Xiaoxiao.

Wu Ren, the key figure in this small team responsible for intelligence work, quickly realized with his extraordinary keen insight that Zhu Lu was an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock.

Therefore, he used all his strength to suppress his deep concern for his teammates' safety, took a deep breath, and began to concentrate on the intelligence gathering work.

His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the person in front of him. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a smile that was not quite a smile. Then he asked, "Are you the infamous mistress of Noguchi Pass?"

Wu Ren deliberately feigned disbelief.

Upon hearing this, the man opposite him immediately widened his eyes, his face flushed red, and he retorted loudly, "What mistress! I'm not a mistress, I'm a respectable and upright master!"

Zhu Lu corrected Wu Ren's mistake in addressing him with an angry expression.

Seeing this, Wu Ren did not give up. Instead, he deliberately dragged out his words and repeated in a sarcastic tone, "Oh... little—third—son... master?"

As he spoke, he shook his head, seemingly expressing disdain and skepticism towards the title.

Although the title did sound a bit strange, Zhu Lu suppressed his displeasure and nodded firmly again, saying, "That's right, I am Third Master!"

However, Wu Ren suddenly changed the subject, staring intently at Zhu Lu and scrutinizing him from head to toe, his eyes revealing undisguised suspicion.

He slowly said, "Oh dear! Isn't that a bit odd? It's rumored that Zhu Xian is a peerless master who has already cultivated to the sixth level! Since you call yourself Little Third Master, you should also have extraordinary strength... But looking at you, you don't seem like a powerful person at all."

At this point, Wu Ren even deliberately shook his head, pretending to be completely disbelieving.

Seeing this, Zhu Lu said indignantly, "Hmph! What do you know? Our ancestor is a top-notch master in the world, but we three brothers are not his sons."

"Is that his grandson?" Wu asked curiously.

“He’s not a grandson either,” Zhu Lu said.

"What is that?" Wu asked in confusion.

“Hmph! Nothing at all!” Zhu Luda said.

"Uh... it's nothing. How did you get the nickname 'Little Third Master'?" Zhu Lu's answer confused Wu Ren.

"Our Vermilion Fruit Clan is no ordinary clan. Apart from the three of us brothers and some fruit spirits, all the other Vermilion Fruits were carefully cultivated by our ancestor!"

These Vermilion Fruits were carefully cultivated by our ancestor with a great deal of time and resources; they are rare and precious natural treasures.

Besides these Vermilion Fruits, the rest are us Fruit Spirits. Fruit Spirits are created by Heaven and Earth, and like our Ancestor, we are all spirits of Heaven and Earth!

"Of course, since some of the fruit spirits were cultivated by the ancestor, he would absorb these fruit spirits from time to time to increase his cultivation." Zhu Lu explained fluently.

Wu Ren asked curiously, "Aren't fruit spirits born from the creation of heaven and earth? How can they be cultivated?"

Zhu Lu scratched his head and said, "I don't know either. Perhaps it's because our ancestor's cultivation was extraordinary that he possessed such great supernatural powers! Our ancestor could cultivate fruit spirits using his own essence and blood."

Wu Ren asked incredulously, "Is that possible?"

Zhu Lu thought for a moment and said confidently, "Of course, Ancestor can definitely do it!"

Zhu Lu's explanation seemed reasonable, but it made Wu Ren, an intelligence expert, suspicious.

It's important to understand that the so-called "Fruit Spirits" refer to all the Vermilion Fruits that have successfully awakened their sentience in Noguchi Ridge. This includes the Vermilion Immortal, but because his strength is far greater than that of other Fruit Spirits, many of his deeds have been mythologized.

While it is true that wild beasts can increase their cultivation by devouring their own kind, it is understandable that Zhu Xian, as a Zhu Fruit, can increase its strength by absorbing other fruit spirits.

However, to cultivate a kind of creature with intelligence, let alone a mere sixth-level beast, even a cultivator with heaven-defying strength at the Tribulation Transcending stage would probably find it impossible.

It should be understood that creation, especially the creation of sentient beings, is a supreme law possessed only by the Creator.

How could a mere sixth-level beast possess such power?

There must be some unknown secret hidden here...

It should be noted that the conditions required for a wild beast to develop intelligence are extremely stringent, far from being as easy as Zhu Shou described.

Is it possible to successfully cultivate a sentient being using only a few drops of blood essence?

Moreover, these beings are not only born with intelligence, but also possess extraordinary strength.

Such a statement is simply deceiving people and fooling ghosts!

If things were really that simple, the whole world would probably already be ruled by beasts.

After all, on any planet, the number of animals far exceeds that of humans.

The reason why humans can leave beasts far behind on the path of spiritual cultivation is not only due to their innate physical bodies, but more importantly, their innate intelligence.

Only humankind, with its powerful will and unwavering spirit, can accomplish great feats and turn the impossible into reality.

Without this unique advantage, all things in the world could treat humans as cattle and horses to be driven and enslaved.

If you have any doubts about this, you might as well take a closer look.

Whether it's lush plants or all sorts of animals, their vitality is far stronger than that of humans.

Those tenacious plants can stand resolutely in the crevices of rocks where there is almost no grass; they can thrive and multiply in the vast desert where water is extremely scarce and arid.

Even in the dark, sunless depths of a cave, they can still pass on their knowledge from generation to generation and continue to thrive.

Even atop a towering, precipitous peak, where the cold is biting and the clouds are high, it can still stand tall and proud against the wind.

They seem to possess inexhaustible power, able to persevere day after day for centuries.

Neither fierce winds nor scorching sun can stop their reproduction.

Time seems to have lost its meaning for them, and the passage of years cannot change their original intention.

Some animals also possess an amazing ability—to migrate back and forth without changing their migration patterns for thousands of years.

From the far north to the warm south, and then back from the south to the north, they never retreated in the slightest on this long and arduous journey.

Every migration is a challenge to life, but they overcome difficulties time and time again with their tenacious vitality.

What's even more awe-inspiring is that they can stand proudly alongside the sun and moon.

Regardless of spring, summer, autumn, or winter, day or night, they stand tall and unyielding, like guardians of the earth.

They have witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets, and endured countless storms, yet they still maintain their majesty and solemnity.

All of this is beyond the reach of humankind.

Human power is insignificant in the face of plants and animals, and human life is but a fleeting moment in the natural world.

Despite considering ourselves the most intelligent of all beings, we must acknowledge our own insignificance and fragility when faced with these wondrous creatures of nature.

So, why are humans able to occupy a dominant position in this world?

The answer lies in the innate intelligence we possess.

It is because of this unique intelligence that humankind has learned to think, create, and invent.

By using our wisdom to create tools and develop technology, we gradually conquer nature and establish our own civilized society.

It's impossible for a mere sixth-level beast to create sentient beings of its own kind.

This suggests that Zhu Xian may harbor some unknown secrets...