Time always passes inadvertently, leaving traces of time on all things, and no one can avoid or eliminate them.

It seemed like a moment had passed, and a week had passed.

The day when the pet beast named Huohuo promised to come has arrived.

Early in the morning, Xu Ran opened the door of the store, but erected a sign outside the store that was temporarily closed today, and in the face of the customers who came to inquire, he also told him with a smile and an apologetic tone that he would not accept other guests today.

The Spark Foster Care Store opened today for a special guest.

It was rare that the three little ones did not rush into the training area to start the eight-hour daily training, but accompanied Xu Ran and waited for the arrival of the guest in the store on the first floor.

In addition to the three little ones, in the other corner of Ziyun's favorite storefront counter, a round velvet finch the size of a football lazily rested its little paws on the counter, allowing the morning sun to shine on its supple and glowing fluff from outside the door.

The little paw moved, and the velvet finch turned its head to glance at Xu Ran, and the voice naturally appeared in the minds of all the creatures in the store.

"Chirp?" (When are they coming?) ）

"It should be soon." Xu Ran glanced at the clock on the wall, and then at the velvet finch.

Because of the decision to take in the velvet finch a week ago, the Xinghuo foster care store has an extra little guy from the social cow.

Unlike other foster residents, the Velvet Finch is curious about the outside world, spending five or six hours a day wandering outside and returning before meals.

Considering that the velvet finch had lived outside the city for a long time, Xu Ran expressed his understanding and only told it to pay attention to safety.

But later, as they got along for more time and learned about the strength of the velvet sparrow, he felt that his advice was a bit redundant.

is also an elite level, in addition to not having a three-star skill, Velvet Sparrow can suppress Cancan in all aspects, and even has a skill that has reached the full moon level.

Two-star skills, no levy order.

This kind of skill that silently controls others, like a psychological suggestion, is really chilling when used in crooked ways.

Two-star skill, illusory vision.

It is capable of forming false sights, sounds, and breath fluctuations within a certain range centered on itself, misleading the existence outside the range.

There are many hallucination-type skills, and the way the illusory vision is expressed is one of the more special ones, because it is misleading to objects outside of range, meaning that it has an infinite range of influence.

However, this skill can be restrained by the immortal star of the stars.

This made the velvet finch who was cracked on the spot by Xingchen after casting it a few days ago was extremely faceless, and secretly swore that he would never use this skill in front of Xingchen again.

Two-star skill, Shadow of Awe.

This skill can make the Velvet Sparrow remember the breath and coercion of powerful creatures that exceed its own two levels, and copy and release it at a critical moment, and cooperate with the attack of the super energy system on consciousness to achieve the effect of spiritual shock and influence.

Unlike the Illusory Vision, this skill is essentially a psychic attack, so even the Immortal Star Attraction of the Stars cannot be cracked.

Two-star skill, Soul Shattering.

This is a pure psychic attack skill, and it is also the only pure output skill of the Velvet Sparrow, and it is also the only skill that the Velvet Sparrow is currently at the Starlight level.

As you can see, it doesn't like output very much.

Finally, there is the skill to help the Velvet Finch communicate smoothly with other creatures.

One-star skill, telepathy.

With these skills, as long as the velvet finch does not take the initiative to provoke others, it is impossible to encounter danger in Qingzhou City.

"Chirp~" (Okay, then wait.) ）

The velvet finch wagged its little paws and looked out of the store, with a bit of anticipation in its eyes.

After learning about today's events from Cancan two days ago, it became very curious about the pet beast called Huohuo.

Even after living in a human city for ten days and seeing the deep emotions between many pet beasts and human beast masters, it is still difficult to understand the significance of voluntarily giving up a freer life for the sake of a deceased human being, and guarding each other's descendants for a hundred years.

Therefore, the velvet finch shouted to go with him to have a look, but in fact he wanted to find an opportunity to ask the pet beast called Huohuo in person to answer his inner doubts.

As for the addition of velvet finch, Xu Ran did not object.

Let this guy act as a temporary translator, it's not in vain.

"Cha~" (Here it is.) ）

Cancan raised his head slightly, and a solemn look appeared in his eyes.

