Chapter 13: Cui Cui Commands the Mushroom Horde
Seeing the giant eagle fly off, the Giant-Toothed Crocodile immediately tried to chase after it. But the green mushroom smashed into it again, leaving it seeing stars.
That alone would’ve been bad enough. Yet before it could even recover from the dizziness, mushrooms began raining down into the swamp like dumplings dropping into boiling water. One after another, they slammed into it until it couldn’t even get back up.
What was outrageous was that every single Giant-Toothed Crocodile near the surface of the swamp—without exception—was knocked unconscious.
The four people on the shore were completely stunned. Si Er most of all.
I never expected Cui Cui’s appeal to be this strong. Could it really command an entire mushroom army?
Does this mean I can have a mushroom legion in the future? That actually sounds kind of cool.
Lu Taiping also thought it was cool. He couldn’t help glancing at the shrunken turtle lying on his shoulder, wondering why his own little guy couldn’t command a turtle army.
Sure, a turtle legion might not look as imposing—but wouldn’t it hit harder than these mushrooms?
Yu Beixuan placed a hand on Si Er’s shoulder and asked curiously, “Do mushrooms really hurt that much when they hit someone? They actually knocked out those crocodiles?”
“I remember that kind of crocodile having pretty thick skin.”
Si Er explained, “It probably has nothing to do with strength. What strength could mushrooms possibly have?”
“But some mushrooms are poisonous. Making someone dizzy is easy. They can even drive people mad.”
“These crocodiles were probably poisoned by the mushrooms.”
“So all these mushrooms are poisonous?” Lu Taiping looked regretful. “I was just thinking of scooping some up to eat.”
Si Er stared at him in shock. “Are you a demon? These mushrooms just saved us and you’re already thinking of eating them?”
Lu Taiping scratched his head. “But seeing so many mushrooms bouncing past right in front of me and not being able to eat even one—it’s really painful.”
“They all look pretty tasty.”
Si Er waved his hands quickly. “I don’t care what you think. I care what I think.”
“I think they’re all helpful little cuties. Not a single one can be eaten.”
Eating your lifesaving mushrooms? That’s too much! That’s worse than a beast!
Lu Taiping, scolded both aloud and in Si Er’s thoughts, felt guilty and quickly lowered his head.
“I won’t eat them, okay?”
Stop scolding, stop scolding—any more and I won’t be able to lift my head.
Yu Beixuan found it amusing. Patting Si Er’s shoulder, he smiled. “Don’t worry, Si Er. These mushrooms look quite spiritual. We wouldn’t think of eating them.”
Si Xu nodded in agreement. “I think they’re adorable too.”
Lu Taiping scratched his head awkwardly. So he was the only foodie without a conscience?
Yu Beixuan laughed. “Alright, enough about the mushrooms. While those crocodiles are still unconscious, let’s pick the Three-Leaf Swamp Lotus first.”
Si Xu patted the large roc on his arm again, but the roc was reluctant to approach.
It had almost been swallowed whole by a crocodile just now. Terrifying.
Seeing this, Yu Beixuan picked up a pebble from the ground and tossed it at one of the crocodiles’ heads.
The crocodile swayed slightly, then returned to its dazed, unmoving state.
Only then did the roc feel reassured. It cautiously flew over, grabbed a lotus branch in its beak, and darted away.
One crocodile struggled and tried to lunge at it, but a mushroom immediately smashed down onto its head.
Yu Beixuan found the mushrooms fascinating. They came in all shapes and colors—how had they managed to keep this entire group of crocodiles unconscious?
If they were all dizziness-inducing mushrooms, that would be one thing. But some were clearly “Encountering-Immortal Mushrooms.”
It was said that the toxin of the Encountering-Immortal Mushroom could confuse a soul cultivator’s mind, making them see immortals dancing—and imagine themselves joining in, dancing gracefully among them…
Just as Yu Beixuan thought of this, the crocodiles in the swamp began to stir restlessly.
Whoa—is the Encountering-Immortal Mushroom’s toxin kicking in? Am I about to see a crocodile dance party?
But standing by the swamp seems dangerous. I’d better move back.
As Si Er stepped back, he pulled Si Xu along with him.
