This book was not penned by a member of the Zhang lineage, but by an outsider. Some contents within were verified by Zhang ancestors, while a great deal remained unconfirmed. Within the Records of Curious Artifacts is one passage that states: In the mountains dwells a mouse, delicate and exquisite. Its peculiarity lies in its fur, which can change color, blending in so perfectly with its surroundings that one might pass by without noticing.

What the book described was a type of mouse whose fur could change color to match its surroundings, allowing it to go unnoticed as one walked past. Just now, this small creature was the same color as the other mountain rats, but after being with Lightning, it had transformed to look exactly like Lightning itself. If not for its much smaller tail, looking only at their rear profiles, they were living, miniature bolts of lightning.

However, this was not the main point. The core issue was the name recorded for this mouse in the Records of Curious Artifacts: The rat’s nose possesses spiritual awareness, discerning the world’s marvelous treasures, preferring to dwell near hoards of such riches. Thus, it is named the Treasure-Seeking Mouse.

The Treasure-Seeking Mouse—this was the name documented in the ancient text. Beyond just the name, the book provided a detailed introduction to the creature’s abilities. The Treasure-Seeking Mouse has an intense craving for all manner of precious items, favoring the greater the quality, the better. Its treasure-seeking skill is profoundly strong; virtually no valuable object can escape its notice. This creature not only has an affinity for common treasures but also possesses an extraordinary sense for rare, heavenly, and earthly materials (**). Consequently, it becomes impossible to locate such fine goods in the vicinity where a Treasure-Seeking Mouse makes its abode.

The existence of the Treasure-Seeking Mouse was something that none of the Zhang ancestors could ever definitively confirm; no one had ever actually seen such a thing. This is why there were no annotations next to its entry in the book, unlike entries for items the ancestors had personally verified. Currently, Zhang Yang had no way of knowing if this little fellow was truly the legendary Treasure-Seeking Mouse. Yet, the creature's incredible speed and its color-changing fur matched the book’s description so perfectly that the probability was very high. The Treasure-Seeking Mouse, moreover, was a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Beast—and not an ordinary one at that. If Lightning was a Venomous Beast, then the Treasure-Seeking Mouse was an Auspicious Beast. Auspicious Beasts are far rarer than Venomous Beasts, and even more precious. Unfortunately, the text only contained this much information. Zhang Yang knew nothing of the Treasure-Seeking Mouse’s other capabilities beyond finding treasures—such as its combat strength, whether it possessed venom, or if it had any other uses.

"Squeak squeak!"

Lightning suddenly let out two sharp cries, nudging its mouth toward Zhang Yang. Its tiny claws remained pressed firmly onto the little mountain rat below. It seemed impatient, wanting Zhang Yang to deal with the creature beneath it, rather than keeping it pinned down indefinitely.

Zhang Yang found a sturdy piece of thin rope and tied a knot, slipping it directly over the little mountain rat's foreleg. He tied the other end to his own wrist. Secured by this rope, the little creature would have no chance of escape. Unless its strength surpassed Zhang Yang's, dragging him away—which was patently impossible. Lightning’s inherent power was not great; its primary assets were speed and poison. If Lightning could subdue it, then Zhang Yang, possessing inner energy, certainly could.

After securing the rope, Lightning hopped up and settled onto Zhang Yang's shoulder. With Lightning's pressure removed, the small mountain rat on the ground immediately tried to dart away. Unfortunately, the rope tethered to its leg snapped taut due to the tension, yanking it back. The rat tumbled hard onto the ground as it was pulled back, its head shaking. It furiously kicked its captured leg backward, seemingly trying to shake off the rope.

Zhang Yang had tied a slipknot; kicking it off was truly out of the question. Lightning remained motionless, sitting on Zhang Yang’s shoulder and grinning foolishly at the smaller creature—it seemed to be laughing at its futile efforts. After kicking a couple of times without success, the little rat suddenly leaped in another direction, only to meet the same fate, snapping back onto the ground, shaking its head.

After two failed leaps, it stopped trying to flee outward. Instead, it slowly raised its head to look at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang remained silent, simply observing the scene. When the little mouse looked at Zhang Yang, there was no trace of fear; however, whenever its gaze flickered towards Lightning on his shoulder, a hint of terror would surface.

Suddenly, the little creature lunged toward the rope with its teeth. This little guy was clearly intelligent, realizing that severing the tether was its ticket to freedom. Zhang Yang jerked the rope upward. The little rat’s plan instantly dissolved. Zhang Yang’s own speed was certainly inferior to that of these spiritual beasts, but when he was being cautious, it was impossible for it to chew through the rope right under his nose.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

With one paw held aloft by Zhang Yang, the little mouse dangled upside down, crying out in alarm. Zhang Yang cautiously slackened the rope, allowing its body to rest flat on the ground again. Regardless of whether this small rat was a Treasure-Seeking Mouse, Zhang Yang was nearly certain it was a Spiritual Beast. Other animals would rarely exhibit such behavior. Furthermore, Zhang Yang had never heard of any species of rat capable of changing color this rapidly.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

The little rat cried out to Zhang Yang, seemingly aware that escape from this situation was impossible. "Squeak squeak squeak!"

As it cried, Lightning echoed the sound. Lightning’s call was much louder than the rat’s, and the small creature immediately flattened itself to the ground, ceasing all noise. When it fell silent, Lightning stopped too, standing proudly on Zhang Yang's shoulder.

"Jingle jingle jingle."

