“How do you know the Stardew Fruits are in here?” Alex asked the pig demon. After all, even the Mystic Maiden did not know that the Stardew Fruits were hidden underneath at first, and favonovel.com only knew that there was something good here.
The pig demon pointed at its nose with its large hoof. “Do you know I am?”
This action of it was indeed a little peculiar. Alex asked, “Aren’t you a fleshy pig?”
“A fleshy pig?” The pig demon screamed and pouted its snout, as if the words ‘fleshy pig’ were an extreme insult.
“Aren’t you a fleshy pig? I see you’re hairless and fleshy. If you’re not a fleshy pig, what are you then? A hairless pig?”
“You… You’re insulting pigs!”
After saying that, the pig demon seemed to discover that something was wrong with that sentence. Then, it arrogantly said, “I tell you what, human brat. I alone am the honored treasure-hunting pig. I can tell if it’s the Stardew Fruit from a whiff with my nose.”
Alex understood it now.
An item like the Stardew Fruit was produced from the Stardew Tree and had particularly stringent requirements for cultivation. It was especially difficult if it were to grow naturally. This was something that belonged to the prehistoric era and was practically extinct.
The Stardew Fruits were planted on this mountain, so someone must have cultivated them deliberately. Hence, the mountain’s surface was extremely barren without any living spiritual energy because the spell formation had been sealed.
“Human, do you know the method to pluck Stardew Fruits? I can assert that you won’t be able to pluck even one of them without my help,” the pig demon said with a great conviction.
Alex nodded in his mind.
The Stardew Fruit was extremely peculiar and had its own protection system, just like a natural domain.
If favonovel.com were to pluck it recklessly, favonovel.com might be killed on the spot by the Stardew Tree’s domain.
The Mystic Maiden said, “I remember it. Strange creatures called treasure-hunting pigs that have an extraordinary ability to track precious plants do indeed exist. To them, it’s an instinct that’s fused in the bloodline… If you can deceive this pig to serve you, you won’t have to worry about the spiritual materials in the future.”
Alex asked, “Can I capture it by force and sign a contract?”
The Mystic Maiden shook favonovel.com head. “Strange creatures have their own protective abilities. The greatest problem with this treasure-hunting pig is that it’s immune to contracts, and it’s especially fast when it runs. It still looks like a suckling, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to deceive it.”
“Of course, such a daunting task has to be handled by professionals,” Alex replied. “I’ll leave it to my beloved Master White Lotus then.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, I mean with great abilities come greater responsibilities!”
At this moment, the silver light that burst through the mountain cave was getting stronger.
The treasure-hunting pig exclaimed in surprise, “It’s almost time. The Stardew Fruits are ripening. Stop hesitating, human. Hurry up and go in. It only takes the effort of several blinks to progress from ripening to decay of the Stardew Fruits. Once you miss it, there will be nothing left.”
Alex did not hesitate and immediately agreed. He dug again with the Xavion Sword, digging a little deeper.
The treasure-hunting pig drilled into it right away without saying another word.
Alex was afraid that it had a trick up its sleeve, so favonovel.com activated the Reflective Eye and created a few mirages, leaving two of them guarding the cave entrance. Then, favonovel.com hurriedly went in to pursue it.
A few minutes later, favonovel.com saw the Stardew Tree.
This was a space of the mountainside with an area of about five hundred square meters. Underneath was a pool of chilly water with fairy energy floating on it, and in the middle, was a short, ancient tree that glowed with silver light. It was five meters tall at most, but its foot was fully wrapped with thick and old vines.
The tree’s trunk and leaves emanated a silver radiance. The seven purple flowers on it were growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The pig demon said, “How fortunate! How fortunate! There’s still time. Seven flowers actually bloomed. Hey, human brat, I’ll take four fruits later, and you’ll take three fruits. This is Grandpa Pig’s bottom line.”
Alex dug his ear.
Whoosh!
The five mirages at the back rushed over and stood next to him. He licked his lips and said, “Actually, the Stardew Fruit whatsoever isn’t very important to me, but I’m a bit hungry right now. I really want to eat roasted trotters.”
Once the pig demon heard it, its eyes opened wide. Looking at the six identical Alex’, it thought that its flesh was more precious, so it could only give in. “Fine then. Half for each person. Each person will get three and a half fruits.”
