Chapter 924: Fruit Sprayer

“Senior Qiao, we didn’t just walk into the Fruit Sprayers’ territory, did we?” As a local of the Central Hollow region, Guo Ruiqi wasn’t unfamiliar with them.

Some families with only average ability, who believed they wouldn’t go far in beast mastery, often chose to contract a Fruit Sprayer as their first pet beast, just so they wouldn’t be bullied.

This way, even senior students two grades above wouldn’t dare to provoke them easily.

Although the Fruit Sprayer was a dual-type poison and grass beast, its venom was something everyone feared. There had even been real cases where a Fruit Sprayer accidentally sprayed its venom onto a beast master’s face.

Without exception, every one of them lost all their hair from the forehead and their eyebrows too.

Because of that, the price of Fruit Sprayers kept dropping, making them affordable for many families.

“It should be.” Qiao Sang replied.

After a pause, she added, “Not only that, I’m afraid this entire area is full of Fruit Sprayers.”

Guo Ruiqi’s face went pale.

“Then how are we supposed to move around here?”

Qiao Sang thought for a moment.

“Don’t panic. Do you have a wool hat?”

Guo Ruiqi blinked.

“I do, but a hat can only cover my hair.”

“Who said that?” Qiao Sang gave him a glance.

“Pull it down over your whole head, and I’ll cut two holes where your eyes are.”

Guo Ruiqi’s eyes lit up.

“Good idea!”

Although he’d end up looking like a textbook robber, protecting his hair and eyebrows was definitely worth it.

Qiao Sang turned toward Xu Gehung and asked kindly, “Do you have a wool hat?”

Mikayla imagined herself wearing one that covered her entire head, leaving only her eyes exposed. The corner of her mouth twitched.

“No.” She said flatly.

“But don’t worry, I have my own method.”

Qiao Sang gave her a brief look, remembering the earlier scene when

Hidden Shield

had appeared. She didn’t ask further.

Suddenly, a shadow fell from above.

Qiao Sang looked forward, it was a Fruit Sprayer.

The three of them immediately held their breath in perfect sync.

But where Yabao was, the air was always warmer. The Fruit Sprayer seemed to sense something, turning its head slowly.

When it saw the unfamiliar figures behind it, its eyes widened, and it opened its mouth to call out.

Just then, Little Treasure’s eyes glowed purple, it flashed ghost-like in front of the Fruit Sprayer.

“Fruit-”

Before it could finish, drowsiness overtook it. The Fruit Sprayer closed its eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Nice work

… Qiao Sang gave Little Treasure an approving look.

Little Treasure smirked slightly,

just routine.

“Did you sense anything?” Qiao Sang asked.

“No.” Guo Ruiqi shook his head.

“Let’s move.” said Qiao Sang.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure’s eyes turned blue.

A second later, the fragment of the Leaf Stone that had been surrounded by Fruit Sprayers appeared in Qiao Sang’s hand.

All the Fruit Sprayers looked around blankly, confused.

“Fruit!”

A Fruit Sprayer up in a tree behind them suddenly shrieked.

Instantly, every Fruit Sprayer turned their gaze toward the trio.

Before they could react, Qiao Sang and the others vanished.

---

In a patch of lush grass, Gangbao flapped her wings, and the sharp purple blades flashed, precisely cutting two eye holes in the wool hat.

Guo Ruiqi put it on, his whole head wrapped up, only his eyes visible.

Qiao Sang did the same.

Mikayla didn’t move.

“You’re not covering up?” Qiao Sang asked.

“I have my own way.” Mikayla replied.

So mysterious…

Qiao Sang thought.

“Xun xun?”

Little Treasure blinked curiously.

What about me?

Qiao Sang’s gaze fell on Little Treasure’s golden hair. After a pause, she said, “You wear one too.”

“Xun xun~”

That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

He quickly took out a new wool hat from his ring and placed it in front of Gangbao.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao stared for a second, then flapped her wings, slicing two perfect round holes in it.

Little Treasure happily put it on.

“Xun xun~”

But after a second, something felt off. He took the hat off again, pointed to the part covering his mouth, and squeaked,

this part needs to stay open, or he couldn’t use some of his skills.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao was surprised that her usually unreliable boss could think of something so practical, but she obediently flapped again to adjust the hat.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure put it back on, his crescent-shaped eyes curving in delight.

