Chapter 29

The flying vehicle soared over the ocean, revealing the frosted reserve, a diverse landscape teeming with unique species, shimmering under the golden sun.

The lynx is a big cat that epitomizes the solitary nature of felines, elusive and rarely seen.

As the vehicle speeds through the air, its magnetic field repels surrounding life forms to prevent collisions.

Thus, the moment the vehicle successfully lands, Xia You must retract and shut off all exposed magnetic fields, and the vehicle reverts to a regular off-road car.

Yet, finding a lynx in the reserve that's elusive even to drones requires more than real-time tracking and camera footage—it requires luck and affinity.

Guided by the surveillance, Xia You and her group quickly arrived near the injured lynx.

Lu Yinghuai stayed true to the principle he'd initially shared with Xia You. Upon arrival, he simply leaned against the vehicle, his gaze settling thoughtfully on Xia You.

This time, the jaguar didn't stray but paced beside Xia You, eyes coldly scanning the surroundings.

Xia You seemed to have an idea. She walked back, opened the rear door, and gently patted the young tiger.

About to speak, Xia You paused and looked up at Lu Yinghuai, suggesting, "Your Highness, should we name the young tiger?"

Xia You hadn't named the tiger before, and Lu Yinghuai hadn't reminded her. The reality of their spiritual forms was one thing, but naming often signifies deeper bonds.

Just as Lu Yinghuai was about to respond, Xia You, holding the young tiger, assured him with a playful grin, "Your Highness, don't worry, I'll have no reservations about releasing it."

The young tiger, having slept throughout the journey, was suddenly lifted. Its front paws rested on Xia You's hands as it lazily mewed at Lu Yinghuai in a perfunctory manner.

This cub might look small, but it's adept at gauging people. It coos sweetly and rubs affectionately against Xia You, who has healing psychic abilities, flatters the jaguar to the extreme, but remains indifferent towards Lu Yinghuai, who currently can't utilize his psychic powers, showing none of its earlier fear.

"What should we call it?" Xia You mused, rubbing the young tiger's fur with her thumb.

Lu Yinghuai's lips curled slightly, suggesting to Xia You, “Such a tiny cub needs blessings and luck to survive in the forest. There’s no need for a very formal name.”

Xia You pondered, then fixated on the little tiger’s mix of orange and black on the back of its head, suddenly feeling a pang of... hunger.

Clearing her throat sheepishly, Xia You moved closer to Lu Yinghuai, handing the little tiger over. She then cupped the cub’s ears with her hand.

"Your Highness, what do you think of the name... 'Spicy Strip'?" As she proposed the name, she swallowed some saliva.

Lu Yinghuai was genuinely taken aback: "…Excuse me?"

"Spicy Strip. It's a kind of... um, snack whose color somewhat resembles our little tiger here. Eating it gives you a burning sensation in the mouth."

Darn, just describing it makes her crave it even more.

If there's anything the post-apocalyptic Xia You missed, it would definitely be those rare snacks she once had in the base.

During the cataclysm, humans hadn’t given up on farming. Once the basic food issue was settled, some old snacks started sprouting like mushrooms after rain.

Xia You didn’t really need to eat much; the zombie crystals could sustain her well. So, she spent all her contribution points on buying snacks.

Unfortunately, in this interstellar era, many old recipes have been lost. Most people rely on nutrient fluids for sustenance. Only the simplest methods, like steaming or baking, remain for vegetables and meats.

Many unique Blue Star condiments have been lost during humanity's migration.

Lu Yinghuai looked down at the orange furball, its ears hidden by Xia You's hands, revealing just a round fuzzy head, and chuckled, “Alright, let's name him Spicy Strip.”

The Marshal, who had never been fond of his own childhood nickname, suddenly felt reconciled with it.

The live broadcast had been restarted after their aircraft landed. The broadcast ball, fluttering its little wings, circled around the two of them and the two cats, occasionally zooming in and out, working more diligently than even Xia You.

Live Chat Room: "??"

[What’s a Spicy Strip?]

[Just searched the StarNet. Apparently, it's a snack from ancient Blue Star history... Honestly, I kind of want to try it now.]

[I don’t know why, but seeing that bright red color makes me instinctively hungry.]

[Are you serious, above? That color looks toxic. What kind of edible thing has such a color?!]

"Isn't anyone concerned about that injured cheetah?"

"What's the use of concern? Everyone knows spiritual creatures like cheetahs are experts at hiding. It's questionable if we can even find it."

