Arriving at world 057, the Celestial made his way into the guardians' spacecraft. Greeting the Emperor, the two informed him of the world he was entering.
Hearing it, Wang Tao raised his brow in interest. He'd never been to that type of world before and became a bit intrigued. Sealing 89% of physical power and 96% of his magical power, he entered the world.
________
Appearing in the world, he took in his surroundings. Tall green trees provided shade with their leaves, allowing some streams of light from the radiant sun for the vegetation on the ground to grow.
The air was quite cold for the middle of the day, giving off the feeling of just having rained. The rustling of the leaves from time to time was a sign of life in the quiet forest.
Walking a bit, Wang Tao came across a spring and looked at his reflection. He was wearing a black tank top and shorts with black boots. He was quite short as he was now at the age of 13.
His features were much less profound and his cheeks a bit chubby but there was more. Peeking at his reflection, he stared curiously at the fluffy silver ears on his head.
Following what he saw, his hand reached behind him and lightly touched the long silver tail. It had a sharp end, most likely for attacking. Apparently his tail was quite sensitive as a light touch made him jump.
Pulling back his hand, he decided not to touch it or his ears, which he assumed were also sensitive, again.
His new ears twitched, picking up the sound of footsteps. Raising his guard, his tail subconsciously prepared to strike. A figure emerged from the bushes and the silver tail lowered, swaying from side to side.
Wang Tao smiled and hurried over to Zhou Jian. His friend was much younger, also 13 years old, and he had black ears and tail. His eyes were purple - finally - and his jet black hair reached his shoulders.
He was dressed in the same clothes as Wang Tao. The Celestial recognized him to be a Wynolf from the world's information.
"You're in a rush. I don't think we were separated that long."
Zhou Jian chuckled and looked at his friend. Wang Tao smiled and shook his head.
"Yuan figured it out."
The purple eyes widened slightly before Zhou Jian showed a proud expression.
"I knew he was smart! I bet he'll be a great Emperor."
Seeing the Celestial nod, the Zion grabbed his hand and led him somewhere.
"Where are we going?"
"Home."
It was but one word but Wang Tao instantly felt as if he was being engulfed by a warm fluffy blanket. Zhou Jian noticed the boy's tail which perked up a bit, showing his joy.
Zhou Jian smirked as he thought to himself that his friend's days of hiding were over.
[ His tail and ears will expose him for sure, no matter what mask he puts on. It'll be so fun teasing him. ]
Shortly afterwards, the two arrived at a cave a while away from the spring. Zhou Jian explained that in this world he was abandoned by his parents here so he decided to stay. Sitting on the ground cross legged, Wang Tao expressed that it was nice and comfy here, quite cold too.
"It's a bit dark though."
"That's great. I love dark places, remember? I'm actually a bit uncomfortable in the light."
"I realized…Is that common for Celestials of the Empire of Darkness?"
The silver head shook.
"No, just me."
"So you're weird!"
"No!"
Zhou Jian laughed at his friend's scrunched up face. He had started to find it entertaining to tease his friend.
Sitting next to his friend, they talked for a few hours before Zhou Jian asked whether the other wanted to go hunting. Wang Tao agreed and so the two set off.
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Crouching behind a tree, a silver haired boy spied on his prey. As the jaguar neared him, his tail struck, killing the jaguar instantly. Ensuring that his hunt was a success, the boy approached the beast and lifted its body and carried it back to the cave. Once he reached, he dropped it outside and entered.
"I'm back."
"That was quicker than normal."
Zhou Jian walked up to his friend and looked over at their food. Wang Tao nodded, explaining that he didn't feel like playing this time.
A few years had gone by and the two were now 15. They had gotten used to living in the wild and found it enjoyable, different from anything they ever did before.
Plopping down on the ground, Wang Tao leaned on the wall beside Zhou Jian who went back to reading. Glancing at the book, the Celestial smiled. The two had brought a few things out of their space storage. That book was the gift Wang Tao had gotten for his friend in the first world from the series 'The Beauty of Darkness'.
A while later, Zhou Jian put down the object and looked over at Wang Tao before smiling mischievously. Wang Tao immediately knew that the boy was going to mess with him somehow.
"Wang Tao?"
"...Yeah?"
"I've realized that I'm pretty good at making you speechless, aren't I?"
"What? No, I don't think so."
Wang Tao started to doubt his previous assumption. How could this mess with him? He could actually remember many instances where the other made him speechless but wouldn't admit it as he found them humiliating.
He was the Celestial Emperor of Death yet there was someone who could easily make him speechless.
Zhou Ian frowned at his friend's denial.
"That's a lie."
"No it's not."
"There's no way. You're just denying it. I bet your parents would agree."
"No they won't because you can't."
Zhou Jian rolled his eyes at his stubborn friend and caught sight of the silver tail. The tail was exposing Wang Tao's guilty conscience and Zhou Jian had the urge to point it out.
