"It does look a bit like it," Liu Yi said softly.
Jinyao's tail perked up.
"Yanyan!"
"Will I grow as big as it when I'm older?"
Liu Yi smiled. "You will."
Jinyao's eyes lit up, and it let out a tiny roar.
"Yanyan!"
The cry was childish and brief, lacking any intimidation, but it carried far across the open plaza.
Several passersby stopped and looked their way.
Their gaze first fell on Liu Yi, then shifted to the small golden lion in her arms.
A moment of silence.
Then, whispers began to spread.
"Is that... a Blazing Lion?"
"The color's wrong. Blazing Lions have fiery red fur, but that one is golden."
"Radiance Shift?"
"No way, a Radiance Shift Blazing Lion? I've never seen one in all my years."
"Look at its mane, it fades from gold to fiery red, and its tail tip is also golden-red. I've never seen these colors before."
"So you're saying such a young Beast Tamer has a Blazing Lion? And a Radiance Shift one?"
"...Though I don't want to admit it, it seems that's exactly the case."
"Impossible. I must still be dreaming; this dream is too absurd."
The murmurs grew louder.
Jinyao sensed the gazes, shrinking back into Liu Yi's arms and burying its face in her elbow, leaving only one eye peeking out to cautiously observe its surroundings.
"Yanyan..."
It let out a muffled cry.
"They're looking at me."
Liu Yi gently rubbed Jinyao's head.
Wei Xiuyu turned from beside her and walked towards the other side of the plaza.
Liu Yi followed. Ziyue circled from her leg to the other side, using her body to block the overly intense stares, while Chiying hovered beside Liu Yi, scanning the surroundings.
After crossing the plaza and walking down a quiet alley, the hotel appeared before them.
The hotel's architectural style was similar to the surrounding buildings, with thick, light yellow stone exteriors, but it was much larger in scale. Above its main entrance hung a golden sign, bearing the words "Heart of Saint Candle" in gilded lettering. Below the main sign was a smaller line of text: "Beast Tamer Association Designated Reception Hotel."
Liu Yi dragged her suitcase to the front desk to check in.
The receptionist took her identity card and swiped it on the terminal. When she saw the information displayed on the screen, her fingers paused slightly.
She looked up, her gaze lingering on Liu Yi's face for a moment before shifting to Jinyao in her arms.
"Student Liu Yi, welcome to the Heart of Saint Candle," the staff member said with professional warmth, though the curiosity in her eyes was undeniable. "Your room is 608, and the elevator is to your right."
She handed over a room card and a card with a hotel map. "The hotel's top floor has a dedicated pet training ground. If you wish to use it, you can make a reservation at the front desk."
"Thank you," Liu Yi said, taking the room card.
Wei Xiuyu also completed her check-in, took her room card, and nodded to Liu Yi. "Let's go settle in first. We'll meet in the lobby in half an hour to go register at the Beast Tamer Association."
"Okay."
...
Half an hour later, Liu Yi arrived in the hotel lobby with Ziyue, Chiying, and Jinyao.
Wei Xiuyu was already waiting there, holding a glass of water and looking out at the street view from in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Let's go," she said, setting down her glass and turning to walk out of the hotel.
When Liu Yi and her companions arrived at the Saint Candle Region Beast Tamer Association again, Kong Xinyan was already waiting at the hall entrance.
Beside her stood a middle-aged man in a red uniform, with a nameplate bearing the words "Deputy Director" pinned to his chest.
"This is Wu Sheng, our Administrative Hall's Deputy Director," Kong Xinyan introduced.
"Hello," Liu Yi said, nodding politely.
Wu Sheng nodded, then his gaze fell to her feet.
"Is this the Radiance Shift Blazing Lion?" His voice held a hint of undisguised surprise.
"Yes," Liu Yi replied.
Wu Sheng crouched down, carefully observing Jinyao.
His gaze moved from Jinyao's fur to its mane, from its mane to its eyes, from its eyes to its tail, finally settling on its golden eyes.
"It is indeed a Radiance Shift," he confirmed.
He stood up and turned to Kong Xinyan. "Take them to the VIP room. I'll be right there."
Kong Xinyan nodded and smiled at Liu Yi. "Please follow me."
The VIP room was located at the end of the third floor of the Administrative Hall; it was a spacious and bright room. Several portraits of Fire-type pets hung on the walls, and in the center was an oval long table with several bottles of mineral water and a small potted plant.
"Please wait a moment. Deputy Director Wu has gone to retrieve some documents and will be right back," Kong Xinyan said, pouring them water before stepping aside.
Liu Yi and Wei Xiuyu took seats.
A few minutes later, Wu Sheng pushed open the door and entered.
He held a tablet computer and a paper document, and behind him followed a woman.
The woman wore a deep red robe, with a golden badge pinned to her chest. Her steps were steady, her gaze sharp, and her entire being exuded an undeniable aura of authority.
"This is Helian Hua, our association's Vice President," Wu Sheng introduced.
Liu Yi stood up and nodded politely. "Hello, Vice President Helian."
Helian Hua's gaze paused on Liu Yi for a moment, then fell upon Ziyue and Chiying at her feet, finally settling on Jinyao.
She walked up to Jinyao and crouched down.
Jinyao lifted its head from Liu Yi's lap, its golden eyes meeting Helian Hua's gaze.
It tilted its head, seemingly sizing up this stranger.
"Yanyan?"
It let out a cry.
Helian Hua didn't reach out to touch it, merely watched silently.
"A Radiance Shift Blazing Lion," she murmured, as if to herself. "I've lived in Saint Candle for over eighty years and seen many Blazing Lions, but a Radiance Shift individual... this is my first time seeing one with my own eyes."
She stood up and turned to Liu Yi. "Is your name Liu Yi?"
"Yes."
"From the Longwu Region?"
"Yes."
"Where did you get this Blazing Lion?"
Liu Yi looked directly into Helian Hua's eyes. "From the Myriad Realm Secret Realm, a pet egg willingly gifted by the Blazing Lion tribe."
Helian Hua's expression remained unchanged, but her fingers lightly tapped the edge of the long table twice.
"Myriad Realm Secret Realm," she repeated. "This September, we did receive synchronized information from the Longwu Beast Tamer Association that a Beast Tamer brought out a Moling Dragon from the Myriad Realm Secret Realm, which later evolved into a Moling Dragon and was recorded as a new Dragon-type species."
"Was that person you?"
"It was me."
Helian Hua stared at Liu Yi for a few seconds, then nodded. "That Moling Dragon, is it this one?"
She looked at Chiying, who was beside Liu Yi.
"Yes."
Helian Hua: "The Blazing Lion tribe's pet eggs are almost never given to outsiders. Do you know why they chose you?"
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