Ascending the Demon Realm

Every demon entering Divine Cultivation Academy carried their clan's aspirations.

Each bore the weight of their clan's expectations.

Xuelin's silver lashes lowered, his expression flattening. "I can't disappoint Father. I've worked tirelessly to become the model white tiger... Only near Xiaoyao can I breathe freely as myself..."

Yutu studied him before lowering his own gaze. "You're different from your usual stoic self here."

"Mmm."

The two males sat facing each other, silence stretching as they gazed at separate points.

Though academy peers, their differing majors left little opportunity for familiarity. Building rapport now proved challenging.

I blinked between them, turning to Fen. "Fen-"

"Cough!" Xuelin choked abruptly, covering his mouth while avoiding Yutu's gaze.

Yutu's eyebrow twitched. He glared at the snickering tiger through narrowed eyes.

I interjected, "Snowball-"

Xuelin's feline pupils froze.

"Snowball?!" Yutu's laughter erupted unabashed.

Now it was Xuelin's turn to glower.

I announced flatly, "He wants to move in."

"Absolutely not!" Yutu's mirth vanished instantly.

"Xiaoyao approved." Xuelin regained composure, meeting the fox's glare.

Sparks flew as six-tailed fox and white tiger materialized across the table, tails lashing.

The tiny human between them massaged her temples. "Fen, Snowball knows my secret now. He'll help protect me."

Yutu's vulpine face swiveled toward me, stunned.

Xuelin reverted human form, kneeling solemnly. "Yutu, Eastern University's training grounds expose her to higher demons than us. More protective auras around her mean greater safety."

The fox demon considered this, transforming back. "How did you discover?"

Before I could signal, Xuelin blurted, "I tasted her saliva."

Yutu's eyes rounded.

"Childhood sharing," Xuelin clarified innocently. "She offered leftovers. Couldn't refuse kindness."

My face twitched. Now I questioned whether those childhood "offerings" were generosity or mere food disposal.

Yutu looked away, irritation mixing with... envy?

Was the mighty fox jealous of being someone's leftover trash bin?

"Let's guard her together," Xuelin pressed. "With both our scents, even Mingjin won't dare approach."

Yutu whirled. "Mingjin? She encountered that dragon?!"

"Official business," Xuelin explained. "We escorted Si Clan's heir. Nearly clashed with Li Family."

"They didn't fight?!" Yutu leaned forward, ears perked.

"Xiaoyao intervened," Xuelin nodded. "Now Mingjin remembers her."

Yutu's claws tapped crimson lips. "Understandable..."

"You arrived first," Xuelin conceded.

The fox's eyes narrowed.

"Choose your territory," the tiger offered.

Yutu gestured lazily to the eastern platform. "My spot. Take what's left."

I massaged my temples. "Must you both camp here?"

"Absolutely."

Their synchronized refusal made them glance away awkwardly.

"Constant vigilance," Yutu preened.

"Pressure relief," Xuelin's eyes glazed.

I surrendered. "Fine."

Both exhaled in relief.

Noticing my nail art tools, Yutu brightened. "New designs?"

"You," Xuelin answered, morphing into a giant cat seeking nesting space.

Yutu's ears perked. "Show me."

I displayed the nail stickers. "My brother, you, Snowball."

The fox's smile faded at tiger inclusion.

Xuelin raised his painted paw. "She made mine."

Thud! A crystalline fox paw slammed before me.

Yutu sat regally in true form, each claw like carved jade.

As I painted, Xuelin circled the room. With magic flash, his giant circular bed appeared - premeditated relocation.

Paw-padding his nest, he flopped down contentedly. "Move my dorm here."

His assistant departed obediently. The tiger folded paws beneath chin, muscles relaxing completely.