The sun rose over Snow Water City, painting the morning sky in soft hues of pink and gold. Hǎiyáng's small home bustled with the warmth of a new day, but this morning was different. Today, Hǎiyáng had received a mysterious gift from Chief Huáng Láng—a medium-sized wooden aquarium.
Inside, a faintly glowing jellyfish floated weakly, its delicate tendrils dragging through the water like frayed silk. The sight of it stirred something deep within Hǎiyáng. The jellyfish's glow pulsed erratically, an unspoken cry for help.
Doctor Bái Yīzhēn stood by, his brows furrowed as he examined the creature. His sharp eyes missed nothing, from the cracks in the jellyfish's translucent dome to the faint discoloration spreading along its fragile body. "Hmph," he murmured under his breath, shaking his head. "Huáng Láng never changes. Still the cunning old fox."
Hǎiyáng looked up from the aquarium, his face alight with excitement. "Doctor Bái, isn't she amazing? I've never seen a jellyfish like this before. Look at how she glows!"
Bái Yīzhēn suppressed a sigh. "Amazing, yes, but this is no ordinary jellyfish, boy. And you—" He paused, noting the genuine joy in Hǎiyáng's expression. He couldn't bring himself to dampen the boy's enthusiasm. Instead, he muttered under his breath, "Cunning old fox, indeed."
Even BǎoBǎo, Hǎiyáng's loyal protector, wagged his tail in approval as he peered into the aquarium. "Master Hǎiyáng, you've got your hands full with this one," the dog remarked, his deep voice warm with affection. "But I believe in you. If anyone can help her, it's you."
Hǎiyáng knelt by the aquarium, his expression softening as he gently placed his hand against the glass. "I'll heal you," he whispered to the jellyfish. His voice was soothing, a melody only the creature could hear. "Tell me where it hurts."
The jellyfish's glow flickered, and its movements stilled for a moment. Then, slowly, its tendrils shifted, pointing to specific spots on its dome and body. Though it lacked a voice, its gestures spoke volumes.
"She's in pain here," Hǎiyáng murmured, tracing his finger over the glass in the spots the jellyfish had indicated. "And here, too. It's like... her energy's all wrong."
Doctor Bái stepped closer, his interest piqued despite himself. "You're talking to it again, aren't you?" he asked, half in disbelief.
Hǎiyáng nodded, his eyes never leaving the jellyfish. "She's trying to tell me what's wrong."
BǎoBǎo watched with a mix of pride and concern. "Master Hǎiyáng, we should act quickly. She's badly hurt. If we wait too long, she might not make it."
Doctor Bái rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Healing a creature like this isn't simple. She's clearly not from around here. Her injuries suggest she's been through something catastrophic—possibly a battle." He turned to BǎoBǎo. "What do you suggest?"
The dog protector tilted his head, deep in thought. "There are some rare herbs we used in my time to heal sea creatures like her. But they're not easy to find, Doctor."
"Which ones?" Hǎiyáng asked eagerly, determination shining in his eyes.
BǎoBǎo began listing them, his voice steady. "The first is *Crocus Sativus Kashmirianus*, also known as the Cliff Saffron. It's found in the most treacherous mountain cliffs and is known for its unparalleled healing properties."
Doctor Bái whistled softly. "Not an easy one to get. What else?"
"The second," BǎoBǎo continued, "is *Huso Huso* caviar, also called Ocean's Essence. It's harvested from deep-sea sturgeons and is said to rejuvenate energy and vitality almost instantly."
Hǎiyáng frowned, glancing at Doctor Bái. "But those sound... impossible to get."
Doctor Bái chuckled dryly. "Impossible for most people, perhaps. But I've been around long enough to know the right people. I can source these herbs—though it won't be cheap or quick."
Hǎiyáng's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Doctor! I'll find a way to repay you, I promise."
"Don't worry about that for now," Doctor Bái replied, waving him off. "Let's focus on saving this little one. She doesn't have much time."