But before he did, he got an idea. Smirking, he proposed,
"If I can make you speechless for three seconds, you have to admit it."
"Fine! I'm sure you can't if I'm prepared."
"Someone's sure of themselves."
Wang Tao didn't answer but raised his chin a bit in arrogance. Zhou Jian wanted to laugh at the sight but held back.
Standing, he pulled Wang Tao to his feet. Zhou Jian then stepped back before opening his arms.
" A Tao, give me a hug!"
"..."
Wang Tao froze and slowly tilted his head. His brain seemed to have short circuited.
[ 1…2…3…4…5… ]
Zhou Jian's smile grew wider as he counted, watching in amusement as the Celestial's fluffy ears reddened every second. Zhou Jian's tail swayed proudly as he waited. The boy blinked his eyes when he finally confirmed that he hadn't imagined it.
[ Zhou Jian called me A Tao! Zhou Jian asked me for a hug! ]
[ Wait… ]
The tail and ears drooped as the boy realized that it was part of the trick. Snapping out of it, he put on his mask to hide his disappointment.
"I lost…Yes, I lied."
Zhou Jian's arm lowered as he watched the sulking Wang Tao. He'd never pointed out to the other about how his tail and ears were exposing him so the boy probably forgot most of the time.
After all, this was Wang Tao's first time in a world like this and he was inexperienced with his new body parts.
Zhou Jian picked up on the disappointment and understood why. He didn't like to see the other upset and decided to cheer the other up.
Walking up to his friend, he did something unexpected.
Wang Tao's eyes widened as he felt the warm hand running through his hair. Zhou Jian scratched behind the silver ears, causing Wang Tao to tremble a bit. His ears were really sensitive and they'd never been touched before.
Wang Tao's ears turned bright red when he heard himself purr. Zhou Jian froze but didn't pull his hand back as he looked at his friend.
[ That...was so cute! ]
"There's no need to be embarrassed. It's normal for a Niol. You're basically a cat you know?"
Zhou Jian continued his actions. He quite liked doing it and it left him with a satisfying feeling. Meanwhile he came up with another idea to tease his friend with. Holding back another smirk, he started.
"You've never asked me about my opinion on you, have you?"
"Huh? Well, no."
"Don't you want to know?"
Wang Tao looked at his friend and hesitated. He knew that the other wouldn't say he loved him. He's sure the other saw him as a friend but couldn't deny that it hurt to be friend zoned. Before he could think further, Zhou Jian decided to speak, putting on a dramatic expression.
"My opinion of you...Mm...confusion."
"Confusion?"
"Yep!"
"Why?"
"Because whenever I look at you I get confused a bit."
[ ...So his opinion of me is bad? I-I thought we were friends, good friends... ]
Wang Tao's hand trembled as his tail lowered. His ears drooped but his friend in front didn't notice as he continued,
"I'm confused because I'm wondering how these three things could coexist in one person so perfectly."
"What...three things?"
"Beauty, cuteness and handsomeness!"
Wang Tao, who was hesitant just a moment ago, felt joy grow inside him along with embarrassment. His tail perked up and curled a bit as his silver ears turned bright red.
[ I knew it would work! ]
"See, look how cute you are!"
Zhou Jian laughed as he ran his hand through his friends hair again. He really couldn't get over soothing feeling.
Fiddling with his fingers, Wang Tao peeked at his friend before shrinking back. Wang Tao was really embarrassed now and stopped his friend from continuing. He left the cave to clear his head, leaving behind a grinning Zhou Jian.
_________________
Later that day, he returned and they ate the jaguar for dinner. Lying on his back, he yawned, rubbing his tummy, as he stared up at Zhou Jian.
The boy had just gulped down a piece of meat when he looked down at his friend. Reaching out, he wiped off some grease from his friend's mouth. Watching the boy blush, his eyes softened as he teased,
"A Tao seems full."
"...A Tao?"
"Can't I call you that?"
"It's not that you can't but...I just...never thought you would."
Wang Tao scrunched his brows a bit as he admitted this, shifting his body to sit up. Rubbing the other's head, Zhou Jian smiled.
"We've known each other for so many years, don't you think we're close enough by now?"
Wang Tao squinted his eyes as his head was rubbed, Nodding a bit absentmindedly.
"I guess."
"Good, then call me A Jian."
"W-what, no!"
Zhou Jian frowned at this.
"Why?"
"I...don't know."
"Come on~Just do it."
The taller boy nudged the other and pestered him a bit. He wanted to hear the other say it.
Finally, Wang Tao conceded. His ears a bright red, he looked down as he said it.
"A-A Jian."
Wang Tao peeked up after whispering the words. His breath hitched when he viewed the huge smile on the other's face.
Zhou Jian seemed really happy when he heard it and it brought an equally bright smile on Wang Tao's face.