"Good. There are enough for Dongfang Bai and the others to each have one." Hao Shuai quickly counted them and got a rough idea of how many Dijiang there were.
He had already decided to pack them all up and take them with him when he left. After all, no woman could resist an adorable pet that understood human speech and was more docile and easier to cuddle than a dog.
Just as Hao Shuai was eyeing the Dijiang, a large group of four-legged beasts emerged from the woods on his right. They had dragon heads and were covered in scales, resembling either the Four-Not-Like or qilin. They ambled across the path toward the other side, forcing Hao Shuai to stop for the moment.
Hao Shuai looked at the group of beasts with their goofy faces and shook his head in disappointment once more.
At that moment, the last little bit of hope he'd had completely evaporated.
Even when he saw a huge creature with protruding upper and lower fangs, a thick mane around its neck, and the appearance of the divine beast Suanni, Hao Shuai's heart remained unmoved.
After Hao Shuai passed through the woods, the scenery before him changed once more.
Far away, terraced fields layered the mountainsides. People worked along the mountain paths, and the lake below shimmered with silvery ripples. Many quaint, old-fashioned buildings stood around its shore: thatched huts, earthen houses, and stone dwellings. Among the assorted homes, a flight of steps lined with white stone railings led to the only palace in the area, which stood out somewhat from its surroundings.
At that moment, a crowd emerged from the houses. Most of them carried long staffs or bows and formed a human wall in Hao Shuai's path. Every one of them furrowed their brows