Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Terms of Agreement
The Moonlit Hollow was heavy with tension. Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his dark robes catching the faint golden light as he studied the strange orb. Aria remained crouched a few feet away, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the human cultivator.
The Frost Mink peeked out from behind her leg, its tiny body trembling with nervous energy.
"I don't trust him," Aria thought, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "But if he tries anything, I'll tear him apart."
Xuan Hao seemed unfazed by her watchful glare, his dark eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and amusement. He crouched slightly, keeping his movements slow and deliberate.
"You don't attack unless provoked," he said, his tone thoughtful. "That's unusual for a beast."
Aria's tail flicked in irritation, but she stayed silent.
He smiled faintly, glancing toward her. "You're cautious. I respect that. But if you want to protect this artifact, you're going to need help."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Help from you?"
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow as if sensing her unspoken thoughts. "Yes, help from me. Believe it or not, I'm on your side."
---
The Frost Mink squeaked softly, pressing closer to Aria's leg.
Xuan Hao's gaze shifted to the tiny creature, and his faint smile returned. "A Frost Mink. Rare, even in these parts. Loyal, too. You've got quite the ally."
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing. "You don't get to talk about them."
Xuan Hao straightened, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "Alright, let's get to the point. That artifact is dangerous. It's already drawing attention, and it's only going to get worse."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed further. "Tell me something I don't know."
"You've been fending off hostiles for days," he continued, pacing slowly. "Wolves, lizards, drakes—it's only a matter of time before something stronger comes. When that happens, your barriers and claws won't be enough."
Aria's tail lashed, but she didn't interrupt.
"You're intelligent," Xuan Hao said, stopping a few steps away from her. "I can see it in your eyes. You understand the risk, don't you?"
She growled softly, her muscles tensing. "Get to the point, human."
---
Xuan Hao crouched again, resting his arms on his knees. "Let me help you."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "And what's in it for you?"
He smirked faintly, as if he'd expected the question. "I'm a cultivator. Artifacts like this are invaluable for research. If I can study it—at a distance—I might learn something that benefits us both."
Aria's claws scraped against the ground, her sharp gaze unrelenting.
"You're not convinced," Xuan Hao said, his tone calm. "That's fair. Let me prove myself."
Her ears twitched, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "How?"
"I'll help you protect the artifact," he said simply. "No strings attached. If I'm lying, you'll know soon enough."
Her tail swished. "And if you try to take it?"
Xuan Hao raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Then you can kill me. Fair?"
Aria's sharp blue eyes glinted, her claws flexing. "It's not a bad offer," she thought. "But he's a cultivator. I'd better keep him on a short leash."
---
The Frost Mink squeaked softly, its tiny eyes darting between Aria and Xuan Hao.
She glanced down at the creature, then back at the human. "Fine," she thought. "But I'll be watching him every second."
Aria let out a low growl, stepping back slightly as a sign of reluctant agreement.
Xuan Hao smiled faintly, lowering his hands. "I'll take that as a yes."
Her tail flicked sharply, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Don't push your luck."
---
Xuan Hao rose to his feet, his gaze drifting back to the artifact. "I'll start by reinforcing your defenses. These barriers are decent, but they won't hold up against a stronger assault."
Aria growled softly. "You think you can do better?"
He glanced at her, his dark eyes gleaming with confidence. "Watch and learn."
---
Over the next few hours, Xuan Hao worked methodically, weaving thin threads of crimson energy through the hollow's barriers. The energy shimmered faintly, forming a protective layer around the jagged rocks and branches.
Aria watched him closely, her sharp blue eyes narrowing at every movement.
"What is he doing?" she thought, her tail swishing.
"Analysis indicates defensive formation. Energy signature compatible with artifact resonance. Effectiveness: Moderate."
Her fur bristled. "Moderate? That doesn't sound good enough."
The Frost Mink squeaked softly, tilting its head as it watched Xuan Hao work.
He glanced over his shoulder, his faint smile returning. "Curious, aren't you?"
The mink squeaked again, hopping closer.
Aria growled softly, stepping between them. "Stay back," she thought, glaring at the human. "Don't get too comfortable."
---
By the time Xuan Hao finished, the hollow's perimeter was surrounded by a faint, shimmering barrier.
He straightened, brushing his hands off as he turned to face Aria. "There. That should buy us some time."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "How much time?"
Xuan Hao shrugged. "A few hours, maybe a day. It depends on what comes next."
Aria growled softly, her tail lashing. "That's not reassuring."
"It's the best I can do on short notice," he said, his tone calm. "If you have a better idea, I'm all ears."
She huffed, her claws scraping against the frozen ground. "I hate that he's right."
---
The Frost Mink scurried toward the barrier, its tiny paws pressing against the faint energy field. It squeaked softly, tilting its head in curiosity.
Xuan Hao crouched, watching the creature with a faint smile. "Your little friend seems to approve."
Aria growled, stepping closer to the human. "That doesn't mean I trust you."
He straightened, meeting her sharp gaze. "Good. Trust is earned, not given."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted, her claws flexing. "Then you'd better start earning it."
---
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the hollow in shadows, the tension in the air grew heavier. The artifact's glow pulsed faintly, its hum resonating through the snow like a warning.
Aria perched on her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the horizon. Xuan Hao sat nearby, his dark robes blending with the shadows.
The Frost Mink curled up between them, its tiny body a small buffer of warmth in the cold night.
"For now, the hollow is quiet," Aria thought, her tail swishing. "But this alliance won't last forever."
As the snow began to fall, the Moonlit Hollow settled into a fragile peace, the storm still brewing on the horizon.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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stone