My name is Aditya, a 32-year-old veterinary doctor in Yunnan. My life has been like a river without a current—neither thrilling nor miserable, just endlessly predictable.
Once upon a time, though, I lived vividly.
My college years were a festival of indulgence: drinks that never stopped flowing, parties that lasted till dawn, and the soft laughter of girlfriends—not one, but many.
Coming from a wealthy family, money was never an issue. I opened my clinic soon after graduation, earning a steady reputation.
But over time, the vibrant colors of my youth faded into the grays of routine.
The parties stopped. Relationships came and went, each one leaving me colder and less willing to try again.
"Love," I often told myself, "is like chasing a shadow. The closer you get, the more it slips away."
But let's be clear: I wasn't celibate. I enjoy sex.
Far from it. Friends with benefits—that modern arrangement of pleasure without strings—was my sweet spot.
They enjoyed the luxuries I offered; I enjoyed their companionship in return. No feelings, no responsibilities. Just a business transaction, really.
Life carried on that way, until last night.
When I opened my eyes this morning, I wasn't in my familiar, minimalist bedroom.
The bed beneath me was wooden, creaking under my slightest movement. Its design looked ancient, something straight out of medieval folklore.
The room matched the theme—stone walls, dim candlelight, and an aroma of herbs wafting through the air.
"What the hell?" I muttered, rubbing my temples.
Had I been kidnapped? Drugged? Maybe someone thought it'd be funny to throw me into some medieval cosplay setup?
No way. Who's got that much time?
Before I could process further, the door creaked open.
Crack!
A girl stepped inside. No, not just any girl—an ethereal beauty. Her face was soft and delicate, like a porcelain doll painted by the gods.
Wide, tear-filled eyes glittered under the dim light, her full lips trembling as if she had a thousand words caught in her throat.
And then, there was her figure—curves so perfect they could cause wars. She was dressed in a maid outfit, the fabric hugging her body like a second skin, accentuating her generous assets.
Her chest... let's just say the medieval lack of bras left very little to the imagination. The soft bounce of her steps was hypnotic.
"Waaahh! Young master!"
She sprinted towards me, tears streaming down her face like waterfalls. Before I could react, she flung herself onto me, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.
Her chest pressed against me, and my brain short-circuited. It was a softness beyond description—a mix of warmth and silk that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Y-young master… I thought you were dead!"
Her sobs grew louder as she buried her face into my shoulder. The wet streaks of her tears soaked into my shirt, but all I could think about was the warmth of her skin against mine.
"Okay, okay," I said awkwardly, trying to pry her off gently. "Cry all you want, but don't rub your nose on my shirt!"
Her big, tearful eyes looked up at me, her lips quivering like petals caught in the wind. "I was so scared! You didn't wake up for two days!"
Two days? What the hell was she talking about?
Before I could demand answers, she clutched my hand, guiding it to her cheek. Her skin was smooth, softer than silk, but the desperation in her touch was unmistakable.
"Young master, please don't leave us again!"
Her body trembled slightly as she clung to me, and I couldn't help but notice every detail—the faint scent of lavender in her hair, the way her collarbones peeked through her neckline, the goosebumps on her bare arms.
This wasn't a prank. This wasn't cosplay. And if this was a dream, it was far too vivid.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing.
"Thank the heavens, you're awake!"
"Do you know how much trouble you've caused us, young master?" she said with a pout. Her lips curled into a smirk as her eyes scanned me from head to toe.
Trouble? Me? I was the one kidnapped, damn it!
"What the hell is going on here?" I finally snapped, trying to sit up but finding myself pinned by the first girl's grip.
"Where am I?" I finally asked, my voice shaky.
"Waaaah! Young Master, did you turn into an idiot?" she cried, her large almond-shaped eyes shimmering like twin lakes under a morning mist.
Without warning, she leaned in close, inspecting my head like a curious archaeologist examining an ancient artifact. Her fingers brushed through my hair, sending a shiver down my spine.
"I'm fine, alright? Just calm down first." I reached out, guiding her to sit next to me on the bed. The mattress dipped slightly under her weight, and the faint rustle of her silky garments against my skin set my thoughts spiraling.
Not that I minded her being this close—far from it. But now wasn't the time to let my imagination run wild, no matter how tempting the view.
"So, where am I? And why are you calling me young master?" I asked, trying to focus despite the alluring curve of her lips and the tantalizing way her robe clung to her figure, leaving little to the imagination.
A part of me didn't care for the answers—if she wanted to call me her young master, who was I to argue? Still, a flicker of curiosity kept me grounded.
Had my wealthy parents gone mad and whisked me away to some medieval-themed mansion complete with gorgeous maids?
"Did you lose your memory, Young Master?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry, her delicate brows knitting together in the most adorable expression.
The concern in her tone was almost enough to make a man fall in love right then and there.
Her gaze lingered on me, deep and inviting, like an endless ocean waiting to be explored. If we weren't having this strange conversation, I might've let my hands wander to uncharted territories.
I cleared my throat, trying to keep my composure. "Mmm," I nodded, pretending to be calm while her sweet scent clouded my thoughts.
"Is it because you got mauled by that bull beast?" she asked innocently, her voice tinged with genuine concern, though her words made my jaw drop.
"What?! Mauled by a bull?!" I shouted, sitting up so fast the room spun for a moment.
My mind raced. I distinctly remembered falling asleep in my room, safe and sound, not bothering a soul. How did I go from that to being trampled by livestock?
"Yes, Young Master. You don't even remember that?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion. Her glossy hair spilled over her shoulder, cascading like a black waterfall.
"Mmm," I muttered, trying to piece together the absurdity of her words.
Her eyes grew wide, glistening with unshed tears, and her lower lip quivered as if she was on the verge of another outburst.
It was almost too much to bear—her delicate beauty, her innocent concern, and that maddening proximity.
If this was some kind of divine punishment, I wasn't sure whether I wanted it to stop or keep going.
After an awkward moment of silence, she began to explain everything with a tone that mixed pity and frustration, her words flowing like a river carrying debris from a recent storm.
I am Aditya Rosani. The so-called good-for-nothing young master of the Rosani family from Felloro City, one of the central hubs in the Divine Tiger Empire.
The world I am in is the Holy Beast Realm, a land teeming with ferocious power and Cultivation mysteries.
Her voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, resonating with the weight of her words.
The room itself seemed alive, the flickering lanterns casting playful shadows on the walls, and the faint scent of exotic incense mingled with the earthy aroma of damp stone.
She sat across from me, her posture both poised and commanding, her slender fingers tracing absent patterns on the armrest of her chair.
"The Holy Beast Realm is no ordinary cultivation world," she continued, her voice a melodic blend of sweetness and authority.
"It is a realm where the strength of a cultivator depends on their ability to tame beasts. Here, to begin cultivation, one must first tame a beast and imprint its spirit into their qi center."
"This bond isn't just a contract; it's a fusion of souls, a delicate mix of power and submission. Only those who succeed in this step can hope to ascend the ladder of cultivation."
Her gaze lingered on me, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with an intensity that felt like it could pierce through my soul.
"Most people manage to tame their first beast by the age of twelve," she said, her tone dipping slightly, as if she were delivering a eulogy.
"But young master... At sixteen, you couldn't even tame a common spirit rabbit, even with the vast resources of the Rosani family at your disposal. Do you know what they call young master in Felloro City?"
I didn't answer, but the answer was clear in the amused twitch of her perfectly arched brows.