From Swamp Dog to Crocodile Ancestor

Now it seems... I have no choice but to find a solution myself.

"Senior, what's the deal with that demonic tree? Is it also from ancient times?"

The white python's melodious voice echoed softly.

After inquiring about the appearance and strength of the demonic tree, the toad's face wrinkled deeply. "This place is truly in utter chaos. How could it be like this..."

"That's the Demon Tree. It's not that old, and... it's not a natural creature. It's a creature hated by heaven, transcending the boundaries of the spirits of plants and trees."

"Please explain in more detail, senior."

"A thousand years ago, a human sect stood tall in this swamp, suppressing all directions and dominating the world."

The toad's first words made Li Yi look up in surprise.

Human race sects?

Li Yi had been living in the swamp for many years since he transmigrated to this world, and this was the first time he had heard of the existence of human beings.

"I don't know what the sect was called or why it was destroyed without a trace. All I know is that the Demon Tree was created by those humans to rule the swamp."

Is the Devil Tree actually a life form created by immortals?

Li Yi was genuinely surprised, then heard the toad continue explaining: "The human sects perished, vanishing like smoke overnight. However, a portion of the Demon Ancient Trees were left behind, wreaking havoc on the swamp every few years, devouring flesh and blood, and then disappearing without a trace."

"The Devil Tree is a creature hated by all because its lifespan far exceeds that of other ancient trees, almost endless, and it is also insanely bloodthirsty, born for slaughter. After losing control from the human sects, it has become difficult to restrain."

The toad explained in a calm voice.

This is yet another troublesome problem that is difficult to solve.

Judging from the toad's tone, Li Yi was only thinking about whether he could get rid of the demonic ancient tree in his territory, so he asked again.

That ancient demon tree is definitely not at the Foundation Establishment stage yet; perhaps it can be dealt with.

"It...occupies a spiritual spring?" The toad's face darkened, its multicolored skin wrinkling. "It sounds like a Blue Jade Spiritual Spring, a pretty good grade. Trouble, troublesome..."

After pondering for a moment, the toad looked up and said, "Since it has occupied this naturally occurring spiritual object, and as you say, it has taken root and is not moving, it is most likely in the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"After consuming enough flesh and blood, once it encounters spiritual objects such as spiritual water, the Demon Ancient Tree will have an opportunity to grow and will, contrary to its usual behavior, stay in one place without moving."

"It's too late." The toad shook its head. "Once it took root, there was no way to stop it. Even I could only use poison to delay its progress. Everything is irreversible."

"The only good news is that it takes an exceptionally long time for the Devil Tree to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, usually more than ten years, and there's no guarantee of success."

With that, the toad jumped onto Li Yi's back. "Give me a direction, and we'll go there now."

A colorful cloud enveloped Li Yi and the white python, then flew into the dark night sky and disappeared.

The toad hurried along, and not long after, guided by Li Yi, it came to the ancient demon tree rooted in the spirit spring, which remained motionless.

After observing it for a while with wide eyes, the toad slowly said:

"Hmm... I guessed right. Its transformation is unstoppable. Even if I use poison, I can only delay it for a dozen years."

"Please help me, senior."

The white python quickly said.

"Fine, consider this the last thing I'll do before I leave."

The toad shook its head and suddenly trembled, spitting out another mouthful of primordial poisonous blood, which shimmered brightly in mid-air and landed on the Demon Ancient Tree.

In an instant, the motionless ancient devil tree suddenly became agitated, with countless branches flying wildly and many leaves shooting out in all directions, as if a green rain had fallen.

The multicolored, poisonous blood meandered along the rough trunk of the Devil Tree, quickly seeping into it.

Before long, the leaves of the Devil Tree began to turn yellow and fall off in large numbers, as if an autumn had arrived in the swamp like never before.

As the leaves fell, some branches of the Devil Tree began to wither and fall off, then it withered and became motionless again.

"This is only a temporary solution. Its vitality is incredibly strong. I can only delay it, and I can't even kill it. However, the Flame Breath Fox Clan's original flame might have a slight chance."

After adding a sentence, the toad rode on a colorful poisonous cloud, carrying Li Yi and the white python away in a flash.

Back under the big willow tree, the somewhat weak toad looked at Li Yi and said:

"Little Crocodile, we have some connection, but it ends here. I'm leaving."

This time, Li Yi didn't use the white python to speak; he simply stared at it with a puzzled expression.

The toad sneered, "Why do you think I would hide in this remote place to build my foundation? This area is on the border between the Flame Breath Fox Clan and the Blue-Eyed Golden Toad's spheres of influence, so it's not easy to spot."

"I am not a member of the Blue-Eyed Golden Toad clan, but a poisonous toad. Once I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I must leave immediately, or I will be captured and eaten."

As he spoke, the toad looked at the peaceful, dark swamp, a hint of resentment in his eyes, "You think all swamps are this lifeless? That's because you haven't reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet."

"Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, you will immediately become food for the powerful members of these two races, and they will sense it."

"Even beasts in the Qi Refining stage devour each other to grow stronger, let alone those in the Foundation Establishment stage who have already reached the Immortal Foundation stage? That would be even more nourishing."

"I must leave tonight, but the swamp is vast and boundless; there may be a place for me to stay."

The toad said calmly, then seemed to have thought of something and looked at Li Yi.

"Little Crocodile, I can see that you are truly extraordinary. Unlike the white python next to you with its mysterious bloodline, even I can't quite see what's inside you. I feel that you will definitely reach the Foundation Establishment stage, otherwise I wouldn't bother with you."

"If you are about to establish your foundation, you need to leave this place. If your poison is really powerful enough, you might try to enter the cave left behind by the poisonous dragon. It is the only place in this area that is not controlled by the three major clans."

"After all, you belong to the Crocodile genus, and you are born with a trace of dragon lineage, so perhaps there is some hope."

"Or, you can just keep walking along the cedar trees. There will be a green lake there. I'll go there to see if I can carve out a territory."

After saying that, the toad opened its two eyes, one black and one white, and gave Li Yi a deep look before riding away on the poisonous cloud, leaving no trace behind.

Watching the toad's rapidly disappearing figure, Li Yi silently digested the enormous gains he had just made. He didn't even feel like absorbing the moonlight anymore. It was a long time before he returned to the tree hole in the big willow tree.

The moonlit night remained warm and gentle, the marshland shrouded in a hazy, continuous veil of yellow and white, while a dark cloud gradually obscured the moon, plunging the area below into darkness.