Chapter 147
Lu Li carried Lang Ze and Xing Xing away, their figures fading into the blood mist. Xue Wei watched them disappear, only turning her gaze back after a long moment.
“Langze and Xing Xing are safe… but what about Chirp Chirp?” she muttered, glancing around at the hazy mist. Her eyes were filled with unease, and deep-seated fear made her body tremble slightly.
If something happens to Chirp Chirp too… If something happens to Chirp Chirp…
The image of the spaceship carrying her parents exploding before her eyes resurfaced in her mind. Xue Wei shivered, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I… I’m going to find it…”
Choking on her words, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and took a step toward the red mist.
But just as she moved forward, she felt something wrap around her. Looking down, she saw the slender tail of the Crimson Flame Tiger coiled gently around her waist.
“Lie Lie…” She turned back, her tearful eyes locking onto Ran Lie.
Ran Lie stiffened noticeably. He instinctively wanted to release his tail but ultimately restrained himself.
“You’re not in the right state. Don’t go,” he said in a low voice.
Xue Wei sniffled. “Lie Lie, thank you for caring about me, but Chirp Chirp…”
Ran Lie did care, of course, but his primary concern was the danger. With Su Su absent, if Xue Wei stayed in the blood mist any longer and triggered a bloodline frenzy…
With her strength, none of them here would be able to stop her.
Having spent the most time at the Breeding Facility, Ran Lie knew all too well what it felt like to be consumed by the red mist and lose control. The memory of that uncontrollable madness and the destructive urges it brought still sent chills down his spine.
“Do you have any special way of sensing it, something that could help you locate it quickly?” Ran Lie asked.
Xue Wei dejectedly shook her head.
She had a tracking ring attached to Chirp Chirp’s paw, but it had been broken by some other younglings back when she was at the orphanage.
“If you don’t, it’s going to be very hard to find it. And…” Ran Lie scanned the area with his spiritual power. “It’s probably not nearby.”
“Then where could it be? Do you think it got eaten by a monster?” Tears began to stream down Xue Wei’s cheeks at the thought.
“Don’t let your mind go there,” Ran Lie said firmly. “Stay here. I’ll go look for it.”
“But…”
Xue Wei moved to follow, but Ran Lie stopped her with a stern tone. “You’re not in a good state right now. Going into the blood mist could be dangerous—not just for you but for everyone else as well.”
Seeing the redness in her eyes, Ran Lie softened his voice.
“Stay here and wait. I’ll find it.”
Not wanting to cause trouble for anyone, Xue Wei reluctantly nodded and stayed on the purified ground, watching as the Crimson Flame Tiger disappeared into the mist.
With his growing mastery over the power of Crimson Flame and the mental discipline honed through the Buddhist Heart-Cultivation Technique, Ran Lie could now traverse the blood mist with minimal impact.
He released his spiritual power, scanning the area in search of the plump little Chirp Chirp.
Along the way, Ran Lie encountered Yan Ping, Yun Zixu, and others who were preparing to escort the wounded to the medical center. He paused for a moment, uncertain.
Ran Lie still felt awkward around the adults at the base. Although they had fought side by side in a surprisingly coordinated battle earlier, there was little camaraderie outside of that. The memories of past treatment lingered in his mind.
He wanted to leave without further interaction, but someone called out to him.
“Ran Lie?” Yan Ping said. “That’s the name caretaker Su gave you, right?”
Ran Lie hesitated mid-step, turning his head slightly. His tiger eyes showed a distinctly human-like expression.
“Yeah,” he replied coldly.
Behind Yan Ping, a few of the team members who were initially nervous about him speaking up now froze in surprise.
Not everyone had fought alongside Ran Lie or witnessed the earlier battle. Some still regarded the Crimson Flame Tiger with wariness and hostility. But the interaction wasn’t unfolding as they’d imagined.
Yan Ping continued, “Are you injured? Do you need to come with us to the medical center?”
Even if he wasn’t visibly hurt, his fully beastified state technically made it against regulations for him to remain at the Nursery Facility.
But Ran Lie flatly refused. “No, I don’t.”
Realizing his tone was harsher than intended, Ran Lie paused, glanced away, and added, “I’m not hurt. I don’t need treatment.”
Yan Ping couldn’t help but find the little tiger’s sulky demeanor amusing. Behind him, Xun Xiaoyu—who was being carried by a teammate—looked utterly shocked, as if she’d discovered a new world.
She knew exactly what Ran Lie had been like before. He was still prideful, but at least now he could hold a proper conversation!
“Are you facing any difficulties? Do you need help?” Yan Ping asked.
Ran Lie blinked, looking at Yan Ping and then at the adults standing behind him. Their gazes held curiosity, surprise, even delight—but none of the fear or disgust he used to see.
Something subtle shifted in Ran Lie’s heart.
After a moment’s thought, he decided to ask, “Have you seen a small white bird? It’s plump and tiny.”
Yan Ping hesitated. “Why are you looking for this bird?”
“Its owner is searching for it. She’s worried.”
Hearing this, Yan Ping’s expression softened further. “We haven’t seen it, but I can ask others to help you look.”
He continued, “When and where did you last see it or hear it?”
Ran Lie shook his head. “I don’t know. I need to go back and ask her.”
“Alright. Once you’ve asked, let me know through the base AI,” Yan Ping said with a gentle smile.
The tiger cub, who was usually quick to bare his teeth and snap back at harsh words, now found himself instinctively taking a step back in response to Yan Ping’s warm smile.
“Do you know how to contact the base AI?” Yan Ping asked.
“Yes.”
With that, Ran Lie flicked his tail and turned to flee in a hurry.
