Talulah, I'm still a child.

For some reason, Vina felt she shouldn't have swung the sword, but by the time she realized it, the tip of the sword was already pointing straight at the sky and slashing down heavily. A golden torrent cut through the dark clouds and the raging storm, and it was because of this that Vina was able to see clearly who was standing in the storm.

"Mei Xue!?"

He was more mature than he remembered, with nine tails behind him, the ends of which were black, but he was still not very tall. Vina's sword just grazed past him, narrowly missing him.

But Vina had a strong premonition that no matter how she swung her sword, her sword light could not touch Mei Xue at all; everything seemed to be a predetermined trajectory of fate.

Mei Xue ignored her completely. Vina subconsciously wanted to move closer, but the three familiar lions blocked her way, and the ground began to tremble.

The surging lava burst forth from the earth's strata, transforming into a towering lava giant; the dark clouds gathered again in the sky, and the colossal body of the ancient and weathered beast was faintly visible amidst the lightning; a giant tortoise, larger than a mountain, caused the earth to tremble with just a single step.

And there were many more, both those Vina had heard of and those she hadn't, those ancient gods who were once high above her, now gathered here, surrounding Mei Xue, who was only 1.5 meters tall.

"You, are you going to defy fate?"

"...Our fate is not in your hands."

"I am destiny."

Mei Xue said this without any emotion in his eyes. His tail swayed slightly but he did nothing else. He was simply stating the facts.

"Terra doesn't need you."

As those words fell, Vina instinctively looked up and saw the stars twinkling in the sky, and then... she fell towards them.

Chapter 260 Shutting Mostima's Mouth

"Meixue~ Can't you tell your older sister?"

In the Rhodes Island office at night, Mostima reached out and gently poked Mei Xue's ear. Watching those adorable fox ears twitch back and forth made her feel better.

"I can't say."

The little fox put his hands on his chest and made an X to indicate his refusal. After all, he had promised Pope Ivan that he couldn't say anything. He had to keep his promises. Not to mention Mostima, even if Talulah came, Mei Xue wouldn't... Well, if Talulah and Alina were together, Mei Xue might be able to say a little bit, just a little bit!

"Can't you really say it? We have such a good relationship, and look, I'm still your ex-girlfriend."

Mostima reached out and hugged Mei Xue. Exusiai went to help Remian pack her luggage. Fiameta and Felia were making dinner. Cecilia and Angelina were listening to the Rainbow Team tell stories, so the little fox had no one to fight with her for food.

"It's really impossible, sister, please don't ask anymore."

Without Mostima needing to say anything more, Mei Xue proactively buried her head in Mostima's chest and rubbed against her, even offering her own tail. If Mandra saw this, she might just scratch Mostima's face, or rather, her chest.

"But I'm just very curious."

It's rare to see Mei Xue so well-behaved. Mostima's smile looked like that of a wicked woman who had succeeded in her scheme. In reality, she wasn't very interested in Mei Xue and the Pope's affair, since the little fox seemed determined not to tell her.

Since the little fox is unwilling to talk, it's a good opportunity to tease him. Teasing Mei Xue is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Watching this lively, mischievous, and naive little fox obediently snuggling and rolling around in my arms, I do feel a strange sense of satisfaction.

"Waaah... but I really can't tell."

Mei Xue's fox ears drooped listlessly. If he could, he would like to tell Mostima, but this matter was too complicated. Even Mei Xue could understand why Ivan had sent so many people away and only let him know.

Despite already knowing what she had done in her early years, the little fox never dreamed that she would be involved with Laterano, no, to be precise, with the Sarkaz and Sarkaz. Mei Xue had no idea that she was so powerful in the past.

"Since you can't say, then Meixue, you'd better find a way to shut your sister's curious mouth."

Seeing Mostima's charming smile, the little fox swayed its tail and thought for a moment before stuffing its apple into Mostima's mouth, effectively silencing her.

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Mostima felt it necessary to improve her and Mei Xue's rapport later, or perhaps have the little fox learn more about that aspect of things.

"I didn't mean to shut her up with an apple."

"...With the tail?"

"That won't work either. It's hard to clean a mouth full of hair, and it's also hard to wash it clean if you get saliva on it."

