Chapter 110: The Pure, Unadulterated Tang of Bitterness

Qin Chuan did not know what to say as he watched the Sleepy Bug eating with such gusto.

Once finished, the Sleepy Bug scurried over to the side of the Ancient Vine Oolong Sword, swallowed it whole, and prepared to refine it slowly. It was unclear when the Sleepy Bug had started consuming spiritual objects, but it was incredibly picky, only deigning to eat those of the highest quality.

"This little brother of mine is truly voracious, leaving nothing behind. He’s even more ruthless than I am." Qin Chuan was dumbfounded by the creature's actions.

The three "bandits" then proceeded toward the Six-Star Life and Death Path, filled with a sense of anticipation. In the six-star zone, Qin Chuan had gained a bountiful harvest, accumulating significant amounts of origin essence and experience.

Evolution Points: 232 million/416 million
Experience Points: 1.524 billion/3.328 billion
Rage Points: 10/100
Slaughter Points: 9684/20000

They spent three days waiting before the colorful toxic miasma finally dissipated. During this time, Zi Zi finished refining the Lotus Seed, and the Sleepy Bug successfully evolved into a Four-Line Poison Dragon Bug, even finding time to absorb some of the blue-green toxic mist. The Sleepy Bug had become so obsessed with devouring that it neglected its rest—a total disgrace to its professional reputation as a "Sleepy Bug."

As soon as the Six-Star Life and Death Path opened, the three bandits charged in excitedly, as if there were treasures waiting to be picked up. After traveling over a thousand meters, at the end of the passage, the trio spotted a massive purple figure sitting there, looking as if it had just awakened.

This was the guardian of the Six-Star Life and Death Path, the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast. Like the previous two, it was clearly cut from the same cloth. Standing two and a half meters tall, the beast appeared incredibly robust, sporting a shield on its left arm and an axe on its right. As a VIP spiritual beast, its strength was formidable, and it was a pure power-attack type, currently at level 29.

Axe Barrage (Active): Level 3, Stage 1 Cleave. Attacks from above with axe energy, increasing sharpness by 20% per level. Level 3, Stage 2 Uppercut. Attacks from below with axe energy, increasing sharpness by 10% per level. Attack range: 5 meters.
Extreme Toughness (Exclusive Passive): Increases toughness by 120%. No level.
Tempering (Passive): Increases toughness by 10% per level and resistance to negative effects by 6% per level. Currently level 9.
Purple Spirit's Wrath (Active): Stuns the target for 3 seconds, reduces all attributes by 10%, and increases its own attributes by 10%. Cooldown: 20 seconds. Reduces cooldown by 1 second per level. Currently level 9.
Purple Spirit Toxic Miasma (Active): Releases a toxic cloud in a 10-meter radius, dealing damage over 3 seconds. Damage is proportional to the target's toughness. Increases duration by 0.5 seconds per level. Currently level 5.

The Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast’s stats were vastly different from its two brothers: Sharpness 800+, Toughness 1500+ (including passive), and Speed 500+. Based on these numbers, it was a defensive powerhouse; its 1500+ toughness was enough to make any spiritual object tremble. As long as it guarded the path, nothing could pass. While 800+ sharpness wasn't high for Qin Chuan, it was agonizing for others.

"Gurgle, gurgle." A rumbling sound erupted.

"Little brother, didn't you just eat? Why are you hungry again?"

The Sleepy Bug swallowed hard and said helplessly, "Big Brother, it’s not my stomach making that sound; it’s that big guy in front."

At that moment, the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast slowly stood up and began to walk toward them with a lumbering gait. *Boom! Boom! Boom!* The ground shook with every step, and leaves fell from the trees on both sides.

"Damn, this guy looks fierce."

"Mm-hmm."

After saying this, Qin Chuan hopped forward to meet it, stopping when they were twenty meters apart.

"Are you being too proactive? Did you know I was hungry and decide to deliver yourself as a snack? But you don't look very tasty; I’d rather eat that girl and that fat bug." The Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast grinned, saliva dripping from its sharp teeth, its bell-like eyes locked onto Zi Zi and the Sleepy Bug. It had eaten many treants before, but they were dry and flavorless.

Zi Zi and the Sleepy Bug were terrified by its appearance and quickly retreated more than ten meters.

"Haha, I love the look of fear on your faces." The Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast licked the sharp axe on its right arm, looking truly horrifying.

*Hum!* Qin Chuan let out a sword hum, the blade radiating a faint orange glow and a sharp aura.

"Your opponent is me."

The confident, calm tone, combined with the dazzling orange light, left the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast stunned.

"Tsk tsk, an orange-grade spiritual weapon. That’s rare." The beast made no effort to hide its desire, its eyes fixed on the Dragon-Pattern Cold Jade Sword as if looking at a delicious meal.

"You can try. We’ll see if your teeth are harder or my blade is sharper."

Upon hearing this, the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast laughed loudly, struck a pose it deemed cool, and flexed its steel-like "muscles."

"Haha, trying to out-harden me? You’re overestimating yourself." The beast was incredibly confident in its 1500+ toughness; in the entire Psychedelic Forest, it had every right to be proud.

Judging by this, Qin Chuan knew the beast was definitely tough as nails. As for how tough, he would have to find out.

"You’re quite confident. Let’s trade a few blows." Qin Chuan didn't use any special techniques, instead hopping forward. As a long-range type, he was playing like a power-attack and speed-type hybrid.

The Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast looked at him with amusement, standing there nonchalantly. "I bet you can't even scratch me."

Qin Chuan couldn't help but laugh. "Damn, this guy is truly arrogant."

"Let's see then. Take this!" Qin Chuan leaped forward and delivered a basic attack.

The Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast didn't even blink, remaining motionless with a mocking smile on its face.

*Clang!*

The Dragon-Pattern Cold Jade Sword struck the beast, sending sparks flying and leaving only a shallow, barely visible mark.

"Ding! Triggered 18.4% slowing effect."

"Damn, he really is tough! Wait, even the slowing effect is significantly reduced."

"Argh! It hurts!" Suddenly, the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast let out a pig-like shriek, leaving Zi Zi and the Sleepy Bug bewildered.

"Big Sister Zi Zi, did Big Brother's sword grow teeth?"

"I don't know, why is that guy jumping around in pain?"

Meanwhile, the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast was equally shocked. It felt as if it had been bitten by something, and the pain was unbearable.

"Hey! Your rotten black sword is cheating! How dare you bite me!" The beast rubbed the spot where it had been struck, looking furious.

Qin Chuan almost laughed. "That’s called penetration—pure, unadulterated pain. Stand still and take another hit."

With those words, Qin Chuan swung again.

"Do you think I'm stupid? No way!" The beast ducked slightly and raised its shield to block.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew again, but the Five-Colored Purple Spirit Beast felt much better. With the shield blocking, it couldn't feel the piercing effect at all.

"Come on! Keep hitting me! I'm completely fine!" The beast strutted about again, looking incredibly punchable.

Qin Chuan, however, replied calmly and with a "smile," "Alright, I'll grant your wish."