Ten years ago, in Jinling City.
"Look! What's that following the little girl?"
"It looks like... a raccoon? Or maybe a reindeer?"
"I think it's a hybrid, haha!"
"You're mistaken—that's no ordinary cat or dog. It's a young magical beast!"
"What?! A magical beast?! How could one appear in the city?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in murmurs, instinctively parting to let the girl pass. Their eyes were filled with shock, fear, and unease.
At the center of their attention, a girl of about eight or nine years old was trailed by a peculiar-looking creature, roughly the size of a common raccoon. Its fur was a mix of black and white, smooth as fine silk, shimmering with an unusual luster under the sunlight.
But atop its head grew two horns, disproportionately large for its body, rugged and intertwined like the antlers of a reindeer.
The creature seemed non-aggressive and unafraid of humans, appearing quite docile as it obediently followed the girl. It seemed curious about the outside world, its large, black, grape-like eyes gleaming with intelligence, darting around in their sockets. Every now and then, it would hop and dart playfully toward the crowd.
Yet the passersby shied away in panic, as if facing a terrifying demon, and no one dared to approach the little beast.
"Look! It can even walk upright!"
The creature lifted its front hooves, resting them at its sides like human arms, swinging them back and forth as it walked steadily on its hind legs, mimicking a human gait perfectly.
"It's become a spirit! It really is a magical beast!"
"Mom, that little animal is so cute!"
A child by the roadside gazed delightedly at the creature, spreading their arms as if to embrace it.
"Don't move! My dear child, that's a magical beast—it eats people!"
The child's mother, pale with fright, quickly pulled her son back, eyeing the girl and the creature as if they were harbingers of plague.
Tilting its head, the little beast blinked its eyes, revealing a strikingly human-like confusion.
"Who is this girl?! How dare she parade a magical beast through the streets? Does she think this is her backyard?" The terrified pedestrians shrieked, their fear of the creature palpable.
All eyes turned to the girl. Dressed in a fluffy pink dress that swayed gently with her steps, she looked utterly charming. Beneath the dress, she wore matching pink embroidered shoes adorned with colorful beads and a tiny bell stitched at the toe, which chimed melodiously with every step.
Though young, her hair already cascaded to her waist, tied at the end with a pink ribbon that fluttered like a delicate butterfly in flight.
The girl was equally exquisite in appearance, with a delicate, palm-sized face that was incredibly tender. Her arched eyebrows were perfectly balanced—any darker would be too heavy, any lighter would be too faint. Two eyes, like black gemstones, were set into her face, their pupils so deep that one glance could make one unconsciously lose themselves. Her delicate, pretty nose had not yet fully developed, but one could still see the slight rise at the bridge, forming a graceful curve with the tip. Her lips were tender and dewy, glistening as if ready to bloom.
Though still young, the girl already bore the features of a beauty in the making. It was clear that when she grew up, she would be a devastatingly stunning woman, one who could topple cities and captivate nations.
Especially charming were the pair of shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth, which added a playful touch to her demeanor. They appeared with her faint smiles, enchanting all who saw them.
This girl was the young Xu Ruanyao. Following closely behind her was a small creature, a type of beast that had taken animal form. Because it resembled both a cat and a deer, it was called a "li-lu beast."
However, it had another name—Xiao Yuan—which was the affectionate nickname Xu Ruanyao had given it.
Xiao Yuan had been acquired unintentionally by her parents. Just as they were pondering what to do with it, Xu Ruanyao, who happened to be nearby, spotted it and threw a tantrum, insisting on keeping it as a pet. Unable to refuse their daughter, Xu Zhengfeng and his wife had no choice but to agree.
But after all, it was a beast. Though it was as docile as a kitten in its youth, its true nature would emerge once it reached adulthood. Keeping it by Xu Ruanyao's side was bound to lead to trouble sooner or later. Thus, the family of three made an agreement: once Xiao Yuan grew up, they would release it back into the mountains.
To keep Xiao Yuan, Xu Ruanyao nodded her little head eagerly, like pounding garlic. She refused to believe that Xiao Yuan would ever harm her. Humans had emotions, and so did beasts. As long as she treated Xiao Yuan with all her heart, she was sure it would understand.
"Xiao Yuan, it's time to go home." Today was the first time Xu Ruanyao had taken Xiao Yuan out. Her parents had repeatedly warned her not to reveal its existence, but being so young, neither she nor the beast truly understood what a beast meant to humans. Bored of staying at home, they had secretly slipped out through the back door.
As soon as they stepped outside, Xiao Yuan grew visibly excited, emitting low growls from its throat that rumbled like distant thunder—a stark contrast to its innocent, petite appearance. But Xu Ruanyao, having spent every day with it, knew that such sounds were only made when it was in high spirits.