BǎoBǎo chimed in again, his voice firm. "Master Hǎiyáng, while we wait for the herbs, you must stay vigilant. Keep communicating with her. She'll need reassurance that we're helping her, not harming her. And you'll need to monitor her condition constantly."
Hǎiyáng nodded resolutely. "I won't let her down. She's counting on me."
Doctor Bái crossed his arms, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You've got a good heart, boy. Let's hope it's enough to see this through. As for Huáng Láng, I can't help but wonder what his true intentions were in giving you this jellyfish. He doesn't do anything without a reason."
BǎoBǎo barked in agreement. "The Chief always has a plan, Doctor. But whatever it is, we'll deal with it later. Right now, our focus is on her."
Hǎiyáng leaned closer to the aquarium, his eyes meeting the jellyfish's faint glow. "Don't worry," he whispered. "You're safe now."
As the three worked together to formulate a plan, the small house buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose. The jellyfish's light flickered weakly, but for the first time, it seemed to shine with a glimmer of hope.
The quiet hum of the aquarium filled the room as Hǎiyáng worked tirelessly to prepare the healing concoction. On the table before him lay the rare and expensive herbs that Doctor Bái Yīzhēn had painstakingly acquired: the luminous orange threads of *Crocus Sativus Kashmirianus* and the pearl-like essence of *Huso Huso* caviar, among others. Each ingredient had been meticulously measured and ground into a fine powder before being dissolved in a bowl of crystalline water.
Hǎiyáng's hands moved with a surgeon's precision, his heart steady despite the weight of his task. Beside him, BǎoBǎo watched protectively, occasionally murmuring encouragement. "You're doing well, Master Hǎiyáng. Just a little more care on that mix—it needs to be perfect."
Doctor Bái, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, observed in silence. He had seen many talented beast tamers and healers in his time, but Hǎiyáng was something else entirely. His connection to the jellyfish was uncanny, almost spiritual.
"Here we go," Hǎiyáng murmured, his voice soft as he carried the shimmering potion to the aquarium. He gently lowered it into the water, allowing the liquid to disperse. The jellyfish's glow flickered weakly, her tendrils barely moving. "Drink this," he whispered. "It'll help you."
The jellyfish hesitated, then extended one of her delicate tentacles, drawing the potion into herself. For a moment, nothing happened. Hǎiyáng leaned closer, holding his breath.
Then, the jellyfish's faint glow began to intensify. Soft ripples of light traveled through her translucent body, and her once-limp tentacles stirred gently. Hǎiyáng gasped, his face lighting up with hope.
"It's working!" he exclaimed, turning to Doctor Bái and BǎoBǎo.
The jellyfish emitted a faint, melodic hum, her voice like the chime of delicate bells. Hǎiyáng leaned closer, listening intently. "She says the pain is easing, but there's still damage to her core. We'll need another round of treatment, but she's feeling stronger."
Doctor Bái shook his head in disbelief. "You're talking to her as if she's a person. No, you're talking to her *like she understands you*. How is this possible?"
"She does understand me," Hǎiyáng said, his tone firm but gentle. "And I understand her. She's not just a beast; she has her own thoughts and feelings. She's... alive, like us."
BǎoBǎo nodded solemnly. "It's true. Beasts like us can feel just as deeply. That's why Master Hǎiyáng has this... connection. It's not something you can teach."
Hǎiyáng worked tirelessly over the next several hours, repeating the treatments and monitoring the jellyfish's progress. Each time, the beast's glow grew brighter, and her movements became more fluid and lively. But it was not without cost. Hǎiyáng's hands were cut and blistered from handling the sharp tools and preparing the stubborn herbs, and his eyes drooped with exhaustion.
"Rest, young man," Doctor Bái urged, placing a hand on Hǎiyáng's shoulder.
"No," Hǎiyáng said, shaking his head. "I can't stop now. She's counting on me."
