Chapter 62

The golden eagle's essence was completely drained.

This fresh essence, which the Dragon Spirit Pearl had never tasted before, was extremely beneficial to the gem. As the golden eagle's essence was absorbed, a faint golden hue appeared in Xiaohai's eyes, but it only lasted for a brief moment before disappearing.

Although the essence of a pair of golden eagles was powerful, it was not enough to help the Dragon Spirit Pearl break through to the third level. Moreover, Xiaohai felt a warm sensation from the Dragon Spirit Pearl, and his body felt the same way.

It was probably due to the intense battle just now, combined with the hot weather, that caused this reaction.

With the essence of a pair of golden eagles, the Dragon Spirit Pearl quickly recovered its spiritual energy. While enhancing its own cultivation, it also began to systematically repair Xiaohai's body.

This time, the injuries were severe, almost fatal, and it would take at least three to four hours for the wounds to heal.

Looking at the two golden eagles, their essence completely drained, they lay on the ground listlessly. A group of animals surrounded them, indignant, and ready to tear them to pieces at the king's command.

Xiaohai had no intention of killing them. First, golden eagles were critically endangered species on the World Conservation Red List, and killing one would mean one less. Second, golden eagles were creatures that yearned for freedom, and the sky was their home. Captured by humans, they would naturally develop hostility towards humans.

A thread of consciousness was transmitted, and the defeated golden eagle couple finally established a mental connection with Xiaohai. This was the first time Xiaohai could control such a high-level aerial species.

"Kill me," said the male eagle, sending out the first thread of consciousness.

"No, kill me," the female eagle said at the same time.

Deep affection, this was the first thought that came to Xiaohai's mind. He had always believed that animals were more loyal than humans and did not engage in the kind of scheming found in human society. The actions of the golden eagle couple only confirmed his thoughts.

"I won't kill you," Xiaohai told the golden eagles.

The golden eagle couple was stunned. They had injured the human so badly, and the human had let them go?

"Thank the king for his kindness," the Turtle Spirit quickly said. As the prime minister under the king, he had to appear different.

"Great... Thank you, great king," the golden eagle couple said, overjoyed to have escaped death.

Hearing the two golden eagles call him king, Xiaohai was delighted, and even his wounds didn't hurt as much.

After a moment of thought, he asked, "The zoo is looking for you everywhere. What do you plan to do?"

At this, the male and female eagles said simultaneously, "Great king, even if we die, we won't go back to that cage."

Hmm? This was a bit troublesome.

Although they were incredibly powerful, they were ultimately dealing with humans, who had hundreds of ways to capture them. Staying at the farm? If they were discovered, would he be breaking the law?

Uncertain, the golden eagle couple seemed to sense something. "Please take us in, great king!"

Well, what could he do if he kept them? If they were discovered, he could just say they flew in on their own. Xiaohai made up his mind. "Alright, you can stay here, but I have two conditions. First, you must not draw attention to avoid being discovered. Second, no animals in my farm can be hunted. You can find food nearby in the evening, or I can have someone prepare fresh meat for you."

Hearing that the king was willing to take them in, the two golden eagles were overjoyed and thanked the king for his kindness.

It was a bit of a pity, as there were so many delicious things in the farm...

Xiaohai was also excited. His farm lacked valuable species, and now with two golden eagles, it seemed the farm's future would be even better.

The white-tailed snake? Xiaohai suddenly remembered that he had been too busy lately and hadn't asked about the white-tailed snake's origins.

After settling the two golden eagles, Xiaohai felt exhausted and extremely thirsty. He returned to the office with the white-tailed snake, drank two bottles of mineral water, and then asked about why the white-tailed snake had appeared in Xinan.

The white-tailed snake told the king that it and another companion originally lived in the Kunlun Mountains. Later, they were trapped and captured by two people, a master and an apprentice.

The master intended to sell the white-tailed snake in a big city for a good price, but when they arrived in Xinan, the master and apprentice had an argument. In the middle of the night, the apprentice secretly took one of the white-tailed snakes and fled. When the master woke up, he found one white-tailed snake missing and was both angry and anxious.

This white-tailed snake, Ah Gui, to escape, used a trick that many animals know—playing dead!

The master wouldn't have been fooled, but in his anger and worry that the last white-tailed snake might also die, leaving him with nothing, he actually touched Ah Gui. At that moment, Ah Gui bit him and escaped.