After fusing seismic waves, the new three-star skill Leyline Sound, which has been upgraded from the Heart of the Earth, has a wide range of detection capabilities.

With this detection ability, Cancan had already sensed that a creature with a powerful aura but rather an old appearance was heading straight for the Starfire Boarding Shop.

Is it coming?

Xu Ran and the other three little ones all converged their expressions, and their expressions became serious.

After a few moments, the sound of heavy footsteps came from outside the store door to the store, and gradually became clear.

A five-meter-long black canine pet beast bathed in crimson flames walked into the storefront.

Its short black fur is not smooth and shiny, and it has patches of brown color, like age spots left by excessive aging.

Its body shape has also been slightly distorted, with slightly atrophied muscles clinging to the bones, giving it a thin and unhealthy posture that should have been a streamlined orthodontic body.

Its long ears stood up, but sometimes they drooped for a moment, and then they laboriously erected again.

Even the crimson flames that rose around it were thin and uneven in color as if they had not burned enough.

Through its current state, Xu Ran could vaguely see how powerful and domineering it was when it was in its prime, but everything was erased with the passage of time, and all that was left was an old Commander Rank pet beast that had reached the end of its life.

Behind it, followed by the young man named Du Ziyu who came a week ago and a middle-aged man with facial features similar to Du Ziyu, who confirmed its identity.

"You're Huohuo." Xu Ran quickly got up from behind the counter, walked in front of it, and looked up at it slightly, "Welcome." ”

"Wang~"

Huohuo lowered his head until he could be at eye level with Xu Ran, and a friendly look appeared in his slightly cloudy eyes, and he nodded slightly.

"Boss Xu, please!" Du Ziyu took a deep breath and spoke loudly.

Compared with when he came over a week ago, his expression at this moment is becoming more and more serious, and at the same time, there is a trace of sadness in his eyes that is difficult to hide.

"Boss Xu, I'm Du Long." The middle-aged man who came with Du Ziyu said in a deep voice, "I also participated in the joint arrest of the kidnappers in Qingzhou City that day, but it is a pity that I didn't meet you." ”

"I really appreciate the fire thing." The middle-aged man's voice paused slightly, "For this matter, I owe you a favor." ”

"Uncle Du, you're welcome." Xu Ran smiled, then looked at Huohuo, "Let's go, we'll go wash now." ”

"Wang~"

Huohuo nodded, following closely behind Xu Ran.

"Chirp~" (It says it hopes you can make it a little more youthful style.) ）

The velvet finch jumped down from the counter and followed closely, translating the meaning of fire to Xu Ran in its entirety.

The father and son of the Du family, who followed together, also heard the voice of the velvet finch, and their eyes were a little more surprised, and then they were moved.

Boss Xu's shop, in order to better communicate with pet beasts, is it also equipped with a telepathic translator?

It's so sweet.

"Youthful demeanor?" Xu Ran, who walked into the washing room, glanced at the fire that was following closely, and a trace of confidence flashed in his eyes, "Leave it to me." ”

"Click-"

As the door of the washing room closes, the washing and care belonging to the fire officially begins.

Outside the bathroom, Cancan seemed to think of something and suddenly spoke.

"Cha?" (Why can't the three of us go in with Xu Ran, but the velvet finch can?) ）

The storefront suddenly fell silent, the three little ones look at me, I look at you, all of them are silent.

yes, why?

——

"Boom!"

In the washing room, Xu Ran evenly applied the special treatment oil to the body of the fire, allowing the oil to be ignited by the red flame rising from the body of the fire, burning outside its body, emitting a low explosion.

This seemingly murderous scene is particularly pleasant for Huohuo.

In the flames, it slowly straightened up, its eyes full of relief and relief.

The black hair that had lost its luster had become smooth and shiny again, and even the brown patches that had been brown had now turned black again with the dye Xu Ran had concocted, no different from the original coat color.

The atrophied muscles can't be made up for by washing, but in Xu Ran's adjustment and trimming of the hair, it doesn't seem so weak and old, and it reproduces the state of Huohuo as much as possible.

The erect ears are implanted with invisible supports, and they become erect and energetic again.

