207: Unexpected gain

The path traversing the Boiling Mud Swamp was even more cautious than when they arrived. It wasn't because the environment had become more dangerous, but because there was now a cold and fragile "burden" in their arms, and the journey home was often more anxiety-inducing than the way there. The four of them moved quickly through the poisonous mist and mud, following the markers and memories from their arrival, wanting only to leave this land of death as soon as possible.

Just as they approached the edge of the swamp and could already see the silhouette of the distant Red Wasteland, heavy footsteps and the sound of tree trunks being snapped by brute force echoed from a "woodland" ahead, composed of massive, charred, dead trees.

"Careful!" Qin Feng immediately raised his hand to signal them.

As soon as he spoke, four massive figures emerged from behind the dead trees, blocking their path. They were four great apes several times sturdier than the Fire Source Gorillas they had encountered in the secret passage! Their bodies were likewise covered in dark red stone skin, but muscles coiled beneath the stone skin like old tree roots. Lava fissures at their joints shimmered with a dangerous red light, and each held a massive dark stone club covered in natural jagged edges, obtained from who knows where. The most heart-palpitating thing was the Aura they radiated—they were all Early Stage Martial Kings!

Behind them, indistinctly, were dozens of slightly smaller gorillas with Grand Martial Master Auras, holding various crude stone weapons and emitting threatening low growls, blocking the path ahead so completely that not even a drop of water could leak through.

The tallest gorilla in the lead had eyes as red as blood. It slammed its stone club heavily onto the ground, splashing mud everywhere, and spoke in human tongue, its voice as coarse as grinding rocks:

"Human... was it you... who killed my children?!"

It stared intently at Qin Feng, its violent killing intent completely undisguised. Clearly, they were connected to the five gorillas in the secret passage, possibly even of the same tribe, and had sensed the deaths of their kin through some means, locking onto the Aura of the killer.

"That's right." Qin Feng did not deny it, admitting it frankly. Before a Yao Beast with such high intelligence, sophistry was meaningless and would only provoke the opponent. At the same time, he secretly sent a voice transmission to the three behind him: "Prepare to react, but don't strike first."

Xia Ya's giant shield was already slightly raised, and her giant tooth sword was ready to strike. Ji Ruxue's figure quietly retreated half a step, merging into the shadows of the dead trees, the cold light of her purple moon dagger faintly visible. Xiao Chun nervously clutched the egg in her arms and retreated to the side behind Xia Ya.

Hearing Qin Feng admit it directly, the red light in the lead gorilla's eyes grew even more intense as it let out an angry roar: "Awoo—! Compensation! How will you compensate me?!"

The dozens of gorillas behind it raised their weapons simultaneously, letting out ear-splitting roars. Their Aura was aggressive, as if they would swarm and attack at the slightest disagreement. With four Early Stage Martial Kings plus dozens of Grand Martial Masters in this relatively open area at the swamp's edge, once a battle began, even if they could win, it would certainly not be easy. More importantly, the egg in Xiao Chun's arms might be caught in the crossfire.

Qin Feng's thoughts raced, and he made a decision in an instant. He raised his hand and pressed down slightly, signaling his side to stay calm, while facing the enraged gorilla leader and saying loudly, "Wait! We did not kill without reason; it was they who attacked us first. However, since the deed is done, we are willing to provide compensation."

"Compensation?" The gorilla leader's crimson eyes rolled as it said coarsely, "Compensate with what? Ordinary things cannot buy back my children's lives!"

Qin Feng took a small jade box from his robes and opened the lid. Immediately, three wisps of incredibly pure dark red light, appearing like liquid fire, emerged. The surrounding temperature seemed to rise several degrees as a dense Aura of fire-attribute energy filled the air—it was three portions of earth core flame marrow!

"This is earth core flame marrow, a supreme treasure from the depths of the Molten Core Secret Realm. It is of immense benefit to fire-attribute creatures, capable of tempering the physique, purifying the Bloodline, and aiding cultivation." Qin Feng held the jade box in his palm. "How about using these three portions of flame marrow as compensation?"

"earth core flame marrow?!" The gorilla leader clearly knew its value. Its crimson pupils suddenly contracted as it stared fixedly at the three dark red crystals in the jade box, its breathing becoming heavy. The gorilla troop behind it also broke into a commotion and greedy low growls. To these Yao Beasts who lived around the Molten Core Secret Realm year-round and relied on fire-attribute energy as their Foundation, the attraction of earth core flame marrow was lethal! This was not just precious "wealth," but an Opportunity to elevate the strength of the entire tribe!

"This... this is the stuff that old lizard, the Lava Giant Lizard King, guarded so closely..." The gorilla leader's voice carried an unbelievable excitement. "How could you possibly get it? And you're willing to give it up?" It looked at Qin Feng with eyes full of surprise and suspicion.

"How we obtained it is our own business," Qin Feng said without changing expression. "As for whether we are willing—we killed your kin, so it is only right that we compensate you. You surely understand the value of these three portions of flame marrow. Can this matter be put behind us? If you are unwilling, you are also welcome to witness our capabilities."

