Deep in the forest called The Abyss, a girl could be seen lying on the ground. There was a huge tree behind her, protecting her from the sunlight. She was covered by some humongous leaves, as if someone was trying to keep her warm. The weather was good, the sky was clear, and there was a gentle breeze in the air.
Yi Ling started to wake up due to the sunlight in her eyes.
"Huh? Where am I?" She sat up and looked around. She didn't see anyone; she was all alone. For some reason, though, she felt like someone was watching her, yet she couldn't locate where.
She noticed that she was covered by some big leaves. She didn't seem injured, she thought. She then remembered what happened last night. She shivered at the thought. Where did that lewd man go? Did he leave me here? Mother must be so worried about her, yet she doesn't know where she is at the moment.
She stood up and looked around. She then heard some rustling by the big bush behind the tree. She was startled. Curious as she was, she started going near it. When she was so close, a big bear came out all of a sudden! She fell on her butt, she was scared! She had never seen a bear like this before. It seemed different. The beast wasn't trying to scare her; he just didn't know how to react when she woke up.
Yi Ling tried to be brave; she remembered her father saying that when one encounters a beast, never let it show that you are afraid. She never would have thought that it was no regular beast, but a spiritual one at that!
The beast looked at her, puzzled as to why the little girl's face looked weird. She looked like she was about to cry, but at the same time, her lips were pursed together. It definitely looked funny. The beast sat down in front of her as he nudged her small feet.
Yi Ling was confused. The bear wasn't going to eat me? she thought. She moved slowly, her hand starting to move to where the bear was poking her. She then touched the bear's paw. The beast didn't move. Yi Ling always loved animals. Since the bear wasn't moving nor did it seem angry, she moved closer to the bear. She was still a kid at heart. She had been pampered since birth. Even after the accident, her mother never let her do any hard tasks that she couldn't handle. When they were running and hiding for two years, no beast messed with them. Yi Feng always felt that it was odd.
The beast never thought that he liked how Yi Ling was touching his fur. For some reason, it made him happy. How can a little girl like her not be scared of a big spiritual beast like him? It made him question his outlook. Don't I look scary at all? Hmm... Let me try this then, he thought.
He opened both his arms, seeming like he wanted a hug. What he was actually trying to do was to look big and fierce. Unfortunately, Yi Ling didn't get the cue. She thought that the bear was asking for a hug. Her eyes went big and shiny! She got up and jumped into the bear's embrace.
*Puff*
Yi Ling landed on the bear's chest. She was in heaven, she thought. The bear's fur was so soft and smooth. The bear panicked! He didn't expect to be hugged by this human! Never in his life did he ever think of being hugged by anyone before! Much less a tiny human! This is embarrassing for a spiritual beast. He was done for life. He could never face his friends again. Though he was ordered to protect this girl, this was overdoing his job!
He looked at the sky, thinking... His life is going to be rough from now on. He sighed.