The uninvited guest had been drawn over by the fragrance of the food and the spiritual energy.
It secretly slipped into the Farm and hid in a pile of grass, watching Yuan Wu eat with relish.
Da Bai’s rabbit feed had merely been incidental.
After eating Da Bai’s food, the magical beast seemed to have opened its Ren and Du meridians and set its sights on Yuan Wu’s portion.
In fact, Xiao Ba had noticed long ago that a magical beast had entered the Farm. However, sensing that it harbored no ill intentions, Xiao Ba assumed that it had entered the Farm by accident and therefore did not tell Yuan Wu about its presence.
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
A large red bird suddenly flew out of the pile of grass, pounced onto the table, and began devouring the kiln-roasted chicken and diced rabbit. It even slapped Yuan Wu away, seized her spirit rice, and started eating.
Yuan Wu lay on the ground with chopsticks in hand, utterly bewildered.
Huh? What the hell was that thing? It sent her flying in an instant!
She looked up at the fat bird, her anger steadily rising. Damn it all, that bird dared to fight Yuan Wu over food? It truly had no idea how high the heavens were or how deep the earth was.
With a cry of “Ah!” Yuan Wu scrambled up and rushed over. She rammed the large bird aside, snatched back the food basin, and began wolfing down the food.
The large bird was sent flying. Its two mung-bean-sized eyes were filled with disbelief. It was a half-step seventh-rank 🔵 mid-stage Nascent Soul 🟦 Demon Beast, yet a human cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage had knocked it flying. If word of this got out, would it still have any dignity left?
Yuan Wu: The power of a glutton is infinite!
Hah!
The large bird raised its head and cried out, then flapped its wings and charged toward Yuan Wu.
With a whoosh, Yuan Wu went flying again.
The large bird caught the food basin and resumed eating. Its movements were elegant, and it cast Yuan Wu a disdainful glance.
The chopsticks in Yuan Wu’s hand were crushed to pieces. She took a deep breath and used Demon Vine Bind to restrain the large bird.
Unfortunately, the difference in strength was too great. Demon Vine Bind restrained the large bird for only three breaths before it was shattered.
A human and a bird stared at each other.
Flames ignited across the large bird’s body. It tilted its head at Yuan Wu, its eyes carrying a hint of provocation.
Yuan Wu decided to bow before evil. She directly pushed the remaining spirit rice in front of the large bird and said with a sincere expression, “Please, eat.”
Inner thoughts: Anyway, I’m already full. I’ll just consider the rest feeding a pig.
Seeing that Yuan Wu understood the situation, the large bird withdrew its flames with satisfaction, lowered its noble head, and savored the food.
Meanwhile, Yuan Wu frantically called for the System.
“Xiao Ba! What’s going on? Doesn’t the Farm have a security mechanism?”
🟢Waaah, I’m sorry >_< Host! I’m too useless! The security mechanism is still only at the basic level and can withstand only the mid Foundation Establishment stage. This large bird’s Cultivation is too high. There’s nothing I can do.🟩
🟢But Host, don’t be afraid. It has no ill intentions; it was simply hungry and drawn over by the smell of the food. If there’s any danger, I’ll protect you.🟩
“All right... You really are useless. In all the novels I’ve read, I’ve never seen such a worthless System like you. But speaking of which, what the hell is that large bird?”
🟢Waaah~ I just looked up some information. The large bird is a Blazing Flame Bird, and it possesses the Bloodline of a Fire Phoenix. It is a heavenly-grade spirit beast and extremely rare.🟩 The System cried for several seconds before replying.
“Heavenly-grade? Is it really that powerful? I haven’t even seen many earthly-grade spirit beasts.” Yuan Wu clicked her tongue. Was her luck good or bad?
🟢The Blazing Flame Bird before you has an extremely pure Fire Phoenix Bloodline. If it obtains a treasure that can promote awakening later on, there is a seventy percent chance that it will transform into a Fire Phoenix. Why don’t you subdue it? It could also strengthen the Farm’s defense.🟩 The System made a suggestion.
“No. I have a Wood Spiritual Root, so this bird isn’t suitable for me. Besides, I can’t beat it. How about you wait and see whether I subdue it or it beats me up?” Yuan Wu refused without a second thought.