"Spicy strips?" Xia Yomu released his grip on the little tiger's ears, couldn't help but give them a rub, and chuckled softly, "Spicy strips, Yuanyuan, sounds like a family, doesn’t it?"

Yuanyuan, standing in front of Xia Yomu: "..."

"Speaking of that cheetah," Xia Yomu said, catching the little tiger that rushed towards him, allowing it to perch on his shoulder. "What I don't get is, if it's injured, why is its location still moving?"

The cheetah is injured, and while we currently don't know where, an injured wild beast not only has a scent that isn’t conducive for hunting, but it may also attract predators. It should be even more cautious than before.

Cheetahs are also a type of big cat that can withstand hunger for a long time. It's common for them to stay motionless for days, waiting for an opportunity.

But now, the coordinate being monitored on the map is constantly on the move.

This makes the cheetah's movements seem even more unusual.

"Perhaps it's trying to find some rotting food to fill its belly?" Xia Yomu speculated.

Lu Yinghuai: "… I doubt that’s the case."

Spiritual beings can materialize, and their survival isn’t dependent on hunting and eating, but on the activity of their spiritual energy.

Hunting and eating are instinctive behaviors when the spiritual force takes on an animal form.

An agitated spiritual force, due to its disorder, will drive the spiritual being to constantly hunt and fight to release its internal distress.

When a spiritual being is injured or sick, the spiritual energy rapidly diminishes with the loss of blood and warmth from its animal form.

Once the spiritual energy can no longer sustain the animal form, the spiritual being will vanish completely, and the brainwave corresponding to the human body in the stasis chamber will cease at the same time, declaring death.

This is also one of the reasons Lu Yinghuai decided to hide the truth about the spiritual beings from Xia Yomu.

If Xia Yomu began experiments to awaken the spiritual beings and failed, it would mean the complete disappearance of an animal he once encountered and cherished, coupled with a lost life.

The weight of that consequence is too profound.

"Let’s not overthink it, let’s just chase it down," Xia Yomu glanced at the slowly moving coordinate, "I don’t believe I can't catch up with an injured cheetah."

After saying this, Xia Yomu whistled, drawing the attention of a black panther that had wandered a hundred meters away, which then ran back towards him.

The young boy patted the hefty little tiger on his shoulder, saying, "Spicy Strips, off you go and run by yourself!"

Without heeding the little tiger's whimpers of protest, he dashed towards the direction of the approaching black panther.

The little tiger, having stumbled a bit upon landing, quickly scampered after him with swift paw steps.

The powerful impact force when a black panther runs is indeed a major factor in their hunting success.

The fast-approaching panther's pupils contracted, and with a swift pivot, it skidded to a halt, narrowly avoiding Xia Yomu's charge. The panther's glossy tail gave Xia Yomu's leg a disapproving swipe.

Lu Yinghuai chuckled softly, closed the car door, and quickly followed.

……

The car was left behind by the two, and as the sun began its descent, the temperature started to drop noticeably.

Lu Yinghuai noticed Xia Yomu shivering slightly and quickly moved to shield him from the wind, asking, "Cold?"

Xia Yomu shook his head, "No, the clothes are warm. It's just that a sudden gust of wind caught me off guard."

"Let me check the temperature." Lu Yinghuai, halting Xia Yomu who seemed eager to continue their pursuit, flipped open the collar of the young man's camouflage jacket.

It was an equipment piece designed to monitor the vital signs of its wearer, with data displayed on the collar.

"Xia Yomu, you need to rest," Lu Yinghuai said.

Lu Yinghuai had been mostly silent until now. While his tone wasn't stern, Xia Yomu lowered his head, feeling a bit disheartened.

They'd been tracking for a long time and hadn't traveled a vast distance, but clearly, the cheetah had detected their scent and was deliberately evading them.

Just then, Xia Yomu's wrist computer beeped incessantly. He glanced down to see the cheetah's coordinates flashing with frequent red exclamation marks.

The exclamation marks signified that the monitored target was nearing a dangerous state, possibly shock. Their pursuit seemed to exacerbate the cheetah's injuries and fatigue.

Lu Yinghuai was about to speak.

Amid the shrill beeping of the wrist computer, Xia Yomu, taking the initiative, grabbed Lu Yinghuai's sleeve.

"Your Highness, if it's you, there must be a way, right?"

Lu Yinghuai was taken aback for a moment.

