Ascending the Demon Realm

We became inseparable friends, even napping together. His soft, warm fur made the perfect sleeping cushion. This earned me the collective envy of our kindergarten class. Though they glared resentfully, none could break our bond.

When graduation came, Xiao Fen cried for hours, eyes swollen. I stroked his fuzzy ears until he finally left with his parents, clutching the tiny suitcase he'd packed to live with me. My heart ached too, though I swallowed the tears - my parents would never permit it.

Seeing my childhood companion again now sent my pulse racing like that hyperactive bunny girl nearby. I fought to maintain my capybara-like calm demeanor. How ironic - a husky's chaotic energy trapped in this zen facade!

Xiao Fen's crescent-moon fox eyes crinkled with that signature charm. "Let me show you around Donghuang University," he suggested, brushing my arm.

The bunny girl materialized instantly. "Boss, unfinished tasks." His sweet fox smile vanished, replaced by glacial authority that made her poof away in panic. I marveled at this new steel beneath his softness - gone was the timid fluffball who'd hidden behind me.

His gaze warmed again like dawn dispelling night. Maintaining my placid smile, I noted how he'd changed. With elegant finger tucking hair behind ear, he teased: "You can't fly yet, can you?"

My smile twitched. Damn right I couldn't. Not my fault humans don't sprout wings! But he assumed I'd neglected cultivation. Let him think me a lazy capybara avoiding effort. Five-century-level flight? Please. That's old-money privilege - ancestral power transfers from dragon/tiger/fox clans. Us commoners? Happy being working-class cattle. Literally, in some cases.

He chuckled at my poker face, eyes fond yet exasperated. When his hand ruffled my hair, I squinted - why does everyone pet capybaras? With a flick of jade thumb, he summoned glowing lotus portal. My jaw dropped. That portable teleportation gate cost more than my life savings!

As he pulled me toward the shimmer, a buff guy clutching vacuum cleaner wailed "Boss!" like abandoned puppy. "Keep cleaning," Xiao Fen commanded coldly. Instantly obedient, the guy resumed scrubbing floors with weird devotion.

Before I could process their dynamic, we stepped through to an immense marble hall. Celestial light danced across vaulted ceilings where ancient murals depicted our origins - beast gods assisting deities like Pangu and Nüwa in world-creation. Artifacts from the dawn of time lined the corridors. This was Donghuang's crown jewel: the museum housing primordial relics.

"Welcome to our heritage." Pride warmed Xiao Fen's voice as we joined awestruck freshmen. My reverent gaze swept over dormant sacred weapons - intelligent artifacts that slumbered after losing their masters.

Suddenly, eerie humming slithered through the hall - a discordant tune like twisted nursery rhyme.