"I'll look after it," said Hexia to Botis.
"Would Dantalion like to give it a try? However, there's some risk involved, as it's not as emotionally stable as usual," Botis hesitated for a moment, knowing that animals were not like humans and many things could be unpredictable.
"It's fine, I'll be careful and give it a try." Hexia thought that even if she got bitten, she could use her Talent to freeze the wound and even heal it completely after it broke.
"Alright, but every time you approach her, I need to be watching from a distance. Otherwise, it would be hard for me to feel at ease."
"Although I really like this pet, you are still much more important." Botis didn't want to risk an accident over something so trivial. Comparatively, she had matured and become much more prudent in her actions.
"I will," the girl nodded, her mind already considering ways to help the giant spider with its troubles.
Since she had yet to attend Yuanting Academy, she didn't understand how to raise Transcendent animals and could only think of doing things within her capability, like repairing its damaged Transcendent Core.
"Moreover, it's getting late today, let's start tomorrow if you want to do something," Botis said, looking up at the artificial sky now filled with fiery splendor.
"Dantalion, don't take this too much to heart, actually, it's fine even if it fails." She was afraid the girl might be too preoccupied with this and neglect other matters.
"Mhm," the girl acknowledged her kindness.
Time silently flowed on,
The next morning, Hexia returned to the jungle.
Carefully parting the thick grass and shrubs, she stepped on the soft layers of fallen leaves, also being cautious not to get her hair caught on twigs and bark.
Finally, she arrived at the innermost corner, pushed aside the dark purple leaves, and saw the giant spider crouched in its freshly dug burrow. Unlike yesterday, today it was mostly hidden in its nest with only its first few pairs of legs barely visible.
This is going to be tricky, the girl thought.
She spread the mat she had brought between the shadows of the dried leaves and cautiously squatted down, drawing closer to the burrow.
Sensing someone outside, the giant spider issued a hissing warning sound. Yet, when it recognized Hexia, it stopped hissing and slightly retreated.
When the girl's perception reached her own Transcendent Core, the large spider's body trembled, then calmed down again under her stroking, and continued to rest in front of Hexia.
Because she was not familiar with the exact structure of the large spider's Transcendent Core, Hexia could only first mend and repair the minor damages on the edges to prevent the gaps from widening.
The deep blue light flowed slowly, tiny crystals emerged within the spider's Transcendent Core, and gradually, the scars left from the failed advancement began to heal and stabilize temporarily.
After more than ten minutes, Hexia opened her eyes and looked again at the large spider on her knee; it now seemed much happier, looking around with its shiny black eyes.
Just as Hexia was thinking of whether she needed to say a few more comforting words, the creature suddenly jumped from her hands, climbing directly onto her shoulder and then perching atop her head.
Feeling the uncooperative spider on her head, Hexia was slightly annoyed.
"You rascal, just getting better and you're already causing trouble," she tried to grab it without success, so the girl simply let it stay on her head for now.
Since she couldn't leave anyway, it was a good time to get some work done; she once again waved her handbell, calling other poisonous creatures in the jungle to her.
Thus began another day of collecting poison and feeding.
As noon approached and it was time for lunch and rest, Hexia finally moved the large spider off her head.
It was the same stick as before, tapping on its head as if playing a wooden fish, as the girl repeated her instruction,
"I'll forgive you this time since I promised earlier, but there won't be a next time, alright? Grabbing my hair can easily mess it up..." Hexia murmured, knowing the creature could definitely understand her.
After soothing the large spider, she placed it back on the stone table; it was time for Hexia to have lunch, but just as she was about to leave the jungle, the white-scaled little snake that had been coiled around the chair leaped down.
The girl only felt a coolness on her wrist, then saw the small snake slip up her sleeve and wrap around her arm.
"Uh, no. Not you again, after burrowing into my skirt, now the sleeve..." Hexia tried to pull it out, but the clever creature hid at a spot on her arm, beyond her fingertips' reach.
If she wanted it out now, she would have to undo her maid outfit, but Hexia didn't want to change clothes in such a place.
Having no other choice, she went to lunch with the little snake along.