I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 83 - 77: Spirit Beast

"What is..."

"A Spirit Beast!?"

"What a powerful Spirit Beast! It didn’t leak a hint of its aura while moving. That was Instant Teleportation just now, wasn’t it? It had to be Instant Teleportation!"

Zheng Xiting, He Zheng, Yang Shouyun, and Jin Yanzi all cried out in alarm. They couldn’t help but speak as they stared at the small, grass-green wildcat crouching before Gu Zheng.

Of course, calling it a wildcat was only because its appearance was similar, leaning toward the feline family.

And "small" referred to its overall size. The little guy’s body wasn’t large—smaller than a typical house cat, even—but its long, puffy fur made it look chubby.

Even so, the little creature still gave off the impression of a small, cute, and cuddly thing.

Its four limbs were very short, but its rump was quite fat. On its round, cat-like face, its expression was very serious.

’A Pallas’s cat?’

Gu Zheng arched an eyebrow.

He looked down at the little creature before him. It looked more like a Pallas’s cat than a regular cat.

Jin Yanzi, He Zheng, Yang Shouyun, and Zheng Xiting called it a Spirit Beast.

Judging by its aura, it was indeed pure and ethereal, unlike the frenzied, violent, and bloodthirsty Demon Fiends.

This little thing before him was adorable, chubby, and fluffy. It made you want to just reach out and pet it.

"...So it was you, Pang Hu, who’s been following me for two days?"

Gu Zheng crouched down to meet the little creature’s gaze, softening his voice as much as possible. "You want to trade for the nest because you like to eat Spirit Ants?"

Pang Hu nodded, then shook its head.

Its paw, holding the Wooden Fish, pushed it toward Gu Zheng again.

"Sorry." Gu Zheng shook his head slightly. "I have a use for the Spirit Ants. No trade."

"Mrow?"

Pang Hu’s azure eyes instantly widened in shock, and it slapped its paw on the ground.

It pointed at the Spirit-Eating Ant Nest, then at the Wooden Fish. It opened its mouth and cried, "Mrow, mrow," for a while.

’Really no trade?’

"...Really, no trade."

Gu Zheng held back a laugh. "I have a use for the Spirit Ants. How about I trade with you after I’m done with them?"

"Mrow?"

Pang Hu tilted its head, its azure eyes blinking as a thoughtful expression appeared on its face.

During this process, Zheng Xiting, Jin Yanzi, He Zheng, and Yang Shouyun had subconsciously fallen silent, watching the interaction between Gu Zheng and the little creature with great interest.

Gu Zheng patiently waited for Pang Hu to finish thinking.

The term ’Spirit Beast’ alone suggested something extraordinary.

Not to mention, Gu Zheng had personally experienced Pang Hu’s tracking skills over the past two days.

And then there was its ability, like Instant Teleportation, from just a moment ago.

’If I could just lead this little guy back with me...’

He coughed.

"So, what do you think?" Gu Zheng asked again. "When I’m done, I’ll give all the Spirit Ants... I’ll trade them all to you."

"Mrow!"

Pang Hu slapped its short leg, puffed out its chest, and nodded solemnly.

’Alright!’

"Excellent." A smile spread across Gu Zheng’s face as he held out his palm. "Then let’s high-five on it to seal the deal?"

SMACK!

Pang Hu lifted its little short leg and slapped it firmly against Gu Zheng’s palm.

Gu Zheng almost reached out instinctively to ruffle the creature’s fluffy head.

’Resist the urge, resist!’

’I can’t pet it yet. I need to get familiar with it, keep it by my side, get closer... then it won’t be too late to pet it.’

"Commander Gu, you’re amazing!"

Seeing this, Zheng Xiting gave him a thumbs-up and said with a smile, "We don’t know this Little Spirit Beast’s species or lineage, but its Instant Teleportation ability alone is enough to make anyone envious. Keeping it by your side will definitely be a huge asset."

"Asset or not, this was a friendly transaction," Gu Zheng said with a light cough, slowly standing up.

"Right, right, this old man misspoke."

Zheng Xiting quickly apologized, trying to suppress a laugh on his wrinkled face.

