Next, Wang Wu and the other two went into the woods on the side and found a big tree to use as their campsite, making do with what they had.

Unexpectedly, after a while, two Little Tree Spirits came carrying a small basket of bright red berries. What hospitality!

"Thank you both, you're really so enthusiastic,"

Pork Belly drooled with greed, repeatedly expressing thanks, while those two Little Tree Spirits seemed unable to speak and were quite different from the Tree Spirit Envoy from the temple earlier.

That Tree Spirit had already more or less taken a human form, except for a few roots on its back, even its limbs were clearly visible, and its facial features were more delicate, showing visible expressions.

These two, you could say they looked like carrots.

"Hey, looks like we're having good luck today, we even have fruit to eat. I've been here three times before without such treatment."

After the two Little Tree Spirits left, Niu Aihua said with some doubt.

"Big brother, you've been here before?"

Pork Belly asked while busy stuffing berries into his mouth and also gave Wang Wu a few.

"Of course, the first time was forty years ago, I was only ten, came with my sister. She passed the test and became a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier, served ten years in the West Mountain, gained a sizable opportunity, and successfully advanced to the Seventh Grade. That's how she caught the South Mountain King's eye, was recruited as the White Ox Captain, and then married Marshal Xiong Hei."

"I've benefitted from their influence, and these years I've mixed pretty well, got myself a Yellow Ox Captain position. But I know well enough, relying on my sister and brother-in-law won't last long, I have to break through to the Seventh Grade to condense an Acupoint Opening Demon Pill."

"So I came here two more times hoping to become a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier, but both times I returned empty-handed and gained nothing."

"Fortunately, I have been diligent and motivated, and finally, two years ago, I successfully broke through to the Eighth Grade. See, the results are immediate, right? Now even you, second and third brothers, are benefitting from it."

"Of course, second and third brothers, let me give you a heads up. It's likely you won't pass the test, but don't be discouraged. I've already prepared another way for you. At Moyao Ridge, north of West Mountain, there's an old white wolf I call Old Bai Mao who used to be a White Wolf Captain under the South Mountain King and a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier. We're on good terms. Previously, it left because of disagreements with Marshal Qing Lang, failed to compete for the Marshal position, so it self-exiled here."

"You can go to it and become Mountain Patrol Demons, you can still shed the identity of illegal Demons."

Niu Aihua rambled on, while Wang Wu and Pork Belly finished the basket of berries completely. They were delicious.

"Big brother, don't worry, we both listen to you."

Pork Belly chuckled, "Actually, I didn't have high hopes of becoming a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier. I'm just ten years old this year, Ninth Grade, still young. If I can advance to the Eighth Grade by fifty, I wouldn't feel like my life was wasted, don't you think, third brother?"

Wang Wu listened silently but was curious about where Niu Aihua and Pork Belly's family was.

Because they were undoubtedly standard Second Generation Demons.

Forty years ago, Niu Aihua's sister was already an Eighth-Grade Bull Demon. At that time, Niu Aihua was likely Ninth Grade. Without family support, they would have long been turned into stir-fried Yellow Beef.

The same with Pork Belly, his parents likely were at least Eighth-Grade Pig Demons.

In general, without resources, without initial protection, for a Little Demon to climb up, it's incredibly difficult.

Because the Demon Race in the West Wilderness had clearly entered a feudal clan society, not a primitive, chaotic, brutish wasteland.

Wang Wu had experienced this deeply, like all Little Demons must speak human language - it sounds trivial, but isn't it a bit like Emperor Qin Shi Huang's 'same track of carriage, same script'? There's likely more to this.

Just then, his heart suddenly stirred, sensing something approaching from more than a hundred meters away, but without murderous intent, so he pretended not to notice, just quietly closed his eyes as if dozing.

At about fifty meters away, Niu Aihua suddenly called out, "Which friend over there? Why not come and join in?"

In contrast, Pork Belly had clueless wide eyes, sensing absolutely nothing.

A few seconds later, a shadow gracefully descended, exuding the aura of a master.

The visitor was a dark golden Great Praying Mantis of over a meter high.

Some parts of it seemed to exceed an ordinary Mantis Blade Master's traits, becoming stronger, more forceful, more aggressive, but on its head was a small palm-sized straw hat, looking a bit odd yet, when examined, had a few hints of the Sword Saint's charm.

"Ha! So it's Mantid Three Claws! Are you also here to take the Grass and Wood Demon Soldier test?"

Niu Aihua actually recognized him.

And in the next moment, the dark golden mantis spoke, its voice cold, low, like a swordsman sharpening his blade.

"Pleased to meet you, I wondered who was making a fuss here, turns out it's you, Niu Huanxi! But I have changed my name to Mantid Three Blades, hope you know."

"Haha, it really is a coincidence. I've also changed my name to Niu Aihua, hope you know."

Niu Aihua laughed eerily and stared down with this dark golden mantis without hostility, more like the gaze of childish rivalry moments between elementary school crushes.

