I like the beast-eared girl the most

“There’s supply because there’s demand. What can I do? A small cultivator like me has to make a living somehow on this high-rent Demon Gathering Island!”

Xiao Yu took a step forward, helplessly shrugging as he explained.

“I know, but this is a kind reminder from the next leader of Heaven & Earth One Sect. You should feel grateful and take it to heart—otherwise, when I become sect leader, I’ll have to visit you in sword prison.”

The girl arched a brow, her tone smug—as if becoming sect leader was already set in stone.

But from what Xiao Yu knew, she’d been deputy leader for five hundred years now—the real “eternal number two.”

And not just in title—her cultivation and figure were exactly the same as they’d been centuries ago.

“Of course, of course. Thank you, Deputy Sect Leader Gong. I’ll keep your words close to my heart,” Xiao Yu replied casually, humoring her like a child.

Slap!

With a sweet smile, Gong Wuyao closed the photo album with a crisp sound, pressing it down onto the table.

“I told you—you can just call me Sect Leader Gong. No need for that ‘deputy’ prefix.”

“Alright, Deputy Sect Leader Gong.”

“No—Sect Leader Gong!”

“Sure thing, Kung Fu Sect Leader.”

“You…”

Her tiny fists clenched tightly. Her hands hardened—first with anger, then finally loosened as she shook her head:

“Never mind. I won’t stoop to your level. The reason I had you called here is because I have something for you to do.”

As she spoke, an unknown three-tailed yellow-furred fox suddenly leaped into her lap.

Its pink paws kneaded gently against her soft mounds, which quivered like jelly at the touch.

“Aww~ Let Big Sister pet you, little cutie…”

Gong Wuyao scratched under the fox’s fluffy chin. The fox narrowed its amber eyes in bliss, clearly enjoying the affection.

Xiao Yu recognized this fox—it had been at Auntie Fox’s place.

Fox Auntie’s Spirit Fox Peak raised many foxes of all colors. Before he became the protagonist stand-in, Xiao Yu even went out of his way to buy some new fox breeds for her: folded-ear foxes, mist-snow foxes, crimson flame foxes…

Though she kept so many foxes, Fox Auntie herself wasn’t a fox spirit—just a human. Quite strange indeed.

This particular fox was yellowish, messy-furred, with white tips on its tails—likely a mixed breed.

To his surprise, Xiao Yu actually felt a twinge of envy toward the fox.

Come to think of it, he remembered someone from Beast Taming Peak once developed a transformation technique—able to turn into cute pets like cats or dogs to cozy up to female cultivators.

Unfortunately, the first test ended in disaster.

While transformed into a cat and passing through Divine Mechanism Peak, he was discovered.

Xiao Yu clearly recalled how much Fan Hai and the others loved fluffy creatures—especially adorable animals. Every tough guy secretly had a soft pink heart.

So, the poor fellow from Beast Taming Peak met a tragic fate.

After enduring a full day of “affection,” his thick hair turned visibly thinner. He staggered home dazed, muttering endlessly:

“This is forbidden magic… forbidden magic…”

He eventually locked the technique away forever, renounced the world, and joined Golden Light Temple.

Thus, this groundbreaking spell never spread beyond him.

A true shame.

As Xiao Yu sighed over the loss of such a rare genius in gentlemanly arts—

Gong Wuyao continued petting the fox while speaking:

“Today, a new arrival dropped onto Demon Gathering Island. I want you to be her guide—show her around so she can better adapt. She’s… special.”

Special?

Did she grow a third leg or something?

“I understand. But why me?”

Xiao Yu frowned slightly. Guiding newcomers around the island sounded inconvenient.

Gong Wuyao glanced at him, replying coolly:

“Because you’re the only one among us who’s ever left Demon Gathering Island. You know what’s out there. Unlike us old fossils, long disconnected from the times. And besides, there’s payment—a top-grade spirit stone—and it counts toward your performance at Great Bamboo Sword Peak. Not asking you to do it for free.”

“Then I’m all set.”

At the mention of spirit stones, Xiao Yu immediately agreed. Who cared about trouble? He was known for being hospitable—welcoming newcomers was just part of being a good host.

*A top-grade spirit stone!* That was serious money!

He sold albums risking arrest for barely fifty mid-grade stones. This newcomer wasn’t a person—they were pure fortune!