Hearing this, Xiaohai pieced together the entire truth. The master had hidden the true value of the white-tailed snake from the apprentice, and the apprentice, who had stolen the white-tailed snake, sold it for a very low price, thinking it was worth a million!

The master, bitten by Ah Gui, was in grave danger.

The master was truly skilled, managing to catch two pandas of the snake world—the Kunlun white-tailed snakes!

He had gotten a good deal, equivalent to picking up a million. However, he was reluctant to sell the white-tailed snake.

Feeling thirsty again, Xiaohai opened a third bottle of mineral water. He calculated that Mu Tou and the others should be back soon and sent Ah Gui back to his place.

The wound was healing, and the Dragon Spirit Pearl's power was strengthening, making the body repair faster. It seemed that by the time Mu Tou and the others returned, the injuries would be mostly healed.

The third bottle of mineral water was finished in a few gulps. Why was he so thirsty today? Had the battle drained too much of his water? Possibly. But damn, he had drunk so much water and still felt no urge to urinate.

By the time Mu Tou and the others returned, Xiaohai had already drunk five bottles of mineral water.

"The hospital is too much trouble; I'll never go there again," Wei Dongzhi muttered. "You have to wait in line, get blood drawn, get disinfected, stitched, and given an IV. From last night until now, all the time was wasted in the hospital. And it cost 1,500 yuan!"

Xiaohai smiled. Compared to the wasted time, Wei Dongzhi was more concerned about the 1,500 yuan.

"Alright, don't worry about it. If you're sick, you need to see a doctor. The farm will cover the cost," Xiaohai said with a smile.

Meng Jiagui remembered something important. "Brother, did the golden eagles come?"

"They did, and I've tamed them. They're now living in our farm."

Xiaohai's casual response made the three of them stare in disbelief. Had they heard wrong? Xiaohai had tamed the golden eagles?

"From now on, prepare fresh meat for them every day. Remember, it must be fresh, and don't worry about the cost. Mu Tou, give me a bottle of water," Xiaohai said, taking the mineral water Mu Tou handed him and drinking a few sips. "Also, don't let anyone discover the golden eagles."

"Got it, brother." Meng Jiagui looked at the empty bottles on the ground. "Brother, how many bottles have you drunk?"

Xiaohai poured the remaining water into his mouth and grabbed another bottle. "What's it to you? I didn't get much rest last night and am exhausted. Let's go, call if there's anything."

Before getting on the bus, he had already finished another bottle. He wanted to buy two more, but the bus arrived.

Forget it, just a bit thirsty, he could endure it.

However, once the bus started moving, Xiaohai realized how unbearable the thirst was. After a short distance, his mouth was dry and his body felt hot. Water, water! At this moment, if there was a water vendor, Xiaohai would have paid 100 yuan for a bottle.

What made it worse was the middle-aged woman sitting next to him, holding a bottle of iced tea. She would take a sip, make a few "slurping" sounds, put it down, pick it up again, and make more "slurping" sounds, as if taunting Xiaohai.

Xiaohai wanted to snatch the iced tea from her and drink it all.

Finally, the bus arrived at the station. As soon as he got off, Xiaohai rushed to the small supermarket, threw a 100-yuan note at the cashier, and ran to the freezer, grabbing a bottle of mineral water and drinking it all in two seconds.

Not enough, not enough!

The cashier would never forget today. A young man rushed in, threw a 100-yuan note, and drank all 20 bottles of mineral water in the freezer!

Good heavens, how did this young man manage to drink all that? How big was his stomach?

After drinking 20 bottles of mineral water, Xiaohai's thirst and body heat eased somewhat, and he breathed a sigh of relief. His stomach was extremely bloated. If he drank more, his stomach might burst.

He went to the cashier and held out his hand. "Give it to me."

"What?"

"Change!"

"Change? You still owe me money!"

Too expensive, leaving the station supermarket, Xiaohai was heartbroken. Outside, a bottle of water cost 1 yuan, but here it was 5 yuan. He had drunk 21 bottles and ended up owing 5 yuan.

As soon as he left the station, the thirst returned, and his body felt hot again. He had to drink water, but he wouldn't go back to the station supermarket.

He quickly hailed a taxi and headed home. On the way, Xiaohai was restless and uneasy, making the driver think he was a drug addict and constantly watching him through the rearview mirror.

As soon as he got out of the car, he rushed into the house and went straight to the tap.

Thirsty, so thirsty!

Hot, so hot!