The first thing Li Ming did after waking was to jump up and loudly demand from Cold Night Feather her purpose in approaching Bai Xin. Then, with a blank expression, Cold Night Feather twisted his wrist and pinned him to the ground.

"I hope you show some respect to your savior," Cold Night Feather said, tossing Li Ming back onto the bed like trash. "I don’t particularly like you, but if you died, Bai Xin would be upset. So, kindly take care of that fragile body."

Bai Xin watched the tense standoff anxiously. Both were precious to her; she hated seeing them clash.

Li Ming’s face flushed red with anger but he held back—Cold Night Feather’s strength was unfathomable. He scowled. "Then tell me—who are you?"

Cold Night Feather narrowed her eyes. "Heh. I’m Bai Xin’s guardian now."

Ignoring Li Ming’s stunned expression, she turned to leave. At the door, she peeked back. "Oh, Bai Xin? Once this guy heals, send him packing. Or I might just keep him bedridden for life."

Li Ming’s face darkened. He couldn’t retaliate. Just standing there, Cold Night Feather radiated lethal danger—a thorn-pricked back, an ant gazing up at a god.

He remembered the black-robed figure who’d nearly killed him. The last thing he saw was it charging at Bai Xin. Now, both were unharmed. Cold Night Feather’s words confirmed it: she’d saved them.

Debt weighed on him. He turned to Bai Xin for comfort. But she only gave an apologetic smile. "Brother Li Ming, rest well." She fled, leaving him feeling like an outsider.

Frustrated, Li Ming buried himself in the blankets, sulking silently.

Outside, Cold Night Feather felt agitated too. This possessiveness over Bai Xin was new—a feeling the reclusive, monster-called Cold Night Feather had never known. The urge to claim Bai Xin spread like a spell, flustering her.

She calmed quickly, seeking Bai Xin to discuss the "Goddess Transformation" phenomenon.

"Hmm? Girl, feel any different?" Cold Night Feather sat on the sofa, legs crossed, arms folded—accentuating her ample chest. Bai Xin sat rigidly opposite, like a humble maid before a haughty queen.

"I-I-I… y-you-you…" Bai Xin stammered, face crimson.

Cold Night Feather rubbed her forehead, softening her aura. "Don’t fear. I won’t eat you."

Bai Xin’s blush deepened with shyness, then shifted to mock fury. "It’s your fault, Cold Night Feather! That pretentious vibe earlier! I couldn’t speak!" To Cold Night Feather, she looked like an angry kitten—adorable, not fierce.

Cold Night Feather chuckled wryly. "Hah. So it’s my fault?" She spread her hands dismissively.

Bai Xin nodded solemnly. "Yes! All your fault!"

"By your logic," Cold Night Feather smiled faintly, "you’re the one at fault."

Bai Xin blinked, confused. "Why?"

Cold Night Feather’s expression turned regal, stern. "Because you’re always disrespectful, acting cheeky! I’m your elder and guardian—I have dignity!"

Bai Xin snorted. "Dignity? Useless. Can’t trade it for cash or food."

Cold Night Feather stayed silent, offering a tired but gentle smile. "Then I’ll drop the act with you. Okay?"

For forty-four years, Cold Night Feather had lived like a lean, vigilant beast. In any pack, the most dangerous wasn’t the strongest—but the cunning, alert one. She’d worn masks so long, exhaustion was her true face now.

"Hmph. Obviously!" Bai Xin huffed, turning away. But Cold Night Feather’s next words made her bristle.

"Ah! With a naive fool like you, even the deepest schemer loses their mask…" Cold Night Feather smiled beautifully, delivering infuriating words. "Maybe your IQ and EQ drag others down to your level."

A tiny "#" symbol seemed to pop above Bai Xin’s head. She lunged, punching and kicking Cold Night Feather’s torso. To Cold Night Feather, it was ticklish—but she wailed exaggeratedly anyway.

Noticing Bai Xin’s anger fade, Cold Night Feather straightened. "Enough playing. Time for serious talk."

Bai Xin’s fool-intuition screamed trouble. She tried to escape Cold Night Feather’s lap. Cold Night Feather pressed her back down, voice firm.

"You’re too careless! Power means nothing if unused. Starting today, I train you. Prepare yourself."

Cold Night Feather’s care ran deep. She trusted her strength to shield Bai Xin—but what if enemies pinned her down? Bai Xin would be a salted fish on a chopping block. Worse: a cub under sheltered wings never grows. Eagles push fledglings off cliffs to teach flight. Cold Night Feather wouldn’t go that far—but Bai Xin needed self-defense.

Bai Xin squirmed, blushing at the soft contact. Both girls, it wasn’t too awkward. "I—I train at school every afternoon!" she protested.

Cold Night Feather rolled her eyes. "School drills? For mediocre students. Your talent demands more."

Bai Xin kept struggling. "Hmph! I’d ditch this lousy talent! I want fun, not sweat! And… Sister, won’t you protect me forever?"

Cold Night Feather lifted Bai Xin by her armpits, staring into her pure sapphire eyes like a lioness at her cub. Silence stretched until Bai Xin squirmed uncomfortably.

"If I could," Cold Night Feather said softly, voice low and hoarse, "I’d let you be ordinary. No iron, blood, war, or fire. Just innocence, joy… forever carefree."

Bai Xin shivered at the unfamiliar seriousness, timidly whispering her name.

Cold Night Feather didn’t respond. "But you have a destiny. Since you wore that Mystic Necklace, you can’t resist it." She cupped Bai Xin’s face, leaning close—their first intimate proximity. "I can’t guard you always. But Bai Xin—I’ll be your sharpest sword. Where you point, I strike. Your sturdiest shield. I’ll block every danger." Her voice dropped. "Will you meet my expectations with effort?"

They stayed like that, silent. Finally, Bai Xin turned away. "Hmph! Just training? I’m not scared! No need for drama!"

Cold Night Feather said nothing, only smiling faintly.