Chapter 53: A Familiar Stranger

“Do I need to wear these?”

Nuobai looked at the white stockings in her hand, her ears turning red with shame.

“Sis, didn’t we always wear black stockings before?”

“Nuonuo suits white stockings now.”

Bai Luxin knelt by the bed, gently pinching the sole of Nuobai’s foot, and slid the soft, smooth white stockings onto her toes bit by bit.

“Very cute.”

‘Ahhh!’

‘What’s so cute? Don’t say that about me!’

Nuobai trembled, covering her eyes with her hands, feeling utterly shy beneath her fingers.

‘How strange. It’s just a different color, so why has my embarrassment increased several times?’

‘My body feels so weak, I can’t muster any strength.’

‘I’m a little dizzy…’

After putting on the pair of white over-the-knee stockings, Bai Luxin looked at the small feet and slipped on the leather shoes for her.

“Now that’s done.”

The petite Nuobai lay on the bed, her ears twitching, legs unconsciously closing together, knees rubbing against each other.

“It’s time to go, Nuonuo~”

Bai Luxin knelt on one knee beside her, leaning down to pull Nuobai up.

The moment her hand was pulled away, Nuobai’s pupils dilated, and she immediately wrapped her tail around Bai Luxin’s wrist.

Pulled by the hand, Bai Luxin lost her balance and pinned Nuobai to the bed.

‘Why does she feel so oppressive!’

Time froze for an instant. Her breath hit Nuobai’s fur, and an electric numbness spread throughout her body.

Nuobai’s entire body flushed pink, her ears gently swaying as if in invitation.

“Be careful.”

Ignoring her appearance, Bai Luxin got up and went to pack her bag.

Nuobai stared blankly at her, then tightly wrapped her tail around her own wrist.

‘Why didn’t Sis pull me up? I feel like throwing a tantrum.’

‘Strange, why would I have such thoughts?’

‘This Yubei Secret Realm is definitely toxic. Why is everyone acting so weird?’

*

Golden Sun City, Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

As soon as they left the secret realm, Bai Luxin carried Nuobai here.

Nuobai had collected many spirit items in the secret realm and needed to sell them, as well as purchase skills.

“Welcome. How may I assist you?”

Bai Luxin lifted her backpack with one hand. “I’m selling spirit items.”

“Very well. Please come inside.”

The receptionist gestured with one hand and offered to take the backpack from Bai Luxin.

“It’s heavy.”

“It’s no trouble, madam. It is my pleasure to help you.”

She thought Bai Luxin was just being modest. After all, a girl’s backpack—how heavy could it be?

They, the receptionists, had been specially trained!

The moment she took the backpack, an immense force came from her hand, and she was yanked forward, stumbling.

“Careful.”

Bai Luxin lifted the backpack again and supported her with an arm.

In response to her thanks, Bai Luxin shook her head and said gently, “Lead the way.”

After leaving the Yubei Secret Realm, Bai Luxin felt much clearer and in a better mood, so she subconsciously teased Nuobai in her arms.

‘Tail, grab…’

‘Grab, tail…’

‘Can’t catch it, nyah nyah nyah…’

The appraiser sorted the spirit items from the backpack into categories.

“Ladies, the inventory is complete.”

“Give me the item list.”

Nuobai peeked her head out from the embrace. “This, this, and this…”

“I don’t want these. I want all the others.”

After thinking, Nuobai asked him, “These spirit items should be enough, right?”

The appraiser stroked his beard. “More than enough. Rest assured, Myriad Treasures Pavilion treats everyone fairly.”

Nuobai put the selected spatial ring on Bai Luxin’s finger and had her store the items.

“Take me to see the intermediate skills. I want the best ones.”

“This way, please.”

When the receptionist saw Nuobai, she was instantly melted by the little one’s cuteness.

‘What an adorable beast pet…’ But with professional decorum, she quickly snapped out of it and led them to the VIP room.

Among the intermediate skills, only three caught Nuobai’s eye.

[Spring Wind Crossing] [Heavenly Fire Curse] [Myriad Swords Icicle]

A recovery skill, a damage-over-time skill, an area attack skill. Still missing one thing—she needed a high-damage finishing skill.

