Mei Wu wasn't having a good time. She definitely hasn't for a long time, and even more so these last few days.

Born from a one-night stand with a prostitue and a man whose name was probably as equally meaningless, it was rather expected that life would be difficult, really.

Being a street urchin, it was a matter of how far she is willing to go to feed herself, and needless to say, it wasn't an easy life. To know that every day you live could result in the loss of everything, with your life being one of the less important things you might lose, it was of course a harsh life full with death at every corner, always feeling so close it would snatch her soul for all eternity.

Of course, she had no knowledge of who her parents were, and how could she? Her mother, being a simple prostitue, had no interest in raising a child she hadn't expected or planned for, had only given her a name before giving her to the orphanage where she would live the first four years of her life in relative safety before being kicked out. Her father was just the same as far as she was concerned back then.

Having to fend herself for years, she only had one gift in her blood; a hyper awareness of Qi and how to detect it and differentiate between all the varied feels of other people's Qi.

Normal people, who had just the bare minimum to live, felt like air. She could feel them, and get a sense of their emotions if she focused, but it was just too wasteful most of the time.

Warriors, Summoners or Rankers, those who had became above normal people, and the few beasts she had managed to see or get a feel on them, had a different feeling altogether. Just having enough Qi to be a warrior made Mei Wu's senses flare, giving her a general view on the power of the sensed being, and how they generally act towards others, and what their powerset generally related to.

Just like how one who specializes in ice techniques will give a feeling of coldness that would only change in intensity depending on their mood, it was the same when one is excellent at using the sword, the feeling of the blade almost closing on her neck a vivid sensation that would only vanish when they didn't want to harm her.

"I have this weapon, so I must use it to survive no matter what!" So she told herself. Because that was the one and universal law that she lived with for so long, and would definitely live with even longer.

Those who don't have power are worse than trash, beings that are just made to be exploited and broken. Used then discarded. Even when one is born in the better villages in the Soaring Dragon Continent, and have been given the backup of a powerful warrior, clan, or a sect, as long as you are weak, then you can only hope the eyes of the monsters don't look towards you, or hope that they find a better prey to take.

Even then, while she managed to survive for years, she knew that part of it was definitely her luck. She was just lucky that she hadn't caught the attention of any cruel person with actual power.

She hadn't caught the attention of even someone with the power of a Level 1 [Apprentice], nor did she end up fighting against any beasts.

Only the occasional thug tried to harm her, which wasn't that difficult when you know that waiting for the chance to give a stab or a kick where no one expects, could knock out any weak human for that matter.

There were, of course, some friendships and bonds made due to the cruel life a street urchin has, but either they weren't strong enough to survive, or they separated when they managed to get the attention of a warrior or a clan or a sect, and they may as well be dead for all the difference that made.

In the end, life continued, with her getting just enough Qi and control to be more than a normal person, yet less than an actual warrior who truly trained.

It was only when she was fifteen that her luck changed, for better and for worse. Puberty was one cruel mistress, and changing from a short child to a fine-looking lady was a blessing and a curse, in that it was easier to mooch off idiots with lots of money but no sense of preservation and danger, but it meant having the attention of every damn creep just by freaking walking around.

It was at this point that her Qi sense became strong enough to also sense emotions even clearer, and she disliked that particular upgrade. She would have liked not knowing the sheer lust some people can feel towards her, and any woman who felt even remotely beautiful, not to mention the sheer arrogance that felt like walking in sludge whenever an arrogant sect or clan disciple happened to walk around with.

Two years later, she found herself facing something she hadn't expected; the attention of a warrior from the Xie clan, and it was then that it was found that she had the blood of one of the many warriors in the Xie clan, something that was both awe-inspiring yet frightening.

From a street thief, into a lady from a prestigious clan. From a mere cell in the world that no one will probably miss if she got terminated, into something larger.

Needless to say, the good and bad had once more swept her together.

Now, Mei Wu had the chance to train. To truly have power to live, to survive. Now, she could find herself eating food she could only dream of before, not having to worry about what her next shelter would be, no need to care about dirty clothes, nor did she have to care about having to always think of how many times she could have been killed from every encounter with the occasional thug.

Yet, she felt that there was no real difference. There was no real change, even then.

She was stronger, yes. She knew now how to fight and use Qi properly, yes. Yet the sheer strictness and politeness she had to force herself to follow was maddening.

Showing face to those of higher positions, being required to follow their demands, knowing that disobedience would result in punishment that only they would deem fair, and deserved. She wasn't even treated as a clan member, if she was honest. Merely just a bit better than a servant. And clan members treated her as such.

