister, this one is for you!" After a few more affectionate rubs, Wen Min gently handed Lord Pig to Lu Xueqi.
Lu Xueqi stood there, the cool beauty of Xiaozhu Peak, momentarily bewildered. Her face was still flushed from the earlier lecture. But she had been taught since childhood to never shirk a duty. After a brief internal debate, she leaned in and delivered a chaste kiss to Lord Pig's head.
Experience +50
"Xiao Yueyue, Xiao Minmin, Xueqi, how is the fit?" Zhu Hao asked, now entirely satisfied. He waved a paw at Lu Xueqi. "You must understand that errors in my spiritual calculations are possible. Xueqi, how about Lord Pig measures it for you personally to ensure a perfect fit?"
Snap!
Lu Xueqi's beautiful face instantly flushed again, and she threw Lord Pig—who landed safely in Shuiyue's arms—back toward her master.
"Behave, you scoundrel pig, or I really will throw you out for good!" Shuiyue scolded, rapping him lightly on the head.
"But Lord Pig is being serious! If the garment is too small, it restricts the flow of Qi. It's detrimental to your health and the optimal development of the spiritual body! It's also conducive to C-L-S!" Zhu Hao lectured incessantly, sounding exactly like a highly educated medical expert.
Though Shuiyue and the other two outwardly scoffed, a close observer would notice their ears were perked up, listening intently to the pig's bizarre, anatomical advice.
Having successfully executed the first phase of the gifting strategy, Zhu Hao didn't rest. He flew directly to Dazhu Peak to deliver the goods to Tian Ling'er and Su Ru.
He arrived in a golden blur, landing right in the middle of the courtyard where Tian Buyi was loudly complaining to his disciples about their latest lackluster performance.
"Little Fatty! Xiao Ru Ru! Your Grandmaster Uncle is here with some important medicinal supplies!" Lord Pig announced, flying directly onto Su Ru's head.
Tian Buyi, already in a foul mood, nearly choked on his own spleen. "That insolent creature! Get off my wife's head, you golden menace! And stop calling us those ridiculous names!"
Su Ru simply smiled, highly amused, and gently plucked Lord Pig from her hair. "Welcome, Lord Pig. What wondrous supplies do you bring today?"
"For Xiao Ru Ru and Ling'er, a revolutionary advancement in spiritual body architecture! I call it the Cloud Catcher! It ensures perfect Qi Alignment during strenuous activity!"
Lord Pig produced the two sets for Su Ru and Tian Ling'er. Tian Buyi watched the exchange, utterly mystified by the small, complex pieces of silk.
"What is that utter nonsense? It looks like a bizarre eyepatch for a tiny goblin!" Tian Buyi roared.
"It is far more advanced than your limited mind can comprehend, Little Fatty," Lord Pig sniffed. "It is a revolutionary garment designed for comfort and the maximization of spiritual growth potential!"
Su Ru's eyes widened as she immediately grasped the concept, having seen enough of the world to understand the inherent logic. Tian Ling'er, who was much younger and more brazen, simply snatched her two pieces.
"Thank you, Lord Pig! This looks so fun!" Ling'er exclaimed, immediately tucking them away inside her sleeve, acutely aware of her father's glaring presence.
Su Ru merely kissed Lord Pig on the head—another hundred experience points—and smiled serenely at her husband, who was now purple with confusion and rage.
"Hmph. Farewell, Dazhu Peak! I have other territories to visit!" Lord Pig waved his paw and zipped away, leaving a furious Tian Buyi standing over his wife and daughter, demanding to know what secret, depraved nonsense the golden menace had just delivered