From Swamp Dog to Crocodile Ancestor

Not far away, Li Yi, with the mother crocodile, crept silently away from the battlefield beneath the mud.

This harvest was quite fruitful; two fruits, the essence of the swamp, have been obtained and are currently in the mother crocodile's mouth. With the black fruit, the time Li Yi needs to cultivate the water aspect will be greatly shortened.

The mother crocodile will also experience a significant advancement in her cultivation, potentially reaching the critical point of Foundation Establishment a few years earlier than expected.

As he moved stealthily, Li Yi mentally assessed the combat power of the ninth-level Qi Refining Demon Tree.

Although it is incredibly powerful and has a strong vitality, Li Yi's venom is causing it increasing damage, and now it can seriously injure it.

However, that's all. Although the Devil Tree was severely injured, it was impossible to kill it completely with just venom. In the end, it would have to be fought at close range and torn to pieces in the most direct way.

After lurking within the poisonous barrier for a while, Li Yi concluded that the probability of killing the Demon Tree in its one-on-one fight was not high, and even with the addition of the mother crocodile, the chance was probably less than 40%.

For a hunter, there's absolutely no need to act in this situation; it would only put them in danger.

However, Li Yi was full of confidence.

It is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, just entering the late stage of Qi Refining, and has explored a unique path. Its potential has not yet been fully realized.

Once it finishes cultivating the water phase and reaches the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage, the situation will be completely different. When it reaches the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage... it will be even more different.

Li Yi couldn't estimate how much his strength had increased.

Now, hiding away to cultivate is the right path; once your strength increases, you'll be able to crush everything.

Just as Li Yi was pondering, the black body suddenly paused, then turned and pressed down on the mother crocodile in the mud.

The mother crocodile paused for a moment, thinking they were about to reproduce there, but soon noticed some noise coming from nearby.

It immediately stopped moving.

A moment later, several crimson figures leaped and bounded forward with great agility, forming a faint array and warily surveying their surroundings.

The red foxes did indeed arrive.

However, because Li Yi stirred up the poisonous barrier in the swamp, they arrived late, and now the fruits of victory have already been obtained by Li Yi.

As they drew closer, Li Yi discovered that the leader of this group of red-haired foxes was actually an old fox at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage.

This time, it actually led some elite clansmen here personally, clearly showing that it attaches great importance to this rare treasure.

This fruit is the essence of the swamp. Besides being useful to aberrant species like Li Yi and the mother crocodile who have cultivated water and wood elements, it would probably also have unexpected uses if obtained by the fox clan, whose cultivation paths are different.

Aside from sensing the power of the two fruits, Li Yi and the mother crocodile did not actually recognize the fruits, nor did they know their specific effects and secrets.

Thinking this, Li Yi sank down, pressing the mother crocodile down into the depths of the swamp.

The fruit was in the mother crocodile's mouth, and there was no chance that the passing red foxes would notice it, so it was best to be careful.

However, things went smoothly. The old fox, along with several powerful Flame Breath Foxes, flashed past and headed towards the Devil Tree, completely unaware of Li Yi lurking there.

Once their hurried figures had disappeared into the distance, Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief and slowly floated upwards.

After thinking for a moment, Li Yi communicated with the mother crocodile telepathically, instructing her to take the fruit to the yellow crystal mine and wait for him. Then he turned around and chased after her.

The Demon Tree was severely damaged, and the red-haired foxes might think that the opportunity had been swallowed up by it. Under such circumstances, they might not be immune to murderous intent.

After all, the grudge between this devil tree and the red foxes is probably quite significant.

The mother crocodile nodded and left with the most important fruit.

When Li Yi returned to the devastated battlefield, a fierce battle indeed began.

The old fox's white beard trembled from time to time, clearly indicating its great anger. Seeing the Devil Tree in such a miserable state, its aura weak and listless, it immediately led its people to attack.

Clusters of foxfire exploded with a bang, the Demon Tree was ambushed, and then immediately became enraged, its roots bulging, moving throughout the swamp, fighting with the foxes.

It fears fire, especially this purple foxfire. At this moment, it dares not be careless and stand still to resist, but it will not run away either, and immediately begins to fight.

Several foxes moved nimbly, circling the ancient devil tree, skillfully dodging its whip-like branches and shooting leaves, and occasionally spitting out a ball of foxfire to restrain it.

The old fox stood not far away, muttering incantations, as if chanting a spell. Purple light shone from his eyes, and waves of heat erupted from his body.

Before long, the old fox stood up, its paws raised as if to support itself, its steps rhythmic, and a gradually expanding purple fireball appeared, still spinning.

Before long, the muddy swamp beneath the old fox's feet dried up and hardened, forming a small platform.

As the old fox chanted the incantation, the purple foxfire above its head grew larger and larger, its color becoming brighter and brighter, rising slowly like a small sun.

Li Yi watched this scene from a distance, pondering whether he should launch a sneak attack at this moment.

The old fox seemed to be performing some kind of spell that required a long preparation time, and this was the moment when vigilance was lowest and concentration was highest.

A series of thoughts flashed through my mind like lightning.

If it were to rush forward and attack, the fireball would likely land directly on its head, resulting in mutual destruction; the old fox would die, and it wouldn't fare any better.

If they were to launch a sneak attack with poisoned bullets, the old fox would certainly not die; at most, he would be seriously injured, and they would also expose themselves. Given the old fox's personality, this group of foxes would retreat immediately.

After some thought, Li Yi's eyes darted around, his slightly open mouth closed, and his tense body relaxed a little.

boom!

A red fox at the sixth level of Qi Refining was accidentally struck by a branch of the Demon Ancient Tree. It coughed up blood and flew backward, rolling several times on the swamp before falling still.

The ancient devil tree clearly noticed the old fox's actions. Its roots twisted violently, and it charged straight at the old fox, splashing mud all around.

The other red foxes naturally wouldn't stand idly by, and they all gathered foxfire to block the way.

Unexpectedly, the Demon Tree was surprisingly resilient this time, directly withstanding the foxfire explosion. Its body was engulfed in flames, yet it still hurtled towards the old fox.

Seeing that it was close enough, the Demon Tree disregarded everything and shot out more than a dozen branches, leaving a black afterimage, towards the old fox.

The old fox suddenly widened its eyes, reversed its steps, interrupted the charging of its spell, and pushed off with its claws, sending the huge ball of purple flame flying out.

The flames transformed in mid-air, turning into a fox claw that hurtled straight toward the Demon Tree.

boom!

The Fiery Fox Claw exploded on the trunk of the Demon Ancient Tree, causing the flames burning all over its body to surge.

At the same time, several branches struck the old fox, causing it to fly backwards for dozens of feet before crashing heavily into a spot in the swamp.