Chapter 854: Poison Pine Fungus and Tight Vine Tree Monster (two in one)

“Which way now?” Qiao Sang asked.

“Just keep going straight,” Yuan Jiewen said, pointing to the path ahead.

The three continued forward.

After an hour of trekking, Yuan Jiewen’s brow relaxed, and he suggested, “We’ve reached a safe zone. Should we rest here for a bit?”

A safe zone? Qiao Sang looked in the direction he was pointing, only to see a soft grassy area covered in various brightly colored mushrooms.

“Ya…”

Xiao Xunbao lowered its head and sniffed at a red-veined mushroom below, opening its mouth to eat it.

“Jun Jun!”

However, the next second, the red mushroom opened two eyes, revealing a panicked expression, and fled frantically, disappearing in a flash.

“Ya Ya…”

“Are these all Poisonous Pine Mushrooms?” Qiao Sang asked, looking at the large patch of mushrooms before her.

She had studied a detailed guide for the 88th Secret Realm and knew there was an area where Poisonous Pine Mushrooms resided.

Poisonous Pine Mushrooms are a dual-attribute, Mid-level Pet of the Poison-type and Grass-type. They are one of the rare Pets that come in different colors. They like to rest by embedding their feet in the mud. They are friendly and timid, and even wild Pets won’t casually attack humans.

However, their racial limit only reaches High Level, so they don’t have a very good market.

Yuan Jiewen hummed in affirmation, “Most of the Pet territories in the 88th Secret Realm are quite clearly defined. Generally, if the number of Pets of the same species exceeds 88, you won’t see Pets of other species nearby.”

Qiao Sang was silent for a moment:

“How was the number 88 arrived at?”

“There’s a team that specializes in selling Secret Realm data that came in to research it,” Yuan Jiewen said, unable to resist complaining. “Actually, I also think that number is quite fake, but when the number of the same species is in the dozens, other species of Pets really don’t appear nearby.”

He paused, then added:

“Flying-type Pets are an exception.”

With that, Yuan Jiewen sought their opinion again: “Boss, should we rest?”

“Let’s rest for a bit,” Qiao Sang said.

Actually, the fatigue from traveling could be cured with a single Healing Light, but Mi Jiala was right; it’s best not to casually use Healing Light and waste energy unless absolutely necessary, especially in a Secret Realm.

Yuan Jiewen immediately found an empty spot and sat down.

Bei Renhao was on guard nearby.

“Aren’t you going to rest?” Qiao Sang turned to look at the big client who was still standing, seemingly untired.

“I won’t rest,” Lin Shi said with a smile. “I’ll see if there are any materials I need around here.”

With that, she bent down and began to examine the green plants.

“Boss, you should also rest,” Yuan Jiewen said. “When we go further in later, it will be High-level Pet territory, so we need to conserve our energy.”

“I’m not tired yet,” Qiao Sang said while remaining vigilant of her surroundings.

Long-term all-nighters and enhanced physique made her much more resistant to fatigue than Yu Beast Masters of the same rank.

Moreover, this was her first time entering a Secret Realm, and even though this was a safe zone according to the guide, she dared not be careless.

“Qunbao~”

On the other side, Xiao Xunbao poked the head of a yellow Poisonous Pine Mushroom.

“Jun Jun!”

The yellow Poisonous Pine Mushroom opened its eyes and immediately ran away.

“Qunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao became interested and poked the head of a nearby pink Poisonous Pine Mushroom.

“Jun Jun!”

The pink Poisonous Pine Mushroom opened its eyes and shrieked as it fled.

“Qunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao covered its mouth and giggled, then poked the heads of the blue, red, and green Poisonous Pine Mushrooms respectively.

The Poisonous Pine Mushrooms scattered and fled.

“Qunbao~”

Soon, its gaze was drawn to a black Poisonous Pine Mushroom.

Xiao Xunbao came before the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom and extended its claw.

“I heard that in this area, you shouldn’t touch the black Poisonous Pine Mushrooms?” Qiao Sang recalled a guide she had seen on the forum and said.

“That’s right,” Yuan Jiewen said as he took off his gas mask and drank water. “The black Poisonous Pine Mushrooms have the strongest venom and are usually the leaders of the Poisonous Pine Mushroom species. They also have the worst temper and are not afraid of humans. If you provoke them, they are very likely to gather the nearby Poisonous Pine Mushrooms to attack together.”

“Poisonous Pine Mushrooms are timid, but with a black Poisonous Pine Mushroom leading them, they become much bolder.”

“But it’s fine,” Yuan Jiewen changed the subject. “There are very few black Poisonous Pine Mushrooms, and as long as you don’t actively provoke them, they will stay rooted in the mud like ordinary Poisonous Pine Mushrooms, unmoving.”

“Many Yu Beast Masters have specifically come to this area to find black Poisonous Pine Mushrooms, but they haven’t found any.”

He gave a detailed explanation.