Even though most of his face was covered, those happy eyes said it all, he loved the hat.

“Xun xun?”

Then he looked at Gangbao and Qingbao, chirping,

aren’t you two going to wear one?

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao shook her head, indicating that her wings had to stay exposed, it wasn’t suitable for hats.

“Qing qing.”

Qingbao glanced at her beast master and Little Treasure, both looking ridiculous in their wool hats, and firmly shook her head.

She could merge with the wind, so no need.

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure sighed, retracting his paw from the hat hole, giving up on pulling out another ring.

After that, Qiao Sang continued using the Leaf Stone fragments to lure grass-type pet beasts.

Night deepened, and time slipped by quietly.

When dawn came, Yabao opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a figure fully wrapped up, leaving only two eyes visible.

“Yap!”

Yabao, half-asleep seconds ago, snapped fully awake. His eyes widened, and he teleported to the side, shouting in alarm,

Who are you?! Where’s my beast master?!

Qiao Sang: …

Nearby, the Fruit Sprayers startled at the noise. Almost instinctively, they opened their mouths and sprayed dark venom in Yabao’s direction.

No! Yabao’s covered in fur, and he doesn’t know how dangerous the poison is!

Qiao Sang waved her hand, recalling Yabao back into the Beast Codex.

“Fruit! Fruit!”

All the Fruit Sprayers turned their eyes toward the trio.

Qiao Sang stayed calm, just about to order Little Treasure to teleport.

But then, a shape moving in the distance caught her attention.

Its body was completely covered in leaf-woven clothes, only its facial features visible. Its appearance, Lele Seed!

Finally, a Lele Seed appeared!

Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up, excitement rising in her chest.

Since entering the secret realm, this was the first Lele Seed she’d encountered!

Just as the thought crossed her mind, venom rained down from every direction like a storm.

“Merge with Wind!” Qiao Sang commanded.

“Gang Zhan!”

Gangbao flapped her wings hard, stirring up a violent storm.

Dust and leaves flew as the trees around them shuddered.

“Qing qing!”

Qingbao transformed into wind and rushed into the storm.

The storm seemed to come alive, sweeping up the venom and hurling it back at the Fruit Sprayers.

Dark winds rampaged, cutting everything in their path.

The Fruit Sprayers screamed as they were swept up.

The wild grass-type beasts nearby, including Lele Seed, panicked and fled.

“Little Treasure, don’t let it get away!” Qiao Sang shouted.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure stretched his claws, black shadows shot out, wrapping around Lele Seed and yanking it back.

“Lele!” Lele Seed shrieked.

“Um…” Guo Ruiqi started to say something...

“Go!” Qiao Sang ordered firmly, seeing the Lele Seed was caught.

“Qing qing.” Qingbao reappeared beside her.

The surrounding Fruit Sprayers had all collapsed.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure’s eyes glowed blue, and before Guo Ruiqi could finish his sentence, they vanished.

After they left, dozens of furious eyes appeared among the trees.

---

“Is this Lele Seed the one you lost?” On a grassy patch, Qiao Sang pointed to the trembling Lele Seed.

“No…” Guo Ruiqi shook his head.

He had wanted to say that earlier, but Senior Qiao had moved too fast, he didn’t even get the chance to finish his sentence…

Of course. What were the odds that the first Lele Seed they found was the one?

Qiao Sang sighed inwardly and turned to Lele Seed.

“You can go.”

“Lele!”

Lele Seed bolted immediately.

“Wait!” Qiao Sang said suddenly.

“Catch it again!”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure raised a claw, shadows lashed out, wrapping Lele Seed again and dragging it back.

“Lele!”

Lele Seed looked betrayed.

You said I could go!

Qiao Sang coughed. “Do you know if there are other Lele Seeds nearby?”

Good question

. Guo Ruiqi’s eyes lit up expectantly.

But Lele Seed’s expression hardened. Its lips sealed tight, eyes full of defiance.

Qiao Sang didn’t press. Instead, she waved her hand and summoned Yabao.

“Yap…”

Yabao looked embarrassed.

Since Qiao Sang’s mental domain reached 50%, her contracted beasts could see the outside world through her perspective.

