Xuan Ya gazed at the little creature before her, every strand of fur radiating “obedience” and “I’m so easy to look after”…
Her feelings were undeniably complicated.
The anger that had originally lingered in her heart seemed to soften in the face of such an irresistibly adorable contrast.
She let out an almost imperceptible sigh, finally voicing the question that had been circling her mind: “Why did you end up like this?”
“It’s a long story…”
Lu Qiancha once again recounted her previous experiences, though she still omitted anything about the Demon Sword.
Xuan Ya was silent for a long time before finally standing up and coming to stand in front of the little wolf cub.
Her calm gaze fell into those deep blue eyes that reflected her own figure, and she spoke each word slowly, as heavy as stone: “In the future, if you encounter anything difficult to resolve, be sure to tell me.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lu Qiancha replied in a clear voice, nodding firmly.
Xuan Ya paused, as if recalling something, then added awkwardly, “If there are any confusions about daily matters, or matters of affection, you may also come and ask me.”
“Mm, yes, Master.”
Lu Qiancha nodded again, bobbing her head like a pecking chick.
Xuan Ya waved her hand, signaling she could leave.
Only then did Lu Qiancha finally relax her tense nerves, her small figure turning into a flash of deep blue wind and disappearing from the north wing’s doorway in the blink of an eye.
Xuan Ya:
She stared at the door, which was still swaying slightly.
In her heart, a wave of emotions named “bewilderment” and “inadaptation” rippled out in circles.
***
The next day, at Dawn at the East.
Xuan Ya pushed open the quiet room’s door. The soft morning light fell like scattered gold at the steps outside.
She looked up.
And immediately saw the little blue-furred wolf cub, wrapped in a thin layer of dawn light, leisurely strolling about the courtyard.
“Good morning, Master!”
Lu Qiancha’s voice was as fresh as morning dew as she cheerfully waved a little paw in Xuan Ya’s direction.
“Mm, good morning.”
Xuan Ya nodded slightly.
Her gaze fell on the little one, and the heaviness of that master-disciple boundary in her heart seemed to crack just a bit under this wave of affectionate warmth.
Qiancha’s transformation might not be such a bad thing after all?
The two slowly approached each other.
Lu Qiancha looked up trustingly, her blue eyes reflecting both the morning glow and her master’s figure.
At that moment, some inexplicable impulse seized Xuan Ya.
She subconsciously reached out her right hand and patted the little wolf cub’s head.
Her palm met a sensation of warmth and softness, downy fur radiating a gentle heat that instantly traveled through her fingertips.
That feeling was unexpectedly comforting.
Lu Qiancha reflexively flicked her ears, but instead of dodging, she rose up on tiptoe, nestling her head even more snugly against her master’s cool palm.
Just then, a look of contentment spread across her small face, as if being petted was the greatest satisfaction.
Xuan Ya felt the faint, dependent nudge under her palm, but her brows knitted ever so slightly…
A question, completely illogical in her own mind, slipped out: Is it really that comfortable to be touched like this?
“Mm… it, it is.”
Lu Qiancha’s face turned crimson at such a direct question.
Her voice dropped instantly, thick embarrassment almost clogging her throat: “It feels tingly and safe.”
Xuan Ya:
She didn’t ask further, but moved her hand to Lu Qiancha’s unconsciously swaying large tail—fluffy, thick, with a wonderful feel.
“Mm-mmm—!”
Lu Qiancha shuddered violently, nearly jumping on the spot, a short, uncontainable gasp escaping her throat, her face instantly bright red.
“…?” Xuan Ya’s hand paused abruptly, keenly catching that strange, not-painful sound. Her gaze was sharp and puzzled: “…Does it hurt?”
Could it be that touching the tail is painful?
“…T-the tail is a bit… s-sensitive.”
Lu Qiancha forced herself to suppress the strange, tingling feeling that ran from the base of her spine to the tip of her tail, her voice trembling, ears red enough to drip blood: “When it’s touched like that… my b-body gets, um, a little weird.”
She hesitated, then as if determined, ducked her head even lower and blurted out at lightning speed: “B-but if Master wants to touch it, you can touch it however you like! This much, I… I can handle it!”
Rub.
Xuan Ya’s gaze lingered on that flushed face and those evasive blue eyes, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the thick tail again.
She watched as the little one tensed even further, like a bowstring pulled to its limit.
Xuan Ya, seeing Lu Qiancha’s shifty eyes, withdrew her hand.
Then, with her hands behind her back, she resumed her usual cool demeanor: “From now on, don’t let others touch your tail, understand?”
“Mm, I understand.”
Lu Qiancha let out a long breath, as if granted amnesty, and hurriedly pressed her little paws together with proper decorum.
Xuan Ya nodded slightly. Looking at the ill-fitting cotton jacket on Lu Qiancha, she hesitated before speaking: “Qiancha, since taking this form, have you ever carefully measured your body’s dimensions?”
“No.” Lu Qiancha shook her head honestly, the pair of blue ears on her head wiggling playfully.
“Come inside with me. I’ll take your measurements and tailor a Sect Dao Robe that fits you.”
Xuan Ya spoke, then walked lightly toward her own chamber.
“Alright!”
Lu Qiancha’s eyes instantly sparkled, her voice tinged with delight. Dao Robes were comfortable and flowing.
Most importantly—it came with high-grade cleansing spell arrays and basic protective enchantments, so there was no worry about getting dirty or damaged.
Far more practical than the thin, restrictive, purely ornamental skirts that junior sisters liked to wear!
Entering Xuan Ya’s tastefully simple quiet chamber, a faint, cold fragrance of plum blossoms lingered in the air.
Xuan Ya took out a Ziwei Wood Measuring Ruler from her storage ring, its polished wood grain glowing warmly, and said to Lu Qiancha, “Take off your shoes and socks.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lu Qiancha quickly kicked off her somewhat clumsy cloth shoes, then deftly slipped out of her thin white stockings.
A pair of tender, petite, exquisitely-shaped bare feet stepped onto the cool jade floor.
Each toe was round and plump, with a healthy pink hue, curling a bit from the chill of the stone.
Xuan Ya had her stand straight, back against the smooth, cold wall. Holding the ruler, she hovered it above Lu Qiancha’s head a few times, gauging the highest point.
Then, her fingertips emitting a faint glimmer of spiritual energy, she etched a fine horizontal silver line on the wall where Lu Qiancha stood. She measured from the mark several times with the wooden ruler.
About four chi… Rather short.
That height, she thought, could already be classified as that of a young girl…
Still, she might grow taller in the future. Xuan Ya pushed the thought aside and took out a soft gold measuring tape.
She measured the circumference around Lu Qiancha’s neck and kept the measurement in mind.
Then Xuan Ya said, “Take off your clothes.”