Chapter 603 - 277: What Are the Duties of the Puppy Team Leader? (Part 2)

Unfortunately, Cola’s attention at this moment was entirely focused on Sprite, who had been swept away by the storm, completely oblivious to the fact that he himself was several meters off the ground.

Although not quite what you’d call actual flying, it was nevertheless a significant improvement from before.

"Zizi."

Suddenly, a cacophony of sounds rose and fell, piercing through the storm and reaching Cola’s ears.

"Ow?"

Cola looked ahead and found yet another group of Pet Beasts encountered in the cave— the Ice Crystal Weasels.

But this group of Ice Crystal Weasels was acting in such a comical way, it momentarily stopped Cola in his tracks, amused.

The largest Ice Crystal Weasel leader was clutching a large stone tightly, its sharp claws dug deep into the rock. The second Ice Crystal Weasel was holding onto its tail, the third onto the second’s tail, and so on. They were all holding onto each other, fluttering in the wind like a dancing flag.

When the storm blew east, they tilted east like a lone boat floating on the ocean; when it blew west, they bent west.

"Zizi!"

The face of the Ice Crystal Weasel leader turned bright red, its previously slender forelimbs suddenly swelled with effort as it held onto the last life-saving straw with all its might, determined not to be blown away by the storm.

If it lost its grip, the entire group of Ice Crystal Weasels would be swept into the storm.

"Ow..."

Cola shook his head helplessly.

Another group of weak Pet Beasts unable to resist the storm.

Alright then, I’ll give you a hand.

"Owo!"

Cola suddenly rushed to their front, staring at them as if the storm would sweep them away the next second. His eyes narrowed, and a more violent gust of wind suddenly swirled around him.

This gust of wind held its own against nature’s storm, creating a subtle balance for a short time. The Ice Crystal Weasels were no longer affected by the storm, one after the other collapsing to the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, the Ice Crystal Weasels quickly used their sharp claws to dig, soon breaking through the thick snow layer, burrowing their heads down and wriggling their bodies into the snow.

As creatures native to icy and snowy environments, Ice Crystal Weasels had ways to shelter from the storm.

The previous storm had come so abruptly that they hadn’t had time to dig a den.

"Owow~"

Cola quickly called out to the Ice Crystal Weasel leader, asking once more about Sprite’s whereabouts.

The Ice Crystal Weasel leader’s eyes flickered as it pondered for a moment, then extended a claw to point ahead to the right.

"Owow~"

Cola uttered a sound of thanks, then with a few ow ow sounds, dashed towards the right.

Hold on, Sprite!

I’m coming to rescue you!

Watching Cola’s form gradually recede, the lower half of the Ice Crystal Weasel leader was hidden underground, standing with its upper body surveying the storm-swept right, eyes filled with contemplation.

"Zi?"

"Zizi!"

Continuing forward towards the right, Cola ran through the air again, and soon found more familiar cave guests.

It was three Green-scaled Snakes.

But compared to their previous fierce appearance, they now looked quite comical.

Again with a large stone.

It seems that all wild Pet Beasts on Pudaxue Mountain prefer using large stones to shield against the storm.

The three Green-scaled Snakes tightly coiled their slender bodies around the large stone, biting the tail of the one in front of them, looping and connecting, completely enveloping the stone.

By doing so, even the raging storm couldn’t affect them.

"Ow....."

Cola wobbled his head, marveling at the odd ways these creatures defended against the storm.

Not like me, Cola, who doesn’t need any flashy tricks.

But here, the storm felt fiercer, and the stone happened to be on a gentle slope.

The storm made the stone sway lightly, as if it might roll any second.

"Hiss!"

Realizing the stone’s instability, the three Green-scaled Snakes looked panicked, their bodies trembled uneasily.

"Ow....."

Cola sighed helplessly, even though his master wasn’t fond of Snake Pet Beasts, deciding to lend a hand since these guys hadn’t done anything wrong.

In an instant, crossing dozens of meters, Cola quickly reached the large stone, and with a light push, nudged it to a more stable spot.

Now, even the storm couldn’t move it.

"Owo!"

Cola continued to ask about Sprite’s whereabouts.

"Hiss!"

One of the Green-scaled Snakes tried to respond, but barely opened its mouth before nearly being blown away by the storm, hurriedly snapping back onto the previous snake’s tail.

"Hiss!"

The previous Green-scaled Snake’s tail felt the sharp bite, its body tensed suddenly.

Be gentle!

Cola gave a helpless sigh, once again mustering a gust of wind to lessen nature’s storm’s impact on them.

