Bai Lingba looked toward the White Horse. In his eyes, that color, like sunlight, appeared once more.

The half-reclining White Horse immediately shuddered slightly. Ever since this fellow had witnessed Bai Lingba swallow the Profound Iron, the horse had developed a strange, inexplicable fear of him. Though they had spent time together, and by its intelligence it had come to understand that Bai Lingba was not harmful, this inexplicable apprehension could not be dispelled.

Now, upon seeing another of Bai Lingba’s miraculous skills, its eyes began to flicker erratically again.

Soon, Bai Lingba retracted his gaze, and his calm voice sounded out, “It is heavily injured, but its recovery speed is equally fast. Half a month at most, and it will certainly be restored to its former state.”

“Half a month, then,” He Yiming nodded slightly, a look of relief on his face. Yet, in his heart, he secretly mused, never mind half a month, even if it took half a year to recover, it would have nothing to do with me.

Bao Zhu hopped and skipped for a time, circling the White Horse several times. Suddenly, it stood upright on its hind legs, tilting its head. One of its front hooves mimicked a human gesture, resting beneath its chin, as if contemplating a profound question.

He Yiming glanced in its direction and couldn't help but burst into loud laughter. Bai Lingba turned his head, and a faint hint of a smile seemed to flicker across his perpetually unchanging face.

However, Bao Zhu paid them no mind. After a long silence, it seemed to have reached a decision.

Bao Zhu jumped a few times and approached He Yiming, adopting a posture of deep bowing. Its small frame somehow exuded an air of seriousness.

He Yiming, Bai Lingba, and the White Horse were all greatly astonished, unable to fathom what trick Bao Zhu was up to.

Still, this was the first time Bao Zhu had performed such a solemn gesture toward He Yiming.

Scratching his scalp, He Yiming felt a pang of regret for the first time—why couldn't he understand what Bao Zhu was trying to communicate? He reached out, lifted Bao Zhu up, and said in a deep voice, “Bao Zhu, are you asking for my help?”

Bao Zhu’s mouth immediately split open in a grin; the sheer delight was apparent even to an idiot.

He Yiming chuckled happily, reaching out to pinch its long snout. Bao Zhu snorted a few times in protest, then looked at him with a pair of eyes that were utterly clear.

Seeing Bao Zhu in this state filled He Yiming’s heart with immense joy. He nodded heavily and declared, “No matter what it is, I promise you.”

Having spent so long with Bao Zhu, the benefits he had reaped from the creature were countless.

The Nine Dragon Furnace, the Dragon-Snake Horn, the Treasure Map.

Aside from the Treasure Map whose contents remained a mystery, the other two treasures were undeniable priceless artifacts.

Now that Bao Zhu had presented its first request, He Yiming was determined to fulfill it, even if it meant wading through fire and water.

The smile on Bao Zhu’s face grew even richer. For a pig to express its emotions to such a degree, Bao Zhu was truly unique in the world.

It leaped down from He Yiming’s arms and began making gestures on the ground.

It drew a circle in the dirt with its front hooves, touched its head to the ground a few times, then trotted over to the White Horse and affectionately nudged it with its long nose.

He Yiming’s eyes widened. After a long pause, seeing Bao Zhu staring blankly back at him, he asked in surprise, “Is that it?”

Bao Zhu nodded enthusiastically. He Yiming turned his head in confusion. “Brother Bai, what does Bao Zhu mean?”

Bai Lingba’s eyes flickered with an unusual light. Finally, he spoke, “It says it wants to treat the White Horse to some grilled fish, and it wants you to go catch them.”

“Thump…”

The previously triumphant Bao Zhu stumbled, finally falling head over heels onto the ground.

It immediately sprang back up and began bouncing around Bai Lingba, snorting incessantly from its mouth.

He Yiming grew more suspicious. “Brother Bai, what is the meaning of this now?”

“Bao Zhu is happy because I guessed correctly.”

“Happy?” He Yiming looked at Bao Zhu, which was baring its teeth and giving off an expression that clearly conveyed, ‘Go to hell.’ He truly couldn't see where any happiness lay.

Shaking his head, He Yiming finally gave up on trying to decipher Bai Lingba’s ideas.

His abilities were indeed vast; he could even be said to possess an immortal body. But to expect him to fathom the meaning behind Bao Zhu’s antics—it would likely take him ten thousand years and still be impossible.

With a quick step forward, He Yiming grabbed Bao Zhu by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up.

Glancing to the side, He Yiming met the gaze of the White Horse.

Before today, he and the White Horse shared little rapport. Even when their eyes met, the expressions exchanged were faint, as if looking at a stranger.

But in this moment, He Yiming suddenly noticed that there seemed to be a peculiar change in the way the White Horse looked at him.

In those bright, large eyes, he actually perceived a trace of awe.

He Yiming was greatly perplexed. What had he done to elicit such a feeling from the White Horse?

Suddenly, he realized that besides focusing on him, half of the White Horse’s gaze was fixed upon Bao Zhu, as if it found the act of him seizing Bao Zhu utterly inconceivable.