Jin Yanzi, He Zheng, and Yang Shouyun were also holding back their laughter, struggling to keep it in.

BOOM!

The sounds of the distant fight suddenly intensified.

It was accompanied by an angry roar. "The Wooden Fish is gone! Did you steal it back?"

"Where are your eyes? Or your brain?" Xiao Dutian’s shout, not to be outdone, was just as loud. "We’ve been right here fighting you the whole time! Which one of your eyes saw us steal it?"

"Then how did the Wooden Fish disappear!?" the furious, exasperated roar drowned out Xiao Dutian’s voice.

...

"Commander Gu, shouldn’t we leave this place first?"

On the hill, listening to the roars, Zheng Xiting suggested.

"Alright."

Gu Zheng nodded, picked up the Spirit-Eating Ant Nest, and strode toward the mountain path on the other side.

Pang Hu, with the Wooden Fish in its mouth, followed happily, wagging its short little tail.

Zheng Xiting, He Zheng, Yang Shouyun, and Jin Yanzi brought up the rear.

However, the group had just started down the hill...

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

From behind them, the sharp sound of tearing wind abruptly echoed.

SWISH, SWISH~

Two figures simultaneously crossed a great distance, flew past Gu Zheng in mid-air, and then landed to block their path.

"Did you take the Wooden Fish—"

"A Spirit Beast!?"

Mo Jiaxin’s pupils contracted. His gaze was fixed on Pang Hu; the Wooden Fish dangling from its mouth was suddenly far less interesting to him.

"It’s a Spirit Beast, and a young one at that." Mo Jiali’s eyes also lit up as he said excitedly, "Good, this is great! The Spirit Beast that stole the Wooden Fish... this is just perfect."

As soon as his voice fell, he abruptly dropped into a low stance and lunged for Pang Hu.

SWOOSH!

With a flash of an afterimage, Pang Hu vanished from its spot.

The fluctuations of its aura disappeared along with it, as if it had vanished into the void, silent and without a trace.

"Where did it go?"

Mo Jiali’s eyes widened. He straightened up and searched all around.

"It ran off! So fast!" Mo Jiaxin joined the search.

As for Gu Zheng, Zheng Xiting, Jin Yanzi, He Zheng, and Yang Shouyun, the five of them were completely ignored.

SWISH!

WHOOSH~

The sound of tearing wind came from behind them again.

Xiao Dutian and Dugu Feixue had caught up.

"Gu?"

Xiao Dutian was a little surprised to see Gu Zheng. "Gu, you’re active in this area too?"

"Xiao, Miss Dugu." Gu Zheng nodded to the two and replied, "I was just passing through. Have you found the Rule Array Hub?"

This was meant as a polite follow-up from the last time they parted ways.

To his surprise, Xiao Dutian actually nodded. "I’ve seen the Rule Array Hub."

"Really?"

Gu Zheng was startled, then his face lit up with joy. "Where? Can you take me there?"

"It’s over that way, to the southeast."

Xiao Dutian pointed toward the mountain pass to their left, at the distant horizon. "Go about ten or so *li* in that direction, and you’ll see the Rule Array Hub."

"Many thanks!"

Gu Zheng cupped his fist in a sincere gesture of thanks.

Then, he turned and was about to leap into the air.

"Wait!"

Mo Jiaxin shot out a palm strike, sweeping through the empty space above Gu Zheng’s head. "Don’t you go anywhere!" he barked. "Tell me, where is that Spirit Beast?"

"What Spirit Beast?" Xiao Dutian asked, confused.

Dugu Feixue also showed a look of surprise.

"A small wildcat."

Gu Zheng answered Xiao Dutian, then glanced at Mo Jiaxin and Mo Jiali. "How would I know where the Spirit Beast is? It’s not mine."

The two men had identical builds and faces—definitely twins. Their faces were brutish and fierce, their eyes filled with malice.

"Liar!"

Mo Jiali took a step forward, glaring at Gu Zheng. "When I came over, I clearly saw that cat who stole the Wooden Fish following you! You’re telling me you don’t know it? Do you take me for a fool?!"

"Tell me, where is the fish-stealing cat!?"