“Connoris, you’d better come out!”
Lin Li held onto the little Dragon Hawk’s head to prevent it from snuggling into his arms while he looked out for Connoris. Connoris was too sly. It had been faking death since it came down from the dragon breath. How could it be killed by the dragon breath when it was cast by the Eternal Furnace?
“Stop shouting and look at what’s at your feet…” Connoris weak voice could be heard coming from below. Lin Li saw that the fella was half buried among the ashes, and its head was resting on a burnt tree branch.
“Stop playing dead. The Dragon Hawk Queen had long been gone…” Lin Li grabbed onto the little Dragon Hawk with one hand while he pulled Connoris out with the other.
“What happened?”
“Why does this little fella keep clinging onto me?”
“I think that it might have thought that you are its dad. HAHAHA…” Connoris chuckled. “Maybe it sees you as its mom too…” he continued irresponsibly.
“You are its real mom. Everyone in your family is its mom!” Lin Li scolded in exasperation, but he was really at a loss what to do.
F*ck, what do I do? This fur ball is really clinging to me. Could it really be that it thought I’m its dad or mom?
Although he knew a few tricks for taming magical beasts, the taming of Dragon Hawks needed to start right when it was still in the womb. Or else, it would be really hard to deal with—like this situation.
The more Lin Li looked at it, the cuter it became to him. It really seemed to be treating Lin Li as its mom when it rubbed itself against him.
Yet, magical beasts were magical beasts. No one knew what it would be like were it to grow up. Wouldn’t it be very unfair if it were to turn against him then?
“I say, Connoris. Will this little fella turn against me when it grows up?”
“How could it be? Don’t you feel that it is closer to you than its true mom?”
“…”
After laughing at Lin Li’s misfortune, he asked skeptically, “Oh, yes. Did you really acquire that rock in your hand from the body of the Wyrm?”
“Are you thinking that I’m lying to you?”
“I understand now…
“What do you understand?”
“I understand why it loves to cling onto you. You are really lucky.”
“Tell me quickly.”
“It’s very simple. There is a little bit of Wyrm blood in Dragon Hawks, and the rock in your hand is from a Wyrm. If I’m not wrong, the rock in your hand must be the magical crystal from one of the fire-element Wyrms. Its energy suddenly got activated due to the breath of the Dragon Hawk Queen just now. That energy not only frightened the Dragon Hawk Queen, but also hatched the little fella in your arms…”
“But, what does it have to do with me?” Although Connoris reasoning was clear, Lin Li still could not fathom it. While he understood how the energy emitted by the magical crystal could hatch a Dragon Hawk, he did not understand why he was involved in the matter.
Since there were two humans and one hammer present, why did the little Dragon Hawk choose himself to cling onto?
“Could it be that I am more like a nanny?” Lin Li rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“If I’m not wrong, you transferred mental strength into the magical crystal, right?”
Lin Li paused for a while. He could not help but admit, “I think I did…”
“Isn’t that why? Although the dragon breath activated the energy within the magical crystal, the real thing that hatched the Dragon Hawk is the mental strength you transferred to it. If it does not cling to you, why would it even come to me?”
“Why do I have such bad luck…” Lin Li was so regretful. If he knew that the Dragon Hawk Queen was that timid, he would not have used his mental strength and create such a mess…
“Bad luck?” Connoris exclaimed in rage. If it had legs, it would have jumped up. “That’s such a great giveaway. Don’t you know how lucky you are?”
“How am I even lucky?”
“Can you look at what you are carrying in your arms? That is an offspring of the Dragon Hawk Queen. It not only has the purest blood of the Wyrms, but was also hatched by their energy. Although I’m not sure what abilities it will have when it grows up, I’m certain that it would not be worse than that Salamander!”
“…” Lin Li drew in cold breath. Looking at Connoris in his hands, and then at the furry thing in his arms, he had difficulty breathing for a moment. He could not imagine that the little fella snuggling in his arms would grow up to be a legendary magical creature that would be more powerful than the Salamander…
“I believe it now…” Connoris said in bewilderment.
“Believe what?”
“Now, I believe that you really have the ability to rebuild the Eternal Furnace. For all your good fortunes! From the Fire Plume Ridge to the Cinder Woods, I’ve never seen you suffer even a little. Despite all the dangers, you always could avoid them while gaining the greatest advantage out of it…”
“No choice, my personality decided everything for me!” Lin Li shrugged his shoulders shamelessly as he carried Connoris on his back and the little fella in his arms gently. “Shaun, you see…” Lin Li said as he smiled at the stupefied Shaun.
