Upon hearing Mo Han's words, a yellow light flared up again on the Earth Bear, and its body actually began to shrink, down to the size of a small dog, leaving Mo Han utterly stunned. He had only asked casually, never expecting it could actually do that.

Heh, looks like I struck gold this time.

Wonder if that’s where the term 'bear cub' came from, Mo Han mused wickedly, before leading the Earth Bear back towards the others.

Kylie and Anna rushed forward happily. Anna exclaimed, "Oh, what an adorable little bear! Brother Mo Han, can I pet him?" Anna's neighbor, Kylie, also looked eager to try.

Sigh. Adorable. Everyone else thought the same—why didn't they call it adorable before? Women were truly hard to understand.

Mo Han smiled smugly at Anna. "Of course you can. My little brother is your little brother too."

Then he turned to the Earth Bear. "These two are your older sisters. You must listen to them. Later, these two sisters can introduce you to many more beautiful she-bears!"

Hearing Mo Han’s words, the Earth Bear trotted over to Anna and Kylie, affectionately rubbing its body against them. This made the two women giggle uncontrollably, and they happily scooped it up, cuddling and playing with it endlessly. Mo Han watched with a pang of envy. This bear was taking far too many liberties! If only I could turn into that bear, Mo Han thought with a wicked smile.

Just then, Mo Han noticed that Elise’s eyes were also fixed on the miniature Earth Bear, a flicker of joy shining in them. He turned to Elise with a triumphant smirk. "If you want to touch him, just say the word. I'll negotiate for you, hehe."

Elise shot him an annoyed look. "Who needs your help, you arrogant fool!"

Mo Han muttered in mock distress, "Geez, if you don't want to touch him, why yell at me? Such a strange person."

This earned him peals of laughter from Kylie and Anna.

Kylie gently held the Earth Bear and presented it to Elise. "You touch him too. He’s very sweet."

Elise was initially hesitant, still a bit frightened from the earlier display. But encouraged by Kylie, she tentatively reached out and touched it once. Seeing the Earth Bear remain placid, she grew bolder and happily cuddled the creature, playing with it non-stop.

Mo Han stared, completely bewildered, shaking his head inwardly. Didn't she just say she didn't want to? Women are truly strange animals.

At that moment, he saw Cark looking at him as if he had something to say but couldn't bring himself to speak. Mo Han wondered if Cark also wanted a turn petting the bear. Does this creature appeal to everyone, regardless of gender?

Heh, good thing I’m only attractive to women, Mo Han thought darkly.

He addressed Cark. "Uncle Cark, do you perhaps want a touch too? Don't worry, just tell me, and I’ll arrange it."

Cark waved his hands frantically, his face pale. "No, no, that’s not it! Little Brother Mo Han, I have a difficult request, and I truly hope you can grant it."

Mo Han replied curiously, "Oh? What is it?" Cark spoke urgently, "It’s like this: my wife was accidentally injured by a Swift Lightning Centipede in the Illusionary Forest a while back, and her life is hanging by a thread. I learned that the only thing that can counteract the Swift Lightning Centipede’s venom is the blood of an Earth Bear. Coincidentally, I heard rumors that an Earth Bear had appeared somewhere in the Adventure Plains, which is why I tracked it here."

The Earth Bear, who had been happily playing with the women, suddenly tensed up upon hearing Cark’s words. It leaped out of Elise's arms and let out a low growl towards Cark, bristling with caution.

"This... Mo Han replied hesitantly. Since he had only just subdued the Earth Bear, asking it to bleed to save a life made him unsure of the outcome himself.

Seeing Mo Han’s troubled expression, Cark grew desperate. "If little brother can help me with this one favor, I, Cark, will never refuse any request you have in the future."

Saying this, Cark started to kneel before Mo Han.

Mo Han quickly stopped him. "Uncle, you know that’s not what I meant. But I also can't guarantee I can help you. I can only promise to do my utmost."

Cark bowed gratefully. "Little brother, rest assured. Even if you only try your hardest, my promise still stands."

Kylie also spoke up. "Mo Han, please try your best to help Uncle Cark."

Anna chimed in too. "Yes, Brother Mo Han, I know you're the most capable. There’s nothing you can’t do."

Even Elise, who had maintained a cold demeanor toward Mo Han, spoke softly to him, "Please save my mother. I am willing to repay you like a servant."

Sigh. Mo Han offered a wry smile. "It sounds like you all think I’m unwilling."

He supposed that if the Earth Bear refused to cooperate, he might have to resort to force. Mo Han braced for the worst outcome, though in truth, he already had a plan for the Earth Bear; it was just that his nature dictated talking before fighting, hence the preceding exchange.

He turned and beckoned the Earth Bear. "Little thing, come here." The Earth Bear remained rooted to the spot, shaking its head sadly. It seemed to understand everyone’s intentions.

Mo Han sighed and walked over to it. "It doesn't hurt at all, little one. Don't you understand the joy of helping others?" But the small bear continued to shake its head dejectedly.

Mo Han pressed on. "Actually, human blood regenerates! That’s because we have hematopoietic stem cells—you know what those are? They’re what produce blood. So, our blood volume stays constant. If some is lost, it regenerates itself! In fact, frequent blood donation is good for you, just like changing the water in a pond; if you leave it too long, it goes foul."

Mo Han launched into a torrent of scientific reasoning, regardless of whether the Earth Bear could comprehend it, leaving the onlookers baffled. Seeing the bear’s bewildered gaze, Mo Han knew all his effort was wasted.

With no other choice, he turned and drew his weapon from Latin’s sheath. Everyone was startled, thinking he intended to use force.

Instead, he swung the blade across his own wrist, and blood immediately streamed down.

Everyone gasped in shock. Mo Han waved away Kylie and Anna, who were rushing over, and suppressing the pain, he smiled at the Earth Bear. "See? I’m perfectly fine. I didn't lie to you. And look, after losing this much blood, it will heal quickly. So, donating blood isn't that scary."

The Earth Bear watched Mo Han's action and hesitated. Mo Han silently cursed internally. Damn bear, if you don't agree soon, all my blood will be gone! Must I really resort to force? Mo Han thought helplessly. This was the last thing he wanted, as he had grown quite fond of this clever little creature.

Just as Mo Han resigned himself to using force, the Earth Bear slowly raised both its paws and placed them in front of Mo Han, letting out a few soft whines, seemingly agreeing at last.

Mo Han was overjoyed. He quickly raised the sword and made a shallow cut on the Earth Bear's left paw. Blood flowed out. The Earth Bear let out a small cry, perhaps complaining that Mo Han had lied about it not hurting.

Mo Han quickly grabbed a waterskin he had prepared earlier and held it beneath the wound to collect the flow. After collecting nearly a small waterskin’s worth, Mo Han waved his hand, casting a Healing Spell on the bear’s left paw, and then treated his own cut.

At that moment, Kylie rushed to Mo Han, saying with concern, "Why were you so foolish? Does it still hurt?" She then gently stroked the rapidly scarring wound on Mo Han's hand.

Mo Han grinned mischievously. "Hehe, it hurt a lot before, but it doesn't when you touch it."

"Always talking nonsense," Kylie scolded with a bright crimson blush. The shy look on her face made Mo Han’s mouth water again...

Leaping to...