Xia Zhi opened his inventory. A Platinum Treasure Chest rested quietly inside.
He switched screens, pulling up his character panel. Under Guardian of the Wilds, a list of blessings appeared:
[Cat], [Firefly], [Snowfinch]…
All animals he'd once encountered, their records left behind. He could shift into any of them at will.
His gaze slid to the newest entry: [Earth Bear]—Guoba's mark.
Madame Ping's words resurfaced in his mind:
"A thousand years ago, disaster and disease plagued the land. The Stove God ceased appearing, pouring all his power into the earth to calm the chaos. When his strength was spent, his wisdom dimmed, his body shrank. By the time he bid farewell to the other Adepti, he was no taller than a man. He entrusted the secrets of cuisine and flame to Morax and the Streetward Rambler, then wandered into the mountains, falling into a long sleep."
As the Earth Bear, bearing a god's authority, it made sense Guoba's divine power could repair ley lines.
Curious as he was, Xia Zhi didn't test the transformation.
Wrong place, wrong time. The Church of Favonius was far too small—he'd probably bring the whole building down.
Instead, his attention shifted to another record: [Nekomata].
That had been left by Kirara a few days ago.
He hadn't thought much of it then, but with his panel already open, why not try?
His thought stirred, and strange energy swept through him.
His body changed—subtly. Same height, same frame. But something new swished at his back.
Turning his head, he saw two long, fluffy cat tails.
They'd even torn two neat holes in his pajama pants.
Suddenly, he understood Diona's troubles.
Every time she bought new clothes, she'd get that pained look on her face, then reluctantly take scissors to cut tail holes.
He tested his own. The tails moved as easily as his arms, swaying with his thoughts.
Amused, he played with them a moment, then looked down at his feet.
Unlike Kirara, his hadn't changed into paw pads. Just two obedient tails, nothing more.
This partial mutation felt very different from fully becoming the Sky Dragon.
He pulled up his attributes.
As a Nekomata, his Agility had risen by 20, stamina costs down 20%, and all cats would treat him as friendly by default.
No wonder Kirara was Komaniya Express's top courier.
Satisfied, Xia Zhi considered reverting—then thought better of it. Instead, he crossed into the next room.
Shenhe and Ganyu were lounging against the headboard, playing game together.
"Boss is here," Shenhe said with a soft smile.
"Mm," Xia Zhi nodded.
"Good evening," Ganyu added.
He sat down, discreetly hiding his tails behind him. Neither woman noticed.
They'd been together too long to be surprised by much.
They went back to their game. Xia Zhi watched, interested.
Then Ganyu twitched, feeling something poking her waist. Like a finger. Ticklish.
Suppressing a laugh, she muttered, "Quit messing around. Let me finish this match—I'm about to hit three-star five-cost."
Xia Zhi looked innocent. "Huh? I'm not messing with you."
She glanced up, frowning. "Don't give me that! You just poked me with your finger!"
"I didn't! Wasn't me!" he insisted.
"Fine, fine. Whatever. Just don't distract me—I'm climbing ranks here."
"Alright. Keep at it. I'll give you a shoulder rub," he offered, kneading gently.
Relaxed, Ganyu took the win and beamed. She opened her mouth to brag—then froze as the poking sensation returned at her waist.
Long. Thin. Not fingers.
Her eyes widened. She dropped one hand, grabbed fast. Got it!
Now he couldn't deny it—
"Eh???"
Her expression shifted.
What she'd caught was soft. Fluffy. Not fingers at all.
Her shoulders relaxed—Xia Zhi's hands were still on them, massaging away.
Then what was this…?
She yelped, flinging it away. "Aaaah! There's some weird bug on the bed!?"
Scrambling up, she finally saw it: a fluffy cat tail.
And the source… Xia Zhi's back.
Correction—two tails.
Ganyu blinked, silent. Then she sat back down and peeked again.
The other tail was already cradled in Shenhe's hands, stroked with quiet fascination.
"…Junior Sister," Ganyu said slowly.
Shenhe glanced up. "Senior Sister What is it?"
"You knew?"
"Knew what?"
"The tail! You knew about the tail?"
"You mean this?" Shenhe lifted it delicately.
"Boss poked me with it the first time, so yes, I noticed."
"…And you didn't react?"
"Why would I? It's just a tail. Kinda cute."
"…"
Ganyu sighed. Her junior's thoughts were impossible to read.
She picked up the other tail herself. Now that she knew, the fear was gone—stroking it actually felt… nice.
"How'd you suddenly grow two tails?"
"Temporary. I turned into a Nekomata."
"Like Kirara?"
"Mm."
"…Feels weird."
"Just messing around. I'll cancel it in a bit."
"Don't," Shenhe interjected firmly.
"Hm?" Xia Zhi looked at her.
She was serious. "Not tonight."
"Oh. Got it."
Ganyu flushed faintly. She got it too.
And after that… well, nothing else needed saying.
If anything, those tails were surprisingly steady when wrapped around a waist.