Chapter 18: The Friendship of White Deer and Duan Wenxuan

Feeling reassured, Duan Wenxuan cautiously waved towards the white deer.

However, due to the deer’s superior intelligence far beyond that of a paper figurine, coupled with its inherent distrust of humans, it remained hesitant despite having significantly changed its perception of Duan Wenxuan. Uncertainly stomping its hooves at the spot, it did not immediately approach him.

“I won’t harm you; we’ve been together for several days now, haven’t we?” Duan Wenxuan gently pulled a handful of clean, tender grass from the ground and offered it to the deer.

Occasionally, the white deer would adhere to its natural instincts and take a few bites of grass.

Tap, tap…

Despite being within close proximity, the white deer took nearly two to three minutes to slowly move next to Duan Wenxuan. Eyeing the grass in his hand, it hesitated before gradually extending its neck to nibble on it.

Delighted, Duan Wenxuan discreetly reached out and softly stroked the white deer’s forehead.

Startled once again, the white deer abruptly lifted its head, shaking off Duan Wenxuan’s touch. However, this time, it didn’t leap away in anger as before. As it raised its head, their eyes met in a moment of calm understanding.

The white deer appeared slightly taken aback, yet strangely enough, it no longer seemed to reject Duan Wenxuan but instead grew even more comfortable around him. After a brief pause, the white deer lowered its head again to continue eating the grass from Duan Wenxuan’s hand.

Duan Wenxuan gently resumed stroking the white deer’s head, and this time, it didn’t shy away. Even when he touched its majestic and beautiful antlers, the deer showed little reaction.

After finishing the grass, the white deer softly nudged Duan Wenxuan’s chest with its forehead. Understanding its gesture, Duan Wenxuan found more clean, tender foliage to feed it. The interaction between man and deer became increasingly harmonious.

Once well-fed, the white deer had fully placed its trust in Duan Wenxuan.

“Aaahh,” the white deer let out a gentle sound, looking up at Duan Wenxuan before glancing ahead.

“Do you want me to accompany you?” Duan Wenxuan tentatively moved along with the white deer, and as expected, it appeared delighted, leading him forward.

As they ventured deeper into Little Peak Mountain, it became evident that this white deer was indeed a spirit nurtured by the mountain itself. Remarkably, every creature—from monkeys, tigers, pigs, and eagles to birds, butterflies, rabbits, and snakes—seemed exceptionally friendly towards it.

Finally, the white deer led them to a specific area.

Duan Wenxuan surveyed the surroundings, noticing that aside from tall trees, there were no other undergrowth or weeds. Instead, a dense network of vines covered both the ground and wound around the base of those trees. As soon as Duan Wenxuan approached, vines several steps away slowly slithered towards his feet, ready to entwine themselves around him.

Duan Wenxuan was startled; weren’t these the same vines that had cooperated with the white flowers to hunt Li Dong?!

“Ah-wu”

The white deer lifted its foot and directly stepped on the vine attempting to ensnare Duan Wenxuan.

Surprisingly, the vine emitted a squeaking sound, as if pleading for mercy.

Unsatisfied, the white deer lowered its head, took a firm bite, and tore off a large portion of the vine before swallowing it, revealing a contented expression. The vine instantly fell silent, growing quietly like any ordinary plant within the forest.

Apparently, these vines were the white deer’s favorite food. It proceeded to leisurely pick and choose among them, eventually letting out a satisfied burp after finishing its meal.

However, these vines possessed strong vitality and grew rapidly. As the white deer ate its way through, new tender shoots were already sprouting from the severed ends of previously consumed vines.

Having finished its meal, the white deer turned to glance at Duan Wenxuan, then lowered its head and pawed at a small vine nearby.

Although referred to as a small vine, it still extended several tendrils, but its root system was relatively compact, roughly palm-sized. Once dug up, the small vine waved its tendrils and emitted soft squeaks, seemingly begging for mercy.

Ignoring the plea, the white deer promptly bit down on the small vine.

As soon as the first vine was taken away, other vines quickly extended to fill its vacated space. Their invasive nature was strong; thus, the white deer controlled the area they could grow into, much like those white flowers. To thrive better, the vines needed to occupy more territory.

Resigned, the small vine drooped limply, being carried off by the white deer.

Contrary to its usual habit of consuming the entire vine, the white deer simply dropped it near Duan Wenxuan.

