The wind howled as Kaiser soared through the sky, holding the unconscious Xiao Yan in his arms. His tail flicked in irritation.
"This guy better wake up soon. Carrying dudes like this ain't exactly my style."
Just as he grumbled, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! System Notification] [Mission: Become Xiao Yan's Brother] [Progress: 1%]
Kaiser rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know—wait, still only 1%?! What the hell, man? I literally saved his ass back there!"
[System: Mission was to be his brother, not to make him your boyfriend… You gay?]
Kaiser nearly fell out of the sky.
"The fuck did you just say?!" His grip on Xiao Yan tightened for a second as he instinctively wanted to punch something.
[System: Just saying. You carried him like a princess. Maybe he wakes up and falls for you?]
Kaiser felt his eyebrow twitch. His tail bristled.
"Listen here, you defective-ass system, I'm not—"
[System: Denying it kinda sus.]
Kaiser took a deep breath. Calm down. Don't let the system win. It feeds on suffering.
The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow over the horizon as Kaiser's house finally came into view—a modern structure standing in stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness. With a light tap of his foot, he landed on the balcony and slid the door open with his tail.
He walked straight to the bedroom, dumping Xiao Yan onto the massive bed without much ceremony. The mattress sank under the weight as Xiao Yan's body settled.
Kaiser let out a breath. "Okay, not dead. That's a win."
But now came a problem.
Kaiser crossed his arms, staring at the unconscious Xiao Yan.
"…How the hell do I wake him up?"
Just as he was contemplating whether slapping, shaking, or dunking him in water was the best option, a voice echoed from the corner of the room.
"That was quite the reckless display."
Kaiser froze. His instincts flared. Someone was here.
His head snapped toward the source—only to see an old man floating in midair.
Kaiser's eyes narrowed. "The hell…?"
The ghostly figure of Yao Lao hovered near the doorway, his ancient eyes locked onto the Saiyan. He had been watching ever since Kaiser arrived, gauging his movements, his mannerisms… and more importantly, his power.
Kaiser's tail twitched. "So… you're the old guy following Xiao Yan around, huh?"
Yao Lao's expression didn't change. "You noticed me?"
Kaiser smirked. "I notice a lot of things."
A moment of silence stretched between them.
Then Yao Lao drifted forward slightly. "You… are not human, are you?"
Kaiser didn't answer immediately. He simply grinned, placing his hands behind his head. "I don't think you'd believe me if I told you."
Yao Lao observed him carefully. "You possess strength beyond the realm of Dou Qi. You resist techniques that should have harmed you. And you have a tail… similar to a beast."
Kaiser chuckled. "You're sharp, old man."
Yao Lao's gaze flickered to Xiao Yan's unconscious body. "You nearly killed my disciple."
Kaiser rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… that wasn't the plan. He's tougher than most, though. Kid's got heart."
Yao Lao let out a sigh. "Indeed. But he is still far from reaching his true potential." His eyes darkened. "Which is why I must ask… what are your intentions with him?"
Kaiser raised a brow. "Intentions? Man, you make it sound like I kidnapped him or something."
Yao Lao didn't look amused. "Did you not?"
"…Okay, yeah, maybe a little."
Another silence.
Kaiser sighed. "Look, I like the kid. He's got guts. I was just testing him, and yeah, maybe I went a little overboard. But honestly?" His smirk returned. "I think I can make him stronger."
Yao Lao studied him for a long moment. "Stronger?"
Kaiser nodded. "I saw it in him—the drive, the hunger for power. He's already got a good foundation, but he's holding back. He's still shackled by limits he doesn't need."
He cracked his knuckles. "I can help him break those."
Yao Lao remained silent. His gaze flickered to Xiao Yan, then back to Kaiser.
"…We shall see."
Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, Yao Lao's form vanished, fading into the air.
Kaiser let out a low whistle. "Huh. Mysterious old ghost mentor guy. Not something you see every day."
He glanced at Xiao Yan, who groaned slightly, his fingers twitching.
Kaiser smirked. "Guess you'll wake up soon."
He turned toward the door, stretching his arms. "Man, all this talking got me hungry. Time to eat."
Just as he was about to leave—
"Ugh…"
Kaiser paused. Turning back, he saw Xiao Yan's eyelids fluttering. His breathing became more controlled. And then—
Xiao Yan shot up like he was electrocuted.
"WHERE AM I?!"
His eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, filled with strange furniture, strange lights, and—was that a door?! The sliding glass door was not something that existed in this world.His heart pounded in his chest. This wasn't the forest. This wasn't his tent.
This was… what the hell was this?!
And then his gaze landed on Kaiser.
His shirtless, tail-swinging, grinning captor.
Kaiser waved. "Yo."
Xiao Yan's brain short-circuited. The last thing he remembered was pain, the overwhelming force of Kaiser's attacks. And then—darkness.
And now—he was in a bed. A big, soft bed. And the guy who nearly killed him was standing there.
A terrifying thought struck him.
His face paled. "Did… did you…?!"
Kaiser's expression turned disgusted. "The hell are you thinking?"
Xiao Yan immediately covered his chest with his arms like a violated maiden. Almost in tears " I am not into that kinda stuff".
Kaiser wanted to punch him.
[System: Oh no. Xiao Yan woke up in your bed, covering his chest. Yun Yun might be disappointed. Should I send wedding invitation?]
[System: You should make it official with him. That progress bar ain't moving fast enough.]
Kaiser's face twitched violently. "I swear to—"
Before he could finish, a loud burst of laughter echoed through the room.
Kaiser's head snapped to the side. Yao Lao had reappeared—this time, wheezing with laughter.
"Oh, this is gold," the old man cackled. "Boy, I haven't laughed this much in a hundred years!"
Kaiser groaned, rubbing his temples. "I hate my life."
Xiao Yan, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to die.
And so began the worst night of his life.