"Little Rug, get a bit bigger."
Seeing them approach, Blue Genie patted the magic carpet.
The magic carpet shook twice, then grew to the size of a full-sized rug.
"This Minotaur needs to lose some weight."
Blue Genie glanced at Niu Daji and made the comment.
"Then I might as well have him run along underneath us."
Liu Zheng laughed.
"Huh?"
Niu Daji's face fell instantly.
He could endure hardship, but that didn't mean he wanted to go looking for it.
Mountain paths were nothing like level ground. With his current build, even titanium-alloy knee cartilage wouldn't survive the run.
"I'm kidding. Even if I made you run, you couldn't keep up, and we'd have to come back for you."
Liu Zheng laughed.
"Exactly, exactly. You know me best, Boss. I'm a really slow runner."
Niu Daji breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to agree.
"Hahaha, you're a funny bunch. Come aboard."
Blue Genie called them over and boarded the magic carpet first.
4399, Liu Zheng, Nile Doctor, and the others followed in line, but when Panda's turn came, the magic carpet dodged sideways, leaving Panda stepping onto empty air.
"What's the meaning of this? Got something against me?"
Panda was unhappy.
"Little Rug thinks you're too heavy."
Blue Genie explained.
Panda had already returned to its original form. It was an Ancient Exotic Beast and had strengthened its sinews, cleansed its marrow, and tempered its body since childhood. Though it looked smaller than Niu Daji did now, it weighed every bit as much.
"Human, it's looking down on me!"
Panda turned back to complain.
"Can't you ride clouds? How about flying behind the magic carpet? Once we're back in town, you can eat whatever you want. We'll treat you properly."
Liu Zheng soothed it.
"Then he can't ride