When Xu Yang completely disappeared from his sight, the dog panicked.
During this period, it had been looking for medicines, and Xu Yang would refine pills for it—their cooperation was seamless.
Fragrant pills—simply delicious!
It never wanted to eat those plain herbs again.
He left!
He’s going to leave!
I want to eat those fragrant pills.
The befuddled dog didn’t understand many things, just realized it wouldn’t get any more pills.
Waaa~~~
An unusually sharp scream rang throughout the canyon.
The soft whimpers had turned piercing.
Xu Yang was startled out of his wits, instantly turned around—golden and white streaks of light flew like lightning, slamming into him so fast he had no time to react and was knocked to the ground.
Hiss!
Xu Yang clutched his chest and sat up, his face twisted in pain.
Why such a big reaction?
"Dog."
Xu Yang rubbed his chest and grabbed the dog: "Are you trying to kill me?"
Waa!
The dog barked, then suddenly broke free, and bit deep into Xu Yang’s arm.
Xu Yang’s face changed—once again caught off guard.
Hiss!
The bite broke the skin.
Xu Yang gasped and grabbed the dog tightly.
Just then, a sudden heat surged from his arm.
"Fragrant one."
"I want to eat the fragrant one."
A childish, blurry voice suddenly rang out in Xu Yang’s mind.
"Who?"
Xu Yang shuddered, eyes widened round, staring in disbelief at the dog: "Was it you?"
The dog blinked blankly at Xu Yang.
Xu Yang instinctively looked down—on his arm was an imprint, golden-white intertwined, vaguely resembling a miniature dog’s silhouette.
This... a bonding imprint?
"Fragrant one?" Xu Yang probed.
"Fragrant one!" the voice chimed again.
Xu Yang stared, stunned for five breaths, then burst out laughing, hugging the dog tightly.
A pill had actually enticed the dog to voluntarily bond.
With that imprint, he could communicate with the dog.
And there was a sense of closeness.
"Fragrant one"... It showed just how much the dog adored pills.
"Don’t worry, stick with me and you’ll get fragrant pills every day."
The dog squirmed uncomfortably, shook out its fur, eyes wary.
Xu Yang’s smile grew even wider at the sight.
But deep down, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt—like he’d tricked a little kid.
Though the dog was quite smart, its reaction earlier was clearly just like a young child beginning to talk.
"Really?"
"Of course, really."
"Let’s go!"
Xu Yang waved and walked out of the gorge.
The dog trotted after him on four short legs, wobbling along.
All it knew was, from now on, it’d get fragrant pills every day.
As they walked, it got playful, running around with its tail raised, just like a child excited at play.
All this stirred an indescribable warmth in Xu Yang’s heart.
No family around now, but with this little guy by his side, it didn’t seem so bad!
...
Northern Territory of the Barbaric Mountain Range, Wuze Major Vein.
A squad of Iron Armor Barbarian Race mountain patrols was resting in the mountains.
"It’s been too quiet lately, not even those Guo Wen Division rabble coming to mess around."
"Haven’t had a chance to smack those idiots in ages. My hands are itching."
"Hmph, they talk big, but if we meet for real, they’ll be the first to run."
"Who the hell are you looking down on?"
...
"Enough chatter." Lu Shan barked, face dark.
The group fell silent at last.
Suddenly.
Lu Shan frowned, stared into the forest, and quickly signaled his subordinates.
A group of men ’swished’ to their feet, faces alert, standing ready.
A figure emerged from the woods, weather-beaten from travel.
A yellow-skinned dog followed behind.
The dog, tired from their journey, drooped and trudged dispiritedly behind.
"Daqian man?"
The Barbarian Race squad stared in shock at the newcomer.
Meeting a Daqian man here was unbelievable!
"Didn’t expect to run into a Daqian man instead of Guo Wen Division."
"Catching him would be a huge merit!"
After exchanging looks, all of them showed excited expressions.
"Finally out."
Xu Yang gazed at the Barbarian Race crowd before him, joy flickering on his face.
After more than a month fraught with danger, he’d finally made it out of the Barbaric Mountains!
Barbarian Race here—obviously reached their territory!
The past month had been perilous, but the harvest was great.
Thanks to the dog, his storage ring was packed with spirit herbs.
His cultivation had reached Innate Perfection—one step away from the True Void Realm!
"I want to see your leader!" Xu Yang swept his gaze, locking on the leader—Lu Shan.
"Don’t worry, you’ll meet him soon enough." Lu Shan grinned, eyes ferocious. "Seize him, but don’t kill!"
"Go!"
With an order—
Seven Barbarians erupted into action.
The strongest was only Innate Realm!
Even Lu Shan was only at Innate Perfection!
Xu Yang frowned slightly, but wasn’t surprised.
The Barbarian Race and Daqian were mortal enemies—seeing a lone Daqian man appear, there was no way things would be peaceful.
"You’ve brought this on yourselves."
Here among the Barbarians, Xu Yang wasn’t about to play servant.
Swish!
Xu Yang’s body flickered, evil qi surging out.
Boom!
Bang!
Less than ten breaths later—
Seven men sprawled on the ground.
With Innate Perfection, dealing with this group of early and mid-stage Innate Barbarians was like an adult bullying children!
Lu Shan’s face twisted, murder blazing in his eyes: "You’ve got guts, daring to cause trouble in Barbarian territory!"
Before his words were done, he shot forward like an arrow to Xu Yang.
A fierce blade strike came crashing down!
Xu Yang’s expression didn’t change—he casually caught the blade in his palm and squeezed with five fingers!
Bang!
The blade light shattered—the blade, gripped between steel-like fingers, couldn’t budge an inch.
Lu Shan’s face went scarlet, roaring furiously, but those five fingers were impenetrable as iron walls.
Xu Yang casually tossed his hand.
Lu Shan cried out in pain, knocked down in embarrassment.
He struggled up, fear filling his eyes.
"Go tell your leader: I am an Alchemist, fleeing disaster, seeking asylum with the Barbarian Race!" Xu Yang tossed out, sitting down nearby, ignoring them and scooping up the dog to pet it.
The dog whimpered, laying across Xu Yang’s lap, shooting Lu Shan a sidelong glance.
After over a month together, the bond between man and dog was deep.
Xu Yang could read the dog’s thoughts by a glance.
It was saying these big guys were way too weak.
"You’re an alchemist?"
Lu Shan blurted in shock, then sneered: "An alchemist would have to flee to our Barbarian Race?"
He didn’t believe for a second!
But there was nothing he could do—he wasn’t strong enough.
"Just you wait!"
Eyes flashing coldly, Lu Shan turned and strode off.
Xu Yang didn’t mind.
Newcomer—best to take it step by step!
About half an incense stick’s time passed.
Three figures flashed in like lightning.
Lu Shan was there, bringing up the rear.
In front of him strode a burly middle-aged Barbarian, aura intimidating—a True Void Realm powerhouse.
Beside him was a young Barbarian, dressed in silk and brocade, looking noble!
"He really is a Daqian man!" Wuo Dong’s brows shot up, eyes shocked.
"Mr. Yun, seize this Daqian man for me!"
Wuo Dong’s gaze was cold as ice, stopping suddenly and barking a stern order.