A thought flashed through his mind. He had long known Bao Zhu’s origins were mysterious and unfathomable; perhaps this White Horse knew something of the truth?

Of course, this thought barely surfaced before He Yiming dismissed it.

He gently set Bao Zhu down in front of him and said seriously, “Little fellow, what exactly are you trying to express? Say it clearly.”

Bao Zhu’s expression instantly shifted to one of extreme distress. He Yiming’s single word, “say,” had made its head spin with worry. Of course, it was already white-headed, it had just become a bit whiter.

Finally, a spark lit up in Bao Zhu’s eyes. It stretched its long nose and nudged against He Yiming’s chest.

Feeling the several items against his chest shifting, He Yiming had a sudden realization.

He took out the items hanging there: the White Stone, Bai Lingba’s tracker, and the silver ring.

Excitement sparked in Bao Zhu’s eyes. And upon seeing the White Stone, even the listless, half-reclining White Horse widened its eyes, its beautiful large eyes blinking rapidly. If not for its current grayish-black coat, its charm would certainly be fully displayed.

He Yiming smiled slightly. So, Bao Zhu wanted to feed the White Horse an energy stone. With the energy from the White Stone, the White Horse’s recovery would certainly accelerate exponentially.

He picked up the piece of White Stone. “Take it,” he said.

Since Bao Zhu was being so generous, he certainly would not be stingy.

However, to his surprise, Bao Zhu shook its head silently, seeming to scorn the item.

This time, He Yiming was truly bewildered. Just as he was about to inquire, Bao Zhu nudged its long nose toward the silver ring.

“You want me to open this?” He Yiming asked.

Bao Zhu nodded repeatedly, a distinct look of anticipation in its gaze.

He Yiming hesitated for a moment before channeling his true energy into it. Slowly, a void space materialized before them all.

Within this space were numerous things: weapons, medicines, secret manuals, rare treasures, and even a whole bag of seasonings.

But since Bao Zhu wanted this space opened, the object of its desire must be exceedingly precious.

Indeed, Bao Zhu peered around briefly, and its small eyes locked firmly onto a large pile of items in one corner.

He Yiming looked closely and inwardly gasped; what Bao Zhu was staring at was the Dragon-Snake Horn, which he had hacked into segments.

“Bao Zhu, you want the Dragon-Snake Horn?”

Bao Zhu immediately nodded repeatedly.

Looking at Bao Zhu’s earnest gaze, He Yiming instantly made a decision. Although the Dragon-Snake Horn was extremely valuable, this thing was something Bao Zhu had stolen from the Dragon-Snake nest at the risk of its life. Even if he were tempted by greed, he absolutely could not hoard it all.

He reached in and pulled out one segment.

Bao Zhu looked delighted but still shook its head. He Yiming frowned deeply, pulled out another segment, and looked back at Bao Zhu.

This continued three more times until He Yiming held four segments of the Dragon-Snake Horn in his hand. Only then did Bao Zhu nod in satisfaction.

Then, it leaped away and trotted toward the White Horse.

He Yiming finally noticed that the White Horse’s large eyes had, at some point, turned the size of bronze bells, fixed intently on the Dragon-Snake Horn in his hand.

With a wry smile, He Yiming finally understood Bao Zhu’s meaning.

Though his heart ached at the thought, he had no intention of reneging on his word. He beckoned to Bao Zhu, intending to hand over the Dragon-Snake Horn.

However, Bao Zhu retreated several steps, shaking its small head desperately.

He Yiming looked at it, utterly confused, until he heard Bai Lingba say, “Bao Zhu wants you to feed it to the White Horse personally.”

A thought stirred in He Yiming’s mind, a ridiculous notion flashing through his consciousness. But glancing sideways, he caught sight of Bao Zhu’s smile.

After a moment of contemplation, He Yiming took the Dragon-Snake Horn segments and knelt before the White Horse.

He gazed quietly at the horse, his expression equally calm—neither pity, nor joy, nor disgust.

The White Horse met He Yiming’s eyes, and the man and the beast quietly regarded each other.

Bao Zhu bounced nearby, occasionally snorting softly.

After an unknown period, the White Horse finally lowered its gaze, opened its mouth, and extended its tongue, licking the segment of Dragon-Snake Horn from He Yiming’s hand.

Its movements were quick, and soon all four segments of the Dragon-Snake Horn were swallowed whole.

Just as He Yiming was about to withdraw his hand, the White Horse’s tongue continued its movement, actually licking his empty palm.

A wave of profound affection suddenly surged through He Yiming’s heart. He instinctively extended his arm and gently stroked the White Horse’s neck and head.

The two beings made contact cautiously, slowly letting down their guard, seeing genuine friendliness reflected in each other’s eyes.

Then, the White Horse’s body suddenly convulsed. It began to shake violently.

He Yiming stared dumbfounded, a single sentence suddenly springing to his mind.

The Dragon-Snake Horn: the very essence of the Dragon-Snake’s vital blood.

If a spirit beast consumes it, it gains the chance to break through its limits and advance to a higher realm!

His somewhat dazed gaze settled back upon the White Horse.

It was still convulsing, but at the same time, faint wisps of purple light were emanating from its body…