BǎoBǎo fetched a damp cloth to wipe Hǎiyáng's brow. "You're as stubborn as ever. But maybe that's why you're the only one who can do this."
Finally, as dawn approached, the jellyfish stirred with renewed vigor. Her glow brightened into a radiant spectrum of colors, casting the room in a mesmerizing light. She stretched her tentacles, and for the first time, she spoke clearly.
"Thank you, Master Hǎiyáng," her voice resonated in Hǎiyáng's mind, gentle but filled with gratitude. "You didn't just save my life—you gave me hope."
Hǎiyáng's eyes widened. "You can speak... to me?"
"Yes," she replied. "And now, I would like to stay by your side, as your protector."
Doctor Bái and BǎoBǎo exchanged stunned glances. BǎoBǎo was the first to break the silence. "This... this isn't normal. Beasts don't just *volunteer* to be tamed."
Hǎiyáng, overwhelmed but elated, nodded. "If you're sure, then I'd be honored to have you with me. I'll call you Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ—or Mǔmǔ, if that's okay."
The jellyfish shimmered, her light pulsing in agreement. "I like it."
As soon as Mǔmǔ accepted Hǎiyáng as her master, a sudden surge of energy filled the room. Her form began to shift, her small, fragile body expanding and glowing with blinding intensity. The aquarium shattered as her size outgrew its confines, and she transformed before their eyes.
Her new form was awe-inspiring: a towering, humanoid jellyfish with flowing, rainbow-colored tentacles that shimmered like silk. Her humanoid upper body was sleek and elegant, her glowing eyes radiating intelligence and warmth. Her tentacles, once delicate and short, now stretched and shrank at will, exuding a sense of power and grace.
Doctor Bái stumbled back in shock. "What in the heavens is happening?!"
"She's evolving," BǎoBǎo said, his voice filled with wonder. "I've seen this before. It only happens when a beast's bond with its master is truly pure. This... this is incredible."
Mǔmǔ flexed her new form, her voice now resonant and melodic. "Thank you for giving me a second chance, Master Hǎiyáng. I promise to protect you with my life."
Hǎiyáng stood speechless, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what had happened. Finally, he smiled. "Thank you, Mǔmǔ. I'll do my best to protect you, too."
Doctor Bái sank into a chair, his hands trembling. "This changes everything," he murmured. "If beasts can evolve like this... voluntarily, just by forming bonds with humans..."
BǎoBǎo chuckled. "It's not so simple, Doctor. The bond has to be real, based on mutual trust and respect. Most humans treat beasts like tools or weapons. Master Hǎiyáng is different."
Doctor Bái rubbed his temples. "But who will believe this? And who else could possibly form bonds like this? No one but him."
He looked at Hǎiyáng, who was gently reassuring Mǔmǔ as she adjusted to her new form. The boy seemed oblivious to the monumental implications of what had just occurred.
Doctor Bái sighed. "The world isn't ready for someone like you, Hǎiyáng. But maybe... you're exactly what it needs."
Hǎiyáng laughed as Mǔmǔ twirled around the room in her new form, her tentacles gracefully stretching and contracting in a mesmerizing dance of rainbow light. BǎoBǎo barked excitedly, jumping and weaving between her movements like a playful pup. Hǎiyáng stood back, his hands on his hips, his heart full of warmth and pride.
"You're incredible, Mǔmǔ!" he called out, clapping his hands.
Mǔmǔ stopped mid-spin, tilting her translucent head with a playful smile. "Thank you, Master Hǎiyáng. But I think you and BǎoBǎo are the real stars. I wouldn't have made it without you two."
"Hey, don't get too modest now," BǎoBǎo teased, his tail wagging. "You're part of the family now. And as part of this household, you're going to have to keep up with our daily training. Right, Master?"
"Absolutely," Hǎiyáng said with a grin. "We're all a team here."