“Y-yes…” Shaun replied as he swallowed his saliva. He really saw everything—even a talking hammer!
“What are you thinking?” Lin Li asked. He wanted to discuss the little Dragon Hawk with Shaun, but he realized that Shaun was looking at himself dumbfoundedly as though he had seen a ghost.
“W-w-what… What is that monster?”
“HUH?” Lin Li was surprised by Shaun’s question. Yet, he understood his concern quickly. The “it” Shaun was referring to had to be Connoris on his back.
“Are you referring to this? It’s just a sly old hammer. Fear not, apart from knowing how to say some words, it is no different from a normal hammer…” Lin Li smiled as he pointed to Connoris.
“Crap! I am an honorable Soul Trader!”
Connoris fidgetted unhappily on Lin Li’s back, but was stopped by Lin Li quickly. “Shut up, or I’ll put you inside the ring!”
“…”
“Alright, Shaun. It’s just a talking hammer. Since you have seen the Dragon Hawk Queen, there’s nothing to be scared of…” Lin Li assured Shaun smilingly after silencing Connoris. “And… You saw the situation just now. Strictly speaking, it was my mistake to cause it to only recognize me, which means I cannot even return it to you. Why don’t you tell me what you always wanted? No matter if it is equipment or a potion, I will think of a way to repay you with it.”
“This…” Shaun scratched his head hesitantly.
“Don’t be shy, just tell me,” Lin Li encouraged Shaun. He looked at his hesitant expression, knowing that he had to have something he really wanted, but was scared that it might be too pricey.
“The other time, I saw a…” Shaun paused, and shook his head vigorously. “Forget it actually, that’s too valuable…”
“Speak!” Lin Li said with frustration as he nearly gave Shaun a kick.
He was very clear about what he’d gained after that unexpected incident—a future legendary magical beast!
Although it was not his intention, the little thing in his arms only responded to him. It was a harsh reality that he’d snatched Shaun’s opportunity to become the master of the Dragon Hawk. Now, he just hoped what Shaun wanted would be something very valuable so that he could assuage his guilt.
“It was a dagger…” Shaun said softly, his voice like the sound of a buzzing mosquito. “It’s sold in one of the weapon shops along the Silverpine Street. But, Mr. Mage, its price was too exorbitant. They requested one million gold coins…”
“Bring me there when we return.”
“Okay…”
Maybe it was due to the arrival of the Dragon Hawk Queen, but the Cinder Woods was extremely quiet. There was neither the sound of the cold wind nor menacing growls of magical beasts—only dead silence.
They did not have any trouble in their journey out of the forest at all. Even for that cave that was said to be extremely complicated, they passed through it easily with Shaun’s guidance. Yet, when they were near the place Shaun mentioned, Lin Li was shocked by a figure that descended from the sky.
“Thank God, I’ve finally found you…” Andoine’s voice was riddled with anxiety and relief. When he swooped down with the help of the Power of Flight, he did not realize that his long robe was torn by the tree branches on his way down.
“Why are you here?”
“E-erm…” The old man stuttered upon hearing Lin Li’s question.
“Damn!” Lin Li suddenly understood the reason. It was no wonder that the Teleportation Portal broke down so mysteriously, and that he landed in the Cinder Woods so randomly! Both were all due to this old dude!
“I say, Mister Mentor, you have already lived for over a hundred years. Can you not go overboard? Please understand that we are now in the Cinder Woods. If something dreadful were to happen to me, who is going to take care of you after this?”
“Didn’t I do it for your good…” Andoine flushed as he tried to explain himself.
“For my good?” Lin Li nearly burst out laughing. “So, you tampered with the Teleportation Portal, and sent me to this freaking forest?”
“The Dragon Hawk Queen was just an accident.” Andoine shook his head as he said patiently, “Actually, once you’ve entered the Teleportation Portal, I had been using a crystal ball to observe the Cinder Woods. Who knew that you were that unlucky to meet the invincible Dragon Hawk Queen the moment you stepped in…”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted you to adapt to the change in power dynamics. Your improvement in strength for the past month was really unusual. If it continued, it would not be good for you. Hence, I chose the Cinder Woods as the special environment here will weaken your powers. It will allow you to better understand and control the changes in your abilities.”
