As Mo Fan debated whether to bolt, he noticed the two creatures turn their heads away, seemingly ignoring him as a third party.
“Am I being ignored?”
Mo Fan was stunned, both relieved and frustrated, muttering to himself, “Just two oversized bugs, acting all high and mighty!”
Seeing they didn’t view him as a threat, Mo Fan decided not to flee and stayed, eyeing the fruit on the small tree, wondering if he could snag a share.
After all, there were three fruits on that tree!
At the thought, he couldn’t help licking his lips with his bright red tongue.
He waited for most of the day.
During that time, the giant snake and centipede glared at each other, hissing aggressively, clearly both coveting the three fruits.
Mo Fan secretly rejoiced, thinking he might swoop in and profit from their conflict.
Just then, the fruits’ fragrance grew stronger, making Mo Fan drool uncontrollably.
The silver snake coiled its body, head raised high, drooling even more than Mo Fan, a large puddle forming beneath it.
The red-backed centipede arched its body too. Though not as long as the snake, its dozens of legs splayed menacingly, looking more intimidating.
The centipede’s massive mandibles parted slightly, like giant iron pincers, glinting darkly in the cave’s dim light, dripping saliva that sizzled on the ground.
“Good grief, is this centipede about to become a demon? One bite of that poison, and I’d be done for!”
Mo Fan’s heart raced, but he knew fortune favoured the bold.
Though he didn’t know what those fruits were, they were definitely extraordinary. Eating one might even trigger some kind of evolution.
In the six months since arriving in this world, Mo Fan hadn’t seen a single person or demon, but he still held onto a sliver of hope.
“Hiss!”
Suddenly, the silver snake let out a sharp hiss and lunged for a ripened red fruit.
Rip!
But the red-backed centipede was faster, snapping at the snake’s exposed underbelly.
The snake dodged with a feint, its long tail whipping out and striking the centipede.
Bang!
With a soft thud, the centipede shuddered from the hit but showed no signs of injury, growing even more ferocious.
Seeing the two beasts locked in combat, Mo Fan was thrilled and began inching toward the treasure tree, muttering, “Don’t see me, don’t see me…”
Whether his murmurs worked or the snake and centipede were too engrossed in their fight, they didn’t notice him creeping closer, battling further away with a clear intent to fight to the death.
“Heaven’s on my side!”
Mo Fan was ecstatic, cursing inwardly, “What a pair of dumb bugs, all instinct and no brains!”
This was his chance!
Soon, he reached the base of the treasure tree.
The tree wasn’t tall, barely half a person’s height, easily within Mo Fan’s jumping reach.
Up close, the fruit’s scent was overwhelming, his drool pooling on the ground. Without hesitation, he leapt, aiming to bite one of the fruits.
“Mine, all mine!”
Mo Fan’s heart soared as he neared the fruit.
But at that moment, a white shadow flashed in.
Bang!
With a soft thud, Mo Fan’s frog body splayed out, letting out a “croak” as he was sent flying, crashing into a nearby stalagmite.
“Croak! Croak!”
Tumbling on the ground, Mo Fan croaked involuntarily, thinking, “That hurt like hell!”
“A mere toad dares to covet innate spirit fruit? What a waste!”
A cold voice came from nearby. Mo Fan, shaking off his dizziness, looked over.
Before the treasure tree stood a young woman in a white dress.
She was strikingly beautiful, and with a casual wave, the three ripened red fruits floated into her palm.
“I didn’t expect a spirit stone vein hidden in the Demon Spirit Mountains, and for it to produce three innate spirit fruits. This trip was worth it!”
The woman murmured to herself, a smile gracing her exquisite face.
“A human?”
“I’ve finally seen a human!”
“There really are humans in this world, and she seems to have incredible powers, making those fruits fly into her hand. Could she be a legendary immortal?”
Mo Fan’s heart blazed with excitement, thinking, “If she’s really an immortal, could I show off my unique intelligence and get her to guide me onto the path of immortality?”
At the very least, she might take him as a spirit pet.
That’d be far better than scraping by in this beast-infested place!
With that, Mo Fan hopped toward her, croaking loudly, as if saying, “Fairy sister, look at me! I’m special, take me with you! Teach me immortal arts!”
“Hm?”
Mo Fan’s unusual behaviour caught the white-dressed woman’s attention. Curious, she said, “This toad actually has a trace of intelligence!”
“Croak! Croak!”
As if to confirm her words, Mo Fan croaked twice.
In his mind, if he could follow this fairy sister to cultivate immortality, even as a toad, he’d become the immortal among toads!
“Not bad, not bad. One of the five poisons, and two other venomous creatures nearby. Perfect for refining a Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill!”
Seeing the toad’s spirit, the woman’s smile widened.
Her words, however, sent a chill through Mo Fan.
Good grief, this she-devil wants to use me to refine a pill!
No way!
Mo Fan turned to flee.
But how could he escape her grasp?
An invisible force wrapped around him, and his toad body floated up, flying backward.
Bang!
After a dizzying spin, Mo Fan landed in a cramped, pitch-black space.
Terrified, he tried to leap out but couldn’t escape, no matter how hard he tried, finally collapsing in exhaustion.
Yet he didn’t give up, plotting how to escape this wicked woman’s clutches.
He didn’t wait long before two muffled thuds sounded, followed by a snake’s hiss and a pungent stench.
No need to guess, it was that dumb snake and the red-backed centipede!
In the cramped space, Mo Fan relied on his keen hearing and smell to dodge the two beasts.
After some time, the space shook, and a conversation sounded from outside.
“Master, you’re back?”
A young voice spoke.
“Yes, this trip to the Demon Spirit Mountains was quite fruitful. I found materials to refine a Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill.”
The white-dressed cultivator’s voice rang out, then she asked, “While I was away, did you practice diligently?”
“Rest assured, Master, Ling’er has been practicing earnestly!”
“Good. Remember, cultivation is like rowing against the current, you either advance or fall back. Never slack off!”
“Yes, Master!”
“By the way, my spirit beast bag holds three of the five poisons. Take my token to the sect’s spirit beast garden and fetch a scorpion and a gecko to refine a Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill for me!”
“Also, add these three innate spirit fruits to the pill.”
“Yes!”
“Also, this is a breathing technique I obtained from slaying a demonic cultivator during my travels. It’s a bit unorthodox but still excellent. Study it alongside your current methods, it’ll greatly benefit your Qi Refining path!”
“Thank you, Master!”
The young voice brimmed with excitement.
“Alright, I’ll leave the pill refining to you. I’m a bit tired and will rest first.”
