Chapter 353: The Small Tavern.

It was an adult Purple Fox, curled up on a snow-white blanket. It appeared to be unconscious.

Yu Zhizhi drew near, her fingers gently touching the space between its brows.

A faint white Healing Light enveloped the fox. Its body was exceptionally weak, its spiritual power almost nonexistent.

Nearby, a young girl from the Goat Clan watched nervously. "Miss Healer, how is he? Can you cure him?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded. "He can be cured, but it will take many days."

"That’s wonderful!" The Goat Clan female immediately shoved all the Spiritual Technique Cards she was holding into Yu Zhizhi’s hands. "This is your payment, take it all!"

Yu Zhizhi picked out a few spirit cards she wanted and returned the rest to the goat girl.

"I need to go to my lodging first. Would you like to come with me?"

The goat female shook her head. "I have to go contact the other house servants. Just leave the address for me. I’ll come find you after I get in touch with them."

Yu Zhizhi gave her the address of the small tavern.

The Purple Fox in the carriage was still unconscious. Furthermore, carriages weren’t allowed in the Underground City; all outsiders had to park them here.

An adult fox was a bit difficult to carry.

Yu Zhizhi slowly carried it onto the cable car.

After the Little Octopus squeezed inside, it stared at the Purple Fox for a long while—

’So rare.’

’It had never seen a purple-furred fox before, especially not one whose Beast Form was fully revealed due to a severe illness.’

The cable car journeyed back to the depot. After the fare was paid, it began gliding in the direction of the small tavern.

In the Underground City, it was difficult to perceive the passage of time.

There was no sun, no day or night.

The city was perpetually ablaze with lights.

The cable car arrived at the station nearest to the small tavern.

Yu Zhizhi disembarked, carrying the Purple Fox. With the Little Octopus helping from behind, they managed to get the fox inside the small tavern, which was temporarily closed for business.

The tavern door was ajar, and a light was on at the wooden bar.

Yu Zhizhi knocked gently on the door.

The male Vulture, who was organizing some bills, glanced up. "We’re closed today. Not open for business."

"Hello, I’m here for a room."

"We don’t offer lodging," the Vulture said, his tone cold.

Yu Zhizhi set the Purple Fox down just inside the door.

She walked up to the wooden bar and presented the letter of introduction from Zero.

"I was... referred here by Mr. Yu Ling."

The Vulture paused in his task of organizing bills. He looked up abruptly. "Zero?!"

The young Vulture picked up the letter and read it carefully.

Confirming it was Zero’s handwriting, his previously cold demeanor vanished, replaced by an incredibly warm smile. "So you’re a friend of Zero’s! One moment, I’ll find a room for you."

The Vulture flipped through the lodging records. He paused. "May I ask, how many in your party?"

"Three," Yu Zhizhi said, glancing back at the Little Octopus and the patient.

"Then you can take this one. It has two rooms."

The male Vulture stacked the completed bills, came out from behind the wooden bar, and personally led Yu Zhizhi to the second floor.

The small tavern wasn’t large. The first floor had a few small wooden tables, with the kitchen in the back.

The second floor was for private residence.

As both the owner and sole employee, the Vulture gave the best guest room to the Miss Ear-down Rabbit who had traveled so far.

"See if you need anything and let me know. Don’t hesitate to ask."

’Zero had instructed in the letter to take good care of her.’

’The Vulture didn’t dare to be negligent.’

Yu Zhizhi nodded gently.

She entered the room and saw that while it wasn’t large, it had a very nice layout.

The male Vulture smiled. "Get some rest for now, Miss Rabbit. I’ll call you down for dinner when it’s ready."

"Okay, thank you."

Yu Zhizhi was indeed a little tired.

She carried the Purple Fox into the outer room and laid it on the wooden bed.

The Little Octopus tossed its backpack into a corner and hopped onto the bed as well.

Yu Zhizhi closed the door.

’Now, I need to perform a simple treatment for the fox’s condition. My initial diagnosis is that it’s likely suffering from an inability to acclimate, and on top of the long journey, its body has collapsed from exhaustion.’

’But its spiritual power has almost completely dissipated...’

’I can’t find the reason for that yet.’

Yu Zhizhi took hold of the fox’s front paw. ’It’s so beautiful,’ she thought, admiring its purple fur and snow-white chest. It reminded her of the lady from the Fox Clan she had met in the Divine City—she had also been a purple fox.

This one, however, was male.

’Males of the Fox Clan must be quite handsome, too.’

While unconscious, the Purple Fox felt a gentle light envelop its body. It wanted to lift its heavy eyelids, and after mustering nearly all its strength, it finally managed to see a faint glimmer of light.

Through that light, it saw a blurry silhouette.

’Someone...’

’...is healing me.’

’Is it a Healer from the Underground City?’

Yu Zhizhi was also quite tired. After performing the simple treatment on the fox, she was left panting from exhaustion.

She slowly shuffled back into the inner room.

Lying on the bed, Yu Zhizhi took out the few Spiritual Technique Cards she had accepted.

Among them was an Initial-stage Spirit Card named [Washing].

Its description said that it could completely clean all dirt from one’s body and clothes.

It was the most popular Initial-stage card for long journeys, as it saved a great deal of trouble.

Too exhausted to even move, Yu Zhizhi used the Spiritual Technique Card while still lying on the bed. In that instant, she felt her body enveloped by a sacred light. Within just a few minutes, she felt completely refreshed and invigorated.

The Little Octopus was already fast asleep and snoring in the outer room.

Yu Zhizhi snuggled under the covers and quickly fell asleep.

「Night fell.」

The Underground City grew even more lively.

But the small tavern, closed for the day, was incomparably quiet.

The young Vulture finished preparing dinner and went upstairs to invite Miss Ear-down Rabbit to join him. When he reached her door, he heard the Little Octopus snoring from within. A faint smile touched his lips, and he turned to leave.

’It’s better to let them rest.’

’They can just have a late-night snack when they wake up. It’s all the same.’

’A female from the Rabbit Clan, a red octopus, and a purple fox.’

’What a strange combination.’

’Since when does that guy, Zero, make friends?’

The Vulture chuckled to himself.

’Zero said in the letter that he’d come over as soon as he could. It seems this Miss Rabbit is very important to him.’

’He’s been away from the Underground City for so long, and this is the first time he’s shown any desire to return.’

Yu Zhizhi slept very peacefully.

When she awoke, the warm lamp by her bed was quietly glowing. She rolled over, hugged her pillow, and still felt a little drowsy.

’It’s so comfortable here~’

’I feel an indescribable sense of security.’

’Is it because this is the Underground City?’

’Or is it because we’re in the Cang Mountain Domain...?’

Yu Zhizhi buried her face in her pillow, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.

’I should try to ask for news about Dracula.’

’We haven’t seen each other since we parted ways in Varolan. I wonder how Dracula is doing. The little eaglet must have hatched by now, right?’

A flurry of thoughts flashed through Yu Zhizhi’s mind. She was looking forward to reuniting with Dracula, but she was also eager to see Zero soon.

Just then, she felt a strange sensation in her abdomen.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but touch her stomach.

The sound of the system rang in her ears—

[DING! Host is about to give birth! Please prepare yourself!]