As the oil burned out completely, the crimson flame around the fire became rich and intense, no longer like a residual fire that would be extinguished at any time, as if it was in the prime of life.

"Wang~"

A powerful, short voice came from the flames of light.

The new fire eyes also became brighter and brighter, and it felt as if its body had become stronger again, as if it had returned to its prime.

"Chirp~" (It says that your washing and care is very good, and it seems to be really getting younger.) ）

The velvet finch raised its head and looked at Xu Ran.

"Thank you." Xu Ran spoke softly, but a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes because of Huohuo's words.

He knew very well that his washing and care only changed the state of the surface of the fire, and what really made it feel younger was the last return to life.

It's running out of time.

The Du family's father and son, who were also aware of this, became a little more sad in their eyes.

"Wang~"

Seeing that the person who had grown up since he was a child showed such a sad expression, Huohuo walked towards the father and son step by step, with a hint of comfort in his eyes.

It lifted a paw to push the door open, and then walked out of the foster care store with a determined stride.

"Keep up!"

The father and son of the Du family glanced at each other, surrounded by Huohuo, and followed silently.

"Let's take a look, too."

Xu Ran closed the door of the store, turned over and sat on Xingchen's back, and picked up the shrunken Cancan and put it in front of him as before, while Ziyun lay on Cancan's scales.

"Chirp~" (Take me one!) ）

The velvet finch swayed and followed, looking at the one person and three pets who were about to leave, and was anxious.

"Ahh ”

Velvet Sparrow: "..."

Looking at the purple cloud that was close at hand, staring at itself eagerly, an expression of lovelessness gradually appeared on its face.

Destroy, I'm tired.

"Sigh Rule~"

The stars hissed, and then with a light step, quickly followed behind the fire.

Completely ignoring the followers behind him, the pace of fire was always steady and powerful, and at the last moment of life, even the god of death temporarily stopped the scythe in his hand to harvest life, allowing it to regain the vigor of its prime.

It went in a certain direction, step by step.

And after recognizing this direction, the eyes of the Du family father and son who followed closely behind it became a little more sad.

There, is the place where the ancestor of the Du family, the owner of the fire, is buried.

Every once in a while, Huohuo would go there alone, sit in front of the grave and be stunned for a while.

And now, it has apparently chosen the best place for itself.

As a cemetery appeared in front of him, Xu Ran, who was following closely, seemed to realize something, and couldn't help but sigh faintly.

"Hey, what a pet beast with affection."

"Chirp?" (What is this place?) ）

Hearing Xu Ran's sigh, the velvet finch couldn't help but become curious.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the graveyard of Huohuo's former owner." Xu Ran spoke softly.

Cemetery...

The velvet finch stood on tiptoe and looked ahead.

As time passed, the people who entered the cemetery arrived at a cemetery that looked to be a few years old, but was clearly well repaired and maintained.

Its steady pace slowed down.

One-step... Two steps...

The movement of the fire became very light, as if it was afraid of startling the sleeping people in the tomb.

Seeing this, Xu Ran turned over and got down from Xingchen, put his index finger in front of his mouth, signaled the four little ones to be quiet, and then tiptoed to the side of the Du family's father and son, quietly watching Huohuo's movements.

Eventually, Huohuo walked up to the tombstone, curled up his massive body, and surrounded the tombstone.

Just like the descendants who have guarded its master for hundreds of years, its remains will always be here, guarding its master's grave.

In the end, Huohuo took a deep look at the Du family's father and son and Xu Ran.

Velvet Finch blinked, suddenly realizing that she hadn't asked that important question yet.

It stole a glance at Xu Ran, and a hint of blue flashed in its eyes.

"Is it worth it to spend your life protecting a human being and losing your freedom for it?"

The voice of inquiry echoed in Huohuo's mind.

A hint of surprise flashed in Huohuo's eyes, followed by a faint smile.

"Wang~"

With a long sound, it finally closed its eyes, and the powerful momentum around it dissipated at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The crimson flame of light was extinguished along with its life.

The Velvet Finch stared at the silent flame, its last words echoing in her mind.

"When you meet the right person, you will naturally know the answer to this question."

——

Chapter 2, Rush Rush!

(End of chapter)