While her mother was alive, she would always tell Baihu stories about their ancestors and a time when the earth was inhabited by cultivators.
Many of them had extraordinary abilities, like plucking stars from the sky and controlling the movement of the sun across the horizon.
Baihu would sit attentively at her mother's feet, eyes wide and captivated by the tales.
"My Little Tiger, one day you will inherit the power of our bloodline," her mother would say, stroking Baihu's hair lovingly.
"You will be the last of our lineage and carry on the legacy of our people." Her mother often spoke of the great responsibility that would one day fall on Baihu's shoulders.
Even with her last breath, her mother whispered words of caution, reminding Baihu to never let their race become extinct.