The Pets that the Boss revealed were not found in the Central Hollow region, so she was clearly not from there. It was understandable that she didn’t know about Poisonous Pine Mushrooms.

“Qunbao?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Xunbao had already picked up the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom with its claw.

It curiously leaned in to look at the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom, not understanding why it hadn’t run away like the other Poisonous Pine Mushrooms.

At this moment, the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom slowly opened its eyes and, without a word, opened its mouth and spewed a black poisonous gas.

“Qunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao instinctively threw the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom to the ground.

The black Poisonous Pine Mushroom performed a stylish backflip and landed steadily on the ground.

Immediately after, it let out a loud cry:

“Jun Jun!”

All the Poisonous Pine Mushrooms simultaneously opened their eyes.

Lin Shi, who witnessed the entire process, twitched her mouth and moved closer to Qiao Sang.

“Boss, the situation seems a bit grim now…” Yuan Jiewen, who also saw Xiao Xunbao throw the black Poisonous Pine Mushroom to the ground, quickly stood up, agilely put on his gas mask, and said with a solemn expression.

“I see…” Qiao Sang silently rubbed her forehead.

“Qunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao teleported next to its Yu Beast Master, calling out with a serious expression, indicating that these guys seemed like they were going to attack them.

It’s all your fault… Qiao Sang glanced at Xiao Xunbao and said, “Control them all.”

At the same time, all the Poisonous Pine Mushrooms opened their mouths and spewed black poisonous gas.

“Ya!”

“Qunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao and Xiao Xunbao’s eyes simultaneously glowed blue.

Two invisible forces spread out.

The Poisonous Pine Mushrooms remained with their mouths open, frozen in place.

The black poisonous gas continued to spread.

“Ice Ai…”

Xiao Xunbao pinched its nose with one claw and pulled up its zipper with the other.

“Bei Ren!”

Bei Renhao pressed his claw to the ground, and a water column about a meter in diameter suddenly shot out.

“Let me!” Qiao Sang called out, “Steel Treasure!”

Bei Renhao was stunned for a moment and looked at his Yu Beast Master.

The Boss is so thoughtful, knowing I’m weaker, she’s even thinking of helping Bei Renhao save energy… Yuan Jiewen felt a surge of emotion and nodded at Bei Renhao.

Bei Renhao retracted his claw, and the water column dissipated.

“Steel Slash!”

Steel Treasure, who had been circling high in the sky, flapped its wings forcefully.

All of its feathers instantly glowed purple and shot out in unison.

Streaks of purple feathers attacked the Poisonous Pine Mushrooms, quickly taking care of all of them.

All are Points… Qiao Sang thought to herself, looking at the fallen Poisonous Pine Mushrooms.

The purple-glowing feathers traced a beautiful arc in the air and flew back to Steel Treasure.

Yuan Jiewen walked to Qiao Sang’s side and said:

“Boss, the air here is full of toxins now. We need to leave quickly.”

Qiao Sang glanced in the direction of the big client, saw that she was wearing a gas mask, and felt relieved. She nodded and said:

“Okay, let’s go now.”

After leaving the Poisonous Pine Mushroom territory, Lin Shi suddenly spoke:

“You probably inhaled some of the Poisonous Pine Mushroom’s poisonous gas just now. Do you want to receive Healing first?”

“That’s right, Boss,” Yuan Jiewen echoed. “The Poisonous Pine Mushroom’s toxins don’t harm the human body, but after a while, they will cause hallucinations, making people do embarrassing things.”

“Last time, someone in the Secret Realm was poisoned by a Poisonous Pine Mushroom, and an hour later, he went deep into the Secret Realm, hugged a Ten-faced Monkey, confessed his love, and it was even recorded and uploaded online.”

He paused, then offered a smooth compliment: “You are the spiritual pillar of our team, so nothing can happen to you.”

Even if you didn’t say anything, I was going to get Healing… Qiao Sang nodded slightly: “I understand.”

Before coming, after learning that she would pass through the Poisonous Pine Mushroom territory, she had researched their information.

Qiao Sang called out:

“Xiao Xunbao.”

“Ice Ai.”

Xiao Xunbao unzipped the backpack, jumped onto its Yu Beast Master’s head, and the gem on its forehead immediately lit up, simultaneously shining on Qiao Sang, Xiao Xunbao, Steel Treasure, as well as Bei Renhao and Ning Ming Frog, who were not wearing protective masks.

My goodness… Lin Shi recognized the skill, opened her mouth as if to speak, but finally remained silent.

The blue light dissipated.

Xiao Xunbao jumped back into the backpack and skillfully pulled up the zipper.

Yuan Jiewen’s eyes lit up, and he asked:

“Boss, is this the Pet you mentioned that knows Healing Light?”

Qiao Sang hummed in affirmation.

“What Healing skill did it just use?” Yuan Jiewen asked curiously. “It was able to heal so many targets at once.”

“It’s just Healing Light,” Qiao Sang said.

