Zhuo Riyan's eyes snapped open, sharp and cold, faint ripples of power rolling off his body. Fourth Level of Beast Vein Stage. The breakthrough was solid, stable, and the lifebound connection between him and Little Cat had grown unmistakably stronger, like an invisible chain pulled tight.
Little Cat lifted his head, lips curling into a grin that looked downright fucking dangerous.
Zhuo Riyan planted his palms on the ground and pushed himself up. As he stood, he froze for a split second.
No pain.
Not even a trace.
His injuries—bone-deep damage, torn flesh, internal wounds—were completely gone, as if they had never existed. He clenched his fist slowly, feeling strength surge through his arm, especially the black one. His eyes flickered with disbelief, then hardened again.
Nearby, the white-haired woman sensed a shift. Her gaze moved toward the forest, where the violent fluctuations of qi were rapidly fading.
"So," she muttered calmly, "did she kill everyone?"
As if answering her thought, the air exploded.
A figure wrapped in blazing pink beast qi shot forward, rebounding off a tree trunk with terrifying force. The trunk cracked under the kick as the figure crossed dozens of meters in an instant and landed cleanly in front of the white-haired woman.
It was the pink-haired woman.
Her landing was controlled, sharp, and precise—no wasted movement. The ground beneath her boots fractured slightly from the impact alone.
Zhuo Riyan's heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
Another one.
His pupils contracted as instinct screamed at him. Two monsters. Two women whose cultivation could crush him like an ant.
Oh shit.
Cold sweat formed on his back. For the first time since breaking through, fear crept back in. He forced a stiff, awkward smile onto his face, trying not to look like a fucking corpse waiting to be buried.
"I killed all of them, Senior sister," the pink-haired woman said calmly, her tone respectful as she slid her sword back into her spiritual ring. There wasn't even a hint of hesitation in her voice, like slaughtering cultivators from Beast Mountain Sect was nothing more than a chore.
The white-haired woman nodded once and also stored her sword away. Then she turned, her sharp gaze settling on Zhuo Riyan.
The pink-haired woman followed her line of sight, studying him with open curiosity. Her eyes lingered on his aura, then flicked briefly to the little black beast perched near him.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The white-haired woman spoke casually, her voice even, almost indifferent. "Junior Sister, do you remember the incident from three years ago?"
The pink-haired woman blinked.
Then her brows knit together as memory surfaced.
Three years ago.
A scandal.
A so-called pervert who tried to drug a female disciple. Caught red-handed by another sect disciple. His cultivation crippled by that disciple. His name dragged through the dirt of long city.
Her gaze sharpened.
Slowly, she looked back at Zhuo Riyan.
"…That bastard?" she asked flatly.
Zhuo Riyan's smile stiffened.
Fuck.
The white-haired woman continued, her tone unchanged, almost like she was talking about the weather. "Yes. That one. Zhuo Riyan."
The pink-haired woman's eyes narrowed slightly as she re-evaluated him from head to toe. His cultivation. His beast. His qi. The faint remnants of thunder clinging to him.
"…Doesn't look like a crippled piece of trash," she said bluntly.
Zhuo Riyan let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening.
The pink-haired woman turned her sharp gaze toward her senior sister, eyes narrowing slightly as she asked, "Senior Sister, did this pervert try to do anything to you?"
The white-haired woman didn't even bother looking offended. Her eyes shifted briefly to Zhuo Riyan, calm and unreadable, before she replied flatly, "Do you really think a Beast Vein Stage cultivator can do anything to me?"
Those words landed like a slap.
Zhuo Riyan's expression darkened instantly. The irritation that had been simmering in his chest finally boiled over. He turned around sharply, already walking away as he spoke, his voice cold and clipped. "Enough. I'm leaving. I don't have time to waste on the two of you."
Little Cat, perched on his head, flicked his tail lazily. Then he glanced back at the pink-haired woman, eyes half-lidded and smug. "Hey, pink-haired cutie, wanna join us?"
The words hadn't even fully settled before Zhuo Riyan groaned in pure rage. "You bastard! I already have a fucked reputation. If you keep this shit up and I'll be ruined forever."
The pink-haired woman froze.
Then her eyes flashed.
"What did you just say?" she snapped, fury surging. "Hey, you damn insects—stop right there."
The white-haired woman didn't react with anger. Instead, shock flickered across her usually composed face. Her gaze locked onto Little Cat, studying him intently.
…It spoke.
Not a roar. Not a beast cry.
Actual words.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, sharp with interest.
Zhuo Riyan halted mid-step. He turned back slowly, jaw tight, and bowed his head slightly—not out of fear, but restraint. "I apologize for my lifebound beast," he said stiffly. "He just learned how to speak and hasn't learned manners yet. He talks a lot of bullshit."
Little Cat snorted.
The pink-haired woman raised her right hand slowly, palm turning outward. Her smile was cold and vicious. "Oh really? Then I think you and your lifebound beast are the same. Both perverts."
The air trembled.
A裂—no, a void crack tore open beside her hand, space itself splitting apart like fragile glass. From within it emerged a massive beaked head, flames licking along its edges.
A roar shook the forest.
Fire-source qi poured out in waves as the beast forced its way into the world. Scarlet feathers burned like living embers. Its beak was lined with razor-sharp teeth, heat warping the air around it. Its eyes glowed a furious crimson, filled with murderous intent.
An Imperial Inferno Roc.
The void crack widened as its colossal body emerged fully. Its wings spread, blotting out the moonlight. It was far larger than the Four-Winged Roc Zhuo Riyan had fought earlier—this one radiated true dominance.
Zhuo Riyan's pupils shrank.
He instinctively stepped back, putting distance between himself and the woman and that fucking monster. "Hey—hey," he said quickly, palms raised slightly. "What the hell is this supposed to mean? I don't want to fight. And do you seriously think beating a Beast Vein Stage cultivator will make you feel proud?"
The pink-haired woman didn't answer.
She didn't even look at him.
The Imperial Inferno Roc fully descended, claws sinking into the ground with a thunderous crash. Flames rolled off its body, scorching the earth black beneath it.
The forest groaned under its presence.
Zhuo Riyan swallowed hard.
Little Cat's smugness vanished instantly. His fur stood on end as he stared at the beast, instinct screaming danger.