But how could some untrained tree spirits be opponents for those minor deities?
To avoid direct conflict while still obtaining the fortunate fruits, they resorted to counterfeiting them.
I heard that Tunyi, the land deity of Sanshui Village, often undertook missions, so I went to observe the process myself.
After just a glance at the packaging of the fortunate fruit, I used my magic to create an exact replica.
This was only brought out after my brethren had all seen it.
As a result, the first attempt was successful.
After obtaining the real fortunate fruit, Liu Da carefully compared and studied it, discovering that while the packaging could indeed be replicated by his magic, the fortunate fruit itself could not be.
Thus, the subsequent method of substituting the genuine with the fake was devised.
On several occasions when sending people out on missions, the success rate was decent, almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
For a minor tree spirit, obtaining a fortunate fruit was considered an immense blessing.
Each time a fortunate fruit was brought back, Liu Da would prioritize himself first. If he obtained many, he would share them with his brethren.
Although other tree spirits harbored grievances, they could only submit due to Liu Da's superior strength.
In order to obtain a sufficient number of fortunate fruits, Liu Da ultimately decided to win by quantity.
He adopted a broad casting strategy, aiming to get as many as possible.
Just recently, this Kuai Si obtained eight fortunate fruits from an unknown source, which greatly impressed his brethren.
However, only Liu Da knew that he had consumed two of the eight fortunate fruits himself, distributing the rest to others.
Only the top-ranked individuals received one each.
This was because fortunate fruits could not be shared; once removed from their packaging, they would vanish within a short time.
I was one of the few who had tasted both a single fortunate fruit and those eight, and the taste, quantity, and efficacy were different.
I couldn't quite discern the exact differences.
However, after consuming the fortunate fruit, my body felt much more comfortable, as if a wisp of warmth entered my body, dispelling the internal cold and dampness.
After circulating my energy, that warmth integrated into it.
After sparring with several of my brothers, I discovered that my cultivation had indeed improved considerably.
Therefore, obtaining fortunate fruits became a common consensus.
...
"How dare you snatch Grandpa's fortunate fruit?"
A voice descended from above, carrying a hint of coldness.
"Who are you? You need proof for your accusations!" Liu Da was not afraid.
The opponent was merely a young man. Although his eyes were fierce, Liu Da had lived for several hundred years and had encountered many formidable beings.
Since Chun Liu had not brought back any fortunate fruits this time, and their lair was devoid of them, the newcomer, no matter how powerful, would not be able to do anything without evidence.
Although they had long since encroached upon the living space of demons in the mortal world, many celestial demons still survived.
Liu Da's goal was also to become a celestial demon, thus allowing him to naturally remain and live in the mortal realm.
Although the Heavenly Court looked down upon demons, they had not entirely blocked the path to celestial ascension for them.
The human world might not tolerate demons, but many people still believed in celestial demons for fortune-telling.
Therefore, Liu Da believed that with enough fortunate fruits, he could leave these deep mountains and forests, enjoy offerings in the human world, and eventually ascend to become a celestial being or a god.
Standing opposite Liu Da was the newcomer. He had tracked them here using his special ability to sense dark energy.
Upon arriving at the cave entrance and seeing so many spirits, he felt genuinely excited.
Although he had traversed the mortal world for a century, this was his first encounter with this type of spirit.
He had heard that they had long been extinct, and he wondered why they had appeared here.
"I advise you to hand over the fortunate fruits immediately, and I will spare your lives!"
The newcomer, perhaps having stayed in the human world for too long, was accustomed to smoking cigars.
He held a cigar between his fingers and picked up a lighter with his right hand.
"Crack!" With a sound, the flame slowly began to ignite the cigar.
This was a rare sight among the tree spirits, so many lesser spirits had gathered at the cave entrance to watch.
It seemed as if there was no danger at all.
After the newcomer finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.
Liu Da remained silent, and the other spirits dared not speak.
Primarily, they were all uncertain of the opponent's strength and were waiting to see how Liu Da would handle the situation.
"My friend, we really haven't taken any fortunate fruits. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to search the cave!"
Liu Da adopted a very humble posture, waiting for the newcomer to enter the cave.
Once he was inside, Liu Da would find a way to control him.
The newcomer seemed unconcerned, taking a puff of his cigar and exhaling two thick plumes of smoke from his nostrils.
He walked towards the cave step by step. The other lesser spirits quickly moved aside, forming two rows and indicating the direction he should go.
Liu Da's eyes widened as he stared intently at the newcomer.
He watched as the newcomer walked in, and the moment he crossed the threshold, Liu Da immediately began chanting a spell: "Wuwuwu Ji Ji Hei!"
The vines at the cave entrance, as if commanded, moved instantly at a rapid pace. If it were a mortal, there would be no time to escape.
However, the newcomer remained unhurried, continuing to walk inside step by step.
But, just as he turned back after entering the cave, "Wuw~ Wa!"
After a deafening roar, a mass of black energy surged towards the cave entrance.
The branches rustled, and the large vines at the entrance swayed violently, but they were swiftly annihilated.
Liu Da was greatly shocked and hastily dodged to the side.
It was a pity for the lesser spirits at the entrance, who met a gruesome end, crying and howling.
Even Chun Liu had no time to react before being completely annihilated by the flock of crows.
...
Liu Sandao had intended to reach the black shadow's location instantly, but as soon as he lifted his foot, he was called to a halt by Su Ni.
"Liu Sandao, wait. Did you find the fortunate fruit?"
Liu Sandao could only pause his movement and handed the fortunate fruit he had retrieved from the newcomer to Su Ni.
This was his reward, his payment.
"Quick, let's chase the black shadow, it's just ahead!"
Liu Sandao said, pulling Su Ni forward. This time, he did not use the secret technique from "Ruoshui Fu."
They arrived just as the newcomer unleashed the flock of crows.
However, the scene before them was truly astonishing:
Wherever the flock of crows passed, there were wails and miserable cries.
Even though they knew they were demons and did not deserve sympathy, the sounds were still distressing to hear.
Just as the newcomer was about to order the crows to attack Liu Da, Liu Sandao intervened.
"Wait, you can't kill him, otherwise, we'll never know what happened to the fortunate fruit system."
"So what? If he dies, no one will do this again. Isn't that simple?"
The newcomer said, yet he persisted with his attack.
However, Liu Sandao was not idle. He unleashed a golden light with his energy.
Perhaps seeing that the two sides had begun to fight, Liu Da seized the opportunity to slip away stealthily.