Gazing at the Flower Demon—or Flower Demon Elf—Zhang Deming had a moment of realization. No wonder it was so fast. It was using a flying Talent unique to Flower Demons: Rapid Speed.

Whether it was a Flower Demon or a Flower Demon Elf, they were born with wings and could fly, but their speed wasn’t particularly fast at lower levels.

In fact, they were quite a bit slower than Zhang Deming’s Feather Fall Technique.

This referred to their normal cruising speed, of course. They could produce a burst of acceleration that rivaled an ordinary Flying Technique.

Besides, being born with wings meant they could fly. Even if they weren’t fast, it was still flight. For these reasons, Flower Demon Elves were a very popular Sub-Human Species to have as slaves.

Zhang Deming watched the figure flying ahead. Now that he had confirmed it was a Flower Demon or a Flower Demon Elf, he knew it wouldn’t be able to use another burst of speed for a short while after that last one. He wasn’t worried about it getting away.

Once he closed to a certain distance, Zhang Deming suddenly accelerated, charging toward the creature at top speed.

Only then did the creature notice its pursuer. It whirled around, its expression instantly twisting in terror at the sight of Zhang Deming.

"Yaaaah...!"

Its wings beat furiously, its body blurring as it shot forward.

But after barely a few dozen meters, its speed plummeted again. Its wings seemed to give out, and it could no longer even maintain its normal flight speed.

In the instant it had turned, Zhang Deming got a clear look at its delicate face. Even contorted in terror, its features remained exquisite, possessing a strange sort of allure.

’Looks like my luck is pretty good. I’ve found myself a Flower Demon Elf!’

Zhang Deming smiled as he rapidly closed the distance.

As Zhang Deming drew near, the creature tried to flap its wings faster several times, but to no avail. It only strained them further, causing it to wobble in the air.

Just as Zhang Deming caught up, the elf decisively threw out several seeds. Instantly, vines shot out, attempting to entangle Zhang Deming.

"A Tier Two Growth Technique?" Zhang Deming said in surprise, feeling the familiar fluctuations of the Technique.

With a thought, he sent his own jade-green vines snaking toward the elf.

"Jade Vines? The Royal Race! How is that possible? The Royal Race was completely wiped out! And there’s no way a member of the Royal Race would have such ugly wings!" he cried out in shock and terror as the jade-like vines instantly wrapped around him.

In truth, the Light Wings from the Feather Fall Technique weren’t ugly at all. On the contrary, they were quite beautiful.

It was just that they weren’t fully formed yet, making the half-sized wings look somewhat disproportionate to Zhang Deming’s body. Furthermore, in the aesthetic of the Flower Demons, who favored dragonfly- and cicada-like wings, feathered Light Wings were probably considered ugly. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Having restrained the elf, Zhang Deming finally took a moment to size him up properly.

’Hmm... a bit of a shame. It seems he’s a boy. Still delicate and cute, but it’s a pity. Girls are easier on the eyes, after all.’

The little guy’s strength wasn’t high—only at the Peak Apprentice Cultivation level. To have such speed and a Tier Two Growth Technique at that level, however, clearly meant he was quite talented.

Having bound him, Zhang Deming drew closer and retracted the Light Wings from his back.

The little elf watched up close as the Light Wings on Zhang Deming’s back vanished. He stared blankly for a moment before asking, "Are you from the legendary Human Race?"

Zhang Deming smiled and nodded. "You seem to be quite knowledgeable," he teased.

Hearing this, the little elf’s innocent face took on a proud expression. "Of course! Within my clan, I’m..."

He trailed off, his expression suddenly falling.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Why did you capture me? According to the ancestral teachings, we have tilled the land for you for generations. The Human Race isn’t supposed to harm us.

Even though you haven’t appeared for a very, very long time, the teachings still stand! I’m telling you, don’t even think about stealing my things! You’ll be punished for this!"

An idea flickered in Zhang Deming’s mind. At one meter tall, the elf’s appearance suggested he was a young adult among the Flower Demon Elves.

Yet he seemed so naive. It appeared this little guy had rarely interacted with other sentient beings.

Zhang Deming chuckled. "Is that so? Then what about you stealing my things?"

"You’re lying! I don’t even know you!" the little elf retorted quickly.

Zhang Deming smiled. "Oh really? Then where did you get the Spirit-Storage Fruit in your pouch?"

Hearing this, the little elf struggled for a moment, trying to shield the pouch at his waist. "I stole this from a Snow Poison Spider!"

"Heh, and how did you manage to steal it?" Zhang Deming asked.

"Because a strange serpent was fighting the Snow Poison Spider! It destroyed the web, so I rushed in and grabbed it."

With a casual gesture, Zhang Deming asked, "This one?"

The little elf stared at the Water Dragon coiling around Zhang Deming. His face went stiff, and after a long moment, he lowered his head. "I’m sorry," he mumbled. "I didn’t know it belonged to you."

Zhang Deming shook his head. "You stole from me. A simple ’sorry’ isn’t going to cut it."

The little elf kept his head down, his expression conflicted. After a long while, he said, "Fine. According to the ancestral teachings, since I took your property, I can become your servant.

But... can you lend me one Spirit-Storage Fruit? Just one. My clan can’t be left without a guardian."

’Little guy, are you sure that’s about taking property and not, say, signing a contract?’

’His intelligence seems a little lacking. He’s a bit of a simpleton!’

Hearing this, Zhang Deming looked at him and asked, "What do you need it for?"

The little elf said, "The number of clansmen in my clan who are fully sentient is dwindling.

If I’m to go with you, I must raise up another clansman to take my place. Only then can I leave without worry."