Chapter 410 - 271: It Really Is Him...

"HAFF, HAFF..."

A pack of Yu Dian Dogs sat in a circle, eagerly watching Yu Bao in the very center.

"Woof!"

With just a glance from Yu Bao, several Yellow Earth Walls shot up from the ground.

One section of the Yellow Earth Wall slowly lifted Yu Bao’s body, like a stage. The other walls revolved around him, even spinning into a rather beautiful formation.

The Yu Dian Dogs’ mouths hung open, their eyes sparkling.

"WHOOSH!"

Suddenly, all the Yellow Earth Walls came to an abrupt halt. They then transformed into flowing Furious Sand Blades, which shot high into the sky, trailing sparks of fire.

"BOOM—" "BOOM—"

The Furious Sand Blades exploded in midair, scattering flames and sand like fireworks. This was an entertainment-version of the Furious Sand Blade that Yu Bao had specially created by adjusting the ratio and structure of sand and Fire, allowing it to blossom fully in the sky.

"Woof." As the fireworks faded, Yu Bao closed its eyes slightly and tilted its chin up.

"HAFF~!"

The other Yu Dian Dogs all started wagging their tails, barking their approval in unison.

"Showing off again, Master Yu?"

Su Zhi walked over to Yu Bao with a wry smile and patted its head. He then curiously sized up the circle of Yu Dian Dogs. "Are these Pet Beasts you’re raising to guard your homes?"

"They don’t really count as Pet Beasts, they’re just local dogs..."

Wang Shichuan said instinctively, but his gaze fell on Yu Bao, and he quickly corrected himself. "Of course, they can’t possibly compare to Your Excellency’s Pet Beast!"

A villager added, "Local dogs are hardy, you know. You can raise them without much effort. Besides, families that keep a local dog are less likely to be ravaged by the Earthquake Beasts..."

Su Zhi narrowed his eyes. "Using the power of the Yu Dian Dogs to resist the Earthquake Beasts?"

’According to his recent observations and scans, the Real-time Energy Values of those Yu Dian Dogs were generally a meager one or two hundred. There wasn’t a single one that even reached a thousand.’

’Never mind an Earthquake Beast; he figured he could probably take on a few of them himself.’

"Your Excellency jests. You can see the caliber of these local dogs for yourself. How could we possibly speak of resistance?"

A villager gave a wry smile. "It’s just that if you raise a local dog, the Earthquake Beast will leave right after eating the offering. It’s not as likely to attack people. We don’t know why, but experience doesn’t lie."

"I see." Su Zhi nodded, but many questions were already forming in his mind.

’Considering everything that had happened before and after he entered this Secret Realm, he had even more questions.’

’From what the villager was saying, there had to be some kind of non-hostile connection between Yu Dian Dogs and Earthquake Beasts. That must be why families who raised them were more likely to be spared from attacks.’

’For example, back at Wang Baichuan’s house, the Earthquake Beast hadn’t seemed content to leave after eating the offering. But after a little while, it left on its own. Perhaps that was precisely because Yu Bao had been there.’

’Could it be... that the Earthquake Beasts were also a clue to Yu Bao’s Earth and Gold Dual Element evolution path?’

"Woof." Yu Bao stuck out its tongue in disgust.

’If it was going to be that ugly after evolving, it would rather die.’

’Looks are everything, huh...’ Su Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

A villager suddenly sighed. "Xiaolan’s family didn’t have a local dog. That’s why the Earthquake Beast ate someone there."

"Sigh. Nothing to be done about it."

A few villagers remarked casually.

Su Zhi looked over at the little girl he had rescued. She was sitting at the edge of the bonfire, eating. Her expression was surprisingly calm, as if what had happened was nothing out of the ordinary for her.

The brief exchange didn’t cast a shadow over the cheerful celebration. The villagers continued to sing and dance, celebrating a safe night passed with the help of a Beastmaster.

Su Zhi quietly sat down next to Xiaolan.

Xiaolan opened her mouth. "S... Sir..."

"You can just call me Su Zhi," Su Zhi said, patting her head. "Or you can call me big brother."

"B-big... brother?"

Xiaolan nodded, seeming to find that form of address simpler than "Sir" or "Su Zhi."

Then, she held out her hand, offering the food she was holding to Su Zhi.

"Big brother, please have some!"

Su Zhi nodded and took it with a smile, but his expression grew complicated as his gaze fell on the half-eaten bran cake.

’Even just by touch, he could feel it was mixed with a good amount of wood chips and even sand.’

"Thank you, Xiaolan. It’s delicious."

Su Zhi took a large bite and smiled at the girl, then took out a white-flour steamed bun. "Here. You gave me something good to eat, so I should give you something good to eat, too, right?"

"Thank you, big brother~"

Xiaolan nodded, took the bun with both hands, and immediately started munching away. In no time, her cheeks were puffed out like a little hamster’s.

"Eat slowly. There’s more if you want."

Su Zhi asked in the gentlest tone he could manage, "Xiaolan, what about the rest of your family?"

Xiaolan answered immediately, "My daddy was eaten by an Earthquake Beast a long time ago."

"Then today..."

"My mommy was the one eaten today."

Su Zhi looked at Wang Baichuan, a sudden understanding dawning on him. "Then you..."

Wang Baichuan nodded. "When I was very young, my own father and mother were eaten. My uncle’s family has raised me for as long as I can remember."

Wang Shichuan said, "My son was also eaten by an Earthquake Beast."

Su Zhi slowly lowered his head, silent for a long moment.

"...I’m sorry."

Wang Baichuan quickly shook his head. "There’s no need for that, Your Excellency!"

Wang Yichuan waved his hand dismissively and seemed to let out a soft sigh. "Almost every family in the village has lost someone to the Earthquake Beasts, and it’s not uncommon in the town, either. For the people who live here, it’s just a part of life."

Su Zhi clenched his fists even tighter.

"Daddy was eaten, and Mommy was eaten, too..." Having finished the steamed bun, Xiaolan was counting on her fingers. She suddenly looked up at Su Zhi.

"Big brother," she asked, "do you think I’ll be the next one to be eaten?"

"...No, you won’t be." After taking a deep breath, Su Zhi forced a smile and raised his head.