Neeko Transforms

Seeing that I didn't harm her, the creature named Niko told us about her experiences:

She wasn't some special creature, but a Vastaya. Unlike other Vastaya like Wukong, she was a pure-blooded "Mistail Tribe."

The Mistail Tribe are the oldest race in Vastaya, possessing the ability to transform into familiar animals depending on their surroundings.

The reason she transformed into a leopard was because she thought leopards were incredibly powerful, a notion formed by her friend, Nidalee.

I'm familiar with Nidalee, but to be honest, I don't really know much about her background. Right now, she seems to be similar to Niko, also a Vastaya.

Niko and Nidalee formed a deep friendship in their early years, spending almost every day together and occasionally hunting, which is why she thought leopards were so formidable.

Later, Nidalee moved to the Zhiyun Island with her family, and the two lost contact. This time, Niko left Vastaya Forest to come here to find her, but she did not expect to encounter danger.

"Looks like you haven't found your friends yet. You said you were scratched by a Big Cat, what happened?"

Yesterday, Niko was looking for Nidalee when someone suddenly blocked her way. Niko transformed into Nidalee to scare him, but he turned into a Big Cat and bit Niko. Luckily, Niko ran fast, or he would have eaten her!

"A person turned into Big Cat? What did the person look like? And what about the Big Cat?"

"Hmm... that person is very thin and tall! They're wearing a mask! And they seem to be holding a gun! The Big Cat is scary, all black, and looks sick, covered in bumps!"

Without a doubt, Niko encountered Jhin and Yerlanriel! It's a wonder she escaped, otherwise the little one would have been in serious trouble!

Since she's the one I met yesterday, it seems he's most likely still in the southern region. I can't miss this opportunity, so I've decided not to go back yet!

I contacted Miyue telepathically and learned that the others had already returned. I told her my thoughts, Miyue warned me to be careful, while also sending Fiora and Kled to support me.

Niko was terrified when she heard I was looking for that Big Cat; it seems the Big Cat's attack left her with psychological trauma.

"You're looking for the Big Cat? That's too dangerous! He'll eat you!"

"Don't worry, he's no match for us! Besides, we have backup. Do you want revenge?"

"Niko certainly wants revenge! But... Niko is afraid..."

"Can't you transform into a familiar animal? Why don't you transform into something smaller, like a bee, and quietly follow us? That would be much safer!"

"Niko is not a coward!"

Seeing that it was getting dark, I kindly asked Niko to come along, but it only made her angry. What she did next left me both amused and exasperated:

Niko has become me, exactly the same in appearance and voice, and she doesn't even have a lisp anymore!

"You think you're so great? Niko wants to see if that Big Cat dares to bite you!"

"Fine, whatever makes you happy. But don't use my appearance to do anything bad in the future, or I'll make you regret it!"

We searched the jungle through the night. There was one Varus and two of us. When Kled arrived, they would be in for a big surprise.

The forest at night and during the day are two completely different worlds. During the day, cicadas chirp and birds sing, and everything rustles, making it feel like a dynamic world, but in reality, it is very peaceful.

→

There were far fewer noises at night, and no animals were to be seen, yet there was always a sense of impending danger, as if something might rush out at any moment.

My line of sight with Varus was severely obstructed, but my senses were not weakened; I could still detect powerful opponents approaching.

Niko seemed unaffected. She looked around, teasing any small animals she saw, and hiding behind me whenever she saw something large. She was only relieved when she found it was just a strange tree or rock.

"That scared me to death!"

Of course, some large carnivores would also approach, but I scared them away with my Wind Force. It wasn't until late at night, when Niko was so sleepy, that I vaguely sensed a murderous aura in the distance!

Varus noticed it too. We exchanged a glance and quickly rushed over. Once we got close, Varus suddenly illuminated the surroundings with the light of the Ascended, while I gathered a storm of Wind Spear and aimed them forward!

Niko woke up during the run and was startled by the sight before her: there were two big black Big Cat in front of them, one about four meters long and the other even bigger!

The smaller one looks more like a leopard; it's entirely black, blending perfectly into the night, and would be completely invisible if not for the light emanating from Varus.

The large one was ugly, barely qualifying as Big Cat. It was blackish-red with raised bumps on its body, making it look ferocious and frightening. Without a doubt, this was the Vastaya Yerlanriel!

Besides the two beasts, there were many leopard carcasses lying haphazardly on the ground. They were all different colors, and without exception, their throats had been bitten out. It seemed that they were all the work of Yerlanriel.

Our arrival immediately attracted the attention of the two beasts, and Niko actually ran towards the Black Panther. I cautiously kept watch, but Yerlanriel did not attack; he just kept his eyes on Varus and me.

"Nidalee, is that you? It must be you, I can feel your presence!" Niko returned to her original form.

"Stay away from me!" Black Panther's voice was gruff.

Niko's Nidalee form was a leopard, how come she's Black Panther now? These Vastaya are really strange.

Nidalee's act of driving Niko away was definitely out of concern; she had already witnessed Yerlanriel's power, and those leopard carcasses on the ground were probably her relatives!

She stared intently at Yerlanriel, and even though his attention was on us, she dared not launch an attack.

After staring at us for a while, Yerlanriel stood up and transformed into human form, his emaciated body and sinister mask resembling Jhin!

"Varus, I'm truly surprised that you've reverted to your Ascended form."

"This is a favor from our Queen; you may try it if you wish."

"What?! You're saying Shetaka is still alive?" Yerlanriel was extremely surprised.

"No, she is a descendant of the Queen Sivir, who can also manipulate Khopesh."

"Ha, I never imagined the Queen would have descendants. If her bloodline had stepped forward sooner, would we be in this situation?"

"That doesn't matter, we can start over, are you willing, brother?"

"I'm willing to be your brother, but I'm not willing to go back to Ascended. This is what we should be enduring now."

"Bear?"

"Yes, we endured it. We stopped a catastrophe called the Void, but it was actually a redemption."