Winding through the muddy path, they made their way to the front of a cave, where the system map showed the spiritual plant was located.
The cave entrance was filled with grass and weeds as tall as a person, naturally hiding the cave entrance. If it weren’t for the map showing the exact coordinates, he wouldn’t have been able to find the cave entrance.
’From the looks of it, it seems unlikely that any wild beast lives here.’
Gu Changsheng thought as he led Dong Mulan into the cave, who was in her own fantasies and giggling every now and then.
The cave had a shallow path leading inside, with darkness everywhere. He remained cautious while going in.
Though it was unlikely that there was any danger, considering Dong Mulan alone claimed the ownership of the treasure inside.
After 45 minutes of walking, when Dong Mulan was almost irritated to the point of going back, they finally reached the core of the cave.
And an extremely bizarre phenomenon appeared in their view.
They reached what appeared to be a natural dome, and in its center lay a lake. The water in the lake was clear as dawn, with golden light shimmering in between.
As he was observing the cave, Dong Mulan’s exclamation echoed beside him. When he turned his head, he saw her pointing a finger towards a plant.
A flower, to be exact.
"Such a beautiful flower!"
On the right corner of the lake grew a flower, a flower with nine-colored petals, between which nurtured a golden fruit.
As he observed the golden fruit and wondered, a system prompt came out of nowhere.
___
『Entity』: Nine–elemental Dao Lotus
『Grade』: 5–Star
『Description』: It is an extremely rare spiritual plant, known for its assistance in breaking through to the Divinity Induction Realm. It is also the core material for the Nine–elemental Affinity Pill, a 6–Star pill.
It has a very small possibility of giving birth to the Nine–elemental Creation Fruit, a 6–Star Spiritual Fruit.
『Note』: Entity’s energy is dissipating, quick consumption is appreciated.
___
Just beside it lay another similar panel, just containing the info of a different entity altogether.
___
『Entity』: Nine–elemental Creation Fruit
『Description』: An earthly and heavenly treasure, known for its ability to bestow the Nine–element Holy Physique to its consumer.
『Note』: Energy is dissipating, quick consumption is appreciated.
___
Seeing the spiritual plant’s information, Gu Changsheng was left speechless.
Although he didn’t know what Realm the 5–star grade referred to, it was definitely above the Foundation Establishment Realm.
To note, he was only at the Body Refinement Realm currently. To him, this was nothing short of a miracle.
As he thought that, an urge to consume the fruit came over. He quickly ran to the Spiritual Fruit, plucked the fruit gently, and almost put it in his mouth.
Just then—
"Ouchh~"
Hearing Dong Mulan’s cry, he hurriedly turned towards her.
There she was, on the left side of the lake, lying backside down, as if she had slipped. She stood up slowly, the back of her dress stained with mud.
"Hehe~, I slipped."
Showing her white teeth, she said cheekily, embarrassed at her own clumsiness.
He stared at her.
Then the fruit.
Then her again.
After this repeating motion, he sighed heavily.
SIGH
What was he thinking, stealing from his own woman?
Even though she gave it to someone else and didn’t consume it herself, it was hers nonetheless.
It was her fortunate encounter.
And now he...
He felt more guilty the more he thought about it.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his emotions. Then, reaching her side, he gave the fruit to her.
"Aren’t you going to eat it?"
Dong Mulan said innocently, gesturing to return it, but he stopped her.
"Eat it, it’s tasty."
"But it seems you wanted to eat it very badly, staring hungrily at it. What will you eat then?"
She said calmly, thinking it was important to him.
If everyone else could see their bickering, they could have definitely rushed up to snatch the treasure.
But there was no one to enjoy, or rather, be tormented by this strange scenario.
He felt a bit embarrassed hearing his own strange behaviour, but hearing the last part, a smug smile adorned his face as he answered.
"Then I’ll eat you."
Dong Mulan: "!!!"
When she heard his smug talk, her face turned red as a ripe tomato. Her hand transformed into a fist as it hit Gu Changsheng’s chest.
Glaring at this beast of a man, she angrily took a huge bite of the fruit. Then, her eyes lit up, shining even brighter.
This fruit was almost on par with this beast of a man’s handmade roasted chicken.
If Gu Changsheng could hear her thoughts, he could’ve definitely said:
Nope, my handmade roasted chicken are the best. (ᓀ∆ᓂ)✧
Back to reality, Dong Mulan quickly finished the fruit, even eagerly licking the crumbs off her fingers.
"Do you know where these fruits grow? I want more."
Hearing her request, he almost coughed up blood. To think she could take the earthly and heavenly treasure as a roadside cabbage, even demanding more.
He just shook his head, causing her a little disappointment, but not much. There was still this beast of a man’s handmade roasted chicken for her to eat.
Gu Changsheng: Will you please stop calling me that?!
Dong Mulan: Hmphh!!
Just as he gestured for her to leave, she started feeling dizzy. Noticing this, he quickly embraced her.
"I feel... Slee..."
As she said that, Dong Mulan lost consciousness, her head resting upon his chest.
As he was anxiously thinking about what happened, a sudden realization dawned on him.
This was most likely an effect of the Nine–elemental Dao Fruit.
This thought slightly calmed his anxiety, though only slightly.
He sat down on a dry patch of land, letting Mulan’s head rest on his lap, with his back against the cave’s wall.
A feminine scent emitted from her body. Inhaling it caused Gu Changsheng to also doze off unknowingly.
Fortunately, there’s no wild beasts in this area, otherwise...
Waking up, the couple would find a bear or tiger dozing off at their entrance.