Flying really is exhilarating, overcoming high mountains and dangerous obstacles with ease.
Xiao Jie soared and spread his wings, An Ran and Bai Ze followed closely behind.
Though the Sword Control Technique allows for flying, it requires the consumption of Mana, and they hadn’t flown for long before feeling the strain.
Fortunately, Xiao Jie has the Mount Skill, which allowed Bai Ze to fly southward effortlessly.
While flying, Xiao Jie began explaining the specific methods of several demon beasts’ Evolution Ceremony to An Ran.
However, the more An Ran listened, the more frustrated she became. Due to insufficient attributes, most of the Evolution Ceremonies were beyond her reach, especially those special ones—like Gray Wolf Howling at the Moon, Heavenly Thunder Reception, Fish Leaping Dragon Gate...
An Ran is a fusion version Demon Master, not a Pure Magic Demon Master, thus she initially followed the Strength and Agility route, making her Basic Attributes very solid, but her advanced attributes were generally Normal.
She couldn’t even consider those Evolution Ceremonies requiring High Spirituality.
Luckily, there was still hope for some basic Evolution Ceremonies, overall, there was hope for freebies.
"Here we are, this is it."
Looking at Xuanming Mountain surrounded by lush forests below, Xiao Jie dove down, and An Ran hurriedly followed.
The three landed on the ground one after the other.
"What is this place?" An Ran asked in surprise, having lived in Canglin State for so long but never having come here.
"Xuanming Mountain, the dojo of Ancient Qi Refiners. Although Ancient Qi Refiners have long since disappeared, there still remains some Spiritual Energy here."
As Xiao Jie spoke, he used the Qi Observation Skill, and sure enough, Spiritual Energy still permeated the surroundings. Although not very rich, it could be considered a Heavenly Cave.
It should be sufficient for planting Primordial Strange Species.
Moreover, it’s undisturbed here, perfect for planting trees.
"Let’s get to work, hurry up and plant for a good harvest."
As Xiao Jie spoke, he traded the Primordial Strange Species to Bai Ze.
"Whoa, this—really good stuff!" Bai Ze was so excited he was almost inarticulate.
"Did you get this from the World Boss?"
"That’s right, get to it! Who knows what it might grow into."
Being the Primordial Strange Species, it certainly won’t be an ordinary plant. The best result would be growing some Immortal Fruit and Spiritual Grass, but it would be bad if a demon sprouted.
Bai Ze cautiously found a spot with wind, water, and sunlight, then carefully dug a hole in the ground, planting the seed.
"Is everything alright? Any difficulties?"
"Don’t worry, Feng, I’ve been a player for a long time. I’ve planted all sorts of strange flowers and grasses in Xuanxu Palace before, and the fertilizer in my bag is Epic grade, rest assured."
Very soon, the seed in the soil grew into a vibrant green plant, and the planting process was essentially a mini-game requiring various responses such as fertilizing, watering, singing, and pest control based on growth states.
Watching Bai Ze take out fertilizer from his bag and toss it in, then pick up a bucket of water to irrigate, and later sing a few lines aloud.
As the plant grew taller and its color deepened, its stem thickened as well. Initially resembling a vine, it soon became a winding monstrous tree.
As the color intensified, the monstrous tree grew vein-like patterns resembling blood vessels, rooting deeply into the surrounding soil.
Xiao Jie activated the Qi Observation Skill, observing that Spiritual Energy around was being devoured and absorbed by the plant at a visible speed.
In the blink of an eye, the little bud had grown into a three-meter-high giant plant. Now the plant was quite magnificent, its thick trunk full of red veins, with twelve small buds visible at the top.
Around the monstrous tree, some strange fruits the size of a fist grew larger, gradually reaching the size of basketballs.
"Are those Immortal Fruits?" An Ran exclaimed in surprise, "So many? They’re so large?"
Xiao Jie sensed something was off; it was odd to have so many Immortal Fruits if that’s what they truly were.
He shouted urgently, and fortunately, both An Ran and Bai Ze were experienced players; one remained still, while the other even backed away a few steps.
Suddenly, a fruit burst open, a gush of green mist sprayed out, enveloping the surroundings.
"Doesn’t quite seem like it."
If it was merely poison gas, things would be simple; Xiao Jie wasn’t afraid of poison gas.
Boom! Boom! Boom! More fruits burst, releasing more green mist until the entire area around the tree was shrouded in it.
The three were forced to retreat again when suddenly, something twisted and struggled within the mist. Xiao Jie looked closely, it was a centipede on the ground caught in the green mist, instantly spasming and growing larger, rapidly swelling to become a two-meter-long giant centipede.
Small animals turning into Monsters!
Xiao Jie was surprised; the game had many small animals, snakes, insects, and rodents, which typically are just part of the game’s background, not harming players.
Yet now, a small centipede transformed into a massive Monster.
Blood Fury Centipede (Guardian of Blood Marrow Coiling Dragon): Level 22. Life Value 660.
Fortunately, it’s just a normal Little Monster.
Bai Ze asked Xiao Jie, then used Sword Control Technique to unleash a series of Flying Sword Continuous Shooting, slaying the Blood Fury Centipede on the spot.
However, that centipede was just the beginning. More small animals were drawn in, and once enveloped by the green mist, they immediately ballooned into gigantic Monsters.
Xiao Jie understood that these mutated Monsters wouldn’t attack this tree, but instead, guarded around it like protectors. Amazingly, this entity could attract nearby small animals to protect itself—truly deserving to be called Primordial Strange Species.