Mostima shook her head. She wasn't an easy girl to coax, which was why she was having a hard time dealing with a cute little boy like Mei Xue.

"Then I..."

Mei Xue was about to continue speaking when she suddenly thought of something, and her expression immediately turned very strange. Her gaze towards Mostima turned into one of "Sister, you really are a bad woman."

"Dinner will be ready soon, sister."

"So wouldn't it be nice to order some appetizers before that?"

Mostima, having his thoughts exposed, stopped beating around the bush and gently slid his hand down Mei Xue's waist, even giving it a couple of tickles.

In Angelina's room, Mandra sat alone on the bed, pondering how to turn back into a human.

She had already tested it before. Although she had turned into a cat, her Originium Arts were not only not sealed, but had actually improved by several levels. Her brain was also... well, she wasn't very smart to begin with. She actually thought about killing Mei Xue before. That was really something. Even Ursus didn't have her guts.

This indirectly proves that Mandra is probably not a real cat, but has become similar to a cat. At least her thinking ability and personality have not been affected, although she occasionally shows cat-like temperaments.

"Meow meow meow..." (Speaking of which, why did I turn into a cat in the first place?)

This is a question worth considering. Although Mandra saw herself as Meixue's pet, she didn't really want to be a cat. What if Meixue needs her help with certain matters in the future? It's better to be a human!

"Meow~" (At that time, I think I just wanted to avoid being discovered)

Mandra recalled what had happened before. She had found Mei Xue and, in her excitement, pounced on her. Then, Fia Meta suddenly appeared, and then…

"Meow!" (Could it have been the lady of the house?!)

The woman mentioned here is of course not Fiametta, but Su Xueer. After all, she is the one who turned Mandela into this way, so naturally she would set herself in Mandela's mind as someone on the same level as Mei Xueer. Of course, Mandela is well aware that her memories have been modified and her personality corrected by Su Xueer, but she doesn't care at all.

Or to put it more directly, Su Xueer's level of psychological suggestion has reached the point where she can directly use her own soul to write her personality.

In fact, she learned this trick from Mei Xue. Years ago, the little fox did a lot of learning and effort in order to separate Theresa's soul and body. Arturo was an unlucky experimental example. However, because of Mei Xue's own good luck, she succeeded on the first try. She even combined her own and the Doctor's soul fragments to form a new personality and gave it to Arturo.

This approach was quite effective; at least they succeeded at that time. The doctor was indeed very intelligent and knew far more than she should have.

But none of that mattered to Su Xue'er. The only thing she cared about was Mei Xue. Her cooperation with Da Yan and her agreement with other beast lords were all for the sake of her younger brother's happiness. It was a helpless move until they found a way to return to the starry sky.

However, perhaps because she was only a remnant soul, Su Xue'er didn't know much more than Mei Xue, otherwise she would definitely have recognized who the Doctor was.

Of course, that's all in the future. The current problem is that Mandra doesn't know how to break free from her condition. If Su Xue'er were to do it, then the changes in her body could be considered a kind of curse.

Since it's a curse, the way to break it shouldn't be too complicated. After all, Su Xue'er's hint to Mandela was "unconditionally obey all of Mei Xue's orders," and there are many things that are difficult to do in a cat's body.

"Meow meow meow?" (Is it like the Frog Prince?)

Mandela couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. After all, Su Xue'er and Mei Xue were from the Great Yan side. He didn't know if this fairy tale from the west was logical. Oh well, he might as well try anything. He would go find Mei Xue now!

In the living room on the other side, the Rainbow Team was still telling Cecilia a story. Of course, it was mainly Shield who was doing the telling, for no other reason than that he was the one who talked the most.

Although there is considerable cultural overlap between the two worlds, the Rainbow Team has read quite a few books, especially Shield, who has a taste for science fiction and fairy tales, and the stories he tells captivated Cecilia.

"Uncle, what happened to that Xiaoqing girl in the end?"

"After Lady White Snake and Xu Xian eloped, she also married a man called the Black Mountain Demon, and had several children with different hair colors, named the Calabash Brothers..."

