Shichen's gaze was drawn to the petite girl in front of him.
The words "Saintess" immediately appeared in Shichen's mind; facing her in person, he found her truly deserving of the title.
The girl's face held a gentle smile, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, and the surrounding messy environment no longer mattered.
And she was clearly a bit out of place with her surroundings.
Snow-white silver hair, light blue eyes like the luster of an ice river, an indescribable noble temperament, pure and ethereal, not like a mortal woman.
Her delicate features were quite youthful, but her height was not like a child's, likely related to her not being a Neon person.
The girl was wearing a short-sleeved uniform, which Shichen recognized as the uniform of a nearby elementary school.
This meant she was still just an elementary school student, yet she had blossomed into a graceful young woman, her features as mature as a middle schooler's.
"That…" The silver-haired girl spoke again to remind him.
"Sorry." Shichen snapped back to reality, smiling apologetically, "Did I disturb you?"
"It's fine…" The silver-haired girl shyly lowered her head, unsure if it was because she was awestruck by Shichen's appearance or if that was simply her nature.
"Little girl, why are you here?" Shichen asked, knowing the answer.
"I… that…" The silver-haired girl looked at the stray cats circling her feet, hesitating to speak.
"I see, you're here to feed these kittens, aren't you?" Shichen said gently.
"Mhm…"
"You don't have to worry, I'm a teacher at Caihai Academy, my name is Shichen, and I happened to be free and came here to take a look." Shichen explained softly.
"Oh, I see." The silver-haired girl seemed to sigh in relief, then looked up at Shichen, revealing a faint smile.
"Hello, Teacher, I'm Hayase Natsuki."
She seemed to believe Shichen's words immediately.
"Hayase, are all these stray cats adopted by you?"
"Mhm… I guess it's okay?" Hayase Natsuki looked at Shichen cautiously, as endearing as a small animal.
"Of course it's fine, at least I think it's fine."
"Tha-thank you, Teacher."
"Why are you thanking me?" Shichen shook his head, amused.
"Ugh…" Hayase Natsuki lowered her head, embarrassed.
"By the way, how can you manage to take care of so many cats by yourself?" Shichen walked towards Hayase Natsuki, stopping about a meter away from her, then squatted down to observe the cats around them.
There were a total of seven, mostly black and white, either little snow cats or little black cats, and some mixed ones, plus two ginger cats.
Each one looked quite clean, fluffy and soft, very adorable, making one want to pick them up and pet them.
"They don't need me to take care of them, I just come by occasionally to see them." Hayase Natsuki also squatted down.
She noticed that Shichen seemed to really like these kittens, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Occasionally?" Shichen looked at her, blinking.
"I'm sorry, it's every day." Hayase Natsuki shyly pursed her lips, honestly admitting.
"You don't need to apologize to me, this isn't my territory anyway, but why did you bring these stray cats here to raise?"
"Actually… this used to be a monastery, and I was adopted here before."
"So, this is actually your territory?" Shichen teased.
"No, no, no." Hayase Natsuki quickly waved her hands, "This isn't mine, I'm just borrowing it now."
"Haha, I'm just teasing you, this place is abandoned, you can use it as you like."
"...Teacher seems a bit mischievous." Hayase Natsuki looked at him, annoyed.
"Sorry, sorry, as compensation, how about I help you take care of these stray cats?"
"Eh? Really?" Hayase Natsuki's eyes widened, asking incredulously.
Her gentle face finally changed, it seemed she truly cared about these kittens.
"I'm not lying to you, I also like kittens, and when I see them, I can't move. If my family allowed it, I would have wanted to take one home to raise."
"Teacher, thank you so much!" Hayase Natsuki immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Shichen.
"You don't have to thank me, I'm doing this for myself too."
"Teacher is indeed a gentle person, that's great." Hayase Natsuki said to the kittens, her smile bright.
"Meow~" As if responding to her, the kittens gathered at her feet, rubbing against her with their little heads.
