The One-Eyed White Wolf was just as stunned; when it finally came to, fear iced its spine like a frozen river. It curled up, trembling, no thought of escape.
This… the White Snow Demon Bear King, huge as a snow-capped mountain, just ran? Chased by a kid who looks not even six?
Its decades felt like dry leaves scattered by wind—lived for nothing.
The little girl ignored the stunned pair. She walked over, took the bag of dried minnows from Linyue Yao, and sat, honey like sunlight on her skin. One by one, she stuffed the silver slivers into her mouth.
Linyue Yao’s heart surged, reckless as a spring flood, and a bold thought flashed. This girl was worth risking her neck to—kidnap—no, bring home and raise.
But the girl felt anything but ordinary; her clothes carried a hush like ancient pines. Maybe a descendant of some great power in this forest. Wouldn’t that be kidnapping?
Still not okay.
She slid into cool-headed mode; breath settled like dust, and she shook her head. She had been too impulsive.
Just as Linyue Yao tugged the dumb dog to leave, a small hand hooked her collar like a fishhook.
It was the girl. The dried minnows bought with half a month’s allowance were gone. Those golden eyes, clear as glazed amber, wanted more.
Linyue Yao covered her pocket and stepped back, mind pinching like a tight purse. She had three bags total, nearly two months’ allowance. Fish prices surged like a high tide; she hadn’t even dared eat them herself.
Those cute golden eyes melted her resolve like warm honey. She handed over another bag.
She tried a question, smile gentle as moonlight. “Kiddo, where’s your family?”
The blue-haired girl paused, then shook her head, and kept eating, calm as a pond.
It was likely the former—no family.
Linyue Yao’s mood brightened like dawn spilling over peaks. “Then will you come with big sis? Walking alone in a forest is dangerous.”
She offered jelly, chips, fruit candy—colors bright as autumn leaves.
The blue-haired girl glanced once, then went back to the dried minnows, steady as a squirrel with its favorite nut.
Still, the air between them felt warmer, like a hearth catching.
Suddenly, a terrifying aura poured off the girl like a storm front, and that sword from before shimmered into view, cold as moonsteel.
The sword seemed changed, its edge carrying distance like a winter wind. The girl’s heart shied from it.
The floating rapier vanished; in its place, a white-haired maiden with a side ponytail stepped out of light, quiet as falling snow.
“Wah—! Wait, you’re the sword spirit of a Divine Artifact?”
The white-haired maiden was as sparing with words as the girl. She nodded, eyes clear as ice, letting Linyue Yao know she understood.
“Please… little master… please, raise…”
“Little master? What are you even saying? Hey—”
The maiden glanced at the girl, who watched her with puzzled eyes, head tilting like a curious bird. She said nothing.
“You mean… her?”
“Mm. From now on, I entrust Her to you…”
She didn’t answer more. She stepped toward the girl, gait soft as drifting snow.
The girl found her strange and took a step back, small heel scuffing soil like a deer’s hoof.
It changed nothing. White light flashed—her slim silhouette became a rapier again, and the blade darted for her chest like a streak of lightning.
The girl’s chest was pierced, yet no blood welled, not even a mark—only pain rippled through her, and she cried out like a wounded bird. Linyue Yao lunged, but a clear wall rose, smooth as glass, and stopped her.
At last the child collapsed, breath fluttering away like a feather, and the rapier faded into nothing. The instant the clear wall thinned, Linyue Yao rushed in and cradled the girl’s weight, light as a bundle of reeds.
That exhausted look clenched Linyue Yao’s heart like a fist. All she could do was let the child sleep warm and safe in her arms.
The sword spirit told her to take care of this little girl, right? Then there was no helping it—she’d “reluctantly” adopt this adorable cub.
Come to think of it, that ritual sealed the vast energy inside her, a wildfire banked under snow. Good; such raw power is too dangerous for a mind not even six.
That works.
Linyue Yao scanned the surroundings, gaze sharp as frost, and pinned the One-Eyed White Wolf with a glare. She hefted the girl and walked to where the Bear King’s massive paw had dropped, huge as a white boulder.
Such a bear paw—eaten, it could feed them for years; sold, heh, coins would clink like rain.
They say a Bear King’s paw is great tonic, perfect for the little ones still sprouting like saplings.
As a Ninth-rank Supreme with affinity for space, she carried high-tier storage spaces. Stowing the paw was a stone tossed into a lake—easy and gone.
Done, Linyue Yao nudged the daydreaming One-Eyed White Wolf with a kick, brisk as a drumbeat. “Move it, mutt. You waiting for the Bear King to come back?”
“Awooo!” The wolf’s complaint rumbled like thunder, but it padded after her shadow.
“Once we’re out, go back where you came from. Considering I took several Snow Maple logs from your tribe, I’ll let you off.”
“Awooo!” The wolf protested, but both kept their voices small—sparrow-soft—for now.
Because the Bear King had run, they left almost untouched, steps like clear streams. They got away safely.
“Ah—finally out of the forest.” Her breath loosened like mist. “Shame we didn’t harvest Snow Maple, but the haul’s still rich.”
“Wait—mangy dog, why are you still tailing me?”
“Awooo!”
“Ha? You’re following the girl, staying by her side, on the sword spirit’s orders? Don’t mess with me.”
Linyue Yao let the pressure of a Ninth-rank Supreme roll out, heavy as mountains. The wolf’s will stood firm, gaze like stone; it didn’t step back.
“Fine. If you’re set on being a watchdog, stay. But hurt any other kids, and I’ll skin you like a drum.”
The One-Eyed White Wolf rolled its eyes, disdain cool as night. As a wolf king, it wouldn’t bully the weak.
“Then hurry up. Also, you carry my stuff.”
“…”
(I’m too sleepy. I’m crashing first...)
