Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 1700: Chapter 1680: A Crocodile

”But isn’t this Ning Wei too slow?” Long Tu had returned, yet that person was still nowhere to be seen, making He Wenyu exceedingly curious.

Even Di Jun furrowed his brows, looking at Luo Qianqian: ”Where did you separate from him? Could he have gotten lost?”

”Lost? No way... shouldn’t he be able to find his way back by scent?” Qhianqhian wore a look of suspicion as she watched He Wenyu carefully roasting a rabbit. She pursed her lips; even she had to admit, this aroma—who could experience such delight in this world!

”He went in the opposite direction from me. I headed over there, but hadn’t gone far before discovering mushrooms...” Luo Qianqian carefully identified the direction, then pointed towards a direction they hadn’t yet explored.

”Didn’t go far?” Long Tu was slightly astonished: ”How could mushrooms grow on the outer rim without any rain?”

”That’s a good question...” Luo Qianqian was equally puzzled; after all, if it had rained, they wouldn’t have been unaware!

Not only were there no signs of rain in the forest, but even on the path, there weren’t any such signs!

There was simply no possibility of rain!

So how could this be explained now?

”Could it be... a crocodilian Spiritual Beast...” Di Jun subconsciously swallowed, turning his gaze towards the direction Luo Qianqian pointed: ”You guys think this thing is tasty?”

Qhianqhian paused for a moment: ”I know there’s barbecue made of this, but I’ve never eaten it. If it’s jerky, it’s a good low-fat food for dieting.” She had tasted it before, courtesy of Chang Xi, little packs with incomprehensible labels.

”Probably tastes good? Isn’t fish tasty too? But I reckon it must be far more formidable than those rabbits.” He Wenyu spoke slowly after a moment’s silence.

In their view, rabbits, fish, and even chickens were food, and gentle herbivores.

But this crocodile was a fearsome carnivore with impressive bite force! Just think of those intimidating teeth...

Seemingly, only the little toothpick bird could face those teeth without fear, right?

If Mr. Crocodile sneezed... hahaha, the toothpick bird might find itself chilled instantly, huh?

That’s what’s meant by accompanying a monarch as if accompanying a tiger, right?

At this point, Di Jun’s expression subtly changed.

They were in the outer area; how could they encounter such a powerful creature? It didn’t make sense!

”We ought to go take a look; I have a bad feeling.” An audible ’gulp’ accompanied the movement of Di Jun’s Adam’s apple.

After all, he lacked offensive capabilities, and using group healing magic left him in a weakened state—unable to protect himself, he’d be a burden...

”I think the same.” Long Tu nodded repeatedly, taking a deep breath and remarking seriously: ”He probably went elsewhere to avoid bringing disaster upon us.”

”If that’s the case, it explains why he hasn’t returned for so long.” Qhianqhian nodded decisively, abandoning the fragrant food, and exhaled deeply: ”Let’s go.”

”Yeah.” He Wenyu placed his things aside, packing away pots, pans, leaving only the food and a makeshift wooden grill.

Di Jun was equally resolute; after all, the other party’s efforts not to draw danger towards them merited their respect!

The quartet quickly ran in the direction from where Ning Wei departed...

Before long, they spotted footprints on the ground—clearly human prints adjacent to tail-marked animal tracks. It confirmed their assumptions about the adversary. Yet, tracing the tracks hadn’t taken long when the surrounding environment appeared to be severely damaged. They began to feel anxious, searching around when suddenly...

”Hey, I’m right here, come on over!”

After walking for quite a while, a particularly irksome voice echoed—one they recognized... undoubtedly it was Ning Wei.

The four slowed their steps, gently approaching the source of the voice.

They saw Ning Wei perched on a branch three meters high—gleefully teasing an enormous crocodile on the ground, spanning the width of three people united, unyielding as it endured powerful hits.

In contrast to this tree, there lay numerous toppled ones around...

”How about... I go find something to eat, then we watch here?” Di Jun muttered as he looked at Zhayimu, unsure how to react.

They’d come over out of concern, yet the scene made their worries seem misplaced.

”Don’t you want that beast to notice us?” He Wenyu rolled his eyes: ”I don’t want... hey, hey, hey??!!”

Before the words were finished, she and Qhianqhian found themselves stunned—shoved forward by Long Tu from behind. The surprise noise caught the attention of both the tree-top man and the ground-dwelling beast...

”Give yourselves a practice run.” Mushroom gathering isn’t practice enough, picking something challenging brings a sense of achievement.

Right now, He Wenyu appeared bewildered, Qhianqhian embarrassed, facing the crocodile below, at a loss.

This crocodile looked entirely different from those seen in aquariums—not just in color or teeth...

Its whole body was glossy black, appearing the purest black...

Its teeth were sharp, seemingly reflecting icy gleams...

The most striking was its tail, half its body length, covered in scales slightly protruding, evidently adorned with barbs!

Being struck by it might not result in death, but at the very least, one would cough up blood!

It didn’t only possess strength, but cunning—how did this creature grow so perfectly, such timing?

No wait, this should be about survival of the fittest, right?

Such creatures survive better, as even if they can’t escape unharmed, they can ensure mutual destruction in battles...

”Wow... I knew you wouldn’t abandon me; you’re all my best friends!” Ning Wei exclaimed from the tree, full of gratitude: ”I thought you’d ignore me, thank you, thank you!”

”...Shouldn’t such ignorance be considered an accomplice? Indifference leading to death is also being a killer, no?” Qhianqhian muttered under her breath, retrieving the Thousand Mechanism Box and casually manipulating it to produce a Zhuge Repeating Crossbow.

”What? You’re joking, right?” He Wenyu was left dumbstruck: ”You want me up close to shoot together into tatters?”

”Best hone your skills.” Long Tu remarked calmly.

Qhianqhian paused, then sulkily switched to a black sword.

However, regardless of whether it’s swords, spears, halberds or axes, she was clueless in their use!