Translator: AnubisTL
In the outer reaches of the Bloodthirsty Mushroom Forest, the once-rampant strange beasts had become extremely scarce.
Li Qing spent considerable effort traversing hundreds of miles here, finally capturing three strange beasts with the strength of mid-First-Tier cultivators.
While these three beasts were far from enough to completely break the Restriction, Li Qing's cultivation had advanced significantly, and his skill in Restriction techniques had also improved considerably.
He only needed these three beasts to create a gap, which he could then exploit to open a path to the summit of Medicinal Field Peak.
With that, Li Qing sealed the three ferocious strange beasts within his spirit beast pouch and found Fan Tong in the midst of its metamorphosis.
Fan Tong lay prostrate on the ground, bathed in the crimson moonlight that gathered around it like a cocoon.
"Truly remarkable," Li Qing mused. "Just as strange beasts from the World of Eternal Night undergo mutation when brought to a world with spiritual energy, could it be that ordinary Demon beasts also undergo metamorphosis here?"
He found this highly plausible. Just as ordinary Demon beasts mutate after consuming Crimson Crystals, they would naturally undergo mutation upon entering the World of Eternal Night.
After all, the root cause of the Demon beast's mutation was still the Red Moon Secret Power. Red Moon Secret Power absorbed naturally from the Red Moon was relatively gentler compared to the violent mutation caused by consuming a Crimson Crystal.
As Li Qing watched Fan Tong's metamorphosis, which seemed to require some time, an idea suddenly popped into his mind.
The Jade Pendant that opened the secret realm gate could channel moonlight. Previously, it had also channeled the red moonlight of the World of Eternal Night. Could he use it to accelerate Fan Tong's accumulation of red moonlight?
The moment this thought struck him, Li Qing felt it was worth a try.
He immediately took out the Jade Pendant, infused it with spiritual energy, and activated it.
Buzz!
The red moonlight in the sky was drawn down, converging toward the Jade Pendant in Li Qing's hand. It was clear that the red moonlight here was far more concentrated than in other areas.
"This Jade Pendant would probably be considered a remarkable secret treasure to the people of this world," Li Qing mused. "Its ability to gather red moonlight would likely be highly beneficial to those who cultivate Red Moon Secret Power and undergo mutations."
Li Qing experienced a moment of clarity within himself. He then continuously channeled moonlight to assist Fan Tong in its metamorphosis.
The crimson moonlight intensified, enveloping the area in a reddish veil that gave it an extraordinary appearance.
At the center of the phenomenon, Fan Tong was completely encased in a cocoon of crimson light. This light was so dense it seemed almost tangible.
Clearly, this method was effective. Li Qing's spiritual sense could distinctly perceive that Fan Tong's metamorphosis had accelerated significantly.
Throughout this process, Li Qing kept a close watch on Fan Tong's consciousness, fearing it might become as savage and frenzied as the strange beasts of the World of Eternal Night.
However, he soon realized his concern was likely unnecessary. For reasons unknown, Fan Tong seemed to have developed some resistance to the Red Moon Secret Power.
The usual method of using crimson moonlight to temper its physical form no longer easily affected its consciousness, preventing it from descending into madness and chaos.
"Is this resistance due to Fan Tong having consumed the Crimson Crystal, or is it because it's a Demon beast?"
Li Qing hesitated to draw a definitive conclusion. Based on the details he observed with his spiritual sense, it was likely a combination of both factors.
Li Qing suddenly remembered something.
The World of Eternal Night had once been a world rich in spiritual energy. Where immortals cultivated, Demon beasts naturally roamed.
Demon beasts typically had incredibly long lifespans. What kind of mutations might these creatures undergo after bathing in the crimson moonlight for so many years?
A chill ran down Li Qing's spine. He dared not dwell on the thought any further.
"Fourth-Tier Demon Beasts can live for several thousand years at a minimum. I find it hard to believe that none of them have survived until now."
"Moreover, cultivating the Red Moon Secret Power can also grant immortality..."
Li Qing swallowed hard, the implications growing increasingly terrifying.
Before, he had believed that once he achieved Foundation Establishment, his Immortal Path cultivation would allow him to roam freely throughout this world.
Now, he realized that notion had been far too naive.
"Never let your guard down, no matter where you are. Pride and arrogance lead to ruin. Remember this well!"
As Li Qing spoke, Fan Tong's metamorphosis neared completion.
But at that very moment, a surge of extreme ferocity and savagery swept across the distant horizon.
Boom!
A strange beast has arrived, and it's incredibly powerful—at least a Second-Tier Demonic Beast, possibly even more terrifying.
"Did it come here because of the moonlight? Damn it, how could I have forgotten about that?" Li Qing gasped, clenching his fists.
He glanced at Fan Tong, whose metamorphosis was nearing completion, and his scalp prickled with anxiety.
"Hurry up, you stubborn oaf! I'll give you two more minutes, or I'm dragging you away myself!"
Through their mental connection, Li Qing urged Fan Tong while constantly sizing up the ferocious strange beast rapidly approaching.
At this moment, on the horizon of the dark earth, a One-Eyed Giant Deer charged forward. Its antlers, a tangled mass of multiple prongs, looked utterly monstrous and terrifying.
With only one eye remaining, its bloodshot sclera radiated pure rage, as if it sought to destroy all life in the world, utterly devoid of reason.
It had sensed the dense Red Moon Secret Power emanating from Li Qing—like a shark smelling blood in the ocean, it had triggered its primal instincts.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The giant deer's massive hooves pounded the ground, the tremors growing increasingly violent, as if someone were beating a war drum ahead.
At this moment, the One-Eyed Giant Deer, charging towards them, had already spotted Li Qing and sensed the blood-red cocoon encasing Fan Tong on the ground.
Boom!
Its speed surged again, driven to a frenzy. Its four earth-shattering hooves left massive craters with each step.
Sweeping up a hundred-yard-wide cloud of dust, it accelerated its charge.
Li Qing, waiting for Fan Tong's metamorphosis to complete, felt utterly insignificant. If this terrifying mutated Giant Deer got close, it would be a certain death sentence.
He could barely breathe, desperately calculating how long it would take the Giant Deer to reach them.
No more than five minutes. In less than five minutes, he and Fan Tong would be crushed beneath those thunderous iron hooves.
Factoring in the minute or so it would take him to prepare for interdimensional travel to the World of Eternal Night, Fan Tong had less than four minutes to complete its metamorphosis.
At this moment, Li Qing's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.
This was the first time since his debut that he had faced such a life-or-death situation. His heart pounded in his chest.
Calm down! Calm down! Don't panic!
Li Qing used every ounce of his willpower to steady his breathing and regain his composure.
Three minutes!
The One-Eyed Giant Deer had already closed in. Based on a rough estimate, this mutated Giant Deer King stood a staggering fifteen meters tall, even taller than the walls of many cities.
Two minutes!
Li Qing clenched his fists, already preparing for interdimensional travel. He could even smell the stench of the One-Eyed Giant Deer—a stench that reeked of blood and death.
This is a strange beast that has slaughtered countless lives!
One minute!
Li Qing placed one hand on the cocoon of light surrounding Fan Tong, beginning the preparations for interdimensional travel.
Regardless of whether Fan Tong's metamorphosis was complete, he had to take it with him.
Boom!
Half a minute!
Ten seconds!
Five seconds!
Boom!
(End of the Chapter)
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