In the corner of the garden, Lin Xiaoi gazed at Hua Ping's back, her face full of guilt.
After Qin Shou left that day, Zhao Jing and Yu Zhan were scared out of their wits and proposed returning to the city.
Lin Xiaoi was also aware of her limits, knowing she couldn't possibly face the Black Ape Beast alone, so she naturally didn't object.
She told herself inwardly that only trustworthy teammates like Qin Shou were truly reliable companions for adventures.
But now that they'd returned, Qin Shou was the only one missing.
She wondered how he was doing...
Standing there, Lin Xiaoi found herself in an inner struggle.
She wanted to hide the truth about Qin Shou not returning, but her conscience urged her to speak out.
Otherwise, it might not be the right thing to do for Qin Shou's parents.
Although she hadn't been able to contact Qin Shou so far, given his abilities, the chances of him returning safely were quite high.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiaoi gritted her teeth and walked towards Hua Ping.
"Beep beep..."
She had just taken a step when the communicator on her wrist suddenly began to flash.
Looking down at it, her expression instantly filled with joy.
She connected the communicator, and Qin Shou's voice ca through.
"Lin Xiaoi, how are you all doing now?"
Lin Xiaoi said happily, "We've already returned to the city. You should co back quickly too; Aunt must miss you a lot."
In the cave, Qin Shou, who had reverted to his true form, paused slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I can't return for now, but don't worry. I'm safe here."
Lin Xiaoi's tone grew anxious, "What's wrong over there? Why can't you co back?"
Qin Shou replied, "It's nothing serious. I just don't want to return for now—I want to train and gain so experience outside."
"Alright then, I'll prepare in a couple of days to reassemble a team to head out of the city again. When that ti cos, I'll co and et you.
A bigger group ans more strength and safety. You're soone I brought out of the city, and I must ensure I bring you back safely."
Lin Xiaoi declared resolutely.
Qin Shou chuckled, "Alright, alright! I'll make sure you're the one who safely takes ho, is that better?"
Lin Xiaoi: "..."
Who's taking you ho?
Don't you have a ho yourself?
After exchanging a few casual words, the two ended the call.
Relieved, Lin Xiaoi walked ho with lighter steps.
...
In the cave, Qin Shou hesitated for a mont before initiating a video call.
As the image gradually cleared, Hua Ping's sowhat haggard face appeared on the screen.
"Xiao Shou, it looks like you're in a cave over there. Are you sleeping well?"
Hua Ping wiped the redness from the corners of her eyes and pretended to smile casually.
Qin Shou grinned, "Haha, Mom, no need to worry. I'm sleeping like a baby here.
Oh, and I've got good news for you—my Dragon Beast just ate a few Unihorn Saber-Toothed Tigers and recently leveled up to Danger Level 8.
Now, few monsters dare approach Greedy Snake around here.
Your son is practically a king of the mountain now—eating, sleeping, and repeating. I'm sick of monster at at this point."
Hua Ping rolled her eyes and said, "Don't talk nonsense—be a proper human, not so mountain king."
Qin Shou grinned cheekily, "Mom, don't worry. I'll be back in a few days.
When I do, I'll bring back a few hundred pounds of Barbarian Beef so you can work your culinary magic and make so Barbarian Beef dumplings."
"Alright, alright! Barbarian Beef is wonderful, tender, flavorful, doesn't get stuck in your teeth, and with our Qin Family secret seasoning, it's simply..."
Talking about Barbarian Beef, Hua Ping launched into an excited monologue, leaving Qin Shou speechless.
He vaguely recalled that in his previous life, he had no particular interest in cooking.
But this ti around...
Could it be sothing genetic?
After a while, Qin Shou finished his reassurances, and Hua Ping reluctantly hung up the video call.
"Having a ho... is truly wonderful."
He smiled as he held the back of his head, then instructed Rein Jia'er to keep digging deeper into the cave to carve out a simple hidden chamber.
Qin Shou released Big Big Wolf and told it to wait outside the cave to prevent the Sha Po Wolf Group from noticing anything unusual.
Placing another layer of barriers, Qin Shou then directed Rein Jia'er to dig out a pit about twenty square ters in size.
Upon opening System Space, water gushed out.
Monts later, the water filled the pit, forming a small pond.
"Splash!"
The rmaid Zhi Yin leapt out of the water, her cheerful singing gradually resonating.
"La la la~"
"Master, Zhi Yin has missed you so much!"
Zhi Yin threw herself into Qin Shou's arms, her blue tail gently swaying with glee.
"Haha, Master has missed Zhi Yin as well."
Qin Shou patted Zhi Yin's small head and said, "Zhi Yin, go play in the water. Master will make sothing delicious for you."
"Okay!"
Zhi Yin nodded quickly, her sparkling eyes brimming with excitent.
"Splash!"
Zhi Yin dove back into the water but kept her little head above the surface, watching Qin Shou's every move attentively.
Today's dish: Dog at hotpot!
Boil water, slice at...
Ah!
Why didn't I bring any mint or cilantro?!
Qin Shou sighed dramatically toward the sky.
"Heeheehee... Master looks so funny," Zhi Yin said, covering her mouth as she giggled in the water.
Turning to Zhi Yin's delighted laughter, Qin Shou couldn't help but smile warmly.
If I hadn't had the chance to start over, I might have had such an adorable child in another life!
Suddenly, Big Big Wolf poked its oversized head into the chamber, grinning mischievously. "Master, is it ready to eat yet?"
Qin Shou's smile disappeared instantly as he threw a dog leg at it.
"A real werewolf should eat dog legs—here, no need to thank ."
Big Big Wolf's grin froze.
It glanced at Zhi Yin in the water before silently picking up the dog leg and disappearing from view.
Hmph!
Just because she's cute?
Curse these looks-obsessed people!
"Co, Zhi Yin, open your mouth—Master will feed you..."
Big Big Wolf threw the dog leg down in frustration and howled toward the sky.
"Why!!"
...
Five days later, thanks to an ample supply of Two-headed Dog at, Zhi Yin successfully leveled up to Danger Level Six.
Qin Shou also adhered to a strict schedule, breaking through to Newborn Seven Stars with the help of wolf milk.
Over the next three months, barring any unforeseen circumstances and with monster at in abundant supply, achieving Newborn Eight Stars was almost guaranteed.
With that in mind, Qin Shou didn't feel his training aptitude was all that bad.
Even among certain wealthy families with a constant supply of monster at, kids his age likely weren't much stronger.
This proved his aptitude certainly wasn't lacking.
Of course, there was still a clear gap compared to top-tier children raised in cities ranked high within the Federation.
"Beep beep..."
At that mont, the communicator on Qin Shou's wrist rang. He glanced at it and accepted the call.
"Hahaha, Lao Qin, bet you didn't expect this—my Killing Wolf reached Danger Level Seven a couple of days ago, and now I can head out of the city!"
Long Xia's booming laughter ca through the communicator.
Qin Shou frowned slightly and asked, "Where are you now?"
"I've already left the city! Don't worry, I'm not alone. I begged them for ages before they agreed to let join."
Qin Shou shook his head, feeling helpless.
Growing up, Long Xia had always been sowhat unreliable.
Leaving the city recklessly this ti might lead to trouble.
Thinking of this, Qin Shou asked again, "Who are 'they'?"
"Lin Xiaoi, Ye Ning, Hong Cong—just the four of us."
Ye Ning, Hong Cong, Lin Xiaoi...
Qin Shou's expression shifted slightly. How did they end up grouping together?
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