The steps here were quite high, enough to overlook every corner of the breeding grounds. Of course, what happened above could be clearly seen from below.
"This time I'll spare your life, considering you've been diligent enough. If you fail to complete the task next time, I'll turn you into pus and feed the masses! Get lost!" Lu Fang scolded.
"Yes, yes, yes, I know my mistake. Thank you, sir, for sparing me, thank you!" Soul Spirit No. 2 said, kowtowing, retreating cautiously, and slowly backing to its position in the breeding grounds.
Lu Fang had no intention of killing Soul Spirit No. 2. In fact, he knew from the start that it was impossible for it to obtain the lucky fruit. Even if he went personally, he might not be able to retrieve it. For a tamed soul spirit to get the lucky fruit from Liu Sandao would likely require decades more of taming. In terms of tying down Liu Sandao, its mission was already accomplished. The fact that it returned alive was its good fortune; it had made a huge profit!
At this moment, three more soul spirits returned one after another. Judging by their expressions, they were all relaxed and beaming with smiles. Although such smiles might be eerie to mortals, to Lu Fang, they were just a trifle.
"Sir, we're back! Look, this is our lucky fruit!" said one of them, opening the backpack it was carrying. Lu Fang leaned in to see. "Wow! So many!" It looked like forty to fifty of them. The other two also brought out their spoils. Only by achieving results in the Shura Arena could one earn the respect of the Lord and his superiors!
With so many lucky fruits brought back, Lu Fang, without even reporting to the commander, had them poured directly into the breeding grounds. This scene was precisely what the headless corpse saw. It quietly entered the commander's training area.
"He dares to call me to see him! How audacious!" the commander roared. The headless corpse wanted to use this minor slip-up to eliminate the Ten-Faced Rakshasa, so he wouldn't be so arrogant in front of the Lord.
"I'll go and arrest him right away!" the headless corpse said, not daring to go alone. The Ten-Faced Rakshasa's magical power was superior to his, but with the Lord's guards, he was confident that the Rakshasa would not dare to act presumptuously due to the Lord's might. The commander's guards were actually not as skilled as he was. The reason for having such people around him was to prevent unnecessary trouble. He was too lazy to deal with minor gods and spirits with low magical power.
Just as the headless corpse was about to leave with the guards, the Ten-Faced Rakshasa arrived.
"Seize this scoundrel! Take him to the Lord for judgment!" the headless corpse shouted. The guards by his side immediately surrounded Lu Fang, ready to apprehend him.
"Heh heh! Headless ghost, what act are you putting on? Dare to make trouble in front of the Lord? Did you catch my slip-up again?" Lu Fang was not afraid. He even walked up to the headless corpse and provocatively peeked at him.
Their discord had a long history. The commander was aware of this and did not stop their overt or covert struggles, which was crucial for managing the Shura Arena. Of course, a balance was needed; otherwise, one faction would become too dominant.
"You've eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard! You dared to pour the lucky fruit into the breeding grounds without the Lord's permission! Speak! What crime do you deserve?" the headless corpse retorted, not backing down. These words were spoken directly in front of the commander; he had no selfish motives. Lu Fang pouring the lucky fruit was a fact. Let's see how he would explain it to the Lord! If he couldn't, the headless corpse would be the first to cut him down!
"This is exactly what I was going to report to the Lord. It's not your place to question me!" Lu Fang said, looking up at the commander. The commander, who had been slightly turned to the side, listening to their mutual accusations, turned his head when he heard Lu Fang's words.
"Oh, tell me. If what the headless one says is true, then don't blame me for being unreasonable!" the commander said coldly at first.
Lu Fang took something out of his embrace and walked towards the commander. The guards surrounding Lu Fang, upon hearing the commander's words, immediately cleared a path for him. Lu Fang was holding a package. What was inside? Even the commander was curious.
"Lord, please take a look!" Lu Fang ran to the commander, opened the package, and gestured for the commander to look inside. The commander secretly circulated his power to protect his heart and peered into the package. Inside the orange-red package, a colorful light emanated. The commander cautiously glanced at it, confirmed there was no threat, and then looked at it boldly.
"Lucky fruit. How could it be like this?" the commander asked. Seeing the commander's curiosity, Lu Fang explained how he discovered the secret of the lucky fruit and how he verified his guesses. The commander nodded with satisfaction. He was indeed the Ten-Faced Rakshasa; he was foresighted and bold yet careful in his actions.
It turned out that the lucky fruits brought back by the soul spirits were the essence of the lucky fruits in the breeding grounds. Only when the two were combined could they achieve the effect of a single lucky fruit. Thinking of this, the commander sighed inwardly, "So that's why my first layer of Shura Tribulation didn't activate last time. It was because of the lucky fruit." Having followed the commander for many years, Lu Fang could already fathom his thoughts. He understood the meaning behind his every move. At this moment, the commander let out a long sigh and slowly sat back in his seat.
The headless corpse cursed inwardly, "Damn it, you've escaped again! Let's see what other tricks you can pull!"
"So, we still need to put effort into snatching those lucky fruit essences that remain on people?" the commander mused.
"Yes, Lord. However, your subordinate has already figured out how to do it! As long as the Lord entrusts this matter to me, this humble servant will surely..." Lu Fang said, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by the headless corpse.
"Lord, your subordinate is willing to lead people to snatch those lucky fruit essences back!" The headless corpse did not want this excellent opportunity to earn merit to be taken by Lu Fang. It was just snatching lucky fruit essences from the human realm! Even the casually dispatched soul spirits could retrieve them, let alone himself! Moreover, the commander had rewarded Lu Fang with lucky fruits several times before, which is why his magical power had greatly increased. If the headless corpse didn't strive for the chance to cultivate with lucky fruits, he would soon be left far behind by Lu Fang.
"Very well!" the commander said impassively. This good deed shouldn't all go to one person. Besides, if the headless one hadn't risked his head just now, his own head might have been gone long ago. Over the years, although not very capable, he had been absolutely loyal to him. Therefore, the commander intended to give him a chance to advance.
"Lord, this is not appropriate!"