Chapter 1364: The Zhilong Fruit

“Spirit Dragon Fruit!” The same thought had just flashed through Han Li’s mind when the white-robed girl exclaimed in surprise.

Long Dong and the middle-aged woman also wore expressions of delight, clearly recognizing this spiritual treasure.

“This is the main ingredient for the ‘Soaring Dragon Pill,’ a medicine only usable by Void Refinement cultivators. It bears fruit once every thirty thousand years, and even consuming it raw can grant sixty years of cultivation progress. To find one here, freshly matured—if we can obtain it, our fortunes would truly soar,” the middle-aged woman murmured, her eyes gleaming.

The white-robed girl and Long Dong exchanged glances, their hearts clearly swayed by temptation.

The significance of a main ingredient for Void Refinement-level pills was immense—even ordinary Void Refinement cultivators might never have the chance to acquire it. Such treasures were never auctioned in regular markets; at best, they were exchanged among high-ranking cultivators. Otherwise, the frenzy over the True Toad Spirit Blood for refining late-Nascent Soul pills wouldn’t have been so intense.

Though the gap between Nascent Soul and Void Refinement might seem like just one tier, the difference was like heaven and earth.

If a cultivator offered this Spirit Dragon Fruit to a Void Refinement expert, the latter would undoubtedly trade piles of Nascent Soul-level pills for it without hesitation.

Despite the abundance of spiritual treasures in the primordial wilds, those useful for Nascent Soul cultivators remained rare, each discovery requiring great fortune.

Some spiritual herbs, upon appearing or maturing, would attract powerful beings, making their existence fleeting.

Han Li and his group hadn’t ventured deep into the wilds for treasures, yet within mere months, they first encountered the Thunder Turtle and now this Spirit Dragon Fruit—such luck was undeniably profound. Many high-ranking cultivators spent decades in the wilds without any meaningful gains.

“Let’s assess the situation below first,” the white-browed youth said coldly.

“That giant is from the Thousand-Eyes tribe of the primordial giants, but its silver-white eyes indicate it’s not yet mature. The lizard may seem unremarkable, but if it can intimidate a Thousand-Eyes Giant, it must be formidable. Either of these creatures likely possesses early Void Refinement strength,” Han Li observed after studying the two monsters below.

During his time in Sky Abyss City, he had deliberately purchased texts on the primordial wilds for future reference, allowing him to identify the giant’s race and make a calm judgment.

Hearing Han Li’s words, the middle-aged woman and Long Dong, given their backgrounds, knew he spoke the truth. Yet, faced with a treasure that might appear only once in a millennium, none of them could easily let it go. After exchanging glances, their expressions darkened.

Just then, a buzzing sound approached from afar, drawing their attention.

From the horizon, seven or eight giant silkworm-like insects, each two zhang long and glowing in multicolored light, sped toward them.

Their approach seemed hostile.

Han Li frowned but quickly relaxed after scanning them with his divine sense. These insects, though fearsome in appearance, posed no real threat. Long Dong and the others also dismissed them, ready to eliminate the pests once they drew closer.

But then, something startling happened.

When the insects were still a hundred zhang away, passing over the giant lizard, the beast slightly opened its mouth, and something flashed out.

One of the charging insects vanished midair without a trace.

The swarm erupted into chaos, the remaining insects circling in panic, shrieking in alarm.

Yet their efforts were futile—another insect disappeared without warning.

Witnessing this, Long Dong and the middle-aged woman tensed.

Han Li narrowed his eyes, a faint blue glint flashing in his pupils.

As the next insect vanished, his Brightsight Spirit Eyes finally revealed the truth.

The “disappearance” was caused by the lizard’s nearly transparent tongue, which shot out at an unbelievable speed, piercing the insect’s abdomen and yanking it into the beast’s maw. The tongue’s speed was so extreme that it created the illusion of the insect vanishing into thin air.

Within moments, the remaining insects were all swallowed, and the lizard resumed its motionless stance.

Han Li couldn’t help but feel a sliver of awe toward the creature.

“This might be a mutated ancient beast—otherwise, its attacks wouldn’t be so terrifying. The Spirit Cloud Boat was likely destroyed by its tongue,” Long Dong said gravely, having somehow discerned the lizard’s attack method.

“But why didn’t it attack us? Instead, it targeted those insects,” the white-robed girl mused, tilting her head.

“Who knows? Maybe we’re too small to be worth its notice, or those insects are its preferred prey,” the middle-aged woman replied with a faint smile.

The girl nodded, considering the possibility.

“Enough talk. None of us want to abandon the Spirit Dragon Fruit. Since fortune has brought it to us, I won’t back down, even if I must act alone,” the white-browed youth declared, greed flickering in his eyes as he stared at the fruit.

“Facing two Void Refinement-level beings—Brother Li is quite bold,” the white-robed girl giggled.

“Hmph. If it were just one, I might retreat. But with two, the outcome is uncertain,” the youth retorted coldly.

“Oh? Brother Li means…” the girl caught on.

“Exactly. This mutated beast and the immature Thousand-Eyes Giant are both formidable. If they clash, they’ll likely cripple or kill each other. Then, we can strike,” Long Dong chuckled, clapping lightly.

“Waiting for them to fight could take days or months!” the middle-aged woman shook her head.

“That is a problem. We have our own mission and can’t linger here indefinitely,” Long Dong agreed, glancing at the girl.

“Even so, this is the Spirit Dragon Fruit! A slight delay is nothing,” the white-browed youth insisted, determined to claim the prize.

“Not so fast. Even if both Void Refinement beings are gravely injured, their dying counterattacks could be lethal. It’s wiser to avoid unnecessary risks and continue our journey,” Long Dong argued, though he too coveted the fruit, his greater mission took precedence.

“That makes sense. Upon reflection, seizing the treasure may not be wise. Remember, giants are communal. The fruit is ripe, yet the giant and lizard remain locked in stalemate—perhaps awaiting reinforcements. The lizard’s inaction also suggests other plans. Lingering here might trap us instead,” the middle-aged woman added after careful consideration.

“Whatever you say, I’m taking that fruit,” the white-robed girl declared, siding with the white-browed youth.

Her stance surprised everyone, including the youth himself.

Now, with two in favor and two opposed, all eyes turned to Han Li.

Han Li sighed inwardly, ignoring their gazes as he stroked his chin in thought.

“Such a treasure is worth some risk. But as Lady Xiao said, we can’t wait indefinitely. Even without reinforcements, the fruit may attract other powerful beings. We must act within three days,” he stated calmly.

The others exchanged puzzled looks.

“Three days? Impossible,” Xiao Hong shook her head slowly.

The white-browed youth and girl remained silent but shared her skepticism.

“Waiting for them to fight naturally is unlikely. But if we intervene—provoking or luring them—we might succeed sooner,” Han Li suggested with a faint smile.

“Brother Han means…” Long Dong’s expression shifted in understanding.

“Indeed! With this approach, we needn’t wait long,” the white-browed youth exclaimed.

“Luring them would be hard, but provoking them into immediate conflict is feasible,” the white-robed girl added with a charming smile.

“If the risks are minimal, I can agree,” the middle-aged woman conceded after studying Han Li’s face.

Long Dong hesitated before reluctantly nodding. “Fine. Since everyone else is resolved, I won’t stand aside. But the plan must be foolproof.”