Chapter 35: New Life
“Whoa!”
Jié Jié leaped back, eyes wide as saucers, staring intently at the egg that had just wobbled.
Was it him who accidentally touched it earlier? The egg he ate before only contained yolk and white, so if they’re from the same nest, they should hatch around the same time, right?
But soon enough, the egg wobbled again. Maybe the one he ate was a dud.
Jié Jié grew quiet, no longer thinking about eating the other eggs. Instead, he watched patiently as new life emerged, his gaze filled with anticipation.
This was his first time witnessing birth in this land, especially of a large monster’s offspring.
Even if it’s the enemy’s child, he didn’t care much. In fact, he felt more inclined to treat the newborn Fire Dragon like a pet.
Yet the eggshell only trembled but didn’t crack.
After some movement, the egg stayed still for so long that Jié Jié began to wonder if what he saw was just an illusion or the wind.
Still, he remained patient, inching closer to the egg and keeping a sharp eye on it.
The shell shook once more, this time with great force, rocking the upright egg until it toppled over.
Jié Jié moved even closer, contemplating whether he should help but ultimately decided not to interfere.
The eggshell bulged slightly, revealing where the baby dragon was trying to break free.
Changing angles, Jié Jié confirmed the shell had cracked. A tiny head peeked out into the sunlight, the other half still hidden in shadow, its gaze locking onto him.
“Yaaa!”
A feeble roar erupted as the baby dragon pushed with all its might, finally breaking through the edge of the shell and fully exposing itself to the sun.
Jié Jié blinked, feeling as though he were in a dream.
The young Fire Dragon seemed well-developed inside the egg, its soft yet lustrous armor already taking shape.
It was red—definitely a male Fire Dragon.
However, its eyes quickly shut tight due to the unfamiliar light.
He’d always loved reptiles, and this little Fire Dragon with its scales and soft plating was no different—it was perfect.
Struggling to stand, it failed repeatedly. Jié Jié continued to observe, adhering to nature’s survival of the fittest.
But how long could he really let nature take its course? After all, human wisdom exists to challenge nature.
Now might be the time to hunt and prepare the youngling’s first meal.
Jié Jié flapped his wings but turned back mid-air.
Hmm, leaving it here would attract other Fire Dragons, which could get messy.
He landed, transforming into the Sky Dog Beast while the blind baby dragon remained unaware.
The Sky Dog Beast carefully picked up the entire nest, carrying it high into the treetops. He searched for a suitable spot, eventually hiding it beneath a cluster of branches and covering it with leaves.
Time to hunt!
Transforming back into a Male Fire Dragon, Jié Jié soared above the Ancient Tree layers, searching aimlessly before spotting some green movement near the roots.
His sharp gaze pierced through any camouflage—it was unmistakable:
Mushroom Pig!
A walking feast with built-in seasoning!
The Fire Dragon swooped down, piercing the Mushroom Pig with one claw, instantly killing it. Carrying the carcass aloft, he returned to the tree canopy.
The round trip took mere minutes. The baby Fire Dragon hadn’t moved an inch, lying there like it was dead.
But Jié Jié knew it wasn’t. Its armor was gradually gaining a glossy sheen and hardening.
He dropped the Mushroom Pig on the ground, inspecting the baby Fire Dragon’s head. Comparing sizes, he started tearing strips of meat.
As he worked, the young dragon completed its armor hardening process, standing upright and opening its eyes.
Its head rose, scanning its surroundings until it spotted the massive Fire Dragon feeding nearby.
“Aaaah…”
“Hm?”
Jié Jié turned, intrigued by the newborn, mouthful of meat dangling as he approached.
The baby Fire Dragon shrank back at the giant dragon’s approach, then saw the meat dangling from its mouth being shoved toward its face.
Shoving for a bit, Jié Jié realized feeding wasn’t going well and remembered this was usually done by a Female Fire Dragon.
But the females were driven off—he’d have to do it himself.
The Male Fire Dragon’s form shrank slightly, his emerald scales shimmering in the sunlight, his chin spines now tube-like structures used by females to feed their young.
Using these tubes, Jié Jié speared a piece of fallen meat and poked it towards the baby’s face twice.
Though confused why a male became female, the baby obediently opened its mouth, biting the meat strip and swallowing it.
Swallowing twice, it spat it back out, looking at Jié Jié with innocent eyes.
The strip was too big.
“Troublesome.”
Jié Jié growled low, examining the meat strip.
There was no need to stay in female form; there were easier ways.
Ignoring the baby’s confusion, Jié Jié transformed back into the Sky Dog Beast and tore smaller strips from the Mushroom Pig.
These were better-sized, but the baby refused to eat, glaring stubbornly.
The Sky Dog Beast stared intensely, prodding the baby twice before grabbing its jaws with flexible claws.
Forcing it open, he shoved the meat inside.
At first, the baby struggled, but upon realizing the meat was in its mouth, it stopped resisting.
“Good job.”
The Sky Dog Beast’s beak clicked, emitting low growls incomprehensible to the baby.
Seeing the baby swallow, Jié Jié grabbed another strip, intending to repeat the process.
This time, the baby opened its mouth willingly.
Satisfied, Jié Jié nodded and looked at the remaining eggs—one, two, three, four… subtracting the eaten and hatched ones, nine remained. How many would survive?
Reptiles stay still in boxes, reacting to teasing and feeding, but Fire Dragons are different.
He’d already experienced their boundless energy. What would he do with all these dragonlings later?
Take things step by step. He was mentally prepared.
Hopefully, when raising such a large Fire Dragon, its intelligence wouldn’t drop too far.
If it gets too unruly, maybe it’ll end up as food.
Oh, spirit of the Fire Dragon within me, look! I’m helping raise your offspring, continuing your lineage. All I’ve done is handle your posthumous affairs—how kind of me!
Tears streamed from Jié Jié’s mouth as he thought fondly of the legendary Fire Dragon.
Stuffing the hungry baby’s mouth full, Jié Jié enjoyed the Mushroom Pig himself.
Hmm, save some for barbecue.
Just as he pondered cooking methods, a roar interrupted his thoughts.
He raised his head, the Sky Dog Beast furrowing its brow.
It was a Male Fire Dragon.
Already here?
