New Companion

'Wow... That's a lot more than I expected.'

The dimly lit space was adorned with an array of precious plants and herbs; their vibrant colors shone, and the air was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of rare herbs.

'Just how many are there? 1...2...3...5...10...there must be around 20!'

Wang Shóu scanned the entire room, mentally counting the numbers of the heaven and earth treasures.

As he kept scanning, he noticed a particularly unusual herb, with green lines starting from the root to all over its blue leaves, and a mysterious fragrance that seemed to give off the smell of fresh air.

Seeing this, Wang Shóu's eyes lit up as he could sense a particularly powerful energy contained in this particular herb.

'Wind energy! Just what I need to evolve Rookidee!'

Finding the exact heaven and treasures that he needs, Wang Shóu quickly hopped toward the herb's location.

Hopping to the herb, Wang Shóu mentally asked the system inside his head.

'Hey, system. I know this is a wind-type heaven and earth treasure, but can you help me determine its age?'

After a few seconds, the system quickly responded.

[After a scan, it is a herb known as Wind Core Herb. It is determined to be around 1,000 years old, but unfortunately, the energy contained in it has regressed to be around 500 years old.]

Wang Shóu's ears shot up in surprise.

'What?! But why! Oh wait, I think I understand now...'

After some quick thinking, Wang Shóu knows the reason why.

It is highly likely that after being abandoned in the room for several thousand years unused, the efficiency and energy of the heaven and earth treasures have decreased quite considerably.

Understanding this, Wang Shóu quickly asked the system to scan other heaven and earth treasures.

[The result of the scan shows that other heaven and earth treasures are determined to be around 1,000 years old to 5,000 years, but the energy and efficiency have decreased to 500-1,000 years old plant now.]

Though he somewhat expected this, Wang Shóu is still in a bad mood.

'Drat...the amount of wasted energy contained in the heaven and earth treasures, that could have been used by me...'

Feeling heartache, Wang Shóu simply decided to look on the bright side.

'Well, at least there is still a lot of heaven and earth treasures, and besides, they are still above 500 years old, which is still very useful for me.'

Thinking that, Wang Shóu's mood became much better.

And so after taking the Wind Core Herb, he looked at other heaven and earth treasures, and decided to take three more heaven and earth treasures that are close to 1,000 years old.

Getting what he needs, Wang Shóu turn toward the man-Faced Demon Spider, rubbing his neck awkwardly. 

"Pika, Pika?" (Umm, those are the heaven and earth treasures I need...Is that okay?)

"Screech, screech!" (That's fine, in fact, take as much as you need!)

The Man-Faced Demon Spider said cheerfully, not minding if Wang Shóu takes away all of the heaven and earth treasures.

Hearing that, Wang Shóu reacted in surprise.

"Pika, pika?" (Uh, you're sure? Those are quite precious, you know...)

"Screech, screech!" (It's fine! Those heaven and earth treasures aren't quite suitable for me, so better to have them put to good use in your hand!)

Understanding the Man-Faced Demon Spider's reason, Wang Shóu felt even more guilty now.

"Screech, screech." (But um...there is something I want to ask a favor from you if that is okay?...)

The Man-Faced Demon Spider said nervously, fidgeting around. The sight of an enormous spider fidgeting around is quite a sight to behold.

"Pika, pika." (Sure! I can do it as long as it is within my power and doesn't go against my morals.)

Wang Shóu happily accepted as he wants to find the chance to repay the Man-Faced Demon Spider back, and now is the perfect time.

Hesitating for a few more seconds, the Man-Faced Demon Spider finally made its request.

"Screech, screech?" (Can I...um go with you?)

"Pika?" (What?)

Wang Shóu is absolutely befuddled, not expecting that kind of request from the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

'First, it was Xiong Yong and now it is this Man-Faced Demon Spider in front of me.'

'Do I have a hidden talent that makes people want to follow me or something?'

Wang Shóu pondered in deep thought.

'Well, whatever, it is beneficial for me either way, I suppose, but what now....'

