Meeting the Young Miss' Master

All of a sudden, Hana was assaulted with a strong sensation; it clouded her senses and made her feel extremely unwell. The soul-link between her and Kuro had been terminated prematurely. She tried to reconnect again and again but was helpless as she nearly fainted every single time when she failed. Her lips were pale as green veins protruded on her temples. Her limbs started to shake, and her head felt heavy; as if a thousand blunt hammers were hitting her non-stop.

Seeing that something wasn't right with his Mistress, Shiro immediately approached her with a worried look. [Are you alright, Mom? What happen?]

"Suddenly I am disconnected from your brother. I tried to reconnect, but it just didn't happen." She spoke worriedly with a frail voice. She was trying hard to stop herself from collapsing. She had been formulating her thoughts before she could give additional instruction to Kuro before they disconnected. Unexpectedly, conversing telepathically became a tad bit too painful with the continuous assaulting headache. Hence, Hana opted for speaking out loud.

Shiro observed his Mom's pale complexion and came to a realization. Hana must've overexerted herself. No matter what, she had just been introduced into the world of beast cultivation. Although they had tried to nourish her soul, body, and mind progressively, she was still considered a newborn in this field. It was, after all, not more than six days of vigorous cultivation with his elder brother. Connecting to Kuro for a prolonged period would've taxed her infantile-level mental and soul power. Even her body was showing signs of not being able to keep up with the overexertion.

[Mom, I think you should rest. Please sleep for a while after a meal. Your body had shown signs of collapsing again.] Shiro spoke quietly.

"Nonsense! I'm as fit as a bull!" Hana jokingly posed and flexed her biceps extravagantly like how bodybuilding contestants show off their muscles during a contest. She nearly toppled down from the severe headache but was timely supported by the bushy white fox with an anxiety-filled expression. Hana blushed and was speechless with her own shameful acts.

"Err... I guess you're right. Do you think your brother will be alright?" She asked hopefully with distress.

[Ah, I see. She was just too worried about Elder Brother.] A little bit of bitterness clouded Shiro's, innocent heart.

[Don't you worry Mom. Elder Brother is the strongest in this area, beside the old fish from last time, I guess. The Elemental Fiend's Queen is just a low leveled spiritual beast, while the rest are not even true spirit beasts. Even if he got swarmed, don't forget he could fly. Pretty fast as well. I'm sure he can get away if he wanted to.] It'll be a sight to behold if the proud elder brother of his needed to run for his life. Shiro didn't believe that other spirit beasts could harm that tyrannical brother of his even if there were tens and thousands of them. He knew that if such circumstances did occur, Kuro would have a life-saving secret art that he could use to save his life. Just like him.

...

"Excuse me. Is anyone home?" The arrival of the morning sun brought about the presence of Ara's new attendant at the edge of the Crystal-veined stream. He had floated through a pleasing-looking stone path towards the center of the snake's lair with apprehension in his heart.

Little Chomper had finally reached the lair of his Young Miss' Master. He was looking up from the bottom of the one-story mini sword-like 'mountain'. His voice was so soft as he involuntary shook like a leaf billowing in summer. He was just a small-time subordinate, with next to no power at all, either in terms of raw strength or spiritual powers. Even the trick to traverse on land was just learned from his Young Miss. The other hidden experts around closed their faces in shame from the poor snakehead's cowardly disposition. It was too painful to see. Without even meeting the tyrannical snake's group, the little fish had already besmirched their supposedly mighty reputation.

Little Chomper gulped in fear. He could feel the temperature reduced slightly as a beautiful white bushy creature with branch-like horns walked out from the rectangular-shaped doorway above. Its sharp eyes and menacing posture had successfully intimidated Chomper into submission. He could feel the same pressure from the Grand Elder coming from the white creature!

Shiro lazily scrutinized the dark green with blackish spots fish floating in a tiny bubble from the top of the artificial 'hill'. He was quite displeased with the sudden appearance of the fish as Mom had only drifted to sleep just a moment ago. Although the fish had an ugly-looking face; he surprisingly got a tiny resemblance to his mean elder brother. However, he saw only timidity and submission in this one's gaze.

However, from his keen senses, he had already detected several other fishes and crabs staying hidden in the vicinity; those were a couple of times stronger than this little minnow. If it was not because he knew that Mom's last slave was a fish, he would've caught this one and asked Mom to stew it on the spot.

Ara's status in his heart would remain a 'slave' unless she managed to prove herself to him, especially by devotion and heartfelt will to protect and care for their mommy. He snorted in undisguised disdain. Within his eyes, these 'seafood' were just helpless weak fowls he could strangle at will. However, he still maintained his cordiality due to the presence of the two old fogies within the nouveau-riche clan members. He scrunched his brow and asked with vigilance, "Yes? You are...?"

"Ah, Exalted Sir, this little me is known as Chomper, the Young Miss Aranyella Waterwave's new attendant." Little Chomper introduced himself properly without skimping on courtesy.

