A burst of spiritual energy exploded within the rocky gorge, kicking thick dust into the air. The Stone Serpent let out a furious roar, thrashing its massive, armor-plated tail to shatter the surrounding cliffs.Debris showered down like shrapnel, slicing through the air with a sharp hum. Meiyara leaped back gracefully, her blade whistling as it deflected the flying rock shards hurtling toward her.At the same time, a white silhouette darted through the shadows of the cliffs like a flash of silver lightning.Using the rock wall as a springboard, Ren Arka lunged from the monster's blind spot. His front claws gleamed with razor-sharp energy, tearing through the weakest point of the armor at the base of the Stone Serpent's neck in a single, precise swipe.A deafening crash echoed through the gorge. The monster's massive body slammed into the ground, sending violent tremors that cracked the earth before it finally lay motionless.The dust slowly settled, leaving behind the acrid scent of

Meiyara sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder in the deepest recess of the cave. A dense, silvery spiritual mist slowly coalesced around her, enveloping the girl's figure until she blurred behind a veil of magical energy.The steady circulation of pure energy rippled outward, casting a serene calm over the chilly cavern air.A few paces away, Ren Arka watched the scene without blinking.He remained in the form of an adolescent spiritual white tiger, draped in snow-white fur with jet-black stripes tracing along his back.'Looks like the purification process is going very smoothly,' Ren Arka thought to himself, a satisfied look gracing his adorable face.The young white tiger kept his gaze fixed on Meiyara for several minutes to ensure her condition remained stable.Suddenly, his furry ears twitched as he sensed a familiar ripple of aura appearing at the cave's entrance.'Sister Sakura?' he thought eagerly.Wasting no time, Ren Arka scrambled to his feet and padded out through the cor

Ren Arka's eyelids fluttered open as his scattered consciousness pieced itself back together. His blurred vision gradually made out the damp, cold walls of the cave."What happened? My body feels weird," he mumbled softly. His deep baritone voice sounded utterly foreign to his own ears.Ren Arka pressed his palms against the rocky ground, trying to push himself up. His newly formed joints stiffened abruptly, completely devoid of motor coordination.Thud!His balance gave out in an instant, sending his knees crashing hard against the dirt. A dull ache shot up his legs."Hmm?"Ren Arka raised both hands before his eyes to inspect the anomaly. A pair of hands with five slender fingers and fair, clean skin spread out before him.Gone were the cold-blooded, vicious claws. Gone were the thick scales that had once enveloped his true form.In that moment, he fully realized he had transformed into a complete humanoid.His gaze drifted down toward his lower half. A wave of shock hit him when he

Crisp footsteps landed on the white stone stairs of the Heavenly Gem Sect. A mountain breeze brushed against a golden robe that swept across the slick marble.Two gate guards suddenly dropped to their knees. Their iron armor clattered loudly against the stone floor, kicking up a thin cloud of dust.Long spears automatically crossed, metal blades blocking the entrance to the main gate.Meiyara stopped in her tracks without changing her expression. Her long hair fluttered in the wind.Arka stood two steps behind her. He casually observed the golden dragon carvings on a massive pillar.Meiyara gave a slow nod toward the two guards."The man behind me is my guest," Meiyara said coldly. "There's no need to inspect him."The two guards exchanged looks behind their steel helmets, the muscles in their necks tensing up."But—""I'll take full responsibility if anything happens," Meiyara cut in quickly.The guards' shoulders slumped instantly. They bowed their heads even lower toward the cold m

"Junior Brother Arka, I'll be in your care for the next few days." A strikingly pretty girl greeted Arka warmly in the sect courtyard.Standing around five-foot-five, she had a slender, graceful figure. Her porcelain skin caught the morning light with a flawless, radiant glow.Her long blue hair was tied into a neat ponytail that bounced with a lively rhythm to every step she took.With supple hips, mesmerizing curves, and an ample bust that naturally drew the eye, she was practically the textbook definition of effortlessly gorgeous and sexy."I should be the one saying that, Senior Sister Yaya," Arka replied with a faint smile, offering a polite bow."Hehehe, you can just call me Big Sister Yaya," she chuckled, covering her lips with slender fingers. "And I'll call you Little Brother Arka." She tilted her head playfully and gave him a charming wink."All right, Big Sister Yaya," Arka sighed in mild resignation, caught off guard by just how relaxed and friendly his senior was."Mm-hmm