Chapter 11: No Forcing, Not Even a Little

Qin Min was indeed aware of Yun Fu’s level of spiritual power, but the fact that Yun Fu could reduce a 90% high pollution level was far beyond the soothing ability of an F-rank spiritual power.

Yun Fu, under their intense gaze, felt the awkwardness of a supposed weakling being mistaken for a strong one.

“My spiritual power was tested not long ago; it’s only F-rank. The reason I can soothe Lu Shiling so effectively might be because of our compatibility—my spiritual power and his resonate well,” Yun Fu explained reluctantly.

Her understanding of spiritual power and soothing largely came from Qin Min, yet many things remained unclear to her, so she could only offer this tentative explanation.

“F-rank? That’s impossible!” Warren’s expression was one of disbelief, as if she were joking.

It was understandable why Warren was shocked—F-rank spiritual power was only marginally better than that of a useless female and generally lacked any soothing ability.

Not to mention a beastman capable of awakening a spiritual form and soothing someone with a 3S-rank spiritual power.

“Is the testing machine at the center broken? Your spiritual power can’t possibly be F-rank,” Lu Shiling said confidently, glancing at the jellyfish perched on Yun Fu’s shoulder.

As the one being soothed, he had some insight into Yun Fu’s spiritual power—it was a gentle yet powerful force.

The jellyfish could easily control his spiritual form. From any perspective, Yun Fu’s spiritual power was formidable; it couldn’t be mere F-rank.

Yun Fu didn’t understand why they didn’t believe her. The testing machine at the center wasn’t manually operated, so it made no sense for it to malfunction only for her.

She looked at Qin Min, who had accompanied her to the test. “Was the machine faulty when I took the test?”

Qin Min recalled the situation and admitted it was somewhat unusual.

“The machine did flicker at the time, but the data should be accurate. If there were issues, the center would have had you retake the test.”

His gaze then fell on the jellyfish, darkening slightly.

“As for why you can soothe Lu Shiling and reduce his pollution level, maybe it’s because your genetic compatibility is high, which doubles the soothing effect.”

This explanation was similar to Yun Fu’s earlier one.

But given Qin Min’s status as an imperial researcher—he was the one who developed the suppressant for beastmen during their heat period—his understanding of spiritual power was far superior to theirs.

They reluctantly accepted this reasoning.

Warren felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped the empire would really have another female with S-rank spiritual power, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Despite his disappointment, Warren was glad for Lu Shiling. To encounter a female who could soothe him during his mental breakdown was truly fortunate.

And that female was his mate—his luck was beyond belief.

---

Lu Shiling trusted only his own feelings and dismissed the faulty machine theory, but Yun Fu’s significant effect made him cautious, so he said little.

As they spoke, the detention cell emitted an alert. Warren slapped his forehead.

“I forgot you’re only allowed to visit beastmen in custody for a limited time. The time’s up now.”

Lu Shiling was currently a high-risk beastman. Only when his pollution level dropped below 80 and he could stabilize into human form could he leave the detention center; otherwise, he would remain confined indefinitely.

Yun Fu saw the fox’s ears drooping instantly and felt some sympathy.

“Stay well here. We’ll come to see you next time.”

Lu Shiling lifted his furry head, his whiskers trembling.

“Who wants to see you? The detention center is my territory. I’m doing just fine here.”

The fox raised his head arrogantly, feigning indifference.

If those dark brown eyes weren’t so furtively fixed on the slender female opposite him, his words might have carried more conviction.

[This fox is so stubbornly prideful. No wonder the supporting female dislikes him. Who would willingly seek trouble from someone so unpleasant to listen to?]

[The fox is handsome and adorable, a fluffy creature straight into any girl’s heart. If only he spoke more nicely, the supporting female might have kissed him senseless. How could he have been swayed away by another beastman?]

Would Yun Fu really kiss him senseless? Lu Shiling’s face flushed beneath his thick fur.

Seeing Yun Fu’s delicate, rosy face and lips, he blushed even more, scratching himself awkwardly.

“But if you insist on coming, I can reluctantly accept it since you’re my mate.”

Yun Fu recognized the fox’s tsundere nature and teased him.

“If you’re that reluctant, then I won’t come. Warren, take care of Lu Shiling. Let’s go.”

She glanced once at the fox, who had frozen stiff, snorted, and started to leave.

Qin Min naturally followed.

Warren, whose shoulder was aching from the fox’s claws, dared not say a word.

Before Yun Fu could leave, Lu Shiling, afraid she might really not come again, grew anxious.

He jumped down from Warren’s shoulder, tried to reach out to Yun Fu, but hesitated and carefully withdrew his paw.

---

“It’s not that reluctant. You coming... Warren will be very happy.”

Yun Fu looked at the fox, still stubbornly maintaining his last shred of masculine pride. She squatted down and stroked his soft, smooth fur.

A slender, warm hand covered the fox’s body. Its pale color stood out against the fiery red fur, accompanied by a rich fragrance that made him want to bury his nose in it and savor the scent.

Lu Shiling felt disturbed by his own perverse thought and wanted to run away, but recalling the words earlier and worrying that Yun Fu might truly be upset, he allowed her to continue.

After petting the fluffy creature, Yun Fu’s mood lifted considerably. She pinched the fox’s ears.

“I’ll come see you tomorrow. Tell me what you want, and I’ll bring it to you.”

Her voice softened with her better mood.

The detention cell was for beastmen suffering mental breakdowns, with simple facilities. To live here, one would need to prepare some personal items.

Lu Shiling wanted to say nothing was needed, but changed his mind as the words left his mouth.

“Whatever you decide, I’m not picky.”

Seeing how agreeable he was, Warren twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Who was it that, after every bug hunt, complained about their stench and told them to go to the trash heap, barely distinguishing between beastmen and garbage?

But since the officer was trying to appease the female to avoid her disfavor, Warren held his tongue, determined to protect the officer’s image and prevent him from becoming isolated.

Yun Fu nodded and truly left this time.

Qin Min walked behind her silently. Before leaving, his eyes casually swept over Lu Shiling’s fluffy, eye-catching fur—so beloved by females—and coldness flickered in his gaze.

The two walked one after the other. Qin Min’s tall, upright figure completely shielded Yun Fu’s slender frame.

Lu Shiling, sitting reservedly and stretching his neck to see, saw nothing and couldn’t help baring his teeth at Qin Min’s back.

“Stinky fish, since you can’t attract females yourself, you resort to these little tricks.”

After cursing, Lu Shiling thought about how Qin Min could leave with Yun Fu and even live together with her, while he remained confined here.

His expression darkened. He lay down listlessly, twitching his nose as he sniffed the lingering scent of the female.