Yunxi stroked Lili's head as she replied with a smile,
"Yes. His name is Lili, and he accompanied me all the way from the Cultivation Realm through my ascension to the Immortal Domain."
At that moment, Lili also sensed two powerful auras shrouding him. He raised his head from his master's arms, a dark glint flashing through his grape-black eyes as he warily looked at the two Ice Baihu. He felt that these two hulking creatures seemed to be eyeing Fairy Ranxi covetously.
Bai Xiao and Bai Qiao exchanged a glance, both somewhat dumbfounded. They had not expected Ranxi to already have a natal immortal beast. Yet, looking at Lili, who seemed overly frail, the two decided to fight for themselves anyway.
Bai Qiao spoke first:
"Ranxi, your natal immortal beast is somewhat weak. If you encounter a powerful enemy, they could easily severely injure you through Lili."
Yunxi paused for a moment, then smiled as she spoke up for Lili:
"Lili has his own special qualities. Moreover, he has helped me greatly throughout this journey. We have been together for nearly a thousand years; our bond is different. Besides, Lili is not as weak as you say."
Lili had been somewhat dejected a moment ago, but upon hearing Yunxi's words, he immediately straightened up and bared his teeth at the two Ice Baihu, expressing his displeasure.
Bai Xiao said disdainfully:
"I could smack him back to his original form with a single sweep of my tail. The only reason he managed to break through to the immortal rank was by borrowing your momentum. You forcibly raised his cultivation through the natal Contract Mark and let him take a shortcut. If you encounter a powerful enemy, he will likely be the first one attacked."
Upon hearing this, Lili put away