The Phantom Leopard shivered all over. What was happening? It was the human's voice. She could understand beast language and even communicate with them?
The next moment, the Phantom Leopard found his entire body frozen. He struggled desperately, but it seemed useless. This woman's power was overwhelming!
It was over. They should never have approached her. This time, they were doomed. With a tragic roar, the Phantom Leopard shouted toward his companions, "Run! Run quickly!"
The little beasts stirred in a flurry.
Yun Jin could not help but chuckle.
These little beasts were quite loyal.
She casually tossed the Phantom Leopard onto the bouncing trampoline. "Enough. With your strength, if I really wanted to do anything, you wouldn't even survive."
"Heyo heyo."
The three little ones continued bouncing beside the trampoline. The Phantom Leopard was flung into the air by them, then landed repeatedly, a confused expression forming on his face.
Where was he?
Who was he?
What was he doing?
"Human! I will not be fooled by your sweet words!" the Phantom Leopard roared. Though he did not understand why, the woman indeed understood their spirit beast language. He had to make his stance clear!
No sooner had he spoken than the Spike Deer leapt onto the trampoline, jumping forcefully beside him.
The Phantom Leopard helplessly shot into the air.
"Little Sister, you…" he tried reasoning.
But the Spike Deer bounced again.
The Phantom Leopard went airborne once more.
"Big Brother, this is so fun, hahahaha!" the Spike Deer squealed.
The Phantom Leopard ground his teeth.
Enough is enough!
He launched a counterattack. He bounced heavily beside the Spike Deer, and this time, she flew into the air instead.
The Spike Deer was fearless, only more delighted.
The little beasts watching from afar were speechless.
"Just now, did the boss tell us to run?"
"That's what he said… but he seemed to be having fun himself."
"Maybe we heard wrong?"
"We must have heard wrong!"
"Come on, let's all go play."
The little beasts dashed toward the lake.
Splashing, the lake erupted with life as the little beasts tumbled in.
The Phantom Leopard was dumbfounded. How did they all come over?
This human is dangerous! Wasn't he telling the little beasts to run?
"Boss, you're playing secretly and not calling us."
"Exactly!"
"So fun!"
Voices rose all around.
The Phantom Leopard froze. Was he even playing anymore?
Thinking this, he instinctively bounced. The next moment, he realized… he was actually enjoying himself. He glanced warily at Yun Jin. This woman was tempting them. She surely had another motive.
Noticing the Phantom Leopard's wary gaze, Yun Jin made a playful face at him.
The Phantom Leopard frowned. Her power was immense, yet she seemed a little childish. It made sense. Without some childishness, she couldn't have thought up all these strange games.
A mature and steady beast like him would not normally be interested in such games… he…
Just as the Phantom Leopard thought this, a water ball landed on him.
Looking up, he saw… the Spike Deer again!
He grabbed a water ball and began to retaliate.
By the time he realized it, he was playing joyfully with Huan Huan, Gun Gun, and the others.
-
Night fell.
Yun Jin caught some small fish and roasted them by the lake.
Gun Gun and Huan Huan waited obediently.
The Phantom Leopard remained cautious with the other little beasts. Even after an afternoon of play, he would never trust a human.
"Do you want some grilled fish?" Yun Jin glanced at him.
"We certainly…" the Phantom Leopard opened his mouth to refuse.
"Yes yes yes!" the Spike Deer rushed over.
Yun Jin smiled and handed her a grilled fish. Ordinary deer usually did not eat meat. However, this Spike Deer, though not highly cultivated, had reached the Foundation Establishment stage and had fully awakened her spirit. These spirit-awakened former herbivores were not picky anymore.
Yun Jin gave the grilled fish to her four spirit beasts and slowly ate one herself. The grill was full of fish, sending up a constant, delicious aroma. Nearby, the sound of swallowing filled the air.
Yun Jin pretended not to hear.
"Boss, I… I want some too," a little beast said in a plaintive voice.
"See, Little Sister ate it and nothing happened."
"This human really is a good person!"
The Phantom Leopard immediately warned, "You've all been deceived. The better she hides her intentions, the greater her schemes…"
Before he could finish, a little beast approached Yun Jin.
Yun Jin smiled and handed him a grilled fish.
The Phantom Leopard groaned. "Fine, fine. Another traitor appears. Listen up, the rest of you. We must not be deceived…"
Before he finished speaking, all the little beasts had already gathered around Yun Jin.
The Phantom Leopard fell silent. He was a mature and steady Phantom Leopard. Unlike these useless little beasts, he would never be tricked by this woman.
Half an hour later,
The Phantom Leopard held a grilled fish, savoring it: delicious!
After this meal, Gun Gun, normally shy, danced the rainbow dance among the little beasts.
The Spike Deer cheered loudly, shouting until her throat nearly cracked.
Other little beasts began showing their own unique tricks.
Soon, the two groups of little beasts were linking shoulders and enjoying themselves together.
Yun Jin watched, smiling quietly.
The Phantom Leopard walked to Yun Jin, speaking in a low voice, "I know you are playing a big game. But I… will never be fooled."
Yun Jin glanced at him.
"I know you understand beast language. Don't pretend you don't!" the Phantom Leopard warned.
Yun Jin tapped his head playfully. "So really, with your cultivation, what exactly is worth my scheming?"
"If you were taken out to be sold, you could fetch a high price! I'll tell you, this place is already near the inner zone. If you try anything, our king will not let you off," the Phantom Leopard cautioned.
"Alright, alright," Yun Jin said casually. "You scared me. I definitely won't do that."
The Phantom Leopard grumbled, "Woman, you're just brushing me off."
Yun Jin rolled her eyes. "What else?"
The Phantom Leopard fell silent.
After a long moment, he said in a low voice, "Whatever your purpose, tomorrow I will take them away."
"Good," Yun Jin agreed, picking up a grilled fish. "The fish are ready. Want some cumin?"
"A lot," the Phantom Leopard responded instinctively.
Then, a slightly embarrassed expression crossed his face.
Yun Jin laughed and handed him the fish.
The Phantom Leopard wanted to refuse, but the aroma was too irresistible.
"I still won't be fooled by you," he declared, retreating to a corner to eat.
Not letting Yun Jin see him enjoy the grilled fish was his final act of stubbornness.