Chapter 151: Connie's Expression of Gratitude

The appearance of the woman in red, Connie, filled Jia Zhengjin’s heart with questions. Judging by how the shapeshifting creature curled up in fear, completely lacking the fierce aura it had when facing second- or third-tier magical beasts, it was clear that the opponent’s strength was immense.

Though Jia was eager to know her true race, she had clearly stated it was a secret, so he dared not press further. At least one thing was clear: Connie seemed to harbor no ill will toward him and had come solely to thank him for saving her daughter.

After a moment’s thought, Jia said to her, “Then I won’t ask about your race. But could you tell me if you actually live deep within the magical beast forest? What level or rank would you say you hold in this forest?”

“I do indeed live in the magical beast forest. I am one of its inhabitants,” Connie replied with a smile. “That’s the only thing I can tell you!”

That was saying nothing at all, Jia thought with frustration.

“Don’t bother trying to pry further,” Connie said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. “It’s unnecessary.”

“All right then,” Jia shrugged. “Since you live in the magical beast forest, would you be interested in moving into my city?”

Connie chuckled lightly upon hearing this. “I’m not accustomed to living on the outskirts of the forest.”

“Oh,” Jia was left speechless at her bluntness.

“What’s your name?” Connie stepped closer, smiling warmly as she lifted his chin with her left index finger.

Jia disliked such a gesture and gently pushed her hand away. “My surname is Jia. My full name is Jia Zhengjin. You can also call me Keen.”

“Jia Zhengjin?” Connie repeated his name with perfect clarity, then added, “But ‘Keen’ sounds more natural. I’ll call you Keen then.”

“Fine by me!”

“Keen, you saved Liz. For that, I am very grateful,” Connie said with a smile. “Therefore, I hereby grant you official membership of this territory!”

As her words fell, Jia saw a flash of red light flicker and seem to enter his body. Startled, he hurriedly looked down and carefully examined himself but found no trace of anything unusual.

“Don’t worry, I only gave you a token,” Connie said, seeing his nervousness, and reached out to pat his head gently.

“A token?”

“You must be confused, but there’s no need to overthink it,” Connie said kindly. “This token won’t affect you in any way. It simply proves your identity and might spare you some unnecessary trouble at certain times. Normally, it’s just an optional mark you can completely ignore.”

“A mark?” Jia’s curiosity deepened, but he couldn’t figure it out. The system offered no hints, so he had no idea what it was. At least it seemed harmless.

Connie’s gaze shifted toward the shapeshifter, a small smile playing on her lips. “Such a cute little thing.”

“Little thing? That’s a giant dragon!” Jia reminded her.

“Dragon?” Connie laughed heartily at this. Pointing to her eyes, she said, “I can see its true form. It’s just an adorable shapeshifting creature.”

“Uh…” Jia had been about to trick her but was instantly seen through, leaving him feeling a bit embarrassed.

“The imitation is quite good, but it’s all surface and utterly useless!” Connie stepped forward and gently stroked the shapeshifter’s head. The creature immediately nuzzled her like a loyal puppy.

Jia watched, wide-eyed, now certain Connie was truly extraordinary.

“You also helped when I was saving my daughter,” Connie said, smiling as she petted the shapeshifter’s massive head. “As thanks, I’ll give you a gift as well!”

“A gift?” Jia’s eyes widened in anticipation.

Connie leapt gracefully onto the shapeshifter’s enormous dragon head, then placed her hand gently between its two horns, chanting a long, obscure spell.

A wondrous thing happened! Where Connie’s palm pressed, a huge red magical array instantly appeared. It spun continuously, alive and intricate, like a sophisticated mechanism.

The shapeshifter stood obediently, perfectly still.

When Connie finished the incantation, the magical array contracted swiftly until it became a fiery red arcane emblem between the creature’s two horns.

With a thunderous roar, the shapeshifter lifted its head. Its skin began to seep out an eerie red glow at an astonishing rate. In mere seconds, it transformed from an ordinary dragon into a blazing fire dragon.

“What is this?” Jia marveled, staring at the emblem on the shapeshifter’s head.

“A magical crest, a unique ability of my family!” Connie said with a smile. “I’ve inscribed a Fire Dragon’s Fury spell on him. This little fellow is no longer just an imitator!”

“What does that mean?” Jia asked, puzzled.

Connie laughed and patted the shapeshifter’s head again, then gestured to the open ground before them.

The shapeshifter turned and opened its mouth, emitting a deep, rumbling sound: “Usu~~”

With simple characters hovering in the air, a scorching, cylindrical flame burst forth in a straight line.

Jia stood behind and felt the intense heat rising all around.

When the flames dissipated, the ground in their path was left charred and blackened.

“So powerful?” Jia was stunned, stepping forward to inspect the creature closely.

“That’s just a third-tier spell, but it’s enough to deal with small foes,” Connie said, jumping down from the creature’s head. “Consider it a token of my gratitude to you.”

“Um… since this guy can breathe fire, what about the mark you gave me? Does it grant me any powers?” Jia asked, having heard no system prompt and thus totally in the dark.

“I told you, it’s just an ID token. It’s useless for now!” Connie smiled.

“Then you might as well give me a third-tier spell too…” Jia grumbled, feeling a bit annoyed. Why did he only get a mysterious token while the shapeshifter was gifted with an actual third-tier magic?

“Heh!” Connie smiled as she approached him. “Though the token isn’t useful now, it will definitely be far more practical than a third-tier spell in the future. Thanks again for saving my daughter Liz. Farewell for now…”

“Wait! Hold on!” Jia hurriedly called after her. “Why not come visit my city first? Have something to eat before you leave?”

“If I have time, I’ll bring Liz to visit you!” Connie smiled and turned, swiftly slipping into the bushes and disappearing from view.