At the foot of Divine Mountain, a cool breeze brushed against their faces.
Ren Ye sat cross-legged beside the winding Bluestone Steps leading upward, considering his strategy as he waited for the Human World Arena to officially open.
Beside him, Little One copied him and sat on the ground, picking at his feet with one hand and tossing roasted fava beans into his mouth with the other. Putting on a show of concern, he asked, "Lion-Tiger, will this trial be very hard?"
"It will, and there are few of us. We don't have much capital to work with, either," Ren Ye replied worriedly.
Seeing his master getting worked up, Little One promptly threw a handful of fava beans into his mouth. Chewing, he walked over and pressed his two filthy little paws against Ren Ye's head.
He vigorously massaged Ren Ye's temples, his words sweet as honey. "Lion-Tiger, I'm still little. I can't help you much. All I can do is massage your head and help you relax."
He really was utterly filial, as though saying, "See? I'm not completely useless. I can give massages! Once I'm done, hurry up and go risk your life for me...!"
Smack!
Ren Ye slapped his little paws away and frowned. "You pick the dirt off your feet, then smear it on my face like a face mask? I'll fucking club you to death."
"But I'm just being filial."
"Get lost!" Ren Ye snapped impatiently.
"Sigh." Little One let out a long sigh and shook his head. "If only Divine Baby could handle this sort of thing. He's a ghost, so he isn't afraid of dying."
Whoosh!
Divine Baby drifted out soundlessly and blew a breath of yin energy against the back of Little One's neck, saying eerily, "You're his own son, and so