Some seniors were, arguably reasonable, of course.

Others, not so much, or at all. Sometimes, her body for a night was the price for something she did 'wrong,' but of course, who would care about her other than the servants or the occasional Xie clan's member when he wanted to use her Qi sense for an errand? She was just a bastard child born from a drunken man and a prostitue, with no real name attached to her, and she lacked any power and beauty the actual Xie clan's women have.

In the end, she had just swapped a jail with another that felt like it was getting smaller and smaller, her Qi sensing skills just making the feeling worse.

And then, she met Xie Li face to face, the eldest son of the first wife of the Xie Clan Master, Xie Tao, and it was then that her life became marginally better, if only because she knew her place.

He embodied all what she disliked in the Xie Clan in general. Physically attractive, yet Arrogant, self-centered, lustful, and unable to keep it in his pants, and completely destructive and hateful towards those against him and who deny his advances. And having the power to back up his actions, being the eldest son, and a Grimoire owner and being a Level 2 [Braveman], and a Bronze-ranked Level 4 Golden-eyed King Ape as a Guardian Beast, who could actually defy him within the clan?

He was always on the ready to attack anyone who would argue with him, and while he might exercice restraint inside the clan's doors, in front of the elders and other high-ranked persons, and probably in crowded places, the moment he was relatively alone with his target, he would bare his fangs and demand obedience.

Even to her, his Qi felt just like pressure. No attribute to speak of, no element to give it any unique propriety or flavor.

Just pressure and power, power, power, so much power that it just made her want to vomit whenever he directed his attention to her. As if to show that he only valued power alone with nothing else. No style, no unique or effective techniques, and nothing like an actual skill is needed when he is already the most important and powerful. The only reason he even bothered to learn how to flirt instead of just forcefully taking other women is because he knows that some women have too much backing to simply force himself on them.

Still, despite all of that, Mei Wu knew that as long as she followed the script he made, he would be generous, for a certain definition of it. She would be his woman, and she would be free of having to spread her legs to everyone who is slightly stronger than her, and would only do so to those of higher importance than Xie Li, and she would get to share some of his spoils of battle if he felt even more generous after some mission, though his disregard of her Qi sense irked her, if she was honest, especially since he was always able to crush whoever she felt stronger than her with ease.

Regardless of her emotions though, it was thanks to that 'boon' of his that she had managed to properly unlock her Qi, and learn how to reach the equivalent of a Level 1 [Apprentice], and she even pondered if this new life isn't so bad, all things considered.

Little did she know that would change when he called her for a mission to check on what was believed to be a disturbance in a faraway forest...

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This was not her day, Mei Wu thought bitterly as she marched through the dense forest with Xie Li and his guard, Xie Yu, a bulky man with an axe as his weapon.

The forest was dense. She really can't overstate it. And her Qi sense was going haywire the whole time! So many beasts and animals and plants that were quite abundant with life.

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"This is so irritating!" she hissed under her breath as she flexed her qi against a bunch of insects from touching her body, as they dropped dead. Swinging her dagger, she cut through the vines in front of her with no difficulty, ignoring the many overlapping small qi signatures, and only focusing on the larger ones close to them.

They had been investigating this forest for nearly a week now, and she had already noticed how a couple of of large qi signatures went to an area before they... ceased to exist. The feeling she had gotten of maws and claws planning to kill everything in their way alluded to some ferocious and cruel beasts, yet the third one was the most worrying to her.

A feeling of nature and flowers that looked like it would strangle her if not for the fact that whatever it is, it seemed to be quite happy most of the time. It didn't help that nearly a dozen, far weaker, qi signatures feeling like honey were always with it.

"I have a bad feeling about this." she murmured as Xie Li gave a swat on her butt for her opinion, and didn't stop moving forward.

"And I told you, there's nothing to worry about. I, who had managed to reach Level 3 [Hero] as a ranker, won't be defeated by some random beast!" It was a typical haughty response, but one she understood was made from confidence.

Despite how much it stung to have her opinion about the possible danger they might face being ignored, he was most likely correct. There are only Normal-ranked beasts in the Soaring Dragon Continent, with Bronze-ranked beasts being a very rare thing to be seen, much less Silver-ranked or Gold-ranked ones.

And even if it was a Bronze-ranked beast that they would be fighting, Xie Li could defeat it! Just with his power as a warrior, and his Strengthening-type summon, along with other Bronze-ranked summon, he would easily kill such a beast!

"You really need to loosen up, Mei Wu." Xie Yu just chuckled, much to her annoyance.

"I'm trying!" she glared at him before focusing on the walk. She didn't succeed in trying.

