CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170: BEAR OUTFIT

Her heart fluttered with excitement.

But Mr. Crow immediately splashed a bucket of cold water on her expectations.

He clicked his beak sharply.

"In theory, yes. Normally, the yellow rank can handle ghosts around 20–50 years of cultivation. But you..." he gestured emphatically, "...might someday reach the ability to deal with 100-year ghosts when you peak at this rank."

Lana’s eyes sparkled.

She hugged Mr. Crow tightly.

"Mr. Crow... thank you!"

Mr. Crow stiffened, utterly confused.

"...Why are you thanking me? I didn’t do anything."

But even while he looked baffled, Mr. Crow puffed his feathers outward in pride, and an unexpected warmth softened the edges of his heart.

Just moments ago, Lana had taken a stand for him... against Lucian, of all people.

He hadn’t dared hope for that.

After all, he was acutely aware of his place in her heart. Lucian had always been her weakness, the lingering obsession born of regret from a previous life.

Logically, she should have placed Lucian above all else, even above herself. He had expected her to bend, to freeze, to falter in front of Lucian’s disapproval.

But instead... She stood firm and defended him. She chose him.

And something inside the little crow-beast trembled.

’So she can fight even the shadow of her obsession... for my sake?’

It humbled him more than he wanted to admit. Humans often chased money, fame, or pleasure, but Lana didn’t prioritize any of those.

Her priorities were painfully simple, carved straight from her soul: the people she cared about.

If she loved someone, she would bleed for them. If she protected someone, she would do it even against her own desires.

At that realization, Mr. Crow felt truly blessed.

A bold, embarrassing thought even flickered through his mind.

’If only I could transform into a human right now...’

But he cast that fantasy aside just as quickly. His cultivation wasn’t sufficient yet. His core was strengthening, but not enough.

Still... he could feel the changes.

A subtle power pulsed beneath his feathers... stronger, cleaner, sharper than before. Lana’s breakthrough was affecting him, too.

Her absurd purity was gently dragging him upward.

’If she reaches peak Yellow Rank... I might actually gain the strength to fight a hundred-year ghost myself.’

Excitement sparked in his eyes.

When he contracted with Lana, he’d known he had chosen well. Her strange talent was a rare treasure; he would regain his lost strength much faster with her. But this...

This was beyond anything he expected.

’I didn’t just pick a good master... I picked one that the entire Mystic Realm will envy.’

His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as he recalled his arrogant family in the Mystic Beast Realm.

’Just wait until they see me now.’

Meanwhile, Lana, oblivious to the violence brewing in Mr. Crow’s thoughts, turned toward Lucian and explained everything Mr. Crow had told her.

Lucian listened attentively and then gave her a soft, approving smile.

"Good. This breakthrough will benefit you greatly."

Then, with gentle practicality, he added: "Shall I ask a maid to help you walk?"

Lana waved her hand dismissively. "No need. I’m not that weak."

But the moment Lucian and the maid stepped out, and the door clicked shut, Lana tried standing...only for her knees to buckle.

Her breath caught.

’Oh no... I am that weak.’

For a split second, she considered shouting for help.

But before the words formed, her body lifted gently off the floor, floating as if weightless. She gasped and turned.

Mr. Crow flapped his wings with surprising strength, lifting her using the psychic energy.

He guided her toward the bathroom with the air of a personal butler.

Once inside, he landed on the counter and asked in a soft voice:

"Do you want a stool, a heater, or anything else brought near you to make things easier?"

Lana stared at him. Her eyes narrowed.

"Mr. Crow... you’re being suspiciously helpful today."

He paused. She leaned closer.

"Is it because you finally realized how powerful your master is, and you want to please me?"

To emphasize her point, she flexed her nonexistent bicep. A tiny bump of nothing appeared.

Mr. Crow snorted.

A laugh, an actual, soft, delighted laugh, spilled out of him.

Watching her bad attempt at macho confidence filled him with a kind of fond amusement he rarely felt.

’Yes... this master is truly the best decision I’ve ever made.’

Regaining his composure, he nodded solemnly.

"Yes. That is indeed the case."

Lana flicked her hair dramatically.

"Of course it is. I’m a diamond. A rare silver diamond. It’s normal for you to benefit from me."

Mr. Crow’s wings trembled with suppressed laughter.

Then Lana began listing things she needed:

"Towel. Soap. Body wash. Toothpaste. Comb. And clothes. I definitely need clothes."

Mr. Crow nodded with importance but frowned at the last part.

"I’ll pick something random."

Lana stiffened.

"Wait... I need soft clothes. My night suit which I wear! Don’t go pick something weird, okay?"

Mr. Crow waved his wing dismissively as he flapped away.

"I’ll bring whatever I want. Its completely random... maybe it will turn out to be a outfit you have never worn."

A horrifying thought struck Lana. ’Oh no. What if he...’

Her face darkened instantly.

"MR. CROW! If you bring that BEAR OUTFIT... I SWEAR... I WILL MAKE YOU WEAR A BIKINI!"

Her shout echoed through the bathroom like thunder.

Mr. Crow crackled with laughter the moment Lana screamed her threat.

His wings trembled with delight, his beady eyes flashing with mischief.

Of course he had been planning to bring her the bear outfit, he had already imagined her tiny face squished inside its ridiculous hood.

As for Lana’s threat about the bikini, he brushed it off as nothing more than empty thunder.

Even when Lana threw such dramatic lines, she never followed through.

’She always barks but never bites,’ he thought smugly.

What Mr. Crow didn’t know was that this time, Lana was absolutely serious.

So, when Lana finished her shower, steam still curling off her chilled skin, droplets sliding down her neck like pieces of melted frost and the bathroom door cracked open just enough for a giant brown bear outfit to be shoved inside...