Little Wolf

"Sigh, I guess I'm just too softhearted."

After a fierce battle with himself, Gu Han decided to take in Little Phantom Water Wolf after all.

It wasn't because of the temptation of having the Son of the Phantom Water Wolf King.

Nor was it to unlock the system's Battle Pet Function.

In the Running Wolf Nation, all Martial Artists took pride in being able to form contracts with powerful wolf Demonic Beasts.

Anyone else would probably have found it hard to resist the temptation of forming a contract with the Son of the Phantom Water Wolf King.

But Gu Han was different. With his Soul Capture Talent, even an adult Phantom Water Wolf King wouldn't help him very much.

At most, it could speed up his Attribute Absorption while he was still growing.

The main reason Gu Han had decided to take in Little Phantom Water Wolf was that he had been moved by the bond between the Phantom Water Wolf mother and child.

All living things had feelings.

Even though humans and Demonic Beasts were born enemies, locked in a relationship where one had to die for the other to live,

Gu Han still couldn't deny the sincerity of the bond between the Phantom Water Wolf mother and her child.

As far as Gu Han was concerned, killing a Phantom Water Wolf wouldn't give him any attributes he lacked. Taking the little one in would also make it a witness to his growth.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of Little Wolf."

Having made up his mind, Gu Han crouched down and rose with the young Little Phantom Water Wolf in his arms.

"Awoo..."

Seeing this, the Phantom Water Wolf let go of the last thing weighing on her heart.

The Phantom Water Wolf's mate had been killed in an attack by another pack, and she had escaped with Little Phantom Water Wolf.

Earlier, when she'd gone to the lake and faced a Wave-Treading Bull stronger than herself, she'd risked serious injury to get the Water Essence Lotus.

It wasn't for her own sake. She wanted Little Phantom Water Wolf to take the Water Essence Lotus from a young age, build a strong foundation, and avenge its father one day.

Even as death approached, the only thing she couldn't let go of was Little Phantom Water Wolf.

And Gu Han was the most trustworthy person she could find to entrust the little one to.

The Phantom Water Wolf gave a low growl, then slowly closed her eyes.

As the last two tears slid from the corners of her eyes, the Phantom Water Wolf breathed her last.

She could die in peace.

"Awoo~"

Little Phantom Water Wolf seemed to sense its mother's passing and let out a soft, babyish wail.

Gu Han sighed.

"System, form a contract with Little Phantom Water Wolf."

There were three ways for a Martial Artist to tame a Demonic Beast.

The first was to use a Beast Taming Talisman to force the Demonic Beast into submission.

Most Martial Artists chose this method, but the Demonic Beast could resist, and the success rate was limited.

The second was the system of raising Demonic Beasts—or Spirit Beasts—developed by great lineages and sects.

They cultivated a bond with the beasts from a young age, making a contract later on a natural next step.

Generally, only Martial Artists from powerful factions chose this method.

The third was the hardest: to earn a Demonic Beast's wholehearted acceptance.

But most Demonic Beasts would rather die than submit to a Martial Artist's commands.

So this method existed only in theory. At least, Gu Han's predecessor had never heard of anyone forming a contract with a Demonic Beast this way.

But Little Phantom Water Wolf wasn't grown yet and had little will of its own.

With its mother's urging, it was willing to form a contract with Gu Han.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully formed a contract with a Phantom Water Wolf King cub. You can check the cub's attributes through the Attribute Panel."

After the contract was formed, Gu Han could sense that his thoughts and Little Phantom Water Wolf's were somehow connected.

He immediately gave the little one a name he liked.

"From today on, your name is Little Wolf."

Gu Han took a piece of roasted wild boar from the bag he carried with him.

Ever since his hunting grounds had moved farther from the Logistics Camp, Gu Han had only returned to camp each night.

During the day, he built a fire and cooked outdoors, which suited him just fine.

Little Wolf seemed to have been hungry for a long time. At the smell of the roasted meat, it nearly drooled and eagerly tore into it.

Little Wolf's teeth hadn't fully come in yet, but it could just about chew through the meat.

Gu Han opened Little Phantom Water Wolf's panel.

"View attributes."

Battle Pet: Phantom Water Wolf King

Strength: Unranked

Blood Qi: 10

Strength: 8

Defense: 8

Speed: 10

Spirit: 7

Racial Skill: Phantom Water Clone (Manipulates water elements to form Phantom Water Clones with 10% of its own strength to assist in battle. The higher its mastery, the stronger the clones and the greater their number.)

Little Wolf's Attribute Panel was simple and clear.

For an unranked Little Wolf to have attributes comparable to a newly advanced Martial Disciple was already impressive.

And because of its race, Little Wolf had also mastered the skill the Phantom Water Wolf had used against the Wave-Treading Bull.

If released in advance, it could almost pass for the real thing.

"But before its mastery improves, the Phantom Water Clone's attributes are ridiculously low."

Gu Han pursed his lips.

Ten percent of its attributes? That was just sending it out to get slaughtered.

It would probably only be useful against weak opponents.

But Gu Han had noticed that the Battle Pet Function could improve a Battle Pet's bloodline!

He took a look.

To raise Little Wolf's bloodline rank, he needed 100 Water Element Power, 100 units of Demonic Beast Blood Qi, and 10 second-order Demonic Beast cores.

He could also use the same resources to accelerate Little Wolf's growth.

From the system's explanation, Gu Han learned that natural treasures like the Water Essence Lotus could be exchanged for Element Power.

A single Water Essence Lotus could be exchanged for 30 points of Water Element Power.

As for Demonic Beast Blood Qi, only Demonic Beasts of One-star Seventh-Order or higher could produce it.

It was unknown how much Demonic Beast Blood Qi a single beast could yield.

But Gu Han guessed it couldn't be much.

"But these Demonic Beast cores are way too damn expensive!"

At the last requirement, Gu Han couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.

With his current strength, killing a two-star Demonic Beast was nothing short of a pipe dream!

"Forget it. I'll take things one step at a time."

Gu Han sighed. At least the Battle Pet Function could improve Little Wolf's bloodline; that was better than having Little Wolf fall behind him in the future.

"Awoo~"

As Gu Han was thinking, a soft, babyish howl came from his feet.

He looked down and saw Little Wolf, having just finished a piece of roasted meat, rubbing its little head affectionately against his trouser leg.

Gu Han smiled and picked Little Wolf up.

"Still hungry?"

Little Wolf seemed to think about it, then gave a cute little nod.

"Then have another piece of roasted meat."

Gu Han was like a parent spoiling a child. He took out another piece of roasted meat and let Little Wolf feast.

As for Gu Han, he crouched down and placed a hand on the Phantom Water Wolf's body.

"Don't worry. It won't be long before Little Wolf avenges you himself."