Li Changsheng left his hiding place. Under Ai Xi, Galen, and Gopher's protection, they headed toward the battleground.
Even in the state when both demon types suffered great losses, the wild demons living in symbiosis in the surrounding area understood where their strengths lied and would not simply interfere without any particular reason.
Of course, if the Bloodline Fruit matured, the wild demons surrounding it would run amok. When that happened, they would no longer have any qualms about starting another fight.
Many wild demons started to leave their hiding places nearly at the same time and moved closer to the Bloodline Fruit to seek a spot that would give them the most proximity advantage.
Unlike humans and their complex mindset, a demon's thought process was very simple. They believe that the closer they could be to the Bloodline Fruit, it would be more advantageous for them. As soon as the Bloodline Fruit ripened, they could be the first one to get their hands on it.
Of course, that would often put them in the middle of the crossfire and subsequently, placing them in the utmost danger.
Unlike wild demons, Li Changsheng did not approach the Bloodline Fruit immediately. Based on his observations, it would take a long while before the Bloodline Fruit ripened completely.
Before that happened, he had his own plans to execute.
After the battle, the surrounding grassland smelled disgustingly bloody. A large number of Lightning Zebras and Razor Praying Mantises littered the ground. Although most of them were dead, there were still a few lucky survivors.
Nevertheless, they would not have it easy even if they survived. The moment the Bloodline Fruit turned ripe, there would be a second round of the same chaotic battle. They would definitely meet their demise then.
Li Changsheng had a simple goal. He was ready to use his special abilities to do some 'thrifting' in the hopes to get his hands on High Grade demons.
In the next second, Li Changsheng unleashed his Omniscience to cover an area within the radius of around a dozen meters and started sensing their grades.
In that instant, his mind transformed into a radar-like display with around a dozen blinking beacons. Each beacon was an indicator of the demon's grade. The higher the grade, the brighter the beacon was.
Unfortunately, all of the beacons appeared to be dim. They were so dim that they were not even worth checking. None of them were above Inferior Grade demons.
Li Changsheng was slightly disappointed, but he did not give up. Although the battleground was not very large, there was still a limit on the range of his unleashed Omniscience. He could not cover the entire area with a single cast of his Omniscience.
Very soon, Li Changsheng came to the other side of the battleground and unleashed his Omniscience again. Unlike the last time, despite there being lots of dim beacons, there was a single beacon that outshone every other one. It was shining bright and radiant.
Following the beacon's position, Li Changsheng quickly locked on his target.
The beacon belonged to a Lightning Zebra that was thirty percent smaller than its peers. Judging by its looks, it looked young—as though it had not matured into an adult yet.
The Lightning Zebra's eyes stared blankly ahead as fresh blood gushed out from a deep gash at the side of its neck and pooled on the ground where it lied.
It was a fatal injury. If help did not come on time, the Lightning Zebra would bleed to its death.
[Demon Name]: Lightning Zebra (Growing Stage)
[Demon Level]: Lower 7th Order
[Demon Class]: High-class Servant
[Demon Grade]: Medial Grade
[Demon Bloodline]: None
[Demon Type]: Lightning
[Demon Condition]: Near-death
[Demon Weakness]: Ice
Being in a state of near-death was different than losing your ability to fight. If it did not receive any treatment, its condition would continue to worsen and eventually die.
Li Changsheng stood in front of the Lightning Zebra. Not caring whether the Lightning Zebra could understand him or not, Li Changsheng peered down at it and said, "If you want to live, open up your mind and sign a temporary binding contract with me!"
Perhaps its injuries were too severe, or it failed to understand Li Changsheng's words, the Lightning Zebra did not respond. It continued to stare at Li Changsheng with its dull and expressionless eyes.
To prevent the Lightning Zebra from dying, Li Changsheng did not care and activated his Omniscience to establish a temporary binding contract.
Perhaps the Lightning Zebra finally opened up its mind to Li Changsheng; or perhaps, it was in such a weak state that it could not respond. Regardless, the temporary binding contract was quickly done and transformed into a seal that was imprinted on its head.
"Galen, I'm counting on you!"
Galen nodded gravely. Green Wood-type energy started to accumulate and heal the Lightning Zebra's injuries.
Under Galen's healing, the Lightning Zebra's condition stabilized and was eventually stored in Li Changsheng's demon pouch.
Soon after, Li Changsheng completed his search on the battleground. Unfortunately, he did not find a second High Grade demon.
"I still need more help!" Another idea popped up in Li Changsheng's head as he stared at the Bloodline Fruit that had yet to ripe.
Based on his current strength, it would be very challenging for him to obtain the Bloodline Fruit in a fight. Moreover, even if he were able to get his hands on it, he had to find a way to escape from the rabble.
Li Changsheng planned to establish binding contracts with wild demons to increase his strength in a short amount of time. He had eyes on Lightning Zebras because although Razor Praying Mantises were stronger in close-range combat, Lightning Zebras had an advantage in speed and long-range combat. Moreover, Li Changsheng could ride them, making them perfect for upcoming battles.
Due to his Omniscience's limitation, Li Changsheng could only choose the best of the best. After a careful selection, he established temporary binding contracts with five more Lightning Zebras.
These five Lightning Zebras did not suffer severe injuries. After Galen healed them, their mobility recovered very quickly.
Additionally, all of their levels were between Lower 7th to 9th Order. Even if they had yet to fully recover, they possessed extraordinary battle strength.
Ai Xi would be the main source of power in the fight for the Bloodline Fruit, as such, Li Changsheng chose a Lower 9th Order Lightning Zebra as his temporary mount.
After making all the necessary preparations, Li Changsheng led his team to approach the willow tree with the Bloodline Fruit. He did not bring them to the center of the battleground. Instead, they stopped somewhere at the far end of the tree.
Neigh~
Not far from them, the leader of the Lightning Zebra pack saw the five Lightning Zebras next to Li Changsheng. It gave an astonished look before turning to them and letting out an ear-deafening neigh.
The five Lightning Zebras next to Li Changsheng started to get restless, as though they wanted to run to the Lightning Zebra pack leader and obey its orders.
Li Changsheng anticipated this to happen and hurriedly activated the temporary binding contract he had on them. All at once, the contract imprints on their heads glowed dimly.
If he had another choice, he would not have triggered the contract imprint.
At that instant, the five Lightning Zebras felt pain on top of their heads. It was the kind of pain that pierced deep into the bones. Involuntarily, they started to whine out in pain.
However, the pain dissipated very quickly.
Under the threat of the contract imprint, their eyes were suddenly filled with fear and respect for Li Changsheng. They no longer dared to make rash decisions.
Neigh~
The leader of the Lightning Zebra pack did not give up and called out to them again. This time, it embedded authority and threat in its tone of voice. Yet, the five Lightning Zebras ignored the leader's calls as they feared the pain induced by the contract imprint. The Lightning Zebras lowered their heads, unable to look directly at the pack leader.
"As long as you obey my orders, I'll free you after this! Come, drink this. The Healing Spring will give you the strength to fight!"
Li Changsheng retrieved a few big bowls and filled them with Healing Spring.
Other than healing their injuries and replenishing their energy, Li Changsheng also wanted to win them over. He had somehow saved their lives, after all.
After drinking the Healing Spring, its effects were immediate. The five Lightning Zebras felt rejuvenated while their injuries healed at a visible speed.
Meanwhile, Li Changsheng did not move. He waited patiently for the Bloodline Fruit to ripe.
After about fifteen minutes, the Bloodline Fruit started to exude an extremely dense fragrance. Its color transformed into a bloody red.
The Bloodline Fruit was finally ripe!