They wandered aimlessly, completely forgetting their parents' warnings, and ended up in the busiest market of Jinling City.
However, the people there clearly did not welcome their arrival. Not only did they shout and yell at Xiao Yuan, but they also pointed and gossiped right in front of her.
It suddenly dawned on Xu Ruanyao that the people outside did not like Xiao Yuan at all—in fact, they seemed somewhat afraid of it.
Only then did she recall her parents' instructions. Hurriedly, she called out to Xiao Yuan, who was still lingering outside, eager to return home as quickly as possible.
Hearing its owner's call, Xiao Yuan dropped to all fours and dashed toward Xu Ruanyao.
"Look! She's actually keeping a beast as a pet!"
"What kind of beast is that? I'd love to have one too—it's so cool!"
"Don't even think about it! Do you think just anyone can raise a beast? These creatures are ungrateful. Who knows? When it gets hungry enough, it might just devour you alive!"
"You're right. Who knows where this little beast came from? It might even be carrying diseases. Let's get out of here quickly!"
...
Every passerby cast strange glances at Xu Ruan-yao and Xiao Yuan, whispering among themselves, most of their discussions centered on Xiao Yuan's identity as a spirit beast.
Hearing their remarks, Xu Ruan-yao quickened her pace. Xiao Yuan, unaware of the situation, still followed her excitedly, occasionally looking around with wide, curious eyes.
After finally making their way through the market and arriving at a secluded alley, Xu Ruan-yao let out a sigh of relief and crouched down to stroke Xiao Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan, it seems like no one likes you. Maybe we should just stay home and play from now on," Xu Ruan-yao said with a despondent expression. She couldn't understand why people were so afraid of Xiao Yuan. In her eyes, such an adorable creature should be cherished by everyone.
"Aw..." Xiao Yuan seemed to understand her words and rubbed its small head affectionately against her leg in a very human-like manner.
"Look! That's the spirit beast my mom was talking about!"
Just then, a group of children, about the same age as Xu Ruan-yao, gathered around. The boy at the front pointed at Xiao Yuan and spoke to his companions.
"My dad says spirit beasts are no good—they often eat people."
"Yeah, my mom taught me the same. She told me to stay far away if I ever see one."
"But this spirit beast doesn't look like it would hurt anyone. It's kind of cute."
"What do you know? Spirit beasts are experts at disguising themselves. One like this could eat ten of you!"
"But it seems small now, so it's probably not that strong yet..."
"Exactly! Strike while it's weak. We should kill it before it hurts anyone, or it'll become a menace to the city later."
"Right!"
...
The children chattered incessantly, and the more Xu Ruan-yao listened, the more frightened she became. She couldn't comprehend why children her own age could be so cruel, talking about killing her beloved Xiao Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan, let's go quickly!" She hurriedly picked up Xiao Yuan and tried to run away.
"Don't let them escape!"
"Anyone who hangs out with a spirit beast is no good either!"
It was clear the children were targeting them. A dozen or so kids surrounded the girl and the beast, blocking their escape.
"What do you want?" Xu Ruan-yao asked, her legs trembling with fear, but she mustered her courage to speak.
"If you just put down that spirit beast, we'll be merciful and let you go. But if you insist on protecting it, we'll have to beat you up too," the leader of the children declared, emboldened by the crowd behind him, mimicking the swagger of local bullies.
"Xiao Yuan may be a spirit beast, but it would never hurt anyone!" Xu Ruan-yao protested, her heart full of grievance. She couldn't bear to let Xiao Yuan suffer even the slightest harm.
"A spirit beast is a spirit beast. When it grows up, you'll be the first one it eats!"
"Why waste words? Let's hit it!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the leader pulled out a slingshot he had prepared earlier, aiming it at Xiao Yuan in Xu Ruan-yao's arms.
"No!!" Tears welled up in Xu Ruan-yao's eyes. For the first time, she felt the outside world was terrifying—not only did adults target her Xiao Yuan, but even these children harbored ill intentions. No matter what, Xiao Yuan must not be hurt!
At the critical moment, Xu Ruan-yao crouched on the ground, shielding Xiao Yuan tightly in her arms. Pebbles shot from all directions, pelting her young body with a series of sharp, stinging impacts.
A piercing pain shot through her, and the young Xu Ruan Yao bit her lip hard, weeping silently as tears the size of beans rolled down her cheeks like broken strings of pearls.
Yet she still shielded Xiao Yuan completely, not letting a single stone hit it.
