Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Little Fox That Can Transform

Perhaps due to the strengthening of his body, Xiao Zhang felt no sleepiness despite not having rested. A quick wash of his face was all it took for him to regain his vigor. As the first faint light of dawn crept into the sky, Mo Xiaoxiao finally awoke. Reaching out, she found a furry little creature beside her, and without hesitation, she flicked on the room’s light.

It seemed Mo Xiaoxiao had indeed spent some time living in Li Shiwan’s house, for she was so familiar with her surroundings. With the lamp now on, she saw a snow-white little fox curled up next to her. Stunned, she closed her eyes, then opened them again. “A fox?”

At that moment, Tu Shanbai woke as well, rubbing her sleepy little eyes before transforming back into her human form. “Sister, you’re awake?”

“Sister?” Mo Xiaoxiao climbed out of bed, gazing at the little monster before her. She took a deep breath. She was someone who had seen the world—no need to panic! Surely, this was a dream. Smack—she gave herself a slap.

Meanwhile, the young girl quietly slipped out. Spotting Xiao Zhang by the window watching the sunrise and Zhao Bai still snoring on the sofa, she tiptoed over to Xiao Zhang’s side. “Brother, sister is awake.”

“Oh!” Xiao Zhang rushed over immediately. At last, she was awake; he had so many questions to ask her. “You’re awake.”

Mo Xiaoxiao, rubbing her own backside, managed an awkward smile when she saw Xiao Zhang. “Why are you here?”

Xiao Zhang sighed helplessly. “Mo Mo, are you still dazed from sleep?”

At that, Mo Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered. “Where are those two brats? And you? And this little girl!”

“Hold on, I haven’t asked you yet.” Xiao Zhang recounted everything that had happened while Mo Xiaoxiao was unconscious, sparing no detail.

He finished off his account with a bit of exaggeration, saying he had nearly died trying to save her.

Mo Xiaoxiao replied awkwardly, “I never expected those guys to bring tranquilizers meant for tigers. I’m sorry—it was careless of me. I truly feel I owe you. If it hadn’t been for me, you wouldn’t have…”

“It’s fine, I was joking.” Xiao Zhang laughed it off. “Everything’s okay now. I didn’t die, we’re all alive—what’s not to like? But, weren’t those two awakened ones as well? Why did they target us?”

“That’s…how should I put it…”

“Shouldn’t awakened ones be united in facing the real invaders within the copies?”

Mo Xiaoxiao’s gaze grew distant. “It’s complicated, Xiao Zhang. Things are rarely as ideal as we imagine. Even among awakened ones, there are many conflicts and clashes of interest. Especially in our world, where the struggle for resources is intense, and with the international situation so tense, disputes between awakened organizations from different countries are particularly fierce.”

Clearly, Mo Xiaoxiao couldn’t explain it all with just a few words. “So why were you suddenly targeted?”

“Well, it was for the sake of strengthening an organization. I left my previous group, which meant their protection was gone, so I became a target for those guys.”

---

“Wasn’t your previous group an organization of awakened ones?” Only then did Xiao Zhang realize—did the system grant him the right to set up his own faction?

“No, not exactly.”

“But, Xiao Zhang, what about this little girl?”

“It’s complicated.” Xiao Zhang patted Mo Xiaoxiao’s shoulder. “No matter what, I’m glad to have found you. Would you consider joining my organization?”

Mo Xiaoxiao looked into Xiao Zhang’s eyes. “So you’re planning to establish your own group?”

“Yes.” Xiao Zhang had little choice; after all, a great mission still rested on his shoulders.

“Give me some time to think.” Mo Xiaoxiao didn’t immediately agree, nor did she refuse. Her previous organization had treated her well, and she’d left for the sake of expanding her horizons. She found an excuse. “I’ll take a shower to clear my head.”

Xiao Zhang wasn’t in a hurry; he was confident she would eventually agree.

During this break, Xiao Zhang decided to ask Tu Shanbai a few questions, especially about the skills he was most curious about.

Just then, Tu Shanbai’s stomach rumbled. When she saw Xiao Zhang watching her, her cheeks flushed red.

Xiao Zhang patted her little head. “Brother will get you something to eat.”

“Mm.” Tu Shanbai nodded obediently.

Xiao Zhang took a bottle of juice and a bottle of beer from the fridge, but found nothing to eat…

This was awkward. It seemed the little girl hadn’t eaten anything since arriving in this world. What now? Xiao Zhang glanced at his suitcase—right, he still had several packs of spicy dried noodles!

“Bai Bai, here, have this to fill your stomach!” Xiao Zhang handed the spicy snacks and the juice to Tu Shanbai, opening the beer for himself.

Tu Shanbai stared blankly at the snack, unsure how to eat it. Should she just bite it? After all, her world had no packaging like this.

“Tsk tsk, still just a child!” Xiao Zhang tore open a packet and handed it to her, twisting open the juice as well.

“Brother, I’m not a child!” Tu Shanbai took a bite, and tears sprang to her eyes.

“You’re crying?”

“It’s so delicious!”

---

Xiao Zhang took another sip of beer. “Huh, just a spicy snack and you’re like this. Seems your world has no junk food.”

Tu Shanbai noticed Xiao Zhang’s beer. “Brother, what’s that you’re holding?”

“This?” Xiao Zhang waved it before her. “Beer!”

“What kind of alcohol is that?” Clearly, Tu Shanbai’s world had no such thing.

“It’s just a type of alcohol.”

“I want to try!”

“Try what?”

Tu Shanbai pointed at the beer in Xiao Zhang’s hand. “That one!”

Xiao Zhang took another sip. “No, children can’t drink beer.”

“I’m not a child! I’m already seventy-nine years old!”

With a sudden sputter, Xiao Zhang spat out his beer, quickly standing to wipe the liquid off himself. “Seventy-nine?”

“Yes! So, brother, can I drink now?”

“No, you’re still so little!” Xiao Zhang gestured to show her height.

“Brother, I only made myself small to conserve magic. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you.”

Tu Shanbai rose to her feet.

Xiao Zhang wondered what she might do, so he watched her while sipping his beer.

Tu Shanbai’s body grew before his eyes, from a short girl of about four feet three to a tall young woman nearly five feet seven, almost as tall as Xiao Zhang himself.