Even in his Crimson Flame Tiger form, the panic in his eyes didn’t escape Yun Zixu’s sharp observation. Watching the little tiger dash off, Yun Zixu glanced at Yan Ping.
The normally stoic captain had already wiped the smile from his face, returning to his usual serious demeanor.
“Look at you. That grin of yours scared the poor kid off,” Yun Zixu couldn’t resist teasing.
Ignoring him, Yan Ping lowered his head to dial his communicator. He relayed instructions to the operations team members stationed at the Nursery Facility to keep an eye out for the little sparrow.
Meanwhile, the others present began whispering among themselves.
“That little tiger is so adorable!”
“Yeah, totally different from what we’d heard before!”
“He’s incredible in battle—seems like he’s been trained. Definitely lives up to the name of a Beastblood Warrior!”
“I recorded a clip earlier. Want to see it?”
“Share it in the group! Post all the videos of the younglings fighting earlier!”
The younglings not only possessed incredible and mysterious powers, but every one of them was unbelievably cute. Anyone who saw them couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection—especially the female warriors, whose maternal instincts seemed to explode.
Even though the Crimson Flame Tiger’s form could be intimidating, for these battle-hardened soldiers, once the danger was removed, the majestic big cat became even more endearing.
What’s more, this “big cat” was still in kindergarten and had a childish, boyish voice when it spoke!
How could anyone not feel the urge to dote on and protect him?
To think the younglings from the Nursery Facility were not only this capable but also this adorable! Their previous assumptions about them had been entirely wrong.
Not far away, Ran Lie’s round ears perked up, catching every word of the conversation behind him. His already hurried steps quickened further.
What was wrong with these adults? Of course, he was strong! But… cute? That word had no business being associated with him, the mighty Crimson Flame Tiger!
Despite his internal protests, his eyes seemed a little brighter than before, and no matter how hard he tried to maintain his composure, a faint hint of bashfulness flickered across his expression.
If the young tiger had been in his human form, his ears would likely have turned bright red by now.
When Xue Wei saw Ran Lie return, that was exactly what she thought. Of course, she didn’t dare voice this observation aloud in front of him.
As Ran Lie spotted Xue Wei, he quickly adjusted his emotions and opened his mouth to speak. But before he could say anything—
“Meow~”
A soft, kittenish meow sounded, catching Xue Wei off guard, while Ran Lie… was completely petrified.
How could I accidentally let that slip? And in front of Xue Wei!
Xue Wei, who had been fretting about Chirp Chirp just moments ago, was completely distracted by the unexpectedly soft and adorable sound that was so unlike Ran Lie’s usual demeanor.
Wow, Lie Lie’s voice is so cute!
Meeting her sparkling gaze, Ran Lie took a deep breath and pretended as if nothing had happened. He quickly relayed Yan Ping’s questions instead.
Xue Wei straightened up, recalling, “The last time I think I heard Chirp Chirp’s call was… when Brother A-Yan was in trouble!”
“Could it have followed Su Su?” Ran Lie speculated.
Xue Wei’s face turned pale. “If it did, could something have happened to Chirp Chirp?”
“With Su Su there, what’s there to worry about?” Ran Lie said without hesitation. His resolute tone seemed to calm Xue Wei as well.
“You’re right. With Su Su there, Chirp Chirp will definitely be fine!” She wiped her tears and looked at the little tiger. “Lie Lie, thank you.”
Ran Lie turned his face away. “I didn’t really do anything…”
At that moment, his ears twitched, and Xue Wei’s rabbit ears perked straight up as they both turned toward the Nursery Facility.
“Su Su is back!”
The cheerful voices of the younglings in the Nursery Facility could be faintly heard through the air.
Xue Wei’s face lit up, and she was about to dash toward the Nursery Facility when she felt something wrap around her waist. Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground and found herself on the back of the Crimson Flame Tiger.
“I’ll take you back. Hold on tight!” Ran Lie said.
He broke into a run, bounding through the blood mist. With the jolting motion, Xue Wei instinctively leaned forward and hugged the little tiger tightly—not daring to pull on his fur, knowing her own strength.
Her face nestled into the soft, fluffy fur of the tiger, and for a moment…
This is so comfortable!
The thought of running her hands through the soft white fur on Ran Lie’s chest flickered through her mind—fur that looked incredibly smooth and pleasant to the touch.
Of course, as soon as the thought surfaced, she shook her head vigorously to push it out of her mind.
No way! Lie Lie would never allow that!
Besides, now’s not the time to think about such things!
Ran Lie had no idea what was going through Xue Wei’s mind. His decision to carry her back was solely out of concern that prolonged exposure to the blood mist might trigger a bloodline frenzy in her.
Even though Su Su had returned, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
Ran Lie sprinted quickly, and before long, they reached the Nursery Facility’s entrance. Recognizing his return, the greenhouse doors automatically opened to let him in.
Without stopping, Ran Lie followed the cheerful voices to the back of the Nursery Facility. As he rounded the corner, his gaze landed on a figure sitting calmly on the greenfield, dressed in a gray-blue uniform.
The younglings who had remained in the Nursery Facility were gathered around the youth, chirping excitedly.
Ran Lie noticed the youth holding a fluffy little black bundle in his palm, gently stroking the small cat. The kitten, clearly timid, showed no signs of resisting.
Where’s Brother A-Yan?
Ran Lie looked around, and then he heard a familiar voice beside him.
“Lie Lie, Wei Wei.”
The warm, soothing tone carried a touch of maturity compared to before but was just as familiar and comforting.
They’re safe. Relief washed over Ran Lie. Brother A-Yan and Su Su are both back, safe and sound!
