Changguo Mountains

"To be honest, graduating in just one year—this is the first time I've heard of it or seen it happen. Kent, if you ever have time, you should visit the school again."

Ji Guanghe solemnly handed Kent his diploma, his eyes filled with anticipation. He could no longer predict what heights Kent would reach in the future.

"Professor, I will. Thank you for your guidance and support over the past year." Kent bowed slightly.

Hearing this, Ji Guanghe felt his face flush with embarrassment. In truth, Kent's progress and achievements had little to do with him. It was all Kent's own doing. He had merely been a mentor in name, and he was well aware of it. This realization made him feel even more awkward.

"Go on, then. I'll also be attending tonight's class gathering. Have fun." Ji Guanghe waved him off.

Kent nodded in agreement.

The class gathering, to be honest, was rather dull. Kent was the center of attention, becoming the undisputed main character of the night. Almost all his classmates came up to socialize with him, and he could only respond politely.

"How do you like our enthusiasm?" Cai Wensheng asked with a grin as he approached Kent.

Kent nodded in agreement. He had already downed several drinks, one after another, making his stomach feel uncomfortable. Yet, he had to maintain a smile. Was he happy? To be frank, not really. In fact, he felt a bit irritated and wanted to leave early.

During the party, he exchanged contact information with several classmates. Once the event ended, Mouse and Green Hair escorted him back to Changdao Hotel. He and Zhao Mengxi had rented the place for a year, with about two months remaining on the lease. So, for now, he continued to stay there.

However, Kent planned to buy a villa once his current matters were settled. By then, he could have two beauties living under the same roof—a true winner in life, enjoying the best of both worlds.

After drinking some sobering soup, Kent woke up early the next morning. After a brief preparation, he set off on his third journey into the wilderness.

Leaving the city gates, he chose a direction and set off alone toward the Changguo Mountains.

The Changguo Mountains spanned thousands of miles. Originally, they were unremarkable, with nothing particularly noteworthy. However, ever since an alternate dimension had connected to Earthstar, an entrance to that dimension had appeared within the Changguo Mountains.

This alternate dimension was known as Fruit Realm. It was highly renowned, classified as a seven-star dimension, and ranked among the top ten within the global top fifty dimensions of five to seven stars.

Fruit Realm's unique properties had also caused unusual changes in the Changguo Mountains.

After traveling for three days, near the end of June, Kent finally reached his destination by dusk.

Gazing at the vast, undulating greenery ahead, he felt his mood lighten. He collected his thoughts, fully armed himself, and leaped into the Changguo Mountains.

Given his current strength, entering Fruit Realm was still too risky. However, within the Changguo Mountains, he could at least ensure his safety.

"Garfield, Wukong, Bajie, come out."

This time, Kent's main goal was to find top-quality fruits for Wukong to eat. Combat requirements were minimal, so he needed extra eyes to help locate the best produce.

Additionally, keeping his beasts confined to the beast bracelet for too long wasn't beneficial to their growth. Allowing them to roam around was important whenever possible.

"Garfield, don't run too fast."

"Bajie, report any unusual findings immediately."

"Wukong, stay close to me."

As his beasts grew stronger and more loyal, and as Kent's mental power increased, communication between them had improved significantly.

"Meow meow~" Garfield responded energetically, dashing off like an untamed wild horse.

"Squeak squeak~" Bajie occasionally chimed in.

"Chirp chirp~" Wukong obediently remained by Kent's side.

"Let's go." Kent gave the command.

Walking through the Changguo Mountains, Kent's eyes sparkled as he let out occasional exclamations of amazement. It was rare to find such scenery elsewhere. The trees here typically stood over a hundred meters tall, with some reaching four or five hundred meters.

Almost every tree bore flowers and fruit. Some were covered in vibrant blossoms, while others hung heavy with an array of strange fruits, creating a breathtaking spectacle of color and variety.

Whoosh!

With a swift leap, Kent landed on a towering 200-meter tree and plucked a massive, reddish-brown fruit the size of a watermelon. Tossing it into the air, he flicked his fingernail, sending a wind blade that sliced the fruit cleanly in half.

The exposed interior revealed dark red flesh, seedless and oozing juice.

"Is this a Blood Rejuvenation Fruit?"

Kent used his black dagger to cut a small piece, placing it into his mouth. To be honest, the taste was mediocre, but it had a refreshing aroma.

The fruit dissolved instantly, spreading a cool sensation through his body. A few minutes later, he felt warmth in his bone marrow, as if his body was producing fresh blood.

After taking a small bite, Kent set the fruit aside. The Blood Rejuvenation Fruit was useless for a healthy person; in fact, it could be harmful by over-stimulating blood production.

Only those suffering from blood deficiency truly needed this fruit.

"Wukong, let's go." Kent allowed Wukong a couple of bites before leading him away.

Wukong smacked his lips but showed no reluctance—he had also sensed the fruit's effect.

Not long after, Shadow Beast Bajie sent a message—he had found something new.

Kent and Wukong quickly made their way to him.

"Impressive..."

When Kent looked up at the tree Bajie had discovered, he couldn't help but marvel. The fruits growing on it resembled coiled snakes, each about two to three meters long when fully extended. These were known as Snake Fruits.

Once Snake Fruits ripened, their skins would automatically split open, revealing live snakes hanging from the branches. They came in three distinct colors—red, yellow, and green—and were highly venomous, earning them the name Three-Colored Venomous Snakes.

Shadow Beast Bajie, moving through the shadows, remained unnoticed. But Kent, a living and breathing human, was immediately detected. The thousand-plus matured Snake Fruits—now venomous snakes—began to stir restlessly on the tree.

Kent swiftly retreated over a hundred meters. He was here to observe, not provoke trouble.

"Three-Colored Venomous Snakes rely on the Snake Fruit Tree as their host. They hunt insects, birds, and other creatures to protect the tree, while the tree, in turn, nourishes them by supplying venom and nutrients."

"Though most of these snakes are only level 20-30, with a few reaching level 40, their venom is extremely potent. Each snake can spit venom three times in battle. If a thousand of them attack simultaneously, even a royal-tier beast would flee."

Kent recalled information about the Snake Fruit Tree, feeling a chill down his spine.

"No wonder people say that although Changguo Mountains and Fruit Realm lack large monsters, their danger level is just as high as any realm with sacred beasts. Some lifeforms here are even more terrifying than fire dragons."

Kent was still at the outer edges of the Changguo Mountains, where dangers were relatively mild. Venturing deeper would likely mean running for his life.