The Flame Tail Fox Called Sang Biao

The Flame Tail Fox was in a very bad mood today.

Ever since it discovered that the mysterious fruits borne by this great tree could make it stronger and make the flames it spat more surging, it had guarded the tree from dawn till dusk.

Yet even so, quite a few thieving wretches who did not know their place still coveted these fruits, coming by from time to time to harass it.

Fortunately, after eating two fruits, the Flame Tail Fox's strength had undergone an earth-shaking transformation, and it easily drove away those detestable fellows.

The Flame Tail Fox had already made up its mind: if any more little thieves tried to snatch the fruits, it would teach them a savage lesson!

Hmph, hmph!

It would lash their butts viciously with its tail!

However, while the Flame Tail Fox was sound asleep during its nap today, it heard familiar and hateful cries from outside.

It remembered that sound.

Back when it had passed by a human village, it had been chased by those irritating creatures going "woof woof woof" and "howl howl howl." Luckily, it had been clever and quick-witted, narrowly escaping disaster.

At the thought, the stream of flame at the Flame Tail Fox's tail suddenly surged. Firelight blazed in an instant as it made a ferocious yet adorable expression at Cola before it.

"Sang Biao? Why are you here?"

But in the next moment, a familiar voice sounded by its ear. The Flame Tail Fox seemed to realize something, and its expression instantly froze. Like a snarling kitten seized by the nape of fate, the flames at its tail abruptly dimmed.

Who knew how long passed.

The Flame Tail Fox blankly raised its head and looked at the familiar human before it. Its expression was exceedingly complicated, seeming both excited and resistant.

"So it really is you, Sang Biao." Chen Yuan examined the Flame Tail Fox before him and smiled faintly.

The Beast Taming Knowledge section contained basic information on this kind of Extraordinary Creature. Its attribute was fire, and the flame burning at the tip of its tail was an important identifying mark.

The more vigorous the flame, the better the Flame Tail Fox's physical condition. Once that flame went out, the Flame Tail Fox's life would enter its countdown.

Chen Yuan recognized the long scar on this Flame Tail Fox's forehead.

Last winter, a starving Little Red Fox had stumbled into Xuanhe Village by accident, then accidentally fallen into Auntie Li's chicken coop.

But before it could feast to its heart's content, Xuanhe Village's Woof Woof Brigade had launched a timely attack, chasing the Little Red Fox down an entire street. Blood had splattered across the snow, leaving a long scar on its face.

Fortunately, Chen Yuan had arrived in time and saved the Little Red Fox. He had treated its wounds through the night, saving its life, though the scar remained on its forehead forever.

It was precisely because of that scar that one of his colleagues had suggested naming it Sang Biao. It sounded imposing.

Chen Yuan had readily agreed.

Because the Little Red Fox's injuries had been severe, Chen Yuan had kept Sang Biao at the rescue station and cared for it attentively for a month, only releasing it after it regained its mobility.

Thus, the moment he saw the scar on the Flame Tail Fox's forehead, Chen Yuan recognized it as Sang Biao.

A Red Fox evolving into a Flame Tail Fox was perfectly reasonable.

"Sang Biao, long time no see." Chen Yuan crouched halfway down, looking at the complicated-looking Flame Tail Fox with a beaming smile.

Being able to encounter a wild animal he had once treated in the wilderness, and to see with his own eyes that it was doing well now, was truly something that made him happy.

That joy, that excitement, struck far deeper than his earlier reaction upon finding the Flame Flame Fruits.

"Yip..."

Hearing Chen Yuan call that unspeakably awful name for the third time, the Flame Tail Fox desperately wanted to cover its ears and shut out every sound.

Yet the joy and excitement of their long-awaited reunion overwhelmed that thought in an instant. Before its mind could react, its body honestly stepped forward.

Even while running, the Flame Tail Fox's posture remained as elegant as a dancer's, its fluffy long tail like dancing fire.

"Howl howl howl!"

Seeing the Flame Tail Fox ignore it and approach its master, Cola tensed its body, bared its teeth, and a wild gale suddenly rose around it.

"Chirp!"

Spark's gaze shifted back and forth between Chen Yuan and the Flame Tail Fox. It seemed to think of something, and alarm bells rang wildly in its heart.

"It's fine." Chen Yuan spoke to soothe the poised Cola, then opened his arms toward the running Flame Tail Fox.

"Yip!"

The Flame Tail Fox's cry was exceedingly tender, but its body moved first, pouncing into Chen Yuan's embrace. Its two paws landed on his shoulders, while its fluffy tail scratched at him from above and below.

"Hahahaha, that tickles." Chen Yuan pushed aside the Flame Tail Fox's big tail, then reached out to rub its furry little head. Finally, he looked into those cool, deep green eyes. "I didn't expect to run into you here. Have you been doing well?"

Red Foxes were already the beauty queens among foxes. After evolving into a Flame Tail Fox, its fur became even more vivid, and coupled with that fluffy tail, its looks had soared.

Many people had no resistance to this kind of furry, adorable creature, and Chen Yuan was no exception.

But unlike most people, who could only look and not touch, Chen Yuan could freely stretch out his hands and ravage it to his heart's content.

"Yip!"

The fur on the Flame Tail Fox's head had been mussed up by Chen Yuan's handling. Somewhat displeased, it shook its head vigorously. Only after its fur was neat again did it nod heavily.

"That's good." Chen Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Howl howl howl!" Cola's eyes widened as it stared in shock at the intimate interaction between one human and one pet beast, crying out urgently.

This is bad!

I have another rival!

"Chirp..."

Spark's reaction was not as intense as Cola's. It merely studied the Flame Tail Fox quietly for a long while, then lifted its head high and gave a soft snort, its eyes brimming with confidence.

As Chen Yuan's initial pet beast, it was confident that no other pet beast could threaten its position.

Even if there was one, it could beat them into submission with its strength!

If once was not enough, then twice. If twice did not work, then three times!

Chen Yuan had no idea that the two little ones' inner thoughts were so active. At that moment, all his attention was on the Flame Tail Fox's data panel:

First collection of Flame Tail Fox. Origin Points +1

Race: Flame Tail Fox

Attribute: Fire

Level: 3 (Tier 1)

Favorability: 62

Skills: Flame Surge (Beginner 1.6/3) + Flame Energy Assault (Beginner 0.6/3) +

Quality: Ordinary

Conditions for promotion to Elite quality: Insufficient Origin Points (1/5)

Other than Spark, this was the strongest Extraordinary Creature Chen Yuan had ever seen.

"It should be thanks to these fruits." Chen Yuan looked toward the Flame Flame Fruits on the tree and muttered softly.

Seeing Chen Yuan's gaze fall upon the Flame Flame Fruits, the Flame Tail Fox broke free from his embrace and pointed at them with its paw. "Yip yip yip!"

"Spark, I'll leave it to you," Chen Yuan said.

The Extraordinary Creature translator was back online!

Before long, Chen Yuan understood the connection between the Flame Flame Fruits and the Flame Tail Fox, and he sighed. "You really are lucky."

After a pause, he considered his words. "Sang Biao, this little one needs two Flame Flame Fruits. Let's make a trade."

"One Flame Flame Fruit for one chicken."

However—

Under Chen Yuan's gaze, the Flame Tail Fox decisively shook its head.

It refused the trade.