Chapter Fifty-Two: The Little Brother with Remarkable Luck

Qin Chuan stared at Sleepybug in utter astonishment.

Sleepybug, however, was eating with relish, mumbling indistinctly, "Mmm, delicious, truly delicious. Big brother, do you want some?"

Qin Chuan's lips twitched. "No need, you go ahead."

The black mud was incredibly smooth, melting away as soon as it entered the mouth, and carried a faint fragrance. Sleepybug devoured it as though savoring sweet chocolate.

Perhaps it shouldn’t simply be called black mud—it deserved to be called black mud paste.

In fact, the aroma of this black mud paste was tantalizing, but unfortunately, Qin Chuan could not enjoy it.

After years of being consumed and excreted by the mud people, the black mud paste had become refined and rich in nutrients, greatly boosting the growth and maturity of golden lotuses.

Earlier, the golden lotus seed had been swallowed by Qin Chuan, while its essence dissolved into specks of golden light, merging into the black mud paste, further enhancing its value.

The value of all the black mud paste here was, in truth, no less than that of five golden lotus seeds.

Qin Chuan’s system didn’t give any notification, because the black mud paste contained neither essence nor experience or attribute bonuses.

Spiritual creatures evolve by consuming spirit fruits or minerals to gain energy and essence, while Qin Chuan gains strength by slaying spiritual beasts and absorbing their essence. The two methods are vastly different.

Thus, Qin Chuan’s way of leveling up was unique in the spirit realm, a gift of the system’s power.

Sleepybug was an exceptionally rare spiritual beast, with a unique physiology that allowed for effective transformation.

"Alright, then, big brother, I won't be shy," Sleepybug said.

Sleepybug was the epitome of a foodie; once he encountered something delicious, he simply couldn’t stop, exuding sheer joy.

With smack after smack, he devoured the mud paste, while Qin Chuan patiently waited.

After half an hour, the black mud paste accumulated over countless years was completely polished off by Sleepybug.

"Burp—big brother, I'm so sleepy, I feel like I’m about to evolve again," Sleepybug said, his adorable blue eyes barely open.

"Alright, go to sleep."

"Mmm," Sleepybug replied, then plopped down and drifted into a deep slumber.

"This little fellow can eat and sleep like no other. I wonder what surprise he’ll bring this time?"

Sleepybug had devoured so much black mud paste that even Qin Chuan was eager to see the results of his evolution.

About half a day later, a faint golden glow began to rise from Sleepybug.

Another half day passed; the golden glow grew bright, then faded, and the color of Sleepybug’s body changed.

Once pure white like jade, his body now bore a touch of gold.

"Ding! Second-tier, top-grade Golden Lotus Bug discovered, excellent quality, level 16."

"What the—Golden Lotus Bug? What kind of species is that?"

"This little brother’s luck is truly out of this world—not only did he mutate into a Golden Lotus Bug, he even leveled up!"

Qin Chuan was both surprised and delighted at the system’s prompt.

Since following Qin Chuan, Sleepybug’s luck had soared, and now he’d undergone a qualitative transformation.

Sleepybug opened his adorable blue eyes, filled with excitement and joy.

"Big...brother, I’m not Sleepybug anymore. I’m now a Golden Lotus Bug!"

"Mm, very good, little brother. Golden Lotus Bug sounds high-class and elegant."

Sleepybug was so moved that his blue eyes grew misty.

"Thank you, big brother. If not for you, I—"

"Stop—no need for sentimentality. Brothers don’t need to say such things; it’s enough to know it in our hearts."

Qin Chuan knew what Sleepybug was about to say and hastily interrupted.

"Mmm."

From wary strangers at first meeting, now their bond was as deep as brothers—their relationship had transformed completely.

Sleepybug’s mutation skills hadn’t changed much, still Harden-Spray, except the liquid now appeared a bit darker.

This adventure in the swamp left both Qin Chuan and Sleepybug deeply satisfied as they continued on their way, cheerful and content.

"The king sent me to patrol the mountain, I’ll take a tour around the spirit realm..."

Qin Chuan’s "melodious" singing again drifted across the sky above the Deer Plain.

Meanwhile, Sleepybug squinted his adorable blue eyes, looking utterly entranced.

Truly, they were an odd pair.

At level 16, Qin Chuan grew bolder, marching forward and singing, hoping to lure some spiritual creatures to their doom.

Unexpectedly, after half a day’s journey, nothing appeared.

By now, the sword and bug duo were approaching the core of the Deer Plain, where spiritual creatures were sparse.

Ahead, a squad of spirit beasts marched in neat formation, seemingly escorting something.

"Hmm, when did these spirit beasts become so organized and disciplined?"

"Could they belong to the Purple Spirit House or Black Wind Cliff?"

Sleepybug’s blue eyes gleamed with excitement. "Big brother, should we make a move?"

"Little brother, such a wonderful opportunity can’t be missed by a thief with ambition!"

"Mm, you’re right!"

"Haha, let’s go!"

So the sword and bug hurried to follow.

Ten Spirit-Tooth Oxen carried heavy wooden crates, trudging forward step by step.

"Smack smack smack!"

"Move faster, you fools! Stop dawdling, we’re almost there!"

Alongside the oxen, twenty Violent Spirit Bears swung their sharp claws mercilessly, occasionally smacking the oxen.

The Spirit-Tooth Oxen were in such pain they nearly wept, but dared not resist, trembling as they replied, "Yes, sir."

"Ding! Second-tier, low-grade Spirit-Tooth Ox discovered, excellent quality, level 12."

"Ding! Second-tier, top-grade Violent Spirit Bear discovered, excellent quality, level 17."

...

"Hmm, Violent Spirit Bears again. That one from before claimed to have connections—seems things are more complicated than I thought," Qin Chuan mused.

He’d assumed the Violent Spirit Bear lord in the forest was the background, but now it seemed far more extensive.

"Big brother, what should we do now?"

"Since fate has brought us together, let’s stick to the old rule—rob them!"

"Mm!"

Sleepybug’s "electric motor" whirred as he dashed ahead, blocking the road.

"This path is mine, this tree I planted. If you wish to pass, pay the toll! Nobody move—this is a robbery!"

Sleepybug glared with his adorable blue eyes, attempting a fierce look.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan sat upright on Sleepybug’s back, looking calm and collected.

The scene was truly bizarre.

"What’s going on here?"

...

At that moment, not only were the Violent Spirit Bears utterly confused, even the Spirit-Tooth Oxen stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

"Hey, didn’t you hear? This is a robbery!"

Sleepybug’s soft, cute voice rang out, sparking a burst of laughter.

"Oh, good heavens! What’s with this?"

"Where did these two little scoundrels come from, daring to rob the Great Lord’s goods?"

"Look at them—two level 16 youngsters. This is hilarious!"

...

Qin Chuan muttered, "So these are the Great Lord’s goods—no wonder they’re so heavily guarded."

"But even if they belong to the Great Lord, I’m still going to rob them."

Sleepybug was helpless; every time he appeared, laughter followed. But what could he do, with such an adorable appearance?

Even the most serious robbery looked comical.

"Big brother, I’ve done my best. Now it’s up to you."

"Mm, this is a big haul!"

Qin Chuan replied softly, his Cold Iron Sword vibrating gently.

A leading Violent Spirit Bear stepped forward, eyes dark with menace. "Do you realize you’ve committed a capital offense?"