C23 The Person Who Was Wrapped up

Without requiring any direction from Chen Wu, Blood Rain quivered its feathers and launched Feather Arrows.

The Feather Arrow served as an area-of-effect attack. Though it was a long-range strike, its damage was relatively weak, primarily serving to deplete an opponent's strength in group combat. Against adversaries significantly stronger than Blood Rain, this tactic could at best chip away at their injuries and drain their stamina.

Chen Wu, lacking a better strategy, could only instruct Blood Rain to attack with caution until it mastered a more potent Wind-type Skill. The entangling prowess of Plant-type Demonic Beasts was simply too formidable.

If ensnared by a Plant-type Demonic Beast without a powerful means of escape, the outcome would invariably be fatal.

Preferring to inflict minimal damage, Chen Wu was unwilling to risk Blood Rain by allowing it to fly too close to the ground.

The Illusory Flower-demon, initially in disguise and motionless, was enraged when Blood Rain's Feather Arrows severed its roots and pierced a hole through its massive bud.

Its numerous, finger-thick roots shot up from the earth in a frenzied assault towards the sky. Yet, extending just over six meters, they fell short of reaching the Iron-feather Eagle soaring freely above. Instead, they were subjected to Blood Rain's sweeping attacks, leaving many roots severed.

"Blood Rain, execute The Hawk Strike Force, and use the Iron Claw to crush its bud!" Chen Wu commanded as the roots lay in tatters, unable to regenerate in time.

A Wind-type Airflow enveloped Blood Rain, doubling its speed. It dove like a spear, swiftly reaching the core of the Illusory Flower-demon. Its massive Iron Claw ferociously shattered the bud, spewing green sap like shrapnel and releasing an even more potent and overwhelming scent that left Blood Rain slightly dazed.

It was well known that the Illusory Flower-demon stored pollen within the flower sac for hunting, self-defense, and most importantly, for the propagation of its progeny.

The strike from Blood Rain had dealt a severe blow to the creature!

In a rage, the Illusory Flower-demon flailed its countless, dense roots, trying desperately to ensnare Blood Rain's claws.

"Blood Rain, speed up!"

Blood Rain's acceleration outpaced the demon, with the boost from The Hawk Strike Force only growing stronger. It shot into the sky, and for the full minute of acceleration, the Illusory Flower-demon couldn't even graze its fur.

Regardless of how tenacious the Illusory Flower-demon was on the ground, it was utterly overpowered by its aerial adversary. Its stalks were shredded by the Feather Arrows.

Deprived of the ability to fight back, it was ultimately decimated by another dive from Blood Rain.

Chen Wu observed the small pit where the Illusory Flower-demon's roots had been, feeling a shiver run through him.

After the roots were extracted, a small pool of blood had formed. The thick scent of blood wafted through the air, and within the blood was a partially dissolved, foul-smelling, and indistinct skeleton, which appeared to be that of a small animal.

Blood Rain's claws had seized a dark green Crystal Core from the roots and, with excitement, placed it at Chen Wu's feet.

It was a Grade 4 Plant-type Demonic Beast's Crystal Core – incredibly precious!

Blood Rain had given its all to defeat the beast.

"Blood Rain, you've done well. Go rest now."

Chen Wu returned Blood Rain to the Demonic Pet Space and secured the Plant-type Demonic Core in his Spatial Ring, noting its considerable worth.

"Hey, what's that? A cave?"

Chen Wu noticed a small, dark opening about half a person's height at the base of the cliff where the Illusory Flower-demon had been. It snaked down into the earth.

Gripping his long blade, Chen Wu approached cautiously, ready to cast The Prison of Land Light at the first sign of danger.

The cave extended three to four meters deep, housing three figures entwined in roots, resembling mummies – likely the Illusory Flower-demon's stored prey.

Chen Wu sliced through the tough roots encasing the first mummy to reveal the intact body of a wild boar. Astonishingly, the boar was still alive, gasping for air yet completely unresponsive, as if it had been continuously subjected to the Illusory Flower-demon's hallucinogenic pollen and soporific powder.

Chen Wu swiftly ended its life with a single stroke of his blade, hope flickering in his heart. "The Illusory Flower-demon seems to avoid killing its prey outright, preferring to induce hallucinations and store them alive to prevent decay. Considering the blood pit beneath it, the Illusory Flower-demon isn't short on food, which explains why it can afford to keep its victims alive!" "Uncle Chen might still be alive!"

In his excitement, Chen Wu kicked aside the carcass of a wild boar and proceeded to slice open another mummy, revealing a young Horned Horse. Known for their docile nature, Horned Horses are herbivorous Demonic Beasts with impressive stamina but limited combat abilities. They are a popular choice for mounts and luxury carriages among prestigious Demonic Pet Masters, who take pride in subjugating and training them. Recognizing its value, Chen Wu nonetheless discarded it to the side.

The final mummy revealed a ghastly pale face resembling that of a corpse – it was Chen Guang! Chen Wu checked for any sign of breath, finding it faint but present – a sign of life! He quickly severed all the roots binding Chen Guang and laid him on the ground, administering a Healing Pill and a Strength Recovery Pill from the Spatial Ring.

Chen Guang was weak and powerless. After some emergency care, he managed to open his eyes slightly. "I... I must be dreaming... You... are you Little Wu?" Chen Wu, overwhelmed with emotion, grasped his hand firmly. "It's me, Uncle Chen. I'm here to rescue you. Save your strength; I'll get you out of here right away!"

Meanwhile, the Horned Horse had awakened. Despite its weakened state, it managed to stand, looking at Chen Wu with a mix of fear and bewilderment. Chen Wu offered it a Strength Recovery Pill, which it initially refused. However, after summoning Blood Rain to assert dominance, the Horned Horse complied and calmed down.

After regaining some strength, Chen Wu was able to walk, albeit with difficulty. He hoisted Chen Guang onto the back of the horned horse and secured him with a rope tied around the animal's neck. Leading the horned horse, Chen Wu quickly retraced his steps back toward the village.

Chen Wu, admittedly inexperienced in medical matters, knew that Chen Guang's safety could only be assured by the skilled hunters of the village.

Their return journey went smoothly. As they approached the Poison Swamp Crocodile pond, the horned horse shuddered with fear. With a swift smack to the horse's rear, Chen Wu urged it into a sprint, circling around the pond. Remarkably, the Poison Swamp Crocodiles, recognizing Chen Wu, refrained from emerging. They remained submerged in the muddy waters, allowing Chen Wu to bring Uncle Chen back without incident to the awaiting hunters at the forest's edge.