Cowering in her embrace, Xiao Yuan trembled uncontrollably, its crystal-clear pupils reflecting fear for the first time. It couldn't understand why these seemingly friendly humans would suddenly turn hostile and hurt it.
In its world, there had only ever been Xu Ruan Yao. It had naturally assumed she was its family, its friend. As they grew up together, they gradually became indispensable parts of each other's lives.
Xiao Yuan had always believed all humans were as kind and warm as Xu Ruan Yao. But today, it saw a different side—a malicious, sinister side hidden behind these seemingly timid, cowardly, and ordinary humans.
"Hit it!"
"Hit it!"
"Beat it to death!"
Seeing that Xu Ruan Yao was powerless to fight back, the children grew even bolder. Besides those shooting with slingshots, a few of the braver ones stepped forward and kicked Xu Ruan Yao viciously.
"Ah!!" Xu Ruan Yao cried out in pain. Her delicate body, like a flower battered in the rain, couldn't dodge in time. She fell to the ground abruptly, her pink dress scraping harshly against the rough surface, tearing in several places.
Even her exposed fair arms were scraped, streaks of blood mingling with coarse dirt slowly oozing from the wounds.
Still, she clutched Xiao Yuan tightly in her arms, gritting her teeth and refusing to let go.
"Roar!" Xiao Yuan struggled fiercely to break free from her embrace. Though terrified, the moment its owner fell, its innate beastly instincts surged. It bared its claws and snarled at the unruly children.
But the children, now caught up in their frenzy, showed no fear. They continued relentlessly shooting at the girl and the creature with their slingshots.
"Stop!"
Just as Xu Ruan Yao wept in despair, a sharp shout echoed from the end of the alley.
A boy, taller and more robust than any of the children present, stood before them. He wore ill-fitting coarse linen clothes, his body smeared with dirt and covered in grass stains. Only his eyes stood out—bright and clear, like stars in the night sky.
His young face was full of stubbornness as he stood tall, staring them down.
"Who are you? This is a... a monster! We're... upholding justice!" The leader of the children, seeing that the newcomer was nearly two heads taller, lost his earlier arrogance.
"Who I am doesn't matter. It's wrong for you to hit people!" The boy's voice still carried a hint of youthfulness.
"She's with that monster, so she's no good person! Don't get in our way!"
"Yeah, who told her to protect that thing? She deserves it!"
"Who do you think you are? Stop bothering us here. Get back to wherever you came from!"
The children clamored, one after another, mimicking the bravado of street thugs, their arrogance on full display.
"Enough!" The boy found these probably-not-even-weaned children unbearably noisy, grating on his nerves. "You say it's a monster, so it's a monster? Well, I say it's just a weird-looking civet cat! Besides, if it really were a monster, you lot wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between its teeth. Why would it just stand there and let you bully it for nothing?"
The boy stepped forward and rapped each of them hard on the head.
"Ouch!"
"That hurts!"
"What are you doing?!"
A chorus of wails erupted as the mischievous children clutched their heads in pain.
"What, not convinced? Feel free to challenge me one-on-one!" The boy crossed his arms, looking down at them with an air of premature maturity.
He was joking—when it came to fighting, he had never been afraid of anyone! Especially not these little brats.
Thinking this, the boy forgot that he was about the same age as them.
"Do you think we're stupid? Why would we fight you one-on-one when there are so many of us?! Quick!! Let's all get him!!"
A shout burst from the group of children, and like a chain reaction, a dozen kids charged at the boy, fists swinging.
Xu Ruanyao and Xiaoyuan, crouching in the corner, watched in disbelief. Everything that had happened since the boy appeared felt like a dream. Now, seeing the boy about to be ganged up on, a flustered Xu Ruanyao rushed forward to help.
Even Xiaoyuan sensed the shift in the situation and began barking at the children.
But before Xu Ruanyao could steady herself, the children who had been so aggressive moments ago were now rolling on the ground, clutching their heads or arms, moaning and whimpering. Some had even started wailing loudly.
As for the boy, he stood unscathed amidst the children, dusting off his hands.
"I told you to challenge me one-on-one, but you wouldn't listen. Now look, so many of you are hurt." The boy looked quite pleased with himself as he gazed at the sobbing children.
"I... I won't let you get away with this..." the leader of the children whimpered, tears in his eyes as he glared at the boy.
"What, still looking for a fight?" The boy raised his fist threateningly, scaring the child into a loud cry before he scrambled away in a panic.
Seeing their instigator flee, the remaining children quickly followed, crying and shouting as they ran, afraid of being caught and beaten again.
"Are... are you okay?" Xu Ruanyao asked timidly.
"I'm standing right here perfectly fine, of course I'm okay." The boy grinned broadly, his eyes shining brightly on his small face.
