The chubby guy staggered and almost fell. “Bro, my dear bro, can’t you be a bit more creative? If we were in the Sanctuary, how could the two of us show our faces? It’s fine if we lack charisma, but we have to make up for it with the name!”

The chubby guy clenched his fist and said, “How about calling it Overlord?”

The little sparrow demon closed its eyes as if resigning itself to fate. Turns out it had run into a pair of idiots.

“That’s too tacky. How about Fifty Bucks? Simple and straightforward! It’s just beautiful!” Mark Carter said.

“It’s only worth forty bucks. How about calling it Discount? That’s got character.” The chubby guy was always good at penny-pinching.

“Great, let’s call it Discount. Chubby, not bad, your IQ has improved, there’s depth!”

“Haha, it’s all thanks to Mark’s good teaching!”

And so, the little sparrow demon’s name was set as “Discount”—indeed, very direct and clear.

Low-level little demons like the sparrow demon are the most common kind, true messengers. They can’t carry people, but the communication problem is solved. Mark Carter didn’t care about these things; he went to the Sanctuary not to show off, but because he genuinely wanted to learn cultivation methods.

Although it wasn’t perfect, at least there were gains, and both of them were very happy.

After wandering around all day, they gained a lot of knowledge. The two had a hearty meal, and the chubby guy went off to play with his Ball, claiming it was to build their bond, but in reality, he was off to flirt with girls. Under the banner of being a Sanctuary archer, even Grace Brooks, who had always rejected the chubby guy, might waver a little.

As for Mark Carter, he focused wholeheartedly on practicing his Foundation Cultivation Technique, punching again and again. This was basic training, requiring diligent practice. Deep down, Mark Carter felt that the bearded elder believed his words, so he couldn’t slack off.

Discount, off to the side, looked a bit listless, its small eyes showing a very human-like expression, as if it was both amused and exasperated by Mark Carter’s training.

But Mark Carter himself was practicing with great enthusiasm, grunting and exhaling with each move.

After working up a sweat, feeling refreshed all over, he suddenly noticed Discount eyeing him with its little eyes. Mark Carter laughed, “Discount, look at that gaze—are you admiring your master? Even if I don’t look that great, our eyes have the same spirit.”

Chapter 7: Fusion

With Discount around, it really felt like he had a companion. Mark Carter teased Discount’s chin. Normally, little sparrow demons would enjoy this gently, but Discount immediately turned its head away, its fiery red beak opening slightly.

“Ah, little one, are you shy?” Mark Carter became interested, hugging and petting the fiery red sparrow demon. “Discount, from now on we’re family, so let’s be a bit more affectionate, don’t be shy. Ah, could it be you’re female?”

Mark Carter looked for a long time but couldn’t tell the sparrow demon’s gender. “Come on, let’s see what Discount’s full form looks like. It’s got to be better than the chubby guy’s Ball, right?”

He began channeling vital energy into Discount. With his second-level life mark, it was more than enough to reveal a little demon’s true form...

Big eyes stared at little eyes—Discount didn’t react at all.

Even the weakest sparrow demon would show some change when infused with vital energy, like growing a bit bigger or having more vibrant feathers, but Discount still didn’t react, tilting its head and giving someone a sidelong glance.

Mark Carter affectionately patted the little sparrow demon. “Discount, it’s okay, don’t get discouraged. Even if you’re the weakest sparrow demon in history, I won’t abandon you. People need backbone, and demons need demon spirit. We’ll work hard together from now on!”

Whether he was encouraging Discount or himself, only heaven knew. Anyway, Mark Carter truly didn’t mind. He tossed aside his sweat-soaked clothes. “Discount, stay put. I’m going to take a shower. Later, I’ll take you out for a walk and get you something tasty.”

With that, Mark Carter hummed a little tune and went off to shower, feeling that his mood had been great lately. As for future challenges, he only found them exciting.

Just as his figure was starting to slim down, the previously listless Discount suddenly became full of energy, shaking its fiery red feathers. It was a bit surprised too—though the vital energy was pitifully little, its quality was very high, actually restoring some of its strength.

Whoosh...

A faint flame burst from Discount’s body, its eyes becoming incredibly sharp. The steel chain on its leg instantly vanished. Glancing at Mark Carter, who was still singing in the shower, it shot out the window in a flash.

Whoosh.

Mark Carter rushed out of the bathroom, only to find the table empty. With a roar, he cursed, “Damn it, heartless and shameless! Even a forty-buck Discount gets stolen—must be crazy poor!”

He burst through the window, looking around, but there was no one in sight. Unable to hold back, he shouted, “Who’s the shameless one that stole my messenger!”

The courtyard was empty. Mark Carter leapt onto the roof in a few bounds—this was unbelievable, how could it be so fast?

There was no one at all. Sensing something odd above, Mark Carter looked up and saw Discount, blazing with firelight, soaring high.

“Discount, Discount, Dis—”

Mark Carter felt dizzy. Forty bucks just flew away like that. What the heck? Normally, once a little demon is tamed, the chance of it running away is extremely low. Yet he just happened to run into this. If he’d known, he would’ve given it a good beating first.

Mark Carter dejectedly withdrew his hand. Now it was really over—back to being all alone. He thought he’d gained a companion, but alas, only Sammy was reliable!

“Pervert!”

“Who’s that, climbing on the roof naked? Is he crazy?”

Whoosh~~~

The wind was a bit chilly. Only then did Mark Carter realize that while one bird had flown away, another bird was now exposed.