The gorilla leader's massive chest heaved violently, clearly undergoing an internal struggle. It was certainly angry about the death of its kin, but the fact that these people could obtain the flame marrow meant they were quite capable.

Furthermore, the temptation of three portions of earth core flame marrow was simply too great! With these three portions, it might be able to Breakthrough its Bottleneck, and perhaps one or two more Martial Kings would be born in the tribe! Weighing the pros and cons, its bestial instinct quickly overrode the impulse for revenge.

"Fine!" It slammed its chest hard, making a dull thud. "Human, you are straightforward! Hand over the goods, and the previous debt is written off!"

Qin Feng did not hesitate either. With a flick of his wrist, the jade box containing the three portions of earth core flame marrow flew steadily toward the gorilla leader. The other party caught it cautiously, and after carefully sensing and confirming it, its face revealed undisguised ecstasy.

It was actually quite "principled." After putting away the flame marrow, it let out a low growl at Qin Feng: "Human, you're not bad! We Fire Source Gorillas are clear about gratitude and grudges!" With that, it turned and roared a few sentences in the gorilla language to the tribe. The gorillas, who had been tense and ready for battle, lowered their weapons one after another and cleared the path.

Not only that, but the gorilla leader seemed to feel it had gotten a bargain. It scratched its head and suddenly gave a few instructions to a gorilla behind it. That gorilla quickly ran back into the depths of the dead tree forest and returned after a short while, carrying a large pile of fruits of various colors and strange shapes, all emitting a faint spiritual light and fragrance.

"These, 'Fire Spirit Fruit', 'Earth Vein Banana', 'Red Pulp Peach'... they grow on our territory. They taste good and are somewhat beneficial to you humans' cultivation. They're yours!" With a wave of its massive hand, the gorilla leader signaled its subordinates to pile the large heap of Spiritual Fruits in front of Qin Feng. Then, it impatiently led the tribe, clustering around the box of earth core flame marrow, and disappeared joyfully into the depths of the dead tree forest, looking as if it were in a hurry to return and study how to use this supreme treasure that had fallen from the sky.

Qin Feng and his three companions were left behind, looking at each other in surprise at the small pile of Spiritual Fruits before them.

"That's it... resolved?" Xia Ya was a bit dazed as she put away her giant shield and sword.

"It seems these gorillas have higher intelligence than the creatures in those other two Secret Realms; they're easier to talk to than I imagined." Ji Ruxue's figure emerged. Looking at the departing gorilla troop, there was a hint of surprise in her cold eyes.

Xiao Chun breathed a sigh of relief and walked over holding the egg: "These fruits... their Spiritual Qi is so abundant!"

Qin Feng inspected the Spiritual Fruits and confirmed they were non-toxic and contained quite pure and gentle Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi along with the essence of fire and wood attributes. He then had everyone pack some away. "Consider it an unexpected joy; they can serve as supplies on the road."

With the crisis averted and a batch of Spiritual Fruits gained for free, the four of them felt much more relaxed. They quickened their pace and finally left the unpleasant Boiling Mud Swamp completely, returning to the Red Wasteland.

To rush back to Medicine King Valley as quickly as possible, they traveled day and night, only taking brief breaks to regulate their breath. Along the way, they took out the Spiritual Fruits gifted by the gorillas to eat. When the fruits entered their mouths, the taste was indeed wonderful—sweet and juicy. More importantly, after entering their stomachs, they transformed into streams of gentle and pure spiritual energy that quickly nourished their Meridians and Dantian. The fatigue from continuous battles and travel was swept away, and their spirits were refreshed.

Particularly after Qin Feng, Ji Ruxue, and Xia Ya each ate several different kinds of Spiritual Fruits, they faintly felt that their originally solid Realm barriers actually showed signs of loosening! It wasn't a direct Breakthrough, but like a long-tamped Foundation being injected with an active spiritual spring, it became more active, and the door to the next level seemed a bit clearer.

"These Spiritual Fruits... are their effects this good?" Xia Ya felt the lively surge of True Qi within her body and was somewhat pleasantly surprised.

Qin Feng savored that slight feeling of loosening and said thoughtfully, "It seems these Spiritual Fruits grown in the special environment at the edge of the Molten Core Secret Realm, nourished year-round by pure fire spirits and Earth Veins, are indeed extraordinary. The Spiritual Qi they contain is pure and its attributes are a perfect match for Martial Dao Foundation Establishment. They are indeed effective for stabilizing our Foundation and touching the Bottleneck. This will save us much painstaking effort in the future."

Xiao Chun also ate some. Her Myriad Medicine Body had a higher absorption efficiency for these natural spiritual items. She could feel her vitality becoming a bit more robust and agile. Even the deathly still egg in her arms seemed to be slightly permeated by the dissipated essence of the Spiritual Fruits as her life force circulated—though, of course, there was still no sign of life.

This unexpected "compensation gift" undoubtedly put a surprising end to this Molten Core Secret Realm journey filled with twists and turns.