"Um, thank you..." Xu Ruanyao lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands.
For some reason, though the boy in front of her was dressed in tattered, dirty clothes, his eyes were so clear and bright that every time she met his gaze, her heart raced.
"Ruff!" Xiaoyuan, feeling deeply affectionate toward the boy who had saved him and his owner from danger, ran to his feet and affectionately rubbed against his pant legs.
"No problem, it was nothing. By the way, this raccoon dog is really cute." The boy crouched down, examining Xiaoyuan with great curiosity, occasionally stroking its fur.
"It... it's not a raccoon dog. It's... it's a demon beast..." Xu Ruanyao's voice grew softer, afraid that the boy might turn hostile upon learning Xiaoyuan's true identity.
"I know, but it looks so much like a raccoon dog! Haha! Hey, stop nudging me!" The boy laughed heartily. Xiaoyuan, as if understanding his words, nudged his calf with its horn to express its displeasure.
Xu Ruan Yao looked up at the boy, who was playing joyfully with Xiao Yuan. A happy smile spread across his face, revealing a row of neat, white teeth, especially the two pointed canines that looked particularly adorable.
Watching this scene, her young heart felt inexplicably struck. The world seemed to lose its color all of a sudden, with only the boy's every movement reflected in her pupils.
"By the way, most adults aren't too fond of spirit beasts. You probably shouldn't bring it out with you in the future," the boy said, happily stroking Xiao Yuan. If his family had the means, he would have loved to keep such a spirit beast too.
"Ah... okay..." Snapping back to reality, Xu Ruan Yao instinctively averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed and burning.
"What's its name?" the boy continued.
"X-Xiao Yuan..." Xu Ruan Yao stammered, her tongue seemingly tied.
"Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yuan! Come here, Xiao Yuan!" The boy jumped with delight as Xiao Yuan playfully pounced on him from behind.
"By the way, where did Xiao Yuan come from? Ordinary spirit beasts don't easily submit to humans."
"It... it was caught by my parents by accident..."
"Wow! Then your parents must be cultivators!"
"Mm..." Xu Ruan Yao nodded gently, completely forgetting her parents' need to keep a low profile in the city.
"It seems you treat Xiao Yuan really well, otherwise it wouldn't be willing to follow you."
"Mm, I've been interested in spirit beasts since I was little..."
"That's a wonderful interest. You should keep it up in the future!"
The boy turned to Xu Ruan Yao with a warm smile, occasionally teasing Xiao Yuan.
Beside them, Xu Ruan Yao was swept up in the lighthearted atmosphere and couldn't help but smile, her dimples making her especially cute.
Little did she know that the boy's words would leave an indelible mark on the rest of her life.
"What... what's your name..." she mustered the courage to ask softly.
"Me? I'm Li Ye." The boy chuckled, his beautiful eyes curving like crescent moons.
...
Childhood memories flooded back. Now grown into a handsome man and a beautiful woman, Li Ye and Xu Ruan Yao held each other sweetly.
Xu Ruan Yao's lovely eyes shimmered like clear water, the image of the grubby boy from her memories perfectly overlapping with the handsome face of the man before her.
Fate had been kind to her, bringing back the boy she had yearned for over the years.
That one outing with Xiao Yuan had ended in disappointment, and they never ventured out together again. Although her parents later released Xiao Yuan back into the deep mountains, the memory of the boy remained vivid, often running through her dreams.
Later, an event shook Jinling City—a young man named Li Ye was chosen as a disciple of the Heavenly Master Manor, soaring to prominence like a phoenix. His hometown, Jinling City, gained renown overnight, attracting widespread attention.
Hearing the news, Xu Ruan Yao knew it was the same boy she had met that day. She felt secretly happy for him but soon grew worried.
Once he left for the Heavenly Master Manor, wouldn't he be gone forever?
The girl's eyes dimmed, but the outcome was set. She couldn't stop him from pursuing a brighter future. Besides... he might have long forgotten about that day.
Amidst her desolation, the boy's words from that day echoed in her mind once more. She silently resolved to dedicate herself to the study of demonic beasts. While he grew and matured in the distant Celestial Master's Mansion, she too would put in enough effort, striving one day to catch up with his footsteps.
In the years that followed, Xu Ruanyao spent nearly every day in the library, poring over every ancient text that recorded information about demonic beasts. It was then that she realized not all demonic beasts were as innocent and kind as Xiao Yuan; many more were evil creatures that brought calamity and committed countless atrocities in the human world.
Especially those demonic beasts with higher intelligence often lurked in human towns, using their innate advantages to harm ordinary people.
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