The collision of two forces produced an unexpected outcome—one even Xueji couldn’t comprehend. In her perception, the fireball she had cast and the Wolf King’s attack had been drawn together by an invisible force after their initial clash. Under this mysterious power’s influence, the two energies resonated and began to fuse.
‘What exactly is going on with this secret realm?’ Xueji wondered. Her instincts told her this place held a profound secret.
Several thick tree roots burst from the ground beside her, twisting and morphing into a smaller version of the Monarch Stag. The stag’s avatar spoke without preamble:
“One who bears Heaven’s Mandate shall command all beasts to lead the tides of change, carrying dawn’s light to break the endless night.”
“‘One who bears Heaven’s Mandate’… Are you referring to the Wolf King?” Xueji ventured.
“That is the prophecy we have long awaited. What do you think—who is the chosen one?” The stag suddenly turned the question back on her, its gaze piercing.
Caught off guard, Xueji froze. Fragments of the prophecy surfaced in her mind. According to its words, a pivotal figure would emerge during this rare celestial event where the sun and moon shared the sky. As a sage, she sensed layers of hidden meaning—but the Monarch Stag said no more, leaving her to silently observe the Wolf King’s transformation.
As the glowing sphere in the sky dimmed, the Wolf King’s form was revealed under the first rays of dawn. Backlit by the rising sun, Xueji could only make out a humanoid silhouette amidst the radiance. In that instant, her eyes flickered to a faint crimson hue—a change unnoticed by the others.
“She… took human form?” Xueji turned to the Monarch Stag, only to notice its massive body had vanished in the sunlight, leaving only the root-formed avatar behind.
Even the stag seemed baffled now. Its calm demeanor fractured as its gaze darted between the transformed Wolf King and Xueji, as though unsure where to focus.
Xueji didn’t press for answers. Clearly, the “chosen one” was neither her nor the Wolf King. Oh well—adventures always have loose ends. Right now, she was far more curious about the Wolf King’s new appearance.
When the light finally faded, Xueji looked up again. A petite figure bathed in silver luminescence drifted downward. And then—she saw her.
A small girl with ankle-length silver-gray hair. But the most striking features were the pair of fluffy ears atop her head and the bushy tail swaying behind her.
Xueji’s thoughts spilled out unfiltered:
“Holy hell—a beast-eared loli?!”
The Monarch Stag, the now-awake Elder Ape, Explosion Bear, and Scar-Eye all turned to stare at her with undisguised disdain.
Ahem. Realizing her outburst, Xueji coughed awkwardly and pulled a robe from her storage space. In a flash, she caught the still-unconscious Wolf King.
“So light!”
The moment she held the girl, Xueji noticed something odd. Even for a child’s frame, the Wolf King weighed practically nothing—like a plush toy. Must be an effect of that silver glow.
She wrapped the little figure in the robe, leaving only a delicate face and those irresistibly soft ears exposed. Xueji couldn’t resist—she reached up and gently rubbed one.
Her fingers traced the fur upward with featherlight touches. The ears twitched almost immediately, sensitive to the contact. The girl stirred in her arms, nuzzling her face into Xueji’s chest while her tail wagged lazily.
Now forced to use both hands to contain the squirming bundle, Xueji felt like she was holding an unruly toddler. The “toddler” in question kept burrowing deeper into her embrace, making the situation increasingly awkward.
The other beasts crowded around, even the Monarch Stag unable to resist curiosity. They peered at the beast-eared girl with mixed expressions.
The Elder Ape rumbled, “This brat used to pick fights with me daily—turns out she’s just a kid.” Its tone carried unmistakable glee. After years of being harassed by the Wolf King, seeing her reduced to this harmless state was deeply satisfying.
Explosion Bear, still dazed, blinked. “What… happened?”
The Monarch Stag sighed. “Nothing. Go play.”
Oblivious, the bear wobbled away, completely unaware of the massive bumps on its head. It only knew it needed a nap.
Scar-Eye, however, panicked. Its lone eye bulged as it took in its sister’s new form. “The human knocked her out and turned her into this! She’s gonna keep her as a s*x pet!”
THWACK!
The Monarch Stag promptly smacked Scar-Eye with its antlers. “Must you have such a vivid imagination?!”
Xueji bit back a laugh—until she glanced down and met a pair of blazing eyes.
“YOU PERVERTED HUMAN—I’LL BITE YOU TO DEATH!”
A voice like angry cotton candy screeched as the Wolf King lunged, tiny fangs aimed straight for Xueji’s face.
Xueji barely blocked in time, shoving her right arm in the way. The little wolf latched on with surprising ferocity, but her teeth couldn’t pierce the sage’s enchanted robes. It felt more like a kitten gnawing playfully.
Now dangling from Xueji’s forearm like a furious accessory, the Wolf King growled triumphantly, tail wagging faster.
Xueji looked to the Elder Ape and Monarch Stag for help.
The ape suddenly developed a keen interest in whistling. The stag pretended not to see.
Traitors.
Left to her own devices, Xueji eyed the stubborn fluffball. Then—she smirked.
The Heart of Fenrir materialized in her left hand.
The moment the artifact’s chilling aura and overwhelming pressure filled the air, the Wolf King’s pupils dilated. Her primal instincts roared to life, every fiber of her being screaming that this was the ultimate prey. Drool cascaded down Xueji’s arm in seconds.
“Do you… want it?” Xueji dangled the heart just out of reach.
“HMPH!” The Wolf King bit down harder—until Xueji brought the heart closer. Then, the drool became a waterfall.
Soon, resistance was impossible. The little wolf released her grip, and Xueji handed over the prize as promised.
Now free, she hoisted the pouting beast-eared girl up by her scruff with one hand.
Thanks to the restrictions Xueji had placed on the heart, the Wolf King could only hug it pathetically, legs kicking midair as her tail lashed in frustration.
“PUT ME DOWN!”
The combination of a childish voice and ferocious tone was—
Absolutely adorable.