Just as Mo Fan was considering whether he should make a run for it, he saw the two creatures simultaneously turn their heads away, seemingly not taking him, the third party, seriously at all.
"Am I being ignored?"
Mo Fan was momentarily stunned. While he was happy, he was also quite frustrated, cursing inwardly, "Just two long worms, what's there to be so arrogant about!"
Seeing that these two creatures didn't see him as a threat, Mo Fan didn't rush to escape. Instead, he stayed, watching the fruit on the small tree, pondering whether he could also get a share.
After all, there were three fruits on that small tree!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but lick his lips with his bright red tongue.
He waited for most of the day.
During this time, the snake and centipede eyed each other warily, hissing fiercely, both seemingly having a strong desire to possess the three fruits.
This made Mo Fan secretly delighted, wondering if he could reap the benefits while they fought.
At this moment, the fragrance of the three fruits grew stronger, making Mo Fan drool unconsciously.
As for the silver snake, it also coiled its body into a ball, raising its head high, drooling a large puddle, even more so than Mo Fan.
The red-backed centipede also arched its body, and although it wasn't as long as the silver snake, its dozens of legs spread out menacingly, making it appear even more intimidating than the silver snake.
The centipede's large mandibles opened slightly, resembling a pair of giant iron pincers, gleaming with a dark light under the dim light of the cave, appearing extremely sharp, with droplets of saliva sizzling as they hit the ground.
"Goodness, this centipede is probably about to become a spirit! If its poison bites me, wouldn't it send me straight to the afterlife?"
Mo Fan watched with bated breath, but he understood the principle of seeking fortune amidst danger.
Although he didn't know what the fruit was, it was definitely extraordinary. If he ate it, who knows, he might evolve or something?
Even though he hadn't seen a single person or any demons in the six months since he arrived in this world, he still held onto a sliver of hope.
"Hiss—!"
At this moment, the silver snake suddenly let out a hiss, then lunged at one of the reddening fruits on the tree.
Sizzle—
However, the red-backed centipede was faster, biting directly at the snake's exposed underbelly.
The silver snake flickered, dodging the centipede's bite, and swung its long tail, striking the centipede.
Bang—
With a light sound, the red-backed centipede shuddered, taking the hit solidly, but showed no sign of injury, instead becoming even more ferocious.
Seeing these two creatures indeed entangled in a fight, Mo Fan was overjoyed and began to slowly move toward the treasure tree, muttering to himself, "Can't see me, can't see me..."
Whether it was his muttering that worked or the snake and centipede were too absorbed in their fight, they didn't notice his approaching figure, and as they fought, they moved further away, seemingly determined to fight to the death.
"Truly heaven-sent!"
Mo Fan was ecstatic, cursing inwardly, "Indeed, two stupid bugs, only with the nature of beasts, without a hint of intelligence!"
Now, it's all for me!
Soon, Mo Fan reached the treasure tree.
The tree wasn't tall, only about half a person's height, and Mo Fan could easily reach the fruits with a leap.
As he got closer, the fragrance was even stronger, and his drool had long formed a puddle. Without further ado, he leaped and bit toward one of the fruits.
"Mine, all mine!"
Mo Fan was overjoyed, seeing he was about to bite the fruit.
But just then, a white shadow suddenly appeared.
Bang!
With a light sound, Mo Fan's entire frog body was splayed out, letting out a "croak," and his body flew sideways, crashing into a nearby stalagmite.
"Croak! Croak!"
Mo Fan rolled on the ground, involuntarily croaking, cursing inwardly, "It hurts like hell!"
"A mere toad also dares to dream of devouring the Innate Spirit Fruit? Such a waste!"
A cold voice came from not far away. Mo Fan shook his dizzy head and looked over.
He saw a young woman in a white dress standing in front of the treasure tree, having appeared there at some unknown time.
The woman's appearance was outstanding, and with a casual wave, the three now-red fruits on the tree floated into her palm.
"Who would have thought there was a hidden mine vein in the Demon Spirit Mountain Range, and it even produced three Innate Spirit Fruits. This trip was truly worth it!"
The woman muttered to herself, a slight smile appearing on her beautiful face.
"Human? I actually saw a human!"
"So there are humans in this world after all, and the other party seems to have incredible abilities, able to make the fruits fly into her hand. Could she be a legendary immortal?"
Thinking of this, Mo Fan's heart burned with excitement, wondering, "If she really is an immortal, could I show my unique intelligence and gain her guidance to step onto the path of immortality?"
At the very least, I could be taken back as a spirit pet, right?
That would be much better than struggling alone in this place full of bugs and beasts!
With this in mind, Mo Fan hopped toward the woman, continuously croaking, as if saying, "Fairy sister, look at me, look at me, I'm so unique, take me with you! Teach me the immortal arts!!"
"Oh?"
Mo Fan's unusual behavior indeed caught the attention of the woman in the white dress, who looked at him with curiosity and said, "I didn't expect this toad to have a hint 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 could become an immortal among toads!
"Not bad, not bad, one of the Five Poisons, with two other poisonous creatures nearby, just right to refine the Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill!"
Seeing the toad's intelligence, the woman's smile deepened.
But her words fell into Mo Fan's ears, scaring him to the core.
Damn it, this female demon actually wants to catch me to refine pills!
This can't be happening!
Mo Fan turned to flee.
But how could he escape her grasp?
He felt an invisible force wrap around him, and his entire frog body floated up, flying backward.
Bang!
After a dizzying spin, Mo Fan found himself in a small, dark space.
The darkness made Mo Fan's heart tremble with fear, and he tried to jump out, but no matter how he jumped, he couldn't escape, finally collapsing on the ground.
However, he didn't give up, instead plotting in his mind how to escape this wicked woman's grasp.
Mo Fan didn't wait long before hearing two more thuds, followed by the hissing of a snake and a pungent smell.
No need to ask, Mo Fan knew it was definitely that dumb snake and the big red-backed centipede!
In this cramped space, Mo Fan relied on his keen hearing and sense of smell to constantly avoid the two big bugs.
After an unknown amount of time, the space shook, and voices suddenly sounded from outside.
"Master, you're back?"
A young voice sounded.
"Yes, this trip to the Demon Spirit Mountain Range was quite fruitful, I obtained the materials to refine the Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill."
The voice of the woman in the white dress sounded, then she asked, "Have you been diligent in your cultivation while I was away?"
"Rest assured, Master, Ling'er has been cultivating diligently!"
"Good, remember, the path of cultivation is like rowing against the current, if you don't advance, you retreat, never slack off!"
"Yes, Master!"
"By the way, there are three of the Five Poisons in my Spirit Beast Pouch, take my token to the Sect Spirit Beast Garden to fetch a scorpion and a gecko, to refine a batch of the Five Poisons Heavenly Spirit Pill for me!"
"There are three Innate Spirit Fruits, incorporate them into the pills."
"Yes!"
"Additionally, this is a Breathing Technique I obtained from slaying a demonic cultivator during my travels, though it may be a shortcut, it is still of high quality, you can use it to cross-reference, it will greatly benefit your current Qi Refining path!"
"Thank you, Master!"
The young voice suddenly sounded excited and thrilled.
"Alright, I'll leave the pill refining to you, I'm a bit tired, I'll go take a nap!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan