The Star Lord Forum was as peaceful as ever today.
That is, until everyone saw this post.
【WTF guys, that white fox just ran right into my arms, AHHHHHH!!】
Seeing the title, everyone gave a tolerant smile, assuming it was another Star Lord who had gone mad from the search—likely mistaking a Samoyed on the island for the white fox.
They clicked into the thread, ready to start mocking the poster, but then they saw the photos attached to the main post.
That pure white, silky fur; those crystalline azure eyes; those short, rounded ears...
Most importantly, the snow fox in the picture was currently taking the initiative to press its pointed snout against the photographer’s shoe. Its head was tilted slightly, front paws planted on the ground, its expression elegant.
【Holy shit!!】
【??? OP, OP, post the follow-up, quick!!】
【Dammit, how did you do it?! I’ve made four trips and haven't seen a single fox hair!! Once I even saw the Wanderer, but since I went empty-handed, I was rejected so harshly, it hurt my soul ToT】
The Original Poster didn't reply immediately. She waited until the thread was rapidly filled with floors by Star Lords who had rushed over upon hearing the news, before posting another layer with a hint of undisguised smugness.
【Oh my~ So this is what its fur feels like to the touch~ (Attached Image) (Attached Image)】
The Star Lords following the thread were both jealous and anxious.
【Stop flexing, stop flexing! Quickly, try and see if you can summon the kitty!!】
【It looks like it feels terrible to pet, just throw it away! Then give me the address. It’s not that I’m interested, I just want to go for a stroll.】
【Start a livestream, I’m begging you!!!】
Yi Meng thought about it and agreed.
【Sure.】
Then she added a smug follow-up.
【It’ll be a nice souvenir for myself too~】
While holding the fox, she said to Yue Sheng beside her, "Sheng-jie, help me out. Hold the mask and start a livestream for me~ Hehe, I’m going to make them die of envy!"
"The Little Highness is truly mischievous." Yue Sheng covered her mouth and chuckled. She gently removed Yi Meng’s mask, put it on herself, and skillfully operated the interface.
Generally, only Star Lords knew how to use the masks, but a few Star Lords would generously teach these functions to Soul Manifestations who knew nothing of technology. Aside from concealing one's true appearance, the masks had many functions, and most Star Lords disliked taking them off.
However, as one of the more active high-level Star Lords, Yi Meng’s true face had already been revealed a dozen or twenty times during the filming of promotional videos; she wasn't afraid at all.
"Yoo-hoo~ Can you see me?"
Yi Meng held up the fox’s paw and waved it at the camera.
Knowing full well Yi Meng couldn't see them, the bullet comments still answered dutifully:
"We see you, we see you!! Saw you with both eyes!"
"It’s actually a familiar big shot! No wonder she could find the fox qwq"
"Waaa, pink paw pads, so cute QVQ"
"Hurry! Use this fox to fish for the cat!"
Yi Meng carefully set down the fox, who was struggling slightly due to her movements, and pressed her hands over its front paws to prevent the little animal from escaping.
She fell into thought. "What... what lines should I say?"
Yi Meng’s wires must have crossed somewhere; after thinking for a long time, she only managed to squeeze out: "O youth of the forest... er, your—your pet is in my hands! If you want it to live, come out quickly!"
The bullet comments fell into silence:
"..."
"Big shot, are you sure you won't get beaten up for saying that?"
Yi Meng awkwardly tried to save the situation. "Cough, just a joke..."
She reached out and scratched the fox’s chin, her tone a bit fawning. "Be good, why don't you cry out a few times to call your master out~ Whatever you like to eat, I'll prepare it for you later~"
The System: [...]
Fine, let's just speed up the process.
Yi Meng saw the quiet, well-behaved fox turn its head and give her a calm look. Then, it opened its mouth and let out a few "ying ying" whimpers.
Bullet comments:
"The eyes are clearly so boss-like, but the voice is so soft~"
"Baby, whimper louder! What if your master can't hear you!"
But clearly, their worries were unnecessary.
Because in the next second, Mu Ran appeared in the frame.
The bullet comments exploded, and Yi Meng exploded too.
