Lotus Emerges

If Chen Luo's senses were correct, the only living creature nearby besides himself was the one currently staring at him—a frog!

The little frog was only about the size of a baby's fist. It wore a hat made of a flower on its head, with two stamens hanging down and tied in a knot under its chin. Although its eyes were large, they were dead and listless, giving it a smug look no matter how you looked at it. It had a delicate little backpack on its back.

Its entire appearance strongly resembled the protagonist of the once-popular Zen mobile game, Travel Frog, from Chen Luo's previous life on Earth—the famous "Frog son."

"Did you attack me?" Chen Luo asked. The attack hadn't been very damaging, probably only enough to stun a fish. Chen Luo swam ashore and walked towards the little frog. The little frog also hopped its way to Chen Luo.

The man and frog were less than a meter apart when the frog suddenly lowered its head. The small backpack behind it unzipped itself, and a cloud of mist sprayed out, lifting the frog and bringing it to eye level with Chen Luo.

The frog opened its mouth: "Ribbit..."

A strange thing happened. The frog only croaked, but Chen Luo inexplicably understood its meaning.

"I smell like bugs?"

"Ribbit..."

"You hate the smell of bugs, so you attacked me?"

"Ribbit..."

"You don't need to apologize, it's fine. I just killed an insect demon, so it's possible its scent is still on me."

The frog nodded slightly upon hearing this. It stood on its hind legs like a human and bowed to Chen Luo as an apology. Then, the mist dissipated, and the frog hopped away.

Chen Luo watched the direction the little frog left, shrugging. Monsters, after all, weren't uncommon.

Chen Luo re-entered the river and washed himself thoroughly. He looked at the forest in front of him, feeling hesitant. There might be many monsters in this forest, and barging in could be dangerous.

However, this was the only path available now.

It would be much easier if he had a guide who was familiar with the area.

Just as Chen Luo was desperately pondering a solution, a crisp sound suddenly reached his ears—

"Ribbit... (Hmm? This place looks so familiar, and this person too!)"

Chen Luo turned his head and saw the travel frog son again.

"Why is it you again?"

"Ribbit... (I think I dropped something, came back to check, goodbye!)"

The little frog hopped away again.

Chen Luo frowned slightly, feeling that something was odd.

Sure enough, ten minutes later.

"Ribbit... (Hmm? How did I get here again? I was walking straight ahead...)"

"Are you lost?"

"Ribbit... (Nonsense, how could I possibly get lost! Goodbye.)"

The little frog hopped away once more.

Another ten minutes passed.

"Ribbit... (Holy crap!)"

Chen Luo had originally planned to persuade this frog son to be his guide, but seeing the situation now... heh.

Chen Luo glanced at the frog son and walked into the forest.

In a resplendent pavilion, the top-floor assembly hall was in an uproar, filled with people.

To be precise, it was filled with humanoid monsters.

Some had bull horns on their heads, some had monkey tails behind them, some had wings for hands, and others had sharp claws for legs...

A gathering of a hundred demons!

The door to the assembly hall was pushed open, and the sound of an abacus rang out. The demons instantly fell silent upon hearing it.

An old woman with a wrinkled face, supported by two beautiful maids with fox tails, walked in. The old woman appeared unremarkable at first glance, except her neck was unusually thick, disproportionate to her head. As she walked from the entrance towards the main seat, phantoms of gold and silver treasures dropped behind her.

After the old woman took her seat at the main table and surveyed the demons, she slowly spoke, "Everyone has received the bounty from the Town Profound Division, right..."

A female demon with deer antlers on her head stepped forward and bowed. "Replying to Old Woman, all demon strongholds on Floating Cloud Mountain have received it. We were just about to send people out to search for the Young Master."

The old woman nodded slightly and continued, "Good. The Town Profound Division's bounty is five Moonlight Pearls. I will add to that, three Sun Essences!"

A commotion erupted among the demons. It was known that for demons to cultivate and purify their bloodlines without resorting to evil paths, they could only absorb the essence of the sun and moon. Moonlight Pearls, needless to say, were condensed moonlight through special means, with one pearl equivalent to a year's worth of moonlight. Sun Essence, however, was even rarer—it was the refined essence of sunlight, tamed by an expert.

After all, moonlight was gentle, while sunlight was fierce. Although absorbing sunlight was more effective, it was several times more difficult than absorbing moonlight.

"However, I have a favor to ask of all of you."

