CHAPTER 1040: THE CUTE LITTLE TOAD

The flying vessel finally came to a halt mid-air, forced to take a break.

This time, it was Yi Feng’s turn to stand guard.

Once Lan Xing and the other two had fallen asleep, he seized the moment to grab a quick meal. Returning to the vessel, he hoisted his long-missed forty-meter greatsword and took his position at the prow.

His eyes shimmered with starlight, unblinking as they scanned the surrounding black mist.

Even though there had been no movement for a long time, Yi Feng’s vigilance never wavered. He meticulously surveyed the area, unwilling to miss even the slightest disturbance.

Recalling the earlier words of his three companions, Yi Feng let out a satisfied burp, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

“Hic…”

“Guess I should move around a bit to help digestion. It’d be perfect if I ran into that legendary colossal toad they mentioned. Dying by its hand would be ideal, but even if I end up slaying it, it’d still be a massive haul of experience points. No loss either way.”

“Heh heh.”

The thought of powerful demonic creatures made the gleam in Yi Feng’s eyes grow even brighter.

To the left, within the black mist, the toad had already grown to the size of a towering giant, its belly still expanding as if it had a bottomless appetite. Another heap of demon corpses vanished into its gaping maw.

Then—

Suddenly, the toad’s eyes bulged wide as it choked, coughing violently!

“Hack! Hack-hack-hack!”

The sound of its coughing erupted like thunder, sending gales howling through the air.

Countless demonic remains were blown away, flesh and blood scattering everywhere!

Tears welled up in the giant toad’s eyes from the choking, but it had no time to dwell on it—terror surged from its pupils to its entire body, making it shudder uncontrollably.

In an instant, the colossal figure shrank billions of times, becoming no larger than a toe.

Even then, the toad kept coughing in panic, frantically patting its round belly with its front claws as if trying to flatten it!

“Hack-hack!”

“I’m full, I’m full! Goodness… my life’s more important, I can’t eat another bite!”

After a few slaps to deflate its belly, the tiny toad leaped madly toward the flying vessel, vanishing into the black mist in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, the toad had sneaked aboard the vessel. Spotting Yi Feng standing motionless at the prow, seemingly unaware, it quietly exhaled in relief.

Carefully smoothing its mouth with its front claws and wiping the sweat from its face, it transformed into a streak of light and slipped into a ring.

Yi Feng noticed nothing, still staring intently at the ground below.

The black mist churned, and massive shadows darted about.

Sadly, there was no sign of any giant toad—just a bunch of “experience fodder.”

But even small gains were still gains.

Not one to be picky, Yi Feng swung his greatsword, reaping a harvest of experience points that surged in his mind.

With his post-meal exercise done, he returned to the vessel, ready to catch a quick nap.

Just then, the other three slowly roused from their slumber.

Qing Yin Xianyun and her two attendants surveyed their surroundings before approaching with a question.

“So, anything unusual?”

Yi Feng spread his hands.

Qing Yin Xianyun and the elder nodded slightly.

The young man couldn’t help but scoff.

“Another peaceful shift? Your luck really is something…”

Yi Feng merely smiled.

Though he said nothing, he knew the truth all too well.

Barring any surprises, his strength was likely a notch above these three. Aside from that so-called “legendary colossal toad,” ordinary demons were no match for him.

Then, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

A toad…

Come to think of it, he had one of those too.

Sure, this one looked small and withered, but it was a product of the system.

Maybe, like Manman, it had some hidden potential or special ability he hadn’t discovered yet?

At this realization, a glint of wisdom flashed in Yi Feng’s eyes.

Sitting up, he summoned the tiny toad from his ring, holding it in his palm for a thorough inspection. His gaze was sharp, searching for any possible clues.

He fiddled with its four limbs.

Peeked under its big eyelids.

Pried open its little mouth…

No suspicious detail would escape his scrutiny!

At this moment, he was Yi-ermo Holmes incarnate.

His sudden intensity caught Qing Yin Xianyun’s attention.

Her clear eyes flicked over, and upon spotting the toad in Yi Feng’s hand, she shuddered in alarm!

“T-t-toad!”

Her voice trembled with fear.

Hearing her, Yi Feng looked up and saw her pale expression. Remembering their earlier encounter, he chuckled and reassured her.

“Hey, relax. This isn’t that demonic creature you met—it’s my pet.”

Qing Yin Xianyun blinked in surprise.

Upon closer inspection, the toad was barely an inch long, delicate and refined, more like an ordinary little frog.

It lay limp in Yi Feng’s palm, its droopy eyelids giving it an oddly elegant air. In both size and appearance, it was worlds apart from the monstrous toad they’d encountered—far cuter, in fact.

After a few more glances, it even seemed… kind of adorable?

Qing Yin Xianyun let out a soft sigh, smiling at her own paranoia.

This tiny toad was harmless, a mere pocket-sized pet. There was no way it could be that terrifying giant.

Truly, once bitten, twice shy.

That colossal toad had left her so traumatized she’d grown wary of even its miniature counterpart.

Forcing an awkward smile, she stepped closer.

“Thank you for keeping watch. The vessel will resume its journey soon—you should rest now.”

After studying the toad for ages with no breakthroughs, Yi Feng yawned. The little thing just lay there, lifeless and unresponsive no matter how he poked it. It was downright sleep-inducing.

Setting it down, he stretched.

“Ahhh…”

“Alright, time for a nap.”

With that, he sprawled on the deck and was snoring in seconds.

Qing Yin Xianyun watched him with quiet gratitude, touched by his exhaustion.

Noticing the tiny toad at her feet, its cheeks puffed adorably, even this aloof prodigy couldn’t resist a faint smile, feeling the urge to play with it.

But the creature remained aloof, ignoring every offering she made.

In a flash, it began hopping toward the edge of the vessel.

Qing Yin Xianyun hurried after it, calling softly.

“Don’t wander off—it’s dangerous down there!”

Of course, the toad didn’t listen. It leaped straight off the vessel, plummeting toward the ground from thousands of feet in the air.

Her heart lurched.

Yi Feng had been diligent in protecting them, standing guard without complaint.

If his pet died under her watch, how could she ever face him?

Without hesitation, she stepped off the vessel, descending swiftly toward the earth.

When her feet touched the ground, she was stunned to find the toad unharmed, still hopping merrily into the black mist.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face—this was no ordinary pet. Losing it would be unforgivable.

She quickened her pace, urgency mounting.

But after just a few steps—

The toad stopped.

As if sensing her approach, its small body turned slightly.

Then, in a deep, resonant voice completely unlike its size, it spoke:

“Stop following me.”

The toad could talk.

This was no ordinary creature.