Chapter 14: The Zealous Follower
[The host has defeated and repelled a Tier 3 Fire Deity, earning 2000 survival points.]
Hearing the system's notification, Zeng Shen's eyes lit up, realizing that Master Ma could be a point for repeatable survival points!
Immediately, he called out warmly to Master Ma, who was running towards the park gate.
"Master Ma, when shall we spar again? How about tomorrow?"
Master Ma stumbled at Zeng Shen's words, nearly falling flat on his face.
After Master Ma had left, the surrounding elderly people didn't cause Zeng Shen any more trouble and helped the unconscious young streamer away.
...
It was as if nothing had happened, or perhaps something had.
Zeng Shen turned and continued towards the commercial street.
[Warning! Warning! You are about to enter a dangerous and abandoned commercial street. Ferocious beasts and some fallen, dangerous deities with their enslaved followers roam here. Stay away.]
Ignoring the warning, Zeng Shen entered a supermarket selling pet supplies.
The shopkeeper greeted him warmly, "Young man, you're back! Looking for more toys for your pets?"
Zeng Shen nodded.
"Any recommendations?"
"This catnip ball is a popular brand and a hot pet toy. Just squeeze it, and it releases a scent that attracts cats without harm," the shopkeeper suggested, pointing at colorful balls on the shelf.
"How much for ten of these catnip balls?"
"One hundred each, a thousand for ten."
Zeng Shen's face darkened.
That's pricey for a ball.
Ten balls cost as much as his monthly rent.
He needed to use the Emerald Gem Mine Card soon and set up mining for funds.
After bargaining, Zeng Shen spent five hundred for fifty catnip balls and left the store.
As for cat beds?
He decided against buying them here.
Not because he couldn't afford it, but due to the quantity needed being inconvenient to carry.
Zeng Shen planned to order them online, ensuring delivery by tomorrow.
Leaving the supermarket, Zeng Shen didn't earn survival points from the shopkeeper.
He wasn't surprised.
Using the Eye of Insight, he found that the shopkeeper, like most people and animals on the commercial street, was just a skeleton left from the apocalypse.
...
[Warning! Warning! This apartment is extremely dangerous, occupied by a Tier 3 Curse Deity and followers. Your current strength is no match. Leave quickly to avoid enslavement.]
In the Good Luck Community, Zeng Shen returned to his apartment amid warning prompts.
The door creaked open, and a happy bark greeted him.
"Woof woof!"
Little White, who had been waiting by the door for hours, wagged its tail excitedly.
Suddenly, Little White emitted a faint white light visible only to Zeng Shen, flowing into him.
[Congratulations, host, your Hellhound has developed a strong belief in you, becoming your zealous follower. Survival points +1000, Faith +100.]
"?"
Zeng Shen was puzzled.
How did Little White, left home alone for hours, become a zealous follower upon his return?
Confused, Zeng Shen watched Little White, which followed him closely, even to the bathroom.
Then he recalled the "lost cat effect."
It's said cats become especially affectionate after returning from being lost.
Little White, initially a stray, likely felt abandoned after being left alone, similar to this effect.
After using the bathroom, Zeng Shen sat on the sofa with Little White, saying, "Want to go somewhere fun later?"
"Woof woof."
The dog seemed to understand, its big eyes showing curiosity and joy.
"Haha, after I buy some things, we'll go."
Zeng Shen laughed, opening his phone to order cat beds and litter pans online, spending a thousand on credit.
Just as he was about to open the gate to his divine realm, his phone buzzed with a message from his girlfriend, Li Yuqing.
"Hubby, I've been busy, and my phone died. Sorry for the delayed reply."
"Don't apologize, just say you love me," Zeng Shen replied.
"Giggle, okay, love you, hubby. I'm so sleepy, almost eating with my eyes closed."
Zeng Shen replied with a voice message, "Haha, then eat, shower, and sleep soon."
"Yes, hubby, I'm charging my phone, need to eat quickly," Li Yuqing responded with a voice message.
"By the way, do you know where to sell emeralds?"
"My uncle deals in emeralds. Do you have any to sell?"
"Yes, dear, I have an emerald mine, so I'm looking for a reliable buyer."
Zeng Shen spoke truthfully, knowing Li Yuqing would think he was joking.
Sure enough, she laughed in her voice message.
"Hubby loves to joke."
Then another message came.
"But if you really have emeralds and don't want to say where they're from, I won't ask. When I'm back Monday, I'll take you to my uncle's store for a good price."
Zeng Shen chuckled, not explaining further.
"Alright, go eat, dear."
"Yes, hubby," Li Yuqing sent a playful voice message and an emoji.
After replying with an emoji, Zeng Shen put his phone on charge and opened the gate to his divine realm.
As the gate opened in the living room, Little White was awed by the Deity Palace inside, slowly rising to its feet and moving toward the gate.
Or rather, towards the statue resembling a giant wolf holding a flame in its mouth.