"Do you know about the Split-Toothed Evil Wolves? Those creatures eat people, and they especially love to eat pretty little girls like you. Once they bite, they’re always accurate, terrifying, right?"

Hannah cooperated obediently, "Terrifying."

They were pitiful little creatures whose necks she could twist off with just one hand.

Gregory revealed a relieved expression, "In the Land of the Lost, the Split-Toothed Evil Wolves all start off with six legs, and some even grow two heads, which makes them even more terrifying!"

He had seen one from a distance once, and thinking about it now still scared him.

Let alone a little girl.

They walked on until the sun was almost directly overhead when they finally came upon the small stream Gregory had mentioned.

The stream was clear, its bed scattered with pebbles, and unknown wildflowers grew on its banks—in purple and red clusters that appeared every few steps.

Quite special.

Gold Lotus ran over to take a sniff.

There was indeed a fragrant scent. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

It seemed very appetizing.

Just as Gold Lotus was about to take a bite, Big White pecked her on the head.

"These are Illusion Flowers. If you eat them, you’ll see six-legged turtles and trees with legs running on the ground, which will make you stupid."

Gold Lotus’s eyes widened, and she quickly backed away two steps, "That terrifying?"

Big White nodded its goose head, advising Gold Lotus with the air of someone who’s been there, "When you’re out and about, you need to be careful and stay vigilant."

Gregory was giving Hannah similar warnings.

He said the same thing as Big White.

Just after a day and a night of being together, he had already counted Hannah as one of his own.

For some reason, he still felt that Hannah looked familiar.

"Have I met you before?"

Gregory skimmed a few stones over the surface of the water.

The stones hopped across the water and landed precisely on the opposite bank.

They were to follow the stream uphill.

Hannah shook her head, her hand holding the leash of Gold Lotus, "Never seen you before."

Gregory didn’t dwell on it, fearing he’d be considered a pervert if the conversation continued.

As the sun set, they finally emerged from the dense forest and reached the southern part of the Ninth District.

It was the time when the mercenaries and hunters’ guilds were handing in their tasks, so the streets were bustling.

There, one could even see merchants from other places, mostly dressed differently from the imperial citizens, their heads wrapped in cloth, and always accompanied by an interpreter.

As they walked, Gregory explained to Hannah, "These must be merchants from neighboring Nashus. Their people love to collect various mutant beast bones, the more intact, the higher the price they offer."

Hannah earnestly complimented him, "You know so much."

Gregory puffed out his chest and raised his head with a slight air of pride, but humbly replied, "Not much, not much. I just happen to know a little bit about everything."

Hannah looked at him and smiled.

She quite liked Gregory; he wasn’t very cunning, and his personality was straightforward and blunt.

It’s just that sometimes he could be a bit silly.

Gregory was still smiling foolishly, and after a while, suddenly felt a chill on his back, but when he turned around, he couldn’t see anything.

A misperception?

"Do you have the feeling that someone is following us?"

Gregory was highly vigilant, looking around, worried that the group might have followed them here.

Without turning her head, Hannah continued to walk forward, eyeing the trinkets on the roadside, "Not at all, you’re probably just imagining it."

Gregory believed her, "Maybe."

He continued the unfinished educational talk he had started with Hannah.

About Nashus.

There were three major powers in the entire galaxy: the Imperial Royal Family, the Wastelands, and the most mysterious Nine Realms Kingdom.