A white fox with fur as smooth as silk nestled in Mu Ran’s arms, the tip of its tail occasionally brushing against his bare skin, sending a faint, tingling sensation through him.
Mu Ran reached out to scratch beneath its chin, once again surrendering to that soft, plush texture. The white fox narrowed its eyes, letting out a series of high-pitched, infant-like whimpers. The System pulled its front paws out from where they were tucked and instinctively kneaded the arm wrapped around its chest.
Then, it fell into deep thought.
The white fox’s eyes, as clear and crystalline as glass beads, stared straight at Mu Ran. The petite, beautiful creature then flopped over on Mu Ran’s lap, exposing its vulnerable, soft belly. Its claws curled slightly in nervousness, presenting an air of total submission—a bold, direct invitation.
Mu Ran’s ears flushed a faint red. He hurriedly changed the subject to hide his embarrassment.
"Um, well... let's analyze the situation of this world!"
Upon hearing this, the System rolled over and stood up, resting its muzzle against Mu Ran’s wrist as they looked over the records of the last fifteen experiments together. Ignoring the ticklish sensation on his skin, Mu Ran focused his attention on the summary.
"This world has some major issues..."
Excluding accidental events, they had conducted fifteen experiments so far. Out of just these fifteen, ten had yielded negative feedback. One-third of the people, after being rescued, showed intense resistance and hostility toward Mu Ran. Another third harbored ill intentions, wanting to capture him—whether for research or trafficking remained unknown.
The selection of passersby was a built-in function of the Main System, so there was no sampling bias due to a small sample size. This could only mean that the fundamental tone of this world was far from lighthearted.
*A game-derived world... could the plot be that cruel?*
Mu Ran pondered, his left hand unconsciously stroking the white fox’s small, soft ears. He paused when he realized what he was doing. Beneath his hand, the triangular white ears twitched with a satisfying elasticity.
In this form, it was truly hard to resist the urge to nuzzle it...!
Giving in to his impulses, Mu Ran abandoned his struggle and buried his face in the fluffy, soft white fur. The System froze for a moment. Then, its tail gently curled around the wrist of the person behind it.
***
"Awoo—"
At the same time, in Little Penglai, a white wolf pressed itself mournfully against a transparent wall, twitching with grievance.
"Stop acting pitiful! Turn around and reflect on your mistakes!"
The cloud-like Huanling knew at a glance that the wolf wasn't actually reflecting. Its youthful voice was merciless.
Just as the white wolf reluctantly turned around, a familiar voice rang out from behind.
"Hehe, it seems Bai Shan really doesn't know how to raise a pet."
Dressed in feather-light robes and exuding a celestial aura, Yue Sheng descended gracefully. Her classical, beautiful face was full of teasing amusement. She covered her lips, her delicate brows knitting in mock surprise while her eyes danced with laughter.
"Look at this. What should have been a majestic white wolf has been raised into a Husky."
*A Husky?!*
The white wolf stiffened. Instantly dropping its act of grievance, it stood up straight with feigned elegance. It tilted its head at a calculated angle, putting on a show of dignity.
"Woo—" *What do you want with me?*
It turned around, a low, magnetic growl vibrating in its throat.
The Huanling also inquired, "Has Her Highness ended the white wolf's confinement?"
The white wolf’s eyes brightened slightly.
"Ending confinement, huh..." Yue Sheng watched the wolf’s eyes grow brighter and laughed as she teased it. "...In your dreams."
The white wolf’s perked ears drooped imperceptibly.
*Truly, it’s looking more like a dog by the second.*
"...However, if Little White can answer Her Highness's questions well, perhaps she will soften her heart," Yue Sheng said with a radiant smile, handing a token to the Huanling.
The Huanling inspected it, confirming it bore Her Highness's handwriting. It then dissolved into a wisp of smoke, flowing into the patterns on the transparent barrier. Soon, the obstruction vanished.
The white wolf let out a low hum of thanks and then stepped out with slow, deliberate, and "elegant" strides.
"Walk faster, you stupid wolf! It’s uncomfortable for me in here!" half-way through, the muffled, impatient voice of the Huanling came from within the wolf.
The white wolf ignored it, maintaining its steady pace for a few more steps. In the next second, the impatient Huanling gave it a shove, causing the wolf to stumble and fall at Yue Sheng’s feet.
White Wolf: QAQ
"Hehe. It seems you two have a good relationship." Yue Sheng chuckled and stroked the fur on the wolf’s back.
