Cornflower Witch

Chapter 158 Blood-Soaked Giant Python

At night, the group gathered around the fire for a meal. Roasted venison was placed on a wooden board, and mushroom and vegetable soup was served in a wooden bowl, which tasted especially delicious.

The venison, sprinkled with spices and salt, was a delight to eat; the piping hot, oily meat was simply irresistible, leaving the group quite satisfied.

Mushroom and vegetable soup is quite refreshing and helps to cut through the richness of the food. Taking a sip from time to time while eating it can also soothe the throat and make you feel especially comfortable.

After enjoying a delicious dinner, Captain 'Bad Apple' began to summarize the day's gains and situation.

"Overall, today went very smoothly, especially with Tia's addition. We've reached a reassuring level in our reconnaissance of the enemy."

"In total, we hunted one deer, three gray rabbits, two poisonous snakes, and three black crows."

"The pelt and antlers of the strange-horned deer are worth about 12 gold coins, the pelts of the three gray rabbits are worth a total of 80 silver coins, and the fangs, gallbladders, and scales of the two poisonous snakes are all bought by the apothecary and can be sold for about 3 gold coins, so two snakes would be worth 6 gold coins."

"The feathers of the three black crows can be used in alchemy materials and are worth about 1 gold coin and 20 silver coins."

"In total, it's about 20 gold coins." After saying that, he whistled happily.

Next, we checked and inventoried the supplies. Since no one had experienced any intense fighting today, the supplies were all in pretty good condition.

Then came the check and record of how their fate had been eroded. Since they were traveling through a black and white world, this erosion was almost unavoidable. Everyone closed their eyes and carefully sensed it before reporting the data after a while.

“I’m probably around 1.8%.” As a wizard, Karl had keen mental abilities and immediately analyzed his condition.

“I’m at 2.1%.” The ‘bad apple’ also quickly opened its eyes.

"I'm probably around 2%," Yann roughly estimated, as he wasn't good at this.

Bona looked up, a little embarrassed, "I still can't figure out how much I've been corrupted, but I feel it's definitely below 5%."

Although she herself couldn't tell, Hilti could see that the other person's current state was actually 2.7%, which was the highest among them.

As for Hilti herself, she analyzed it carefully for a long time but found no trace of erosion.

"I can't figure it out either; I haven't felt any erosion," the girl replied.

“This is your first time exploring this black and white world. Without any prior experience to compare it to, it’s indeed difficult to notice subtle changes,” Karl thought for a moment and offered simple words of comfort.

Generally speaking, the stronger one's mental strength, the more one can perceive these subtle changes, but gardening is not a profession that relies on mental strength.

"Here, this is for you." The captain took out a fine metal ball from the package and tossed it to Hilti.

"If you channel your sexual energy into the ball and the color changes, then you have reached 5%."

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.” Hilti tried to channel her own power into the sphere, and then a faint white light appeared on it.

"This means it's still below 5%, so it's quite safe," Carl explained.

"If it reaches 5%, it will show a faint yellow light; 10% will be orange-yellow; 15% will be orange; 20% will be orange-red; 25% will be deep red; and 30% will be purplish-red."

"A team usually carries one to monitor their progress, because some trainees are just first-level newbies who can't even perceive their own condition, and experience is too unreliable. However, this thing isn't cheap; it costs at least 20 gold coins each, and it's made by the alchemists of the association."

After the team leader recorded the status of each member, the next step was to assign night watch duties.

"At least two people should take turns keeping watch, but considering that everyone should get enough rest, it's more appropriate for three people to take turns so that everyone can get a good night's sleep."

"As usual, I, Yann, and Karl will take turns. Tia, you and Bona don't need to do anything today," the captain announced directly.

Actually, they weren't comfortable letting a newcomer keep watch at night; it was better to stick to the old routine.

And so, as a novice adventurer, Sylvia and Bona lay down on mats not far from the campfire, covered themselves with thin blankets, and prepared to sleep.

However, Hilti still couldn't fall asleep. Perhaps she wasn't tired enough. She lay on the mat, listening to the soft crackling of the burning firewood and the footsteps and movements of the watchmen. After a while, she finally drifted off to sleep.

Early morning, the cold mist had not yet dissipated.

Hiltiya awoke to the sounds of her companions' activity.

While Yann was still asleep, Bona had already started making breakfast. Karl stood to the side, letting Ghost Cat check the surroundings, while Captain Bad Apple was tidying up the sleeping mat.

"Are you awake, Tia?" Bona sat by the fire and waved to the girl.

"Were you cold last night? Why don't you come over and have some hot water?" There was a small metal kettle boiling water next to the fire.

"I slept well." It is indeed colder here than in the valley, or perhaps it's because autumn has arrived.

Soon, Bona cooked a vegetable and meat porridge, then heated up the wheat cakes she had brought and distributed them to everyone.

While the food was still hot, everyone felt much better after finishing it. They then helped clean up the remaining food and packed it up again.

"Let's go." Yann slung his things over his shoulder and then called to everyone.

He carried most of the team's luggage, while Bonna and Karl carried a small portion. As for the captain, he needed to maintain quick reaction time, so he didn't carry much luggage.

Hiltiya now carried only a small pack containing her emergency food, medicine, candles, a distress arrow, and a towel; nothing else. The group continued their journey through the deep forest, following the route on the map.

They walked out of the colored areas several times, crossed the long black and white zone, and then stepped into the nodes along the way again. The journey in the first half of the day was relatively smooth, but they didn't gain much.

In the afternoon, after arriving at a node, they rested for a while, and then the captain discussed with the others using the map.

"Now we have two options. One is to go north, where there is a canyon with extremely dense grass and trees. It's basically like walking through a sea of ​​grass where you can't see anything more than a few meters away. It's quite dangerous, but there's also a chance of finding some special fruits."

"Another option is to take the eastern route, which follows the mountain wall and offers excellent views. You might encounter strange rock worms along the way, but it's less dangerous."

After hearing his description, the group began to consider it individually.

[1. Choose the canyon; unknown danger +3, rewards +3]
[2. Choosing the mountainside increases danger by 1]
This is the data that Hilti had considered in her mind.

Soon after, the group voted, and apart from Yann choosing the mountain wall, the others all chose the canyon.

“Yarn has always been cautious, so I’m not surprised he made this choice. But why has Karl changed his mind this time?” Bonna asked curiously.

“I do consider the gains every time. This time, we added a team member, and Tiya is very good at reconnaissance, so the danger level won't be as high. Besides, the gains are real.” He shook his head and analyzed calmly.

"More importantly, the reason I came here is to find the 'Ash Fruit'. If I can't find it, I may have to come back several more times. The danger accumulated over time will not be small, and it will be a waste of time."

“That’s right, time is also a significant cost.” The captain flipped through his pen, noted down the decision in his diary, and then led everyone northward.

Walking through the dense shade of the forest and over several hills, they gradually arrived at a damp valley.

When they first entered, the grass was only ankle-deep, but as they moved forward, it gradually rose to waist level, and then chest level. Bona, the shortest in the group, could no longer see far ahead.

The grass blades, glistening with dew, brushed against their bodies, leaving them feeling damp and chilly. Tiny black insects occasionally burrowed into their clothes, making them uncomfortable.

"I'm starting to regret it." Bad Apple shook his head, feeling that going through the canyon this time was not a good idea.

"Hmm, you're holding me with a rope, I'm afraid you won't even know if I get lost," Bona said somewhat uneasyly as she walked behind.

"The level of danger isn't too bad." Karl waved his hand, and an invisible ghost darted through the grass, helping him scout out the surroundings.

"Can Tia see what's happening in the distance?" the captain asked the black-haired girl as he turned around.

Upon hearing this, Hilti looked around and nodded.

"I can still make out most of it. Right now, besides the grass and plants, there are only some common snakes and insects, nothing special." That's what she said, but looking at the increasingly tall grass ahead, she was also a little worried.

After walking about another kilometer, the surrounding grass had grown taller than them, completely submerging the team. Logically speaking, the structure of grass should not be able to support such a height; it would either bend and fall down, or it would need to grow thick roots like those of corn to support itself.

But the weeds here are indeed strange. Perhaps it is the special environment of the secret realm, coupled with the influence of the distorted phase, that gave birth to such plants.

As they walked, the group slowed down, and Hiltiya's senses were reduced to within 200 meters.

Just as everyone was beginning to feel a little hopeful as they saw that they were halfway through the journey, Hilti stopped. She turned her head with some doubt and looked to the side, where, hidden by the rustling of the grass, she could hear the faint sounds of some strange creatures moving about. If it weren't for her, no one in the group would have noticed them.

Seeing that Hiltiya was not leaving, the others were puzzled, but only the captain, Bad Apple, suddenly realized something.

"Prepare for battle immediately, Bona, come to the center."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, the group immediately dropped their luggage and became alert.

Grayish-white powder was sprinkled from Karl's hand, and then, under his manipulation, it transformed into a hazy form, rushing towards the direction where Hilti was gazing.

Soon, a fierce lash erupted from the sea of ​​grass, tearing and snapping large swaths of grass. The dark red figure was stopped just in time by Yann, who raised his shield, with a deafening thud.

Only then did everyone see each other clearly from the fallen grass.

A giant python raised its blood-red head, looking down at the crowd. Its belly was slightly thicker in the middle, as if it had devoured many living creatures. Its raised head was about 5-6 meters high, and its crimson tail slithered through the grass. The lash that had almost sent Yaen flying was from it.

This snake must weigh several tons, Hiltiya thought with surprise, then her eyes flashed as she analyzed the situation.

Race: Blood Serpent (Advanced)

Status: Healthy (Bloodlust)

talent:

Devour [Excellent]: Can devour prey larger than its own body and gradually digest and absorb the opponent's power.

Fate Card: [Crimson Python] (Second Tier - Blood Law)
After devouring numerous prey, the Blood Python finally advanced, becoming an even more powerful and dangerous being.
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Effect: [Python Body Lv.5], an innate talent that grants you powerful strangulation abilities, allowing you to easily strangle elephants and rhinos, and even crush and deform steel.
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Effect: [Blood-Drawing Fang Lv.4], you have no time to play with useless venom, but instead use your fangs to directly draw the opponent's blood, rendering them powerless to resist.

Ability Cards:
【Blood Devouring Technique Lv.5】(Blood Law): It can digest and devour flesh, scales, and bones, transforming them into its own 'Blood Law' elemental power.

【Red Scale Outer Skin Lv.3】(Blood Law): A tough, thick outer skin that is difficult to pierce with spears and swords, and can withstand high temperatures.

【Serpent's Gaze Lv.3】(Blood Law): Your eyes instill fear in many weak creatures, who dare not move under your gaze. You can stare at your opponent to attack, causing their blood to tremble and their movements to stiffen.

(End of this chapter)