The Corpse Lump was the Secret Spirit that hunted Old Bird down, sneakily killed by Rouge, although it was a mutant Corpse Lump, and not just any ordinary mutant Corpse Lump.
Ordinary mutant Corpse Lumps are of rare quality, Level six, while that Corpse Lump is of unusual quality, and its level should be around seven.
If not for the Secret Treasure weapons, regular weapons barely cause any damage to it. Old Bird was simply unlucky to encounter such a mutant Corpse Lump, leading to such a pitiful chase.
Ordinary Corpse Lumps are around Level four or five. Rouge kills them effortlessly; even though she's only Level two, she can take down a Level four or five Corpse Lump with one strike.
However, Chen Guan and the others are not targeting these ordinary Corpse Lumps, but those of rare quality mutant Corpse Lumps. Their blood can significantly speed up Rouge's level increase and use much less time.
High-quality Secret Spirit blood is like a nutritious, concentrated essence that is rich, pure, and easy to absorb, much better than ordinary Secret Spirit blood.
Elsewhere, rare Secret Spirits are fought over, but here, they are so plentiful on the island that they're impossible to kill them all; otherwise, it wouldn't be Chen Guan's turn to hunt mutant Corpse Lumps here.
Rouge's demonstrated combat strength left Old Bird amazed and delighted; as Rouge's level rose, even at Level four, she could single-handedly slaughter mutant Corpse Lumps without Old Bird's help.
"What is Rouge's growth rate? How can she be so formidable? Ji Nanhong also has unique pets, but I feel they are not as strong as Rouge." Old Bird couldn't help but ask this question.
"1.89." Chen Guan understated by 0.02 the growth rate.
Don't underestimate this 0.02 growth rate; only unique pets can have a growth rate above 1.8, and even then, not necessarily.
Pets with a growth rate of 1.9 can be considered at the threshold of Unparalleled Pets; the most top-notch Unparalleled Pets reach a growth rate of 2.0, but Chen Guan has only heard of them, never seen them.
Rouge has a growth rate of 1.91, close to the entry-level Unparalleled Pets. Others knowing this will naturally regard it with special attention, and if their intentions are impure, greed may arise.
Though he understated by only 0.02, this sounds as if Rouge still falls within the normal range of unique pets, drawing less attention and avoiding unnecessary problems.
Chen Guan didn't deliberately report a very low number; otherwise, it would seem too fake, causing more suspicion instead.
"With such a high growth rate, no wonder she's so strong. Your luck is incredible, getting such a superb pet just entering the Secret Realm; it can last a lifetime without needing replacement." Old Bird praised.
During their conversation, Rouge had already drained the essence blood of the mutant Corpse Lump, leveling up once again, reaching Level five.
Unfortunately, the mutant Corpse Lump was stingy, leaving nothing behind; such a drop rate is expected, even for rare Secret Spirits, having a drop rate of one-tenth is considered good.
In these few days, they've killed at least a hundred ordinary Corpse Lumps in the Corpse Lump Forest, and six mutant Corpse Lumps have only dropped one ordinary Corpse Lump pet and one ordinary quality Secret Technique Core.
For fear of encountering the Level ten Corpse Lump Forest leader, they dared not venture too deep, only searching along the edges of the Corpse Lump Forest, finding few mutant Corpse Lumps.
Fortunately, after killing so many Corpse Lumps, Old Bird's Stealth Killing Skill absorbed a lot of Primordial Energy, leveling up to Level eight, getting close to Level ten.
Old Bird is now full of confidence, believing he and Rouge should be strong enough to kill the Corpse Lump Forest leader, wanting to go deeper into the Corpse Lump Forest to find more mutant Corpse Lumps, if encountering the Corpse Lump Forest leader, then kill it too, allowing for faster leveling up.
Chen Guan disagreed, believing being more conservative is safer; his level is too low, and being surrounded by numerous Corpse Lumps could threaten his safety.
Just as they were about to discuss whether to go deeper, they heard the sound of chaotic hoofbeats approaching quickly from afar; soon, they saw three Cultivators riding different pets rapidly coming their way.
Chen Guan squinted to inspect, finding the leading rider is a woman seated on a Ghost-headed Black Ox, as big as an elephant and coated in black resembling Profound Iron, with blazing red armor, fair skin, firm eyes, cheeks with a peach blossom glow, vibrant and enchanting.
Chen Guan's eyes narrowed slightly, undoubtedly, the armor on the woman is Secret Treasure, and it appears to be a set; being able to gather a full set of Secret Treasure in such a place is remarkable, far beyond Old Bird's average abilities.
"That woman is Ji Nanhong." Old Bird saw the woman, gritted his teeth, and told Chen Guan.
He didn't need to say it; Chen Guan had already guessed it. Ji Nanhong's left and right there are two riders, also equipped with Secret Treasure, riding a Ghost-headed Sheep and a Ghost-headed Horse, clearly not as impressive as Ji Nanhong.
Chen Guan heard from Old Bird that on the island, besides the Evil Adorable Rabbit, the most common Secret Spirits are the Ghost-headed Five Spirits.
Ghost-headed Sheep, Ghost-headed Horse, Ghost-headed Ox, Ghost-headed Wolf, and Ghost-headed Vulture, these five Ghost-headed Secret Spirits are much stronger than the typical Evil Adorable Rabbit and have higher levels, also suitable as mounts.
But since their levels are high and they appear in groups, it is not easy for an individual to hunt them and get Secret Spirit pets as mounts.
Their difference from regular cattle is mainly in their size, but the primary distinction is the ghostly skull-like black masks covering their faces, looking like skeletal evil ghosts.
"Old Bird, why are you here?" Ji Nanhong's crew saw Old Bird and Chen Guan and seemed surprised. A Cultivator riding the Ghost-headed Sheep asked Old Bird.
Chen Guan only heard this sentence, immediately realizing some issues.
Old Bird said over a hundred people teleported onto the island one day, and afterward, no one appeared.
Now with his new face turning up, Ji Nanhong and the others were not focused on him, nor did they ask who he was, which indicated a lot.
"Recently, it must not be just me teleported onto the island; there are quite a few, and Ji Nanhong and the others have already met them, so they are not surprised." Chen Guan thought, a year without anyone teleporting in, and now suddenly there are so many.
"Is this your Lu Kai's family's place? You can come, why can't I?" Old Bird now brimmed with confidence, showing more assertiveness in his speech.
Chen Guan frowned slightly, glancing at Old Bird, not knowing what he was up to.
They were weak now, not powerful enough to contend with a group like Ji Nanhong's, offending them would be harmful.
Besides, they hadn't said much, and Old Bird got aggressive; Chen Guan felt something was off, scrutinizing Lu Kai, seeing he had a bow on his back and quiver at his waist, squinting.
"Old Bird, you've grown bold, daring to speak to me this way?" Lu Kai pulled a grim face, coldly staring at Old Bird.
"Lu Kai, I am no longer a member of your Elite Team, not under your command, stop trying to boss me around, I'm not buying it." Old Bird snorted coldly.
"Old Bird, you're looking for trouble, aren't you?" Lu Kai's eyes turned cold, immediately pulling the bow from his back, nocking an arrow, and shooting at Old Bird.