Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Duke’s Choice
’—It’s the Evolution Talent.’
Yu Zhizhi was no stranger to those two words.
Back at the Duke Mansion, the Wild Dog whose Golden Beast Bone had been removed as a pup needed someone with the Evolution Talent and a Bright Moon Divine Position to help it evolve again.
The first time Yu Zhizhi heard of this talent, she had longed for it.
And now, that desire in her heart burned even stronger—
’If only I could awaken the Evolution Talent!’
Besides, she had been tested at the Duke Mansion, and the results showed she would soon awaken two abilities.
’I... I want to awaken the Evolution Talent. Is there any way?’
This was the first time Yu Zhizhi had ever explicitly asked the System for help.
[System: If the host completes a "Camp Task," she will have one opportunity to choose a talent.]
Hearing this, Yu Zhizhi felt a spark of hope. She quickly asked, "What’s a Camp—"
Realizing her voice was a little loud, she covered her mouth with her hands and repeated the question silently in her mind.
’What is a Camp Task?’
[System: Camp Tasks are a Rare type of task. Currently, only two exist. They conflict with the main storyline and cannot be undertaken at the same time as a main quest.]
[System: If the host wishes to accept a Camp Task, she must choose to activate it after completing the current main quest.]
[System: Completing a Camp Task will reward the host with a Talent Card, which allows her to specify any talent she desires.]
"I understand," Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly.
She looked at the floating, light-blue projection. Despite the minor incident, the crowd of Beastmen still offered their most sincere blessings to the newborn Snake Clan pups.
The small, snow-colored snake, despite its Physique being rated as weak, was still a little master surrounded by the Snake Clan Beastmen thanks to its powerful spiritual power and Super Talent.
However—the elders were an exception.
Their faces were grave, their feelings complicated as they looked at the soft Little White Snake.
Logically, a grade of A wasn’t considered low.
Besides, this sixth Snake Pup only had a weak Physique. If they could invite someone with a Bright Moon Divine Position to aid its Evolution, it could still soar through the heavens in the future!
In any other clan, this little snake would surely be well-protected.
But this was the Snake Clan.
The most cold-blooded and ruthless clan when it came to its own young.
Especially in the last century, their process for screening bloodlines had been brutal on a hellish level.
The live broadcast soon ended.
Yu Zhizhi made a decision in her heart—
after completing the fourth main quest, she would activate the [Camp Task]. That way, she would have a chance to awaken the Evolution Talent!
After tidying up the yard, Louis came inside and saw the young woman sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the paused broadcast.
Her hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her waist was slender, and the soft, light fabric of her skirt was pressed beneath her, clearly outlining her curves.
Louis’s eyes darkened. He asked in a low voice, "What are you thinking about so seriously, Miss?"
Hearing Louis’s voice, Yu Zhizhi finished the rest of her milk.
She turned her head toward the door. As always, Louis was dressed in his dark green uniform, looking tall and dashing. His hair was black as ink, and a faint smile played on his lips.
"Nothing..." Yu Zhizhi turned her head back, feeling a little guilty. She tidied up the coffee table and tried to stand up.
But her legs had gone numb from sitting for so long.
She nearly fell on her first step, but thankfully, Louis had quick reflexes. He crossed the distance in a few long strides and caught her by the shoulders.
"Allow me," the young man said, taking the tray from her hands.
He caught a glimpse of a faint milk mustache around her lips. He reached out and gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"Thank you," Yu Zhizhi said with a smile.
Louis smiled and nodded, then headed for the kitchen.
He tossed the tray into the sink.
His thumb was sticky with her milk. He slowly raised his hand to his mouth and lightly licked it clean.
Her scent still lingered on it.
Thinking of the little female’s soft, lovely lips, Louis’s eyes darkened, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile slowly spread across his face.
’...No need to rush.’
’I can wait a little longer.’
「Meanwhile」
At the Duke Mansion, the hatching ceremony had concluded, and the guests were being received for a meal.
The Duke only just made his appearance.
All the Beastmen had come for Duke Bolan, and upon seeing him, they all crowded around.
A lazy smile hung on the Duke’s face. He exchanged a few pleasantries, drank a glass of wine, and then made an excuse to leave.
His personal attendant followed close behind.
"Lord Bo Lan," the attendant asked quietly, bowing. "The test results for the young masters are out. The first five are all top-tier, SSS-level males. Only the youngest pup..."
"Hm?" The Duke didn’t stop walking. He continued down the long corridor, his tone casual. "What about him?"
"Graded as A."
The attendant spoke these three words with great difficulty.
He couldn’t help but wipe the sweat from his face with his sleeve. "Lord Bo Lan, the elders are unable to decide. They sent me to ask you how to handle this."
The Duke’s golden, slitted eyes fell upon a nearby pond. The deep blue orchids had all withered, leaving only solitary leaves floating on the water.
"Do you really need to ask me how to handle it?"
The Duke’s tone was devoid of any emotion.
The attendant’s heart leaped into his throat. He spoke sheepishly, "This... this is Lord Bo Lan’s own bloodline. The elders don’t dare to act on their own authority."
"Follow the rules," the Duke said, arriving at the door to the study.
He had intended to return to his chambers, but for some reason, he had walked all the way to this long-abandoned place.
Thinking of that runaway little female rabbit, the Duke’s expression turned grim.
The attendant couldn’t bear it. "According to the rules, the youngest pup’s grade is too poor. He is to be expelled from the mansion and left to fend for himself. But, the young master’s Physique is extremely weak. If the Duke Mansion abandons him, he won’t survive."
He could very well be captured by someone with ill intentions, skinned, and made into snake wine.
In other clans, males without combat ability meet miserable ends. But the Snake Clan is the strictest; any who aren’t graded as S-Class at the hatching ceremony are expelled and exiled.
Those newly hatched little snakes know nothing. They can’t even survive for three days.
"Besides..."
The attendant truly cherished every drop of the Duke’s bloodline. He said softly, "If Ms. Zhi Zhi were here, she would surely not want to see the youngest pup abandoned by the Snake Clan."
"..."
The Duke’s hand paused on the door. He bit down lightly on his fangs. "If she cared, she wouldn’t have skipped the hatching ceremony and run straight to the Moon Rising Empire."
Where was it that he first met the little female?
It was at the hatching ceremony for the K family’s wolf cubs!
How gently, how meticulously, how patiently she had prayed for those four wolf cubs.
The Duke remembered that scene to this day.
She was so good to those wolf cubs, yet she abandoned their six Snake Pups!
She’s been gone for so long and hasn’t even made a single phone call back!
Although he grew angry just thinking about it, the moment he stepped into the study, the Duke still recalled the letter Yu Zhizhi had left before she ran away.
The last line—
"Be good to the pups, okay?"
The Duke’s body stiffened slightly. He stood rooted to the spot, not moving for a long moment.
In a daze, he seemed to see a lovely silhouette by the study’s pond—the little female, stepping on fragmented sunlight as she ran toward him.
