Only the Dragon Cat Demon suddenly sneezed, then sniffled, blinked and looked up.

The Year Beast Monarch turned his head at the sound and looked at the blue kitten squatting on the cushion.

The Dragon Cat is a demon breed that drifted over from abroad.

When this Dragon Cat arrived at Hai Fan Mountain, it so happened that the previous generation's "Dragon Zodiac" Jiaolong Demon died at the hands of Lake Hunting, and there were no suitable combat personnel to replace him within the Jiaolong Demon clan.

So, the rest of the Zodiac Team proposed having the Dragon Cat Demon take this position, and the Monarch agreed.

Thinking about it now, it's almost like sending a baby to the battlefield. But this particular baby can turn into a Great King Kong in a fit of rage, and even just throwing tantrums on the battlefield can have a greater impact than many others.

At this thought, the Year Beast Monarch couldn't help but let out a low sigh. Hearing the Monarch's sigh, none of the Zodiac Team dared to look up, except for the Dragon Cat Demon who scratched its nose with a paw as if sniffing something.

At that moment, amidst the silence, the Year Beast Monarch suddenly slowly turned his head to look at the Little Nian Beast in the corner.

"Hmm?" The Little Nian Beast raised its head, meeting his eyes.

The large and small lions locked eyes, and the air seemed to grow heavier.

"Are you going to join me on the front line?" the Year Beast Monarch asked.

"Are you kidding? I'm too weak, going to the battlefield would just hold you back... old man." The Little Nian Beast shook its head, thinking to itself that the old guy should hurry up and die in battle, stop dragging it out. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Is that so..." There was no disappointment in the Year Beast Monarch's tone, "Then forget it."

In fact, he didn't hold any expectations for the Little Nian Beast, a child who hadn't returned home in ten years. It's already a joy that it was willing to stay here, no need to wish for it to go to the battlefield with him.

Let alone that the Little Nian Beast had already helped him solve the problems of the Furious Demon and the Lazy Demon, something far beyond the Monarch's expectations.

"As long as you understand, old man."

The Little Nian Beast murmured. It shifted its gaze from the Monarch's face to Bai Tanlang.

Bai Tanlang stood silently in the corner of the meeting space, head bowed, the inside of his cloak seemed to have a faint blackness.

The Little Nian Beast could see that a Crow was hiding in Bai Tanlang's cloak, most likely a "confidant" created by Urushibara Osamu's superpower, to facilitate exchanging information with Bai Tanlang and eavesdropping on the Year Beast's meetings.

At that moment, Bai Tanlang suddenly raised his head. The Little Nian Beast met his eyes, then quickly averted its gaze, yawned, lay back down on the soft cushion, and continued to sleep, the sound of the rushing waterfall gradually becoming faint.

....

....

Meanwhile, in Hai Fan City, in a seaside estate, inside an office.

Lin Xingshi was sitting upright in a chair, fingers interlocked, turning her head to gaze distractedly out at the sea and sky, the gentle sea breeze lifting her fiery red braid.

She relaxed her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

At this time, Zhou Jiuya was sitting on the sofa, leaning against the armrest, resting his chin in his hand, dozing. After a moment, he opened his light gold eyes and glanced at the contemplative Lin Xingshi.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Zhou Jiuya stretched lazily and crossed his arms as he asked her.

"Nothing... just wondering if an old friend of ours will show up this time," Lin Xingshi said softly.

"Su Wei?"

"No, a childhood friend," Lin Xingshi shook her head, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "But... I kind of hope he doesn't show up, it's a bit complicated."

"What are you mumbling about? Let's go have breakfast," Zhou Jiuya tilted his head.

"Sure, let's go then."

With that, Lin Xingshi donned her coat and started to step out of the office.