Most of the young people he had met were standout figures amongst their peers, vibrant and brimming with pride. They wouldn't easily ask for help unless they had hit a significant obstacle.

He had expected some conflicts with the youngster here and was prepared to pacify and explain.

"I know you've been waiting for me to speak," Xia Yomu looked up. His eyes, instead of the anticipated defeat and panic that Lu Yinghuai expected, exuded unusual calmness. "I admit my prior judgment was flawed, but I can't let a life pay for my mistake."

"That's why I'm asking for your help," Xia Yomu's eyes twinkled mischievously, "After all, didn't you promise to be my rock?"

Lu Yinghuai was momentarily speechless, then affectionately tousled Xia Yomu's hair, "I misjudged, I thought..."

"Thought I'd be ashamed?" Xia Yomu shrugged nonchalantly, "I've been through more embarrassing situations. What's this in comparison?"

To Xia Yomu, nothing mattered more than life.

"Your Highness, you haven’t answered yet. What would you have done initially?"

Young people certainly have their pride. At the outset, Xia Yomu did want to showcase his capabilities in front of Lu Yinghuai, which led him to pursue quietly.

But the truth was, he had indeed oversimplified things.

Lu Yinghuai looked towards the slowly pacing black panther in the distance. Not far from the panther, the round-faced little tiger was merrily rolling on the ground.

Lu Yinghuai momentarily muted the live stream, stating, "If it were me, I'd directly command the black panther to bring the cheetah to us."

Standing beside Xia Yomu, no hint of Lu Yinghuai's psychic energy was detectable. However, the moment he spoke, Xia Yomu felt an oppressive force that straightened his spine.

Xia Yomu was astonished by Lu Yinghuai's response, "But the cheetah is already injured..."

"What's your primary intention?" Lu Yinghuai asked patiently.

Xia Yomu: "To find the cheetah and then help it?"

Lu Yinghuai replied calmly, "Then all you need to consider is whether the cheetah is alive when it's presented to you. If it's weakened or scared, it might be even easier to achieve your goal."

On the surface, they were discussing the cheetah, but both the mentor and the mentee understood that the "cheetah" symbolized more than just the animal.

After pondering for two seconds, Xia Yomu decisively squatted down and shouted towards the black panther, "Yuan Yuan, come here!"

The black panther complied. It was evident that its thick paws didn't particularly favor the soft, chilly snow.

Xia Yomu cupped the black panther's cheeks, gently patting them. In a soft voice, he said, "Good Yuan Yuan, there's an injured big cat nearby, not too far from us, but it's been evading me for a while. Can you help me?"

"Don't harm it, just bring it to me."

The black panther let out a low growl, extended its tongue to lick Xia Yomu's fingers, then turned and sprinted in a certain direction.

"Roar—"

A stern and displeased roar resonated. The little tiger playing and rolling in the snow was startled, jumping high. It hastily shook off the snow that clung to it and chased in the direction the black panther had disappeared.

The live-streaming drone continued to hover near the black panther and little tiger. Seeing them leave, it followed.

[Did they mute the live stream?]

[No audio is still better than no visual, I suppose.]

[I'm less concerned about the audio, but what’s happening with the cheetah?! Urgent!!!!!]

However, the news of the injured spiritual form of the cheetah caused great anxiety among those in the stream who knew its true identity, making it hard for them to sleep that night.

*

As dusk approached, the two followed their original path back to their vehicle. Using the map, they located a small stream. They cleared an area nearby, lit a fire, and prepared some food.

Retrieving a tent from the spatial knot, Xia Yomu was unfamiliar with it but still mimicked Lu Yinghuai's actions and together they set it up.

This way, the next time they needed to set up the tent, it wouldn't strain His Highness, who might be feeling unwell.

Xia Yomu thought to himself.

With the black panther and little tiger out searching for the cheetah, Xia Yomu decided to extract two energy stones from the spatial knot, handing the one of better quality to Lu Yinghuai.

Lu Yinghuai amusingly accepted the energy stone, choosing not to absorb it.

Sitting on a small stool, Xia Yomu "consumed" three energy stones in a row, pausing only when he reached the fourth.

Touching his full stomach, Xia Yomu looked up at Lu Yinghuai, realizing something. He quickly extracted a tube of nutrient liquid from the spatial knot and offered it to Lu Yinghuai, saying, "Your Highness, drink this."

