Cat Demon

Though it was only a simple makeover, Li Yunyao's natural looks were so outstanding that the makeup artist and stylist unknowingly spent a little longer on the two of them.

By the time they emerged looking completely renewed, Li Pin had already been waiting in the lounge outside for nearly an hour.

When he saw Li Yunyao walk out of the dressing room, even Li Pin, whose heart was set solely on pursuing life's ultimate desire, was momentarily stunned.

Li Yunyao had changed into a classical hairstyle. Her bangs slanted gently to either side, and purple hairbands adorned with cherry blossoms decorated both sides of her head.

Her beautiful hair, which had previously fallen casually over her shoulders, was parted down both sides into straight ponytails that hung along her collarbones, contrasting with her frost-white skin.

Her orange ruqun, paired with a pink outer robe, blended softness and cuteness into one.

Especially when she came out and saw Li Pin, lowering her eyes shyly and pursing her lips into a smile, the joy blooming from the bottom of her heart instantly dyed the entire lounge in bright spring sunlight.

Perhaps because she had changed into ancient attire, Li Yunyao had reined in some of her usual nature, carrying a trace of the refined grace of a well-bred young lady.

She stepped forward in tiny, delicate steps, lifted her chin with an expression that plainly said, Hurry up and praise me, and asked, "Brother, what do you think?"

"A bashful smile blooms in radiant beauty; a willow waist sways warm as wine."

Li Pin offered his appraisal with a smile.

Hearing that, Li Yunyao happily lifted her skirt and spun around. "As long as you like it, Brother."

At that moment, Lin Xiaolu emerged from inside as well.

In looks alone, she was indeed somewhat inferior to Li Yunyao. But she possessed a petite, fragile air, and after changing into ancient clothing, with the makeup artist deliberately highlighting that temperament, she gave off a heart-tugging, pitiable charm at first glance.

"Beautiful."

Li Pin praised her too, smiling.

At that moment, a woman who appeared to be under thirty followed them out.

She was the two girls' stylist.

"Sir, is she your younger sister? I have to say, her natural features are simply too good."

The woman spoke from the heart.

But she soon seemed to notice something. Her gaze swept over Li Pin, and then she said in a tone full of regret, "Sir, your hairstyle, clothing, and overall appearance don't match your current temperament and spirit at all... Please give me a chance. I can definitely raise your image score by more than ten points."

"No need."

Li Pin said.

Everyone in their family was good-looking.

The previous "Li Pin" had been introverted, insufficiently sunny, and not much interested in dressing up, so in other people's eyes, he had merely been fairly handsome—a little better than average.

But after Li Pin began practicing martial arts, his mental outlook changed. He became sunny, confident, and high-spirited. Even without meticulous grooming, his excellent natural foundation still stood out.

But...

He did not want to debut as some idol, so what was the point of dressing up so exquisitely?

This comfortable, spirited appearance was enough.

"Sir..."

"Let's take the photos. Once we're done, it'll be time to leave."

Li Pin said.

Seeing this, the woman could only express her regret.

Soon, the two girls followed the store employees to an arched bridge more than ten meters away and took several photos, then took a few more at the storefront and inside the shop.

Their looks and image were enough to crush the previous six women, naturally drawing even more attention.

A little girl of four or five, encouraged by her mother, even took the initiative to come over and ask for a photo with Li Yunyao.

Holding the little girl, Li Yunyao was delighted beyond measure.

Her pretty little face was piled high with smiles.

Li Pin, meanwhile, transformed into a heartless photo-taking machine, recording every one of those beautiful moments.

The only regret was that he had not prepared a dedicated camera.

They took photos for nearly an hour, leaving Li Yunyao thoroughly satisfied.

After strolling around a little longer, Li Pin took them to eat, then brought them to experience a VR fantasy adventure. Before they knew it, it was past ten.

Considering that his apartment was large enough,

he brought the two of them back to the apartment and made do with the sofa for the night himself.

The next day, Li Pin took Li Yunyao around some nearby sights. In the afternoon, they bought a few local specialties, and it was not until after four that they boarded the bus home.

Liuchuan County was more than eighty kilometers from Canglong City. Their bus left at 4:10, and if all went smoothly, they could arrive before six.

Their family had originally lived in Sanshun Town, under Liuchuan County's jurisdiction. But recently, Liuchuan County had incorporated Sanshun Town into the county town's boundaries and opened urban-rural bus routes. It was only a little over ten kilometers away, a half-hour ride.

After several transfers, at 6:05, Li Pin, Li Yunyao, and Lin Xiaolu boarded the last bus out of the small county town.

"We're almost home! We were only gone for one day, but it feels like it's been so long."

On the bus, Li Yunyao was visibly excited.

Li Pin, meanwhile, looked out the window.

He retained some memories of these sights, but nowhere near the feelings Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu held for this land.

"Which university are you planning to apply to, Yao Yao?"

"Uh..."

Li Yunyao's excitement was immediately doused as if by a bucket of cold water.

After a moment, she finally muttered, "Whichever one I can get into, I guess..."

Of the three Li siblings, aside from Li Pin, neither Li Yunyao nor Li Yunyan had been particularly good at studying.

Li Yunyan, who was three years older than him, had even gone out to work without attending university because of their family's circumstances.

A year ago, she had married and moved to the provincial capital, Jiangzhou City.

Li Pin did not say anything like, "All professions are lowly; only studying is noble."

He merely said, "Then keep studying for now."

"Mm."

Li Yunyao nodded hard.

Then she secretly glanced at Li Pin. "Brother, do you think I can practice martial arts?"

"You?"

Li Pin glanced at her.

Li Yunyao's personality...

was lively and energetic.

But if that alone meant she could practice martial arts, that would be underestimating the hardships martial arts training required.

Still...

It would not be a bad thing for a girl to learn some skills for self-defense.

"When we get back and have time, I'll take a look for you."

Li Pin said.

He had an idea—an idea about another application of his "talent."

Whether it could actually be carried out would have to wait until he tried it.

At that moment, the vehicle suddenly slowed.

At the same time, waves of commotion rose up ahead.

"Why did we stop?"

Li Yunyao asked.

"Run! A Cat Demon—it's a Cat Demon!"

"Such a huge Cat Demon! Bigger than a leopard! It's already killed several people! Hide, quickly!"

"Didn't they say it was beaten to death half a month ago? Why is there another one?"

Terrified cries echoed from ahead.

People fled in every direction.

"A Cat Demon!?"

Li Pin's expression changed.

The descent of the Star God had not only brought humanity the Star Refiner system. Other animals, plants, and even nonhuman beings had likewise Bathed in Starlight and begun a new round of evolution.

These creatures and nonhuman beings that could Bathe in Starlight like human Star Refiners were collectively known as Fierce Beasts and Demonic Creatures.

Though Fierce Beasts and Demonic Creatures did not, like humans, actively study cultivation methods to train themselves and were thus generally weaker than humans, their ferocity was still far beyond what ordinary martial artists could compare to.

Cat Demons were among the most common Fierce Beasts.

They were domestic cats or wildcats that had mutated after Bathing in Starlight.

As information about Cat Demons flashed through Li Pin's mind, he saw a monster that looked like a cat but stood and ran upright, nearly 1.6 meters tall, charging toward them at an unbelievable speed.

The feline creature's agility had not been diminished in the slightest by the fact that it ran on two legs.