"Hm?"
Morax thought for a moment, then understood. "That quasi-adeptus beast with budding spirit."
"I found it!" Xuekui snapped. "Don't tell me you stewed it!" He was genuinely anxious.
Humans said children clung to the first thing they saw after opening their eyes—but when you watch a newborn spark into intelligence and reach toward you…
That kind of feeling could break your heart.
Xuekui's closeness with the crane had been mutual. And he'd carried it down the mountain himself.
Even if he didn't understand responsibility, he still instinctively wanted to keep it safe. If Morax had harmed it…
Xuekui would truly fight him to the death. Morax felt only weary helplessness.
Why did everyone assume he was some glutton without restraint? "It's fine," Morax said. "I'm its teacher now."
Xuekui's heart eased—then immediately bristled.
"Hey! I brought it out! It's my junior! If anyone teaches it, it should be me!" "You?"
Morax looked him up and down without saying a word. Yet somehow, Xuekui felt like he'd said everything.
Xuekui snorted.
"What would you even teach it? What can you teach?"
Xuekui went silent.
He knew many things… But none suited.
Medicine? Treating humans meant little to an adeptal beast. Life force? Even he'd only figured it out by instinct.
True-form origin? The crane already walked the world in its true form. Elemental power? What element did it even have?
Principle? He'd only just touched the threshold himself—teaching someone else was a joke. Morax realized he'd found a perfect way to strike this brat.
"The crane needs something first—human form. Can you teach that?" "…Uh."
"Common sense of the mortal world. Adeptal methods. Do you know them?" "Guh…"
Xuekui made the sound of a wounded wild animal.
"Know nothing, yet you speak of teaching others? Don't ruin their future!" Xuekui collapsed.
It was like a ship being sunk in one hit.
He knelt with his forehead against the ground, all color draining out of him until he looked like a gray-and-white shadow in a bright world.
Morax felt— Fantastic.
Seeing this swaggering brat finally deflated by words gave him a satisfaction even greater than beating him up.
So you can be hurt too?
A smug smile crept onto Morax's face.
Then he noticed the four yaksha staring at him with strange expressions and abruptly realized he'd exposed himself.
"Cough."
A cough was the universal symbol of changing the subject. Had he… taken this too seriously against a child?
Morax explained, regaining his composure.
"Once the crane learns to take human form and gains enough understanding, it will be allowed to meet you again."
Xuekui's color returned. He looked happy for a moment—then slumped again, hugging a boulder as tall as he was, pressing his cheek against its cold surface and muttering.
"By then I'll still be someone who can't teach anything… my mighty senior aura will be gone…" Morax and the four yaksha were silent.
This child was exhausting.
Could Guizhong really raise another child with him around? Morax briefly considered keeping the crane for himself.
Then he remembered Guizhong existed, and… maybe that was enough. Maybe.
He glanced down at the child hugging the rock.
…Maybe?
Xuekui suddenly remembered something and floated up to Morax.
He'd actually mastered levitation after tracing his true form—no butterfly wings needed. He elbowed Morax lightly.
The four yaksha widened their eyes when Morax didn't react with anger—almost as if allowing it.
Was the "Morax's construct" theory real?
Xuekui's eyes curved into crescents, his grin turning oddly smug.
"You always think you lack help, right? I met a big guy in the wild once—seemed about as strong as you. Want to go take a look?"
"Oh?"
Morax saw the child's suppressed laughter and knew he wasn't innocent. But someone comparable to him?
That temptation was enormous. Morax nodded.
"Lead the way." "Yes, Geo Lord!"
Xuekui shot forward, taking the lead. Behind his back, his face twisted with delighted mischief. Let the big guy in the cave and this dragon who beat him up fight each other.
Whoever suffers, Xuekui wins. If they both get hurt?
Even better.
They landed at the cave where Xuekui had once searched for herbs. Before Xuekui could speak, Morax let out a small sound of surprise.
He sensed the cave's peculiarity.
But the entrance was far too small for his dragon form. "How will you get in?" Xuekui asked.
"Human form is convenient," Morax said. "Watch carefully. Learn."
Golden light enveloped his dragon body, shrinking it into a tall human figure.
When the glow faded, a stern man stood there—square-featured, steady, with long dark-brown hair flowing to his waist. His amber-gold eyes carried heavy authority.
He wore only simple white cloth wrapped loosely as clothing. Xuekui glanced at his height and clicked his tongue.
Try making that form even taller. See if you fit.
Before Xuekui could guide him, Morax strode into the cave. Xuekui hurried after. "Don't say I didn't warn you—inside there's—"
The cave trembled. Countless stones surged out like a wave. Xuekui formed an ice spear instantly.
Morax remained calm. He flicked a finger, forming two barriers to shield them both. Xuekui watched the stones slam into the barrier without even producing ripples.
He scratched the back of his head and looked at Morax's steady back. This old thing…
When he's on your side, he gives a lot of security.