After this inquiry, Hu Xiaobei saw Dudu nod very humanely.

Having fully understood its meaning, Hu Xiaobei smiled and said, "Alright, you lead the way then."

After Hu Xiaobei spoke, he saw it rapidly turn around...

Smiling, Hu Xiaobei quickly followed.

Hu Xiaobei knew that Dudu's current excitement was probably because no one had visited its dwelling before...

"Come to think of it, it's actually normal that no one had visited. If someone had, they would've surely met King Yan by now!"

Thinking so carelessly, Hu Xiaobei quickened his pace...

Twenty minutes later, Hu Xiaobei stood in front of a cave that wasn't very deep.

Just now, Hu Xiaobei had seen Dudu crawl inside, and he knew this must be its home.

Looking at the dry cave, Hu Xiaobei was somewhat surprised!

The reason for his surprise was that, in Hu Xiaobei's knowledge, creatures like snakes lived in darker, damper places...

"Why would it live in such a dry place? Could there be more to this cave than meets the eye?"

Thinking this, Hu Xiaobei leaned towards the cave entrance...

Instantly, a faint fishy smell reached Hu Xiaobei's nostrils...

"Hmm? This smell seems somewhat familiar!"

Exclaiming so, Hu Xiaobei squinted and quickly scanned the area!

Soon, Hu Xiaobei noticed that all the stones in the cave were a kind of eye-catching deep black...

"These stones seem somewhat familiar!"

Exclaiming, Hu Xiaobei touched them with his hand, quickly coating it with stone dust. After doing so, he brought his hand close to his nose and took a light sniff.

Quickly, Hu Xiaobei identified what kind of stone it was...

After recognizing the type of stone, Hu Xiaobei understood why Dudu was so toxic!

Before, Hu Xiaobei had thought its toxicity was because it was a type of venomous snake unique to Japan.

Now, Hu Xiaobei was sure that Dudu's toxicity was due to this unassuming black stone.

Hu Xiaobei had detailed information about this black stone in his mind.

They were called Blood Heart Stones.

Originally, Blood Heart Stones were deep red stones.

They appeared very ordinary most of the time...

But once they were exposed to the sunlight for a prolonged period, they would turn from deep red to a charcoal-like deep black.

During the transformation, Blood Heart Stones would secrete a very toxic liquid.

This absolutely toxic liquid had a strong attractant effect on creatures like snakes.

The reason they could attract snakes to the greatest extent was that the liquid secreted by the Blood Heart Stones could maximally nourish snakes, stimulating mutations in their venom...

Hu Xiaobei knew that it was because of these highly toxic Blood Heart Stones that Dudu was willing to make its nest here...

As Hu Xiaobei thought this, Dudu quickly came up to him, frantically wanting to convey something!

As it rapidly expressed itself, Hu Xiaobei turned to look and quickly understood its intention; it was advising him to stay away from these poisonous Blood Heart Stones!

After understanding its intention, Hu Xiaobei smiled and said, "Don't worry! I'm fine! The poison from the Blood Heart Stones is potent, but it doesn't harm me much, so relax!"

After saying this, Hu Xiaobei chuckled and asked, "Dudu, have you been living here since before?"

While asking these questions, Hu Xiaobei relaxed and plopped down!

Soon, Hu Xiaobei got an explanation from Dudu directly from its mouth.

Turns out, it hadn't been living here from before but moved in the moment it discovered the Blood Heart Stone that was greatly attractive to it.

Hearing Dudu's explanation, Hu Xiaobei nodded in understanding!

Hu Xiaobei knew that snakes generally liked humid places, and this Dudu was obviously no exception...

Deep down, it didn't like this place, but because of the Blood Heart Stone, it had no other choice...

Once everything was clear, Hu Xiaobei touched the deep black Blood Heart Stone with his hand and chuckled, "Since you don't like it here, how about I help you move home, what do you say?"

After he asked, Hu Xiaobei felt some worry from it!

Understanding what it was worried about, Hu Xiaobei smiled and said, "Don't worry, if I'm going to help you move home, naturally I'll also take these useful Blood Heart Stones with me. That way, you won't need to live in such a dry place anymore."

After saying this, Hu Xiaobei saw it nodding excitedly and quickly!

Smiling, Hu Xiaobei moved quickly to help it move home.

Half an hour later, Hu Xiaobei carefully placed the Blood Heart Stones he had brought down from the mountain in a shady spot!

Once everything was in place, Hu Xiaobei looked at it, and soon after, he chatted with it for a bit before he left from the place, humming a tune...

Watching Hu Xiaobei leave, Dudu sized up its new home, soon laying down contently, proudly swishing its tail...

...

At night, Hu Xiaobei had dinner with Haruno Nanako and Haruno Rei.

After sitting down, Hu Xiaobei picked up his chopsticks!

Just as he was about to start grabbing some food, Hu Xiaobei noticed the fatigue written all over their faces.

Rubbing his nose, Hu Xiaobei spoke up, "Auntie, Nanako, are you two maybe overdoing it a bit?"

Hu Xiaobei really thought they were exaggerating now because they really looked like they had no energy left at all...

Hearing Hu Xiaobei's slightly astonished question, the two of them gave Hu Xiaobei an exasperated look...

Soon after, Haruno Nanako said glumly, "Big brother Xiaobei, it's easy for you to talk! You'd be tired too if you tried it! I registered hundreds of people today, and I really feel like I don't even have the strength to pick up my chopsticks now!"

As she said this, she glanced at the steaming dishes and said, "All I want now is to get a good sleep."

Listening to Haruno Nanako's glum complaint, Haruno Rei spoke up with concern, "My daughter, you really worked hard today! Go rest well now. Once you're rested, I'll bring the food to your room for you!"

Haruno Rei knew her daughter really had no appetite to eat, so she didn't insist...

"Mm! Well, Mom, I'll go and have a good rest now!"

After agreeing, Haruno Nanako quickly stood up, looking utterly exhausted as she prepared to leave...

Seeing Haruno Nanako's absolutely fatigued state, Hu Xiaobei narrowed his eyes, and the next second, he reached out and grabbed her hand...

After grabbing it, Hu Xiaobei exerted a little force and pulled the listless her to his side...

"Big brother Xiaobei, what... what are you doing?"

Haruno Nanako, who was pulled by Hu Xiaobei, asked shyly.

Previously, if Hu Xiaobei had grabbed her like this, she would have nervously pulled her hand back immediately.

But now, she couldn't, because she really didn't have the slightest bit of strength.

Sensing Haruno Nanako's nervousness, Hu Xiaobei smiled and said, "Sister, if you go to rest now, you might not even be able to get out of bed tomorrow. So, don't rush to rest; let me give you a good massage first."

"Big brother Xiaobei, you... you know how to massage too? You really are an all-rounder!"

"Not bad!"

After saying this, Hu Xiaobei stood up, and quickly, he placed his hands on Haruno Nanako's exposed and tempting shoulders...

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