Qiao Xixi's eyes welled with tears as she looked at the cubs. Her heart felt like it was on the verge of beating completely out of control.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. The fierce pounding in her chest made her breath catch.
Overhead, beams of black light plummeted, casting a cold, sinister glow over them. In that instant, Qiao Xixi felt all her strength drain away. Yet, even so, the cubs pressed themselves tightly against her sides.
"After tonight, everything here will return to its rightful path."
The voice from the sky echoed again, sounding as cold and emotionless as a machine.
Qiao Xixi's fingertips trembled. Mustering the very last ounce of her strength, she bit down on her finger. As bright red beads of blood welled up on her fingertip, she smeared the blood onto the foreheads of each of the cubs.
"If this is our bond, then grant us greater power."