The Qi of the unknown entity kept getting stronger the closer she walked, and she couldn't help but feel as if vines and leaves would shred her if she actually reached the source. Yet, she managed to move her legs.

Soon, the trio had found themselves close to a large lake and Mei Wu felt herself relaxing just slightly bit thanks to the sheer calm the atmosphere was making. It helped that the large qi source was seemingly uncaring about them, still feeling happy with no care in the world.

Moments later, Xie Li lazily holding his sword and slashing as she heard the sound of buzzing getting too close than she expected.

It was just a basic Qi skill, just something to increase the reach of a swing, and yet even this was more than enough to kill five giant bees that she had realized were Worker Bees. Rather weak beasts on their own, but can be a headache when in numbers and rather agile for their level.

Yet, they were killed in a second.

"Tch. Only Normal-ranked Level 1 beasts. Are you sure this is where your senses guided us?" the young master mocked, adressing her. She felt his intent on her for just a moment before it dropped, causing her to sweat from worry.

"Y-yes... it is here. My Qi sense definitely leads us here, Young Master!" Mei Wu answered truthfully.

He snorted before moving towards the lake, and she sighed in relief. At least he didn't see it fit to smack her ass here, though when they return...

Igroning the feeling of dread, she followed as they saw...

What the...?

Mei Wu almost did a double take as she blinked.

A... beautiful girl? Just what is going on...?

She looked at the girl again, just to make sure she isn't seeing things, but she was still there.

Short emerald-green hair, and equally emerald-colored eyes that seemed to look at their souls. A beautiful, and delicate if a bit childish face and what Mei Wu knew are soft lips. Her body, as delicate as her face, slender and thin it looked like the girl had never worked a day in her life, yet Mei Wu could sense that it wasn't that fragile at all. A bust that while admittedly smaller than many women the dagger holder saw, yet feeling appropriate for this girl, along with the bared pink nipples that many men would love to suck and fondle.

Mei Wu, while still not seeing the lower body of the human girl, had definitely believed that even her lower parts would drive men with lust despite looking so small.

"Ah, it seems that luck is truly on our side." Xie Li spoke aloud, and while she agreed with him, she thought that it might be an unfortunate day for this girl who seemed to enjoy her time at the lake, knowing how her young master was.

It was then that she noticed the very odd flower that seemed to be attached below the girl's breasts.

'Rainbow Colored Blooming Flower!?' Mei Wu looked shocked, not knowing how to react. It was a rare flower that could be turned into a powerful pill that could help one breakthrough during the first few stages of cultivation, and it could, if used carefully, even heal impotence and work as a fertility pill! It was supposed to be so rare that only one was found decades ago, and no one knew how to make it!

And this girl is just using one as an accessory! Did the girl even know how rare that thing is!? Or, is she so used to having such rare items that she didn't care at all!?

The feeling of something wrong returned with vengeance as her mind tried to rationalize what this girl is doing, and Mei Wu noticed the girl looking at Xie Li, and the feeling of thorns and vines rushing at them all returned, almost choking her. The girl didn't even do anything more than look at the young master as he looked with lust at her, no hint of care in her eyes. Yet, Mei Wu felt like this fragile-looking girl would kill them all just with her qi!

"Young Master, something's wrong. Let's leave." she almost pleaded, hoping against hope that he would take this advice. After all, why did he want her Qi sensing skill if he was just going to ignore her every single time?

Yet, he ignored her opinion, and even worse, the girl's eyes fell on her, as if trying to see what secrets her body has.

The feeling of nature intensified to a rather insane degree. Her body felt like vines were binding her, tightly grabbing her as they wanted to strangle her. Her face paled as green threatened to consume her vision, the only reason she didn't faint was the strange, oddly comfortable sensation that this girl was.... taking pity on her!

"Are you still worried, Mei Wu? With the Young Master Xie Li, there's no need to worry."

She took a small gasp, the feeling of the suffocating nature leaving her body as the girl focused for the moment on Xie Yu, though there still was the odd feeling of pity from the girl directed at her for a moment.

And then, the young master confessed, and the girl's attention was almost on him.

Said with an almost-loving tone that made weaker women faint from happiness, it was a confession that could have wooed any woman, even if she knew how much of a scumbag he is.

Yet, the feeling of nature-like Qi morphed for a second, feeling almost mocking before it returned to its intent focus.

'Damn it. Damn it!' Mei Wu swore in her mind. This girl, this girl is dangerous! Extremely dangerous! There was just something in her eyes and sheer intent that felt so strong and focused! At them!