His Highness was still under the effects of a psychic-sealing potion and couldn't absorb energy from the stones.

Lu Yinghuai wasn't particularly hungry. He gave the nutrient solution in his hand a gentle shake and remarked, "Relying solely on energy stones leads to malnutrition."

"Huh?" Even though she was full, Xia You's psychic tentacles still brushed against the energy stone with lingering affection. She looked stunned.

Lu Yinghuai's gaze settled on the energy stone in Xia You's hand and sighed softly, "Malnutrition can stunt your growth."

Energy stones merely supply energy to one's psychic abilities. Xia You feels full because her healing psychic energy nourishes her body, but that doesn't mean the energy stone provides all the nutrients she needs.

Only when stranded in uninhabited areas without food do warriors choose to absorb energy from these stones to sustain vital signs.

Yet, Xia You comes from a noble background. Why does she have such an extreme survival habit?

Across the campfire, Xia You recalled her five years on the post-apocalyptic Blue Planet, realizing her height seemed... indeed, hadn't grown at all.

Xia You: "!!!"

Quickly, Xia You tucked the energy stone back into her dimensional pocket, taking out a tube of nutrient solution and sipping it little by little—she was genuinely full after all.

But, growing taller is a serious matter.

After a while, Xia You whispered, "Your Highness, if a lynx is captured during a vulnerable period and only pretends to be compliant but genuinely dislikes me, should I let it go?"

"What if it turns on me after healing?"

The crackling of the campfire filled the silence. Lu Yinghuai replied in a gentle tone, "Then, you should assert dominance, either through your aura or actions, letting it know you can capture it again and control its very breath."

Pausing slightly, Lu Yinghuai began, "Let's not delve into imperial history today; instead, let's discuss the legions and the Senate."

"The First Legion is directly under my command. Apart from that, there are four major legions in the empire. Their internal affairs and deployments are directed by the Military Department, which in turn is under the emperor."

"While the First Legion has warriors with S-grade psychic abilities, other legions also have high-ranking officers with advanced psychic powers, many of whom are nobles with their inherent political stances."

"The Senate is responsible for alliance diplomacy, internal affairs of the empire, and disbursing military expenses based on the list provided by the Military Department every quarter."

"Thus, the relationship between the Military Department and the Senate isn't distant. On the contrary, their close ties and mutual checks and balances contribute to the stability of the empire."

Lu Yinghuai paused, allowing Xia You some time to digest before continuing.

"Wei Cheng is my deputy, but he's not just my deputy."

"Soldiers in the First Legion come from diverse backgrounds. From prodigies with no known origins to scions of noble families, they undergo the most rigorous training in the First Legion, receive top-tier medical care, maximize their potential, have opportunities to achieve great honors, and form bonds with some of the finest comrades or allies."

"However, to join the First Legion, one must shed their past identity and compete for every opportunity on an equal and fair footing."

"As such, within the First Legion's ranks, there are descendants of Senate ministers and noble families, and even members of the royal family have joined."

"Apart from me, Wei Cheng is the only one who knows their backgrounds."

"Xia You, if I ever fall into a coma, the first person you should trust is Wei Cheng."

The flames faltered due to the cold. Lu Yinghuai took a branch from below and gently stoked it a few times, causing the bright flames to leap up.

Xia You regained her composure.

"Your Highness, are you suggesting that Major General Wei... could be the leopard to capture the lynx?"

"No, that's not it." Xia You sat upright, "Through Major General Wei, could they all potentially become leopards at my command?"

Lu Yinghuai smirked.

The young man's features flickered in the dancing flames. He was deep in thought, and the nutrient solution in his hand was unknowingly almost finished.

As their lesson for the day concluded, they didn't wait long. When the starlight began to blanket the sky, a black leopard approached through the snow, its mouth holding a grayish-brown bundle, dragging it leisurely.

The live broadcast drone trailed behind the black leopard from a distance, seemingly afraid to get too close.

Xia You abruptly stood up, but due to her full stomach, she couldn't help but hiss in pain.

The black leopard walked over to Xia You and gently set the lynx on the ground. It then stretched its front limbs, flexing its muscles, and lay down to rest, eyes closed.

As the live broadcast drone tried to approach, the leopard swiftly raised its paw. If not for Lu Yinghuai's timely intervention, the drone would likely have been destroyed by the leopard's swipe.

[Oh my god, that scared me!]

[Look at the lynx! Is it a psychic being? Seems severely injured.]

