The nightfall cast a blanket of darkness over the valley.
Yet, the valley turned lively, as the insect chirps unheard throughout the day began to resound.
The calls of nocturnal birds echoed in the distance.
Under the bushes, there were rustling sounds everywhere. Though unseen, it was easy to guess that a large number of Gray Rats were active.
Occasionally, these Gray Rats would squeak rapidly, seemingly joyful. Yes, rather joyful!
In the air, creatures resembling nocturnal bats flew past, and in the grass, various insects were gnawing on the leaves with a rustling noise.
From time to time, a few shrill squeaks echoed from the distant cliffs, seemingly indicating that the Gray Rats were clashing with the Black Snake Sentinels, as Wang Wu soon heard a chorus of clattering sounds—the rallying charge of Gray Rat cavalry.
The battle cries persisted, and the battlefield was not confined to one spot.
The fighting parties were not just the Gray Rats and the Black Snake Race; a battle also involved the Flame Scorpions descending from the first hill, enemies of the Gray Rats and seemingly at odds with another group.
Under the night sky, flashes of fire occasionally appeared, signifying a Flame Scorpion deploying its special move. They could spew small fireballs the size of a fingernail, adorably so.
Indeed, the valley was lively at night. Wang Wu felt a strong sense of dislocation, akin to witnessing Brother Hao Nan's bloodbath in Tongluowan amidst a gathering of heroes.
Because of this, his original intention to loot was extinguished immediately. Despite feeling famished, with his front sticking to his back, and Physical Strength down to 70 points, he steadfastly remained motionless.
The Level 2 Concealment Bloodline Talent was indeed formidable—it required no resource consumption, merely remaining motionless was sufficient to activate it.
Around Wang Wu, many fearsome Green Caterpillar Rogues and Moth Rangers passed by more than once.
Behind him, a seemingly withered, frail tree under ten meters tall with a small crooked trunk hid over a dozen large spiders.
By day, they were nowhere to be seen.
Only after dusk, once the fiery red birds collected their protection fees and the Gray Rats delivered their tribute, when dusk had faded from the horizon, a silent descent into the valley's twilight commenced.
Big and small, they resembled a spider family.
The largest was as big as a washbasin, the smallest as large as a fist.
Due to the dim light, their exact appearance was indiscernible, but their actions were unmistakable—they were weaving webs, laying traps.
Using the tree for support, the largest spider stretched a few main lines, and the others joined in spinning a frenzy of silk weaving on this foundation.
In no time, an enormous circular web sprawling twenty meters around the tree formed.
Then, under the largest spider's leadership, a group of medium and small spiders retreated to the treetop, quietly awaiting prey.
Wang Wu silently thanked his luck; he was precisely inside this spider web, yet there was no sign of the web when he arrived this morning.
Fortunately, these spiders excelled at remaining still. So long as he remained stationary, there would be mutual peace.
The Gray Rats, Flame Scorpions, and Black Snake Sentinels clearly understood the situation and steered clear, while neophytes like the Mantis Blade Masters, Moth Ninjas, and Master of Dung Balls were prone to getting caught.
By midnight, over a hundred prey had been ensnared, making Wang Wu drool with envy.
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
A sudden cry arose; an inexperienced Gray Rat accidentally dashed into the spider web. Despite even young Gray Rats being larger than rats on Earth, they couldn't break free from this web ensnaring them.
In an instant, a dozen shadows descended from the tree, swiftly executing some maneuver causing the Gray Rat to fall silent.
But just as Wang Wu thought the Spider Race would feast, a clatter of charging sounds emerged—over a dozen Gray Rat cavalry dashed forward, stopping outside the web to squeal, seemingly negotiating.
The spiders remained silent.
Moments later, a Gray Rat cavalry appeared, clutching a small red berry in its claws.
Immediately, the Spider Race responded, tossing the unconscious Gray Rat from the web while the Gray Rats left the red berry behind. The hostage exchange was successful.
Wang Wu was stunned!
As expected of the Cultivation Realm—even these lesser creatures were capable of such tricks.
This served as a wake-up call: Never underestimate even tiny insects, for the depth of this place was profound.
Enduring hunger until dawn, Wang Wu was exhausted, famished, and sleepy, yet still dared not move.
Rustling noises arose anew, as the tree's spiders descended to retrieve the webs, meticulously collecting even the loose threads stuck on leaves. Were it not for them being spiders, Wang Wu might have mistaken them for frugal, impoverished folk.
Sigh, as the saying goes,; with daily mountain patrols and nightly weaving, Little Demon managed the household. Who knows if there is a fourth sister among them?
While Wang Wu was momentarily distracted, the spider family had fully withdrawn their web and disappeared deep into the treetops.
Given the tree's height, the spider family should be able to enjoy the spiritual benefits of dawn's Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi during the Purple Gold Three Minutes and Silver Three Minutes phases.
The valley was notably bustling, where at the bush edge, clusters of gray shadows converged—an assembly of Gray Rats and various Insect Little Demons preparing to seize the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. This daily feast marked a turning point in their lives.
Like a thousand troops crossing a single log bridge.
Silently observing, Wang Wu was also contemplating.
As time ticked by and the sky brightened, with the arrival of morning light and the first rays touching the ground, the entire world, the whole valley, erupted in excitement.
Yesterday witnessed no such spectacle.
Fiery red birds fluttered above the treetops, not daring to soar higher.
Gray Rat cavalry charged toward the mountain foot, followed by ordinary rats, and then masses of Insect Little Demons.
A grand procession, akin to a tidal wave.
But now, as the sun barely touched the highest cliff, it was precisely during the Purple Gold Three Minutes phase.
"Now is the time! Move!"
As the Gray Rat Race swept by, Wang Wu leaped from his day-and-night concealment, his legs weak, and Physical Strength under 50 points.
But as expected, no one paid him any mind; standing there like a reef, even a few Mantis Blade Masters used him as a stepping stone, showcasing their Body Technique skills.
However, Wang Wu did not rush to the cliffs to compete for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. Instead, he altered his course and plunged into the thicket.
His target was those red berries.
Was the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi unimportant?
No, very important; it could certainly be seized at daybreak when golden particles filled the air, and Level 1 Spirit Essence had that advantage.
But what then?
It would inevitably lead to yesterday's scenario, getting ganged up on. While it might be just Mantis Blade Masters, Master of Dung Balls, and Moth Ninjas, Wang Wu deeply suspected the Gray Rats would hunt him today, and given his current weakened state, it would place him in a disadvantageous position.
Rather than that, during the demonic race's scramble for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, he chose to venture into the bushes and seize those red berries.