She looked in anxiety as the girl looked at him for a minute, before she moved her arms in the shape of an X, tongue stuck out, eyes filled with amusement, yet the Qi was just as alert as always.

Is- is she seeing the young master's reaction? Mei Wu looked in befuddlement, and so did Xie Yu.

This kind of reaction, is this seriously happening, or is this just their imagination?

Xie Li's facade had broken for a second, showing rage before it was barely restrained, yet his qi and aura was leaking without restraint from anger.

'Fuck.' Mei Wu swore once more, knowing what will happen next. Let it not be said that Xie Li had any real restraint regarding his lust.

Just his handsome visage and a few honeyed words would make women follow his requests for sexual pleasure, but that was only when he was actually restraining himself generally in public.

If he was certain of his superiority, and knew that he could get away with it, he wouldn't even bother with consent or honeyed words. He would just take whatever he wanted from the poor lady that caught his attention. He had done it many times, and she was ashamed to say that she was used to it happening.

The poor girl probably didn't know what she did, and now she would lose her life, if not something else before that!

Qi explodes from Xie Li, and Mei Wu and Xie Yu barely manage to stay in place as he summoned his Golden-eyed King Ape, and fused with it as his muscles bulged, and his body became full of thick fur, his face looking just a bit more ape-like.

And if that wasn't enough, he also summoned his other beast, a Bronze-ranked Level 4 Demonic Hound.

Power skyrocketed, and Mei Wu almost thought that she would faint from sensory overload, yet she managed to prevail.

"Grrrr...." a low growl left the young master's lips, face full of anger and mockery, "you think you're being funny, aren't you? I was being too nice to attempt wooing you with words. It seems you'd like courting death! I will take you from this little bath of yours, and show your body how to respect its betters!"

The girl, at complete odds with the situation she was in, only tilted her head. "In the end, you are just an arrogant 'Young Master,' huh? A bit disappointing, really."

What? Mei Wu and the two guys blinked for a moment.

'What, what did she just say?' Mei Wu thought, the words spoken in a language she didn't know, stumped her, momentarily distracting her from the suffocating atmosphere. 'I can't understand what she's saying at all!'

While there were unique languages in this world, but most of them belonged to races and clans that live in the Tong Tian Tower. The chance of having one of them going all the way here would be suspicious especially due to how strong they are!

There's no way that this girl is one of them...

In the moment it took the dagger-holding woman to refocus, Xie Li had already moved, furious beyond reason, intending to drag the girl from the lake to have his way with her, probably after beating her up.

Mei Wu would have closed her eyes in resignation had the nature-like qi flare with intensity, like a decapitating vine moving towards him, matching his power!

She almost gagged as vines erupted from the lake, immediately catching his arms, injuring them just slightly before he brute-forced his way out-

Only to be stabbed by a giant leaf that deeply penetrated his stomach, and throwing him to where Mei Wu and Xie Yu were.

'Oh, the Qi. Oh, just... how...' Mei Wu could only think dumbly. Just now, the feeling of the girl's qi had almost overwrote any presence of Xie Li's own monsterous Qi from how dense and pure it was!

The Demonic Hound was growling, yet it had not attacked its enemy yet, and through all that, Mei Wu heard the girl continue speaking.

"It's a bit late, but I shall introduce myself: Kasumi Ai." the words Mei Wu's ears, and despite not understanding them, she understood one thing: Kasumi Ai is a name.

How? Why? There's no Kasumi clan. From where did she come from!?

Yet, what happens next, is the truly shocking thing.

The girl, lively yet strangely delicate-looking and regal, leaves the lake, and in a second, she is right in front of her and Xie Yu.

And their bodies stopped moving at the sight in front of them.

Mei Wu's mouth was open from shock, seeing the sheer monsterosity in front of her.

What?

A gigantic, plant-like monster, mouth wide open and teeth that seemed eager to bite them.

How?

A beast. A beast. This girl that looked so delicate, was actually a beast all along. A beast that was as human-looking as any other human above the waist.

Why!?

A beast that wasn't just Silver-ranked, but also semi-humanoid, and highly intelligent to the point it can speak and act so human-like!

Just... what kind of... insanity is this!?

She felt like crying, and she would have, if her body wasn't so locked up in terror.

"Hello..." with a grin so cruel it felt more fitting of a devil instead of that sweet face, the beast spoke, as its lower mouth seemed to lick its lips.

It was just too much. Being so stressed ever since the mission, the sensory overload from all the different qi signatures, the sheer magnitude of the ones around her, and now, a beast that was probably as close to being a Holy Beast as she would ever see in her life... It was just too much.

Mei Wu fainted.