The black Hounds quietly guarded the life pods behind them. They were all dogs raised by 01, some were dogs fused with humans, and some were humans fused with dogs.
However, as the sky gradually brightened, these Hounds suddenly became restless, emitting anxious and frenzied barks.
They sensed that their master's vitality was dissipating.
Without a doubt, most dogs were loyal and protective of their masters. Immediately, some small Hounds ran towards 01, quickly incinerated into ashes by the overwhelming inferno.
But more dogs, losing control, started tearing each other apart on the spot.
With
01's death, they needed to determine the new leader through such means.
Though Gong Weibin had been transformed into a figure neither human nor ghost, surprisingly, his mutation level was only at 67%, far from becoming a Pollutant.
He was unaware of what was happening, but faced with a group of raging Pollutants, he subconsciously felt a chill.
Gong Weibin hid behind a pillar, nervously biting the rope tied around him. Unlike other Hounds, towering at two to three meters in height, he resembled an underdeveloped puppy, covered in soft and harmless fur.
Gong Weibin had a plan; after escaping from 01, he could seek refuge with Lu Zhi. He knew many things that Lu Zhi could make use of! 01 was capricious and often abused him; he had had enough of this life...
Occasionally, Gong Weibin would also recall his days as the director of the First Research Institute. He was highly regarded, calling the shots in the laboratory. But those memories were too distant, like stories from a past life.
Fortunately, despite his small stature, his teeth were still useful.
Through Gong Weibin's relentless efforts, he finally bit through the rope!
Gong Weibin's expression was ecstatic, but just as he thought he could escape, because his legs were too short, he tumbled on the steps like a puppy.
The sound of his fall was neither loud nor heavy, but it scraped his skin, drawing a bit of blood.
The nearby Hounds all turned their heads, drooling, their eyes crimson.
They finally remembered.
There was still a pig here.
***
Tang Xunan's head rested on Lu Yan's lap. Lu Yan leaned closer, hoping to hear his throaty rumblings. The system assured him that Tang Xunan was out of danger, but Lu Yan was puzzled: "Why is he still in dragon form?" It wasn't entirely unexpected, though somewhat reminiscent of a large black lizard, albeit handsome from a draconic perspective. Tang Xunan couldn't speak in this state, only emitting a low growl.
The system chuckled: "[He didn't bring clothes, so it's awkward to switch back.]" Lu Yan: "..." Well, that's that. The three-meter-long black dragon nudged Lu Yan's palm, tenderly licking his wound. Tired but reluctant to close his eyes, Tang Xunan feared it might all be a dream.
Lu Yan covered his eyes gently: "Rest now." Being unconscious was beneficial for wound recovery. With no medicine available, he had to endure it himself. Tang Xunan drifted into a peaceful sleep, even if just a dream, it was likely a pleasant one.
The Rabbit Butcher dug Bai Ze out of the rubble. Being small, it couldn't lift him, so it dragged him along the ground. Bai Ze was also injured but as an A-level talent holder, his recovery ability was unquestionable. Lu Yan used a needle he carried to stitch up Bai Ze's wounds, a leftover from patching up the plush rabbit, which he then tucked away in his pocket.
With the collapse of the Inner World, the rules here had become null. The plush rabbit stood still, glancing at the unconscious Tang Xunan: "Is this the stepfather? Wow, he's huge! Looks a bit scary though." The surrounding fire gradually weakened. No remnants of 01 were found, nor any sign of Zong Yan. "Is Zong Yan still alive?" "[In what form are you referring to?]" "Any form." "[The fire here won't extinguish. Perhaps, after a long time, the flames will birth the little bird you once saw.]" So Lu Yan plucked a broken scale from Tang Xunan's face, saying, "Hopefully, it won't be too long."
The system remarked strangely: "[Hmm, odd.]" Lu Yan looked puzzled. "[Strange. Very strange... It's theoretically impossible. But just now, a egg incubated in the flames.]" The system's only explanation was that Tang Xunan had heard Lu Yan's words. [Talent 11 - Oracle], described on the talent list as "spoken word becomes reality." However, the system found it unlikely because Tang Xunan was still asleep. Perhaps it was just a miracle.
Lu Yan approached the flames. His aberration leaned towards marine life, destined not to favor fire. Yet, these flames didn't harm him; they were strangely gentle. In the heart of the blaze lay a tiny egg, patterned like a quail egg. "[Though premature, it's probably good news.]"
"[While Lu Zhi and the contract with the Floating Island are still valid, ask the Butchers from the abattoir to deliver this egg to Lu Jiahe and let him hatch it. They both have the Fire Seed talent... Besides, Lu Jiahe seems to have grown stronger now. Do you remember who Lu Jiahe is?]" Lu Yan: "Is he... my brother?" "[Don't call him that; your brother doesn't like you having a brother.] "Will he agree?" "[What's this? It's fine for this world to have brother complexes but not sister complexes?]"
Lu Yan's gaze fell on the Rabbit Butcher. After tonight's meal, it had evolved from C-level to B-level. Remarkably, its intelligence remained intact. Always calling him "dad." Lu Yan placed the egg in front of the Rabbit Butcher: "I'm placing an order." The plush rabbit, whose name turned out to be "Tongtong," took out an employee ID card and a standard order form given by Lu Zhi, shyly holding its ears: "What order? It might be too difficult; I might not be able to do it. I'm just a kid."
Lu Yan glanced at the Rabbit Butcher's name; it was "Tongtong." Without a table, Lu Yan placed the order on the ground and started writing. Client: Lu Yan Goods: Egg (unhatched) Recipient: Lu Jiahe Executor: Tongtong He didn't know where Lu Jiahe was, but the Floating Island's birds would guide Butcher Tongtong in the right direction.
The Rabbit Butcher took out a pig-shaped seal from another pocket: "Dad, I need to stamp it for the contract to take effect." This time, there were no human skin papers to help him with intimate touches. After a moment's thought, Lu Yan extended his backhand. The Rabbit Butcher's seal was different from the pig butcher's; it was orange-red, with a carrot-like emblem.
A gleam passed over the round seal. The Rabbit Butcher's eyes lit up: "Yay, it's effective!" "Since I don't know when I'll be back..." Carefully, the plush rabbit tucked the egg into its belly pocket. "...I'll have to collect the reward in advance. Dad." It took out a crumpled, yellowed paper from its pocket. It was small, like a tiny card, crayon drawings fading. "This is, this is a drawing of my mom. When I can't remember her, I take out this paper to look at. My reward is, I hope you'll give this drawing to my mom."
Lu Yan was taken aback, carefully wrapping the small card in cloth and placing it in his pocket. He asked, "Don't you want to see her in person?" Li Ping was in City X. The Rabbit Butcher shook its head: "If I were just a rabbit, that would be nice, but I'm not. Besides, I know very well that this state won't last long. Soon, I'll be as foolish as before. I can't go see my mom; it'll only bring her harm. Though I'm still young, I'm actually over twenty years old now, it's time to leave my mom." The Rabbit Butcher spent the first five years of its life as a human, the next decade or so as a pollutant.
It strapped the carrot scissors to its back: "I smell someone coming this way." Being small and having not eaten much pig meat, it didn't have a strong smell and could hide well. It turned its head, glanced at Lu Yan one last time, and said happily, "I'm leaving, thank you, dad."
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