Chapter 14: Cat Demon_1

Although it was just a simple makeup application, the makeup artist and stylist spent more time on Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu due to their exceptional looks.

By the time they emerged looking completely transformed, Li Pin had been waiting for nearly an hour in the waiting room outside.

Even Li Pin, whose sole focus was on the pursuit of life's desires, was taken aback when he saw Li Yunyao coming out of the makeup room.

Now, Li Yunyao sported a classic hairstyle, her bangs slightly tilted to either side and her head adorned with a purple hairband embellished with cherry blossoms.

Her previously free-flowing hair now tied at the sides into sleek ponytails that draped down along her collarbones, providing a striking contrast against her dewy, porcelain complexion.

The orange dress she wore beneath a pink coat combined elements of gentleness and cuteness.

Especially when she stepped out, watching Li Pin with a shy smile on her face, her joy emanating from within instantly filled the entire waiting room with an aura of spring brilliance.

With the change into traditional attire, Li Yunyao seemed to have become more restrained. There was an air of scholarly refinement about her, hinting at her background as a well-bred lady.

Taking small steps, she stepped forward and asked with anticipation, raising her head, "Brother, how do I look?"

"A bashful smile blooms alluringly, her slender waist leaning in as though inebriated," Li Pin valuated with amusement.

Listening to this, Li Yunyao twirled around joyfully, lifting the hem of her skirt, "Brother, as long as you like it."

At this time, Lin Xiaolu also emerged from the room.

Granted, her looks were indeed inferior to Li Yunyao's, but she exuded a petite and delicate aura. Donning traditional attire, and with the makeup artist purposefully highlighting these qualities, she evoked a kind of tender sympathy at first sight.

"Beautiful," Li Pin praised while smiling.

At this moment, a woman who seemed to be in her thirties also followed them out.

She was their stylist.

"Sir, is she your sister? I have to say, her natural qualities are excellent," she expressed genuinely.

However, she soon appeared to notice something, her gaze sweeping over Li Pin. She then voiced her regret earnestly, "Sir, your hairstyle, outfit, and your current appearance, temperament, and spirit are not aligned...Please give me a chance. I can guarantee to increase your style points by at least 10."

"It's not necessary," Li Pin said.

His whole family was naturally good looking.

Previously, Li Pin was introverted, not very outgoing, and didn't particularly enjoy dressing up. So to others, he was just slightly better looking than the average person.

However, as Li Pin began to practice martial arts, his demeanor changed. He became more positive, confident, and high-spirited. Even without much attention to his grooming, his inherent charm was nevertheless manifested.

But...

He didn't want to become an idol, so why bother dressing up so elaborately?

Being comfortable with his appearance was enough.

"Sir..."

"Let's take the photos. We need to get going after we're done," Li Pin said.

Seeing this, the woman could only express her regret.

Soon, the two of them followed the shop staff to a nearby arched bridge and took a few photos. They also took a few shots at the front of the shop and inside.

Their stunning looks and stylish poses easily overshadowed the six girls from earlier, naturally attracting more attention from passersby.

A toddler girl, about four or five years old, even walked up and asked for a photo with Li Yunyao under her mother's encouragement.

Holding the little girl, Li Yunyao was overjoyed.

Her pretty face was filled with a radiant smile.

For his part, Li Pin became an emotionless photographer, capturing all of these beautiful moments.

The only thing he regretted was not bringing a professional camera.

...

After nearly an hour of photo-taking, Li Yunyao was thoroughly satisfied.

They wandered around a bit more, and Li Pin took them to dinner, and then to experience a VR magical journey. Before they knew it, it was already past 10 o'clock.

Considering the spaciousness of his apartment.

He took the two to his apartment, staying the night on the sofa himself.

The next day, Li Pin took Li Yunyao around the nearby sights. In the afternoon, they bought some local specialties, and at around four o'clock, they boarded the bus back to their hometown.

Liuchuan County was over eighty kilometers from Zanglong City. The bus they took at 4:10 pm, if all went well, would reach before six.

Their family originally lived in Sanshun Town, under the jurisdiction of Liuchuan County. However, recently Liuchuan County incorporated Sanshun Town into the county, and urban-rural buses were established. The township was about ten kilometers away and it took half an hour to get there by bus.

At 6:05, after much ado, Li Pin, Li Yunyao, and Lin Xiaolu boarded the last bus out of the small county town.

"I can't wait to get home. It feels like it's been so long even though we've only been gone a day."

Li Yunyao seemed very excited on the bus.

Li Pin, on the other hand, was looking out the window.

He remembered some of these scenes, but he didn't have the same emotional connection to this land as Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu did.

"Yunyao, what university are you planning to apply to?"

"Um... "

Li Yunyao's excitement seemed to be doused with cold water.

After a moment, she replied hesitantly, "I guess I'll see what college I get into... "

Out of the three siblings in the Li family, apart from Li Pin, Li Yunyao and Li Yunyan were not good at studying.

Li Yunyan, who was three years older than Li Pin, didn't go to college due to their financial situation and started working.

He had left to work in Jiangzhou City, the capital, a year ago.

Li Pin did not recite the old saying about the importance of education.

He simply responded, "Just keep studying for now."

"Okay."

Li Yunyao nodded firmly.

Then, she secretly glanced at Li Pin and asked, "Brother, do you think I could learn martial arts?"

"You?"

Li Pin looked at her.

Li Yunyao was very lively and active.

But it was a bit of an overstatement to suggest that those traits equated to being able to learn martial arts. The hardships that come with martial arts training should not be underestimated.

However...

It's not a bad thing for a girl to learn some self-defense skills.

"When we get home and have some free time, I'll think about it," Li Pin said.

He had an idea about another use for his "talent".

Whether it could be implemented or not, only time and testing would tell.

At that moment, the bus suddenly slowed down.

This was accompanied by a rising hubbub up ahead.

"Why have we stopped?"

Li Yunyao queried.

"Run! It's a Cat Demon! The Cat Demon is huge, bigger than a leopard! It has killed several people! Hide quickly!"

"Didn't they say it was killed half a month ago? How is there another one?"

The panicked screams echoed in the distance.

Accompanying them were people running scared in every direction.

"A Cat Demon!?"

Li Pin's face changed instantly.

The advent of the Star God not only brought about the Star Refiner system for humans but also triggered a new evolution for other animals and plants, and even foreign species, which were bathed in starlight just like humans.

All creatures and foreign species that could bathe in starlight like human Star Refiners were collectively called Beast Monsters.

Even though Beast Monsters do not actively study cultivation techniques like humans, and are generally considered weaker than humans, their ferocity is still beyond the reach of ordinary martial artists.

Cat Demons were among the most common Beast Monsters.

They were domestic and wild cats that had transformed after being bathed in starlight.

Just as Li Pin remembered this information about Cat Demons, he saw a creature that looked like a cat but stood upright. It was about a meter and six tall and was rushing towards them with an unbelievable speed.

Its feline agility in no way diminished because it ran upright.