Having successfully soothed the wolf, she bid farewell to the Huanling and led the white wolf through a portal of light into the Main Hall.
There were only a few people in the hall. Seated on the main throne was a young girl in simple, ordinary clothes. If one ignored the uniquely patterned mask on her face, she looked like an average high school student. Standing by her side was a young man in black, his eyes covered by a strip of dark silk. He was as silent as a shadow.
Bai Shan, who had been sitting to the side playing with his fingers out of boredom, finally saw the white wolf and excitedly winked at it. His handsome, wild appearance seemed somewhat dorky due to his overly vivid expressions.
*Well... like master, like pet,* Yue Sheng thought with a faint internal smile.
"Little Highness, I’ve brought the white wolf."
"...Mm."
Yi Meng, who had been browsing the forums, snapped back to reality. She adjusted her mood before responding with a cold, aloof tone.
"Awoo~" *What does Your Highness wish to ask me?*
The white wolf tucked its paws together, looking perfectly well-behaved.
"I heard from Bai Shan that during your last mission, you encountered an unfamiliar companion?"
The white wolf recalled the glowing arrow that had made it feel a sense of danger. *Someone that powerful must be a companion! ...Even if I haven't smelled that scent before.*
"Awoo~" *Yes.*
*Hiss... how could he be unfamiliar? Did Central Island awaken a new Soul Being? I didn't receive any news...*
As a "Full Collection" veteran, Yi Meng’s brow furrowed. *No, not necessarily. Maybe these two idiots just didn't recognize him.*
"Are you sure? It wasn't a wandering Mimic in disguise?"
"Awoo—!" *It wasn't that bad guy!*
Bai Shan also testified from the side, "It couldn't be a Mimic. When that guy doesn't have a reference for a form, his aesthetic sense is atrocious."
*True.*
Thinking back to the time their own Mimic had a sudden whim and created an "original work" that caused everyone's Sanity Points to plummet—scaring half the small animals in Penglai into fleeing to her Main Hall—Yi Meng fell into thought.
*Then it must be a new Soul Being...*
*My, he was truly beautiful.*
The white wolf waited obediently for a long time. Seeing no response, it couldn't help but steal a glance at its master, Bai Shan. It happened to lock eyes with Bai Shan, who was also peeking at the wolf.
Yue Sheng, witnessing the whole exchange: *Pfft.*
Fortunately, Yi Meng came to her senses. Seeing this scene, she remembered her arrangements for the wolf.
"Ahem."
"Since the white wolf has made amends, your confinement is over." Seeing the wolf’s ears snap upright, she didn't forget to add a warning: "Don't make the same mistake again. If there is a next time, Bai Shan, you can go reflect with the wolf."
"I guarantee it won't happen again!" Bai Shan’s eyes lit up as he caught the white wolf pouncing into his arms, petting it with satisfaction. The wolf’s lowered tail wagged excitedly.
"Alright, you two go play."
Her mind was filled with thoughts of how to lure... ahem, *invite* the new Soul Being. Yi Meng dismissed the others.
*I'll check with the people on Central Island first... maybe I can find out what this new little cutie likes and which race he belongs to. That way, the luring will go more smoothly...*
*Hehe~*
***
On Central Island.
Qian Dao frowned as she tried to identify the image data sent by Yi Meng. She compared it for a long time but couldn't find a corresponding Soul Being.
"Strange... could it be a Mimic in disguise?"
But remembering the Mimic’s eyesore-inducing aesthetics, she was utterly perplexed.
A man passing behind her paused. He cleared his throat. "What is it? Is there a problem?"
"Hello, Mr. Hua! Oh, it's like this—an S-rank Star Lord sent over images of an unfamiliar Soul Being." Qian Dao hurriedly stood up and pointed at the photos on the screen. "That Star Lord said this stranger was accidentally discovered by her subordinates during a mission. He's suspected to be a wandering wild Soul Being."
She frowned, deeply confused. "But I remember that no Soul Beings were deployed to that space-time..."
She didn't notice the man’s pupils dilate for a split second upon seeing the images, nor the shock in his expression as he heard her explanation.
*An unfamiliar Soul Being?*
*Could it be... the one awakened that day?*
The man’s hands, clasped behind his back, tightened slightly. His palms broke into a cold sweat, but he maintained a steady facade. He said, "Is that so? Let me take a closer look."
After studying them for a long time, he nodded with feigned realization. A vague plan began to form in his mind. Perhaps... he could use this opportunity to make up for the mistake he made that time.