Yuan Jiewen’s eyes widened in astonishment, an expression of disbelief on his face: “You used Healing Light to treat the Poisonous Pine Mushroom’s toxins?!”

This is indeed too outrageous… Lin Shi, who was nearby, looked at Qiao Sang.

Qiao Sang’s expression was calm: “Xiao Xunbao only has this one skill that can treat toxins.”

She felt it wasn’t necessary during the previous rest because they were in a safe area at the time. Now that they were about to enter a dangerous area, it was natural to resolve any hidden dangers in her body as soon as possible.

Yuan Jiewen was silent for a moment, then glanced at the innocent-blinking Bei Renhao beside him. He then seemed to realize something and silently reached out to remove his gas mask.

If he had known that such a small amount of poison could be cured by Healing Light, why the hell did he wear a gas mask in the first place!

“Actually, you could prepare some anti-poison potions,” Lin Shi finally couldn’t help but say.

Qiao Sang looked at the big client: “My Pets already have Healing skills, why waste that money?”

Lin Shi: “…”

As they talked, a tender green vine slowly moved and touched Yuan Jiewen’s shoe.

Lin Shi’s peripheral vision caught this first, but she said nothing, pretending not to notice.

Xiao Xunbao’s ears twitched, and it was the second to notice.

“Ya Ya!”

It stared at Yuan Jiewen’s shoe, instinctively opening its mouth, and scorching flames instantly condensed in its throat.

Holy cow, is it coming for me?

Xiao Xunbao’s presence was too strong; Yuan Jiewen noticed it almost as soon as its eyes looked in his direction.

Seeing that the flames were condensing in the direction of his foot, Yuan Jiewen was startled and quickly took a step back.

At the same time, the surrounding vines suddenly surged wildly, coiling around Yuan Jiewen and hanging him upside down from a nearby giant tree.

“Help…” Yuan Jiewen didn’t finish his sentence as his entire face was rapidly entangled by the vines, leaving no gaps.

“Bei Ren!”

Bei Renhao threw the shell on his claw forcefully. The shell instantly condensed a layer of white light, transforming into a sharp blade that attacked the vines.

Some of the vines were cut, but they seemed to be stimulated, and more shot out, firmly coiling around Yuan Jiewen, tightening even more.

“Ah!” Lin Shi let out a brief, expressionless gasp and moved closer to Qiao Sang.

“Attack this tree!” Qiao Sang said decisively upon seeing this.

Xiao Xunbao, who had been condensing flames in its throat, no longer hesitated upon hearing its Yu Beast Master’s words and spewed brilliant flames at the giant tree behind the vines.

The Flame Vortex quickly ignited the giant tree and the surrounding vines.

“Jin Jin!”

A pair of green eyes suddenly opened above the giant tree, and the vines seemed to feel pain, rapidly retreating.

Realizing that the giant tree was the attacking Pet, Lin Shi couldn’t help but show a serious expression.

Yuan Jiewen fell downwards.

“Bei Ren!”

Bei Renhao pushed off the ground with his feet, leaped up, and steadily caught his Yu Beast Master.

Tight Vine Treant, a Grass-type General-level Pet. Under normal circumstances, their size is around 6 meters, but the soil and environment of the 88th Secret Realm seem to suit them very well. The Tight Vine Treants here are at least ten meters tall, and some are even twenty meters tall. Their strength is also significantly higher than ordinary Tight Vine Treants. Remember, if you encounter them, flee immediately if you can… Qiao Sang’s mind flashed with the information she had seen on the forum, and she quickly made a decision:

“Control, attack the eyes.”

The Tight Vine Treant’s weakness is its eyes.

“Qunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao teleported to a higher position and raised two short toes.

Two ribbon-like black shadows suddenly shot out, twisting and wildly splitting into dozens of black shadows that coiled around the Tight Vine Treant.

“Jin Jin!”

The Tight Vine Treant showed an angry expression and extended its branch-like hands.

Vines growing on the branches attacked Xiao Xunbao.

However, the black shadows were still faster.

Dozens of black shadows quickly coiled tightly around the Tight Vine Treant’s head, branches, and vines.

At this moment, Lin Shi spoke: “Be careful!”

Countless thick roots drilled out of the ground, stabbing fiercely towards Qiao Sang and Lin Shi’s position!

A flash of fire passed by.

Qiao Sang and Lin Shi disappeared from their original spot and appeared on Xiao Xunbao’s back.

“Ya!”

Xiao Xunbao opened its mouth, and a red-gold light instantly shot out, directly hitting the Tight Vine Treant’s immobile head.

“Boom!”

“Jin Jin!!!”

With a loud bang, the Tight Vine Treant let out a mournful scream. Heatwaves and shockwaves raged, and terrifying power destroyed the Tight Vine Treant’s body.

The black shadows disappeared. The Tight Vine Treant fell to the ground with a “bang,” sending mud and grass roots flying.

The ground shook.

Many wild Pets that had been hiding and watching the commotion shrieked and fled.