Leo and Seraphina entered the hole, feeling a brief dizziness as an invisible spatial force pulled them forward. The dizziness lasted only a short time before Leo’s vision cleared. They found themselves standing on a soft, expansive beach. Ahead of them was a forest with towering trees and lush green leaves. The air was filled with the fresh scent of vegetation.
Leo quickly realized where they were and released Seraphina’s hand. “It seems we weren’t just transported; we arrived directly at the island’s edge,” he said.
Seraphina nodded after surveying their surroundings. At that moment, three figures appeared on the beach not far from them. These were Cultivators searching for opportunities on the island. They glanced at Leo and Seraphina, then at their surroundings, before rushing into the forest. Generally, Cultivators avoided conflict unless there was something to gain.
After the three disappeared into the forest, more figures appeared on the distant beach. It seemed many had been transported to the island’s edge.
“Seraphina, let’s go. Hopefully, we can find the residence of the Ancient Tyrant Pill Sovereign quickly,” Leo said, looking at Seraphina.
Logically, the Ancient Tyrant Pill Sovereign’s residence should be in the island’s center.
“Yes, let’s go,” Seraphina agreed.
They channeled their spiritual power and dashed into the forest ahead. The trees in the forest were enormous, each requiring three people to encircle it. The tree crowns were like canopies, with vibrant green leaves exuding vitality.
As they moved, Leo murmured, “No wonder this place is inhabited by a Spirit God realm expert. The concentration of spiritual energy here is several times higher than outside.”
With such abundant spiritual energy, Spirit Herbs were naturally plentiful. Soon, Leo’s eyes lit up as he spotted three Spirit Herbs. These herbs had heart-shaped leaves and were known as Heart Essence Grass, a third-grade Spirit Herb.
The two quickly reached the tree where the Heart Essence Grass grew. As Leo reached for the herbs, there was a rustling in the tree leaves, and a giant snake with red patterns appeared. Its tail coiled around the tree trunk as it opened its jaws to strike at Leo.
A mere lower-tier Demon General-level snake was no match for Leo. He swiftly summoned a wind blade, severing the snake’s head from its body.
After picking the three Heart Essence Grass plants, Leo handed them to Seraphina. “Our first spoils,” he said with a smile.
“You keep them,” Seraphina replied without taking them.
Leo casually stored the Heart Essence Grass in his Storage Sack. They continued their journey, discovering over a dozen third-grade Spirit Herbs and five or six fourth-grade ones without actively searching.
During their progress, they encountered three or four groups of Cultivators but maintained a distance without any conflict.
After about an hour of moving through the forest, they saw a bright light ahead, indicating they were nearing the forest’s edge. Leo sensed something and his eyes narrowed slightly. Seraphina also furrowed her brows.
“I sense a beast’s presence,” Leo said seriously.
“I sense it too,” Seraphina nodded.
“Let’s check it out!”
They moved swiftly out of the forest and saw a lush meadow ahead, with green grass swaying in the breeze, exuding vitality. In the distance, about a thousand meters away, was a large pond. Around forty Cultivators stood by the pond in small groups, keeping a wary distance from each other while all eyes were on the pond’s center.
Leo and Seraphina exchanged glances and approached the pond. Upon seeing what lay within, Leo’s eyes narrowed again in surprise. The pond was shallow and clear, revealing black mud at the bottom. Within it were at least three to four hundred black crocodiles.
Each crocodile was as large as an adult elephant, with sturdy legs planted in the mud and broad backs and tails partially above water. Their backs and tails were covered in thick black scales that gleamed like metal, appearing extremely tough.
The Cultivators watched the black crocodiles warily while the crocodiles eyed them back with fierce vigilance.
“Who would have thought there’d be so many Blackscale Bloodcrocs here,” Seraphina whispered beside Leo.
Blackscale Bloodcrocs had iron-like scales and formidable defenses. Their massive size endowed them with great strength and powerful jaws. Generally, facing one required a Cultivator to be at least one tier higher to contend with it.
Seeing three to four hundred of these giant Blackscale Bloodcrocs in one pond was indeed alarming.
Leo then looked towards the pond’s center and his eyes widened in delight. In the middle of the pond was a small island with no crocodiles or water but a fruit tree about ten meters tall. The tree was entirely translucent like jade, with sparse leaves and eight Spirit Fruits growing on its branches. The fruits were also translucent and flawless, with the topmost one looking particularly enticing.
“That’s… Jade Spirit Crystalfruit!” Information about this Spirit Fruit flashed through Leo’s mind.
Seraphina’s eyes also sparkled with recognition. Jade Spirit Crystalfruit was a seventh-grade water-element Spirit Fruit of exceptional quality. It took a hundred years for the tree to grow, another hundred to bloom, another hundred to bear fruit, and another hundred for the fruit to mature-totaling at least four hundred years for a single mature fruit.
The topmost Jade Spirit Crystalfruit on the island tree was fully mature, while the remaining seven were nearing maturity. No wonder so many Cultivators had gathered here.
This island truly lived up to being home to a Pill Sovereign expert; it could even grow a Jade Spirit Crystalfruit tree.