[Hard to tell, but if it was specifically sought for help, it probably is.]

The grayish-brown furry mass lay still on the ground, not moving an inch, even its tail-tip drooped, with only its chest rising and falling faintly.

An adult lynx can weigh around 30 kilograms. These large cats have tufts of black fur on their ears, unique mane-like fur on the sides of their jaws, spots finer than those on leopards, and a short tail.

However, its size is considerably smaller than that of a jaguar.

Xia You thought the lynx was in shock. Just as she approached, a psychic tendril suddenly shot out, darting straight towards the motionless lynx on the ground!

The lynx, which had been lying still, abruptly leaped up, baring its teeth towards Xia You, its front limbs lowered, muscles tensed, and emitting a warning growl.

The black leopard, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, stood by Xia You's side, its cold, predatory gaze fixed on the lynx.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

The lynx emitted a soft whine, and in a submissive gesture, laid gently on the ground.

The black leopard snorted, this time lying down next to Xia You, but its eyes never strayed from the lynx.

Xia You's psychic tendril joyfully curled towards the black leopard, playfully rubbing its ears.

Lu Yinghuai, who had remained silent, now wore an expression of slight exasperation.

To put it mildly, when Xia You's psychic tendrils made contact with psychic beings, they indeed brought great pleasure and relaxation. But this act of "petting" the leopard...

He wouldn't mind, he'd never accuse a child of harassment, but other psychic beings might not be as forgiving.

Especially some who are particularly rule-bound and rigid.

Marshal felt a burgeoning headache.

The black leopard, sensing a certain someone's thoughts, flicked its ear and pinned Xia You's psychic tendril under its paw, resting its head atop it.

Feeling a sudden warmth from her psychic tendril, Xia You looked in astonishment to see Yuan Yuan, who previously disliked the tendril, now willingly nuzzling it. She was so touched she wanted to rush over and lovingly pet her beloved big leopard.

No worries. First, she needed to handle the large cat before her; there'd be plenty of time for petting the leopard later.

Xia You patted her cheeks, bolstered by the imposing presence of her own leopard, Yuan Yuan, and slowly reached out to the sharp-eyed lynx.

Only upon getting closer did Xia You realize why the lynx hadn't run away.

Its left hind leg bore a gruesome, torn wound, and traces of beastly bite marks could be discerned on its front limbs and other parts of its body.

Marks of a wolf pack's assault.

Scratches from dragging could be seen on its rear claws, still bleeding, presenting a pitiable sight.

Xia You rummaged through her spatial knot to find a healing ointment and gauze designed specifically for beasts. She crouched in front of the lynx, radiating as much friendliness as she could, tentatively extending her hand. "Shake hands? As you can see, I mean no harm."

Xia You held that pose for a good while before the lynx ceased its snarling, though it still disregarded her.

The grey-brown spotted big cat rested its head on its front paws. The tufts of black fur on its ears brushed against Xia You's fingers, tickling her heart a little.

Hiss—

This is a lynx! The elusive kind that few get to touch, a truly mysterious and sneaky big kitty!

And it looks so handsome, makes me want to...

The young enthusiast's longing for fluffy creatures was plainly written all over her face.

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

As expected.

The black leopard, draped with psychic tendrils, stealthily approached the lynx, sat upright, and then intently gazed at Xia You.

Feeling as if caught red-handed by a house cat, Xia You, who had initially intended to secretly pet the lynx, promptly started treating its wounds. She applied medicine, bandaged it up, and finished with a neat bow.

Due to the depth of the wound, Xia You shaved a ring of fur off the lynx's hind leg, making the creature seem rather uneasy.

Suddenly, Xia You jolted upright. "Wait, where's the spicy stick?"

Wasn't Spicy Stick just out hunting lynxes with Yuan Yuan?

Xia You reached out to pinch the black leopard's chubby cheek, furrowing her brow as she asked, "Dear Yuan Yuan, you didn’t leave behind our main character for this trip, did you?"

The black leopard's tail twitched, its head stretching forward, opening its mouth in an attempt to lick Xia You's face. Before succeeding, a big hand from the side turned its head away.

At times, Lu Yinghuai really questioned whether there was something amiss with his psychic being.

Ever since it was young, this leopard had always been contrary with him, often indulging in absurd antics.

Rustling sounds emanated from the nearby jungle.

Both the lynx lying on the ground and the black leopard sitting beside it simultaneously perked up their ears.

