Everyone was now intensely wary of each other, the mounting tension creating an environment where a single wrong move could trigger explosive violence.
Even the five grandmaster-rank beasts weren't maintaining their earlier relaxed postures anymore. The two-tailed fox's silver fur was subtly bristled, her multiple tails swishing with readiness. The jade turtle had withdrawn partially into its shell, preparing defensive measures. The ethereal cat's translucent form had become more solid and defined, suggesting active channeling of power. The massive bear was openly growling at anything that moved too close to its claimed territory. Even the parrot had stopped its mocking laughter, perched tensely in the tree with sharp eyes tracking every potential threat.
The master-rank beasts at the periphery were equally on edge, knowing that when the teardrop finally ripened, chaos would erupt and only the fastest or luckiest would have any chance of obtaining even fragments of power.
