Of course, Loren didn't voice the thoughts in his heart.

Considering team harmony, and the fact that Cook P. Jones was looking at him with expectant eyes, Loren had no choice but to reluctantly offer a compliment:

"Well... your animal companion has a unique kind of beauty."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the still-resentful voice of Raven sounded in Loren's mind.

"Oh~ Master, ever since Miss Jasmine sat on your shoulder, you've become so much gentler~"

"You even tell white lies to spare others' feelings now, you're in quite a good mood..."

Hearing this, Loren's expression stiffened. Had he really?

"...Jealousy is twisting your features, Raven."

"Hmph! Jerk of a master!" After uttering this, Raven fell silent once more.

At that moment.

Cook P. Jones opposite him, however, was staring at Loren's face with some surprise. He spoke up, sounding a bit puzzled:

"Mr. Loren, you seem a bit distracted?"

"Ah, just a minor disagreement with my raven. Don't mind it," Loren replied earnestly.

"I see." Cook P. Jones nodded with considerable understanding.

"No wonder I haven't seen the raven you're supposed to have with you, according to the intel."

"Need some advice? I'm quite good at handling these kinds of things..."

From Cook P. Jones's words, one could tell that his so-called "rebellious sons" of animal companions often gave him trouble too...

"No need, I'll handle it." Loren gave a slight shrug, declining the other's kind offer.

"Alright then, let's get ready to move out. Need a ride on my big baby?"

Cook P. Jones extended his invitation to Loren.

Hearing the invitation, Loren glanced once more at the not-exactly-aesthetic giant sandworm not far away.

That abandoned building was already half-devoured by the giant sandworm.

The corner of Loren's mouth twitched silently. No, better not. I'm afraid I might not be able to resist attacking it...

"Mr. Cook, I have my own means of movement," Loren's tone was exceedingly tactful.

Faced with Loren's cold refusal, Cook P. Jones spread his hands towards Loren, his tone tinged with regret:

"That's truly a shame..."

No, things would only become a shame if I actually got on that giant sandworm... Loren silently retorted in his heart.

Cook P. Jones beside him slightly crouched down, bending his knees, assuming a ready-to-jump posture.

"Boom!"

The weed-covered ground at the intersection gained another deep footprint.

The next instant!

Cook P. Jones agilely leaped onto the back of the giant sandworm and sat down cross-legged.

Sitting on the sandworm's back, Cook P. Jones suddenly remembered something. He turned his head and spoke to Loren quite politely:

"Mr. Loren, considering your bounty might attract unknown powerful individuals."

"Later, please follow me covertly from behind..."

"If I encounter enemies I truly can't handle, then I'll ask for your assistance..."

"Perfect timing, I want to show the Security Bureau agents how much I've grown over the years!!"

Hearing Cook P. Jones's words, a wide, cheerful smile spread across Loren's face.

"As you wish, my friend."

Getting a share of the spoils without having to lift a finger? That's just perfect...

Then, Loren, standing in the middle of the abandoned intersection, raised his hand and snapped his fingers crisply.

Instantly, the unique white glow of that Pure White Mask appeared on his body.

After the light flashed.

A thin, curly-haired young man wearing thick glasses appeared where Loren had been standing.

The bespectacled, curly-haired young man stood in the middle of the abandoned intersection.

Facing Cook P. Jones sitting on the giant sandworm's back, he pantomimed tipping a non-existent hat on his head, gave a slight nod, indicating he was ready!

Seeing this, Cook P. Jones on the sandworm's back couldn't help but mutter a low exclamation:

"As a fugitive hunted by the Security Bureau for years, I really envy such disguise ability."

The next moment, he quickly shook his head, dismissing the jumbled thoughts in his mind.

Cook P. Jones's eyes sharpened!

No time to envy the big shot now, it's time to act!

He extended his hand, stroking the somewhat cold back of the sandworm beneath him while simultaneously sending a mental command to it:

"Let's go, big baby! I know you have a big appetite! Tonight, you can eat your fill!"

The giant sandworm, upon receiving Cook P. Jones's command, wriggled its body with considerable excitement.

The earth shook!

Its massive body crushed the low buildings beside it!

After stretching its body, it opened its ferocious maw, aimed at the ground before it, and began chewing and devouring!

Soon, a new, bottomless pit appeared on the ground!

Then, the giant sandworm, carrying its master, burrowed into the large pit on the ground and disappeared!

"Mr. Loren, please follow us!!"

Cook P. Jones's faint shout came from the bottomless pit.

At this moment, "Huck," standing not far from Loren, seeing that its master had already departed.

This fierce large black dog also began barking wildly at the night sky several times!

Huck's wild barks carried far!

Simultaneously, its barks provoked responses from countless stray animals nearby!

After conveying commands to the nearby stray animals, it stuck out its large tongue at Loren, signaling that Loren could follow it...

It would guide Loren...

Then, this fierce, sleek-black Groenendael dog charged off in the direction its master was moving underground!

Seeing this, Loren, disguised as the curly-haired youth, silently expanded his Spiritual Power!

Sensing the faint vibrations coming from beneath the ground and the countless stray animals moving simultaneously nearby, a smile of someone ready to watch the show appeared on Loren's lips.

"Quite the grand spectacle, Mr. Cook..."

Loren murmured softly to himself, quietly lifting his right foot and giving the ground a light tap.

"Boom!"

The ground collapsed!

Loren's figure also vanished instantly!

Leaving only this weed-choked, abandoned intersection, utterly ravaged...

----------

Federal Calendar 7708, December 3rd, late at night!

Near an upscale residential area in the central district of Jadeite Main City.

Here, there was a rather bustling commercial street.

This commercial street was established to serve this upscale residential area.

Even though it was already late at night.

This brightly lit commercial street still had countless people enjoying themselves and shopping.

Suddenly.

Everyone on this street looked in one direction!

They all heard some strange sound!

The next instant!

Accompanied by a loud, resonant bark!

Countless stray animals charged into this commercial street!

Provoking countless exclamations of shock from pedestrians!

"Heavens!!!"