"Th-that's so far... Just a few days ago, I couldn't go this far..."
The monster stammered, haltingly voicing its question.
Though its words were a little incoherent, Xiao Xiao understood at once.
"Because of me."
The brief answer left the Drowning Ghost staring at him with wide green eyes and a blank expression.
Because... of Lord Xiao Xiao?
Xiao Xiao smiled. "I thought you weren't going to ask about that."
The Drowning Ghost blinked.
If it hadn't suddenly had a flash of inspiration just now, it might really have overlooked the question.
Or it might not have remembered until much later.
"With my help, you can swim a little farther for now."
"Oh."
The Drowning Ghost nodded blankly.
Then it forgot its earlier fear and wariness of the human, and gazed at him with reverence.
"Lord Xiao Xiao, you're amazing!"
And when it saw the monster nearby eating with such gusto, it realized Lord Xiao Xiao could even have such a powerful monster working for him. He really was amazing!
"Lord Xiao Xiao—"
"Giggle~"
A sudden voice interrupted the Drowning Ghost.
But at the sound of that familiar voice, the Drowning Ghost shivered and quietly shut its mouth. Cautiously, it peeked at the monster that had just finished its feast.
The monster swam over to Lord Xiao Xiao and lowered its head slightly.
Then it disappeared?!
The Drowning Ghost gaped.
Only then did it vaguely recall that the monster's appearance had also been without warning.
The same went for the other monsters.
Now it had vanished just as suddenly. Maybe that wasn't so strange after all... right?
It was still so strange!
The Drowning Ghost stared at the spot where the Qiuqiu fish had been.
Xiao Xiao turned around and saw that the Drowning Ghost's already large eyes