“By the way… this fortunate fellow… er, I mean, this new arrival—what makes them special? I should prepare accordingly.”

He rubbed his hands together, trying hard not to grin.

“She’s a mermaid,” Gong Wuyao revealed.

“Eh?!”

“Perfect. She’s still unconscious in the room. She should wake up soon—you’ll see for yourself.”

****

Inside an elegantly ancient chamber.

Xiao Yu tiptoed forward cautiously, taking one step and pausing thrice, afraid of disturbing anything. Anyone watching might mistake him for a sneaky burglar.

Seeing his suspicious behavior, Gong Wuyao couldn’t help but lift her snowy bare foot and kick him lightly:

“What are you doing creeping around like that? Are you here to steal? Want me to call the Discipline Hall?”

“Hehe… I was just worried about making too much noise and waking her up,” Xiao Yu scratched his head, no longer as cautious as before. He strode directly toward the curtained bed inside.

Truthfully, the moment Gong Wuyao said mermaid, Xiao Yu’s eyelid started twitching uncontrollably.

A bad feeling stirred deep within him.

He thought of the first heroine he’d ever pursued—Xia Nianmo. Also a mermaid, now likely the Mermaid Clan’s Holy Maiden.

Could it really be her?

No way! Definitely not her.

Mermaids lived deep in the Southern Sea—far from the Sea of Forbidden Tides.

Although the waters were connected, there was no way she could’ve ended up on Demon Gathering Island.

Thinking this, Xiao Yu gently pulled aside the curtain.

The fabric slid open, revealing a pale glow.

Before him lay the sleeping mermaid woman, her posture like that of a fairy tale princess.

!!!

At the sight of that familiar face—

Xiao Yu’s heart sank completely.

Azure scales. Delicate features. A faint fragrance of deep sea lingering on her skin.

What the hell?!

Is this a ghost?!

How could it actually be her?!

In an instant, Xiao Yu’s scalp prickled. Hands gripping his jaw, he nearly turned into *The Scream* masterpiece.

Impossible?

Why is the heroine on Demon Gathering Island?!

“Xiao Yu? What’s wrong? Why is there so much sweat on your forehead? Are you weak-bodied?”

Gong Wuyao’s puzzled voice came from behind. Without thinking, Xiao Yu spun around and snapped:

“You’re the weak one! Your whole family’s weak!”

He prided himself on lasting all night long—seven rounds without issue. Sure, experience was zero, but stamina was top-notch.

Wait—*that* wasn’t the point.

“Deputy Leader, this person can’t stay. Let’s just throw her back into the Sea of Forbidden Tides!”

Xiao Yu turned to Gong Wuyao, brown eyes filled with sincere plea.

“…”

Are you trying to dump a body?

Gong Wuyao blinked, then smiled sweetly:

“Get lost!”

She looked Xiao Yu up and down like seeing him for the first time:

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those racists. Do you hate non-humans? We’re the Heaven & Earth One Sect of Universal Love—none of that nonsense works here.”

“Of course not! I love beast-eared girls!”

“Beast– what?”

Gong Wuyao frowned. Once again, Xiao Yu was spouting incomprehensible words.

Meanwhile, the fox in her arms perked up its ears, seemingly hearing Xiao Yu’s pervy remark. It opened one eye, giving him a look full of disdain.

“In short, believe me—keeping her here will bring nothing but trouble.”

Xiao Yu said seriously. Xia Nianmo was one of the heroines, and played a crucial role later.

It involved a divine artifact.

Without her, how would the protagonist retrieve it?

More importantly—this girl was a huge headache.

Unfortunately, Gong Wuyao didn’t know any of this. She waved him off with a glare:

“Nonsense! Guests must be welcomed. If she doesn’t stay here, are you going to personally send her back?

Maybe you should go to Spirit Medicine Peak and get some medicine for that brain of yours. Don’t assume everyone can freely pass through the Forbidden Sea like your weirdo self.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yu suddenly realized a major problem.

This was Demon Gathering Island—once in, you couldn’t leave. Even someone at Transcendence wouldn’t manage it.

Which meant Xia Nianmo was stuck.

*Crap!* Everything’s going to fall apart!

What about the protagonist outside?

For a moment, he shared the Dao’s sentiment:

We’re doomed.

As the two conversed, the mermaid woman on the bed fluttered her eyelids—seeming ready to awaken.