Because of his injury, Bai Zhe's speed slowed down. It wasn't until night fully fell that he finally returned to the big pine tree.
Staring at the pine tree ahead, Bai Zhe let out a soft breath.
At that moment, he felt like a company worker dragging his tired body home after a long day of hard work.
Though both mentally and physically exhausted, seeing his home brought a sense of relief.
"Chirp chirp."
As he crawled to the foot of the pine tree, he heard a sound and looked up to see Little Ma the squirrel standing on a branch.
He couldn't help but smile. Could it be that this little guy was waiting for him here?
While Bai Zhe was watching Little Ma, the squirrel suddenly scurried down the branch with a rustle and came right up to him, chittering excitedly.
It stood before Bai Zhe, waving its little paws in excitement.
Seeing this, Bai Zhe grinned.
It was obvious the squirrel was happy about his return. Clearly, his late arrival today had made it quite worried.
Unexpectedly, even after becoming a snake in this harsh and merciless forest, he could still feel this kind of care.
His heart warmed as he nudged the little creature's head gently with his snake's head.
This was a gesture Bai Zhe had made before, so Little Ma didn't shy away but squinted his eyes, clearly enjoying it.
After a couple of nudges, Bai Zhe pulled back his head and crawled toward his tree hollow.
Little Ma let out a chirp, seeming unhappy that Bai Zhe stopped "petting" it so quickly. But then it suddenly noticed the wound on Bai Zhe's tail and was shocked.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
It quickly ran to Bai Zhe's head and anxiously called out twice, as if asking what had happened.
Bai Zhe paused. He understood Little Ma was concerned, but didn't know how to express it, so he nudged the squirrel's head again with his own before crawling back into the hollow.
Lying in the soft nest, Bai Zhe thought quietly.
Though the tail injury wasn't fatal, it would definitely affect his mobility. Until it healed, he couldn't leave this dense thicket, to avoid running into that falcon again.
But now, prey in this thicket had become scarce. His hunting efficiency in the coming days would certainly drop, delaying his next evolution.
If he hadn't worried about the falcon's sharp beak and claws, Bai Zhe would have already climbed up to the falcon's nest on the cliff to fight it.
Time was pressing for him. He urgently needed to evolve, needed skill points.
In two or three days, he could level up again.
Yet now, that falcon had ruined his plans.
Bai Zhe cursed inwardly, thinking that once he could upgrade "Phosphorus Armor Resistance" again, he would find a way to take down that falcon.
Though the encounter was harrowing, it also gave him some insight.
His phosphorus armor's defense was already at a decent level—for example, today the falcon's dive hadn't pierced his flesh.
If he upgraded that skill once more, he wouldn't have to worry about the falcon's sharp beak and claws anymore.
"Chirp chirp."
Just as Bai Zhe was lost in these chaotic thoughts, a call brought him back to attention.
He looked up and saw Little Ma carrying something toward him, offering it.
At first, Bai Zhe thought it might be another chestnut or some kind of nut, but then he was stunned to find the squirrel was holding a bird egg.
[Target locked: Sparrow Egg, devouring grants 1 Evolution Point.]
Squirrels mainly eat fruits from various trees, but sometimes they also eat insects or bird eggs for protein.
Apparently, Little Ma had raided a bird's nest today and taken some eggs.
Seeing his injury, it brought the egg over to comfort him.
As for why not some other food, Bai Zhe guessed it was because he had once refused chestnuts or similar gifts from the squirrel.
Thinking of this, Bai Zhe felt a touch of emotion.
Animals truly have spirits.
Little Ma's current actions proved that.
He accepted the bird egg graciously, then gently nudged the squirrel's head with his own in thanks.
Then he lay down on one side of the nest and closed his eyes to rest.
Little Ma squinted and let out a soft hum, and upon seeing Bai Zhe resting, it ran off to the other side to guard its pile of food and rest as well.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。