“Careful. Don’t let the mud splash on you. I heard this swamp mud is somewhat corrosive.”
“Thanks.”
Feeling Si Er’s concern, Si Xu felt a little happy. His smile softened.
Si Er froze for a moment.
Wow… I have to admit, my second brother is seriously good-looking. It’s like he comes with his own soft-focus filter. When he smiles, that pure ‘white moonlight’ aura maxes out instantly.
Second brother?
Yu Beixuan, who had been feeling a little jealous, glanced at the two more closely. Only then did he realize they were actually five or six parts alike.
Their personalities and temperaments were different, so it wasn’t obvious when they weren’t standing together.
Si Xu was also surprised. Si Er had previously said that Si Ran was his fake younger brother—so did that make Si Er the real one?
He wasn’t sure if his guess was correct. But whenever he saw Si Er, he felt a sense of closeness, as if they were family.
If there was a possibility they were related—and since Si Er bore him no ill will—Si Xu would treat him like true family.
Lu Taiping, meanwhile, hadn’t noticed any of this. His attention was fully captured by the crocodiles.
After the dizziness passed, the swamp turned into a chaotic crocodile dance party. Mud splattered everywhere.
The scene was both ridiculous and filthy.
Si Er, Si Xu, and Yu Beixuan lost interest after a brief look. Only Lu Taiping watched with relish, still reluctant to leave.
“Why are we leaving already? Watching them dance is hilarious! This one’s tail jumped into that one’s mouth, and that one’s head jumped into another’s mouth.”
“I wonder if we’d see them start biting each other if we watched longer.”
Si Er quickly shook his head. “Not that far. The Encountering-Immortal Mushroom only makes you a bit crazy—it doesn’t drive you to mutual slaughter.”
Lu Taiping nodded regretfully. “What a pity. If they’d fought each other, I could’ve tasted crocodile meat.”
Si Er hurried a few steps away from him, suddenly finding him a bit scary.
Wanting to eat everything will only bring you trouble.
If Lu Taiping lived on Earth, he’d definitely be breaking the law.
He wants to bite everything he sees. Who knows how many protected species he’d chomp on?
Lu Taiping felt a chill listening to that. What kind of place was Earth? So strict?
On the Ten Thousand Beasts Continent, any uncontracted exotic beast was fair game!
Though he suspected crocodile meat might not taste great, their hide was thick!
He’d even been thinking about skinning one to make a leather bag—but now he didn’t dare say it.
After reviewing their remaining tasks, they realized most of the required items could be found at Hundred-Herb Cliff. So they headed there together.
According to the map, once they crossed Hundred-Herb Cliff, the academy gates wouldn’t be far.
Yu Beixuan suggested, “Why don’t we climb the cliff directly? The spiritual plants we need are all there, just at different heights.”
“I think climbing straight up would be the most efficient.”
Lu Taiping was reluctant. “Efficient doesn’t mean easy! Climbing a cliff takes so much effort!”
“What if we fall…”
Si Xu patted the large roc on his arm and smiled. “Don’t worry, Classmate Lu. Qingfeng will bring you back in time.”
Si Er touched the little mushroom on his head and smiled too. “Right. My Cui Cui can heal you. No need to worry.”
“As long as you don’t lose an arm or a leg, Cui Cui can treat any other external injury.”
Alright. One for rescue, one for healing. His life seemed guaranteed.
Lu Taiping gritted his teeth and nodded. “Fine. We’ll climb.”
At least climbing straight up meant no getting lost.
But when they reached the base of Hundred-Herb Cliff, Lu Taiping realized something—
He was the only unlucky one in the team.
Did Si Xu need to climb? No!
He had a giant roc that could fly him up.
Did Si Er need to climb? Also no!
The magical little mushroom on his head, which had just commanded the mushroom horde, was now commanding vines as well.
Si Er only had to stand there as a thick vine dropped down, wrapped around his waist, and lifted him upward automatically.
Did Yu Beixuan need to climb? Still no!
He had contracted a bird too—a massive black eagle—which could carry him up as well.
Only him. Only him had to climb on his own.
His turtle could carry him up the cliff too—but it was slower than he was!