🟢All right, then. But what is it doing? Why is it still refusing to leave?🟩 The System looked at the Blazing Flame Bird, which had finished eating and was sprawled beside them with all four limbs in the air, and felt puzzled.
“Damn it, just looking at that pathetic appearance annoys me. This fellow can really eat. It devoured the remaining half-basin of spirit rice, half a bowl of rabbit, and half a chicken. That chicken might have been its relative eight hundred years ago, and it still ate it. What an eye-opener.” Looking at the completely empty bowls, Yuan Wu’s resentment exceeded even that of a ghost as she stood nearby, muttering nonstop.
She still wasn’t full!
🟢Ding-ding, mission issued.🟩
🟢Eggs contain abundant protein. People need to consume protein every day. Eat one egg a day and strive to grow to two meters and eighty centimeters.🟩
🟢First comes the chicken, then the egg. Mission: Build one Chicken Coop and obtain at least three chickens.🟩
🟢Reward: One wood element cultivation technique.🟩
Yuan Wu was speechless. “Seriously? You’re issuing a mission at a time like this? That large bird hasn’t left yet. What if it accidentally burns down my Farm?”
🟢Waa~ I didn’t issue the mission either. Don’t worry, Host. The Blazing Flame Bird has no ill will toward us. It probably took a liking to the Farm’s spiritual energy, which is why it doesn’t want to leave. It shouldn’t burn down the Farm.🟩
🟢Besides... if it does destroy the Farm, I can help you apply to the Main System for another one...🟩
“Sigh, in the cultivation world, everything really does depend on strength. But I only want to laze around.” Yuan Wu looked up at the sky and sighed deeply. A carefree life was getting farther and farther away from her.
🟢Host, don’t be discouraged. The spiritual energy in the Farm is extremely suitable for cultivation. Cultivating in the Farm for one day is equivalent to cultivating outside for three days. With enough time, wouldn’t your strength become incredible?🟩 The System consoled her.
“Hah. I’m the farm owner, yet I can’t even control who enters or leaves the Farm. Look at that large bird. It completely ignores me, doesn’t it?” Yuan Wu looked at the System with what was unmistakably a forced smile.
🟢Um, actually, Host, you can upgrade the Farm’s security system. After all, it’s only at the initial level right now. Once you upgrade it, you’ll have better control over the Farm.🟩
“You little thing, all you care about is the spirit stones in my pocket. I’d like to upgrade it too, but I have no money! Enough talking. I’m going to complete the mission!” Yuan Wu walked away angrily.
Seeing that its ulterior motive had been exposed, the System felt slightly embarrassed. But it had thick skin, so it still followed Yuan Wu while laughing and joking.
The Chicken Coop was easy to make. All she had to do was build a frame out of wood and put some grass inside. The problem was, where could she find the poultry?
The farther she went into the forest, the stranger the surrounding trees became. Vines wrapped around Yuan Wu’s feet.
Yuan Wu cut the Vines apart with her sword. Behind her, a snake appeared and opened its enormous, blood-filled mouth at her.
She spun around and thrust forward, driving her sword into the snake’s mouth and piercing it through. “Strange. Why would a snake without Spiritual Intelligence attack me?”
Yuan Wu lifted the snake on her sword and frowned.
At that moment, more and more of these things began closing in around Yuan Wu. They were densely packed and disgustingly horrifying.
🟢They’re snake demons. Their strength is about the same as yours, so you should be able to fight them.🟩
The System reminded her.
Yuan Wu nodded. “I understand. Then let’s fight them.”
The snake demon was difficult to deal with. It never revealed itself, using only small snakes to harass Yuan Wu.
They came endlessly, making Yuan Wu increasingly furious as she fought.
“Disgusting. Once I find that damn snake demon, I’m making snake soup out of it!”
🟢Sorry, Host. I don’t know where the snake demon is either.🟩
“That’s fine. It uses small snakes, so I’ll use Vines. Let’s see who has more.”
Yuan Wu’s expression darkened as she formed hand seals. Several Vines burst from the ground. Unexpectedly, using Demon Vine Bind this time was much easier.
The green Vines wrapped around the small snakes and strangled them one by one, while Yuan Wu released her spiritual sense to search for the snake demon hiding in the shadows.
