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Qin Shu ran all the way, carrying two bottles of pills refined by her senior brother. She had anticipated the difficulties she might encounter on this journey, but there was one thing she hadn't expected.

She never imagined that her enchanted speed-boosting shoes would wear out from the running.

She bent down to pick up the detached sole and let out a long sigh. "A poor household facing yet another hardship."

Without shoes, she simply went barefoot. The rocky mountain path pricked her feet, but she convinced herself it was like free foot reflexology.

Finally, she reached a small town. There was a market here, mostly selling local produce. After some searching, she found a stall selling shoes and hurried over.

"Granny, how much for these shoes?" Qin Shu asked.

The old woman was hunched over, wearing a headscarf. Upon hearing Qin Shu's voice, she slowly raised her head, revealing an eerie smile.

Qin Shu's heart skipped a beat. She quickly activated her defensive technique but sensed no immediate danger.

Just as Qin Shu steadied herself, the old woman's grin widened further, her narrow eyes curling into slits, as if immensely pleased.

Qin Shu furrowed her brows and was about to turn and leave when the old woman suddenly spoke in a sharp, high-pitched voice that didn't match her apparent age.

"Little immortal, do I look like a human to you?"

Qin Shu froze. In that instant, an old folktale flashed through her mind.

Is this... a spirit seeking to complete its transformation?

After thinking carefully, she cautiously replied, "You look more like a celestial being."

The old woman beamed even more. A red and white glow flashed across her body, causing Qin Shu to squint from the brilliance. When she reopened her eyes, the old woman was gone. In her place stood a young woman in a pink robe.

The woman had sharp, upward-slanting eyes, lively and bright, and snow-white skin. She bowed to Qin Shu. "Thank you, immortal, for completing my transformation."

She handed over a basket of shoes. "These shoes are yours, as thanks."

Qin Shu was delighted. So many shoes! This would last her a long time.

She reached for spirit stones to pay, but the young woman shook her head. "You've helped me. It's only right that I offer these as a gift. Please don't refuse."

Qin Shu could sense that these shoes were just ordinary footwear, without any enchantments, much worse than her broken speed-boosting shoes.

Still, she accepted them. "Thank you, celestial."

After picking a pair to wear, she prepared to leave but noticed the young woman quietly following behind.

As they walked, Qin Shu noticed the townspeople eyeing the young woman with envy.

Is this... a spirit town? she thought.

They walked until dusk, when Qin Shu finally turned around. "Sister Celestial, where are you heading?"

The pink-clad woman stepped forward and politely replied, "Please, don't call me celestial. I am Que Qian, a fox spirit from Zinan Mountain who has cultivated for a thousand years. Without your help today, I don't know when I would've attained human form."

Que Qian? Sounds like "lacking money" in human slang... Qin Shu thought.

"But you're so young to already be at the transformation stage?" Qin Shu asked.

Que Qian chuckled. "If I had truly reached the transformation stage, I wouldn't need to seek a name."

Seeing Qin Shu's puzzled expression, she patiently explained, "In our fox clan, after cultivating for some time, we may seek a fated person to grant us a name. If successful, we can take on human form and cultivate much faster."

She bowed again. "Today's fortune is mine. Meeting you, immortal, spared me waiting for who knows how many more years."

Qin Shu nodded. "I'm Qin Shu. It must be fate indeed. I'm heading to Tailai City — would you like to come along?"

Que Qian tilted her head. "I'm not sure where to go next. But I do have a clan uncle who owns a shop in Tailai City. Why don't I accompany you?"

Qin Shu thought about it and agreed. It would be nice to have company on the road.

Half a day later, they had barely covered forty miles when Que Qian couldn't help but ask, "Sister Shu, don't you humans have movement techniques?"

Qin Shu grinned. "I do, and a flying artifact too, but I'm training my body, so I'm in no rush."

Que Qian nodded, half understanding. After a moment, she asked again, "Are you... a bitter cultivator?"

"...Not really." Qin Shu replied, holding back a sigh.

"I'm training my body," she clarified.

"Ohhh," Que Qian suddenly realized. "That makes sense. You humans really are frail compared to other races."

As the moon rose, the two stopped to rest. Qin Shu meditated while Que Qian knelt to worship the moon.

By morning, both felt refreshed.

They glanced at each other in surprise.

For a moment, Qin Shu even doubted her origins — could she actually be part fox? After all, cultivating under the moonlight was typical of foxes.

Just then, she noticed Que Qian staring at her feet.

"What are you staring at?" Qin Shu asked.

Que Qian thoughtfully rubbed her chin. "I've just taken on human form and don't walk well yet. Your stride looks graceful — I want to learn from you."

Qin Shu nodded. "No rush. By the time we reach Tailai City, you'll have it down."

From the moment they met, no other beasts dared approach them. Qin Shu continued her body training and sword practice without hindrance.

After a month of travel, they finally reached Tailai City.

"Wow!" Que Qian marveled. "Human cities are magnificent."

Qin Shu turned to find Que Qian's fox tail exposed. She quickly blocked it with her sleeve and whispered, "Sister Qian, your tail is showing again."