Moreover, the dragon's claws appeared more suited for digging, and with just a moment's effort, the hole became large enough for the dragon to enter.
Ruan Shu was crouching behind a tree, using a leaf to wipe off the black ash from the vine wrapped around her wrist.
This small vine was incredibly clingy, occasionally poking its sharp tip onto her fingertips gently, quite obediently.
Although it was bald like a plant, lacking the cute fuzziness, it truly resembled a pet.
She was so engrossed in amusing the little vine that she didn't notice the black dragon, which had stopped digging, approaching with brisk steps. With a swift movement, it lifted the unsuspecting girl without a word.
Ruan Shu: "(OvO)"
"Why don't you make any noise?" The girl complained softly.
Being suddenly lifted into the air like this is quite frightening!
The dragon holding Ruan Shu couldn't speak; it only emitted grunting noises. However, it swiftly carried her to the other side of the hole it had dug.
The contents inside were now fully exposed.
Ruan Shu: "Wow…"
Inside were many different-colored bones, scales, fur, and even fruits.
The vine proudly displayed its sharp tips; these were all its collections, its treasures!
Almor set the girl down and transformed into a human form himself.
"I'll keep these things for you first and give them to you when we return."
So, his spatial ring came in handy.
Ruan Shu blinked, watching as the objects inside the hole disappeared in an instant.
She curiously stared at Almor's spatial ring.
Although he had let her play with it before, Ruan Shu had never taken anything out of it.
"When are we going back?" Ruan Shu walked up to him and asked, tilting her head. They had been outside for so long, and her father and brother must be waiting to return home.
Almor picked up the little mascot, muttering somewhat regretfully, "Time flies indeed."
If his knight commander were here, hearing this statement would probably make him cry. Their sovereign would only complain about time passing too slowly. When would he ever complain about time passing too quickly?
"What about you?" "Are you staying here?" Ruan Shu paused after saying this, as it seemed they had unearthed the vine's treasure.
Ruan Shu's face instantly blushed. "We dug up its treasure."
Almor glanced sideways at the vine. "But now it's ours."
Yes, he was that brazen and shameless; after all, a dragon's hide is thick enough.
Ruan Shu: "..."
Sorry, her skin wasn't that thick.
Unexpectedly, the vine wrapped around Ruan Shu and refused to let go; it desired to remain by this person's side!
Mutated plants might not be noticeable to others, but they keenly sensed Ruan Shu's aura.
Her aura was gentle and healing, akin to that of a human.
Mutated plants perceived this luminous creature as autonomously absorbing the energy between heaven and earth, swiftly converting it into a calming energy that they could absorb.
The X substances, considered pollutants, were also absorbed by her body, but instead of harming her, they were purified!
Of course, this was imperceptible to all creatures except mutated plants, which is why it wanted to stay by her side so badly.
Even the injuries inflicted by the dragon could be healed in less than a month's time as long as one stayed by this creature's side.
The blackberry vine was determined to cling to Ruan Shu.
Ruan Shu looked at the vines twisting on her wrist and smiled.
"Do you want to come home with me?"
The vine nodded frantically.
Almor stood by with his arms crossed, looking very skeptical.
Was this really a mutated plant?
He couldn't help but give Ruan Shu a few more glances, rubbing his chin as if in thought.
In the end, the small vine got its wish and followed Ruan Shu, while Almor transformed into a dragon and allowed the little mascot to ride on his back.
"Take care of her."
This was said to the blackberry vine. Then, he spread his wings and flew out of the forest.
Ruan Shu sat on the dragon's back, feeling a bit lost and unsure of where to hold on!!!
Fortunately, the moment Almor took off, the vine on her wrist suddenly elongated and wrapped around her and the dragon, securing her in place.
Ruan Shu's eyes widened as he tightly gripped the vine.
Suddenly, the black dragon accelerated. Strangely, despite the high speed, the rider felt no strong wind around her. It was as if a protective barrier had formed.
And indeed, that was the case. Almor, focusing on the small mascot on his back, activated an energy shield centered around himself.
An hour later, they returned to Marshal Ruan's mansion.
As soon as the black dragon landed, the steward also emerged, casting a hostile gaze towards the emperor.
At the same time, Almor's knight commander also emerged from the Ruan family's residence.
He glanced at the steward's eyes, touched his nose, pretending he hadn't seen anything.
"Miss!"
The steward was in tears and quickly stepped forward to receive Ruan Shu. Then he saw the vine, which had shrunk and wrapped around Ruan Shu's wrist, and was speechless.
"What is this?"
"Your Majesty."
Os walked over, saluted Almor, and also noticed the vine on Ruan Shu's wrist. His pupils contracted.
"That doesn't look like an ordinary plant!"
Upon seeing their emperor transformed into a human, Os remained silent.
Your Majesty, what is on your face?
Upon observing the girl's face, which bore several black fingerprints on her fair and tender skin, her smiling countenance appeared soiled. However, this did not diminish her beauty in any way.
"This is..."
Ruan Shu thought for two seconds before replying, "A pet."
Yes, besides having a pet, she didn't know what else to say.
Almor smirked; this pet was quite something.
With a wave of his hand, a pile of items materialized in the courtyard.
The steward said, "..."
Os: "..."
What are these again, and where did you two run off to? Why do you seem to have had such an exciting time in less than a day!
Almor raised his chin slightly. "It's the resettlement fee for her pet."
Ruan Shu blinked. Weren't these things they had snatched? Well, it works too.
The steward glanced at the vine on Ruan Shu's wrist and then at the pile of items, his face expressionless.
"This, this is..."
He pointed at the vine pretending to be a bracelet on Ruan Shu's wrist, his voice trembling slightly.
"A mutated plant!"
The steward and Os said these four words together.
Even the well-traveled knight commander was stunned.
A pet?
What kind of authority is needed to classify a mutated plant as a pet? Even their majesty does not have this ability!
Not that he was belittling their sovereign, but with his luck, even tame mutated plants would roll their eyes at him and throw rotten fruit at him; he had never seen anyone more hated by mutated plants than himself.