"Who??" Shiro made a blank expression. Weren't these seafood the little slave's clan members?

"You knew her as 'Ara', Exalted Sir." Chomper helpfully reminded.

"Ah, I see." Only after so long did Shiro knew the little slave's real name. It was actually quite regal; befitting a rich princess of the Waterwave Marine Clan. Shiro could feel a slight amusement in his heart. What a name, it even sounded rich; very fitting as a cash cow for them. Shiro was laughing at others but had forgotten how cincai the name he got from Hana was. He had never divulged his previous name; to him, his previous self had already died, and he has been reborn as 'Shiro', the guardian of his new parent and master, Hana.

"And, you are here for?"

"This lowly self has some little items sent over by the Young Miss; as a token of remembrance. I also had a message for the distinguished Master as per the Young Miss' instruction." The well-oiled strings of words spoken by little Chomper were surprising pleasing to hear, making Shiro satisfied inwardly. Even his gaze had softened a little. This little minnow was more prudent than the little slave; he knew where he stood and even acting servile and humble all the way.

"Wait here. The Mistress is resting for the time being. When I summon you later, then you can enter to meet her yourself."

"This humble one understands. Thank you for your consideration. Little me will wait by the river if Exalted Sir don't mind. This is because, little me is too weak to maintain the water-air levitation spell since little me is just a nobody." He bowed embarrassingly.

"Hey, you weaklings! You heard him?! Come help him reinforced the water bubble, now!" Shiro spoke loudly with intimidation. Chomper froze on the spot with a stunned expression laced with fear. He couldn't fathom why this creature acted like this.

A few seconds passed by before a silver catfish with scars all over its body floated over with a disconcerted look. "Exalted Sir. We offer our deepest apology for being rude. I am known as Mekong, the head of the security escort for the Young Miss' attendant. As per the Grand Elder's instruction, we're supposed to protect Chomper from the shadows."

Shiro snorted, "With your level, can you do anything if I want to eat the minnow?"

Shiro's unbridled question made both Chomper and Mekong froze on the spot. The silver catfish showed an unsightly expression; this was an insult of the highest degree. However, he chose not to answer as not to offend this creature. He knew he was just a low leveled spirit beast in the eye of this foreign creature. The truth felt like a hot knife searing his heart. After all, a lot of things were at stake. He couldn't afford to sour the connection between the princess of the clan with the expert she had pledged over as a disciple just for his pride.

Looking at how the silver catfish trying hard to suppress itself, Shiro felt funny inside. Not to prolong their exchanges and just let it off, he continued, "Let's stop it right here before things turn south. Help this minnow now, then retreat to the river. I don't want to see any of you in our territory. Only the minnow can stay. Once he's done, I'll let him return."

"But, it's the Grand Elder's order.."

"No buts." Shiro dismissed the silver catfish's words. "You think I can't protect him? Or you think I'll eat him?"

A myriad of expressions was shown on Mekong's face. He sighed and looked sympathetically at Chomper. [It's the little one's fate to survive now.]

Without saying a word, Mekong opened his mouth and blast Chomper's water bubble with the water-air levitation spell to reinforce it before retreating. He spoke to Chomper, "Little one, my water-air levitation spell can withstand for three days. Before the third day, if your business is not done, come by the river and I'll help you reinforce it again. Take care." Mekong signaled to his other teammates and a group of seven strong freshwater soldiers followed him, rapidly retreating to the edge of the Crystal-veined stream.

...

Hana stretched her body and sighed in delight as her eyelashes fluttered a few times before she opened her eyes. She had just woken from a night of sweet and deep sleep. Although she had no dreams that she remembered, she felt very refreshed. True to Shiro's suggestions, it really turned out that she just needed a good rest. She habitually fetched her smartphone to look at the time.

Gosh! She had slept five-hour straight!

Immediately her eyes swept the inner cave-dwelling frantically to look for her cherished pet snake. Kuro was not back yet! Only Shiro was around not far from her, busily attending to the fireplace.

"Shi-chan! Where's your brother? Is he not back yet? Will he be alright?" Hana worriedly asked.

"No worries, Mom. I'm sure he's fine. Anyway, I think you should be able to re-connect to him to ask, right? However, at the moment, we have a guest now so that will need to wait. Come in little Chomper."

A little startled, her interest was piqued when she saw a tiny blackish-green head peeked from outside the doorway. Her heart was moved as it really looked like a snake! However, when the creature timidly went inside, she could only sigh when she realized it was only a snakehead fish. Snakehead fish is a freshwater fish which can grow very large due to its bloodthirsty nature; they were the local tyrant of the river. She had never tasted the flesh, but people said it didn't taste so good. Her heart dimmed a little as her hope to see her little pet snake was dashed ruthlessly.

Gathering up her will, she spoke amiably to the little snakehead, "Hello there, I'm Hana. Anyway, could you wait a lil bit. I need to contact my little boy to make sure he's alright and then we will talk okay."

At the side, Shiro translated Hana's sentences word by word.

...