The number of small snakes the snake demon could summon was limited, and they could not be resurrected.
Yuan Wu’s Vines, however, could be.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, the snake demon leaked a trace of anger, allowing Yuan Wu to discover its location.
“You little thing, your auntie finally found you.” Yuan Wu snorted coldly and threw her sword toward a tree.
Hiss~ hiss!
A black snake hung in front of the tree, its tail firmly pinned to the trunk by Yuan Wu’s sword. Its black eyes looked at Yuan Wu with profound sorrow.
Yuan Wu slowly walked over and examined the Black Snake. “Tsk, so ugly.”
The Black Snake’s face stiffened, and it became even sadder.
“Heehee, tonight’s dinner is settled.” Yuan Wu pinched the Black Snake’s vital point and pulled out her sword.
Hiss, hiss, hiss~
Upon hearing Yuan Wu’s demonic declaration, the Black Snake twisted frantically and bent toward her, begging for mercy.
🟢The Black Snake says it doesn’t taste good and begs you to let it go.🟩
“Snake soup is delicious. It’s never eaten itself, so how would it know it tastes bad? Besides, a snake at the Early Foundation Establishment stage is highly nourishing.” Yuan Wu glanced at the Black Snake and said coldly.
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
🟢It says it can sign a Contract with you.🟩
“No. You’re ugly.” Yuan Wu looked at the Black Snake with disdain. Its dry, brown-black scales were streaked with a fecal yellow, and a purple mushroom grew from its head. No matter how she looked at it, it did not suit Yuan Wu’s aesthetic. One had to know that Yuan Wu was a veteran beauty enthusiast.
The Black Snake fell silent. Tears actually appeared in its black-bean-sized eyes.
“Damn, you’re a snake, and you’re crying? How embarrassing.” Seeing that she had made a snake cry, Yuan Wu fell silent for a moment. Were snakes these fragile nowadays?
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
🟢It says it is a Black Profound Snake. After shedding its skin, it won’t look like this anymore and will become beautiful.🟩 The System dutifully served as the translator.
Looking at the snake crying so hard that it was convulsing, Yuan Wu felt helpless. She lifted it before her eyes and asked curiously, “Stop crying. Let me ask you something. Are you male or female?”
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
🟢It says it is a little female snake.🟩
“A female snake? Then can you lay eggs?”
Black Snake: ???
Hiss, hiss, hiss!
🟢It says it is still an untouched maiden snake. It can only lay eggs after mating.🟩
“Tsk. You can’t lay eggs. You don’t seem very useful. Snake eggs are quite nourishing.”
Black Snake: ?!!
“”
“Sigh, you can’t lay eggs, you like crying, and you’re not my type. What can you even do? Besides, you provoked me first. You have to compensate me somehow, right?” Yuan Wu looked at it with some disdain.
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
🟢It says it guards a Fragrant Cloud Grass and can give it to you.🟩
“Only first-grade... Fine, something is better than nothing.” Yuan Wu used a healing technique on the Black Snake and healed its tail.
She had just been about to poke the little mushroom on its head when the System stopped her.
🟢The mushroom on its body is poisonous. You’d better not touch it...🟩
After hearing that, Yuan Wu silently withdrew her hand and said to the Black Snake, “Let’s go. Show me your little Spirit Plant.”
After Yuan Wu healed its tail, the Black Snake’s fondness for her increased, and it happily led her onward.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. The little snake led Yuan Wu to a Fragrant Cloud Grass. The Fragrant Cloud Grass emitted a blue, ghostly light, and a fragrance could be smelled upon approaching it.
This was the primary ingredient for refining qi-restoring pills.
Yuan Wu unceremoniously put the Fragrant Cloud Grass into her possession and gave the Black Snake a friendly smile. “Thanks, little thing. I won’t take it for nothing. Here, have something to eat.”
Yuan Wu took out the chicken feed 🔵she had bought from the System before leaving, originally intending to use it to catch chickens🟦, poured out a pile for the Black Snake, and then left in style.
The chicken feed produced by the System emitted a trace of spiritual energy. The Black Snake was not picky either. After cautiously taking a bite, its eyes lit up. Looking in the direction Yuan Wu had left, it flicked its tongue and hissed.