Chapter 57: In Gratitude for Your Gift

"And those other masters obviously came because of him," Zhu Jiu Yin analyzed.

He has been watching those strong ones who came to support.

Even though they claim to have come for the Human Race.

But in reality, the only one they truly respect is Zhou Yi.

Sui Huang and the others, though they are the ancestors of the Human Race, may not obey commands as they do with Zhou Yi.

"Let's put this aside for now; what the Human Race needs now is recovery and development, which has little impact on us."

Di Hong concluded.

"Our more important task now is to perfect the Twelve Capital Celestial God Sha Formation."

"When the time is ripe, we will eradicate the Demon Race completely, and the Honghuang continent will be ours."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Today truly is a rare chance, when facing Taiyi Shen and Di Cun.

They had considered directly activating the great array to wipe out the two in one blow.

Unfortunately, a Saint was watching nearby, preventing them from succeeding easily.

"Sister, what's wrong?"

Wu Gou noticed Hou Tu acting a bit oddly.

Since she entered, she has been sitting quietly, as if pondering something.

"Oh, brother, I have something to attend to, I want to go out for a bit."

Hou Tu snapped back to herself and hurriedly said.

The others didn't doubt much and agreed to her request.

"Come back early; there are still many things to do."

Di Hong gave a few instructions, and Hou Tu merely nodded silently. Then, she casually grabbed Yu Qiang, moving as fast as a whirlwind outward. Yu Qiang hadn't even reacted before he was lifted and followed Hou Tu out the door.

"Sister, put me down, I can walk on my own!" Yu Qiang shouted, "Where are we going?"

He looked at the Hou Tu ahead with a puzzled face. This time the direction of advance was clearly toward a Human Race settlement

He muttered to himself, this journey is truly baffling.

Could there be another secret mission awaiting him? He hopes it won't be another tricky affair.

"The hundred-year deadline is approaching; we must return," Hou Tu said without turning her head.

Yu Qiang mentally calculated the time; indeed it was close to the hundred-year pact they had mentioned. But he didn't understand what this had to do with him—was he being forced into something again?

As he felt helpless, Hou Tu suddenly said, "There's barbecue; want to go together?" Hearing that, Yu Qiang's previous reluctance vanished instantly.

Barbecue, that's a rare delicacy! For that tasty food, the trip is worth it.

So he hurriedly followed.

"Sister, does this outing have any special purpose?" he asked, "Are we trying to pull him into our Wu Clan?" Just after uttering the three words "beauty trap," a massive fist slammed onto his head. "Stop the nonsense or get lost!" Hou Tu said, a bit annoyed.

The reason she brought him along was merely to make up the numbers, ensuring the operation wouldn't be discovered.

She didn't expect Yu Qiang to have become unusually talkative lately.

The two deliberately stayed in Hou Tu's tribe for another two years, and only when the hundred-year deadline arrived did they set out toward Huang Guo.

Upon arriving there, they were both stunned.

They saw Mei Shi Cheng fully restored, bustling with people, lively as if the previous destruction had never occurred.

Yu Qiang was filled with amazement, marveling at the Human Race's remarkable recovery ability; after severe damage, they could quickly rebound, which is truly hard to achieve.

Moreover, although several great mountains had been destroyed before, this place seemed completely unaffected.

Even though that area lost its original facilities, it provided the Human Race with a more spacious living area.

Brand-new houses sprang up rapidly on this land, as if bamboo shoots sprouted overnight.

The stone gate that Nüwa had previously moved stood again at the forefront, its remaining mountain mass offering natural protection to the residences behind.

"You can't deny, these Human Race's hands-on abilities are indeed impressive."

"If it were someone else facing such a disaster, not even fifteen years might bring them back to this state, let alone two years."

Yu Qiang stuck his head out to observe the surroundings. At this moment, the Human Race seemed to have regained its former vigor, with busy figures moving in and out.

Hou Tu silently contemplated the promise she had inadvertently made earlier, wondering if Zhou Yi still remembered.

Considering the many events that occurred during this period, she guessed Zhou Yi might have forgotten, feeling both nervous and a hint of hope.

If Zhou Yi still remembers, that's the best case; but if he has forgotten, what should be done?

As Hou Tu was about to take Yu Qiang to stroll around Mei Shi Cheng, they found Zhou Yi had already lit a fire on a clearing, roasting a golden, crispy tiger, its aroma wafting irresistibly.

Yu Qiang followed the scent, pulling Hou Tu toward it. "Sister, he still remembers us, hurry!"

When they arrived, Zhou Yi had already sensed their presence, but she didn't look up, still focused on adjusting the flame and turning the meat.

Zhou Yi understood that their arrival must have a purpose, yet she wasn't eager to expose it, preferring to hear what they would say first.

"Zhou Yi, I really didn't expect you still remembered!" Yu Qiang said, though the question was actually Hou Tu's.

Yu Qiang, after saying that, immediately reached out to grab the tiger's leg.

"How could I forget? What should I call you, Hou Tu Demon God, Yu Qiang Demon God, or Li?" Zhou Yi said with a half‑smile.

Upon hearing that, Yu Qiang, with meat in his mouth, coughed in fright, "How did you know?"

Zhou Yi gave a meaning‑laden smile, not answering directly; in fact, she deliberately used the remark to test them, causing Yu Qiang to reveal his identity himself.

Hou Tu glared at Yu Qiang, then everyone sat down to eat the meat. "Sit down and eat; this time we truly must thank the Wu Clan for their help. It's just that you left too quickly; otherwise I'd have treated you to a proper feast."

Zhou Yi said sincerely. She truly appreciated the Wu Clan's assistance; in this wild world, an extra friend is always welcome.

Hou Tu, hearing that, sat down helplessly, eating meat while saying, "You've done something great this time; with Nüwa's departure, she may never return."

She felt genuine admiration for Zhou Yi's act of driving Nüwa away, and wanted to further understand Zhou Yi's true thoughts through conversation.

She has no reason to act now; from now on Honghuang's attention will turn to your two clans.

Even those Saints would not easily stir up trouble, and that is actually thanks to you.

Zhou Yi responded without hesitation.

In her view, these matters need no concealment.

It's better to speak it out; everyone knows it clearly in their hearts.

Zhou Yi knows well the balance among the forces; the conflict between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race will only grow more intense.

Then which side do you favor more?

Hou Tu seemingly raised the question casually.

But in fact, she was eager to learn Zhou Yi's true thoughts.