Mixiang Guben Pill, White Feather Albatross

"Go and summon Wu Datou." In the blink of an eye, Lady Shu, who had just been filled with regret and hidden hatred, her face twisted in a grimace, transformed her expression and gave instructions to her attendants with a pleasant, amiable tone.

Wu Datou—his surname was Wu, and his given name was Datou, meaning "Big Head." He was a man of massive, towering stature. Standing before Lady Shu, he resembled a door panel, giving off an impression of sturdiness and simple-minded honesty.

The most striking thing about him was his head, which was enormous. It was disproportionate to his body, making him look top-heavy.

He stood a full eight feet tall with a robust physique, yet even with such a frame, his head still seemed disproportionately large.

Just how big was such a head?

However, despite his large head, his temperament was as straightforward as a single-track mind. He had no devious schemes in his belly and was fiercely loyal to the Island Master, Shu Tianhao.

He was an orphan of war, rescued by Shu Tianhao from the attack of a pirate ship. Having grown up, he was now unwavering in his loyalty and had been appointed by Shu Tianhao as the garrison general of Shu Family City.

"Why did you summon me, My Lady?" he asked in a muffled, resonant voice. Because she was Shu Tianhao's wife, he treated Lady Shu with great respect.

Lady Shu's smile grew even gentler, her tone as warm as a spring breeze: "General Wu, I have a matter I would like to ask of you."

"I wouldn't dare," Wu Datou replied hastily. "If it violates military orders, this subordinate will not do it. If it does not go against the orders given by the Island Master, then this subordinate will do it."

His answer was blunt and honest.

Lady Shu nodded, immediately praising him: "General Wu is diligent in his duties. With you protecting Shu Family City, even if pirates like Mad Lion, Crimson Tiger, or Remnant Wolf were to come, I would have no fear."

Wu Datou, however, wore a serious expression: "I could not defeat them, but the Island Master has ordered me to defend Shu Family City. Even if I must die, I will die on the walls of Shu Family City."

"Good, good, good." Lady Shu nodded and smiled, though in her heart, she was cursing him as a blockhead. She softened her tone and returned to the point: "I have a Strengthening Pill here that I need to give to Chu Yun. That little brat is throwing a tantrum again and has run out of Shu Family City. He took first place in the first assessment using a mutated Fire Fox, and as his stepmother, I am happy for him. This Strengthening Pill is exactly what he needs."

After a pause, Lady Shu continued: "I could have had someone else handle this, but I suspect that child Chu Yun would throw a fit, throw this pill away, and refuse to accept my kindness. That is why I have come to ask you, General Wu, to supervise him on the spot. You must ensure that his mutated spirit beast consumes this pill."

Wu Datou was silent for a moment. After thinking it over, he decided that this favor did not violate any military orders. He took the pill and replied in his muffled voice: "Yes, My Lady. This subordinate will certainly see it done."

Lady Shu put on a show, sighing: "Alas, that child is incredibly stubborn. Please, General Wu, put in some extra effort. The second assessment is in three days. I ask that you spare some time to instruct him on how to conduct spirit beast combat."

"Understood, My Lady." This time, Wu Datou's answer was crisp.

"Then go and do it." Lady Shu waved her hand slightly.

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Once Wu Datou had left, the corners of Lady Shu's mouth curled up, tracing a cold, triumphant sneer. The Strengthening Pill was, naturally, far from ordinary; it was laced with Mixiang Seaweed.

This seaweed was not easily obtained. While it did indeed have the effect of strengthening the foundation and nourishing the essence when consumed by spirit beasts, its side effect was seven days and seven nights of drowsiness, lethargy, and a massive reduction in combat effectiveness.

Moreover, a Strengthening Pill laced with Mixiang Seaweed showed no obvious flaws. It was not a ruined pill or a poison pill in itself. Unless one was an exceptionally brilliant alchemist, it would be impossible to identify the materials within.

She doubted anyone around Chu Yun possessed such deep knowledge.

Lady Shu had kept this pill in her collection for a long time, originally intending it for Shu Da or Shu Er. The pill's primary effects were genuine, but the side effects were inevitable.

Seven days and seven nights of lethargy would lead to a lack of training. Even if Chu Yun's Fire Fox had learned the techniques from the jade slip, it would still be defeated in the assessment due to a lack of combat practice.

Of course, the brilliance of this scheme did not lie in the Strengthening Pill alone, but in the person delivering it!

Wu Datou's temperament was straightforward—that was the polite way of putting it. To be blunt, he was a simpleton. Not only would he never suspect her, but he would also leave a good impression on Chu Yun.

Since he had agreed to supervise Chu Yun in taking the pill, he would certainly do it. And since he had agreed to teach Chu Yun how to fight, he would certainly practice what he preached, drilling Chu Yun with the same methods used for the army.

By then, with Chu Yun exhausted and the Heavenly Fox drowsy, how could they possibly be a match for Shu Da and Shu Er?

The most ingenious part was Wu Datou's status. Everyone knew he was a man trusted by Shu Tianhao and entrusted with the heavy responsibility of defense. Even if something were to go wrong, he would be the one to take the blame.

If Shu Tianhao were to investigate and Wu Datou were dismissed, it would be even better. Lady Shu had plenty of confidants and loyalists waiting to fill the important position of garrison general of Shu Family City.

What is a scheme? A true scheme is one link after another, killing multiple birds with one stone, and adapting to every situation. Chu Yun, you little beast, you dare to fight me? You are still far too green! Lady Shu laughed triumphantly in her heart.