Leaving his messy thoughts behind, Wang Shóu inwardly pondered the Man-Faced Demon Spider's request.

'Hmm, should I accept it or not?'

After all, the Man-Faced Demon Spider has a vicious reputation and is widely hated by both spirit beasts and humans.

And the problem is that the Man-Faced Demon Spider was said to be extinct 10,000 years ago, meaning that any spirit beasts over 10,000 years ago will be able to recognize it almost instantly.

If he is lucky, the spirit beasts will avoid them in fear of the Man-Faced Demon Spider's reputation.

But on the other hand, the spirit beasts might do whatever it takes to hunt Man-Faced Demon Spider and he will also be included too.

'Oh well. It did give me all its heaven and earth treasures it had been guarding and I did say that I can accept if it is within my power.'

Shaking his head of useless thought, Wang Shóu decided to bring the Man-Faced Demon Spider with him.

"Pika, pika." (Alright, I will bring you but don't cause too much trouble for me, got that?)

With Wang Shóu's affirmation, the Man-Faced Demon Spider leaped up in joy, celebrating.

"Screech, screech!" (Yipee! Thank you, I could finally go explore outside!)

Celebrating for a few minutes, the Man-Faced Demon Spider finally calmed down before Wang Shóu asked a question.

"Pika, pika?" (But first, what is your name?)

Wang Shóu questioned, wanting to know a little bit more about the Man-Faced Demon Spider now that the spider is going with him.

"Screech, screech." (Oh, my parents did not name me.)

Wang Shóu can't help but inwardly complain about the Man-Faced Demon Spider's parent.

'What kind of parent are they to not name their own child?!'

'Fine, since it doesn't have a name, I shall give it a name.'

'But what kind of name should I give it?..'

Thinking deeply, Wang Shóu's eye swept over the Man-Faced Demon Spider's huge eight-legged body.

Seeing this reminded him of a word from a particular country in his previous life.

'Hmm, let's call it Zhīzhū. A nice and simple name that fits the Man-Faced Demon Spider.'

"Pika, pika." (Then let's call you Zhizhu if you don't mind it.)

The Man-Faced Demon Spider didn't react much except show a happy expression.

"Screech, screech!" (I like it! Thank you so much, errr...)

Suddenly the Man-Faced Dem-no, Zhizhu hesitated and then asked Wang Shóu.

"Screech, screech?" (Well...what should I call you?)

"Pika." (Just call me Lei Feng.)

"Screech, screech!" (Alright, Lei Feng! I will do my best to not hinder you!)

Zhizhu said with a firm expression, thumping its chest, though Wang Shóu can't see the expression from a spider's face.

Nodding, Wang Shóu suddenly turned his head sideways as if hearing something.

He had just received a notification from his system that his Charmeleon and Xiong Yong are fast rapidly approaching toward his location.

"Pika, pika." (Two of my friends are coming here. Come with me so I can introduce you to them.)

Beckoning Zhizhu to come with him, Wang Shóu walked back toward the cave's entrance.

Walking back to the cave's entrance, Wang Shóu asked several questions to not be bored.

"Pika, pika?" (So, just a question but what's up with the face on your stomach? Is it like a special characteristic of your race?)

"Screech, screech!" (Oh, it is just a way to distinguish gender. My face is a human female which means I'm a she!)

"Pika, pika." (Really?! I totally thought you are a man.)

Wang Shóu and Zhizhu's voices fade away as they leave the cave to meet up with Charmeleon and Xiong Yong.

Unbeknownst to them, one part of the cave's wall suddenly collapsed to reveal a small, mystical stone with a radiant blue glow almost like a blazing fire.

Its surface is etched with ancient symbols and patterns and if Wang Shóu were to see this, he would definitely be very shocked.

This is a Mega Stone, one of the key items that allow Pokemon to mega-evolve!

Suddenly the Mega Stone's radiant glow flickered and then mysteriously disappeared as if it ran out of energy to sustain itself.

The gear of fate has quietly turned as the entire Douluo Planet has slowly changed unbeknownst to Wang Shóu, humans, soul beasts, and even the Planar Lord.