The creature was no larger than a fist, covered in pale yellow fur. Its stubby limbs—front paws half the size of its hind legs—twitched nervously. Oversized, luminous eyes dominated its round face, framed by pointed ears that twitched with curiosity. Its fluffy, squirrel-like tail swished behind it. At first glance, it resembled an impossibly adorable chubby mouse…
Lin Feng's jaw dropped.
"Holy… Pikachu?!"
Yes. This creature looked exactly like the iconic electric rodent from Earth's anime—save for its non-lightning-shaped tail. Even the red "cheek spots" matched.
Did Pokémon cross into the Yueyun Realm? Is it a transmigrator too?
The absurd thought flickered and died. Coincidence, surely. Yet the resemblance was uncanny.
"Kyuu?"
The creature stopped struggling, tilting its head. Its pleading eyes locked onto Lin Feng's, accompanied by a soft, ingratiating chirp.
"…"
Lin Feng blinked, momentarily disarmed. Shaking off his shock, he muttered, "What are you? A Tier 2 demon beast? Did you really steal my breakthrough energy last night?"
He'd studied bestiaries covering Qingyun City's local fauna. Nothing matched this… thing. Either it was rare—or too insignificant to document.
Cuteness aside, its actions spoke volumes. This thing hijacked a Foundation Establishment breakthrough!
"Kyuu…"
Another pitiful squeak. Lin Feng sighed.
"You nearly ruined my cultivation. But… I succeeded anyway. Fine. I'll let you go." He loosened his grip. "Blame your Pikachu face."
The creature plopped into the powder below, sneezing adorably as dust clouded around it. Instead of fleeing, it leaped onto Lin Feng's lap, clinging to his robes with tiny claws.
"You… want to stay?!"
The creature nodded vigorously, nuzzling his chest.
"You understand speech?!" Lin Feng lifted it eye-level, scrutinizing. "Ordinary demon beasts don't have such intelligence. Are you a… spirit beast?!"
Spirit beasts—legendary creatures with human-like wit—were rarities. Taming one could grant a formidable ally. Most spirit beast companions were raised from infancy using obscure the beast-taming arts. Yet this creature seemed to choose him.
"What are you? A variant species? Why steal my energy? How'd you end up here?"
"Kyuu?" It cocked its head, eyes brimming with apology but no answers.
Lin Feng chuckled dryly. "Right. You can't talk. Still…"
The creature's cleverness fascinated him. Though harmless-looking, its potential intrigued. Decision solidified.
"Stay, then. You'll be 'Pikachu.' Or… Xiao Qiu ('Little Ball')."
"Kyuu!!"
It trilled happily, nestling into his palm as he ruffled its fur. Somewhere between Earth nostalgia and Yueyun oddity, Lin Feng had gained an enigma wrapped in fluff—and perhaps, a key to greater mysteries.