In the Salty Salt Fishing Village, within the training grounds of the salt manor.

A snow-white figure leaped and bounded across the training grounds, agile and swift.

Chu Yun stood with his arms crossed to the side and suddenly spoke: "Aim for the bluestone, Minor Pill Fire, fire!"

The Heavenly Fox was still in mid-air when it heard Chu Yun's command. It flicked its beautiful fox tail, using the momentum to shift its body into an elegant posture in the air.

It opened its mouth and spat out a fireball the size of a fist.

Whoosh.

The fireball traced a straight line through the air and struck the target bluestone accurately. With a bang, the stone shattered and burst apart. The effect was superb.

"Good, stop there. Well done." Chu Yun nodded with satisfaction.

The Heavenly Fox immediately flew over happily, circling around his feet. From time to time, it would lean its soft, small body against Chu Yun's calf to show affection.

"Little glutton, come, open your mouth." Chu Yun took out an eggshell to feed it.

When the Heavenly Fox saw the eggshell, it looked somewhat resentful. Judging by its expression, it was surely thinking of the delicious taste of coconut milk.

"You little glutton!" Chu Yun couldn't help but laugh and scold, stuffing the eggshell into the Heavenly Fox's mouth.

Crunch, crunch...

The Heavenly Fox had no choice but to open and close its small mouth, chewing continuously while looking at its stingy master with resentful eyes.

Suddenly, its body trembled, its drooping ears immediately perked up, and a look of pleasant surprise flashed in its eyes. The speed at which it chewed doubled instantly.

It quickly crunched up the eggshell and swallowed it. Then, it tilted its head back at a 45-degree angle, looking at Chu Yun with eager, expectant eyes.

It wanted more.

Chu Yun smiled without a word, his expression remaining calm and collected.

Still want to eat...

The Heavenly Fox's eyes were brimming with tears; it stared intently at Chu Yun with its large, innocent eyes.

"Fine, I really can't beat you." Chu Yun sighed and shook his head, deciding not to tease the Heavenly Fox any further. He took out another piece, and this time, he didn't even need to feed it; the Heavenly Fox opened its little mouth and snatched it up, crunching away with great delight.

Eggshells were originally tasteless, but they were rich in nutrients and highly beneficial to newborn spirit beasts. The reason the Heavenly Fox had changed so much was that Chu Yun had secretly soaked the shells in coconut milk, making them fragrant and crispy. Naturally, the little Heavenly Fox loved them.

Possessing the vast experience of his past life, such a minor trouble as a picky Heavenly Fox could not stump Chu Yun.

He watched the Heavenly Fox before him with a smile, but his thoughts drifted away involuntarily: "I wonder if the three elders have reached Shu Family City and reported the matter regarding the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group?"

He did not know that Old Red Spear and the other two had no intention of going to Shu Family City at all. Instead, they had gone straight to Old Fish King's home.

Old Fish King's home was located by the seaside, serving as a small shipyard.

The three elders filed in one after another, familiar with the routine as they pried open a hidden partition and stepped into a secret chamber concealed within the shipyard. A spirit beast was kept in the chamber—a White Feather Albatross.

Hearing the commotion, the albatross's dark, bright eyes immediately flashed with vigilance. Only after seeing the three elders did it calm down and let out a welcoming cry.

Old Fish King smiled as he fed the albatross. Old Red Spear sat down at a table and began to write a letter.

"Reporting to the Island Master: The incubation materials you entrusted the three of us to bring to Chu Yun have been delivered. Chu Yun has successfully hatched a mutated Fire Fox. Furthermore, he has successfully captured the top spot in the first assessment..."

The letter detailed the recent events, including Chu Yun hatching the spirit beast egg, winning the top spot, and the fact that Tianbao Shop was a spy for the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group.

After the letter was written, Old Red Spear handed it to the other two elders to read.

"That kid Chu Yun actually thinks those three incubation materials were provided by us. Those three materials are so precious; how could we possibly have them? In truth, the Island Master has been secretly watching over him and tempering him all along. The Island Master's intentions are truly profound." Old Monkey Qiao held the letter, his hand trembling slightly.

"However, Chu Yun is also a fine lad. Like father, like son; the Island Master has a successor!" Old Fish King sighed with emotion as he took the letter and tucked it into a specially made bamboo tube.

"Indeed. Lady Shu has bullied Chu Yun, and the Island Master has seen it all and felt the pain in his heart. For all these years, he has ordered the three of us to look after Chu Yun. Chu Yun has not disappointed anyone; his personality is exactly the same as the Island Master's." Old Red Spear felt the same way and chimed in.

"I believe the Island Master will be very happy when he sees this letter." Old Monkey Qiao brought the bamboo tube containing the letter before the albatross.

The albatross opened its beak, took the bamboo tube, tilted its head back, and swallowed it into its belly.

Old Red Spear opened the window lattice, and with a cry, the albatross flapped its wings and soared into the sky!

The sky was high and the sea was vast; the azure ocean looked like a slowly rising blue continent, shimmering with a luster like glazed glass. Islands were scattered like verdant pearls, inlaid upon the magnificent velvet. The mysterious, massive shadows of sea beasts appeared and disappeared within the water.

Various seabirds chirped, seemingly singing the praises of the ocean's grandeur. In the sky, white clouds drifted, and the albatross spread its wide wings, gliding freely across the horizon.