Xia You, currently checking the baby tiger monitoring point, wondered, "Hmm? Why is the monitor showing that the spicy strip is getting closer to us?"

The scent of fresh blood approached. While the black panther remained unfazed, the already restless civet's pupils constricted, revealing its sharp fangs.

[That reaction confirms it, it's definitely a spirit entity.]

[Hmm? Look at the bushes!]

[That tiger cub may look small, but it seems quite fierce.]

The orange and black striped tiger cub, dragging a wild rabbit, struggled through the bushes, inching closer in the direction of Xia You.

Tigers don't develop their permanent teeth and become independent hunters until around three years old. Before that, while they might follow their mother to learn hunting skills, they mostly find it challenging to hunt on their own.

The wild rabbits in this sanctuary are quite plump, almost a third the size of a tiger cub. Considering the tiger cub managed to hunt one and, instead of eating it, dragged it all this way, it must have taken a considerable effort.

Xia You was about to help the little tiger when Lu Yinghuai grabbed her arm.

"Let him do it himself."

Xia You turned to look at Lu Yinghuai, noticing his gaze fixed on the cub with deep and complex emotions that finally settled into a comforting light.

The black panther was also watching the baby tiger.

Indeed, even after noticing them, the tiger cub did not call out for help. Instead, after a short break, it continued its laborious task of dragging the rabbit.

If a cleaned-up tiger cub looks milky and adorable, then this little feline, now smeared with blood and dirt, truly bears the fierce eyes of a future king of beasts.

At last, the cub placed its prey right in front of Xia You, then playfully collapsed beside her shoes, cooing affectionately.

The aura of the future king of beasts vanished entirely.

Xia You quickly examined the tiger cub for injuries. Finding none, she sighed with relief and immediately showered the cub with praise.

The wild rabbit wasn't substantial, so the black panther, uninterested, walked away. If it wanted to eat, it could hunt for itself, not relying on a cub's catch.

On the other hand, the civet beside, enticed by the rabbit's blood, stared intently at the prey on the ground, growling lowly with a hint of ferocity.

The cub, assuming the civet wanted its catch, swiftly rose from its adorable sprawl, warning the civet with bared teeth and occasionally urging Xia You with impatient eyes to eat quickly.

The cub clearly exhibited possessiveness over its food and double standards.

Xia You, after being fed: "..."

Patting her stomach that had ingested three energy stones and been topped off with a tube of nutrient fluid, Xia You's smile gradually became strained.

It's not that, little one. I'm truly touched by your gesture, but...

Having watched the spectacle for a while, Lu Yinghuai shook his head. Glancing at the holographic map, he set up an alarm next to their tent and said, "Xia You, I'm going to take a look around. I won't go far. If anything comes up, sound the alarm."

Xia You nodded, "Okay, got it."

Lu Yinghuai glanced at his own spirit form.

The black panther stretched lazily on the spot, shedding the little tentacles of spiritual energy that were on its body.

It then moved to the tiger cub's side. The two, one big and one small, exchanged growls and murmurs as if communicating. After the panther's gaze circled Xia You and the civet, it twitched its whiskers and then followed Lu Yinghuai.

The tiger cub sat vigilantly, perfectly positioning itself between Xia You and the civet.

Xia You: "..."

I see, I see! I've got eyes too!

Can't he just not touch it?!

Left with no choice, a tearful Xia You moved away from the civet to the other side of the fire. After hesitating, she sneakily used a spiritual tentacle to tug on the long hair of the civet's ear.

The previously lying-down tiger cub immediately looked up.

Xia You's covert spiritual tentacle quickly retracted.

Across the fire, the civet curled itself into a ball, its cold beastly eyes studying Xia You and the tiger cub.

After a moment, the civet raised a paw to rub the spot on its head where the spiritual tentacle had touched. In its amber eyes, a hint of human-like curiosity and contemplation emerged. Its gaze then settled on a nearby military-style tent, pausing momentarily on the emblem of the First Legion.

However, that brief clarity was quickly overshadowed by its wild instincts, vanishing from sight.

Sensing that Xia You might be a bit down, the tiger cub looked around and spotted the lifeless rabbit on the ground. With a flick of its tail, it grabbed the poor yet plump rabbit and once again presented it in front of Xia You as if offering a treasure.

Eat up!

The successfully hunting tiger cub appeared smug, its eyes round and shimmering brightly.

Xia You: "..."

But he truly, truly couldn't eat another bite!