Devouring and Confiding

Over the course of ten days, nourished by ample top-tier nutrient paste and a safe, comfortable environment, Lin Mo's body underwent a earth-shattering transformation.

He was no longer that scrawny, ostracized "White-Skinned Monster" rejected by his own kind. His frame had expanded like an inflated balloon; although still young compared to an adult monster, he already appeared quite sturdy and robust.

His white fur had become dense and lustrous, shimmering with a healthy silver sheen under the sunlight. His four limbs were thick and powerful, his paw pads were thick, and though his claws were still juvenile, they were already beginning to show sharpness.

The most obvious change was the pair of small lumps on his back, which had now risen into two distinct protrusions; one could faintly sense something gestating and growing within them.

He now truly looked worthy of the name "Winged Tiger cub," possessing an extraordinary and majestic air.

Wang Keke was ecstatic about this, measuring him every day and excitedly recording his growth. "Mimi, you're growing so fast! This is wonderful!"

On this day, instead of bringing out the nutrient paste as usual, Wang Keke brought over an exquisite silver tray. On it lay strips of meat cut to the thickness of a little finger, bright red in color and faintly radiating weak energy fluctuations.

"Mimi, come on, try this!" Wang Keke picked up a piece of meat and held it to Lin Mo's mouth. "This is the heart meat of a Beast Soldier Rank Iron-Horned Sheep that has been specially prepared. It's the most tender and its energy is gentle—perfect for your current stage of growth!"

The rich aroma of meat wafted into his nostrils, far more primal and enticing than the nutrient paste. Lin Mo could clearly feel that while the energy contained in this meat was not as refined as the nutrient paste, it carried a vibrant, surging life force.

He opened his mouth to take it, his teeth easily tearing through the fibers.

Delicious juices exploded in his mouth, carrying a hint of sweetness and a wild, untamed essence. But more importantly, the moment the meat hit his stomach, his long-dormant Combat Devour talent began to vibrate on its own, like a hungry wolf that had caught the scent of prey!

Lin Mo's heart skipped a beat.

Opportunity!

He no longer just passively absorbed the nutrients as he did with the paste. He focused his mind, attempting to guide and "command" that faint, innate power within his body.

It was difficult at first; the warm current was like a mischievous little fish, hard to catch. But he possessed the willpower and focus of an adult human, so he tried again and again, imagining himself as a net, determined to capture and refine the essence within the meat.

Finally, as he swallowed the third strip of meat, he succeeded!

A flow of energy, significantly hotter and more vibrant than what he gained from passive absorption, surged from his stomach and rushed throughout his entire body! Wherever this energy flow passed, his muscle fibers seemed to emit an inaudible cheer, his bones felt a subtle, tingling itch, and every cell in his body seemed to be holding a small-scale celebration!

Although the improvement was still minor—perhaps only increasing his strength by a fraction of a kilogram and his speed by a hundredth of a second—the sensation of becoming stronger "actively" was crystal clear!

Success! This is what it feels like to actively operate the Devour talent! Lin Mo was overjoyed. This meant that his future growth rate would no longer depend solely on the resources provided by Wang Keke, but rather on how much he could "devour" himself!

He looked at the remaining meat on the tray, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Wow, Mimi, do you like this meat that much?" Seeing his suddenly "famished" gaze and the way he devoured the food like a whirlwind, Wang Keke became even happier and hurriedly added more for him.

Lin Mo didn't refuse anything. While frantically swallowing, he continued to operate his Devour talent, savoring the wonderful process of his body growing stronger bit by bit under the nourishment of the energy.

After he was full and satisfied, the warm current still lingered in his body. Wang Keke didn't take him back immediately; instead, she held him and sat down under a quiet pavilion in the beast garden. The sunset glow gilded the estate in gold, and the faint roars of monsters and the shouts from the training grounds drifted in from afar.

Wang Keke gently stroked Lin Mo's smooth fur, resting her chin on his furry head as she gazed at the brilliant evening clouds. Suddenly, she spoke in a voice that was completely different from her usual cheerful tone—a voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion and confusion:

"Mimi, you know... everyone envies me. They say I'm a genius, the hope of the Wang Family."

Lin Mo's ears twitched. He stopped guiding the energy in his body and lay still, acting as a qualified listener.

"My father, my uncles, and the elders of the family—the way they look at me is full of expectation. They give me the best resources, the best protection... but sometimes, this expectation is really heavy."

Her voice dropped lower: "Spirit Reader... sounds impressive, right? But every time I practice my mental power, it feels like my head is going to explode. They demand that I reach the level of a War God Rank Spirit Reader before I'm twenty-five, that I win a top-three spot in the Pet Battle Tournament, and that I secure more honor and resources for the family..."

"Sometimes, I even envy Cousin Wang Xin and the others. Although they don't have as many resources as I do, at least... they don't have such immense pressure. They can afford to fail, but I can't. Because I've been labeled a 'genius,' I'm not allowed to fail."

She hugged Lin Mo tighter, as if trying to draw strength from him.

"It's a good thing I have you with me now, Mimi. You won't just demand that I get stronger like they do. As long as you're fed, you'll happily nuzzle me and keep me company... it's really nice."

The girl's soft, helpless confession mingled with the evening breeze and drifted into Lin Mo's ears.

His heart, which had previously been focused solely on devouring, evolving, and staying low-profile to develop, felt a slight tremor.

He lifted his head, his amber eyes looking at Wang Keke. The sunset cast a soft glow on her beautiful profile, and her long eyelashes drooped, carrying a touch of melancholy that didn't match her age.

So, this favored daughter of heaven, who seemed to have everything, also had her own troubles and heavy burdens.

He was silent for a moment, and then, he did something that went beyond the scope of a "pet," yet wasn't too excessive.

He extended his barbed tongue and gently, cautiously, licked the back of Wang Keke's hand.

The rough, warm sensation made Wang Keke startle slightly. She looked down and met Lin Mo's eyes, which seemed more "perceptive" than usual. There was no longer any of the usual ignorance or playfulness in them; instead, they seemed to... carry a hint of understanding and comfort?

The gloom in Wang Keke's heart seemed to be dispelled by this gentle lick. She let out a soft laugh and rubbed Lin Mo's head vigorously: "Oh, Mimi, are you comforting me? You're so sweet!"

She pulled herself together, stood up while holding Lin Mo, and her face returned to its usual brightness: "Let's go! Let's go back and continue training! We'll work hard together for the tournament in three months! I won't lose to that annoying brat Wang Xiao!"

Watching the girl who was once again full of vitality, Lin Mo thought to himself: It seems this feeder is more than just a long-term meal ticket and bodyguard.

Perhaps, on the lonely path of pursuing the pinnacle of power, having such a bond isn't so bad after all.

He flicked his tail and followed in Wang Keke's footsteps.

It seemed he had found one more reason to become stronger.