Xiao Shi had been with Ling Tian ever since birth. They had faced life and death together, and their bond ran deep. So when his mother looked down on Ling Tian as a "human," Xiao Shi had naturally been unhappy and said so outright.
Seeing Xiao Shi talk back to her for the sake of a "human," his mother didn't get angry. Instead, a faint smile appeared on her face. "That divine bow thinks highly of you, and now my son is standing up for you, too. It seems you really are no ordinary boy. I'm sorry. I was wrong to treat you so poorly earlier."
Faced with Xiao Shi's mother's forceful apology, Ling Tian could only smile wryly. The Heaven-Devouring Wolf Clan must be naturally proud. It'll be hard to make her change that way of thinking completely.
Having thought it through, Ling Tian no longer felt angry. He looked at Xiao Shi. "Xiao Shi and I have faced life and death together. We're the closest of companions. Since you're his mother, you're my senior, and I respect you."
"Excellent, young man. You've got a spine of steel. I think even more highly of you now." Xiao Shi's mother praised him, then glanced around. "Come, follow me into my Core World. I'm only a wisp of a remnant thought, and I can't stay away from here for long."
As she spoke, she swept her long sleeve. A strange energy surged, and Ling Tian's vision blurred. When he opened his eyes again, they had arrived somewhere else.
"Core World?" Ling Tian asked in confusion. He looked around, then his eyes lit up. "Could this be a dantian?! My heavens, it's enormous."
Ling Tian was suspended in a vast space. Below him was a huge sphere, from which billowed waves of