Ascending the Demon Realm

"Did you two fight earlier?" I crossed my arms over my stomach.  

"No." Xue Lin turned his head.  

"Want my tail?" Yu Tu also turned.  

"Yes." I didn't stand on ceremony.  

Yu Tu stood and pivoted, lowering his tail when his backside faced me.  

The fluffy appendage nestled under my neck as I leaned back, closing my eyes with a contented sigh.  

"Don't you dare fart." Xue Lin's monotone warning cut through the peace.  

"You're the one who farts in your sleep!" Yu Tu hissed through clenched teeth.  

Keeping my eyes shut, I sensed their lingering tension. This was normal. Time would mend it.  

As mediator, my role required non-interference, flexibility, and impartiality. A fox and tiger coexisting was manageable - adding another fox would've sparked real conflict.  

"Just a friendly reminder."  

"I wouldn't have let you in if not for that damned dragon threatening Xiao Yao!"  

Sudden silence from Xue Lin.  

I couldn't resist asking: "Will Ming Jin really target someone insignificant like me?"  

"Yes." Xue Lin's voice turned grave. "Because you obstructed him today."  

"Wasn't that my duty?" Frustration bubbled up. I'd simply done my job - why should he retaliate?  

"Logically yes. He knows you acted properly, but his pride's wounded."  

"..." Typical dragon prince intolerance for dissent.  

The thought of Ming Jin reignited my irritation. I needed stress relief.  

Reaching toward Xue Lin, I flexed my empty hand. Four years of friendship should've built enough .  

Soon, a fluffy tail resembling a hairy serpent filled my palm. I positioned it across my stomach, rhythmically stroking the squirming fur.  

"Incidents like the deer girl aren't isolated..." Yu Tu interjected seriously. "He's hurt other  before - males and females. Right, Xue Lin?"  

My eyes widened. The dragon played both fields?  

"Enough." Xue Lin turned away. "Stop discussing him. It's stressing me..."  

"Agreed. Cleaning his messes is exhausting." Yu Tu's fox body heaved dramatically.  

"You merely clean up. I endure him daily."  

"Let's hope the higher-ups keep him occupied off-campus."  

"Mm."  

Surprisingly, they found common ground regarding Ming Jin.  

I smiled. This marked good progress.  

My triumph proved short-lived. By morning, I'd acquired two overbearing guardians.  

Yu Tu sniffed me head-to-toe before Xue Lin repeated the process upward. Standing motionless between circling predators, I maintained my smile while screaming internally: Enough! This'll cost me extra sleep!  

Yu Tu's six tails then scrubbed me like a car wash. Just as I thought it over, Xue Lin yawned wide -  

"ROAR!"  

His tiger breath blasted my entire body, hair whipping backward. I deadpanned: Who needs blowdryers when you've got a white tiger?  

Pink light shimmered as Yu Tu resumed human form in modest pajamas - a relief after yesterday's scandalous attire. He pinched his nose: "Couldn't you use mouthwash before marking her?"  

White light flashed as Xue Lin transformed, sporting zebra-striped sleepwear. "She can't smell it." Innocent blink.  

"But I can!" Yu Tu rolled eyes.  

"Isn't the point making all  smell our marks?" Xue Lin maintained guileless expression. "Stronger scent lasts days. Protects Xiao Yao if we're away on missions."  

Yu Tu gaped, speechless. Future prosecutors indeed - Xue Lin's meticulous logic and eloquence would serve him well.  

Their scent-marking declared me under fox and tiger protection. With these living deterrents flanking me, who'd dare challenge "Big Sister Yao"?  

Donning my capybara skin, I practiced emotional regulation and zen smiles. Xiao Yao: Grinding daily for success! Push harder—  

Entering Thousand Pivot Hall's portal, I instinctively scanned the area. There he stood - Brother Sloth, motionless as ever.  

Honoring my bond with his cousin (my high school deskmate), I approached. His bangs parted slightly, delivering a glacial greeting. Waiting for sloth-speech wastes daylight.  

I dutifully turned, presenting my back. Limbs slowly encircled me like living backpack straps.  

After class introductions, I'd learned his name: Laisen. His cousin/my former : Laixun.  

I remembered Laixun's first day - motionless amidst rushing freshmen, crowd gathering but none assisting. Not from unkindness, but  wariness of strangers.  

"Sorry...too lazy to carry gift..." Laisen's apology surprised me - high honor from sloth-kind.  

"Can you retrieve it yourself when taking me home tonight?"  

"Sure."  

Befriending sloths demands proactive effort.