CHAPTER 181- The Moonlight Lion and the Golden Guardian
"The moon looks like a ship?"
Wanda and the others froze in place.
But in the very next moment—their expressions changed drastically.
The Mink Tribe's value on the black market wasn't just due to their exotic appearance—it was because of their innate ability to transform under the full moon.
Once exposed to the power of a full moon, a mink would enter the legendary state of the Sulong Form, becoming a terrifying lion under the moonlight.
This transformation granted a dramatic boost in strength—doubling, even multiplying their combat power.Speed, strength, even their signature electric attacks all surged with terrifying intensity.
It was a living cheat code.
But this power came at a cost: it was a double-edged sword.
Not every mink could control this form.Without enough battle experience and training, many minks would lose themselves to their primal instincts once they transformed.
For inexperienced individuals, especially young prodigies like Carrot—once they entered Sulong form, they became rampaging monsters.
Unless the two Dukes—Inuarashi and Nekomamushi—intervened, there was no one on Zou who could stop them.
"Carrot… what did you just say?! You looked at the moon?!" Wanda panicked and covered Carrot's eyes.
But it was too late.
Crackling—!!
A burst of lightning danced violently across Carrot's body, snapping through the air like firecrackers.
Pedro's expression changed instantly."Wanda, get back—she did see the moon! She can't control the transformation. Watch out—she might attack!"
ROAR!!
A wild, bestial howl ripped through the plaza.
Lightning surged out of Carrot's body in explosive arcs.
The once cute and bouncy rabbit girl had vanished.
In her place now stood a white-haired warrior, with flowing locks down to her waist, cold piercing eyes, and an expression devoid of reason.
She was no longer a girl—she was a predator.
Wanda's face paled. Without hesitation, she retreated.
"Notify the Dukes immediately!" she shouted. "Carrot's gone into Sulong form! We can't stop her alone—only the two Kings together can subdue her!"
BOOM!!
A burst of wild lightning erupted from Carrot.
With a howl, she became a white bolt, lunging at the nearest target: her own comrades.
Pedro, once her mentor, turned pale. Though always stern with her, he knew how dangerous Carrot was in this state.She had been chosen as a future ruler for a reason.
"Wanda, dodge! We'll cover you!"
Crash!
The words had barely left his mouth before Wanda was hit.
Her body flew like a cannonball, engulfed in lightning, smashing into the stone monument at the edge of the plaza.
The massive impact shattered the monument into rubble.
She was embedded in it, unable to move, barely clinging to consciousness.
More shocking still—
Carrot wasn't stopping.
She lunged again, claws glowing with crackling white electricity.
Pedro's heart clenched.They couldn't stop her.
Not in this state.Only the two Kings could—but they hadn't spoken in decades!
As Carrot bolted forward in a flash of lightning, the minks could do nothing but watch in horror.
Wanda saw her charging forward—her claws glowing inches from her own face.
She gritted her teeth, trying to shift her body slightly—maybe she could dodge the fatal blow—
But before she could react—
A figure appeared in front of her.
Her eyes widened.
Someone had stepped between her and the killing blow.
Someone she didn't recognize.
More astonishing was his posture:He wasn't preparing to fight.He wasn't bracing.He simply stood there, unmoving.
Was he going to block with his face?!
BOOM!!
The lightning slammed down like judgment from the heavens.
The explosion was deafening—an overwhelming shockwave rolled through the plaza, lightning scattering in every direction.
Everyone—Pedro, the Musketeers, the Guardians—froze in horror.
The unknown figure had taken the full force of the blast.
…Had his face melted off?!
No—wait.
As the dust cleared, the truth became clear.
Everyone's eyes turned to the two figures.
And what they saw made their pupils constrict violently.
He blocked it.
That terrifying, wild Sulong attack—something only the Dukes could stop—had been stopped.
By one man.
And not only that…
He hadn't even lifted a finger.
He just stood there, and stopped it with his body.
No injuries. No blood.
Only… golden light, flowing over his skin like a divine barrier.
"L-Look! That guy—he's glowing! There's golden energy swirling around him—and behind him, there's… a giant statue—like a Kannon with a thousand arms!"
One of the Musketeers cried out.
And sure enough—behind the man, a towering Thousand-Hand Guanyin had manifested, wrapping its shimmering arms protectively around him.
All of Carrot's lightning, all her fury—was being absorbed and deflected.
The man… took another sip from his wine gourd and spoke:
"Apologies, everyone. I didn't mean to cause a disturbance."
"But I've come today to meet the Forty Million—ah, no—I mean, to see your two Kings."
"I hope you don't take this the wrong way."
His calm, even voice cut through the chaos.
"Pedro. Wanda. Could I trouble you to relay my message?"
"You know our names?" Wanda's expression changed, stunned.
Zou had always been secluded from the outside world.Very few ever visited.Only Pedro had gone to sea before.
So how did this stranger not only recognize Pedro—but call her by name too?
Before they could process it—
A shadow loomed overhead.
Their eyes widened again.
Carrot wasn't mistaken.
There really was a ship in the sky.