Chapter 14: The Misty White Moth

Su Bai stood beside a patch of low shrubs, her gaze sharply scanning the area ahead. After feeding, Pearl had begun to fight. Not far off, it was engaged with several silkworm larvae. Although numerous, the larvae showed no resistance against Pearl’s attacks.

Yet, Su Bai’s thoughts weren’t solely on Pearl’s battle. She was focusing intently, using her Identification Eye to scrutinize the surroundings, searching for a silkworm larva that stood out from the rest. If she were to tame one as her companion beast, she couldn’t just pick any ordinary creature.

Though she knew these larvae were generally weak, she sought one slightly stronger, with greater potential amidst the mediocrity. “No, this one’s too low-level, too ordinary...” she murmured softly, her eyes sweeping over each larva.

Her Identification Eye clearly revealed each larva’s level, talent, and skills, but so far, she hadn’t found a single one worthy of taming. “None of these are strong enough. Why are all these silkworm larvae so weak?” Su Bai sighed helplessly.

Despite being near the heart of the Mist Forest, where she had expected stronger larvae, the creatures before her fell far short of her expectations. She dared not venture deeper; her sixth sense warned her it was too dangerous.

Just as disappointment crept in, an unusual noise erupted from the forest’s depths. Su Bai’s senses instantly heightened, and her eyes darted toward the source of the sound, fearful that a terrifying monster might emerge.

Pearl ceased its attack, flying to Su Bai’s side and vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Its wings trembled subtly, ready to strike at a moment’s notice to protect its master.

Holding her breath, Su Bai listened carefully. Soon, she heard hurried footsteps and heavy breathing, accompanied by a man’s frantic shout: “The monsters inside are terrifying!”

She realized there was more than one person. Her eyes sharpened as she quickly assessed their numbers. She weighed the risks in her mind. In this data-driven world, few professionals existed, and she wanted to avoid exposing her uniqueness prematurely.

Thus, she made her decision.

“Pearl, enter the companion beast space first,” Su Bai said quietly, her tone firm and unwavering.

Pearl nodded without hesitation, transforming into a beam of light and vanishing into Su Bai’s palm.

Taking a deep breath, Su Bai composed herself to appear as an ordinary person—just another adventurer venturing into the Mist Forest to level up.

Hiding behind a large tree, she fixed her gaze on the direction of the sounds. Soon, four figures emerged: three men and one woman, their faces etched with terror and exhaustion.

Two of the men supported a severely injured companion. To Su Bai’s shock, this man’s face and skin looked as though corroded by some corrosive agent, flesh rapidly decaying.

Clearly, they had just survived a perilous battle. Their steps were uneven, breaths ragged, as if something dreadful pursued them.

The woman’s voice trembled with tears, “Brother Shen!”

Although she worried for the injured man, in this crisis, she prioritized her own safety, showing no intention to help.

The other two men’s eyes flickered with unspoken schemes. Su Bai’s gaze swept over them cautiously.

She noticed that with their arrival, the surrounding mist thickened noticeably. What had been barely visible forest scenery was now shrouded in dense fog, visibility plummeting.

“This mist... something’s not right,” an uneasy feeling stirred within Su Bai.

She instinctively tightened her grip on her weapon, scanning the area warily.

She had no idea what monsters these people had encountered, but whatever it was had forced four adults into a frantic retreat. “I need to be careful.”

The four ran, casting fearful glances behind them, desperate to evade their pursuer.

Suddenly, Su Bai’s eyes caught a white figure darting swiftly from the mist.

It was a massive creature, pure snow-white, with broad, translucent wings that stirred icy drafts as they flapped.

It resembled a giant moth, yet far more terrifying than any ordinary moth.

Its body was covered in dense scales; its head bore a pair of crimson compound eyes that gleamed with eerie light.

With its arrival, the surrounding mist seemed to thicken under some unseen force, almost obscuring the path ahead entirely.

“This is bad—the monster is gaining on them!” one of the three shouted in panic, despair ringing in his voice.

They ran desperately but were clearly exhausted, their pace slowing.

Su Bai studied the white creature closely.

Her eyes scanned its form, noticing silver sparkling powder drifting from its wings as it flapped.

The powder sparkled like tiny starlight but exuded a deadly aura.

The three fleeing humans clearly feared the silver dust; they dodged it frantically, desperate to avoid contact.

One man accidentally brushed his arm with the powder and screamed in agony.

Su Bai watched clearly as his skin rapidly decayed upon contact, as if eaten away by potent acid.

“This silver powder... it’s highly corrosive!” Su Bai’s heart jolted, immediately grasping the monster’s menace.

She stepped back several paces to distance herself, activating her Identification Eye to gather more information.

[Monster: Mist White Moth]

Level: 10

Talent:

Mist Summoner: The body emits thick white fog; the denser the fog, the easier it is to lose one’s way.

Skill:

Corrosive Scale Powder: Dispenses phosphorescent powder with strong corrosive effects; contact causes continuous damage until fully corroded.

Reading the data, Su Bai’s pupils constricted sharply as a powerful sense of danger surged within her.

This Mist White Moth was level ten—far beyond what she could handle now.

Even more terrifying was its combination of talents and skills: dense mist causing disorientation, and corrosive powder inflicting sustained harm.

“I’m no match for it. I must retreat immediately!” she decided swiftly.