Only this one felt suitable, so she called Xu Xin over.
"Yes, definitely yes," Xu Xin nodded. He always wanted to assemble a team of mutant creatures.
Currently, Silver King, Mimi, and Afu can battle at his side.
The concubine counts as half; itâs effective against insects, but not so strong against other mutant creatures. Xu Xin is quite looking forward to the combat capabilities of those two little ones when they grow up.
Keke is left out; Keke is responsible for exploration and cuteness.
Besides them, thereâs Ma Hongwei and Lou FeiâEr.
Ma Hongweiâs explosive power is related to strength, but heâs not going to let Ma Hongwei handle battles. After all, heâs a unique talent in external weaponry for the treehouse.
Lou FeiâEr is a genius in combat, especially as a survivor; sheâs an unequivocal killer-level figure.
The numbers are still too few.
Xu Xin has an idea.
Rather than fighting himself, he wants to be something like a beast tamer.
When venturing out in the future, heâd bring along a group of mutant creatures who would handle combat, while he would command them. His own abilities arenât weak, so heâs not afraid of otherâs attacks.
Itâs somewhat similar to Wen Guixinâs ability, but her minions are one-time use, need on-site infection, and arenât lasting. Xu Xin wants to nurture all his mutant creatures into super-powerful entities.
Also, personal involvement in every battle isnât too prudent.
Like this time, a mid-level mutant snow leopard pounced him to the ground directly. If not within the protective scope of the plantâs heart where Xu Xin had full advantage, who knows how difficult the fight would have been.
Personal strength is ultimately limited. When you can gang fight, why single combat?
Xu Xin took out a mutant beast contract and crouched before the snow wolf.
From the snow wolfâs subtle movements, he judged this snow wolf different from other tool wolves; it had its own will, likely due to the giant beast bloodline within.
"Want to live, then submit to me. Iâm giving you only this chance, donât resist, and Iâll ensure your survival," Xu Xin gently touched the snow wolfâs head, using the same method he used with Silver King in the past.
"Woo..." The snow wolf let out a submissive but reluctant whimper.
"Can it be contracted?" Li Wenxi was curious; though she knew all mutant creatures around Xu Xin, including Lou FeiâEr, were contracted, she hadnât seen a contract scene.
"Should be possible now." Seeing the snow wolf had no intention of resisting, Xu Xin crushed the contract in his hand.
Fragments of light flew into the snow wolfâs body, and the snow wolf showed no intention to struggle, easily forming the contract.
[Contracted Mutant Snow Wolf King, earned points: 70.]
Xu Xinâs eyes lit up.
Snow Wolf King? Itâs also a Snow Wolf King?
Thatâs right, this snow wolf must be the leader of the mutant snow wolves on Li Wenxiâs side, no wonder itâs so much larger than ordinary snow wolves!
So pleased, really contracted a great beast!
A snow wolf king, albeit only a low-level mutant!
However, the mutant beast contract doesnât restore injuries like Silver Kingâs mount contract does, so Xu Xin took out a pill given by Qi Xuefei and stuffed it into the snow wolfâs mouth: "Eat it, and youâll survive."
"Does Sister Xuefeiâs pill work for mutant creatures too?" Li Wenxi asked curiously.
"It should work, right?" Xu Xin pondered, "The pill is made from blood-stopping grass, which Iâve used on Mimi, and it worked."
While blue-level fruits donât work on non-survivors, blue-level herbs still show effects, albeit not as pronounced.
Indeed, after swallowing the pill, the snow wolfâs condition improved significantly, not fully recovered but able to stand with difficulty instead of lying on its side gasping.
The snow wolf rose and nudged Xu Xin with its head, letting out a dog-like sound: "Woo..."
"Big dog!" Li Wenxi petted the snow wolfâs back, "Can it be a mount too?"
"Hmm, do you want it?"
"Me? Iâd rather not. Although itâs bigger than other snow wolves, itâs much smaller compared to Aniu. My mount needs to focus on carrying heavy loads."
Xu Xin thought so too; this snow wolf king wasnât suitable for Li Wenxi.
He had long wanted to get Lou FeiâEr a mount, and this snow wolf was a good choice.
As for why give Lou FeiâEr a mount...
Despite the sudden disaster, their [Explorers] gathering choice for other survivors remains unchanged.
But he doesnât want to constantly run around looking for other survivors himself.
He has a lot of tasks to attend to.
Like the Hilly Resource Zone and the altar related to the Chang Yin Familyâs disappearance. Now that beasts are back, the altar can continue sacrifices, and he needs to clarify altar matters.
Plus, the giantâs arm near Ji Chaoyangâs tree house needs quick exploration.
Thus, heâs preparing to give the task of bringing people back to the tree house to Lou FeiâEr.
Lou FeiâEr is the most suitable choice for this task, especially against outsiders; with Lou FeiâErâs acting and strength, she could easily deal with them.
Gifting her a mount is necessary; she canât keep borrowing his Silver King like when capturing Le Youfang last time, can she?
"Alright, Iâll take this snow wolf then," Xu Xin nodded.
He reached out and stored the snow wolf, which had lain down again, into his bracelet. The snow wolf, still injured, was unable to move and had to be temporarily settled in the bracelet.
"Are you leaving?" Li Wenxi, somewhat reluctant, hugged Xu Xinâs arm, "Come up and sit for a bit, the danger has now receded."
"Then give me another kiss." Xu Xin leaned forward smiling.
"Youâre awful!" Li Wenxi blushed and pushed Xu Xinâs face away, "They are still here!"
Li Yajun and Le Youfang had come over long ago and saw Xu Xinâs contract moment; hearing Li Wenxi say this, Li Yajun couldnât help but smile, while Le Youfang pretended to be blind: "Eh? Oh dear, my eyes, I canât see?"
Saying so, he felt his way back to his treehouse.
"Come back!" Li Wenxi stomped in embarrassment, "The battleâs over; donât you want to have a victory feast?"
"Victory feast?" Thinking of the heavy scene earlier, Li Yajun turned pale, "Forget it, Wenxi, I canât stomach it, really canât stomach it..."
"I-I... Iâll skip too..." Le Youfang turned around, awkwardly smiled.
"Oh..." Li Wenxi was a bit disappointed.
Her mental endurance is much stronger than those two; having barely escaped danger, she wants a little celebration.
"Alright." Xu Xin patted Li Wenxiâs head, "I have things to deal with back home, so Iâll leave you for now. You should also go back and inventory your supplies, donât always think about playing."
He had affairs to handle there. Near Ma Hongweiâs destroyed treehouse, there should be python scales.
Thatâs purple-level resource! He rushed here to help Li Wenxi earlier and hasnât had the chance to check yet.
"Okay..." Reluctantly, Li Wenxi released Xu Xinâs arm, "Once I finish inventorying, Iâll come find you. This communication uncertainty is really unsettling."