"His hissss~"

One of the Green-scaled Snakes lifted its upper body, flicking its tongue as its eerie green eyes looked towards the front right.

It saw Sprite fly in this direction.

"Ow."

Cola nodded slightly, no longer paying attention to the three blue-scaled snakes, and continued charging forward to the right.

Once Cola left, the three blue-scaled snakes resumed their previous actions, using the large rock to shield against the fierce wind.

The wind howled fiercely as Cola forged ahead.

It didn’t know how long it had been running, only that the wind whistling past its ears was getting stronger, and its fur fluttered more and more elegantly.

"Awoo..."

Still unable to find Sprite and having to constantly battle the strong winds, Cola could clearly feel a wave of exhaustion washing over its body.

"Awoo!"

No way!

If I can’t find Sprite, then I don’t deserve to be the leader of the Puppy Team!

Determination filled Cola’s eyes once again, as it marched forward, spotting massive and solid figures looming ahead.

It was that group of Cold-Biting Oxen from earlier.

"Moo moo moo~"

The Cold-Biting Oxen were huddled in a circle, each leaning against the other, steadfast amidst the roaring wind.

The call from the oxen’s leader halted Cola, making it turn and widen its eyes in surprise!

A small figure lay curled up at the center of these Cold-Biting Oxen, looking docile, snoring lightly.

The raging wind and snow outside were blocked by the Cold-Biting Oxen, their thick snow-colored fur and sturdy bodies providing protection in the innermost circle.

For Sprite, this was the best sanctuary.

"Awoo..."

Seeing Sprite’s figure, Cola heaved a long sigh of relief, its previously tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and it slowly lay down on the ground.

Having tirelessly searched for this little creature all day, it turned out it had been sleeping soundly in the embrace of the Cold-Biting Oxen.

Relieved that Sprite hadn’t encountered danger, Cola gave the little one a reproachful glare.

You made me worry all day!

Yet, upon reflection, it seemed that Sprite was swept away by the wind due to its own negligence, so Cola quickly shifted its guilty gaze away.

"Moo~"

The leader of the Cold-Biting Oxen’s call snapped Cola back to reality, and the ox that had slipped earlier approached Cola, lowering its head, gratitude apparent in its eyes.

To them, saving the wind-swept Sprite was just a minor effort;

But Cola’s earlier actions had helped them save a member of their herd, and this debt of gratitude must be repaid.

"Awoo~"

Cola grinned, baring its teeth, and waved its paw.

Saving that unlucky Cold-Biting Ox was also just a minor effort for it.

Moments later, Cola approached Sprite and gently patted its head with a paw.

"Whoang?"

Sprite opened its blurry eyes, blinking at the sight of Cola before him.

Cola bro, why are you here?

Cola wagged its tail, slightly raising its head: "Awoo awoo!"

I’ve come to take you home!

Then, Cola crouched down, signaling for Sprite to climb onto its back.

"Whoang whoang whoang."

Unclear about the situation, Sprite obediently climbed onto Cola as instructed, gently gripping its fur with its claws.

"Awoo!"

Cola once again thanked the Cold-Biting Oxen, then turned around, dashing back the way they came.

The fierce wind softened upon approaching Cola, leaving Sprite on its back unaffected.

Sprite gazed at the swirling winds and dancing snowflakes with its pure, large eyes.

Since its birth, it had witnessed this scene many times and had long grown accustomed to it.

But...

This time was different; it no longer had to shiver in cold, dark, frightening caves, didn’t need to hide with other terrifying beasts, or constantly dodge and hide.

It had Cola bro to protect it.

But what is home?

Why does Cola bro want to take me home?

"Whoang whoang whoang~"

With the face full of confusion, Sprite held tightly onto Cola, its tender cries dispersing in the wind.

"Awoo awoo awoo~"

Having successfully found Sprite, Cola was overjoyed, unconsciously sprinting faster, reaching an astounding speed.

"Awoo?"

Suddenly, a scent full of deadly allure wafted to its nose, causing Cola to halt abruptly, eyes wide open.

"Whoang?"

On its back, Sprite made a puzzled noise.

Cola ignored Sprite, its nose twitching slightly, carefully discerning the enticing scent mingling with the wind, its eyes widening, and its tail wagging faster and faster.

Times had changed, and the experienced Cola quickly realized there was a Spirit Plant nearby, one that was irresistibly enticing!

"Awoo~"

Cola glanced back at Sprite, reminding it to hold on tight.

It was time to speed up!