Mi Dou touched the necklace pendant hanging around its neck; this was an S-rank accessory item called Dolphin's Blessing, which helped it overcome its thalassophobia.

It hesitated for a moment and said, "Moreover, Lord, you have already given me this. I think these twenty thousand sacred lake coins should be given to Porpoise Sound instead."

"Porpoise Sound's tribe needs these sacred lake coins to improve themselves and upgrade their equipment; they need this more than I do."

After the two deferred to each other, the two animals looked at one another, their eyes filled with sincerity and emotion.

Mi Dou patted Porpoise Sound on the back, its gaze full of approval.

During these ten-plus days of high-intensity combat side-by-side, putting aside their initial friction, the two animals had now forged a solid bond of camaraderie.

Qi Ye chuckled a bit; previously, these two fellows had almost come to blows over snatching experience, but now that they were familiar with each other, they had started to learn how to be humble.

As expected, they were still simple animals with straightforward temperaments.

"I understand. Then the reward of sacred lake coins goes to you, Porpoise Sound."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Porpoise Sound nodded excitedly and accepted the chest handed over by Qi Ye.

It happily held the two chests with its short, thick fins, feeling very joyful.

"Of course, besides the sacred lake coins, I have another reward."

Qi Ye said slowly, taking out a shadow authority shard.

Porpoise Sound froze for a moment, its eyes fixed on the shadow authority shard in Qi Ye's palm.

"I have an Intermediate authority fragment here, named Shadow."

"I remember promising Porpoise Sound that I would ensure you were the first to advance in rank, so this will go to you."

Subsequently, Qi Ye gave a brief explanation of the Shadow Authority's functions.

This authority fragment was an extremely rare item that even the Lord of Spirits craved, yet now the Lord was actually rewarding them with one!

As for the grade of the Authority, it wasn't within their consideration at all; just having one was good enough.

Just as Porpoise Sound was about to excitedly accept it, it suddenly caught a glimpse of Mi Dou out of the corner of its eye.

Mi Dou's gaze was just as fanatical and hungry as its own, and there were faint tears in its eyes.

It liked the Shadow Authority.

But it also knew that the Shadow Authority couldn't belong to it because Porpoise Sound already had a prior claim.

Seeing Mi Dou's pitiful appearance and then looking at the two treasure chests in its own arms, Porpoise Sound fell into hesitation.

During these days spent with Mi Dou, Porpoise Sound also realized that Mi Dou wasn't some privileged connection in the Sacred Lake; it was just as upright and kind as itself.

Its prejudice against Mi Dou had long since vanished during their time fighting side-by-side.

Now that both treasure chests belonged to it, wouldn't it be a bit... impolite to ask for the Shadow Authority as well?

Furthermore, thinking about it more closely, the functionality of the Shadow Authority didn't quite suit it perfectly.

It swallowed hard, forcing itself to stop staring at the shadow authority shard, and said stubbornly:

"Lord, you should give it to Mi Dou instead. I have already received enough rewards."

Qi Ye was stunned: "You don't want it?"

Porpoise Sound didn't answer directly but asked instead, "Lord, if there are more authority fragments in the future, will I still be eligible to have one? I want to choose one that suits me better."

Qi Ye replied with a smile, "You fellow, you're actually getting picky now."

"Don't worry, there will naturally be plenty for you."

Porpoise Sound's eyes lit up: "Then give it to Mi Dou!"

"You really don't regret it?"

"For now, I don't!" Porpoise Sound said stubbornly.

Qi Ye didn't dwell on the ownership of the Shadow Authority; once he achieved Ascension to Godhood and had more confidence, the methods for obtaining authority fragments would become much more convenient.

In any case, to collect the dungeon fragments of the Firefly Forest, he would have to deal with many Lower Gods; with his strength, insta-killing a Lower God to obtain their corresponding authority fragment would be effortless.

For an Animal Follower who didn't plan on Ascension to Godhood, the grade of the Authority they possessed didn't have that much of an impact.

The only thing to consider was whether these Lower Gods had any backing.

Qi Ye considered that, at worst, he could just throw the Necromancer God out to draw aggro for him.

If the backing of these Lower Gods was one of the Twisted God, Purgatory God, or Deep Sea God, it would be even easier to handle.

"Mi Dou, you heard it; Porpoise Sound is willing to give the shadow authority shard to you."

Mi Dou knelt on the ground in excitement:

"Thank you, Lord!"

Then it looked at Porpoise Sound, so moved that it became incoherent, its voice slightly choked with emotion:

"Porpoise Sound, thank you..."

"It's nothing to thank me for, ying!" Porpoise Sound turned its head away, flicking its tail huffily.

Qi Ye was very satisfied with the performance of the two animals and said:

"However, Mi Dou, this thing isn't for free. I have a mission that I need you to complete alone."

"I need you to go to the Xiawei Main Island, meet with Albert, the president of the local Adventurers Association, and protect his personal safety."

"After advancing in rank, with the assistance of the Shadow Authority, I'm sure you'll be able to complete the mission better."

Mi Dou held the shadow authority shard and nodded seriously:

"Understood! I will do whatever the Lord asks of me!"

Qi Ye continued:

"As for Porpoise Sound, I won't forget my promise. Next time there's an authority fragment, I will give you priority consideration."

"Thank you! Lord, I'm relieved to hear you say that!"

The battle with the Deep Sea God wasn't something that would be over in a day or two; in the future, once Porpoise Sound reached the God Venerable Rank, it would be able to change the situation on the battlefields of the Xia Country's Eastern Customs.

After realizing that the Lord also valued it, Porpoise Sound felt much better and nodded.

Afterward, Qi Ye instructed Porpoise Sound to prepare to take Mi Dou to the Hawaiian Islands before sending it back.

Only Mi Dou and Qi Ye remained in the room.

Under Qi Ye's supervision, Mi Dou held its breath and began to absorb the shadow authority shard.

It carefully held the shadow authority shard, pressing it close to its chest, feeling the surging dark energy within.

The shard gradually turned into a stream of black light, slowly seeping into its body.

Soon, Mi Dou felt its entire body enveloped by a cool and light power, as if it were merging into the surrounding shadows.

The absorption process didn't cause much of a commotion.

As the energy was fully absorbed, Mi Dou's form began to undergo a subtle change: its black fur took on a faint, dark luster,

appearing clear at times and blurred at others under the light.

More amazingly, when it concentrated its will, it could actually make its body semi-transparent for a short time, merging with the shadows and leaving only a faint black afterimage when moving.

Mi Dou excitedly tested its new abilities a few times, turning into a shadow and moving quickly through the room almost soundlessly.

This shadow darted through the room, sometimes merging into the reflection of a vase, sometimes seeping into the shadow of a table.

As long as there were shadows, Mi Dou could blend into them without being detected.

Even Qi Ye, if he didn't activate his Appraisal Eye, wouldn't be able to see the hidden Mi Dou.

It cried out in surprise:

"Lord, this is wonderful!"

Mi Dou felt its agility and stealth capabilities had undergone a qualitative leap.

"Ding! Your Follower Mi Dou has obtained the Shadow Authority and has successfully advanced in rank!"