Come Back with Me

When he saw the Flame Tail Fox shake its head, Chen Yuan was unusually taken aback.

He fell silent for a moment, then held up three fingers. "Then three chickens?"

The Flame Tail Fox still shook its head.

"Or tell me what you want, and I'll find a way to bring it to you." Chen Yuan changed the terms of the trade.

Come to think of it, Flame Flame Fruits were a level-two resource and immensely beneficial to Fire-type Contracted Beasts. How could they possibly be traded for just three chickens?

Even if the Flame Tail Fox did not understand the Flame Flame Fruits' true value, Chen Yuan knew exactly how precious they were. He absolutely should not be trying to take advantage of it.

Even if his trading partner was not human, he should still show respect and honesty.

Yet despite Chen Yuan's sincere gaze, the Flame Tail Fox continued shaking its head.

Chen Yuan could not help feeling disappointed.

To successfully obtain the Flame Flame Fruits, Chen Yuan had specifically added his last remaining Origin Points to Spark's Flame Surge skill yesterday, raising it to the proficient level.

That way, even if an Extraordinary Creature had claimed the Flame Flame Fruits, he would have the confidence to fight it.

But... faced with his old friend, Chen Yuan could not bring himself to compete for them.

Looks like I'll have to think of another way.

"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"

Seeing the Flame Tail Fox give its owner so little face, Cola immediately widened its eyes in fury and barked repeatedly at it, wind-element energy churning at its side.

"Chirp."

Spark narrowed its eyes, a hint of danger flashing across its face.

It had clearly been the first to discover these Flame Flame Fruits!

The Flame Tail Fox ignored the two little ones. It stared at Chen Yuan for a while, then suddenly turned and ran toward the Flame Flame Fruit Tree.

Its body was light and agile, its four paws barely touching the ground as it nimbly sprang onto the thick trunk.

"Sang Biao, what are you doing?" Chen Yuan asked, puzzled.

Hearing that detestable name, the Flame Tail Fox froze. It stumbled and nearly fell, but fortunately, it reacted quickly and soon steadied itself.

"Ying."

Standing on a branch, the Flame Tail Fox cast Chen Yuan a resentful look.

How could such a hateful, crude, awful, barbaric name possibly be associated with someone as gentle, adorable, beautiful, and elegant as itself?

The thought flashed through its mind.

The Flame Tail Fox cautiously poked out its head and extended its sharp claws toward a Flame Flame Fruit.

Bang!

A Flame Flame Fruit fell to the ground with a crisp impact, the faint flames on its skin continuing to burn.

Before Chen Yuan could react, the Flame Tail Fox darted up and down like a squirrel, repeating the process and knocking the remaining three Flame Flame Fruits to the ground.

"Ying."

After finishing, the Flame Tail Fox lightly landed on the ground. It picked up a Flame Flame Fruit in its mouth, walked over to Chen Yuan, and set it down before him.

"You mean you're giving it to me?" Chen Yuan asked in surprise.

The Flame Tail Fox did not respond. Instead, it swiftly returned to the foot of the tree, picked up two more Flame Flame Fruits, and placed them at Chen Yuan's feet.

When it stood before the last Flame Flame Fruit, however, its movements became sluggish. Its outstretched paw trembled faintly, its eyes filled with reluctance.

Thinking of the taste of Flame Flame Fruits, saliva involuntarily gathered at the corners of its mouth, and an expression of bliss appeared on its face.

It was a delicacy beyond words, even more tempting than baby chicks.

But...

This human had saved it and cared for it so attentively for so long.

In that instant, the Flame Tail Fox recalled the cold winter from last year—the warm embrace, and those happy days without any worries about food or drink.

"Ying."

As though it had made up its mind, the Flame Tail Fox resolutely picked up the last Flame Flame Fruit and placed it before Chen Yuan.

"You're giving them all to me?"