“Really?” Lin Li asked skeptically, but he had already accepted Andoine’s explanation. He was extremely clear about the old man’s concerns. Even if the entire world want to harm himself, the old man wouldn’t. Lin Li’s earlier show of dissatisfaction, as well as his questioning of Andoine, were just his venting of the complicated feelings after the terrifying incident.
“When did I even lie to you…?” Andoine was naturally clear what were Lin Li’s feelings. “Let’s go back to the Twilight Forest. The Teleportation Portal is just in front.” Andoine patted Lin Li’s shoulders.
“Alright.” Lin Li nodded his head obediently. Then, he turned to look at the fat bandit. “Shaun, do you still have anything to do in the Cinder Woods? Want to go back with us?”
“I…” Shaun hesitated. He really wanted to join Lin Li, yet he feared that Andoine might not agree to it. Andoine was a powerful man at the Legendary-level. To Shaun, it was not somebody he could associate with. Let alone going back to the Twilight Forest with him, even if he had a chance to hear Andoine speak a few words, it was already a great deal to Shaun.
“Don’t look at me. Since Felic was the one who wanted to invite you along, I naturally would have no objections.” How would Andoine—a man who had lived for more than a hundred years—not know what Shaun was thinking about? He shrugged his shoulders as he brought them towards the portal.
While walking, he looked at the furry thing in Lin Li’s arms curiously. “Oh, yes. Felic, why are you still carrying that little fella?”
“It is a long story…” Lin Li replied helplessly, and repeated the story he’d told Connoris earlier.
The story continued for around half an hour. Before they knew it, the trio was already beside the entrance of the portal.
Even though Lin Li’s story was just a summary, Andoine was still stunned by it. Although he’d monitored the situation in the Cinder Woods through a crystal ball, how could he notice the delicate hatching of the little Dragon Hawk that was caused by the energy of a Wyrm? On top of that, when the old man had seen the appearance of the Dragon Hawk Queen, he’d become really anxious. How would he have the time to care about the hatching of the little Dragon Hawk?
“How could there be such a coincidence…” Andoine was stunned after he heard about it.
“Connoris, you’d better come out!”
Lin Li held onto the little Dragon Hawk’s head to prevent it from snuggling into his arms while he looked out for Connoris. Connoris was too sly. It had been faking death since it came down from the dragon breath. How could it be killed by the dragon breath when it was cast by the Eternal Furnace?
“Stop shouting and look at what’s at your feet…” Connoris weak voice could be heard coming from below. Lin Li saw that the fella was half buried among the ashes, and its head was resting on a burnt tree branch.
“Stop playing dead. The Dragon Hawk Queen had long been gone…” Lin Li grabbed onto the little Dragon Hawk with one hand while he pulled Connoris out with the other.
“What happened?”
“Why does this little fella keep clinging onto me?”
“I think that it might have thought that you are its dad. HAHAHA…” Connoris chuckled. “Maybe it sees you as its mom too…” he continued irresponsibly.
“You are its real mom. Everyone in your family is its mom!” Lin Li scolded in exasperation, but he was really at a loss what to do.
F*ck, what do I do? This fur ball is really clinging to me. Could it really be that it thought I’m its dad or mom?
Although he knew a few tricks for taming magical beasts, the taming of Dragon Hawks needed to start right when it was still in the womb. Or else, it would be really hard to deal with—like this situation.
The more Lin Li looked at it, the cuter it became to him. It really seemed to be treating Lin Li as its mom when it rubbed itself against him.
Yet, magical beasts were magical beasts. No one knew what it would be like were it to grow up. Wouldn’t it be very unfair if it were to turn against him then?
“I say, Connoris. Will this little fella turn against me when it grows up?”
“How could it be? Don’t you feel that it is closer to you than its true mom?”
“…”
After laughing at Lin Li’s misfortune, he asked skeptically, “Oh, yes. Did you really acquire that rock in your hand from the body of the Wyrm?”
“Are you thinking that I’m lying to you?”
“I understand now…
“What do you understand?”
“I understand why it loves to cling onto you. You are really lucky.”
“Tell me quickly.”
