C4 The Fruit Was Ripe

Exhausted to the point where he could barely keep his eyes open, Qin Biao still dared not rest. He propped himself against the wall, his gaze fixed on the cave entrance. Who knew if the wild beasts outside would burst in while he slept?

His injuries were far from healed. Facing a creature with the same level of power as the python would be a death sentence, let alone an encounter with an ordinary beast—he wouldn't even see it coming.

To Qin Biao's amazement, even without moonlight bathing him, he could still absorb the spiritual force it emitted. It was faint, but definitely better than nothing.

Does this mean I've leveled up?

Though unsure how monsters gauge their strength, Qin Biao estimated that once fully healed, his cultivation could be over ten years in the making.

A Little Demon with a decade of cultivation...

Heh...

While no match for the ancient monsters that lived for centuries, he had at least increased his chances of survival in this perilous jungle. Coupled with his human intellect, he could outrun any century-old beast lacking cunning, even if he couldn't outfight it.

As the energy within the cave waned, the beasts outside grew increasingly audacious, inching closer to the entrance.

Roar!

A white tiger with striking eyes bellowed at a silver wolf before it, likely annoyed by its proximity.

These beasts had once united against the giant python that hoarded the exotic fruit, but with the python's demise, their fragile alliance crumbled instantly. They lingered only for the fruit, each unwilling to let the other draw nearer to the cave.

So there they stood, various groups of wild beasts in a standoff, none yielding to the other.

The most formidable among them—the roaring tiger—led a pack of silver wolves, the king of the pack, a black cat with eyes like burning coals, and a giant ape clutching a hefty log.

Heh, two feline creatures. Their alliance was clear from the way they positioned themselves.

Qin Biao, concealed within the cave, suddenly saw a glimmer of hope for capitalizing on the chaos. Handling these unintelligent wild beasts required only minimal strategy.

Concealing his presence, he took cover behind a rock pillar, poised to reap the benefits of the unfolding conflict without any intention of joining the fray.

As time ticked by, Qin Biao remained patient inside the cave, while the restless beasts outside grew increasingly impatient.

The less powerful among them made their move too soon, proving the old adage true: the early bird catches the bullet. A wild boar, eager to enter the cave, was swiftly decapitated by a streak of black light.

The black cat was responsible.

Its swift actions left everyone else struggling to keep pace.

Yet, the black cat hesitated to enter the cave first, knowing it would be ambushed by the remaining three. After all, in the face of absolute self-interest, what ally remains steadfast?

The demise of the wild boar served as a cautionary tale, silencing the other would-be opportunists. While they harbored similar intentions, they were now less conspicuous in their approach.

The moment of the fruit's ripening drew near, its scent growing richer and spreading farther afield...

Suddenly, a burst of pink smoke spewed forth, signaling the fruit's maturity and wafting outward.

But something was amiss.

The smoke was toxic!

After inhaling just a whiff, Qin Biao sensed danger and immediately held his breath to prevent more of the pink haze from entering his body. Despite his efforts, a wave of dizziness washed over him.

This must be the plant's innate defense mechanism. Every creature has its means of self-preservation, like an octopus severing its own tentacles or the Mimosa plant folding in upon touch.

The beasts outside the cave, however, weren't as fortunate as Qin Biao. Lacking his keen senses, they succumbed to the diluted smoke, collapsing in droves.

The fruit was ripe for the taking!

The leading beasts exchanged glances, and in their eyes, they shared a single unspoken command: Strike!

What followed was a free-for-all, reminiscent of the tale of the eight immortals crossing the sea—each relying on their unique skills. The one with the greatest prowess would claim the fruit. That was the only rule.

Meow!

The black cat, swift on its feet, darted into the cave ahead of the others.

But among these trained feline creatures, who was the strongest? The tiger chased after the black cat, and just as the black cat was about to grasp the fruit, the tiger bit its tail and flung it back to the cave entrance with a thud!

However, the tiger didn't fare any better. It was struck aside by a massive log hurled by the giant ape.

Soon after, the giant ape and the Wolf King entered the fray.

The cave, already cramped, became even more constricted, leaving no room for the other beasts to enter. Any unfortunate enough to squeeze in were either shredded by the black cat or balled up and tossed out by the giant ape.

The battle for the fruit now seemed to be a contest among the four seasoned beasts, or Spirit Beasts, as they might be called. It appeared that they were the likely victors!

Yet, they seemed to have overlooked the presence of another unknown creature lurking within the cave!

The black cat continually sought opportunities to snatch the fruit but was repeatedly thwarted by the tiger and the Wolf King. Despite its speed, the black cat was no match for the two, who, though unable to keep pace, easily blocked its path.

Before the giant ape, both the Wolf King and the tiger were effortlessly swatted away. However, the ape was at a loss when it came to the elusive black cat, unable to catch or harm it.

The four Spirit Beasts seemed to be locked in a stalemate, each as formidable as the next.

Qin Biao couldn't have been happier with this impasse, hoping it would persist until the four Spirit Beasts collapsed from exhaustion. Then, he could effortlessly claim the fruit and perhaps even harvest some valuable materials from them.

Perhaps due to its shorter time in cultivation, the black cat was the first to succumb. The prolonged battle had drained everyone's energy, and with the tiger and wolf impeding it, the black cat couldn't leverage its speed. Seizing the moment, the giant ape smacked it to the ground and pinned it beneath its foot.

The black cat arched its back and curled up, nearly paralyzed and unable to move.

The Wolf King was poised to deliver a final blow, but the tiger entangled with it seemed reluctant to allow the black cat's demise.

There appeared to be some secret connection between the big cat and the black cat...

Nevertheless, it was inconsequential. The black cat, having lost its ability to fight, no longer influenced the struggle over the fruit among the three contenders. They might as well spare it.

The dynamics of the battlefield had shifted from a four-way conflict to a three-cornered standoff.