In a hidden spot within the Zangchun Snowfield, Nuobai had transformed into a catgirl, clad in a pure black combat suit, looking dashingly handsome.
Bai Luxin unfastened her cloak and then removed her top, revealing snow-white collarbones marked with many shallow wounds.
Clearly visible scratch marks were scattered across her fair and delicate skin.
“Why didn’t you wake me earlier? How did you get so many wounds?”
Bai Luxin’s heart ached as she looked, her eyes slightly reddening as she gently stroked the edges of the wounds.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
Nuobai wagged her tail and even puffed out her chest a little, proudly displaying the scars. These were her badges, how cool!
“Beast Master, I’m invincible now. We can walk sideways through this place.”
Having tested her skills in her first battle, Nuobai had already sensed her ecological niche. Although she was only second-tier, within this Secret Realm, she was the absolute apex predator.
An instinct buried deep in her bones was awakening. She wanted to immediately establish her own territory, to stake her claim and reign supreme.
“Take off the bottom part too.”
Nuobai stared blankly, not processing it.
“Do you need me to help you?”
“Huh? No, no need.”
If her Beast Master helped her, that would mean someone else was taking off her pants… too embarrassing…
After swiftly revealing all her wounds, Nuobai stood barefoot on the snow, her left foot rubbing against her right, her face slightly flushed.
“Are you a little cold?”
Thinking she was cold, Bai Luxin placed her warm palm against Nuobai’s cheek. It was warm, even a bit hot.
Nuobai closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly. Taking off her clothes outside felt… too strange…
Nuobai had many wounds, but they were all minor. Two stalks of Living Grass would be more than enough.
Bai Luxin crushed the Living Grass, smearing the medicinal juice on her fingertip, then carefully dabbed it onto the wounds on Nuobai’s leg.
“Mmm~”
A cool sensation spread on her leg, like a drop of ink falling into water, blooming into an ink flower, impossible to ignore.
Unable to help herself, Nuobai looked down and saw Bai Luxin’s head of beautiful, jet-black hair. Nuobai pursed her lips and reached out to touch it.
“What’s wrong?”
“Did I hurt you?”
“No… Can I touch it~?”
Bai Luxin nodded with an “Mhm,” then continued applying the medicine diligently.
Having received permission, Nuobai’s eyes curved into crescent moons. Feeling emboldened, she focused on the tactile sensation under her hand.
So soft. So this is what it feels like to stroke someone’s hair. Her heart felt so comfortable, so happy.
After finishing the wounds on the lower body, Bai Luxin half-knelt and looked up to apply medicine to the wounds around Nuobai’s waist.
From Nuobai’s perspective, it looked like a little puppy begging for affection. Her heart instantly skipped a beat, her legs went weak, and she sat down on the snow.
Her warm thighs made direct contact with the snow, but the surrounding snowflakes didn’t melt from her body heat.
Curious, Bai Luxin grabbed a handful of snow and rubbed it on Nuobai’s leg. Nuobai showed no reaction, as if she were completely isolated from the cold.
Snow Joy Cats really were amazing.
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Bai Luxin continued applying medicine: shoulders, collarbone, neck…
At this ultra-close distance, Nuobai could smell the sweet, life-filled scent emanating from the medicine-smeared fingertip. Living Grass had a decent allure for any living creature.
“Nuobai, I’m sorry. I accidentally fell asleep earlier.”
“Next time something like this happens, wake me up promptly, understand?”
“I won’t stop you from fighting. Don’t hide things from me anymore.”
“Sometimes… you can rely on me a little too. Don’t be so… independent.”
Bai Luxin applied the medicine while pouring out her thoughts. Having independence was good, but Nuobai was too independent.
She had her own ideas. Bai Luxin could guess some of them, but others she couldn’t understand at all.
Why did Nuobai always carry a sense of detachment, a feeling of being out of place in this world? She was right here, visible, yet it felt like she wasn’t really here, untouchable.