“Don’t you have any more powerful skills?”

Nuobai’s dissatisfied voice echoed through the hall. Everyone turned to see who was making such bold claims in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

“Nuobai?”

Nuobai and Bai Luxin turned around. Was there an acquaintance here?

“The Young Lord of the Liu Clan!”

“This will be interesting.”

Amid the whispers, a woman with a tear mole at the corner of her eye, dressed in black and gold attire, came before them.

She bent down, eyes smiling, her noble clothes brimming with desire and allure.

“Little cat, it really is you!”

Nuobai looked confused. She didn’t recognize this person.

“Last time we met, you were sleeping.”

Liu Wushang reminded her. As soon as Nuobai saw her hand, her spine reflexively trembled and contracted.

“It’s you!”

“That’s right. Now that you’re awake, how about becoming my beast pet?”

Noticing the marks on her hand, Liu Wushang extended the invitation.

‘This little cat’s touch is really amazing. Ever since I touched her that day, I haven’t been able to forget it.’

“Not interested.”

‘So cold, just like Long Qianwu said. Doesn’t like to get close, but…’

‘She’s so well-behaved in this girl’s arms.’

Liu Wushang turned to ask Bai Luxin, “I am the owner of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Are you interested in trading her?”

Bai Luxin gently rubbed Nuobai’s forehead and said calmly, “I respect Nuobai’s wishes.”

‘Didn’t outright refuse. What an interesting answer.’

“Very well. A gentleman does not take what others love.”

Liu Wushang reached out to touch Nuobai again.

A flash of claw light appeared. Nuobai ruthlessly slashed at her hand.

Clang!

Nuobai’s claws were blocked by Liu Wushang’s beast pet, the Nether White Tiger. In an instant, the hall became dead silent.

Nuobai stared warily at the Nether White Tiger. It was dangerous.

No one dared to breathe. How could someone dare to attack Liu Wushang? Did they want to die?

Bai Luxin shielded Nuobai in her arms, blocking Liu Wushang’s view, and offered an insincere apology.

“Sorry, Nuobai doesn’t like being touched.”

The surrounding people gasped in unison. Wasn’t that a provocation!

They slowly backed away unobtrusively. Blood would be shed. This Liu family ruler was very domineering.

“Haha, I was presumptuous. How about this as an apology?”

Liu Wushang took out a skill crystal.

[Nether Soul Claw]—the ultimate attack skill, exactly what Nuobai needed.

“Let’s go, Sis.”

Nuobai ignored her and didn’t intend to accept it.

Liu Wushang twirled the crystal in her hand as she watched them leave.

‘She actually managed to wound Nether. What a powerful little cat. She likes her even more now.’

“Make arrangements. After I come out of Yubei, I will go to Dragon Sleep City.”

“Yes, Young Lord.”

Taking the prepared Emotion-Blocking Sachet, Liu Wushang looked at it.

Too bad that if she had gone to the secret realm with the little cat, she wouldn’t have needed this.

The Yubei Secret Realm opens only five months every ten years.

During these five months, a certain aura spreads in the realm, stirring the desires of living creatures.

Animal embryos are protected by plants inside flower pistils, waiting for the next opening of Yubei.

‘I’m overthinking. Hurry up and find the Rain Heart Pearl. Little cat, we’ll meet again soon.’

“Nuobai, who was that person?” Bai Luxin was a bit concerned.

“Long Qianwu once knocked me unconscious. She… she was the one who gave me to her.”

Hearing the disgust in her voice, Bai Luxin rubbed her with sympathy. Even if she had been defiled, she wouldn’t abandon Nuobai.

“You’ve been through a lot…”

“Wait, Sis, it’s not what you think.”

“She only touched me for a while while I was unconscious.”

“She didn’t do anything else. I was still a cub back then, a tiny cub.”

Nuobai tugged at her clothes, hastily explaining.

She didn’t want Sis to misunderstand. She was clean!

“Mm, I believe you.”

Bai Luxin was willing to accept her. No matter what kind of Nuobai, she would embrace her unconditionally.

…