Chapter 804 - 164: The Path of Hunger?
The sudden acceleration of the "Gray Sparrow" left it miles ahead on the vast sea.
Li Lingzhen asked in confusion, "Ah Zhan, why are you unwilling to let that golden retriever close to our warship?"
Han Zhan shook his head.
"Because it’s too strange. We’ve clearly avoided it, yet the other side perseveringly appears again and again, which proves it has some intentions."
"But what if it’s a good dog? Why not give it a chance to speak?"
"You have a point." Han Zhan touched his chin, "Maybe it’s because we’re on the Water Planet and are a bit overly cautious."
"However, it’s too late to say that now. It should have been left behind by the ’Gray Sparrow’..."
"No." Before Han Zhan could finish, Gongyang Jin interrupted him.
She had just returned from patrolling the stern and spoke calmly.
"If you’re interested, you can go to the stern and take a look."
Confusion flashed in Han Zhan’s eyes after hearing Gongyang Jin’s words.
Thus, everyone went to the stern of the "Gray Sparrow" to see what Gongyang Jin found "interesting."
Then, they saw a jaw-dropping scene.
The big golden retriever that should have been left behind was following far behind, maintaining the same speed as the "Gray Sparrow."
Upon closer inspection, it was holding a thin, seaweed-like "rope" in its mouth, which connected to the bottom of the "Gray Sparrow’s" hull.
Beneath its feet, a rectangular wooden board was firmly stepped on by all four paws, turning it into a makeshift surfboard.
Han Zhan: "..."
"I’ve suddenly changed my mind."
"We can’t let it on board, this golden retriever is somewhat peculiar."
After speaking, he was about to find scissors to cut the giant seaweed attached to the "Gray Sparrow."
In the distance, the golden retriever surfing at high speed also saw Han Zhan’s action.
Keeping its balance, it bent down and scooped a paw-full from the water.
It gathered a heap of giant seaweed, not knowing how many strands in total.
After completing this action, it gave Han Zhan a slightly provocative glance.
"This dog!"
Han Zhan was about to act but was gently held back by Shang Siteng, who comforted him:
"Ah Zhan, just give up."
"When the ’Gray Sparrow’ sailed out of the Level 5 Mutated Sea Area, it must have passed through a seaweed-covered area."
"These entangled seaweeds are not only very long but also extremely tough, even shelling them with artillery wouldn’t easily sever them."
"One of such seaweed is like this, let alone it has dozens, if not hundreds..."
No need, no need to bicker with a dog... Han Zhan self-soothed in his heart and finally relented:
"Let Xiao Jin reduce the speed."
As the "Gray Sparrow’s" speed slowly decreased, the golden retriever riding its surfboard paddled through the final stretch of water.
When it was fished out of the sea, the whole dog lay sprawled out on the "Gray Sparrow’s" deck, tongue hanging out, breathing heavily.
"Look how exhausted it is, nearly turning into a dead dog." Li Lingzhen watched this comical scene, half-jokingly.
At this moment, a faint white holy light arose on the "Gray Sparrow."
The golden retriever lying belly-up on the deck shuddered violently.
A large amount of black evil curse was expelled from its body, and even the fur color became much more vibrant.
"Explain your purpose."
"Otherwise, I will throw you back into the sea."
Han Zhan asked the golden retriever lying there.
"Land of the End." The golden retriever raised its head and gave an unexpected answer to all.
"Land of the End—I know, the Water Planet will become the next Land of the End."
Han Zhan’s eyes suddenly turned sharp.
"What else do you know, what are you trying to gain from me, do you want to change the outcome of the world’s end?"
Listening to Han Zhan’s words, the golden retriever rolled over and got back up.
"No, I won’t try to change the outcome of the Land of the End because it’s destined as soon as it’s chosen."
"I won’t do those futile things."
The golden retriever’s eyes revealed a wise gleam as it spoke humanly:
"I want to follow you because I want to witness."
"Witness?" Han Zhan repeated the unexpected word.
"Yes, witness." The golden retriever nodded slightly, "I want to be by your side, to witness the descent of the end."
The golden retriever’s reply silenced everyone.
They had prepared thousands of plans and responses, but they never imagined this answer.
This golden retriever that followed their ship all along revealed a demeanor more like an enlightened sage in the simple dialogue.
It knows about the Land of the End; it knows its occurrence is related to me, which is why it chose to follow the "Gray Sparrow"... Han Zhan had already made up his mind at this thought.
"Alright." He nodded slightly, agreeing to the golden retriever’s request.
"I can agree to let you stay on the ’Gray Sparrow,’ but you need to prove your value."
"The ’Gray Sparrow’ doesn’t accommodate idle people." Han Zhan paused here, then continued, "Nor idle dogs."
Hearing Han Zhan’s words, the golden retriever sighed. "You really are a qualified exploiter, not even sparing a dog."
Seeing Han Zhan’s impatient expression, the golden retriever raised its paws in a surrender gesture.
"I can help you make the luckiest choice once a day by flipping a coin."
Luck? Hearing this word made Han Zhan’s eyebrows twitch, reminding him of an old acquaintance.
However, if it’s just once a day, it doesn’t seem as overly powerful as Chen Dubei.
"I can sense that, as the captain of the ’Gray Sparrow,’ you also have a similar talent effect, right?" The golden retriever spoke again when Han Zhan was silent.
It most likely referred to the "99% chance of encountering special events" talent effect.
"But you can’t control that every special event brings good fortune, while all I need to do is give a proper guide on this basis." The golden retriever explained.
Turning "encountering special events" into "encountering lucky special events"—that’s the golden retriever’s daily promise.
After pondering for a moment, Han Zhan nodded in agreement.
The golden retriever officially became a member of the "Gray Sparrow."
It patted its flat belly and spoke again, "Since we’ve reached consensus, as the new crew member of the ’Gray Sparrow,’ can I fill my stomach first?"
"Follow me, I’m the ship’s cook." Xia Youwei nodded and actively beckoned it.
Half an hour later.
She emerged from the kitchen, her face full of shock and disbelief.
"This golden retriever, could it be practicing the path of hunger?!"