After a moment, perhaps realizing their own boredom, they broke eye contact, and Niu Aihua turned to introductions, "Second brother, third brother, this is a relative of the North Mountain King, of course, the North Mountain King wouldn't acknowledge it."

Pork Belly couldn't reply to that, very wary of Mantid Three Blades, fearing a sudden attack might cut off his head. He could only glance at Wang Wu, who appeared asleep.

"We have the same test qualifications, why do you have berries to eat?" The mantid asked stiffly, this being his purpose for coming.

"Indeed, I want to ask too."

Another rough, low, hoarse voice sounded behind Mantid Three Blades, startling him to leap up, his twin blades glowing dark gold, nearly launching a frenzy attack.

But the newcomer turned out to be a gloomy-eyed Big Mountain Cat, which frightened Niu Aihua and Pork Belly to chills, especially Pork Belly, whose eyes instantly turned blood-red all over.

Because the one who came was none other than the North Mountain King's subordinate, the king of North Mountain Root, that Big Mountain Cat.

Among those present, only Wang Wu sensed its presence when the Big Mountain Cat sneaked within fifty meters.

However, he chose to pretend to sleep because, without a doubt, this Mountain Cat Captain, who had also advanced to the Eighth Grade, was here to participate in the Grass and Wood Demon Soldiers assessment too.

According to the rules, you can't fight in the forest.

Wang Wu was just curious about the relationship between Grandpa Tree and the Great Demons, how Niu Aihua's sister could serve as a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier for ten years before being noticed by the South Mountain King and joining its ranks.

And the Big Mountain Cat, Niu Aihua, including that Mantis Three Blades, apparently already served under the Great Demons and could also act as Grass and Wood Demon Soldiers?

Doesn't that conflict?

It feels like becoming a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier is more like taking a qualification exam.

"Oh, it's you, little kitty! The berries are only for our supply; you're not qualified yet."

Niu Aihua sneered, not showing a good expression.

The Big Mountain Cat lifted its head, its cold gaze sweeping over Niu Aihua, not even bothering to respond, as if the twitch of its whiskers carried mockery.

Then, its gaze swept over the trembling Pig Five Strips, who could hardly restrain himself, still ignoring him as well, as such a weak little demon didn't even deserve its mockery.

However, when its gaze fell on Wang Wu, there was finally a slight ripple in its icy eyes.

A long-lost killing intent flashed fleetingly.

In that instant, the temperature in the forest seemed to drop slightly.

"It's you, little bear. Last time you actually survived, which truly pleases me! Meow!"

The Big Mountain Cat licked its lips, its tail swaying gently as if ready to strike a deadly blow upon seeing a mouse.

But Wang Wu still slept peacefully, not even bothering to raise his head.

The atmosphere remained awkward, the killing intent in the Big Mountain Cat's eyes layered, its fur almost standing on end, but in the end, it merely let out a joyful "meow meow" and seemed increasingly excited.

Then, without a word, it turned and left.

Subsequently, the Mantis Three Blades also left, glancing somewhat unexpectedly at the sleeping Wang Wu before departing, for it didn't feel this little bear cub had anything special, three blades could finish it in a second.

Although it's just a mantis, it's an Eighth-Grade Mantis Demon.

Very soon, another unexpected guest arrived, a nearly two-meter-tall, fully upright rabbit, immense and imposing like Tyson the boxer, full of oppressive presence.

This was far stronger than the Labrador Robber Rabbit Wang Wu had eaten in the past.

And judging from this big rabbit's powerful thighs, its power core would be incredibly dreadful and astonishing.

"Master Tu the Third, didn't expect you to also come for this Grass and Wood Demon Soldiers assessment?"

Niu Aihua was somewhat surprised, with a hint of shock and concern. Even with a dull mind, it realized that this time's competitors were indeed a cloud of powerhouses.

"Ah, so it's Joy, yes indeed, recently I have some insights and feel there's a chance to push for the Seventh Grade, to condense the Acupoint Opening Demon Pill, yet I'm missing a little heat. So I might as well spend a few years as a Grass and Wood Demon Soldier, ask Grandpa Tree for some Spirit Pills, better than cultivating bitterly on my own."

"Then surely, you, Master Tu the Third, will have no problem. None of us can compare to your venerable status."

Even Niu Aihua could speak flattering words.

Unusual!

"Haha, Joy, thank you for your kind words."

"Master Tu the Third, I've changed my name now, it's Niu Aihua, please take note."

"Okay, Joy, I've noted it."

"It's Aihua."

"Hmm, right, I know, Joy."

Niu Aihua fell silent, while the big rabbit glanced at Pig Five Strips, revealing a friendly big tooth, "Oh, there's a Pork Large Intestine here too."

Pig Five Strips wisely remained silent.

So the big rabbit then looked at the sleeping Wang Wu.

"Oh, there's a little bear cub here."

Wang Wu slept on, peacefully.

So the big rabbit smiled amiably, turned around, and left, saying as it walked.

"Being young is great, eating well, sleeping soundly, and just as tasty. Sigh, getting old, teeth aren't as good, just love you tender little ribs."

"Make sure not to run too far."

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