Wind whipped beneath the Nine-Headed Lion's claws as golden lightning cleaved a straight path through the stone forest.
Shi Hao rode on the lion's back. "Little Gold, take another passage. Circle around and cut off their retreat."
"Got it, big brother."
They passed through an ancient passage glowing with pearly white light, and the terrain changed abruptly.
Damp air rushed into their faces.
Before them stretched a boundless wetland. Lakes lay scattered like stars across a chessboard, large and small waters joining together. Mist shrouded their surfaces, and an endless drizzle knitted heaven and earth into a single gray-white expanse.
Shi Hao wiped the droplets from his face and frowned slightly. "This place doesn't feel very comfortable."
Furball shivered and plunged into Shi Hao's arms, leaving only a short golden tail sticking out.
Shi Hou stood on the lion's back, his eyes astonishingly bright.
The Great Wilderness was mostly home to land beasts and flying birds. Wetlands like these were rare.
Freshwater delicacies.
With such rich spiritual energy in these lakes, if there were some top-quality fresh catches, he could make spicy poached fish slices, garlic prawns. That flavor...
Shi Hou's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
"Black Pig, time to work."
He nudged Kang beside his feet.
Kang raised his head and sniffed furiously at the air with his two dark nostrils.
"Pfft-"
He inhaled too hard, drawing a stream of rainwater straight into his nose. Black Pig immediately choked out a string of sneezes, smearing snot all over his own face.
Shi Hou's face darkened.
Fortunately, the fellow recovered quickly and turned toward the front left with a flurry of urgent grunts.
There was a big catch.
"Little Gold, go left." Shi Hou slapped the Nine-Headed Lion's middle head.
The Nine-Headed Lion dared not argue. All four paws