Stuck straddling a running, screaming carnivorous plant, unable to hop off, Li Meirong could only pound her fists against its wobbly flesh to no avail.
At least it stopped smelling so bad, now that it wasn't digesting living creatures.
The Plant was much stronger and larger than her. It leapt with surprising speed between the vines and hopped over difficult terrain. In fact, if it hadn't just tried to eat her friends a minute ago, she would have been able to admit that she was impressed with how smart it was!
Pretty soon, Li Meirong no longer had any idea where she was. She couldn't be sure but she assumed that by now it was already the morning of the test's second day.
The scenery didn't change a lot, yet she could tell she was now in a far deeper and creepier part of the jungle. In the quietness of the rainforest, Li Meirong began to feel a menacing presence observing her, unseen. The feeling gave her serious goosebumps.
The plant was finally slowing down, apparently "heaving" from the long run.
When it had settled down near a moss covered tree, Li Meirong climbed down from it and distanced herself a few feet away, making sure to keep it within her field of vision.
It stood there with its mouth open. Panting like it was out of breath.
"…" Li Meirong was stunned, speechless. It's acting a lot more like a person and a lot less like a plant!
She didn't know what to make of all this apparently sentient behaviour and continued to eye the strange Plant warily. It hadn't really occurred to her that the plants themselves in this place might be as much of a threat as any wild animal, just as it probably hadn't occurred to her poor friends. But the lesson was learned, and now she tried to remain as vigilant as possible, ready for anything that might jump out and attack her.
"I can't believe I have such rotten luck as to deal with killer plants on my own, of all things." Li Meirong sighed. She was beginning to wonder if she would ever get a day to relax in this godforsaken world.
Li Meirong concluded; This is not worth it.
Suddenly, searing pain in her right ear cut her thoughts short, causing her to wince and hiss in pain. The feeling was of cold metal slicing through her flesh. Her hand shot up to clutch the assaulted ear… the tip was nearly sliced off!
Her fingers were coated with her own blood. Before she could glance back, the feeling of hot breath on her assaulted ear made her freeze on the spot.
Strong fingers pried her hand away and a warm, slippery tongue slid across her earlobe. Next, a mouth clamped down on her wound and sucked on it harshly, making her cringe with pain.
"Let go!" She turned and pushed her assailant with what was left of her strength. The attacker barely moved but for some reason loosened his vice-like grip enough to allow her to wriggle away from him.
She scrambled back on all fours towards where she'd left the Carnivorous Plant. However, it had apparently used the distraction of the sudden attack to disappear further into the jungle.
"You look so ugly yet taste so good!" The assailant behind her declared, laughing maniacally.
Li Meirong turned to face him, forcing herself to steel her resolve. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling.
The man appeared to be a young adult, tall of height. He was wearing a pitch black robe with a pattern of red snakes slithering up the long-sleeved shirt across his shoulders, like a crest.
His otherwise handsome young features and deathly pale skin were marred by the psychotic look in his eyes and his abnormally large mouth stretching wide across his face, revealing a pair of sharp, vampiric looking fangs.
"Who are you?! What do you want from me??" Li Meirong questioned angrily, trying to stall for time. Her hand roamed around the muddy ground, hoping to find something, anything she could use to protect herself.
The assailant barked another laugh. Unlike his actions, his voice was soft and even soothing.
"I am the Jiangshi Master, better known as second in command to the most powerful demonic sect in all the realm. You, little girl, should feel honoured to meet someone of my stature." He stepped closer to her as he spoke. Everything about him seemed reptilian, creeping up on its prey before lashing out a killing blow and consuming it.
Li Meirong suddenly found herself longing for another showdown with the Pitcher plant.
'I regret complaining about my predicament, please, god of luck, help me out here!'
Finding nothing to use as a weapon and feeling physically drained by an already very action-packed day, Li Meirong decided to debase herself once again. When all else fails, aim for diplomacy, even against the devil.
"I really don't know you, Mr Jiangshi Master. We probably got off on the wrong foot here, hehe… my name is Li Meirong and I've been placed in the Wild Lands as an acceptance test for a sect." Li Meirong spoke as sweetly as possible. She stood up and dusted her backside.
The Jiangshi Master raised his eyebrow in apparent amusement. Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished, only to reappear inches away from her again. He bent forward and stared her in the eyes, his nose nearly touching hers.
"You're a furnace, aren't you? I can tell by your sweet blood..."
Li Meirong's eyes widened, shocked by his power. He just popped in and out of thin air! Not to mention, he clearly had no sense for one's personal space.
He also spoke that word again, furnace.
"Tsk. I wouldn't have minded taking you in as a concubine if your face was at least presentable." The Jiangshi Master said, expressing his obvious disappointment.
Li Meirong clenched her hands into fists and thought angrily, 'excuse me, sir, I have no intention of being your concubine. I don't want to be your anything!'