Kidnapping an Auspicious Beast

When he spoke, everyone turned to look at him.

Recalling how this human had beaten him black and blue before, Scarlet King still felt a twinge of fear inside, though he hid it well.

"Human, what do you mean by that?"

"Nothing much. Just think you're too conspicuous following us—easy to stir up trouble."

Scarlet King: "..."

What kind of talk is that? Does this king look like a beast that goes around stirring up trouble?

"No way. What if something happens to the Auspicious Beast? Can you take responsibility?"

"Oh, why are you so long-winded? It's not like I can't protect myself."

Seeing Scarlet King underestimate her, Lin Qiu'er looked unconvinced. Though she had only five thousand years of cultivation, ordinary fifty-thousand-year soul beasts were no match for her.

Xue Di bent down and scooped up the fuming Lin Qiu'er, a gentle smile on her face. It was rare to see a smile on this icy beauty.

"Don't worry. The Auspicious Beast is safe and sound," Xue Di said to Scarlet King.

She reached out and gently stroked the furry little head, while Lin Qiu'er squinted her eyes, looking utterly content, unusually docile in her arms.

Seeing this, Scarlet King hesitated. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice: "In that case, I entrust the Auspicious Beast's safety to you. She can be a bit mischievous—I hope you'll bear with her."

Since Xue Di had given her word, the Auspicious Beast's safety was assured. The Heavenly Snow Woman's strength was formidable.

Scarlet King no longer blocked them, and the group prepared to leave. Lin Ye didn't notice a withered branch falling from the tree above his head.

As luck would have it, the branch landed squarely on his crown.

Lin Ye clutched his head, hissing in pain, but he didn't think much of it—just chalked it up to bad luck.

No one noticed Lin Qiu'er's eyes darting around, a sly smile flickering in them.

After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, traveling about a hundred kilometers would bring them to a small town.

Living off the mountains and waters, this town survived by relying on the Star Dou Great Forest. The main customers of the town's shops were soul masters passing through the forest.

As Lin Ye and his group entered the town, they immediately felt its clamor—street vendors everywhere, shouts and calls unending.

In Xue Di's arms, Lin Qiu'er craned her neck to look around, finding these unfamiliar sights novel.

Just then, a woman happened to catch sight of Lin Qiu'er in Xue Di's arms, looking like a little kitten.

Huh? What kind of creature is this? Not quite a cat, not a fox either—just a mishmash of features.

But regardless, Lin Qiu'er's appearance was still top-notch, and the woman felt a surge of fondness at the sight.

So the woman directly blocked the group and asked Xue Di, "Miss, what soul beast is that in your arms? Could you sell it to me?"

Hearing this human wanted to buy her, Lin Qiu'er was displeased, itching to bite her.

Xue Di was also unhappy, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Lin Ye, on the other hand, found it amusing. To be fair, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's looks were superb—buying one as a pet wouldn't be bad.

With that thought, he asked the woman with interest, "How much can you offer?"

The woman tentatively held up one hand. "Fifty Gold Soul Coins, how about that?"

Oh, this! Lin Ye nearly laughed out loud. The esteemed Auspicious Beast, the Little Ancestor of the Star Dou Great Forest, had no prestige at all.

It was just a minor incident. After Lin Ye sent the woman away, he felt his stomach empty and a bit hungry.

So the group found an inn to fill their bellies.

This meal was far from peaceful.

When the waiter brought the dishes, he suddenly slipped, and a plate of cold dish splattered all over Lin Ye, even splashing juice onto his face.

Ouch!

The waiter clutched his aching back as he stood up. One look, and he was scared out of his wits, his legs trembling.

These people could keep soul beasts as pets—they must have extraordinary backgrounds.

He was done for. Offending a Lord Soul Master meant his life was forfeit.

Thinking of his fate, the waiter dropped to his knees. "Spare me, Lord! Spare me!"

As he apologized, he kowtowed repeatedly.

It was clear the man was genuinely terrified.

Lin Ye: "..."

At this point, his face was covered in splashed juice, his clothes soaked through, reeking of sour and spicy flavors.

He wiped the juice from his face, looked at the endlessly begging waiter, and after a long silence finally spoke: "Alright, I won't do anything to you. First, take me somewhere to change clothes."

Hearing this, the waiter wept with gratitude, thanking him profusely.

As he stood up, Lin Ye noticed Lin Qiu'er snickering. Pondering, a seed of suspicion sprouted in his mind.

That evening, the group had already returned to Notting City.

The moment they stepped into their own courtyard, misfortune struck once again.

A bird flew overhead, and just as luck would have it, a dollop of bird droppings fell...

Lin Ye sensed something amiss and turned his gaze, only to find a splat of bird droppings right on his shoulder.

Ugh...

Lin Ye vomited on the spot, then quickly tore off the soiled coat and tossed it away.

By now, Lin Ye was certain something was wrong. Why was he so unlucky today? How had he run into such bizarre and absurd incidents?

He was a soul master, after all—how had he not noticed a branch falling? How had Xiao Er slipped so conveniently, and why had it landed on him? And why did the bird droppings have to fall precisely on him?

Something was off. This was far too strange.

As the saying goes, once is chance, twice is coincidence, but three times is a pattern. Today's events were definitely suspicious.

Lin Ye turned his gaze to Lin Qiu'er, suspecting she might have cast some curse on him, given that she could manipulate others' luck to a certain extent.

When he looked, sure enough, Lin Qiu'er was snickering, her eyes darting around mischievously.

Lin Ye grabbed Lin Qiu'er by the scruff and demanded in exasperation, "Spill it. Are you the one messing with me?"

Lin Qiu'er put on an innocent face. "Ah, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Despite her words, the laughter in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Damn it! Lin Ye fumed, hopping mad, but he had no proof that Lin Qiu'er was the one toying with him.

Night fell, the moon like a perfect disc, the sky full of stars.

When it was time to sleep, Lin Ye didn't forget to carry Lin Qiu'er back to his room.

Of course, since Lin Qiu'er hadn't yet taken human form, certain unsavory acts were out of the question.

She made herself at home, curling up like a kitten on the blanket, cozy and sound asleep.

The next day, early morning.

"Ah! You bastard, what did you do?" This high-pitched scream made the entire room buzz.

Xue Di and Bing Di rushed to the scene immediately.

There, they saw Lin Qiu'er and Lin Ye going at each other.

But it was clearly just roughhousing; if they were serious, given the gap in their strength, Lin Ye would have been flattened long ago.

Xue Di stepped in to break it up, gently cradling the tiny creature in her hands.

"Let me go, let me go..." Lin Qiu'er kicked her four legs wildly, looking defiant.

Xue Di patted her little head. "Alright, alright, stop fussing."

"Sister Xue Nu, he cut my fur while I was asleep, boohoo..." Lin Qiu'er nestled in Xue Di's arms, sobbing pitifully.

At that moment, a small bald patch could be seen on her back, where the fur had clearly been shaved off.

Xue Di: "..."