As Shi and I come back up the tunnels back into Gong’s area of control, we see that everyone else already has started working on their cultivation and own projects.

Ai, Lin, and Gong cultivate together, whilst occasionally stopping to practicing their techniques. When we approach, they all finish up their practice, to run over to Shi excitedly asking how it went. Shi matches their energy and starts chatting with them, telling them all about the underground area.

To my surprise, she invites everyone to come join us down there next time.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I already made it special for her by taking her there first, so she just wants to share it with others.

Man… I really got lucky with them all.

They talk for a bit more, before Ai runs up next to me to grab my hands. Jumping in place, a far cry from her usual demeanor.

“I’m next! Where are we heading to?”

I give her a huge smile, loving how much she is looking forward to this. I pull her into a hug, holding her close to me and gently rubbing her head. As I do so, I let her know where we’ll be heading next.

“Actually, I wanted you, Lin, and I to head on the date together, if you are both alright with that?”

They both look at me and each other with surprise, but thankfully quickly nod, figuring that there is likely a good reason for that. With this in mind, I pull them to the surface and through the demihumans sectors and back into the normal part of the city.

I turn to Ai, but speak to both of them.

“So, my idea for the date is based on something you both had told me about a while back, in some of our late-night talks. You guys dreamed about what it would be like to just go around like the rich people and just explore the city, without worrying about whom to look out for or whether you can even be there…”

Their faces instantly light up in equal parts anticipation and disbelief.

Normally, I wouldn’t use this as a date idea… but this city is a trauma for them, as much as it is a home. Being forced to be on the bottom rung of society, to go through the things they did… they need a fresh look at how different things are today for them.

I lean over conspiratorially, whispering between both of them.

“…Don’t you want to know what it would be like to spend money like water? Spend a night on the town, in the luxury districts?”

Lin has a dazed look while Ai speaks.

“…wouldn’t that be expensive, though?”

I give a full smile and before her eyes, condense a spirit stone in my hand, using far too much qi to do so to speed up the process, but did anyway to make a point in an instant.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“What’s money, to cultivators like us?”

After the realization dawns on their face, they look at each other and promptly start dragging me to the luxury areas.

Ah…I may have made a mistake.

No matter my thoughts, I’ve opened Pandora’s box and find myself on a trip filled with delicious food, treats, and expensive items that none of us need. After many shenanigans…

“James, James! Look at this thing!”

Lin pulls me to a cat-like creature in one of the pet stores.

Two of them. One with black hair, the other with black/white spots.

And as she gushes about them, Ai stares at the one with spots with a silent intensity. The cat staring back, just as intently. Ai blinks. The cat blinks.

I quickly realize that I have no choice but to buy these for them. Just like how I had gotten the caterpillar for Shi.

Unfortunately for me, my eyes meet the shopkeepers in the store who saw the whole thing. And he's absolutely come to the same conclusion.

Oh no.

He rushes to grab the two cats and comes out to meet us. Bowing us and greeting us.

“Honorable cultivators. Would you two like to hold these cats?”

He sets the bait.

Lin doesn’t even hesitate, taking the cat from his hands, cuddling it to her face. The cat, surprisingly, does the same. When he hands the spotted cat to Ai, the cat leaps onto her head. Making itself comfortable. Ai’s face is one of muted bliss.

The shopkeeper turns over to me with a wide grin, already having read the situation. I sigh and bring out many spirit stones, already estimating how much they are with my scan and paying over for the guaranteed upcharge he would have included.

“Here you go. Keep the change.”

As they cuddle the pets, I also pay him for four basic spirit beast contracts I see he has available. Letting Ai and Lin add them as their personal spirit beasts. With the other two being for Gong and Shi.

Even with these experiences, though, I find there are quiet moments between us.

While indulging in our freshly acquired mini cakes from a cake shop, Lin falls quiet before making an admission. Her cat resting by her side.

“It feels like a dream… like at any moment we might just wake back up in the shack…”

We all go silent at that. Rather than me having to be the one to say something, Ai is the one who responds.

“We’ll never need to go back there, Lin.”

She delicately takes her sister's free hand, squeezing it to show her resolve. She turns to me, a slight smile on her face.

“…This date was a little bittersweet… but I was able to experience all the things I ever wanted to while lying in that bed.”

Lin squeezes her hand back and moves her other hand to clasp it in hers.

“You’re right… Things have changed. We have changed.”

“…”

She falls silent again, but begins stroking the cat's back, which reciprocates, pushing itself against her hand. This small action breaks the dam, causing small tears to continuously drop down her cheeks.

Lin’s always tried to stay strong for Ai. Holding it in and dealing with things for the both of them. Ai certainly had her struggles, but Lin also had hers.

I take the initiative, pulling all of us in a hug while speaking to each of them.

“You guys deserved all of this, even before you became cultivators. This and even better.

“I’ll make sure you get it.”

Ai holds both of us tight, close to tears herself. I can’t help but squeeze them a little closer.

We stay all like this for the next 15 minutes. Long after Lin stopped crying.

There’s another moment of peace before Ai separates from us with a smile.

“Alright… let’s get back home so we can pet our kitties more.”

“Heh.”

Lin snickers.

Ai looks confused, but then gives out a chuckle, shaking her head. Even I give a laugh when I realize she’s thinking dirty.

“Never change, Lin.”

With that ending note, we went back over to Gong’s territory, coming into the demihumans village. And as we do so, seeing Gong practically hopping in place, in excitement.

I whisper a light teasing about Gong, to Ai and Lin.

“…Someone’s eager…”

“I heard that!”

Gong’s yell echoes out from the distance and we can’t help but run a little faster to meet up with her again.