Huomang Tiger, it's the one that killed Lei Li and Xie Yingying," Qing Tan and Lin Dong exclaimed, astonished.
That day, when Hu Ying charged down the valley, everyone present had felt a mortal threat.
"Don't worry, Hu Ying won't harm you," Lin Xuan reassured.
He reached out, calling Hu Ying over.
The massive tiger slowly approached.
Qing Tan gripped Lin Dong's hand, trembling. Lin Dong's legs shook too.
Despite the fear, he trusted Lin Xuan and stayed put.
Hu Ying knelt obediently before Lin Xuan, allowing him to stroke its body.
The three cubs ran to Hu Ying and nuzzled for milk.
"Lin Xuan, are they really your pets?" Lin Dong asked incredulously.
It was hard to believe. How could a Di-Yuan Realm being tame a Tianyuan Realm beast?
Lin Xuan stroked Hu Ying and explained slowly:
"Yes, this is Hu Ying. The day I hunted, I found it in the forest badly injured, having just given birth to three cubs. It was weak, and I happened to have medicine to heal it, so I saved it."
"Hu Ying followed me out of gratitude, having nowhere else to go."
"Later, I intended to return to you all and saw Xie Yingying bullying Qing Tan. I was angry and wanted to help Qing Tan seek revenge."
"Before I could act, you and the Lei-Xie families intervened, so I had Hu Ying teach them a lesson. You already know the rest."
Lin Dong and Qing Tan were thrilled. It was like a plot from an exciting fantasy story.
Especially Qing Tan. She felt deeply moved....Lin Xuan had avenged her, even when he wasn't present initially.
"By the way, how did Hu Ying and the cubs escape the pursuit afterward?" Lin Dong immediately asked the critical question.
That day, over ten Tianyuan Realm experts had surrounded them. Escaping seemed impossible.
"That's my secret for now. I can't tell you yet," Lin Xuan said.
"I understand!" Qing Tan smiled knowingly.
They both tacitly avoided further questions. Only Lin Dong was left confused.
"The existence of Hu Ying and her cubs must remain secret.
If word gets out, the Lin family and the Lei-Xie families would be at war, which is bad for us," Lin Xuan said solemnly.
"We understand, Lin Xuan, don't worry. I won't even tell my parents," Lin Dong pledged.
"I won't tell anyone either!" Qing Tan said firmly.
"Can I hug them now?" Qing Tan crouched to stroke the cubs.
Lin Xuan nodded.
Hu Ying sensed they were friends of its master and harmless, so it allowed them to interact with the cubs.
"By the way, what are their names?" Qing Tan asked, holding two cubs.
"Xiao Huo, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan!" Lin Xuan pointed to marks on their heads: one tuft of red hair for Xiao Huo, two for Xiao Yan, and three for Xiao Yan.
Without the marks, even the mother might not recognize them.
"Ah!" Lin Dong exclaimed. Holding Xiao Yan, he suddenly felt a reaction from his Stone Talisman.
"This Huomang Tiger may not be ordinary," he thought, paying more attention to Xiao Yan.
Lin Xuan noticed Lin Dong's subtle actions but didn't comment, only smiling quietly.
"Get familiar with each other. From now on, you'll all live in the same courtyard. Don't be distant," Lin Xuan said, patting Hu Ying's head.
"Yes!" Qing Tan nodded earnestly.
She adored the little tigers.
With Hu Ying around, Lin Dong and Qing Tan stayed longer at Lin Xuan's home, treating it almost like their own. Qing Tan loved playing with the cubs.
Lin Dong secretly observed Xiao Yan, sometimes feeding it extra rations and Stone Talisman elixir in a corner.
The courtyard was harmonious.
During this time, Lin Xuan, with Chi Ling, processed the previously hunted Shadow Leopard into elixirs.
One Di-Yuan Realm Shadow Leopard yielded over a hundred Blood Pills.
These pills, equivalent to third- to fourth-grade Blood Qi Pills, greatly enhanced beast strength and bloodline.
Humans could take them, but the effects were too strong and could mutate the body if overused.
Lin Xuan left them all for Hu Ying.
After taking the pills, Hu Ying's pupils trembled, feeling its power increase. It became even more devoted to Lin Xuan.
Hu Yun also took care of the cubs. Chi Ling, being a divine-grade alchemy furnace, could make the elixirs easier for the cubs to absorb.
Their daily routine: morning milk, afternoon elixir, evening infusion.
They grew fast.....within a week, they were the size of adult dogs and could run freely in the courtyard, even jump over walls.
Xiao Yan tried to explore beyond the courtyard multiple times but was always nudged back by Hu Ying.
One day, Qing Tan's cold ailment flared again.
"Hiss~ Lin Xuan, it's coming!" she said, clutching his hand.
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