Chapter 48: Blood Essence Fruits

Ethan soon noticed something strange about the Corrosive Python.

Its body was already showing signs of bloodline evolution.

"It has reached its limit."

Just like talents, beast bloodlines were divided into five tiers, from Common to Legendary.

Unlike humans, however, a beast’s bloodline determined its natural level limit and a Common Bloodline could only allow a beast to reach Level 20.

But this python was still trying to grow stronger.

Ethan looked around the battlefield.

"It must have consumed quite a few rare herbs already."

The python suddenly attacked the Thorn Vine Monster again, trying to force its way past it.

Ethan understood. "There must be something behind that plant."

He sent a Shadow Wraith toward the area behind the Thorn Vine Monster.

A moment later, the Wraith found it.

There was actually a small tree growing behind the monster.

Several strange red fruits hung from its branches.

Ethan recognized them immediately.

"Blood Essence Fruit."

A rare fruit that could help beasts evolve their bloodlines.

"So that’s what it’s after."

The Corrosive Python had already reached Level 20.

If it could consume the Blood Essence Fruit and successfully evolve its bloodline, its natural limit would increase.

That was why it was fighting so desperately.

Ethan looked at the tree again. There were already five Blood Essence Fruits growing on it.

"Five?"

Ethan didn’t hesitate and told the shadow wraiths what to do.

The Wraiths quietly moved through the shadows and picked the five fruits without either monster noticing.

Ethan stored them in his inventory and continued watching the battle. Several minutes passed.

The Corrosive Python finally managed to get the upper hand.

It spat a large amount of venom at the Thorn Vine Monster.

The venom covered its body, causing the plant monster to wither rapidly.

But the python had also been badly wounded.

Several sharp thorns had pierced its body, leaving deep wounds across its scales.

Despite its injuries, the python slowly slithered toward the tree. It had fought the Thorn Vine Monster for the Blood Essence Fruit, and now it was finally going to claim its reward.

But when it reached the tree, the python suddenly froze.

The fruits were gone.

All five of them.

The python raised its head and stared at the empty branches.

Where were the fruits?

It searched around the tree, but there was nothing.

The python had fought for the fruits for so long, only to find that they had disappeared.

It suddenly raised its head and let out a loud hiss toward the sky.

"Hissss!"

It sounded almost like a complaint.

A voice suddenly came from nearby.

"Is this what you’re looking for?"

The python immediately turned toward the voice.

A short distance away, Ethan stood calmly with one of the Blood Essence Fruits in his hand.

Ethan casually juggled the fruit in one hand.

The Corrosive Python suddenly hissed and lunged toward Ethan.

Before it could reach him, several dark chains shot out from its shadow.

The Phantom Chains wrapped around its body, pinning it to the ground.

More chains wrapped around its head and forced its mouth shut.

The python struggled violently, but it couldn’t break free.

Ethan walked toward the restrained python.

"Calm down. I just want to ask you a few questions."

The python continued struggling against the Phantom Chains.

Ethan held up the Blood Essence Fruit.

"If your answers are useful, I’ll give you this fruit."

The python immediately stopped struggling.

Ethan smiled.

"I want to know if you’ve seen a particular flower."

Ethan paused for a moment, then described the flower based on what he remembered from his previous life. The python listened without moving, its eyes fixed on Ethan as he continued explaining what the flower looked like.

"If you’ve seen it, nod your head. If you haven’t, shake your head."

He pointed at the fruit.

"If your answer helps me find it, this is yours."

The python remained still for a moment.

Then it slowly nodded.

"Good. Lead the way."

The Shadow Wraiths loosened the chains around the python.

The python regained its freedom and stared at Ethan like prey, as if it was considering attacking him again.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"What? You want to try?"

The python hissed. Then it turned around and started moving through the forest.

Ethan smiled.

"I thought so."

He followed behind it.

Just in case, Ethan had several Shadow Wraiths hide within the python’s shadow. If it tried anything funny, they would restrain it immediately.

The python led Ethan deeper into the forest.

Several hours passed as the python led Ethan through nearly half of the Thornheart Secret Realm.

Eventually, the python stopped and turned around, hissing at Ethan. Ethan understood what it meant. This was as far as it was willing to go. The python refused to go any deeper.

There was something ahead that even it didn’t dare approach.

"As promised..." Ethan threw a Beasts blood fruit towards the python.

The python quickly opened its mouth and caught the fruit, keeping it inside.

Then it turned around and slithered away as fast as it could.

Ethan watched it disappear into the forest.

"...It really was scared."

He didn’t stop it.

There was no reason to force the python to go any further.

Ethan turned his attention toward the deeper part of the Secret Realm.

"Let’s see what’s there."

Instead of rushing forward, Ethan had the Shadow Wraiths spread out through the surrounding shadows.

Half a kilometer away, one of them finally discovered something familiar.

The Thornheart Flower.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed when he saw it through the Shadow Wraith’s vision.

But as the other Shadow Wraiths spread farther around the area, Ethan quickly realized that the flower wasn’t alone.

Three beasts were surrounding it.

Each beast maintained a certain distance from the others, but their attention was unmistakably focused on the Thornheart Flower.

"No wonder that python was scared silly."

These three beasts were all Third Order.

Ethan focused on them through the Shadow Wraiths.

"Two are Level 24, and the other is Level 25."

"They’ll be a little troublesome."

Ethan didn’t rush forward. Instead, he had the Shadow Wraiths spread even farther around the area to make sure nothing could approach without him noticing.

Another half a kilometer away, one of the Shadow Wraiths suddenly spotted three figures moving through the forest.

A young man, a young woman, and a middle-aged man.

They were also heading toward the Thornheart Flower.

Ethan watched them through the Shadow Wraith’s vision.

"They’re here for the Thornheart Flower too?"

His attention then shifted to the young woman. A familiar logo was embroidered on her chest.

"The Verdant Alchemy Hall..."