"Was this 'hibernation,' or a bloodline 'awakening'?"
If it was something like hibernation, that meant it had already chosen a place to sleep when the Spirit Tide receded, only waking today as the Spirit Tide revived. But its strength had been depleted too severely, leaving it in the form of a tiger cub. If it was an awakening, then the exotic beasts of old had degenerated, leaving behind their bloodlines, and now that the Spirit Tide was rising again, they were beginning to revert to their ancestral forms...
Lu Changfeng studied the little Profound Tiger for quite some time, but still could not tell whether the cub was genuinely young or merely looked the part.
"How about I name you the Child Crone of Mount Heaven?"
"Rawr?"
"Just kidding."
Lu Changfeng smiled. Looking into the cub's gentle eyes, he pondered for a moment. "Ink-black in color, clear and flawless as glass. Let's call you Mo Li. How does that sound?"
The little Profound Tiger seemed to understand. After a moment of surprise, the cub's amber eyes curved into crescents. With a delighted "Awoo," Mo Li rubbed a little head against Lu Changfeng's palm, then stuck out a tongue to lick his fingers, clearly very pleased with the name.
"All right, we should get going."
Lu Changfeng put away the Jade Pendant and stood.
Mo Li immediately followed step for step, pressing close against his leg, as though already certain he was the cub's master.
The two humans and two beasts set off again, following the increasingly clear summons deeper into Mount Yunmeng.
This time, nothing stood in their way!
The two humans led the way into the depths, passing through a bank of swirling mist and pushing aside vines until the view suddenly opened before them.
A secluded, tranquil valley