Black Sacred Dragon Emperor, still in the air: You guys can complain, but I can't? You have no idea—my aura’s several times stronger than yours!

“Um... Great One, I swear by my name as the Nine-Star Sacred Beast, the Black Sacred Dragon Emperor, that everyone will stop making a fuss. So... could you... maybe... ease up on this aura a little?”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor was seething inside. He’d finally gotten the Great One to withdraw that oppressive aura.

His head had only just started to clear.

His long-numb limbs could finally move again, just a little.

But couldn’t you let me gloat for a few more seconds?

You clueless idiots. You’re seriously dragging me down.

Right in front of the Great One, you dared to ignore him and start shouting.

How could you do that?

At least the Great One’s in a good mood now. If he gives us another sword strike like before... heh. We’re toast.

No way. Once this aura’s gone, if anyone makes a sound again, I’ll be the first to smack them dead.

After a long while, Xiaobai finally spoke.

“No way. You suddenly started shouting, and you scared me. Before I withdraw my aura, I demand compensation for my emotional distress.”

Looking at Xiaobai spouting nonsense with a perfectly straight face, there wasn’t a trace of him having been scared.

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor’s face twitched too.

Great One, you’re extorting us, aren’t you? You’re so powerful—how could you possibly get scared?

But he didn’t dare ask. If he did, he might get cut down.

And he couldn’t keep the Great One waiting, or he might get cut down for that too. He had to answer at once.

“Yes, yes, the Great One is right. It’s our fault. We’ll provide you with anything you need.”

He looked every bit as sincere as could be.

He had no idea what the Great One wanted, but the Demon Beast Mountain Range was huge. Surely they could find whatever it was.

To get the Great One to withdraw his aura again, he’d just have to endure it.

“Let me think... Didn’t you mention some kind of Golden Spirit Bean earlier? Give me another one.”

Xiaobai remembered the “sour-and-spicy shredded spirit beans” he’d had for dinner on the mountaintop. Oh, they’d been delicious.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor’s face twitched again.

What did I just hear?

There was something pretty important hidden in those words.

Another one?

No way...

The thing we spent all night searching the entire Demon Beast Mountain Range for... was with you, Great One?

At once, two dragon-shaped thoughts appeared in his mind, A and B.

A: Ask him to give it back?

B: No way... The Great One looks like he really wants it too... Would he even give it back?

A: Just steal it like we usually do?

B: Are you insane? You’re still stuck in midair under his aura. Did you forget?

A: But I really need that spirit bean!

B: Who cares about a spirit bean? Do you want to live or not?

A: No... No, no, no... Yes, yes, yes...

B: Then what the hell are you thinking for? You stupid thought... disappear already~

With that, B smacked A apart with its tail.

“Um... Great One... We beasts don’t have any spirit beans left... There were only those two, and we ran out of them not long ago... Great One, could you... ask for something else?”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor was at a loss. He couldn’t fix the problems from before, and now he couldn’t deal with the problem right in front of him either.

“Then do you have anything tasty? It has to be cooked.”

Xiaobai thought about it. He was so hungry he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to find something to eat.

The apple grove was gone, and there was nothing in this area he could eat raw. He’d ask them for cooked food instead. They should have some, right?

At first, the Black Sacred Dragon Emperor thought, Wow, that’s an easy request.

But when he heard those last two words, his face twitched again. That was the third time. It was starting to hurt.

MMP. Beasts like us always eat our food raw. Where the hell are we supposed to find cooked food...?

Great One, couldn’t you ask for something a little more reasonable?

Of course, he couldn’t say that either.

“Great One, we beasts... don’t eat cooked food... Could you... maybe... ask for something else?”

“How come you don’t have that either? Didn’t you say you’d give me whatever I wanted?”

Xiaobai was hungry, and that irritable mood was creeping back in.

“Fine. I’m merciful and kind, so I’ll give you one last chance. Three strikes, and you’re out.”

“Yes, yes. Absolutely.”

That was what he said, but the Black Sacred Dragon Emperor was already starting to panic.

Who knew what crazy request the Great One would make? He’d just have to leave it to fate.

He felt a little nervous, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

“Then... I want a Kitty.”

“A cat?”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor was confused. Then, as the meaning sank in, his vision went black.

Oh my god, this is the Demon Beast Mountain Range! It’s full of magical beasts! Where the hell am I supposed to find a cat?

He’d been mentally prepared for this, but the Black Sacred Dragon Emperor still couldn’t take another blow.

It’s over, it’s over. Is this Sacred Beast really going to die here?

“Yeah, a Kitty. There, isn’t that one...”

With that, Xiaobai pointed toward a white magical beast in the distance.

“Where? Where?”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor snapped to attention and looked around. He’d never felt such a desperate desire to survive.

He hurriedly looked in the direction the Great One was pointing.

But there was only one white magical beast in that entire area—the Netherworld White Tiger.

“Great One, that... isn’t... a cat...”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor said bitterly.

“A Kitty is a Kitty. Do you have a problem with that?”

“N-no, no problem at all. I’m very happy to satisfy the Great One’s needs, little dragon that I am.”

White Tiger, oh, White Tiger. I’m sorry.

I can’t hold out much longer. I’ve got no choice but to sacrifice you.

“Um... Great One... could you... withdraw your aura now?”

“All right, I’ll withdraw it. But you have to keep your word.”

“Yes, yes.”

Xiaobai’s heart stirred. The aura vanished. He turned away and waited for the Black Sacred Dragon Emperor’s answer.

Suddenly—

“Thud!”

A black blur vanished in an instant. In the distance, a giant claw slammed into the ground, blood splattering beneath it.

The place had been just about to erupt into noise, but now it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“Ahem, ahem. White Tiger, come here for a moment.”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor had landed and was calling to one of his subordinates.

So the Netherworld White Tiger braced itself and slowly walked over.

“White Tiger—no, White Kitty. From now on, you’re going with the Great One.”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor spoke earnestly to the White Tiger, blinking at it the whole time.

“???”

The Netherworld White Tiger was baffled. Boss, what did you just call me? A cat? Are you insulting me...?

It was even getting angry, ready to get up and fight to the death.

“Smack!”

A paw hurriedly pinned down the Netherworld White Tiger just as it was about to erupt.

“White Tiger, if the Great One says you’re a cat, then you’re a cat.”

“Besides, it’s your honor to go with the Great One.”

White Tiger, you have to understand why I’m doing this... You’re my only hope...