Chapter 39: Goddess’s Bounty

[Ding! Xie Youyou’s favorability +15. Current favorability: 72.]

Mu Chen’s mind stirred. Was this another goddess successfully bound to him?

One shouldn't pass up the opportunity to "shear the sheep" of the system.

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring Goddess Xie Youyou (Favorability: 72).]
[Goddess rewards are being distributed...]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following rewards:]
[1. Advanced Medical Kit *2]
[2. Spirit Fruit *1]
[3. Physical Enhancement Serum *1]

Not bad, another hefty windfall.

"Rest easy," Mu Chen said, turning to leave.

"Wait!"

Xie Youyou’s cheeks flushed, her voice thin and hesitant. "Um... I... I need to change my undergarments. Could you... could you step out for a moment?"

"Understood."

Without looking back, Mu Chen walked out and gently pulled the door shut behind him. Inside the room, Xie Youyou let out a long sigh of relief and hurriedly began to change.

Out in the hallway, Mu Chen focused his intent, and the crystal-clear Spirit Fruit appeared in his palm. Without hesitation, he tossed it into his mouth and swallowed. An indescribable, cooling sensation exploded in his mind, rapidly spreading to every nerve ending.

[Congratulations to the host for evolution of ability: Spirit Detection LV2]
[Detection range expanded to a 100-meter radius]
[New function: X-ray vision for building structures]

Mu Chen closed his eyes, and his mental power unfurled like a tide. In an instant, the entire building’s outline, walls, and room layouts were etched into his mind with exhaustive detail.

Down in the parking garage, the bulldog he had encountered earlier was lurking beneath a black sedan, its body radiating intense, violent emotional fluctuations.

"Time to take care of this little nuisance."

A faint smirk played on Mu Chen’s lips. His figure flickered, blending into the shadows of the hallway. The next moment, he appeared silently in the parking garage.

The bulldog, sensing an uninvited guest, lunged from beneath the car, releasing a warning growl as it locked its gaze onto Mu Chen.

"Grr—woof—"

The low, guttural snarl was filled with primal threats and warnings.

Mu Chen didn't retreat; instead, he strolled casually toward the beast. Through his Spirit Detection, the dog's inner thoughts were laid bare—extreme hunger, uncontrollable rage, and a sliver of suppressed fear.

"Starving, are you?" Mu Chen flipped his wrist, and a piece of fresh, tender beef appeared out of thin air, which he tossed lightly in his hand.

The bulldog’s nostrils flared violently, a longing whimper escaping its throat as saliva dripped from its jowls. Yet, it did not pounce immediately, maintaining a highly alert, aggressive stance.

Mu Chen tossed the beef onto the ground in front of it. The bulldog hesitated for only half a second before it could no longer restrain itself, bowing its head to ravenously tear into the meat.

The moment it was fully focused on the food, Mu Chen’s figure moved like a ghost, appearing right behind it!

"Roar!"

The bulldog’s reaction was remarkably fast. Sensing the encroaching danger, it whipped around, jaws wide and bared, snapping viciously at Mu Chen’s calf.

Mu Chen had anticipated this. He leaned slightly to the side, easily dodging the ferocious strike, then grabbed the fur on the dog’s back. With a surge of power from his waist, he executed a clean, crisp shoulder throw!

*Thud!*

A heavy, muffled impact echoed as the bulldog was slammed hard onto the cold concrete floor, letting out a sharp, pained howl. It struggled to rise, attempting to attack again, but Mu Chen’s foot was lightning-fast, pinning its neck firmly to the ground.

"Still want a taste of me?" Mu Chen applied pressure, his voice indifferent.

The bulldog struggled violently, only to find it couldn't budge the foot even an inch. Survival instinct took over; the ferocity in its eyes faded rapidly, replaced by submission as it began to let out low, fawning whimpers.

"No backbone left?" Mu Chen felt slightly surprised and lifted his foot. "Get up."

The bulldog scrambled up, trembling, its tail tucked firmly between its legs. All its previous ferocity was gone; it was as docile as a kitten.

Mu Chen produced another piece of beef and tossed it over. This time, the bulldog looked up at Mu Chen’s expression first. Seeing no objection, it cautiously lowered its head to nibble at the meat in small bites.

"At least you know how to behave." Mu Chen nodded with satisfaction. "From today on, you’re my dog."

The bulldog seemed to grasp his meaning, wagging its tail ingratiatingly. However, Mu Chen’s Spirit Detection was sharp; he caught the lingering, untamed wildness and resentment deep within the beast’s heart.

This fellow wasn't fully broken in yet.

Mu Chen fished a steaming hot burger out of his system space and tossed it onto the cold floor. The rich, meaty aroma exploded into the air. The bulldog’s attention was completely captured; it let out a low, longing whimper.

But this time, it didn't pounce immediately. It lifted its wrinkled head and peered at Mu Chen.

"Interesting. You actually know the rules."

Mu Chen flicked his finger, tapping the dog’s forehead lightly. "Eat."

Receiving permission, the bulldog dove in. In two or three gulps, the burger vanished into its massive maw. Once finished, it wagged its short, thick tail happily, circling Mu Chen’s legs.

"Look at that mouth of yours. From now on, I’ll call you Big Mouth." Mu Chen eyed the giant maw that seemed to stretch to the dog's ears, settling on the name.

"Woof!"

Big Mouth barked excitedly, its voice booming as if it were quite pleased with the new name.

"Alright, follow me. Let’s get you a den."

Mu Chen swung himself onto Big Mouth’s broad back. The creature was large enough to carry a person with ease. Big Mouth used its four limbs, carrying Mu Chen steadily as they spiraled up the dusty stairwell.

On the twenty-fifth floor, the doorplate for Room 3002 came into view. This had once been Mu Chen’s base; though his supplies were cleared out, the basic furnishings remained.

Mu Chen pushed open the dusty door. Big Mouth followed, tail wagging, curiously surveying the strange environment.

"From now on, this is your kennel." Mu Chen patted Big Mouth’s head and, with a flourish, pulled a pile of burgers—over a dozen of them—out of his space and stacked them on the coffee table. "That should keep you fed for a few days."

Big Mouth’s mouth watered as it circled the mountain of burgers excitedly, its tail wagging at high speed.

Watching the dog’s unrefined gluttony, Mu Chen felt a sudden spark of interest. He flipped his hand, and a crystal-clear fruit appeared—the Spirit Fruit.

"Big Mouth, catch!"

Mu Chen tossed the fruit. Big Mouth opened its jaws, caught it with precision, and swallowed it whole without even tasting it.

The next second, the muscles all over its body began to twitch uncontrollably. Its frame started to expand at an astonishing rate, growing a full size larger!