Bai Xue Endures Humiliation and Bears Heavy Burdens

Though the Bronze Ancient Sword's blade was mottled with rust and all its might had been completely restrained, the Maine Coon did not doubt the killing power of this rusty sword in the slightest.

With merely a flicker of thought from the person controlling the flying sword, it could pierce through its skull and take its life on the spot.

Yet the person controlling the flying sword had not made such a decision, leaving the Maine Coon's thoughts reeling.

The next second, the Bronze Ancient Sword changed direction, easily bypassed the Maine Coon's body, snatched away the black-and-white kitten behind it, and flew back toward the cultivation room.

Shen Yuan slowly walked out of the cultivation room and lightly waved his right hand. The Dark-Bright Sword hovered at his side.

Then Shen Yuan grabbed Bai Xue, whom the Dark-Bright Sword had brought back.

The kitten, held by the scruff of her neck, looked at Shen Yuan nervously.

Everything had happened too quickly. Bai Xue, who had been shielded behind the Maine Coon, had not even managed to see what had happened. There was still dirt and a snack bag stuck to her snow-white paws.

But realizing that she seemed to have caused a huge disaster, Bai Xue hurriedly tossed away the snack wrapper in her paw. Spiritual light flickered in her lively, heterochromatic eyes as she let out a cute little "Meow, meow," trying to muddle through by acting adorable.

The corner of Shen Yuan's mouth twitched as he shot the kitten in his hand an irritated look.

"I'll deal with you later!"

Casually setting Bai Xue down, Shen Yuan looked at the big cat lying in the courtyard.

When he had first sensed the demonic aura, Shen Yuan had thought that several demons who had escaped before had made a breakthrough and come to seek revenge on him.

But after Shen Yuan used his flying sword, the Maine Coon had immediately shielded Bai Xue behind itself.

Taking into account Bai Xue's intelligence and spirituality beyond that of an ordinary minor demon, as well as its sudden appearance around his home that night, Shen Yuan determined that this Qi-Refining Realm cat demon had come looking for Bai Xue.

That was why Shen Yuan had only broken its Bronze Head, Iron Arms divine ability and had not truly struck to kill it.

Otherwise, once that sword came down, the Maine Coon would never have had any chance of surviving.

"Explain why you're here." Shen Yuan looked at the Maine Coon and spoke in an even tone.

Shen Yuan's attitude greatly surprised the Maine Coon.

In its view, it had rashly trespassed into the residence of a Void-Refining True Lord. Even if Shen Yuan killed it, no one would speak up for its injustice.

This True Lord may be a kindhearted person!

Realizing that it still had hope of rescuing its king, the Maine Coon hurriedly lowered its head respectfully and said in a deep, resonant voice:

"Reporting to True Lord, my family—"

Its words paused slightly as the Maine Coon suddenly realized a problem: Shen Yuan had not imprisoned Bai Xue somewhere, but had simply let her roam freely in the courtyard.

Nor had he immediately killed it for trying to take Bai Xue away. That was highly unusual.

Bai Xue's bloodline was far too noble. Even a Void-Refining True Lord ought to covet it. Letting her roam freely simply defied reason.

If it directly called her King, would that not expose its king's concealed bloodline identity?

With that thought, the Maine Coon hurriedly changed its wording:

"Several days ago, this child and I were separated by an accident. After searching for many days, I finally found my way to True Lord's residence. Trespassing was a last resort; I only wished to take her home."

Hearing how the Maine Coon addressed her, the kitten's eyes immediately widened, and her puffed-up little face was filled with indignation.

Shen Yuan, however, paid no attention to Bai Xue's expression. What the Maine Coon said matched his initial guess: it had known Bai Xue all along, and it had infiltrated the courtyard only to take her away.

As for the Maine Coon calling Bai Xue "this child," Shen Yuan did not think much of it. He merely asked casually:

"You're not her parents?"

The moment those words came out, the Maine Coon shuddered and hurriedly shook its head.

"I'm not! Of course I'm not!"

"This child has lived with me ever since shortly after she was born. We have... a very good relationship."

Shen Yuan nodded with an understanding expression.

There was no way a yellow-and-white Maine Coon as large as a tiger could produce such a tiny little furball, no matter how mixed its breed was.

After confirming the Maine Coon's intentions, Shen Yuan shifted his gaze to Bai Xue, whose face was puffed up with anger.

Strictly speaking, the Maine Coon was Bai Xue's true family. He had only happened to bring her home and raise her for a few days.

Now that her guardian had come for her, he certainly had the ability to forcibly keep Bai Xue, but there was no point in doing so.

Bai Xue was not some kitten that understood nothing. She was a demon with human intelligence, and Shen Yuan still understood that a melon forcibly twisted would not be sweet.

"Bai Xue, do you want to go back with it?"

Bai Xue froze in surprise.

Would the great demon really be this kindhearted and let me go?

Although living with Shen Yuan meant food and drink, the occasional chance to secretly play on his computer, and sneak a few snacks, Bai Xue still feared Shen Yuan more than she felt close to him.

If she could leave, Bai Xue would naturally be willing ten thousand times over.

She was just about to happily nod her little head when a flash of insight suddenly crossed Bai Xue's mind.

Could the great demon be testing me?

An expression of extreme terror appeared on Bai Xue's adorable little face. She immediately recalled what had happened on the day she first arrived at Shen Yuan's home.

Shen Yuan had deliberately tossed her casually into the courtyard, creating an opportunity to observe whether she wanted to escape.

If I hadn't already seen through the great demon's intentions, he would probably have forcibly made me sign a Spirit Beast Contract that very night.

For a bloodline like mine, a compulsory enslavement contract such as the Spirit Beast Contract would damage my potential and bloodline.

Unless he had no other choice, the great demon would not want to damage my potential by forcibly making me sign a contract. That was why he tested me before.

Today, he appears to be letting me go, but he is actually using this chance to test me again.

If I really agreed, the great demon would know that I had not truly submitted to him. Even if it damaged my potential, he would definitely force me to sign a contract.

By then, I would completely lose my freedom, and the big cat would surely be silenced by the great demon as well!

Bai Xue could not help shuddering. Her eyes were filled with fear as she looked at Shen Yuan.

As expected of a great demon who survived the three-thousand-year age of spiritual energy depletion. What deep and unfathomable schemes!

Since she had already seen through Shen Yuan's ploy, Bai Xue hurriedly shook her head and refused the eager Maine Coon.

Under the Maine Coon's shocked and disappointed gaze, Bai Xue ingratiatingly rubbed herself against Shen Yuan's pant leg, letting out soft "Meow~ meow~" cries.

Shen Yuan was greatly surprised by Bai Xue's choice, but a gratified smile appeared on his face.

After all, he had raised her for over a week. During that time, though Bai Xue had been a little greedy, a little playful, and a little too full of tricks—

Thinking about it carefully, Shen Yuan could not help frowning. He tentatively said to Bai Xue, "How about you leave after all?"

Bai Xue panicked even more at those words. Her face immediately took on an expression that said, You won't fool me, and her little paws directly wrapped around Shen Yuan's calf, as though she would not let go even in death.

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