The gloom that had hung over the young Soul Manifestation for the past few days had finally dissipated from his brow. His green eyes were clearer and brighter than before; he looked to be in much better shape.
The "mother-hen" fans in the bullet comments felt relieved: "Oh~ That’s good~"
Yi Meng stood up straight, as nervous as if she were at a job interview.
The white fox, no longer suppressed by her, leaped forward and crouched in front of the youth.
Mu Ran also crouched down, gently stroking the white fox’s head.
【Mu Ran: Should there be a bit of joy of reunion here?】
Mu Ran was actually just talking to himself in the channel out of habit, but he didn't expect the System to actually think about it seriously.
【System: Joy, huh...】
"Ying ying."
The fox placed its front paws on Mu Ran’s knees, working hard to rub its snout against him. After waiting for the other to look over, it went limp and used the leverage to lie down, whimpering softly a few times.
Its fluffy tail swept lazily across Mu Ran’s ankles, bringing a slight tingling sensation.
It was like a clingy white mochi ball.
Mu Ran watched in surprise, a faint, irrepressible smile leaking from the corners of his eyes.
"Mm, mm."
He patiently soothed the soft body under his hand, unable to resist softly responding to the fox's whimpers.
Yi Meng watched the scene with her mouth agape. Seeing the fox, which had been calm and reserved with her, suddenly turn into a sweet-voiced, clingy cutie—and seeing the usually cold and guarded youth show such a tender, heart-stirring smile—she didn't know who to be jealous of for a moment.
The bullet comments exploded again:
"Oh baby, you're so good at this, so sweet ww"
"So good at acting spoiled~"
"The little guy has two faces! Where is the cold arrogance and reserve it showed the big shot just now!"
"These two are so easy on the eyes, too cute, waaa."
Far away on Lost Island, the Mimic, huddled in a corner watching the livestream: [...]
Lord Fox, is this a disguise...?
He looked at Mu Ran’s exquisite and beautiful face, lost in thought: Or rather...
Yi Meng watched for a while, finally waiting until the youth finished comforting the exceptionally enthusiastic white fox.
He nodded to Yi Meng and said softly, "Thank you."
Seeing the youth look over with eyes that were clearly much softer, she gained some confidence. After a light cough, she spoke formally: "You're welcome."
"So, may I invite you again now?"
Yue Sheng silently assisted from the side: "The Little Highness has made ample preparations for you."
Understanding the youth's concern for his pet fox, Yi Meng was just about to talk more about the luxurious little nest she had prepared for the fox to increase the temptation, when she heard the youth answer decisively:
"Okay."
Yi Meng, who had closed her eyes waiting for judgment: "Don't refuse so quickly QAQ I still have a lot to say... eh?"
"Huh? You agreed?"
The bullet comments, which were ready to watch a joke:
"Eh?!"
"He agreed?? Just like that?!"
They all thought that finding the fox had merely adjusted the encounter rate—at most, the success rate for the person who found the fox would be higher. They didn't expect it to be a direct "one-shot" success...
"Noooooo!!"
The bullet comments exploded.
Yi Meng didn't care about their feelings; she was beyond excited right now.
"Hooray!"
"Quick, come back to Little Penglai with me!"
Kidnap him away before he can regret it!!
***
Mu Ran, holding the System, stepped onto Yi Meng’s Little Penglai. His first reaction was—
This place is very similar to Lost Island.
However, it was much brighter and much livelier.
A-Xiang, with a small black snake coiled around her wrist, was the first to welcome them excitedly, her voice crisp and loud: "Wow! Her Highness actually brought the person back!"
The little black snake shook its head and flicked its tongue in celebration: "Hiss hiss, truly wonderful!"
Mu Ran looked at her, feeling both familiar and strange.
A little boy in blue carrying pastries ran pitter-patter across the corridor, drawing a nervous scolding from Yi Meng: "Shui Tuantuan! Don't waste the pastries! And don't you dare feed the birds!"
"This is my own private stash! I'll spend it how I want! Blehh~"
Oh... looking at the soft, furry tail that had just disappeared around the corner, Mu Ran realized that the childish face he had just seen was "Xiao Shui," who always huddled on the roof beams back on Lost Island.
