Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, her voice tinged with resolve and nervousness. "Then what are your conditions? Let me tell you right now, I won't give in easily."
Though quiet, her voice carried an unmistakable determination.
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's serious, resolute gaze, Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly and held out the Devil Fruit.
"Relax. I'm not the sort to take advantage of someone in trouble. Just remember that you owe me a favor."
Zhu Zhuqing accepted the Devil Fruit, but her thoughts twisted and turned as she hesitated, unsure whether she should trust the man before her.
But what else could she do? She really did need to become stronger, and this opportunity might be the only one she had.
In the end, Zhu Zhuqing made up her mind, squeezed her eyes shut, and bit hard into the Devil Fruit.
An indescribably bitter taste instantly filled her mouth.
Startled, Zhu Zhuqing thought she had been poisoned and immediately glared at Chen Xuanqing.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Xuanqing explained, "What you ate was a Zoan, Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit: nine-tailed netherworld cat form. It tastes awful, but it's excellent for increasing your strength. One bite is all you need. Try feeling that power now."
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing's anger subsided a little. She closed her eyes and began to feel the changes within her body.
In an instant, Zhu Zhuqing's body began to change. Her limbs grew long and powerful, and sharp feline claws sprouted from her fingertips.
Even more astonishingly, nine cat tails grew from behind her, while her ears became pointed cat ears that stood atop her head, adding a playful touch.
Black flames wreathed her body, complementing her cool, aloof bearing and making her look both sexy and alluring.
Watching this, Xiao Wu's eyes shone with curiosity and envy. She exclaimed, "Big Brother Xuanqing, you're amazing! Has Sister Zhu Zhuqing become half human and half soul beast? She looks so cool!"
Chen Xuanqing explained with a smile, "More or less! This is actually the power granted by a Devil Fruit, allowing humans to possess animal traits and abilities. What Zhu Zhuqing is showing now is her human-beast form. She can also choose a pure beast form, or even a completely human form."
Hearing their conversation, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, a determined light shining in them. As she felt the mighty power within her, confidence filled her heart.
She turned toward Chen Xuanqing and bowed deeply. "Young Master Chen, thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Under the soft lighting, Chen Xuanqing's gaze settled on Zhu Zhuqing in her beast transformation.
Her unique appearance made him unable to resist stepping forward and gently stroking her soft, delicate body.
At Chen Xuanqing's gentle touch, Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled slightly. A soft gasp escaped her despite herself, and her cheeks instantly flushed like peach blossoms opening for the first time.
Chen Xuanqing smiled at Zhu Zhuqing and said softly, "You can call me Big Brother Xuanqing, just like Xiao Wu does."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing stammered shyly, "B-Big Brother Xuanqing."
Just then, a faint wave of jealousy swept in.
Xiao Wu quietly approached from behind and threw her arms around Chen Xuanqing.
Her breasts pressed tightly against him, their ample softness leaving Chen Xuanqing momentarily distracted.
Xiao Wu raised her head and looked at Chen Xuanqing pleadingly, saying softly, "Big Brother Xuanqing, I want to become like that too. Could you give me a Devil Fruit to eat as well?"
Chen Xuanqing smiled helplessly and gently rubbed Xiao Wu's bunny head.
Then he said tenderly, "You're already a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who took human form. You've spent a hundred thousand years as a soul beast, and now you want to turn into a beast again?"
Disappointment crossed Xiao Wu's face at his words. She pouted and said unhappily, "But... I want to try something new too."
Chen Xuanqing sighed softly. "All right, then tonight we'll try a maid outfit and a sailor uniform."
At this, Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and pretended to get angry. Seeing her reaction, Chen Xuanqing grew serious too.
"All right, Devil Fruits are only a low-level power. Don't get too fixated on them. If I find anything else good, you'll be the first person I think of."
Hearing Chen Xuanqing's promise, Xiao Wu blushed and smiled. "Big Brother Xuanqing, tonight I'll let you do whatever you want with me. Any outfit is fine!"
Standing nearby, Zhu Zhuqing was startled to hear that Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who had taken human form.
But as she watched how Chen Xuanqing and Xiao Wu interacted, Zhu Zhuqing gradually set aside her misgivings.
However, as their conversation grew increasingly explicit, the atmosphere became delicate and awkward.
Standing to one side, Zhu Zhuqing felt thoroughly out of place.
"Ahem..."
Zhu Zhuqing coughed lightly, trying to remind them to mind their surroundings. After all, an "outsider" like her was still present.
Xiao Wu seemed utterly unconcerned by Zhu Zhuqing's reminder. She snorted, then pulled Chen Xuanqing's head into her chest, as though staking her claim in front of Zhu Zhuqing.
This made Zhu Zhuqing terribly embarrassed. She was still a virgin; when had she ever seen anything like this? Blushing, she could only turn her head away shyly.
Chen Xuanqing also sensed the strange atmosphere. Nearly smothered by Xiao Wu, he hurriedly broke free.
Then Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and explained, "A Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit really does grant an extraordinary power. It gives its user tremendous physical recovery abilities. As long as you aren't killed outright, you can recover from almost anything in a very short time."
"What's more, it improves your physical capabilities across the board. Your speed, strength, perception, and so on will all increase significantly. Of course, there are also some special abilities you'll have to develop and explore yourself."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing felt a stir of interest.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing was still somewhat skeptical about the Devil Fruit's abilities, but Chen Xuanqing's words had piqued her interest greatly.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Chen Xuanqing with gratitude, a determined light shining in her eyes.
She said softly, "Don't worry, Big Brother Xuanqing! I'll work hard to develop this Devil Fruit's abilities. I won't disappoint you."
By now, Zhu Zhuqing's beast transformation had made her figure even more graceful and mysterious.
The once-gentle curves of her body looked even sleeker after the transformation, like a work of art painstakingly sculpted by nature.
Seeing this, Chen Xuanqing could not resist wanting to reach out again and stroke Zhu Zhuqing's silky fur, experiencing that unique texture.
Just then, however, the ever-vigilant Xiao Wu caught his hand.
"Focus on developing your Devil Fruit's abilities!" Xiao Wu said with a smile, then immediately pulled Chen Xuanqing away.
Helpless, Chen Xuanqing waved and followed Xiao Wu back inside to begin trying out maid outfits, sailor uniforms, and more...
Before you continue