Is this little black pig dumb or what?
The little black pig was wholly engrossed in scouring the corners of the pool, enjoying itself immensely when it seemed to hear something and abruptly looked up.
Ye Qingchen felt a bit sheepish and hastily stepped back a few paces.
The little black pig, however, paid him little mind and sulkily shrank back, continuing to smack its lips earnestly at the empty space at the bottom of the pool.
Could this thing really be stupid?!
Ye Qingchen silently mocked the creature, but his observation was cut short by Xiao Xiaoâs cry of surprise.
"Young Master, Young Master, how is the water level dropping?" Xiao Xiao pointed at the pool in astonishment as the water level fell rapidly.
Ye Qingchen watched, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning.
It couldnât be that the little black pig down there is drinking it all, could it?!
"Young Master, Young Master, look, itâs turning into a tiny puddle!"
The water level was now nearing the bottom. What had been a deep pool was now just a tiny puddle. A pitch-black pig, nearly indistinguishable from the black stones at the bottom, was drinking joyfully and smacking its lips as it went. If not for the sounds it was making, one would hardly have been able to spot the creature.
Li Nianâer saw the commotion and couldnât help but step forward for a look, her mouth twitching. "Junior Brother, this canât be your little black pig drinking all this, can it?"
An entire pool of water, drunk dry. This creature is a truly voracious eater! Itâll eat anything!
Ye Qingchen was also speechless. Who could have imagined that the mysterious stone would end up being a pig that only knew how to eat and sleep!
As the water bottomed out, he thought the little black pig would climb out on its own. Instead, it unexpectedly lay down at the bottom of the dry pool and fell soundly asleep.
The air echoed with its distinctive snores. Ye Qingchen felt thunderstruck, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself in it. Ultimately, he resigned himself to fishing it out from the bottom of the pool.
The group quietly gathered their things from the Devilâs Cave and glanced at the Jade Tokens they carried. They had almost enough points; although they were still a bit short, a quick trip should be enough to gather the rest.
Just as they left the Devilâs Cave, a dozen or so rodent-like demons appeared from the trees and blocked their path.
Ye Qingchen was about to draw his sword to slice through them when Xiao Xiao abruptly stopped him. "Young Master, donât be hasty!"
Xiao Xiao then placed the soft little gray mouse from her arms onto the ground. It moved its trembling body forward a few steps, and the dozen or so rodent-like demons hurriedly scampered to its side as if paying homage.
They chattered away, making a pattering sound, but it was impossible to discern what information they were conveying.
The little gray mouse had the expression of a mob boss, listening intently, its gaze occasionally falling on Xiao Xiao.
After a good while, the dozen or so rodent-like demons finished what they had to say and scurried away on their short legs, disappearing into the surrounding forest.
The little gray mouse turned its head and climbed back up, sitting snugly in Xiao Xiaoâs arms and nudging its head close to her ear.
As Xiao Xiao listened, her eyes lit up. She couldnât help but suggest, "The little gray mouse says thereâs a demon swarm fairly close by! We can go there to get the remaining points!"
The group had been worrying about this very issue, so they were relieved that a solution had presented itself so conveniently.
Cheng Lu couldnât help but give the little gray mouse a few more looks, a fervent interest dawning in his eyes. "Xiao Xiao, your little mouse is quite capable! It can actually get information from other rodents?"
"Iâm not sure," Xiao Xiao admitted, uncertain herself. "Maybe it can communicate with other members of the Demon Clan."
Li Nianâer also came over to join the fun, her hands still comforting the Heaven-Devouring Azure Python. The earlier chase had frightened it badly, and it still hadnât recovered. "I heard that the Demon Clan has a powerful species of rat that can command legions of their kind and is extremely well-informed. This little guy in your arms might just be one of them!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao couldnât help but study the little gray mouse more closely. After forming a contract, a master could sense certain aspects of their demonic pet. She had performed the contract in passing and hadnât paid much attention at the time, but now, Xiao Xiao discovered she could obtain quite a bit of information through her pet.
"Whether it is or not, as long as itâs helpful to us now, thatâs what matters," Zhu Liang couldnât help but suggest, assessing the situation. "The pressing matter is to gather enough points as soon as possible. The commotion just now must have attracted attention, so we need to leave quickly!"
His junior brother and sisters had come to this third level for one primary reason: to exchange points for entry into the Ten Ancient Clans. Many Saint Heirs were also participating on this level. If those Saint Heirs discovered the group possessed items they coveted, they would surely be surrounded. That would put them in a very passive position!
At his words, Li Nianâer and the others also became more alert.
"Some Saint Heirs are undergoing trials here. It could be somewhat troublesome if we encounter them, so we should remain vigilant." Li Nianâer looked toward Ye Qingchen and, as if thinking of something, patiently admonished him again, "Junior Brother, none of these Saint Heirs are to be trifled with, and they all have major Ancient Clans backing them. If you donât want trouble, itâs best to avoid dealing with them as much as possible!"
Ye Qingchen was struck speechless, his gaze sluggishly sweeping toward his senior brother.
Noticing his strange look, Li Nianâer felt a vague premonition and couldnât help but ask, "Senior Brother, I havenât asked you yet. How did our junior brother get so seriously injured before? Who would dare to touch him?"
A vein throbbed on Zhu Liangâs forehead. He wasnât a fool; he knew that the person he had slapped to death was likely the subordinate of some Saint Heir. The key thing was, their sect never started trouble, but they werenât afraid of it either. The thought somehow lessened his guilt.
"I donât know which Saint Heirâs subordinate it was, but when I arrived, he was about to kill our junior brother. Luckily, I rescued him in time!"
"A Saint Heir? Which Saint Heir?!" Upon hearing this, Li Nianâerâs eyebrows shot up.
Xiao Xiao, who had been muttering to the side, hesitated for a long time before finally stepping forward. "It was probably the Jiang Clanâs Saint Heir. Some people from our sect were in collusion with his subordinates, trying to kill the Young Master. We had no choice but to fight back!"
She knew this incident was largely her fault. If it werenât for her, her Young Master wouldnât have such a deep grudge with Zhang Guangliang. To make matters worse, that man had even found helpers to try and kill her master.
Li Nianâerâs doll-like face tightened, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Who cares what Saint Heir he is! Anyone who dares to touch my junior brother deserves to die. Heâs dead, so what? Thereâs nothing to be afraid of! Rest assured, Junior Brother, with your Senior Sister here, weâll face whatever comes our way. The people of our sect are no cowards!"
Hearing this bravado, Cheng Lu, who was standing to the side, couldnât help but twitch his lips.
No cowards? This is the same woman who runs faster than anyone from a demon she canât beat.
However, hearing the name "Jiang Ancient Clan" sent ripples through Li Nianâerâs heart, and it took a long time for her to calm down.
The Jiang Ancient Clan?! Isnât that where Aunt married into?