“It’s very simple. There is a little bit of Wyrm blood in Dragon Hawks, and the rock in your hand is from a Wyrm. If I’m not wrong, the rock in your hand must be the magical crystal from one of the fire-element Wyrms. Its energy suddenly got activated due to the breath of the Dragon Hawk Queen just now. That energy not only frightened the Dragon Hawk Queen, but also hatched the little fella in your arms…”
“But, what does it have to do with me?” Although Connoris reasoning was clear, Lin Li still could not fathom it. While he understood how the energy emitted by the magical crystal could hatch a Dragon Hawk, he did not understand why he was involved in the matter.
Since there were two humans and one hammer present, why did the little Dragon Hawk choose himself to cling onto?
“Could it be that I am more like a nanny?” Lin Li rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“If I’m not wrong, you transferred mental strength into the magical crystal, right?”
Lin Li paused for a while. He could not help but admit, “I think I did…”
“Isn’t that why? Although the dragon breath activated the energy within the magical crystal, the real thing that hatched the Dragon Hawk is the mental strength you transferred to it. If it does not cling to you, why would it even come to me?”
“Why do I have such bad luck…” Lin Li was so regretful. If he knew that the Dragon Hawk Queen was that timid, he would not have used his mental strength and create such a mess…
“Bad luck?” Connoris exclaimed in rage. If it had legs, it would have jumped up. “That’s such a great giveaway. Don’t you know how lucky you are?”
“How am I even lucky?”
“Can you look at what you are carrying in your arms? That is an offspring of the Dragon Hawk Queen. It not only has the purest blood of the Wyrms, but was also hatched by their energy. Although I’m not sure what abilities it will have when it grows up, I’m certain that it would not be worse than that Salamander!”
“…” Lin Li drew in cold breath. Looking at Connoris in his hands, and then at the furry thing in his arms, he had difficulty breathing for a moment. He could not imagine that the little fella snuggling in his arms would grow up to be a legendary magical creature that would be more powerful than the Salamander…
“I believe it now…” Connoris said in bewilderment.
“Believe what?”
“Now, I believe that you really have the ability to rebuild the Eternal Furnace. For all your good fortunes! From the Fire Plume Ridge to the Cinder Woods, I’ve never seen you suffer even a little. Despite all the dangers, you always could avoid them while gaining the greatest advantage out of it…”
“No choice, my personality decided everything for me!” Lin Li shrugged his shoulders shamelessly as he carried Connoris on his back and the little fella in his arms gently. “Shaun, you see…” Lin Li said as he smiled at the stupefied Shaun.
“Y-yes…” Shaun replied as he swallowed his saliva. He really saw everything—even a talking hammer!
“What are you thinking?” Lin Li asked. He wanted to discuss the little Dragon Hawk with Shaun, but he realized that Shaun was looking at himself dumbfoundedly as though he had seen a ghost.
“W-w-what… What is that monster?”
“HUH?” Lin Li was surprised by Shaun’s question. Yet, he understood his concern quickly. The “it” Shaun was referring to had to be Connoris on his back.
“Are you referring to this? It’s just a sly old hammer. Fear not, apart from knowing how to say some words, it is no different from a normal hammer…” Lin Li smiled as he pointed to Connoris.
“Crap! I am an honorable Soul Trader!”
Connoris fidgetted unhappily on Lin Li’s back, but was stopped by Lin Li quickly. “Shut up, or I’ll put you inside the ring!”
“…”
“Alright, Shaun. It’s just a talking hammer. Since you have seen the Dragon Hawk Queen, there’s nothing to be scared of…” Lin Li assured Shaun smilingly after silencing Connoris. “And… You saw the situation just now. Strictly speaking, it was my mistake to cause it to only recognize me, which means I cannot even return it to you. Why don’t you tell me what you always wanted? No matter if it is equipment or a potion, I will think of a way to repay you with it.”
“This…” Shaun scratched his head hesitantly.
“Don’t be shy, just tell me,” Lin Li encouraged Shaun. He looked at his hesitant expression, knowing that he had to have something he really wanted, but was scared that it might be too pricey.
“The other time, I saw a…” Shaun paused, and shook his head vigorously. “Forget it actually, that’s too valuable…”
“Speak!” Lin Li said with frustration as he nearly gave Shaun a kick.
He was very clear about what he’d gained after that unexpected incident—a future legendary magical beast!
Although it was not his intention, the little thing in his arms only responded to him. It was a harsh reality that he’d snatched Shaun’s opportunity to become the master of the Dragon Hawk. Now, he just hoped what Shaun wanted would be something very valuable so that he could assuage his guilt.
