Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

Chapter 186 - 154: Budding Emotions_2

Step 1: Contextual Analysis

Literary genre: Chinese cultivation/xianxia web novel

Language style: Informal narrative with dialogue, some technical cultivation terminology

Tone: A mix of light humor, some emotional moments, and matter-of-fact descriptions of fantasy cultivation elements

Plot keywords: spirit beast, cultivation, healing, fire domain, magical herbs, spirit stones, leaving journey

Characters:

- Fang Qingyuan (方清源): Male protagonist, a cultivator with fire abilities who has been caring for an injured female cultivator

- Jinbao (金宝): A small bear-like Spirit Beast that belongs to Fang Qingyuan, acts childlike

- Situ Jingyu (司徒静雨): Female, injured cultivator who is a Body Cultivator at Foundation Establishment stage, being taken care of by Fang

- Fire-Bright Young Bird (火烈通明幼鸟): A newly hatched spirit beast that Fang has recently acquired, causing jealousy in Jinbao

Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing

I’ll now translate the text while applying all the guidelines. I’ll pay special attention to the glossary terms, ensuring they’re used consistently and correctly.

Context: This Chapter appears to focus on Fang Qingyuan’s care of an injured female cultivator named Situ Jingyu, and his preparation to leave the Earth Cave Fire Domain. There’s also a subplot involving his Spirit Beast Jinbao being jealous of a new Fire-Bright Young Bird. The Chapter shows Situ Jingyu developing feelings for Fang during her recovery, which creates some emotional tension.

I’ll now proceed with the translation.

"Is this how you treat a walking thirty Top-grade Spirit Stones? If you kill her, who am I supposed to get those thirty Top-grade Spirit Stones from?"

Being scolded by Fang Qingyuan, Jinbao quickly lowered his head and adopted an ’I was wrong’ posture. Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan stepped forward to comfort Jinbao, saying:

"Don’t worry, you’re still my favorite little one. This young bird is your sister. When dealing with a sister, you need more patience and tolerance. Don’t bully her anymore."

After Fang Qingyuan’s persuasion, Jinbao’s eyes drooped, and his two little ears twitched repeatedly.

Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan knew that Jinbao couldn’t accept the fact that he was no longer Fang Qingyuan’s only little one. He sighed and placed the trembling Fire-Bright Young Bird into his Immortal Mansion. He decided to make further plans after returning to the Southern Border.

Inside the Immortal Mansion, the Fire-Bright Young Bird immediately displayed a contented expression upon arrival. She wobbled over to the acre-sized pool of magma and jumped in with a SPLASH.

The Fire-Bright Bird was an Earth Tier Lower Grade Spirit Beast, rumored to possess a trace of the Nanming Li Fire Divine Beast’s bloodline. This Fire-Bright Young Bird currently bathing in the magma within the Immortal Mansion had only recently hatched before being snatched from her mother by Situ Jingyu and ending up in Fang Qingyuan’s hands—whether fortunately or unfortunately remained to be seen.

After settling matters between the two little ones, Fang Qingyuan went to a separate room, lifted the Array barrier, and revealed the magma channel below.

Fang Qingyuan had also set up an Array in this room that blocked Divine Sense probing, mainly to prevent Situ Jingyu from investigating. Although given her current injuries, she could barely get out of bed, it was still better to take precautions.

In about ten days, the purpose of his trip would be fulfilled. By then, Situ Jingyu’s injuries should have recovered somewhat. Once he returned to the Southern Border, he would need to start preparing for Foundation Establishment.

Thinking of this, Fang Qingyuan reached his hand into the magma and continued transferring this free spiritual material into his Immortal Mansion.

The next day, Fang Qingyuan carried a bowl of medicinal soup into Situ Jingyu’s room as usual. When she saw him, her eyes lit up slightly.

"How are you feeling today, Senior Sister? Do you have any appetite for some food?"

At the mention of food, Situ Jingyu became excited. As a Body Cultivator, she loved eating and drinking the most. Only by consuming more could she absorb additional Primordial Spirit Power from the outside world.

"Yes, I do! After not eating for several days, I feel like I can barely walk the path."

’You couldn’t walk anyway,’ Fang Qingyuan thought sarcastically. After feeding her the medicinal soup, he noticed some residue at the corner of her mouth and instinctively wiped it for her.

After wiping it, Fang Qingyuan realized his action was somewhat inappropriate. With a wooden expression, he said:

"I understand. I’ll prepare an extra portion for you tomorrow. There’s still some of that Fire Salamander left from a few days ago—you can try it."

After speaking, Fang Qingyuan turned and left. Situ Jingyu stared at his back until he disappeared, then grabbed the Spiritual Silk Quilt beside her and covered her flushed face.