Gradually, the little vine regained its vitality. However, foolishly thinking the white deer intended to nurture it, similar to how the deer had previously brought vines out specifically to confront humans, without hesitation, it lunged aggressively towards the white deer.

This time, the white deer truly grew angry and trampled on the vine relentlessly until it lay nearly lifeless.

The deer’s intelligent eyes betrayed a hint of exasperation at such sheer stupidity. With a shake of its head, a small portion of the faint white mist surrounding it separated and merged into the small vine.

Instantaneously, the little vine became even greener, almost unnaturally vibrant, reminiscent of artificial foliage but with a superior hue and liveliness. Strangely, the vine’s roots shrank instead, shedding unnecessary tendrils continuously. Beneath the surface, hints of wooden features resembling eerie facial traits began to emerge.

—Ah-wu—

The white deer let out another call.

Even more impressively, several of the longer vines shrank down, and then the small vine turned to look at the white deer. Finally, it slowly moved towards Duan Wenxuan’s feet. The now roughly ten-centimeter-long vine atop its head swayed like drifting seaweed, gently rubbing against Duan Wenxuan’s leg.

The white deer hummed contentedly.

The cluster of vines emitted chirping sounds, their tone higher than before, filled with envy and longing.

A hint of what seemed like a smile appeared on the somewhat eerie features of the little vine. It began clawing at Duan Wenxuan’s pant leg, climbing up his body. Duan Wenxuan refrained from using his inner strength to strike it away, confident in the ‘door.’

The door had forged a close bond between him and the white deer; trusting the door meant he also trusted that the white deer would not harm him. Once the vine reached his thigh, Duan Wenxuan extended his hand and gently lifted it.

The vine settled comfortably in Duan Wenxuan’s palm, waving its topmost tendrils as a gesture of goodwill. As Duan Wenxuan relaxed, unexpectedly, four or five hair-thin vines sprouted from the main one and pierced into his skin.

Feeling the pain, Duan Wenxuan instinctively tried to shake off the vine. However, the white deer stretched its neck and gently nudged Duan Wenxuan’s shoulder. To further soothe him, it even lightly licked his face.

At that moment, Duan Wenxuan realized the small vine swiftly retracted its thread-like tendrils from his skin. However, simultaneously, several centimeters of wriggling miniature vines resembling the main stem were also extracted.

Instantly, multiple cuts appeared on Duan Wenxuan’s skin, leaving his hand and arm covered in blood.

Duan Wenxuan felt utterly distressed, his first thought being that he had been parasitized. In truth, these vines’ offensive power was not particularly strong; a sharp knife could easily cut them. With proper preparation, setting them ablaze would suffice.

Now it seems that their greatest terror lies in their potent parasitic abilities.

When did he get parasitized?

Previously, he was using Xia Wenwu’s body, which had a damage-resistance buff in this world. Even if parasitized, the vines could not easily erode his physical form. Later, either through contact with Xia Wenwu or upon entering the forest again, Duan Wenxuan got parasitized, but he wasn’t entirely sure when.

Noticing Duan Wenxuan’s consternated expression, the white deer apologetically lowered its head to lick his arm. Its saliva possessed strong healing properties, quickly forming a scab over the wound on Duan Wenxuan’s skin.

“Is there more? Do I still have any inside me?” Staring at the vine on his hand, Duan Wenxuan managed a forced smile.

The vine frantically waved its topmost tendrils, even going so far as to shred the small vine it had just extracted with several bites. Then, seeking approval, it performed a seaweed dance for Duan Wenxuan.

Duan Wenxuan remained unsettled.

As expected, anything involving mysticism is never straightforward. If not for his good luck this time, despite having the door as a golden finger, he might have suffered defeat nonetheless.

“Thank you.” Duan Wenxuan sighed with relief and affectionately stroked the white deer’s head.

Although before establishing a close bond, the white deer clearly had no intention of saving him. It was uncertain whether his deception failed or if the white deer and monkey wanted to see if the forces behind him could resolve the issue of ‘parasitism’.

However, that doesn’t matter now. They are all allies, and it’s time to let bygones be bygones. Dwelling on past grievances would not be productive.

Compared to the complex nature and qualities of humans like Duan Wenxuan, the white deer’s intentions were simpler. After becoming deeply attached to Duan Wenxuan, it felt a sense of guilt for initially refusing to help when he was in danger.

