Little Shrubby knew Lin Mu would recover on his own, and what he was facing wasn't true exhaustion of energy but the fatigue from the sutra he had used.
Lin Mu's throat tightened slightly at the sight. For all his strength, for all the power he had accumulated, it was this creature... once no more than a fiery fuzzy cub, that reminded him what true loyalty looked like.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Little Shrubby's head. "Little Shrubby," he said softly.
The beast's ears twitched at the sound, and a low rumble came from deep within his chest.
Slowly, the creature's golden eyes opened, warm and bright. The growl that followed might have sounded fierce to an outsider, but Lin Mu knew better.
It was not anger or warning.
"Master..."
It was affection... his name spoken in the only way Little Shrubby could.
Getting down, Lin Mu smiled and said, "I am fine now. You did well."
