Collecting nectar (continued)

The Flying-Winged Beast sat dejectedly in place, occasionally letting out a soft "yelp," but dared not refute.

Jian Mo lectured it for a while, staring at its fluffy head, until she was sure it had really learned its lesson, before standing up to go cook.

The Flying-Winged Beast cautiously glanced at him, revealing half of the white of its eye, looking both guilty and pitiful.

Then, it dragged over the Wood-Stabilizing Root it had harvested that day, placed them in front of Jian Mo, and nudged Jian Mo with its big head.

This guy had just been criticized and kept his mouth shut, but his meaning was clear—he wanted to give the Wood-Stabilizing Root to Jian Mo.

Seeing that Jian Mo didn't take the Wood-Stabilizing Root immediately, it became anxious, nudged Jian Mo again, and chirped softly, "Chirp."

As a veterinarian, Jian Mo had heard many stories of people bringing home prey with their pets, but this was the first time she had experienced it firsthand.

He couldn't keep a straight face anymore, so he patted the Flying-Winged Beast's fluffy head again, and together with Wu Jiong, they picked up the Wood-Stabilizing Root and went home.

For dinner, Jian Mo steamed two large stone pots of Wood-Stabilizing Root, took them out, mashed them, added milk and fried minced meat, mixed them well, and then sent a large bucket to the Flying-Winged Beast.

The Flying-Winged Beast cheered up again, chirping Jiujiu, its voice rising and falling like it was singing. It also kept wagging its tail, trying to Jian Mo, seemingly having completely forgotten about Jian Mo's criticism of it.

Jian Mo was no longer angry. He reached out and patted the Flying-Winged Beast's big head, comforting himself. "People say you have to give a stick and then a sweet date. Education requires both criticism and coaxing. He just scolded this guy, now it's time to coax him."

After interacting with the Flying-Winged Beast, Jian Mo seemed a little absent-minded after returning to the house, and even tripped as she entered.

Wu Jiong, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, quickly steadied him. "What's wrong? Didn't Jiujiu come back?"

Jian Mo: "It's precisely because it's back that it's heartbreaking. It's such a good dog, and we still keep it on a leash."

Jian Mo stood up straight. "I was thinking, could we stop tying it up and let it roam freely? It considers the tribe its home, so it shouldn't run away."

Before Wu Jiong could answer, Jian Mo continued, "I know there are many children running around in the tribe. But Jiujiu is gentle and clever. If we teach it well, it shouldn't approach the children. Flying-Winged Beast aren't really ferocious beasts, so it's unlikely they'll cause any harm to the children."

Wu Jiong: "I'll ask the others first thing tomorrow morning."

Jian Mo thought for a moment and said, "If keeping it in the tribe isn't feasible, we can try taking it outside and keeping it away from the tribe. That way, there won't be any risks. Besides, it's so smart and considers us its companions. It would be too cruel to keep it chained up all the time."

Wu Jiong nodded. "Don't worry, I'll discuss it with the others tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, we'll think of another way."

Wu Jiong kept his word and went to discuss it with the other members of the tribe early the next morning.

The tribe eventually agreed that Jiujiu could roam freely, but she couldn't leave their vicinity.

If Flying-Winged Beast escapes, the patrolling orcs will tie it up to prevent it from harming the children in the tribe.

That's to be expected, Jian Mo had no objection.

It's a good thing that Flying-Winged Beast can be raised freely.

When Jian Mo went to feed it in the morning, she made a point of loosening its leash and telling it the good news.

The Flying-Winged Beast tilted its head. "Chirp?"

Jian Mo patted it. "Basically, you can only move around near the house. You're not allowed to go outside the tribe, and you're not allowed to bully other children, understand?"

Flying-Winged Beast: "Jiujiu!"

Jian Mo: "Did you even understand what I said?"

No matter what Jian Mo, it kept Jiujiu loudly beside her.

Jian Mo was exasperated by Jiujiu's chatter and could only say, "Alright, you get used to it first, and I'll teach you slowly."

The Flying-Winged Beast was not very active to begin with, and with winter approaching, it became even less so.

Even after Jian Mo and the others untied the rope, it didn't run away.

A few days later, the guy seemed to suddenly realize that Jian Mo and the others weren't going to keep it on a leash anymore.

That morning, when Jian Mo was feeding it, its eyes were exceptionally bright. It kept chirping, its calls varying in Jiujiu, and it pawed at Jian Mo and nudged him with its head.

Jian Mo was being jostled around, wondering why this guy was so happy.

After a while, Jian Mo suddenly realized that Jiujiu probably didn't want to nuzzle him, but rather wanted to carry him on its back. However, it was not skilled enough and had been trying for a long time without success.

Silly Jiujiu.

After realizing what was happening, Jian Mo went to tell Wu Jiong the news, "Jiujiu seems to want to take me somewhere."

Wu Jiong: "I'll go take a look."

As they passed by, the Flying-Winged Beast suddenly raised its large head, looking at them hopefully. "Jiujiu."

Jian Mo gestured for it to lie down.

The Flying-Winged Beast understood, readily lay down on the ground, and even turned back to signal Jian Mo and the others to climb onto its back. "Jiujiu!"

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong put on the reins and sat on its back.

Once it was settled, Jian Mo patted its neck, indicating that it could fly.

The Flying-Winged Beast immediately stood up, took a few steps, flapped its wings, and took flight.

Neither Jian Mo nor Wu Jiong could control the direction of the Flying-Winged Beast.

The Flying-Winged Beast circled in the air a few times, seemingly understanding their meaning. After letting out a few joyful cries, it flew off in a certain direction.

Jian Mo watched for a while but couldn't figure out where the Flying-Winged Beast wanted to go.

It was winter, Yi Wang boundless snow completely covered the withered yellow earth, turning the fields into a pristine white expanse.

There doesn't seem to be anything down there; even animals are rarely seen anymore.

He turned to Wu Jiong and asked, "Where does it want to take us?"

Looking in the direction the Flying-Winged Beast was flying, Wu Jiong deduced, "It's probably the mountain behind Green Marsh Source, the one next to where we're picking Flour Fruit."

Jian Mo was puzzled. "There doesn't seem to be anything over there right now, does Jiujiu want to go catch fish to eat?"

Upon hearing Jian Mo and the others mention its name, the Flying-Winged Beast cried out loudly, "Jiujiu!"