Chapter 335: The Egg Came to Life

This oddly massive thing's surface is not smooth, but covered with mysterious, intricate silver natural patterns that swirl like a galaxy vortex.

These markings are not inert; they pulse weak silver glows rhythmically, as if breathing.

Each flash draws the cavern's dense spiritual qi into a slight ripple, forming an invisible energy vortex that gently envelops the skeleton and itself.

This pale‑blue "cocoon" lies quietly in the embrace of the massive skeleton, gently clasped by the bone fingers that emit a holy moonlight.

An indescribable, strange aura mingling ancient stillness yet brimming with tremendous life potential emanates from this pale‑blue cocoon.

It blends perfectly with the skeleton's moon‑light aura and the cavern's crystal‑spirit radiance, creating a sacred, tranquil atmosphere.

Time seems to have solidified here for tens of thousands of years.

"Huh, why has this egg's color changed?" Lingling, who had been resting in Lin Yifan's arms, suddenly asked in confusion.

Lin Yifan was startled for a moment, then lowered his head and asked, "Wasn't this egg this color before?"

Lingling shook its head, its face full of bewilderment, and said:

"Earlier this egg was gray‑white, looking just like a stone egg, and it never displayed any special anomalies, nor any sign of life."

"Precisely because of that, I always treated this egg as a fossil, never paying it any mind."

"But now it seems the egg was so inconspicuous before likely because the hatching time hadn't arrived; now the moment has come, causing this change."

Lin Yifan frowned at the words, stared at the egg, and said, "Being together with your ancestors' remains, the egg's origin is surely not simple."

As for why he didn't guess, the egg is related to the Moon‑Shadow Fox.

Simply because the Moon‑Shadow Fox is a viviparous creature; turning into an egg is hardly scientific.

Lingling, looking exhausted, said:

"I'm not sure about that, but I remember my mother once said everything in this cave was left by our ancestors, and that this cave holds the foundation of our clan's prosperity."

"But after thousands of years, our clan has fallen to beasts, and we found no hope of flourishing here; if this egg is that hope, perhaps it is."

"Then you should keep this egg." Lin Yifan, after a brief silence upon hearing that, finally spoke.

What exactly is unspeakable about this egg?

But one thing he could be sure of is that if this egg truly hatches, it will be extraordinary.

Yet since this is Lingling's clan heirloom, it naturally isn't right to seize.

Although he wishes to become stronger, he still has his limits.

Lingling was stunned upon hearing that.

After a while, a smile slowly appeared on the fox's face, and it shook its head gratefully, saying:

"Brother Yifan, you can tell at a glance that the egg is a treasure; if it were someone else, they'd surely snatch it, but I didn't expect you to be willing to give it up."

At that point, it let out a slight sigh, gave a wry smile, and said:

"But this egg is useless to me; our race, reduced to beasts, has long lost all the benefits of being Survivors, and even if this egg could hatch a divine beast, we have no way to keep it as a pet."

"Therefore, keeping this egg in my hands would be pure waste, but you are different; although you're not yet fearsome, your willfulness and character make me willing to place everything on you."

"I know my words may be overreaching, but I want to follow you; perhaps one day I can also seek my own origin."

Lin Yifan felt a swirl of emotions upon hearing that.

It seems that all living beings in this world may have started as Survivors, but during the struggle for survival their clans were wiped out, leaving only the few that escaped.

Thus even the right to be Survivors was stripped away, forcing them to eat flesh and blood, becoming true beasts.

This made Lin Yifan even more uncertain about the future, but after a fleeting doubt he immediately understood,

Even if negativity is inevitable later, so what??

In life, one always has their own choices.

And having a passerby trust him is already a source of happiness.

So even with Aerilia's past lessons, Li Yifan still wants to trust Lingling.

He took a deep breath, then without hesitation lifted the egg, examined it carefully for a moment, and said:

"Alright, since you're willing to trust me, I'll try not to disappoint you. I'll keep this order for now; although I sense a life aura on the egg, there's no movement, and I don't know if it can truly hatch."

"But regardless, I've noted this favor; if you're willing to follow me and never betray me, as long as I'm alive I'll do my best to protect you."

"Brother Yifan, will you keep your word?" Lingling, who was already exhausted and about to fall asleep, instantly opened its eyes and asked excitedly.

Lin Yifan nodded, "Once spoken, even four horses can't catch up!"

Lingling nodded, saying with great relief, "Brother Yifan, although I don't know the meaning of your words, when I hear your tone, rest assured, I will never betray you, never…"

The sentence unfinished, it immediately fainted.

Lin Yifan, seeing this, his complexion slightly changed, hurriedly gently shook Lingling's body and called:

"Lingling? Lingling?"

He called a few times, but the little fox never woke, realizing its injuries were too severe, causing it to fall into deep sleep.

Recalling Lingling's earlier words that it had grown in this cave by feeding on spirit crystals, he gently placed it on a spirit crystal beside the Moon‑Shadow Fox skeleton, which emitted a soft white glow.

The pure energy contained in the crystal indeed had a natural affinity for Lingling.

Upon contact, Lingling's furrowed brows seemed to relax a bit, and its weak breathing steadied slightly.

Seeing this, Lin Yifan felt a slight relief.

He propped up his nearly collapsing body, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The cave seemed completely sealed, with only the entrance they came through, which was tiny, allowing only one person to pass.

Moreover, thick vines covered the outside of the entrance; without knowing a cave existed, no one would likely discover it.

He also examined that opening closely; the mouth was chiseled out, and from the moss's color and thickness, it seemed the opening had been made only recently.