“It was a dagger…” Shaun said softly, his voice like the sound of a buzzing mosquito. “It’s sold in one of the weapon shops along the Silverpine Street. But, Mr. Mage, its price was too exorbitant. They requested one million gold coins…”
“Bring me there when we return.”
“Okay…”
Maybe it was due to the arrival of the Dragon Hawk Queen, but the Cinder Woods was extremely quiet. There was neither the sound of the cold wind nor menacing growls of magical beasts—only dead silence.
They did not have any trouble in their journey out of the forest at all. Even for that cave that was said to be extremely complicated, they passed through it easily with Shaun’s guidance. Yet, when they were near the place Shaun mentioned, Lin Li was shocked by a figure that descended from the sky.
“Thank God, I’ve finally found you…” Andoine’s voice was riddled with anxiety and relief. When he swooped down with the help of the Power of Flight, he did not realize that his long robe was torn by the tree branches on his way down.
“Why are you here?”
“E-erm…” The old man stuttered upon hearing Lin Li’s question.
“Damn!” Lin Li suddenly understood the reason. It was no wonder that the Teleportation Portal broke down so mysteriously, and that he landed in the Cinder Woods so randomly! Both were all due to this old dude!
“I say, Mister Mentor, you have already lived for over a hundred years. Can you not go overboard? Please understand that we are now in the Cinder Woods. If something dreadful were to happen to me, who is going to take care of you after this?”
“Didn’t I do it for your good…” Andoine flushed as he tried to explain himself.
“For my good?” Lin Li nearly burst out laughing. “So, you tampered with the Teleportation Portal, and sent me to this freaking forest?”
“The Dragon Hawk Queen was just an accident.” Andoine shook his head as he said patiently, “Actually, once you’ve entered the Teleportation Portal, I had been using a crystal ball to observe the Cinder Woods. Who knew that you were that unlucky to meet the invincible Dragon Hawk Queen the moment you stepped in…”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted you to adapt to the change in power dynamics. Your improvement in strength for the past month was really unusual. If it continued, it would not be good for you. Hence, I chose the Cinder Woods as the special environment here will weaken your powers. It will allow you to better understand and control the changes in your abilities.”
“Really?” Lin Li asked skeptically, but he had already accepted Andoine’s explanation. He was extremely clear about the old man’s concerns. Even if the entire world want to harm himself, the old man wouldn’t. Lin Li’s earlier show of dissatisfaction, as well as his questioning of Andoine, were just his venting of the complicated feelings after the terrifying incident.
“When did I even lie to you…?” Andoine was naturally clear what were Lin Li’s feelings. “Let’s go back to the Twilight Forest. The Teleportation Portal is just in front.” Andoine patted Lin Li’s shoulders.
“Alright.” Lin Li nodded his head obediently. Then, he turned to look at the fat bandit. “Shaun, do you still have anything to do in the Cinder Woods? Want to go back with us?”
“I…” Shaun hesitated. He really wanted to join Lin Li, yet he feared that Andoine might not agree to it. Andoine was a powerful man at the Legendary-level. To Shaun, it was not somebody he could associate with. Let alone going back to the Twilight Forest with him, even if he had a chance to hear Andoine speak a few words, it was already a great deal to Shaun.
“Don’t look at me. Since Felic was the one who wanted to invite you along, I naturally would have no objections.” How would Andoine—a man who had lived for more than a hundred years—not know what Shaun was thinking about? He shrugged his shoulders as he brought them towards the portal.
While walking, he looked at the furry thing in Lin Li’s arms curiously. “Oh, yes. Felic, why are you still carrying that little fella?”
“It is a long story…” Lin Li replied helplessly, and repeated the story he’d told Connoris earlier.
The story continued for around half an hour. Before they knew it, the trio was already beside the entrance of the portal.
Even though Lin Li’s story was just a summary, Andoine was still stunned by it. Although he’d monitored the situation in the Cinder Woods through a crystal ball, how could he notice the delicate hatching of the little Dragon Hawk that was caused by the energy of a Wyrm? On top of that, when the old man had seen the appearance of the Dragon Hawk Queen, he’d become really anxious. How would he have the time to care about the hatching of the little Dragon Hawk?
“How could there be such a coincidence…” Andoine was stunned after he heard about it.