The difference was truly vast.
In a cheerful mood, Yi Meng led Mu Ran through the long corridor to the main hall.
Just as she was about to have Mu Ran add his Soul Mark, the communicator in her hand suddenly rang.
"What is it?"
"What?! I haven't even finished the procedures yet, why should he be sent to your side first?"
"Ha?? What 'Supreme Command'? Why don't you show me the command then??"
"Unless you get the Sword Immortal to come pick him up, nobody's taking him. That's it, hanging up!"
Mu Ran quietly watched Yi Meng angrily cut off the communication, guessing that the other side was likely the group from Central Island.
Their news travels quite fast...
The System stayed by his side, lying on the slightly cool gold-brick floor.
After hanging up, Yi Meng remembered there was a newcomer here who didn't know her temperament. She hurriedly explained sheepishly, "Uh, I'm not usually like this. I'm quite gentle... probably."
"Mhm, I know."
Yi Meng’s face reddened slightly.
As expected of a cold-type beauty; being even slightly gentle has massive lethality.
"Anyway, let's hurry and add the Soul Mark."
She pulled Mu Ran to a massive wall, stepped back a few paces, and held her face in her hands, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Yue Sheng picked up the mask, dutifully recording this scene.
【Mu Ran: ...A Soul Mark.】
He first scanned the wall as a whole. Almost all the patterns were lit up. Compared to the dozen or so sparse patterns on Lost Island, the patterns here almost covered the entire wall surface.
He appeared to be choosing a spot, but in reality, he was nervous.
He didn't know how to add a Soul Mark... Hiss, should he just come clean to this Star Lord? She seemed like a good person...
Yi Meng didn't mind this brief hesitation; after all, everyone was like this.
But she didn't expect that during this brief hesitation, the Soul Manifestation who had just come home would fly away.
First, a sudden ringtone startled her. Yi Meng answered impatiently, scolding in a low voice, "I said unless the Sword Immortal comes, no one can stop my baby from adding his Soul Mark!"
After a brief moment of silence, a clear, bright laugh came from the receiver.
"Hahaha, no wonder they specifically dug me out."
Yi Meng was stunned by the voice, her breath hitching for half a beat.
The young man on the other side continued.
"Little Highness, please open the door."
***
The young man who visited so suddenly rescued Mu Ran from his predicament.
Amidst Yi Meng’s unbelievable and excited pacing and self-muttering, Mu Ran learned a bit of the young man’s story.
Although called the "Sword Immortal," the young man was actually a projection of thousands upon thousands of romantic poets. Because the most famous among them possessed superb swordsmanship—where a single strike would cause the earth to shake and the sky to lose its color—the young man was eventually called the "Sword Immortal."
However, the root of his existence was still those poets. And poets were the primary producers who created and refined myths and legends...
So, many people speculated: could it be, is it possible, that is to say... could the Sword Immortal be called the "father" of certain Soul Manifestations?
Of course, this was just their speculation, without official recognition, and they only joked about it occasionally on the forum.
Due to the Sword Immortal’s incredible combat power, Central Island had taken him directly under their wing without deconstructing his soul body into fragments, so they had never been able to see him.
Today was also Yi Meng’s first time meeting him.
The young man’s appearance might not be the most handsome among Soul Manifestations, but the aura around him was absolutely the most transcendent.
Ethereal and immortal-like, standing aloof from the mortal world.
Yet when Mu Ran stood with the Sword Immortal, there was an unexpected sense of similarity in the eyes of onlookers.
—Because neither of them looked like they belonged to this world.
Combining this with the unique nature of the young Soul Manifestation, Yi Meng thought tremulously as she watched them leave.
They couldn't actually be father and son, could they...?
***
After the Sword Immortal picked up Mu Ran, he took special notice of the white fox following at his heels.
He locked eyes with the System for a moment, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. "Mm, good eyes."
Mu Ran, at this moment, was mainly having a heated discussion with the System in his mind.
—About whether or not to tell the incredibly powerful Sword Immortal the reality of the suffering of the Soul Manifestations.
***
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