The demons quieted down again. The old woman seated there was an influential figure; what couldn't she solve that required the demons to act? They all perked up their ears. Compared to Sun Essence and Moonlight Pearls, the old woman's favor was clearly worth more.

"My only grandson, whom you all know, ran away from home again a couple of days ago. I kindly ask that while you search for the Young Master, you also keep an eye out for my little beast. If you encounter him, knock him out and bring him back to me..."

The demons were stunned. The deer-antlered demon stepped forward again and inquired, "Old Woman, didn't the young master always stay within a hundred miles whenever he ran away before? Are there any clues this time?"

The old woman sighed, "Last time, I purchased ten Thousand Mile Wind Talismans from True Person Yuanxia. That little beast stole one."

The demons' hearts ached: Thousand Mile Wind Talisman!

While it wasn't as convenient as the Great Teleportation Talisman, which could be used instantly, it still required some time to activate. Nevertheless, it was a life-saving item. The demons present held respectable positions in their respective demon lairs, but it would still take them two to three years of salary to afford one.

Such a treasure, and that young master actually used it just to run away from home...

If it were my own descendant, I'd beat it to death and then some!

"The little beast took a defective one, far from enough to conceal it for a thousand miles. It should still be within the Floating Cloud Mountain range. Please trouble yourselves to send word back and keep an eye out. This old woman thanks you..."

"You are too kind, Old Woman..." The demons quickly returned the greeting, each taking out their communication jade slips to send messages to their demon lair leaders...

"Crack!"

Chen Luo plucked a wild fruit from a tree and took a bite. It was a bit sour, but Chen Luo forced himself to eat it. At this moment, Chen Luo desperately missed the taste of meat...

Chen Luo turned his head, looking at the Frog son not far away, and frowned slightly.

"Forget it, it's not even a pound of meat, not worth the effort." Chen Luo dismissed the thought. Ever since he entered the forest, this Frog son had been following him.

Chen Luo beckoned, "Little Frog, come here..."

"Ribbit... (You want me to come over? You come here!)" The Little Frog hopped to Chen Luo's front.

"Why are you following me?"

"Ribbit... (Human, this lord wants to make a deal with you!)" The Little Frog stood up, crossed its front paws, and struck a pose with its arms crossed.

"What kind of deal?"

"Ribbit... (You take this lord out of Floating Cloud Mountain, and this lord will pay you, how about that?)"

As it spoke, the Little Frog lowered its head. A beam of light shot out from the backpack on its back and stopped in front of Chen Luo. It was a pearl even larger than the Little Frog itself.

"Ribbit... (East Sea Pearl, worth a thousand gold...)"

Chen Luo's gaze only swept over the pearl before landing on the Little Frog's backpack.

A spatial treasure?

Chen Luo calmly accepted the pearl and said, "You little demon, don't you know the principle of not showing off your wealth? Aren't you afraid I'll rob you?"

The Little Frog sized Chen Luo up, then let out a disdainful snort from its nose.

"Ribbit... (With you? Why don't you try!)"

Seeing the Little Frog's attitude, Chen Luo's heart leaped with joy. This Little Frog's demeanor was nothing like a wild demon from the mountains; it was more like a young master from a prominent demon family, playing the rebellious card.

With such a status, coupled with that spatial equipment, it made perfect sense.

If you told him he didn't have any defensive magical treasures on him, Chen Luo wouldn't believe it even if you beat him to death.

If he brought it along, and that demoness Lian Ai chased after them, he could throw it out as a shield! At the very least, a little frog smaller than his palm wouldn't be a hassle to bring along, and perhaps he could even improve their relationship. It seemed like a win-win situation!

Hmm, the plan is foolproof!

"I accept this deal!"

Meanwhile, at Lian Ai's location, the white silkworm cocoon suspended in mid-air had only a thin layer remaining. Lian Ai's figure could be vaguely seen inside.

A moment later, a small crack appeared on the silkworm cocoon. A jade-white arm broke through the cocoon and extended from within.

Then, the crack in the silkworm cocoon widened, and another hand emerged. The two hands pulled in opposite directions, tearing the entire cocoon apart. Lian Ai, completely naked, emerged from the cocoon.

Lian Ai slowly landed on the ground. She lightly brushed her jade bracelet, and a complete set of clothing instantly appeared out of thin air.

Lian Ai took a deep breath, sensed the aura of the Tracking Gu on Chen Luo, and her gaze turned in the direction Chen Luo had fled...

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