Chapter 665: How to Hatch the Egg

This time, Xiaoliu finally managed not to screw up, quickly retrieving the egg. The moment it was in his hands, Shen Yibin didn’t dare to delay. He clutched the egg to his chest and immediately started running back. "Xiaoliu, let’s go! Go find Hah’Er and the others to regroup!"

Who knew when that white giant python would return. ’If it can follow our trail, I’d better run faster.’ Shen Yibin didn’t dare waste a second. Carefully protecting the hard-won egg, he sprinted back. Thankfully, he had traveled this path several times today and still remembered the landmarks, so he successfully made it back to where Hah’Er and the others were waiting.

Without a word, he wrapped the egg in a piece of clothing and stuffed it into his bag. Hah’Er hoisted Turtle Immortal onto his back, and the whole crew charged toward the small town in a wild stampede. Shen Yibin led the way, holding Carmen’s leash, while Hah’Er galloped behind on all fours, jostling Turtle Immortal and Maphario so much they grew dizzy. Only Xiaoliu remained at ease, using the plentiful forest vines to swing all the way to the front.

He kept glancing over his shoulder the entire way, terrified the white giant python would suddenly burst out from behind them. Shen Yibin figured that he, Hah’Er, Carmen, and Xiaoliu combined were probably no match for it. As for Turtle Immortal and Maphario, they would be nothing more than easy pickings.

Fueled by immense pressure, Shen Yibin and Hah’Er and the others unleashed their full potential. It had taken them nearly a full day to reach their destination, but on the return trip, they made it back to the small town in just over half a day. Seeing so many people, Shen Yibin finally breathed a sigh of relief. Even if the white giant python followed them here, he wouldn’t be afraid.

’On second thought, I hope it doesn’t follow me out here. If it came and tried to attack with so many people around, it probably wouldn’t end well for it. Taking its egg was already a dirty trick; I can’t let it get itself killed too, can I?’

"Boss... get... get us something to eat, please!" Back at the inn, Shen Yibin collapsed onto a seat by the door, gasping for breath. He could barely form a coherent sentence. Hah’Er and Carmen were in the same state. Even Xiaoliu was reaching his limit; swinging overhead was fast, but doing it for the better part of a day was grueling.

"Whoa, what kind of wild beast did you run into? Here, here, drink some water, quick! I’ll go make you all some food right away!" The proprietor had been running the inn for years and had seen his share of exhausted travelers, but it was rare to see anyone in as sorry a state as Shen Yibin and his companions.

GLUG GLUG GLUG. After downing a full glass of water, Shen Yibin finally felt a bit better. He returned to his room to get himself, Hah’Er, and the others washed up. Afterward, they came out for a bite to eat, drank a few cups of Turtle Immortal’s special medicinal wine, then fell into a deep, wonderful sleep. By the next morning, he was as lively as ever.

While eating breakfast, Shen Yibin subtly questioned the innkeeper and learned that nothing out of the ordinary had occurred in town since yesterday. Only then did he heave a sigh of relief. It seemed the white giant python hadn’t followed them after all.

’This is for the best,’ he thought. ’I’ve completed my mission, and you still have plenty of Snake Eggs left to hatch. You can keep on ruling the forest. If I get the chance, I’ll come back to visit you and bring some tasty treats.’

"The bill, boss! I’m heading back!" After breakfast, Shen Yibin prepared to leave. It didn’t seem like a good idea to just keep the Snake Egg stuffed in his bag. He had to get back and quickly figure out how to hatch it.

He paid the bill for his room and meals, collected his security deposit, drove to the town gas station for a full tank, and bought some local specialties as gifts for Xia Shixuan, Bai Yanni, and Qiao Wenqi. Oh, and of course, he didn’t forget to buy a bunch of tropical fruits for Cheeky. After stuffing the trunk to the brim, he finally got on the highway and headed toward Yunzhong City.

"Hah’Er, don’t fidget! It’ll be a disaster if you break the egg!" He kept an eye on his backpack while driving, issuing warnings now and then, terrified of failing at the final hurdle.

He drove nonstop the entire way, not even stopping for lunch. He finally pulled into his manor at two in the afternoon. Shen Yibin quickly whipped up something to eat for himself, Hah’Er, and the others. As soon as he’d cleared the table and washed the dishes, Maphario eagerly took Xiaoliu and the rest outside to plant new seeds. Shen Yibin sat on the sofa, cradling the hard-won Snake Egg and began to ponder.

’How am I supposed to hatch this egg? And what’s the deal with getting an egg this time, anyway?’ Shen Yibin unlocked his phone, opened his messaging app, found the Future Pet Shop, and sent a message. "Hey, what’s going on? Why did you give me an egg?"

"We’ve already told you we’d be expanding the range of obtainable pets. Before, it was always adult Mutant Animals, which are extremely difficult to capture and a bit inconvenient to raise. Now we’re giving you an egg so you can raise it from birth. Isn’t that better?" the Future Pet Shop replied with unwavering confidence.

’Convenient my ass!’ From Shi Gaofei to Scarf, from Xiaoliu to Marc—out of all the pets I’ve captured, this was by far the most dangerous! ’I nearly served my entire family up as a snack for that white giant python!’ Seeing the reply, Shen Yibin was too exasperated to even know where to begin his complaints.

’Then again, raising one from birth would be pretty nice. I could watch it grow up... The thought alone gives me a sense of accomplishment!’

’Wait a minute... Something’s not right here. Hey, you’re the one who gave me a mission to make a million a year in commission! Where am I going to find the time to raise this thing to adulthood? I’ll probably have to hand it over in just a few days! Are you just messing with me?!’

’Alright, complaining to this thing is completely useless. I should ask something more practical.’ "So, how am I supposed to give it the medicine you sent me? I can’t very well feed a pill to an egg, can I?"

"Oh, don’t worry about that. Once it hatches, just grind the medicine into a powder and mix it into its milk. Pet shops sell special milk formula to supplement a young snake’s nutrition. Just go buy a bottle!" the Future Pet Shop replied quickly.

That was a relief. Shen Yibin’s mood finally improved slightly. He then asked his last question. "So how am I supposed to hatch this egg? Does the pet shop have any tools for that?"

"We do not. That part is up to you. Figure out how to hatch the egg yourself. You can’t expect us to do everything for you, can you?" the Future Pet Shop replied matter-of-factly.

’I knew it!’ Frustrated, Shen Yibin tossed his phone onto the sofa. He held the egg, completely at a loss as to what to do.

’How on earth am I going to hatch this thing? An egg this big... a hen, duck, or goose probably won’t work. Am I supposed to incubate it myself?’