NOVPUBThe appearance of the Hole-digging Otter immediately filled Wang Ba and Qin Lingxiao with immense joy.
After all, Fu had been swimming for over half a month without finding the end of the sea barrier. Even if they wanted to dive underneath the sea barrier, the terrifying aura of the Demonic Beasts patrolling around deterred both the humans and beasts from approaching at all.
The more troubling issue was that they had yet to determine their location.
They had once ventured in the opposite direction of the sea barrier, but after a few days of swimming, they found out that there was yet another sea barrier there.
The expansive and mysterious deep sea filled them with awe.
"The appearance of the Hole-digging Otter here might mean we’re already near the shore, and our direction is likely correct!" Qin Lingxiao stated after some contemplation.
Wang Ba agreed with Qin Lingxiao’s judgement, but his gaze fell upon the Hole-digging Otter, which was still feigning death, escaping, and getting caught. A meaningful smile appeared on his face.
He gently stopped Fu and then picked up the feigning-dead Hole-digging Otter again with his Mother Qi of Dharmas.
Without any change in expression, Wang Ba reached into his Spirit Beast Bag and took out a round, black sea urchin covered in sharp spikes.
This was a rare Class I Sea Urchin, known for its hard shell but no special abilities.
Fu had fished it out previously from the sea, and because it was uncommon, Wang Ba saved it as a collection.
However, as soon as Wang Ba took it out, the feigning-dead Hole-digging Otter could not help but twitch its cute nose.
Still, it showed a remarkable self-control. Even though it was already very tempted by the scent of the sea urchin, it still tried to restrain itself.
Seeing this, Wang Ba couldn’t help but smile.
He placed the sea urchin not far from the Hole-digging Otter and then, from the Spirit Beast Bag, he took out a variety of high-quality fish, shrimp, and crabs one by one.
Some of them were ordinary fish and shrimp, while others were rare and exotic.
The sight of these things caused the Hole-digging Otter’s nose to twitch uncontrollably again.
However, it held its breath, even though it had already stealthily opened its eyes it quickly shut them again.
Wang Ba was slightly surprised.
"Didn’t expect it to have such willpower."
After a thought, he took out a vial of the Class II Spirit Chicken Essence he had concocted.
Unstopping the vial, he took out the frozen, transparent Spirit Chicken Essence with his Mother Qi of Dharmas and exposed it to the air.
A fresh and fragrant scent instantly filled the air.
This time, the Hole-digging Otter could no longer keep up its act and immediately stood up. Its little eyes stared at the Spirit Chicken Essence in front of Wang Ba, its nose twitching rapidly, and its whiskers trembling on either side.
Wang Ba laughed, allowing Fu to quietly return to the sea first, and then released his grip on the Hole-digging Otter.
The Hole-digging Otter fell down instantly and looked at Wang Ba in bewilderment.
Wang Ba casually said, "You can go. I have told Fu to stop chasing you."
The Hole-digging Otter exhibited high Spiritual Wisdom and seemed to understand Wang Ba’s words. Yet instinctively, it glanced at the Spirit Chicken Essence in front of Wang Ba, as well as the nearby sea urchins, fish, and shrimp...
"Too frightened to return to the water?"
Wang Ba furrowed his brows slightly and then volunteered, "How about I give you a hand."
Having said this, he conjured a large hand and once again grabbed the Hole-digging Otter.
The Hole-digging Otter immediately started to struggle violently.
However, it was astonished to find that the big hand released it directly above the surface of the sea.
’Splash.’
It fell straight into the sea.
Then it saw Wang Ba, who was smiling and waving at it.
The Hole-digging Otter, with half of its body bobbing on the sea surface, was instantly dumbfounded.
It couldn’t help sniffing its nose.
It had tasted countless fish, shrimp, algae, and crab.
Yet, it had never smelled such a rich and unique fragrance, even just one sniff was unbearable.
After hesitating for a moment, it finally dove into the water.
On the shore, Qin Lingxiao was somewhat regretful upon seeing this scene.
"Just letting it go like that?"
There was no disappointment on Wang Ba’s face. He just laughed and said,
"Not at all, Fu is under the water."
Qin Lingxiao was taken aback momentarily.
It wasn’t long before a grey, round shape appeared on the sea surface.
The round head was shiny and water repellant.
"It’s the Hole-digging Otter!"
Excitement lit up Qin Lingxiao’s face, but fearing that he might startle the Hole-digging Otter, he lowered his voice.
But there was no surprise on Wang Ba’s face.
Though tiny, the Hole-digging Otter had a large appetite and a natural obsession with food. It had a particular interest in food it had never tasted before.
It often burrowed holes in hills and mountains just to find something delicious to eat.
In essence, it was a born foodie among the Spirit Beasts.
Naturally, it could not resist the food that Wang Ba had taken out.
The Hole-digging Otter on the sea surface was still looking at the fish, shrimp, and shells on the shore. After hesitating for a moment, it quickly swam towards the shore.
Since it was still somewhat wary of Wang Ba and Qin Lingxiao, it didn’t dare to land on the shore immediately. It hesitated for a moment and, seeing that Wang Ba and Qin Lingxiao meant it no harm, it suddenly leaped out from the water. Its small paws, as nimble as human hands, grabbed the closest fish and ran.
It plunged into the sea in one breath.
After a short while, it emerged from the rocks at a distance, placing the fish in front of it and held its hands together in a gesture of offering.