By the third day, Situ Jingyu was expectantly watching the doorway. She could already smell the fragrant aroma of food. But beyond the food, Situ Jingyu was anticipating something else inexplicable in her heart. She felt both fearful and resistant toward this emotion, but mostly anticipation.

However, this time it was Jinbao who pushed open the door. The little bear cub was holding a large bowl with both paws, walking upright step by step to Situ Jingyu’s side. After setting down the bowl, he quickly rubbed his little ears and ran out, clearly because the bowl was very hot.

Looking at the fragrant food, Situ Jingyu suddenly lost her appetite. For some reason, she began to feel dejected. Fang Qingyuan, this strange Cultivator from the Southern Border, had brought her completely fresh experiences: delicious and flavorful meals, wine that tasted like flowers, exquisite Bright Eyes Spirit Tea, and even this hastily built room was more attractive than her quarters in the sect.

Moreover, no other Male Cultivator had ever been so gentle with her, caring for her attentively and speaking to her softly. For decades, since Situ Jingyu could remember, this was the first time she had allowed a man to venture so deep into her heart.

But now, these newly sprouting feelings had been mercilessly interrupted before they could grow. After a long while, Situ Jingyu gritted her teeth and sat up, grabbed the bowl from the bedside, and began shoveling food into her mouth. No matter what, she still had to eat.

Yet as she ate, a tear fell into the bowl. Chewing the food mixed with tears, Situ Jingyu suddenly found it had become a bit salty.

Over the next seven or eight days, both meals and medicinal soups were delivered by Jinbao, and Situ Jingyu’s expression returned to its previous state. Later, when Fang Qingyuan came in to change her bandages, Situ Jingyu silently allowed him to do so.

As a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator, Situ Jingyu recovered quickly. In less than ten days, the wound on her belly had healed without leaving a scar, and most of her bones had mended. Only the Nanming Fire Poison still lingered within her.

Affected by this poison, Situ Jingyu’s body remained weak, but the situation was much better than initially.

By this time, Fang Qingyuan had also transferred magma fire materials into his Immortal Mansion for the last time. After yesterday’s test, his Fire Spirit Root quality had reached the predetermined target of twenty-nine.

It was time to leave. Staying any longer would just be wasting time. With this thought, Fang Qingyuan came to Situ Jingyu’s room and said to her:

"Senior Sister Situ, we should go. Your master must be worried after not seeing you for a month."

Situ Jingyu looked at Fang Qingyuan and displayed a bright smile. She said:

"Thank you for taking care of me these days, Junior Brother. I’ll remember your kindness. Since that’s the case, let’s return to the sect."

Situ Jingyu’s words were polite, without the enthusiasm from when they first met. Fang Qingyuan understood this perfectly and didn’t mind. He removed the Array, collected various daily necessities, and finally crushed the building, restoring the place to its original state.

Looking at the flat ground before her, Situ Jingyu felt somewhat dazed, as if the past half-month had been nothing but a dream.

But just moments later, Situ Jingyu turned and jumped into the magma pool. This time, she didn’t ask Fang Qingyuan to hold her hand.

Seeing Situ Jingyu leave, Fang Qingyuan grabbed Jinbao, activated his Magical Artifact, and followed her into the magma, heading toward the surface.

A day later, Fang Qingyuan gazed at the entrance to the Earth Cave Fire Domain behind him, let out a slight sigh, and said to a branch disciple who had come to see him off:

"Thank you for escorting me, Junior Brother. I have something I’d like you to pass on to Senior Sister Situ. I haven’t seen her since we returned yesterday, so I can only trouble you."

After speaking, Fang Qingyuan took out two boxes and handed them to the disciple. The disciple accepted them without much thought, placed them in his storage pouch, and cupped his hands to Fang Qingyuan, saying:

"Safe travels, Senior Brother. Please visit often. The gates of our Earth Cave Fire Domain Branch will always be open to you."

’That’s unlikely. Even if you’re willing, your Senior Sister probably isn’t, and obviously you’ll have to listen to her.’

Thinking this, Fang Qingyuan returned the gesture and then led Jinbao toward the Tier Three Flying Boat ahead.

The disciple returned to the sect, knocked on Situ Jingyu’s door, and saw her calm expression as she asked:

"What is it?"

This simple question, like a volcano about to erupt, immediately frightened the errand-running disciple into trembling. He pulled out the boxes given by Fang Qingyuan and quickly said:

"These are from Senior Brother Fang for you. I’ll leave you to your business, Senior Sister!"

After leaving the boxes, the disciple fled immediately. Situ Jingyu held the boxes, initially intending to throw them at the door, but ultimately accepted them. A moment later, Situ Jingyu opened the boxes to find several bottles of Elixir Pills and medicinal ingredients like ginseng and Soul Revival Grass.

The other box contained two pounds of Mingxin Qingling Tea leaves.

Seeing these items, Situ Jingyu’s expression froze. After a few moments, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.