Yang Yu couldn't pretend he didn't hear this.

Besides this young girl, there seemed to be others who had beaten them to it.

After all, October this year marks the Dragon God Conference, and those who received invitations have started to intensify their training to prepare for the future.

Tico as well; having not seen her for a long time, her level skyrocketed from over forty to nearly seventy, with her Intelligence Attribute already exceeding three thousand and approaching four thousand.

This forest has Mud Monsters, and surely many who desire power covet the experience from those elite monsters.

The situation has become complicated.

Yang Yu originally intended to casually pick a few lucky Mud Monsters, kill them, and feed them to He Meng, so He Meng could learn [Mimicry].

But now, it seems that beyond fighting monsters, they must also fight people.

Yang Yu said, "What do you plan to do next? You don't seem to have obvious wounds, but your aura is weak. I have a Priest in my group, do you need her to heal you?"

Qiuye Doreen looked at Iyas, paused for a while, and asked:

"My grandfather once told me, there's no free lunch in the world. What do I need to pay?"

Qiuye Doreen's question elicited a somewhat surprised expression from Yang Yu.

"Don't make that expression, it seems you still treat me like a child." Qiuye Doreen puffed up her chest, patting it, "Although I have always been protected by the family, I understand the rules of society. Do I need to pay... how much each time?"

Contrary to her actions, Qiuye Doreen's voice became increasingly small and timid.

"No payment. Rather than money, I'd prefer you provide some valuable information.

From your description, excluding the possibility of [Mimicry], the man appearing at the hot spring should also be after those Mud Monsters.

Fearing you'd snatch the monsters, that's why he attacked you.

Our target is also those Mud Monsters, so confrontation is inevitable...

I hope you can provide details of your encounter with him."

Before Yang Yu could finish, Qiuye Doreen protested:

"No way, that's absolutely impossible. I was the one who spotted those Mud Monsters first. I came here to become stronger, if you defeat them all, what's the point of me being here?"

She insisted she didn't want to be coddled, but her mindset didn't immediately change.

Yang Yu sighed and said, "The Mud Monsters are a gift from this forest, not someone's property. By rights, whoever defeats it, owns it. This is common knowledge among adventurers."

Qiuye Doreen seemed to realize her mistake, blushing, she said:

"Of course I know.

...I'm sorry.

If I tell you, will you really heal me?

The skills that guy used were very Special, I have no visible injuries.

But after taking his move, I felt all uncomfortable..."

Yang Yu directly waved to Iyas, "Iyas, heal her first."

Upon receiving the command, Iyas didn't hesitate, her hands emitted an extremely gentle Holy Light, enveloping Qiuye Doreen, healing her pain.

Qiuye Doreen immediately felt an unprecedented lightness, and the pain that twisted her body disappeared instantly.

"What a straightforward and generous character... totally different from me. As thanks, I really should tell you what I know. It's also the rule."

As if completely letting her guard down with Yang Yu and his group, Qiuye Doreen's attitude became much softer.

Yet, before she could continue, the inappropriate sound of a stomach growling shattered the conversation's ambiance.

Qiuye Doreen quickly covered her stomach, her cheeks turning crimson as she helplessly smiled:

"Seems I've become too engrossed in battle, could you wait for me to go back and have a meal first, then I'll answer your questions?"

"Quickly go and quickly return." Yang Yu said while stuffing an egg into his mouth.

Qiuye Doreen turned to leave but only took a few steps before she turned back, her fingers intertwined, saying somewhat embarrassedly:

"Um... I'm not sure if you have any extra food here, but if you do, could you sell me some...

It'd be best if you could sell a bit more.

Actually, I didn't bring much dried food with me, and for certain reasons, it's inconvenient for me to go to the town.

This is a transaction, not asking for a gift, I'll also provide you something valuable."

"No problem." Yang Yu responded generously once again, then laid out various foods.

The temperature of the Hot Spring River is good, indicating they're not far from their destination, perfect for resting, preparing a meal for their comrades, and replenishing energy for combat.

The array of food dazzled her, and Qiuye Doreen gawked, swallowing hard, agreed they remain in waiting, and then swiftly brought back her own things from her camp.

There were plenty of things to joke about; just leaving important survival tools aside showed Qiuye Doreen's lack of wilderness survival knowledge.

If, in the beginning, Yang Yu and his team had checked the tent and took away Qiuye Doreen's package, she would likely not have survived in this icy wilderness.

After a series of bargaining, Yang Yu traded with Qiuye Doreen for the [Magic Crystal of the Mud Monster] she had defeated.

Out of kindness, Yang Yu also imparted to Qiuye Doreen some essential survival knowledge.

He even suggested that she find a reliable person to learn how to live independently and safely before leaving the forest.

After eating and drinking their fill, and acquiring information on the Mud Monsters and the person at the hot spring, Yang Yu and his team set off again.

Yang Yu fed the two Magic Crystals obtained from Qiuye Doreen to He Meng, but unfortunately, He Meng didn't acquire [Mimicry], just two insignificant skills.

Regardless of whether He Meng could obtain [Mimicry], Yang Yu still planned to meet the man occupying the hot spring.

...

...

At this time, near the hot spring, patches of yellow mud were scattered around the hot spring area filled with rubble, bubbling and emitting heat.

On a Giant Stone, a man wiped the grime from his fist, smiling:

"That woman just now has some skill, it seems the Dragon God Conference this year will be quite interesting."

A cold wind blew through, dissipating the mist surrounding the hot spring.

The man on the stone revealed his true face, dressed very lightly, yet he felt no cold in the chilly breeze, his red headband fluttering in the wind.

He wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth, smiling indulgently.

Suddenly, a terrifying howling sound came from behind him, as a two-story high indescribable Mud Monster, clawing towards him, appeared.

The man stood up, withdrew his fist, took a deep breath, and then punched towards his rear.

A ripple spread from his fist, turning the Mud Monster back into a pool of sludge.

"I have a feeling more strong characters will emerge in the future, and I'm looking forward to meeting whoever comes next."

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