As an S+ rank sentinel at a human base, Ming Qiu's spirit form is a rare mythological creature: a giant feathered serpent.
Fortunately, though her spirit form is hot-tempered and irritable, Ming Qiu has had the perfect soothing guide since childhood: her adoptive father, Gu Shili.
Gu Shili's spiritual power is gentle, boundless, and all-embracing. He can always withstand her aggression and destructive urges. But as Ming Qiu's spirit form grows, Gu Shili begins to struggle under the strain of having his spiritual power drained too much. "Be a good girl and let Daddy rest for a while." He always soothes her with visible effort, his shirt soaked through with sweat.
At last, one day, the base learns about Ming Qiu's situation and matches her with five new guides.
Her spirit form is so enormous that it takes five guides working together to complete a deep cleanse.
*
Ever since Ming Qiu was matched with other guides, Gu Shili has constantly worried about her. He's afraid those clumsy, mediocre young guides won't be able to soothe his child properly, and that the aloof, long-retired final lord won't treat her spirit form well.
So he insists on accompanying her every time she undergoes a spiritual treatment. Through the small window, he watches her spirit form beat its wings in a fury, its beautiful feathers wrapping around the young guides like a cocoon. He also sees the cold lord let his child rest her head on his lap, while the frenzied feathered serpent in his hands becomes as docile as a lamb.
But the longer it goes on, the more Gu Shili's heart trembles, jealous and hollow, as if blood is pouring from it. He remembers how the child once wrapped her wings tightly around him and bit his chest until it bled, desperate for his comfort. She is his child. How could they understand that only spiritual power with a 100% match can make her feel comfortable, safe, and free of pain?
She is, and can only be, his child!
[Reader's Guide]
1. Female sentinel, male guide; many original settings, with everything serving the plot.
2. Not sure if there will be interactions beyond spiritual cuddling, so I haven't added a gender-bender tag for now. _(:з"∠)_
Theme: A father's love is as steadfast as a mountain.
