Interlude: Little Lining

"Mama," Lining called as she observed the mortal glare in their direction. It was impressive that she was able to perceive the direction in which they laid. Lining was a rattlesnake spirit beast and was blessed with being a rank 3 beast from birth. While they were not as fearsome or deadly as some of the spirit beasts which roamed the Sixin Forest, they were known for their cunning and mercy. A rattlesnake would rather avoid a fight than waste their limited energy on defending themselves.

"Can you sense it?" Konglun, Lining's mother, whispered with awe in her voice. She was one of the rare members of their clan who managed to achieve rank 7, which allowed her to take human form. "I sense the energy of a snake on her. One that is more powerful than the ancestor of the forest."

"Impossible," Lining exclaimed as her mother stared in wonder at the human. "Even I, a rank 4 spirit beast, can sense no spirit energy from her. She hasn't made a contract with a beast or even cultivated any?!"

Konglun shook her head at her daughter's words. It was confirmed that the mortal girl didn't possess any spirit energy, but the imprint of a mighty snake resided on her. It would be pitiful as a member of the Shelei spirit subgroup to allow someone with such potential to become targeted by another beast. "She needs a little energy. Just a small amount to awaken the slumbering power." Konglun looked down at her wayward daughter and towards the struggling mortal. "Lining…"

Lining turned towards her mother once she heard the tone in her voice. "What?!" she squeaked as her mother bent down to pick her up. "Mama!"

"It's a mother's duty to provide for her children the best future," Konglun explained in a solemn tone. "And it's the duty of one of the elders of our clan to do the best for our race."

Lining didn't like the direction of her mother's words or actions.