Follow Me, Da Bao

Da Bao's awakening greatly surprised the village chief, but he still provided Da Bao with enough food as Chu Danqing had requested.

Even so, Da Bao's condition was far from good. The bloody aura around him grew thicker and thicker, while the fury and savagery in his emotions were nearly impossible to suppress.

Even his physique began to change.

His body grew another half meter or so, and ape-like long fur sprouted across his skin.

Its color was a strange blood-red rather than anything normal.

Even the village chief clicked his tongue in amazement, able only to marvel at how extraordinary the White Dragon Fish truly was.

In the past, when Village Guardians became Cave Beasts, they would have long since lost their human reason at this stage, and their fur would have been white rather than blood-red.

After that, the nails on his fingers and toes gradually embedded themselves into his flesh, growing into claws, while his forearms began to lengthen.

He looked like a long-armed ape-man whose hands hung below his knees, his cheeks slightly protruding, as though he were half beastman.

This transformation was not limited to his face. It altered his entire physical structure, including his vocal cords and other organs used for speech.

It made speaking extremely difficult for Da Bao, and his words came out haltingly.

However, now that he knew the truth, Da Bao had been rather taciturn these past two days.

"Still... hungry." Da Bao looked at Chu Danqing, pain surfacing on his face.

The hunger, the uncontrollable emotions, and the struggle against his own instincts made Da Bao's expression particularly ferocious.

Chu Danqing's expression turned anxious when he heard that.

Food had been supplied without interruption for two days. It had worked to some extent, but something crucial was still missing—something that could bring about a fundamental transformation in Da Bao.

Otherwise, no matter how much food he ate, it would only pile up in quantity without treating the root of the problem.

"Perhaps you should try giving Da Bao that White Dragon Fish Egg, Chu," the village chief said as he entered. "Today's food has been left outside."

At this point, Chu Danqing and Da Bao no longer lived in the village chief's home.

The reason was that, according to past custom, once Da Bao turned into a Cave Beast, he would lose his human reason and cause needless casualties in the village.

So, when his body began changing, the two of them had been moved under cover of night to a secluded house outside the village.

Da Bao truly was different, but the village chief could not gamble his own life and the lives of the entire village on that possibility.

Chu Danqing did not object. Da Bao's changes were indeed drastic. Especially after his features were hidden beneath fur, he looked no different from a monster.

"Alright, I understand." Chu Danqing did not say much else before asking, "Where is my payment? You said you'd give it to me today."

"Chu, there's no need for you to be so wary of me." As the village chief spoke, he took out a set of leather inner lining and placed it on the table. "After all, you brought back my grandson's remains. You are my family's benefactor."

"We did wrong by Da Bao, indeed, but we haven't wronged you, have we?"

Chu Danqing answered, "No. But I dislike your attitude."

He dared to say that for two reasons. First, he had value. Second, he wanted to vent Da Bao's anger for him.

From the way things had gone between him and Da Bao over the past two days, contracting him was already as certain as a nail hammered into a board.

He could still tell the difference between one of his own and an outsider.

"You're a good person, young man. It's only natural for you to dislike us." Rather than getting angry, the village chief spoke calmly. "This is a necessary price."

"Since the sight of me annoys you, I won't linger any longer."

"The items have already been delivered."

"What you need will be finished tonight and delivered tomorrow along with the last day's food."

"When the time comes, the matter of Fallen Blossom Cave will have to trouble you."

With that, the village chief turned and left without the slightest reluctance.

Chu Danqing sighed and carried the food into the house together with Da Bao.

Da Bao ate in silence, while Chu Danqing sat in a chair, examining the inner lining made from White Dragon Fish skin as he considered the village chief's words.

Silver Scale Cloud Brocade

Type: Equipment · Inner Lining

Quality: Excellent

Durability: 100/100

Defense: 10

Gorgeous Garment (Passive): Defense +10

Equipment Requirements: Strength 5, Constitution 5, Agility 5

Inner lining was the layer sewn inside double-layered clothing.

Chu Danqing truly had not expected even this to count as equipment.

But the problem before him was how to use it.

He knew some needlework, but making such major alterations to a shirt and trousers was beyond his modest skill.

After thinking it over again and again, he could only give it a try.

This was twenty points of defense. What did it matter if he ruined some clothes?

So, while clumsily working with his hands, he took the opportunity to begin discussing the contract with Da Bao.

"Da Bao, the White Dragon Fish Egg is very important to me. If I give it to you, I won't be able to live much longer." Chu Danqing started by playing the emotional card.

But he was telling the truth. A Summoning System without a summon was no different from a chunk of meat, except that it was alive.

Da Bao's eating motions paused, and only then did he say with difficulty, "It's okay, Little Chu."

"What I mean is, since Xianghua Village doesn't want you anymore, come with me. Protect me in the White Dragon Fish's place, and I'll give you the White Dragon Fish Egg."

"But I have to tell you in advance: following me will be dangerous. One misstep, and you could die." Chu Danqing cut Da Bao off.

"Staying here is different. I'll help you kill the Great White Ape. With your father, the Cave God, here, you'll become the new Priest."

"On top of that, you have the White Dragon Fish's power. You'll never have to worry about danger or food for the rest of your life, and you'll be able to live happily."

He explained not only the dangers of leaving with him, but also the benefits of staying.

After all, Da Bao had an intellectual disability. Even at a time like this, Chu Danqing was still conflicted inside.

"Black Hollow isn't my... father." Da Bao corrected Chu Danqing, then said, "I... I want to go with Little Chu."

"Not afraid... of danger!"

At that moment, Da Bao seemed to have seized a lifeline, speaking with great urgency.

In his eyes, Xianghua Village had already abandoned him. Now that someone was willing to take him in, of course he was willing to go.

Besides, Chu Danqing had treated him very well. He knew that much.

Something that could wake him up had to be extremely precious, not to mention that it concerned Chu Danqing's own safety.

"A gentleman's word is worth more than four galloping horses."

"Since you've agreed to this, there will be no room for regret in the future." As Chu Danqing spoke, he took out the White Dragon Fish Egg and handed it to Da Bao.

He was not a stingy person. There was no rush to sign the contract until after Da Bao had eaten the White Dragon Fish Egg.

Since Da Bao was one of his own, there was no need to fuss over so much.

More importantly, he believed in Da Bao's character.

"No regrets." Da Bao opened his fang-filled mouth and swallowed the White Dragon Fish Egg in one bite.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing also took out a Type One Summoning Contract Scroll and formed a contract with Da Bao.