This scene made Shichen gaze in fascination; Hayase Natsuki's pure aura and the kittens' closeness truly purified one's soul.
"How do you know I'm gentle?" Shichen asked curiously.
"I just have that feeling." Hayase Natsuki replied with a smile.
"I see."
This must be her special intuition? No wonder she trusted him so easily, it turned out she sensed that he wouldn't harm her.
He didn't deny his gentle demeanor at the moment.
Subsequently, under Hayase Natsuki's guidance, Shichen quickly became close with the seven kittens.
One of the little snow cats was particularly fond of him, actively running into his arms and rubbing against him.
"Teacher, it seems Xiaoxue really likes you?" Hayase Natsuki was very happy watching Shichen interact with the kitten.
"Is its name Xiaoxue? It seems we have a connection, what a pity I can't take it home."
Nangong Nayue's apartment didn't allow pets, otherwise, he could definitely persuade her to get a cat.
His home was too boring, there wasn't even a TV, if he didn't get a kitten, he would truly have nothing to do if he had to stay home.
"It's okay, Teacher, it's enough if you can come see them occasionally." Hayase Natsuki comforted him softly.
"I didn't bring them any food. I can come back again this afternoon and bring them something to eat."
"Teacher, are you coming back this afternoon?"
"Mhm, I'm a physical education teacher, very free." Shichen replied with a smile.
"Then can Teacher wait for me?"
"You're coming this afternoon too?"
"I, I plan to come back after school, is that okay?"
"Why are you asking me?" Shichen smiled, "Is it okay with your family, though?"
"It's fine… My dad doesn't restrict me."
"Your dad…"
"Actually, I'm adopted, but he's my mom's brother, and he's very good to me." Hayase Natsuki confessed softly.
"I see." Shichen secretly clenched his fist, then smiled at Hayase Natsuki, "You really are gentle."
"I just like small animals." Hayase Natsuki said shyly.
"Liking small animals is a good thing, I like them too, we're kindred spirits."
"Mhm."
"Alright then, I'll wait for you here after school."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Let's stop here for now, you should hurry back to school, it's quite far from here, I'll help you watch Xiaoxue and the others for a bit longer."
"I understand, then I'll leave them to you, Teacher."
"Mhm, leave it to me." Shichen smiled and patted his chest in assurance.
"Then I'll go now?"
"Hurry up, don't be late."
"See you this afternoon, Teacher."
"Okay, see you later."
Hayase Natsuki looked back every few steps, quickly passed through the small park, went down the hill, and left the area.
Shichen didn't rush to leave. He played with the kittens for a while, and only after confirming that Hayase Natsuki wouldn't return, did he stand up.
"Xiaoxue, can you and the others hide over there for a bit?" He said gently to Xiaoxue.
"Meow~"
As if understanding Shichen's words, Xiaoxue led the other kittens away from the ruins.
Shichen was happy about Xiaoxue's intelligence, then turned and came to the metal emblem with two intertwined snakes.
[Sage's Spiritual Blood detected. Activate with Divinity Fragment?]
The Sage's Spiritual Blood was a crimson liquid metal lifeform with an independent will, created by the alchemist Nina Adelard. If a soul were transplanted into this lifeform, one could become truly immortal.
And what made this miracle possible was a control unit called the "Alchemist's Core," a bright red gem.
When consciousness was transferred into the "Alchemist's Core," one could maintain their consciousness while fusing with the "Spiritual Blood," then by transforming their flesh into an immortal metal lifeform, gain a life close to eternity, while also possessing magical power comparable to a True Ancestor Vampire.
Shichen had come here precisely because he thought of the Sage's Spiritual Blood.
He wasn't interested in transforming his flesh into a metal lifeform, as he already had an immortal life, but what if he could absorb the Sage's Spiritual Blood to gain magical power?
Opportunity favors the prepared; he had to try.
He knew about the "Alchemist's Core" but thought that with his Divinity Fragment, he might be able to try.
Now, it seemed he was right.