Chapter 73: Recognizing the Master

No matter how much disgust Su Tang showed, the little creature remained incredibly enthusiastic. It quickly flew back, flapping its wings nonstop, its little face working hard to show a smile, and calling out, “Mama, Mama…”

Su Tang’s consciousness felt a moment of blurriness. He saw that towering giant tree again, and he saw countless green spheres of light drifting away from the tree, flying toward the distant edges of the Star Sea. Suddenly, he understood everything and slowly extended his palm.

The little creature became quiet and landed in Su Tang’s palm, sitting on its knees and looking up at Su Tang with its small face.

Su Tang let out a soft sigh. The Source of Life of this little creature had been exhausted, which meant it had no more chance to evolve. This had become its final form. Thus, one day, perhaps soon, it would grow old and die, while the lifespan of a Tree of Destiny could normally last for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

Su Tang felt a bit of heartache.

After a moment of silence, Su Tang slowly stood up and asked, “Did you see your Xiaoru…” Before he could finish, Su Tang got stuck. How should he teach it to address Xi Xiaoru?

“What is your name?” Su Tang changed the subject.

“Mama, I don’t have a name,” the little creature replied.

“Then I’ll call you Little Dot from now on,” Su Tang said. He looked around. “Little Dot, did you see a girl carrying a big machete?”

“Mama, she is not a good person!” Little Dot cried. “I helped her so much, but she still tried to chop me with a knife!”

Su Tang thought to himself, chop you? What does chopping you matter… she tried to chop me too; it’s not like I didn’t see it.

“When did she leave?”

“She left a long time ago.”

“She hasn’t come back?”

“Mm.” “How long have I been asleep?” Su Tang asked again.

“Just for a little bit.”

Su Tang was a bit conflicted. He thought for a long time but couldn’t figure out how long “a little bit” actually was. The surrounding cliff walls were too high, so he couldn’t see the sun; he only felt that the sky had become somewhat dim.

Su Tang bent down, picked up a fruit, and took a bite. He was suddenly stunned. This fruit was actually like strong liquor; one bite sent heat directly to the bottom of his heart, and the flesh was extremely sweet.

Su Tang ate several fruits in a row, and then he remembered he should be polite to his “child.” The little creature had already flown to his shoulder and was sitting there. No matter what Su Tang was doing, she kept looking up at Su Tang’s face, as if admiring something.

Su Tang shook the half-fruit in his hand. “Little Dot, do you want some?”

“I’m already full,” Little Dot said.

Su Tang stopped being polite and finished the fruit in his hand in two bites. If several Great Powers from the Nature Sect were here and saw Su Tang eating so recklessly, they might have fainted from heartache.

Having eaten his fill, Su Tang let out a comfortable burp and patted his stomach. He found it slightly strange that he could feel full after eating just a few fruits. Had his appetite shrunk, or what?

Next, Su Tang stood up and walked forward, picking up the Flying Swords that had fallen on the ground one after another. These were Spirit Tools of a Grandmaster. Since he had already opened his third Spirit Aperture, even if he couldn’t use them himself, selling just one of them would likely mean he wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of Elixirs for half a year.

“Mama, what are you doing?” Little Dot asked curiously.

“These are all treasures,” Su Tang said. He didn’t bother making Little Dot change the way she addressed him because he had already thought it through. Actually, being called “Mama” was okay. If others heard it, they wouldn’t think too much; at most, they would find it interesting, but they definitely wouldn’t doubt Su Tang’s character or habits. If she called him “Daddy,” it would be bad… what on earth had he tinkered with to produce such a daughter?

“What kind of treasures are these?” Little Dot sounded a bit disdainful. “Mama, I know a place that has very, very powerful treasures!”

“Oh? Really?” Su Tang’s expression became serious.

“Of course it’s true!” Little Dot said.

“Do you remember where that place is?” Su Tang asked again.

“I remember, I remember. It’s not far from here.”

“Lead me there to take a look,” Su Tang said. He became curious. Since it wasn’t far, he could go and come back quickly.

“Okay!” Little Dot was decisive and left immediately. She flapped her wings and flew into the air, disappearing in an instant. Su Tang remained in place, looking up with a face full of frustration.

Little Dot finally realized Su Tang hadn’t followed and flew back, calling out, “Mama, come on, come on…”

“Do you think I can fly like you?!” Su Tang said irritably.

“Oh…” Little Dot landed back on Su Tang’s shoulder. Seeming to sense Su Tang’s displeasure, she stole glances at him from time to time.

Su Tang suddenly felt that this cheap “daughter” seemed a bit unreliable, clearly missing a screw in her head. He decided it was best to be fully prepared.

Su Tang tied the old man’s five Flying Swords together and piled the other spoils of war to one side. He couldn’t carry too many things at once, so he had to leave some behind. This could also serve as a signal to Xi Xiaoru and the others; since the battlefield was cleared, it proved that Su Tang was fine and had just gone for a walk and would return. Then he discovered the fruit-bearing tree again. Greatly pleased, he jumped onto the tree, picked a dozen fruits, and put them in his bundle.

Finally, he picked up the Sword of Taisho. He felt something was off immediately. After walking a few steps, he realized it and shouted in desperation, “Who the hell secretly swapped my…” Before he finished shouting, Su Tang shut his mouth. He knew that was impossible. However, why had the Sword of Taisho become so light and agile?!

Just as Su Tang shifted his attention to the Sword of Taisho, suddenly, a wave of Spiritual Breath like a crashing sea flowed backward from the Sword of Taisho and poured into his body. In that instant, he felt himself and the Sword of Taisho connect. It was his sword, his hand, his bloodline, and his will.

“Mama, the treasure has recognized its master,” Little Dot said. “But this treasure is still not as powerful as that other treasure.”

Su Tang calmed his excited emotions and said softly, “Let’s go.”

He saw two corpses in the crevice of the cliff wall, and there was another one after exiting the crevice. They had all died under Xi Xiaoru’s blade. Looking around, the area was vast and empty with no one in sight. The sun had already set, and the sky had become dim.

“Mama, this way…” Little Dot flapped her wings and flew out. This time she paid attention, looking back at Su Tang from time to time. Whenever the distance between them grew slightly, she would land on a tree branch and wait a while.

It proved that Little Dot’s ability to learn was quite good.

“It’s already dark. We should go back, right?” Su Tang was somewhat hesitant. Yunshui Marsh was already a dangerous place, and traveling at night made it even more perilous.

“Mama, it’s fine. As long as we don’t provoke them, they won’t provoke us,” Little Dot cried. “There is a very powerful big snake over there; we just need to avoid it.”

“How do you know?” Su Tang stopped walking.