C5 Niu Li's Transformation!

Upon exiting the Molding Space, Niu Li was greeted by the urgent knocking on his door.

"Son, talk to me. What's wrong?" His mother, Gu Huiping's voice, was laced with concern.

"Just stop yelling. He's probably been picked on again. Despite his height, he lacks any real grit," his father, Niu Biao, remarked, his voice booming with emphasis.

Niu Li inhaled deeply, his eyes still throbbing with pain, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. He scrambled mentally for an excuse to deflect their worries.

But the telltale signs of an altercation were plain on his face; there was no hiding the fact that he'd been hit from his parents.

With a silent sigh at his own helplessness, he stepped forward and opened the door.

As the door swung open, both Gu Huiping and Niu Biao were confronted with the sight of Niu Li's bruised face.

Niu Biao's eyes initially flashed with anger, then shifted to a look of frustrated disappointment.

Gu Huiping, meanwhile, clutched Niu Li, her face etched with distress, as if she were on the verge of tears.

"I'm okay, Mom," Niu Li managed to say weakly.

"Your eye—look at it! Tomorrow, I'm going to the school to speak with the administration. Your school seems no better than a den of thugs," Gu Huiping declared, her voice filled with outrage.

"Enough already. It's just kids being kids. Let it be," Niu Biao interjected gruffly, before turning to Niu Li with concern. "Does it still hurt? If it does, have your mother boil a couple of eggs to put on the bruise."

Niu Li felt a surge of warmth. His parents might show their care differently, but their intentions were the same.

"Dad, I'm really okay. This little injury will fade by morning. You both have had a long day; best to get some rest. You need to be up early tomorrow," Niu Li said, his voice light and devoid of any self-pity.

Niu Li's atypical response gave Niu Biao pause, and he scrutinized his son, taken aback. This was not the Niu Li he knew.

Feeling slightly unnerved under his father's gaze, Niu Li met Niu Biao's eyes with a determined look and promised earnestly, "Dad, I won't let you down again."

Upon hearing the words, Niu Biao's astonishment grew. Could this resolute young man truly be his timid son?

After scrutinizing him for a moment, Niu Biao broke into a smile, gave Niu Li a hearty pat on the shoulder, and with a nod, turned to Gu Huiping, "Alright, our son's alright. Let's head back and get some rest."

"But..." Gu Huiping still harbored concerns, yet at Niu Biao's stern look, she acquiesced, "Okay, then make sure you rest well. Don't overthink things!"

"Good night, Mom and Dad," Niu Li said, nodding as he ushered his parents out the door.

Once outside Niu Li's room, Gu Huiping fixed Niu Biao with a disapproving glare. "What's gotten into you? Our son gets beaten, and you just brush it off? What happened to all that authority you used to wield?"

Niu Biao didn't take offense. Instead, he cast a glance towards Niu Li's room and remarked, "Haven't you noticed? Our son is changing."

"My son is changing?" Gu Huiping turned around, a look of bewilderment on her face, but deep down, she sensed that her son was indeed different from before.

"He's going to grow into a fine man, just you watch," Niu Biao said with a wide grin, his face alight with approval and anticipation.

"I'll be watching alright, watching your son get beat up day after day," Gu Huiping retorted, lacking any optimism. She shot Niu Biao a disgruntled look and strode off towards their bedroom.

Suppressing a chuckle, Niu Biao followed her.

Once his parents were gone, Niu Li breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet his mood soon turned somber. The promise he'd made to his father was also a challenge to himself.

Having spoken those words, he had placed a burden upon his shoulders, a constant reminder to never show weakness, to be a man.

Thankfully, it seemed he now had a formidable source of support!

Excitement surged through him as he gently touched the Creating Ring on his finger.

He had acquired an elf, a creature of legend.

"Can she perform magic?" Niu Li pondered the crucial question and addressed the ring on his finger, "Diaochan, come out."

In a burst of light, a palm-sized elf materialized before Niu Li, hands clasped behind her back, offering a sweet smile. "Did you call for me?"

Niu Li was at a loss for words.

"How did you get so tiny?"

"It's just my nature. All I remember is that shrinking is one of my abilities, like a spell I can cast," Diaochan said with a smile, her eyes sparkling enchantingly.

For a moment, Niu Li was so taken aback that he barely noticed her beauty. "You actually know magic?"

"I'm only familiar with beginner-grade magic. I've been told that to master more advanced spells, I need the help of a master. Will you help me?" Diaochan looked up at him with such a forlorn expression that no man could refuse her.

She moaned softly, suggesting that taking down a man was as natural to her as breathing.

Niu Li found himself unable to resist her charm. He nodded without hesitation and vowed, "Rest assured, I'll help you learn more powerful magic."

"Master, you're so kind," Diaochan beamed, her smile so sweet it was almost irresistible.

"Could you show me some magic now? I've never actually witnessed real magic," Niu Li said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and his heart racing with excitement.

"Of course." Diaochan paused in thought, then noticing the dark circles under Niu Li's eyes, she chuckled, "I can take care of those unsightly bags for you."

"Unsightly bags?" Niu Li was taken aback, then he remembered his panda-like appearance and felt a wave of embarrassment. His resentment towards whoever was responsible for his condition deepened.

"How will you get rid of my dark circles?" he asked, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment.

"It's quite simple. Watch closely," Diaochan said with a grin, extending her hand and chanting, "Spirit of the water element, heed my call, Water Lubricant Skill."

As she spoke, a stream of bubbles formed in her palm from nowhere, then gracefully swept across Niu Li's face.

He felt a cool, tingling sensation, and the puffiness around his eyes seemed to vanish.

He couldn't resist touching his face; there was no pain. He eagerly grabbed a mirror from the table and gazed at his reflection in amazement.

Sure enough, the purplish-black circles were gone, and his skin looked softer and fairer than before!

This was magic—a truly refreshing kind. It could heal wounds and even had the added benefit of whitening the skin!

"Master, you're looking so much better now," Diaochan remarked, her face alight with happiness. She fluttered her wings, buzzing around Niu Li in a joyful dance.

"Diaochan, I adore you!" Niu Li exclaimed, his heart swelling with joy. He longed to embrace her tightly, but alas, she had become too small for him to hold.

"Actually, Diaochan, let's not use 'master' anymore. Call me 'big brother' instead, okay?"

Watching Diaochan beam with joy, Niu Li had an epiphany. It seemed selfish to have such a beautiful sprite address him as master. Despite his contentment, the title created a sense of distance between them. 'Big brother' would bring a warmth and closeness to their relationship.

"Big brother, I have a big brother now!" Diaochan's delight was evident, and she buzzed around Niu Li with even greater enthusiasm. Eventually, she drew close and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, giggling as she darted away.

A jolt ran through Niu Li, the sensation new and electrifying. This was his first kiss from a girl other than his mother. He touched his cheek, his happiness undeniable. In his heart, he was more convinced than ever about having Diaochan call him 'big brother.'