The flying boat stopped outside the Dragon Palace's stone archway.
The down-and-out female cultivator disembarked from the flying boat in a daze and saw the Golden-furred Black-striped Tiger. It vaguely resembled a cat she had seen before. She remembered passing through clouds and mist to see mountains, a sea of clouds, and pavilions—the Mysterious Girl running a General Store, with Fat Head Cat leading her inside.
But...
Cats and tigers were clearly two different creatures.
The tiger demon's aura seemed somewhat unstable. Its intense pressure waxed and waned, as if it had suffered grave injuries. The female cultivator held the fox, which was nearly scared to death by the tiger. One human and one beast stood there at a complete loss.
Tu Yue cupped her hands toward the fat tiger in greeting. The fat tiger, busy licking its fur, blinked once in response.
The female cultivator and the fox were like tiny quails caught amid colossal creatures. They did not dare breathe too loudly, and even blinking required hesitation. Especially with the tiger's Fierce Beast aura flickering in and out, the fox was practically foaming at the mouth.
Suppressing her curiosity, Tu Yue smiled and nodded at the female cultivator.
"Do not take what happened earlier to heart, little friend. The road ahead is long. We shall meet again when you come to the city—find me at the Tu family's tavern. Farewell."
Before the stunned female cultivator could respond, Tu Yue steered the flying boat away on the wind.
The fat tiger licked its nose, turned, and headed up the mountain. It looked back once, signaling them to hurry and follow, then slowly climbed onward. It did not go to the General Store, instead walking straight toward the most conspicuous divine hall. The female cultivator sighed and abandoned the impulse