Chapter 53: Entrusting the Orphan in the Cave, Long Ge's Godson

"Crack! Crack!"

The crisp sound of an eggshell breaking echoed through the cave.

I saw cracks spreading like a spiderweb across the snow-white dragon egg, and finally, with a "bang," shards of the shell scattered everywhere.

A wet, sticky little fellow crawled out from the shell; it was pitch black, with miniature dragon horns and dragon claws—a perfect, tiny version of a black earth dragon!

A glimmer of maternal love flashed in the weak black earth dragon mother's eyes as she gently nudged the newborn little one with her massive head, letting out a low whimper.

But this heartwarming scene did not last long.

Before long, the black earth dragon's body began to tremble violently.

It was only then that Zhang Yi and Long Ge noticed.

On the black earth dragon's abdomen, there was actually a gruesome wound, deep enough to see bone, as if it had been viciously clawed by some kind of sharp talons.

"If I'm not mistaken, this creature was very likely caught in the crossfire when the Blood Shadow Demon Tiger was rampaging earlier."

"It's just a pity..."

Zhang Yi stopped mid-sentence, as if thinking of something, and suddenly shook his head with a helpless sigh.

Based on the current state of the black earth dragon before them.

He could even be certain that the reason this big creature had held on until now was likely because it was worried about its child; now that the little earth dragon had hatched, it was estimated that it wouldn't be long before the mother earth dragon could no longer hold on.

The facts were exactly as Zhang Yi had anticipated.

After the black earth dragon had been affectionate with its child for a while, it suddenly collapsed heavily to the ground like a deflated ball.

It looked as though her life had reached its end.

Looking at the scene before them, Zhang Yi and the others had even forgotten the purpose of their trip at this moment.

Just as they were about to turn and leave.

The mother earth dragon, who had already lost all signs of life, braced herself with her final breath and slowly raised her head to look at Zhang Yi and the others.

Those large, tear-filled eyes were now brimming with pleading and expectation.

Before long, a vague, weak sound came from the mother earth dragon's mouth: "... Save... save it..."

Once the other party said these words, Zhang Yi and Long Ge, who had been ready to leave, could not help but freeze in place.

They looked at one another.

It seemed they had not expected the black earth dragon to say such a thing.

However, at this moment, they both clearly understood the meaning behind the black earth dragon's words.

This creature definitely wanted to entrust its child to them.

After all, this little fellow had just been born; if they didn't take it away from here, it would likely starve to death before long.

After all, they were currently deep underground, and for a little earth dragon without any cultivation, leaving it here alone would likely result in no other outcome than waiting for death.

This was likely why the black earth dragon had to hold on to its final breath just to watch its child be born.

If Zhang Yi and the others hadn't fought the mother earth dragon earlier, the other party might not have died so quickly.

Although the battle just now hadn't lasted very long, for the black earth dragon, who was already severely wounded and exhausted, the consumption must have been significant.

Just as Zhang Yi and the others were looking at each other, somewhat hesitant.

At this moment, the black earth dragon spoke again.

"Rest assured, although this little fellow is pitifully weak right now, as long as you give it some time, once it grows up, it will definitely be able to become a powerful help to you..."

The black earth dragon continued to express its wishes with difficulty.

It felt as though she was using her final life force to fight for a glimmer of survival for her child.

"Also... my... my things... all for you... including..."

Although the black earth dragon's words were unfinished, the meaning behind them could not have been clearer.

The subtext of her words at this moment clearly referred to her corpse after death, as well as the treasures in the cave.

Zhang Yi looked at the dying black earth dragon, then looked at the ignorant little earth dragon, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Although he was greedy for wealth, he was not heartless.

Moreover, the fact that this black earth dragon had fought to the death to protect its child—this display of maternal love—could not help but move him.

Even the Wind God Pterosaur "Long Ge" on the side had put away his usual greed, a trace of pity appearing in his eyes.

Although he was gluttonous, he could not help but be deeply touched in the face of such a great mother.

"Fine, fine, I'll agree to it!"

Before Zhang Yi could even speak, Long Ge on the side agreed readily.

"Don't you worry, from now on this little fellow is my, Long Ge's, godson!"

"Whoever dares to bully it, I'll be the first one to disagree!"

"Rest assured, we will not harm your child."

Seeing Long Ge take a stand, Zhang Yi also followed up with a promise.

Hearing their promise, a glimmer of gratitude flashed in the black earth dragon's eyes.

She slowly closed her eyes, her massive body collapsed with a thud, and she breathed her last.

Zhang Yi and Long Ge walked to the side of the little earth dragon; the little fellow seemed to sense its mother's departure and let out a series of mournful cries that were heartbreaking to hear.

"Sigh, this little thing is quite pitiful."

Long Ge sighed and reached out a claw to gently pat the little earth dragon's head, "From now on, you're with your dad, I guarantee you'll live the good life!"

Zhang Yi looked at Long Ge's feigned fierce appearance and couldn't help but laugh.

This guy was clearly feeling sad inside, yet insisted on putting on an indifferent act.

"Alright, stop acting, hurry up and see what treasures are in this cave!"

Zhang Yi patted Long Ge's head, "Haven't you been craving them for a long time?"

"Hehe, I was just afraid you'd be embarrassed!"

Long Ge grinned, immediately returning to his usual greedy appearance.

"Hurry up, hurry up, let's see what good things this guy hid!"

As soon as the words fell, the two fellows began rummaging through the cave, the trace of reluctance and sympathy on their faces long since cast to the back of their minds.

As for the little earth dragon who knew nothing of demonic affairs, it had naturally long since been taken aside by the Ju Niao Mu Qin, whose maternal instincts were overflowing, and Nudi to be comforted.

You have to know, this little fellow had only just arrived in this world when it lost its mother's love.

A child like him, with no mother to love him, is the most pitiful.

Deep inside the cave, all sorts of treasures were piled up.

Various rare medicinal herbs, Demon Core, and Demon Crystal—precious resources that could help them cultivate—were piled up like small hills.

"Holy crap! Brother, we've really struck it rich this time!"

Long Ge shouted excitedly, his eyes almost glued to those treasures.

Zhang Yi was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected this black earth dragon to have collected so many treasures.

It seems this guy wasn't exactly a good sort in the past either!

Little did they know, these things had all been accumulated by the black earth dragon over many years, prepared specifically for its as-yet-unborn child.

It is just a pity that the collection the mother earth dragon had prepared for so long now benefits Zhang Yi and the others for nothing...