Not only did the white deer gift him the little vine, but it also shared the Monkey Liquor brewed by its companion, the vibrant red wild persimmons from Little Peak Mountain known for their cooling properties, lung nourishing, thirst-quenching, and detoxifying effects, as well as the wild chestnuts capable of aiding blood clotting, reducing swelling, strengthening muscles, and building bones. The white deer led Duan Wenxuan to these treats and generously offered him portions, seemingly encouraging him to take some away.

The results were evident; by evening, the wounds on Duan Wenxuan’s hands had already begun to shed scabs, leaving barely any scars, as if he had never been injured at all. Remarkably, even an old scar from a childhood fall near his thumb appeared noticeably faded.

That night, Duan Wenxuan slept in the white deer’s den.

The white deer’s nest was surprisingly built within a tree. Four or five intertwining branches formed a structure akin to a bird’s nest, lined with layers of soft dry grass and feathers.

It was quite spacious.

Duan Wenxuan lay next to the white deer, seeking warmth by gently embracing it. The white deer blinked, then extended its head and softly rested it on Duan Wenxuan’s chest, willingly sharing some of its body heat. They slept soundly through the night. Early the next morning, Duan Wenxuan woke up due to his back being dampened by dewfall.

As he stirred, the white deer licked his face before descending from the nest alongside him. Together, they began patrolling Little Peak Mountain.

By noon, Duan Wenxuan had no choice but to bid farewell to the white deer.

His purpose here was fulfilled, and he couldn’t linger too long at Little Peak Mountain.

“I have to leave now; I can’t stay here with you. Please accept my apologies,” Duan Wenxuan said while stroking the white deer’s head.

The white deer hesitated, looking between Duan Wenxuan and Little Peak Mountain, visibly saddened as it shook its head. Duan Wenxuan was the only person it felt truly close to, bringing it immense joy whenever they were together. However, it could not abandon Little Peak Mountain, sensing that its duty lay there. It would have been wonderful if Duan Wenxuan could remain on Little Peak Mountain to keep it company, but Duan Wenxuan had his own responsibilities, and his roots did not lie here.

Sighing, Duan Wenxuan admitted to himself that he had considered trying to persuade the white deer to come with him, but ultimately, the white deer declined.

Indeed, the white deer was different from the paper figurine.

The paper figurine had no connections or attachments, so it mattered little where it stayed. The white deer, however, was unique. From that moment on, Duan Wenxuan stopped insisting, realizing perhaps Little Peak Mountain was indeed the best place for such a creature.

“I’m leaving now, but I promise to visit you frequently in the future. Additionally, I’ll help negotiate with other humans to ensure they minimize their disturbances and avoid entering Little Peak Mountain as much as possible, alright?”

The white deer affectionately licked Duan Wenxuan’s face.

Duan Wenxuan hugged the white deer around its neck, “Little Peak Mountain is filled with treasures everywhere now. In fact, sometimes you could try trading with humans. Humans are like this; if they need something and can’t obtain it at all, they will take great risks.

However, if there’s an opportunity for trade, they would be willing to compromise. So, if any humans come here bearing leaves seeking your assistance, please don’t harm them, okay?” With these words, Duan Wenxuan gently plucked a leaf from the little vine, smiling.

Feeling aggrieved, the little vine wrapped its tendrils protectively around its own branches.

The white deer nuzzled against Duan Wenxuan’s head.

“Alright, alright, then I’m off.” At the last moment, Duan Wenxuan vigorously ruffled the white deer’s fur, leaving it tousled. He swiftly opened the small door and stepped through. As his final glance took in the scene, he saw the white deer looking dazed yet softly humming in contentment.

“Finally home.”

Upon reappearing, Duan Wenxuan found himself back at his own residence.

Having this small door was indeed convenient.

After spending several days on Little Peak Mountain, he felt dirty and disheveled.

First, he took a shower and changed clothes, then had lunch. Afterwards, Duan Wenxuan retrieved the vine and tossed it onto Xia Wenwu. He had locked Xia Wenwu inside the wardrobe; otherwise, he would incessantly follow Duan Wenxuan around.

As expected, Xia Wenwu had been parasitized, but the vines extracted from him were still in seed form, unable to develop further.

The vine proceeded to eat those seeds… ate them…

Duan Wenxuan didn’t bother with it, surprised instead by how much fun the vine seemed to have once discovering the paper figurine. The paper figurine stretched out the vine’s tendrils to swing like a pendulum, while the vine uprooted a long-dead cactus that Duan Wenxuan had neglected, nestled itself within the pot, buried its roots securely, and finally extended its tendrils to playfully tug at the paper figurine.