Empire and Expedition

"You're really back?"

Anse had thought Seven Flowers was not coming back.

He had not expected her to return with a whole group of companions.

Anse took a single step and teleported to Seven Flowers's side.

Seven Flowers jumped in fright, only retracting her claws after she recognized Anse.

The other Tabaxi were startled and scattered, with quite a few hiding behind Seven Flowers.

But once their gazes fell on Anse, they narrowed their eyes and relaxed their guard, edging closer in small steps.

A small Tabaxi with yellow leopard spots darted past Seven Flowers, wrapped herself around Anse's leg, and began climbing.

Seven Flowers grabbed her and set her on her shoulder.

"Are these your kin?" Anse reached out and stroked the little Tabaxi's head.

"More or less. They're a distant branch. We ran into each other and have been living together ever since, meow." Seven Flowers stretched lazily, looking far more relaxed.

"Why didn't you go inside?" Anse asked curiously.

"Too many people, meow. I've never seen them before." Seven Flowers pointed toward the gates and the sky.

Most Six-Winged Spirit Dragons loved showing off. They rarely folded away their dragon wings and would fly whenever possible rather than walk, making them highly recognizable.

Their auras were powerful and completely undisguised, often frightening ordinary people with little worldly experience.

"You should be able to sense the Spirit Network, right? Join it and look at the news. You'll understand." Anse reminded her.

Seven Flowers did not know his true identity, and when she had left, the Spirit Network had only just been deployed.

"So this is the Spirit Network, meow." Seven Flowers suddenly understood. "Is it safe?"

"You didn't interact with anyone else along the way?" Anse vaguely remembered that Tabaxi were not reclusive and enjoyed lively company.

"Meow~