"Oh, has someone already discovered him?" he spoke naturally.
Qian Dao was puzzled. "What do you mean...?"
"This was actually a test of ours." Thinking of the recent crisis, the man deliberately narrowed the scope. "Targeted at high-level Star Lords."
Qian Dao was struck by a sudden realization. "Oh... I see."
Just as she was about to ask about the "acquisition method," she heard the man add, "This lord is quite special. He cannot be obtained through summoning and only appears in that specific space-time."
Qian Dao: !
She couldn't help but widen her eyes. "He can only be obtained through a personal invitation, and he only appears in one space-time? Isn't that a bit..."
Currently, all awakened Soul Beings could be obtained through summoning with special talismans and arrays, though the probabilities varied. Occasionally, to accommodate new Star Lords who arrived on the island with nothing, Central Island would carefully deploy some common, weaker Soul Beings into various space-times. If the Star Lord successfully invited them, these Soul Beings would join their ranks and return to Penglai Island. Rare Soul Beings were also occasionally hidden in certain worlds.
But how should she put it... this time, not only was it a new Soul Being, but the acquisition method was so difficult. It seemed inappropriate...
Before she could voice her thoughts, the man dropped an even more terrifying bombshell.
"This lord will only accept one Star Lord."
Qian Dao: ?
*Did I hear that wrong? Or has the upper management of Central Island finally lost their minds??*
*Creating such an ultimate, one-of-a-kind, ultra-rare Soul Being—are you trying to start a war between the Star Lords??*
*Don't you know that high-level Star Lords care about completing their collections more than anything else!!*
The man ignored the earthquake in Qian Dao’s pupils. Like a completely brainless and irresponsible superior, he spoke casually: "That's that, then. I'll give you some materials at 8:00 PM. Announce this news on the forum tomorrow."
Qian Dao: *Holy crap, no!!*
Whoever promoted this event was guaranteed to be torn apart by the community! Save me!
But the man couldn't hear the frantic screaming in Qian Dao’s heart. He gave her an encouraging nod and strolled away leisurely.
Qian Dao took a deep breath, her head throbbing. She sat back at her desk and heavily typed a reply to Yi Meng, who had brought her this massive headache.
[Central Island · Qian Dao: I have received the information from the Star Lord~]
The reply was all smiles; her heart was all tears.
[Central Island · Qian Dao: He is indeed a new Soul Being! Information regarding his event and details will be announced in a few days. Please wait patiently, Star Lord~]
***
Having received the reply, Yi Meng felt at ease. At the same time, she began to feel restless.
*Oh, I want to jump the gun,* she thought.
If she brought the treasure back early, she could take photos and videos to show off on the forum!
Hehe~
She flipped through the ledger in front of her.
"Hmm... then I'll go first thing tomorrow morning."
"I'll take A-Ying as the muscle, Mother He as the diplomat, Sister Sheng for beauty, plus Bai Shan, who has already met the treasure once. Yes, perfect."
"Now, I need to think carefully about what to say when the time comes."
***
Mu Ran paused his movements, looking at the white squirrel that had suddenly popped out to stare at him.
*...Do white squirrels even exist?*
The squirrel’s round, beady eyes were fixed intently on Mu Ran, making him feel strangely uncomfortable. Mu Ran walked a few steps away, and the squirrel actually hopped a few times to follow him closely. Its lightless, black, protruding eyes remained fixed on Mu Ran, its head adjusting in real-time to match his movements.
—Like a mobile, lifelike surveillance camera.
Just as this thought surfaced, Mu Ran saw a white blur streak out from the corner. The white fox pounced on the suspicious squirrel, pinning its head to the ground with a paw. Its thick, long white fur completely blocked the squirrel’s vision.
"Leave now."
By the time the squirrel struggled free, the Soul Being youth was gone. There was only a curious white fox lifting its paw.
*Dammit—!*
The squirrel wanted to punish this meddling creature, but when it attacked, it saw the fox nimbly dodge its electric current.
...Then, the fox lunged behind it and bit down hard on its neck. It even picked the squirrel up and gave it a violent shake.
"Squeak! Squeak—!"
It let out a pained cry, repeatedly sending return requests in its mind.
[Requesting return—]
[Return failed—]
[Data transmitting—]
Only when the twitching struggle in its mouth completely stopped did the System slowly set the animal down. Then, it leisurely licked its fur.
*Mm, overtime hazard eliminated.*
***