Although Cecilia found the story rather mundane and even fascinating, Ash and Alexander felt an increasing urge to punch him. This guy had claimed to be interested in all sorts of ghost and deity stories from China, and even said he had studied them carefully. Was this how he learned?!

"I can't listen to this anymore! The more I listen, the more I want to put a landmine in his shoe!"

"Let's bear with it. At least Cecilia doesn't know what these stories were originally like. I'm more worried that if Mei Xue hears them, she might throw Doom Mushrooms at him."

"Probably not, after all, Mei Xue is such a well-behaved child."

The Rainbow Team sighed helplessly. The only clue they had found related to the past world was undoubtedly Mei Xue; the plants the little fox had taken from its tail were from their world. As for this world…

Just look at Fiameta over there; she's planning to sue Rhodes Island because she feels her personal image has been offended. Actually, it's related to a new game released by Rhodes Island.

Yes, as some astute readers have probably already guessed, the game is called—Angry Birds.

Considering Rhodes Island's relationship with Mei Xue, and also because of the kindness shown to them, the Rainbow Team decided to go with Mei Xue to take a look around and spend some time learning more about this world.

"Cecilia, could you please call Mei Xue and Mostima? Dinner will be served soon."

"Okay, Mom, I'll go right away!"

Although she still wanted to hear more stories, Mei Xue's stories were definitely more interesting. Besides, it was almost time to eat, so Cecilia obediently went to find Mei Xue.

When she ran upstairs, she saw the cute cat. Cecilia squatted down, picked up Mandela, and petted her. Because she was younger and called Meixue "brother," Mandela could only endure it for the time being.

More than anything, Mandra wanted to rush into that room and turn back as soon as possible. If she knew what the room looked like now, well… a big battle would be inevitable.

"Brother Meixue, dinner's ready!"

Cecilia's light and melodious voice was very pleasant to listen to. She gently knocked on the door, and the commotion coming from the room made Mandela in her arms realize that something was wrong.

Fortunately, the little fox came out soon after, and had changed its clothes.

"Where is Sister Mostima?"

"Hmm, she can't eat anymore."

Mei Xue helplessly spread his hands. It was the first time he had ever heard of this method for gagging a girl. However, Mostima was in such a state that she couldn't go downstairs to eat, and he figured he couldn't stuff anything in her mouth anyway.

"Oh, I see. But Mom made so many delicious things..."

"There's no other way, let's finish it all!"

Holding Cecilia's hand, and watching Mandela jump onto her shoulder, Mei Xue led Cecilia downstairs.

The strange aura emanating from Mandra's nose was so obvious, but she couldn't do anything in front of Mei Xue. She could only hope that she would return to human form soon, so that Mei Xue wouldn't need that kind of guy anymore.

"Meow!" (So what if her breasts are a little big? I can have them too sooner or later!)

With such ambition, Mandra showed a determination that was in no way inferior to Mostima's. Meanwhile, in Mei Xue's bedroom, Mostima lay on the bed, clutching her staff. It had already been exhausting to keep delaying the time by turning ten minutes into an hour, and she had also spent a lot of energy maintaining the time so that Mei Xue would have time to tidy up. At this moment, she could truly say that she was physically and mentally exhausted.

[Tsk tsk, young man, you need to be more moderate.]

"Are you really not jealous of me?"

If you keep doing this, I might not help you next time.

"Don't do that. I'll just share a third of my time with you."

No, at least half!

Sure enough, anything is negotiable as long as the conditions are good enough. However, half of it wasn't worth it for Mostima. Although becoming Mei Xue's contract partner would mean she wouldn't have to worry about this guy taking over her body, well...

"You had your fun for half the time, but my body bore all the fatigue. Isn't that unfair?"

"Then one-third is the maximum concession I can make."

"Deal~ Phew... By the way, since you and Mei Xue are such good friends, why were you so afraid of him back then?"

This is a question Mostima has never been able to understand. On that rainy night seven years ago, Remien was seriously injured and Andorn left the party. She was also almost devoured by the Black Lock and White Key. But when Meixue appeared, she actually quieted down. No, it would be more accurate to say that she was trembling and hiding in the corner with her head in her hands, as if she had seen some great demon.

Because...he really looked so much like him back then.

"Like what?"