She always liked to stare blankly at the moon. What was she thinking about…?
The two stalks of Living Grass were just enough. Bai Luxin looked for a tissue to wipe her fingers.
Nuobai blinked, looking at the finger held upright before her eyes, the sweetness lingering at the tip of her nose.
Since becoming a catgirl, she had become obsessed with sweets. She licked her lips and took Bai Luxin’s finger into her mouth.
“What are you doing?!”
Bai Luxin was startled. Her fingertip was wrapped by a tongue. Nuobai even sucked on it a couple of times.
When Bai Luxin slightly moved her finger, within the softness, she felt the hard protrusion of a sharp canine tooth.
She didn’t know whether she should move or not now. The sensation on her fingertip grew clearer and clearer. Nuobai was licking so earnestly…
After greedily absorbing all the sweetness, Nuobai released the finger, licking the corner of her mouth.
“It’s very sweet, Beast Master. Want a taste~?”
Bai Luxin instinctively glanced at Nuobai’s lips, then hurriedly averted her gaze, pulling back the finger that had been licked.
“Hurry up and put your clothes on!”
Seeing her flustered look, Nuobai felt like a general returning victorious. Wagging her tail, she crawled towards her clothes.
Her waist bent down, forming a captivating curve.
Wait, this was her combat suit?
Since when did it become a skirt?
Nuobai held up a corner of the skirt, pouting as she questioned her Beast Master.
“Aren’t you invincible?”
“Wear a skirt from now on.”
Revenge. This was definitely revenge. She was getting back at her for hitting her with the tail earlier.
Grumbling under her breath, Nuobai started getting dressed.
She skillfully put on the stockings, adjusting them bit by bit to a comfortable fit. Her lessons weren’t for nothing. After repeated training, she no longer snagged the stockings with her claws.
Once fully dressed, Nuobai glared at her, puffed up with indignation.
“Want to hold hands?”
“Hmph.”
Nuobai gave a light snort, ignoring her as she walked past.
Nuobai in the black dress was like a blooming black iris, unique and captivating, impossible to look away from.
Not getting to hold hands, Bai Luxin felt a little disappointed. The next second, Nuobai’s tail deftly wrapped around Bai Luxin’s wrist, pulling her forward.
Bai Luxin smiled gently. A tsundere little thing.
She didn’t expose her, obediently walking to her side.
Nuobai kept a straight face, gazing ahead, feeling quite pleased with herself internally.
‘Human, you’re so easy to handle.’
‘Got you.’
The two arrived at a valley inhabited by a group of Ice Crystal Jade Insects. Nuobai turned her head, looking at her Beast Master with pleading eyes.
Bai Luxin, as usual, gave her ears a stroke. Nuobai had already communicated on the way that she needed to practice her skills by getting injured.
“Alright, alright, go on.”
A flash of light enveloped Nuobai as she transformed into her large cat battle form, charging into the valley.
The Ice Crystal Jade Insects’ main combat method was to condense Icicles, which posed no threat to Nuobai. Bai Luxin was also at ease, staying put to prepare Nuobai’s food.
Earlier on the road, they had gathered quite a bit of Living Grass. These grasses were buried within the snowfield.
One stalk here, another there. It was only because of Nuobai’s keen nose that they were so easily found.
This was probably the origin of the name ‘Zangchun’ (Hidden Spring). Quite interesting. Indeed, only by traveling could one encounter such fascinating things.
Nuobai was sure to get injured later. The food made from this Living Grass would be just right to help her.
Bai Luxin hummed a tune, her ten fingers nimbly moving. Whenever she made food, she was filled with confidence, her mind full of images of Nuobai enjoying the feast.
Nuobai charged into the midst of the Ice Crystal Jade Insects and let out a provocative roar.
The valley fell silent for a moment, then a sky-blotting barrage of Icicles came raining down.
‘So enthusiastic.’