Jiang Yan raged inwardly, questioning the system furiously.
"The last time that Heart Demon Stone appeared in Teyvat, it was already insane enough!"
"You told me that bug was fixed!"
[The bug was fixed.]
[But this Treasure-Eating Mink came here by following the scent of treasure on its own!]
The system's tone carried an awkward tinge of embarrassment.
[This species hails from the Realm of Spiritual Beasts. They survive by devouring the spiritual essence of treasure chests. Incredibly skilled at concealing their presence and disguising themselves, they're notorious thieves in that world—hunted by everyone.]
[They're weak in combat but frighteningly fast and perceptive. They can even burrow into the ground to escape. Over time, their race became specialists in thievery.]
Jiang Yan's face darkened.
"So how did this one end up here?"
[Emmm... probably because during the bug fix, the system had to draw upon the world's source of energy, which caused a brief instability. This creature noticed the disturbance and slipped through the gap.]
[Though the anomaly was later repaired, it had already made its way in.]
[So... how about you just take it in?]
The system's tone turned hesitant.
Jiang Yan sighed helplessly.
"Can you make it acknowledge me as its master? I don't want a little thief hanging around waiting to rob me again."
[That's easy.]
A faint light appeared above the Treasure-Eating Mink's head.
At the same time, a dim sigil formed on Jiang Yan's palm.
Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes—he could feel a faint connection between himself and the creature.
"What did you do to Grandpa Mink?!"
The mink's face twisted in panic. Just now, it had felt an overwhelming force descend upon it—something had been planted deep within its soul.
[All done!]
[I gave you a master–servant imprint. One thought, and you can summon it to your side—or erase it entirely if you wish.]
"Nicely done, system."
Jiang Yan smiled at the glowing sigil on his hand.
"Alright, little guy. From now on, you'll be with me."
"Arrogant human! Let go of your Grandpa!"
The mink was still as defiant as ever, spitting insults despite its situation.
"Oh?"
Jiang Yan, curious to test the imprint's power, released the torii gates restraining it.
"Hah! You really let me go! Just you wait—Grandpa Mink will be back for—"
Before it could finish, it dove into the ground and vanished.
Jiang Yan raised his hand, focusing on the mark in his palm. The sigil shimmered faintly—
—and the mink popped back into existence, looking utterly dumbfounded.
"What the—what did you do to Grandpa Mink?!"
It squirmed and thrashed, but its greatest escape trick failed utterly.
"I told you—you're sticking with me from now on."
Jiang Yan smiled pleasantly, then suddenly dropped the smile, his face turning dark and cold.
"Otherwise, I can erase you whenever I want."
At that thought, the Treasure-Eating Mink felt its very soul tremble.
A chilling power brushed against its essence—one that could annihilate it in an instant.
"Stop! Stop!! I get it! I get it!!!"
Faced with death, the mink finally gave in.
"Good. You do have some sense, after all."
Jiang Yan gave it a few experimental tosses in his hand, studying it with mild disgust.
"By the way, can't you change your appearance? You look too much like an ugly weasel."
"Hey, do you even understand what disguise means?!" the mink retorted in exasperation.
"This look took me a lot of work to come up with!"
"Oh? So that's not your real form. I knew it—no mink should look that ugly!" Jiang Yan snorted.
"Show me what you actually look like."
"Alright, alright! Hold on!"
Having just been threatened within an inch of its life, the mink didn't dare resist.
Poof!
A puff of smoke erupted—and when it cleared, a slender, snow-white mink sat in Jiang Yan's palm.
Even Jiang Yan was momentarily stunned.
This beautiful creature… was that filthy yellow weasel from before?!
As expected—looks do change everything.
Staring at the little mink's snowy fur and twitching white tail, Jiang Yan suddenly felt his anger fade.
"Well? Your Grandpa Mink's cute, right?"
The tiny creature flicked its tail proudly—it was indeed adorable.
Unfortunately, it could talk.
"Not bad. From now on, your name's Little White."
True to form, Jiang Yan's naming skills were as lazy as ever.
He glanced at the snow-white mink in his palm and casually dubbed it Little White.
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