"How do I trust you?" Chu Feng asked.
"Believe it or don't, brat — don't think I can't see through you. You can only halt this formation, not activate it of your own will."
"Once the formation stops, as long as I don't kill you and don't flee, it won't trigger."
"And at that point, you won't get a single benefit from me."
That pig wasn't stupid — it had seen through the formation.
Chu Feng was somewhat speechless. Was this pig's personality unstable or something?
A moment ago it had been utterly submissive, and in the blink of an eye it was acting all high and mighty again.
But Chu Feng wasn't about to play along. "You think I care?"
"If you're so full of backbone, then wait for the formation to end on your own," Chu Feng said.
"Y-you're a martial cultivator, aren't you? Don't you want to improve your cultivation?" the pig asked in surprise.
"Of course I do. But I don't take well to threats," Chu Feng replied.
The pig immediately changed its tune: "Grandpa Feng, this humble one was wrong just now. Please don't hold it against me. As the saying goes, it's better to make friends than enemies. If we cooperate, there'll be plenty of benefits for both of us."
"That's more like it." Chu Feng formed hand seals and withdrew the formation. "Now tell me — what abilities do you have that can help me improve my cultivation?"
But the moment the formation was dispelled, that submissive look on the pig's face vanished once more.
Its ability to shift attitudes was truly remarkable.
And it even propped itself up on its two hind trotters, standing upright like a person.
"You should have seen what this great one is capable of just now."
"Don't be fooled by my current appearance as a pig — that's only because my power hasn't recovered yet," the pig said.
"So what exactly are you?"
"You don't exactly look like you were just born."
"You do have memories, don't you?" Chu Feng fired off questions one after another.
"Stop trying to get this great one to spill secrets. Since I'm currently bound by the formation, we might as well cooperate. As long as you do as I say, I'll make sure you're well rewarded."
The pig had returned to its previous arrogant demeanor.
But Chu Feng didn't press the matter. Instead he asked, "Get to the point. What benefits can you give me?"
The pig said nothing. It closed its eyes and sniffed hard.
At that moment it no longer resembled a pig — more like a dog.
And it turned in a circle, sniffing in every direction.
After completing the round, it pointed one way: "That direction — are there descendants of the dragon race?"
"Descendants of the dragon race?"
Chu Feng looked in that direction. At first he assumed the pig was referring to demon beasts with dragon bloodlines in this world.
But he quickly realized it might not be talking about this world at all.
So he asked: "When you say 'that direction,' is it far or close?"
"Very far. It's in a different Heavenly River," the pig said.
"Then you must mean the Totem Heavenly River. The masters there, the Totem Dragon Clan, do indeed carry dragon bloodlines," Chu Feng said.
"The Totem Dragon Clan? Take me there," the pig said.
"What for?" Chu Feng asked.
"There's something good over there. I've already caught the scent. If you let me consume that treasure, I can condense Sacred Beast Qi."
"That Sacred Beast Qi can aid martial cultivators in their training. That's how I can help you improve your cultivation," the pig explained.
"So you really are a sacred beast?" Chu Feng asked.
"What did you expect?" the pig replied.
"The Heaven-Devouring Pig?" Chu Feng asked.
"This great one is the Heaven-Devouring Qilin," the pig corrected.
"So you do have memories. Why don't you tell me what exactly this Heaven-Devouring Qilin of yours is capable of?" Chu Feng narrowed his eyes.
"What memories? The power of a sacred beast — how could a mortal like you possibly comprehend it?"
"This is inherited knowledge, innate from birth. What the hell do you know?" the pig retorted.
"You do have memories. Stop pretending."
"Are you some ancient being?" Chu Feng asked.
"Kid, enough nonsense — are we cooperating or not?" the pig demanded.
"What you're talking about — is it a natural treasure, or a member of the Totem Dragon Clan?" Chu Feng asked.