So Yabao already knew the

robber-looking

person was his master.

He looked guilty, not only had he fallen asleep, but he had also revealed their location when he woke.

“Those beasts are called Fruit Sprayers.” Qiao Sang explained.

“Their venom makes fur fall out. That’s why I wore this.”

“Yap?!”

Yabao froze.

What?! It makes fur fall out?!

He remembered the venom storm earlier and looked terrified.

Such a scary opponent…

“But don’t worry. As long as we avoid direct conflict, we’ll be fine.” Qiao Sang reassured.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling uncertain.

After their earlier skirmish, they had clearly angered the Fruit Sprayers.

Would the rest now treat them as enemies across the whole region?

“Yap!”

Yabao nodded solemnly.

Then, Qingbao appeared beside them.

“Yap?”

Yabao blinked, then cheered.

“Qing qing~”

Qingbao nodded happily.

“Lele…”

Seeing everyone distracted, Lele Seed’s eyes gleamed green, it summoned glowing leaves sharp as blades, slashing at the shadows binding it.

Not even a scratch.

“Lele…”

Lele Seed slumped in despair.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure looked smug, about to dig his nose but remembered the hat had no opening and gave up.

At that moment, the silent Mikayla finally spoke: “You’re trying to use this Lele Seed to locate others, right?”

“That’s right.” Qiao Sang nodded.

In this secret realm, where there’s one Lele Seed, there must be others.

If they were lucky, the one they sought might be living among its kind.

Although Guo Ruiqi’s Lele Seed was technically an outsider here, Lele Seeds were naturally cheerful and friendly, they wouldn’t reject their own kind.

So finding the others through this one shouldn’t be too hard.

They could either release it and secretly follow, or simply hypnotize it.

As Qiao Sang pondered, Mikayla said, “I’ll do it.”

Then calmly: “Hidden Shield, Hypnosis.”

Two seconds later, a pair of eerie blue eyes appeared before Lele Seed, floating in midair, no face, no body, only eyes.

Guo Ruiqi jumped, feeling an unnatural chill crawl up his spine. He swallowed hard.

For the first time, he realized Mikayla was on the same level as Senior Qiao.

Lele Seed’s gaze turned vacant.

The eerie blue eyes faded, as if they’d never existed.

“Go find the other Lele Seeds.” Mikayla said.

Lele Seed turned mechanically and began walking in a direction.

Little Treasure loosened his shadows to let it go.

Even without any released aura, the scene felt more terrifying than facing a King-level beast. And those eyes, why did they seem so familiar…?

Qiao Sang thought briefly, then followed behind Lele Seed.

Meanwhile, in the grass, a Fruit Sprayer watched them leave.

---

The forest shadows danced. There were no insects or birds, only eerie silence.

“We’re being watched.” Qiao Sang said quietly, sensing hostile gazes all around.

Guo Ruiqi tensed up.

Lele Seed still walked ahead, leading the way.

“We’ve come too far to turn back.” Mikayla said.

“I know.” Qiao Sang replied calmly.

“Gang Zhan!”

Up above, Gangbao circled, suddenly letting out a cry.

“Yabao!” Qiao Sang snapped alert.

“Yap!”

Yabao leapt from her arms, scanning the surroundings.

Suddenly, vines shot out from the ground.

Mikayla teleported into the air.

Qiao Sang pulled Guo Ruiqi back a step, vines lashed forward.

Just before they were caught, Little Treasure’s eyes glowed blue.

In an instant, Qiao Sang and Guo Ruiqi appeared beside him.

Guo Ruiqi exhaled in relief.

But then, dozens of small bird-type beasts, only about twenty centimeters long, burst from the trees and dove at them.

Behind where Qiao Sang and Guo Ruiqi had been, a huge tree loomed just one centimeter away.

In that instant, as the birds swooped, Qiao Sang felt something cool against her face, and the air suddenly felt fresher against her nose.

It took her only 0.01 seconds to realize, her hat was gone.

The birds scattered instantly after snatching it.

And from all sides, countless Fruit Sprayers appeared,mpurple-green bodies glowing faintly, faces full of malice.

Right then, only two words echoed in Qiao Sang’s mind:

Oh crap…