Bracing himself, Xu Kai untied the bag and saw a small creature with snow-white fur. As he completely removed the bag, his eyes couldn't leave the stunning sight of nine fluffy tails.
"What kind of beast is this?" He crouched next to the beast. As his eyes wandered over the unique creature, he finally saw something of worth.
There was a golden necklace around the fox's neck. It was beautiful ornate jewelry, similar to a bracelet, but with a lock!
Xu Kai's eyes twinkled. 'If I sold this fox and the jewelry differently, I would totally earn more. Probably one gold ingot!'
The amount that came into his mind was a sum he would have never summoned the courage to dream of in his past life. However, Xu Kai also knew such an amount might be the death of him.
"Why does this fox have nine tails? How does this fox maintain such cleanliness? He caressed the soft fur, and when he turned to the tails again, he discovered that the tips of each tail were now azure.
The fox's ears twitched twice, and he sprung to his feet, rushing into the forest to bind the beast with vines.
After all, it was his only source for becoming rich quickly. The only obstacle standing in his way was figuring out how to sell the beast without Cheng Yu tracing it back to him, as well as how to avoid attracting jealous individuals who would want his money.
Since he was still small, they would surely rip him to shreds. This was the law that ruled over this island. The strong ruled over the weak.
No weakling had a voice—not even about what they rightfully owned. Despite rumors to the contrary, the soldiers on the mainland were responsible for more than just safeguarding the properties of the powerful lineage families. They were in charge of protecting everyone inside the fortresses.
For those who resided outside the fortresses, the situation was different.
These were just words from people who hadn't been there, so Xu Kai didn't believe everything they said was true.
After he cut vines long enough to bind the fox, Xu Kai ran back. Upon reaching the top of the stone, Xu Kai's eyes trembled.
Before him, there was not a fox but rather a young girl, approximately 12 years old. She had snow-white hair, similar to the fox's fur, large amethyst eyes, long ink black eyelashes, and porcelain jade-white skin.
Fortunately, her beautiful white and violet clothing hugged her petite frame. The torn parts and dirt on the clothing showed she had not been living in good condition for a while.
Looking at the cute little girl who had bruises on her slender neck, hand, and legs, Xu Kai's heart softened.
Xu Kai noticed her large amethyst eyes staring at something other than his face, which he traced and found to be the vines on his shoulder.
Throwing the vines away, he turned and ran away. The little girl stretched her neck, watching him until he entered the forest.
After a short while, Xu Kai emerged from the forest with some leaves squeezed in his clenched right hand.
Kneeling before the girl, he flashed a friendly smile and stretched his hand. "I can help stop the pain."
She stretched her right leg. Smiling, Xu Kai rubbed the leaves between his palms and applied them.
She jerked, but he held her leg with care, fearing that a little more force might leave his palm print on her delicate, fair skin.
"It will itch a little but don't worry, you won't feel any pain."
She nodded her small head, causing his eyes to waver. Xu Kai had never seen anyone so beautiful and innocent in his two lives.
Once he had finished with her right leg, she retracted it and extended her left leg.
"How did you turn from a beast to a human? Are you a Primordial One?"
The girl cocked her head in confusion but still went ahead to push a portion of her silky hair behind her ears.
The moment Li Chen saw the pointy ears, his breath hitched. He nearly leaped away from the strange being he assumed to be a human, but he held himself back.
On closer inspection, he discovered they actually looked beautiful but quite strange since he wasn't used to them.
"Do you have parents?" Xu Kai asked in his most brotherly tone.
She shook her head.
"Are they dead?"
She shook her head again.
"Eh, okay, then. Where are you from?"
She pointed at the sea.
"You're from the sea?"
She shook her head.
"Beyond the sea?"
For the first time, she nodded and smiled. Clearly, she also felt the frustration of shaking her head negatively at every question.
'She's from the mainland! But her memories don't seem intact.'
Sighing heavily, Xu Kai looked at the porcelain beauty and stretched his hand.
"I'm Xu Kai."
"Mo Qingxian." she hesitated, but eventually took his hand. As their palms connected, a rumble billowed out, causing Xu Kai to look at his abdomen and then hers.
Mo Qingxian blushed hard. Her pointy ears became red.
"Come, you'll have the best meal you've ever had in your life!" Xu Kai tightened his grip and led her toward the forest.
But first, he made sure her dressing was similar to his.
****
Following the arrival of two children, Fatty Tian started to question the reality of his size. He was rotund and ate a lot of food, but Xu Kai's presence destroyed his concept of food and size.
And as if that weren't enough, he arrived here today with another glutton. Each of them had consumed four bowls and was going strong.
In fact, they seemed to be building a strong bond.
"Fatty Tian, bring more!" Xu Kai waved toward him, while Mo Qingxian gazed at him. Her mesmerizing eyes made Fatty Tian grumble but still comply.
Not long after, he dropped two bowls on the table.
"Eh? Fatty Tian, why does Qing Xian's bowl look bigger than mine?"