The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 156 - 123: Bomb Crow, Wooden Box Monster, Giant Duck Beast_2

"That’s not right."

Li Jingming gazed attentively for a moment, his glance passing over Ye Hanjun. Seeing the faint smile on Ye Hanjun’s face, he lifted his long sword and approached the wooden box.

"This doesn’t seem to be a ’thing’, rather a monster."

"Clang!"

The tip of the sword inserted into the slit of the closed box, prying it open.

The heavy lid was instantly opened.

But before they could see what was inside, a huge black mouth appeared and bit hard onto the long sword.

The snow-white teeth exerted all their strength, causing sparks to fly and a huge counterforce that made Li Jingming release his sword and quickly retreat.

"Ghost-Faced Moth, attack!"

"Whoosh!"

The Ghost-Faced Moth used the Wild Wind skill to scatter a large amount of Scare Powder.

Whether the hard sword tasted badly or sensed danger was not known.

The big mouth spat out the long sword, and the opened lid slammed shut, turning it back into a tightly sealed wooden box, lying alone in the muddy ground, quiet and desolate.

"Whoosh..."

The Scare Powder had no effect on the wooden box.

Li Jingming picked up the sword again and found that it was still usable, just that there were several grain-sized gaps on it, making it slightly crippled.

"This is the ’Wooden Box Monster’, haven’t you heard of it?"

Ye Hanjun walked leisurely, standing aside at a distance of about fifteen meters from the box.

"This Fond Spirit of the demon resembles objects made by humans, regardless of touch and appearance."

"But if anyone out of curiosity and greed, attempts to open the box, not only will they not find any treasures, but they’ll also get a nasty bite."

"Of course, these Fond Spirits have the natural way to Ascend. Those which survive for thirty years can become the Rainbow Light Fetus, while those which live for a hundred years, can evolve into the Jade Infant Fetus of the ’Treasure Box Monster’."

"By then, whoever can capture it or kill it will be able to find valuable life-extending treasures inside the box."

Li Jingming curiously pointed at the Wooden Box Monster and asked,

"Master Han, its biting is so astonishing, has it already reached Clay Body Perfection?"

"Also, how did you distinguish its level, by its wood grain? Size? Color?"

"It’s simple, by its size."

Ye Hanjun, pleased with Li Jingming’s eagerness to learn, patiently explained.

"The Wooden Box Monster is born from a particular type of tree. Once it is transformed into a Fond Spirit of the demon, the Clay-based Illusion possesses a length of half a meter."

"Each year, it grows an inch."

"This one is almost one and a half meters, likely to Ascend to the Rainbow Light next year. By then, it will be the best at camouflaging and tricking people in the Yellow Mud Swamp, a ’natural trap’."

"So that’s how it is."

Li Jingming was enlightened, gaining understanding.

Su Mei, who had been observing the Wooden Box Monster for a while, raised a new question:

"Master Han, how does this creature, which has lived for so many years, grow if it can’t trick humans into providing its food?"

"It doesn’t need to eat; there are roots on the base that go straight underground."

Ye Hanjun shook his head, "You can think of it as a different kind of plant, harmless and tasteless. It doesn’t make strange noises either. Normally, wandering wild Fond Spirits would not perceive it as a threat or food."

"Only creatures with strong curiosity, especially humans, are likely to be harmed by it, or conversely, harm it..."

Nodding thoughtfully, Su Mei and Li Jingming followed Ye Hanjun away.

"I plan to stay in the Yellow Mud Swamp for 6 to 8 days to help you grow."

"I’ve prepared a special ’Fury Potion’ for the Pink Ostrich. Take it when you have the time and see if it can help it understand an additional battle skill."

"For Li Jingming, you can use the ’Weaving Insect Net’ and ’Sweet Slime’ every day to lure insect Fond Spirits, quickly accumulate experience, collect valuable carcass materials in passing, and earn some pocket money."

"Next, we need to find the ’Stiff Mushroom’. This is a Spiritual Material that can only be found in the swamp area. When used properly, there is a chance to help the Ghost-Faced Moth activate a hidden racial skill..."

While exploring, he explained his strategies and plans.

Both disciples listened attentively, their eyes flickering with both astonishment and delight.

Being with Master Han made everything seem orderly and steady. Every step felt solid and firm.

The difference between growing alone and with a mentor was just too huge.

Importantly, Master Han was not blindly pampering them. He was strict when he needed to be and ignored insignificant matters.

They got the best of both worlds. Every day was extremely fulfilling; every day, they felt a little more progress than the day before.

"Plop..."

Ye Hanjun suddenly stopped.

Alert Su Mei and Li Jingming immediately copied him, immediately lowering their bodies. One listened carefully with his ears, while the other observed with his eyes, trying hard to find the source of danger.

"An injured giant creature..."

Ye Hanjun moistened his lips, a trace of brilliance flashing in his dark eyes.

After a brief deliberation, he released his Sandstorm Witch, Huazhu, with a flash of goose-yellow light.

"Huazhu, fancy going all out?"

"I am at your command."

The Sandstorm Witch dropped her gaze, humbly replied.

"Whoosh--"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh--"

The sounds of stirring vines followed by heavy footsteps on muddy ground drew closer.

After a moment, the moving monster appeared in Su Mei and Li Jingming’s sight. The pair were as if nailed to the floor, they averted their gazes quickly, fearing the creature would spot the watchers hiding in the darkness.