Chen Yuan crouched down. Rather than looking at the Flame Flame Fruits, he met the Flame Tail Fox's gaze.

Man and fox alike returned to that cold winter.

"Ying~" The Flame Tail Fox nodded lightly, then turned its head away, forcing itself not to look at the Flame Flame Fruits on the ground.

"Mm."

Seeing the Flame Tail Fox's reaction, Chen Yuan's lips curled upward slightly, his voice light. "We don't need that many."

For such a large Flame Flame Fruit Tree to bear fewer than ten Flame Flame Fruits was enough to prove how precious they were.

"Two are enough." Chen Yuan placed two Flame Flame Fruits in front of himself, then pushed the other two toward the Flame Tail Fox.

In that instant, Chen Yuan clearly noticed the Flame Tail Fox's eyes light up, a fluorescent glow blooming in its dark green eyes.

"Ying."

But the Flame Tail Fox did not answer directly. Instead, it pushed the Flame Flame Fruits again, moving them farther from itself and closer to Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan laughed. "How did a little fox like you learn to be so polite? It's not like we're giving out red envelopes for New Year's."

"Alright, take them. I really only want two."

Gazing into Chen Yuan's sincere eyes, the Flame Tail Fox finally beamed with joy and hurriedly hid the two Flame Flame Fruits beneath itself.

Chen Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "I came in a hurry this time, so I didn't bring anything. Next time I enter the mountains, I'll bring you something tasty."

"Oh, right. Do you live nearby?"

"Ying~" The Flame Tail Fox nodded happily, then rubbed its fluffy head against Chen Yuan's palm.

Chen Yuan stroked the Flame Tail Fox's soft, sleek fur, and a bold thought suddenly arose in his heart. "How about coming back with me? You can live on my farm."

In the past, that would have been impossible. But this was a special time now, and the Flame Tail Fox could openly appear at his home.

At those words, Cola abruptly raised its head, its eyes going wide and round.

Danger, danger, danger!

There really was going to be another rival!

Spark did not react too intensely. It merely scrutinized the Flame Tail Fox, considering how long it would take to beat it flat.

Yet faced with Chen Yuan's invitation, the Flame Tail Fox shook its head. "Ying ying ying."

True, life in Xuanhe Village was leisurely and happy, without threats from other animals.

But...

The Flame Tail Fox did not want to be confined within such a tiny world. It preferred running freely through the forest.

When the long night descended, it preferred curling up inside a cold, cramped tree hollow.

This was its home.

Chen Yuan was not surprised by the Flame Tail Fox's choice. He smiled. "Alright, then. I'll come find you next time I enter the mountains, and I'll bring you something tasty."

"Ying!"

The Flame Tail Fox answered happily, sticking out its tongue to lick Chen Yuan's cheek while its fluffy tail swayed from side to side.

This time, Cola no longer felt any danger.

"Oh, right. Since other Extraordinary Creatures are coveting the Flame Flame Fruits, you should hurry up and eat them."

"You can eat one now. We'll protect you."

According to Beast Taming Knowledge, after consuming a Spiritual Plant, an Extraordinary Creature needed some time to digest it, allowing the energy contained within the Spiritual Plant to be fully absorbed by its body.

During that time, an Extraordinary Creature's ability to respond to danger would decline slightly.

Originally, with the Flame Flame Fruits hanging on the tree, it would be difficult for other Extraordinary Creatures to forcibly seize or steal them. But now that both fruits had fallen to the ground, hiding them in a tree hollow would inevitably risk their being discovered.

Since they were still here, the Flame Tail Fox might as well eat them all, so no one else could set their sights on them.

If the Flame Flame Fruits were stolen because of him, Chen Yuan would feel terribly sorry.

In response to Chen Yuan's concerns, the Flame Tail Fox lifted its head slightly, its eyes brimming with confidence. "Ying!"

I'm the strongest one here!

Whoever dares steal my Flame Flame Fruits, I'll beat them to death!