Zhang Yang’s phone suddenly rang. Lightning, long familiar with the sound, showed no reaction, but the little mountain rat on the ground jumped, becoming noticeably more alert. Zhang Yang retrieved his canvas bag and took out his phone. Seeing the number on the screen, a smile spread across his face, and he answered directly.

The call was from Mi Xue. She was on her lunch break and seized the opportunity to chat with Zhang Yang for a few minutes. They had only been apart for a day, yet the longing between them was already profound. The call lasted quite a while—a full half hour before they hung up. Zhang Yang noted the call duration, realizing he had once again contributed significantly to the telephone company’s revenue.

Zhang Yang was preparing to put his phone away and had just opened his canvas bag when a shadow darted toward him. The little mountain rat, which had been lying docilely on the ground, had leaped onto him—more accurately, into the canvas bag. Zhang Yang quickly extended his hand. This little creature’s speed was indeed not slow; it was almost comparable to Lightning's. Had it not been for Lightning, Zhang Yang would have struggled to catch it on his own.

The little mouse did not flee. Zhang Yang grasped its neck firmly and plucked it out of the canvas bag. The next instant, Zhang Yang’s eyes widened. Clutched tightly in the small creature’s four paws was a box. Zhang Yang recognized this box immediately; it was the container for his Immortal Fruit Pills.

As these were genuine medicinal elixirs, Zhang Yang naturally carried some with him at all times; the rest were secured in a bank safe deposit box, as he felt uneasy leaving them at home.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

The little mouse kept crying out, yet its body did not struggle. Its four paws gripped the box tightly, showing a clear refusal to let go.

"You little fellow have quite the luck, finding the best thing right away!"

Zhang Yang smiled faintly, muttering to himself. As he spoke, he paused slightly and looked down at the small rat again. The records mentioned that the Treasure-Seeking Mouse’s most potent ability was specifically seeking out the best, most valuable treasures, not merely its color-changing fur.

The Immortal Fruit Pills were legitimate spiritual medicine, absolutely the finest of treasures. This little creature had found them instantly and was clinging to the box. In every regard—its appearance, its characteristics, and its strange nature—it matched the Treasure-Seeking Mouse described in the book perfectly.

"Is it really a Treasure-Seeking Mouse?"

Zhang Yang was momentarily stunned. If the creature hadn't snatched the Immortal Fruit Pill box, Zhang Yang would still only have harbored suspicions. But now, with such precise timing, finding the Pill and refusing to release it, Zhang Yang could fully conclude that this was the legendary Treasure-Seeking Mouse, an entity even the Zhang ancestors had never witnessed.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

The little rat cried anxiously, one paw continuously rubbing at the box, seemingly attempting to pry it open. A slight shift occurred in Zhang Yang’s mind. He forcefully took the box from the little creature's grasp and placed the mouse on a nearby table.

With the box gone, the little mouse cried out more urgently, its body beginning to thrash. If Zhang Yang hadn't held it down with one hand, it would surely have jumped up again. Zhang Yang reluctantly secured the rope to another anchor point, preventing it from jumping off the table or escaping.

This box contained three Immortal Fruit Pills. Zhang Yang was out today to buy a car, not embarking on a long journey elsewhere, so three spare pills were sufficient for his needs. Moreover, spiritual medicines of this caliber were finite resources; if they could be conserved, it was best not to use them. However, upon his return, he could afford to take back a maximum of two. Wu Yan's illness necessitated the use of the Immortal Fruit Pills; only this type of spiritual medicine could be effective against her terminal condition.

Zhang Yang carefully opened the box, and a wave of fragrance immediately permeated the room. He extracted one pill, closed the box securely, and returned it to the canvas bag. By this time, the little rat had stilled, its eyes locked fixedly on the pill in Zhang Yang’s hand.

Not just it—Lightning, perched on Zhang Yang’s shoulder, was also staring intently at the pill, its nose twitching occasionally as it sniffed. Configured spiritual medicine held an extraordinary attraction for spiritual beasts.

"Squeak squeak squeak." "Chirp chirp chirp!"

Both Lightning and the little mountain rat cried out simultaneously. Lightning even hopped onto the table, holding its paws together in a pleading gesture toward Zhang Yang, stretching them out with a silly grin.

This was clearly the gesture it used when begging Zhang Yang for ordinary medicinal pills. Observing its action alone, it was obvious the creature had set its sights on the Immortal Fruit Pill in Zhang Yang’s hand and wanted another. The little mouse, perhaps noticing Lightning’s gesture, also scrambled over, sitting upright, and imitating Lightning by extending a tiny paw. However, its movements lacked Lightning’s endearing quality.

Two spiritual beasts, one large and one small, both sharing the same coloration, sat on the table, holding out their paws. The scene was indescribably bizarre, and even Zhang Yang couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

"Squeak squeak squeak!"

Lightning suddenly turned its head and hissed menacingly at the little mouse. It seemed to understand that the smaller newcomer was preparing to compete with it for the superior treat. "Chirp chirp chirp!"

The little mouse replied with a few chirps, but its confidence was clearly inferior to Lightning’s, tinged with apprehension. Lightning was a notorious Venomous Beast whose fierce reputation was well-earned.

Fourth update. Guests arrived at home, which caused a delay. We are still more than twenty monthly tickets short. Friends, could you give Xiao Yu a bit more support? Twenty-odd tickets—let’s aim to surpass that goal today. There are two more chapters remaining. Xiao Yu will rest briefly, eat some lunch, and then resume writing. The next chapter should update around 2:30 PM. Woke up at midnight, and Xiao Yu hasn’t eaten anything until now. I am genuinely starving!