The moment of joy brought Hǎiyáng back to a memory he'd long buried—a painful yet pivotal turning point in his life. He sat down on the floor, leaning back against the wall, his eyes gazing into the distance as fragments of his past flooded his mind.
He remembered the day he was labeled as an *XF Tamer,* the lowest rank in the taming world. A disgrace, unworthy of recognition, unfit to handle even the weakest of beasts. His family, renowned for their prowess in beast mastery, had been humiliated. His elders's cold eyes and his uncles and aunties's tears were etched into his soul.
"You're a failure, Hǎiyáng," his head of family had said, his voice cutting like a blade. "Leave this house and never return."
Those words had echoed in his mind as he packed his belongings and stepped out of the house he had once called home. The heavy door slammed shut behind him, and he stood in the cold, clutching a small bag of belongings.
For weeks, he wandered, scraping by with odd jobs, his heart weighed down by rejection. Then, one fateful day, he discovered his unique ability—the gift of "beast communication".
It began with a stray bird, perched on a low branch, injured and scared. Hǎiyáng had spoken to it without thinking, his voice filled with compassion. To his shock, the bird had responded, its chirps carrying emotions he could understand.
That discovery changed everything. It wasn't long before he found himself at the doors of Snow Water City's beast hospital, clutching a letter of introduction from a sympathetic merchant who had witnessed his gift.
Doctor Bái Yīzhēn, the head of the hospital, had been skeptical at first. But after witnessing Hǎiyáng's ability to calm and treat a wild, injured fox, the elder doctor had taken him under his wing.
The hospital became his home, and his skills grew under Doctor Bái's guidance. He met BǎoBǎo, an old, scruffy beast who had been left for dead in a merchant's store.
Hǎiyáng had nursed the dog back to health, and BǎoBǎo had evolved into a loyal companion. He learned about the 5 legendary protectors in which BǎoBǎo is actually one of them. He met the librarion that also convinced him that he has to find the remaining protectors to end these messy disasters everywhere.
Now, just weeks later, Hǎiyáng had earned the certification of a beast master, a feat that silenced his detractors and validated his worth. And today, standing in his cozy home with Mǔmǔ glowing before him, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
"I can't believe how far I've come," he murmured. "From being kicked out, to discovering my gift, to this moment... it's like a dream."
Doctor Bái, standing nearby with his arms crossed, couldn't help but chuckle. "You should thank Chief Huáng Láng for this, you know. That jellyfish wasn't just a gift—it was a test, a cunning plan from an old fox."
Hǎiyáng shrugged, smiling as he watched Mǔmǔ and BǎoBǎo playing together. "I don't care what his intentions were. What matters is that Mǔmǔ is here, and she's incredible."
Doctor Bái sighed. "You really are something, kid. Just remember, not everyone in this world has good intentions. Stay sharp."
"I will," Hǎiyáng replied, his eyes shining with determination.
But Hǎiyáng knew this was just the beginning. Mǔmǔ wasn't an ordinary beast—her evolution and the strength she exuded suggested she was far beyond
what he had initially assumed. He needed to know her true level.
"I need to take her back to the school for a re-evaluation," he said aloud.
Doctor Bái raised an eyebrow. "You think she's stronger than she seems?"
"I'm sure of it," Hǎiyáng said. "Mǔmǔ's evolution wasn't just random. There's something special about her, and I need to confirm it."
Mǔmǔ floated gracefully beside him, her tentacles shimmering with rainbow light. "Whatever you decide, Master Hǎiyáng, I'll follow you. We're a team now."
Hǎiyáng smiled, his heart swelling with gratitude and pride. "Then let's go show the world what we're capable of."
As the trio prepared for their next adventure, Hǎiyáng felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Mǔmǔ by his side and BǎoBǎo's unwavering loyalty and ancient wisdom, he knew that no challenge was too great. For the first time in years after his parent died, he felt truly blessed.
--------------------------------------End of Chapter 8------------------------------