Developing Superpowers in Another World

Chapter 126 – Protein Worms

 

It knew that the Pao Xiao’s eyes were located in its armpits; that the Henggong fish had an inner core which, when eaten, allowed one to understand the speech of alien species; and that the appearance of hallucinogenic mushrooms indicated the presence of man-eating vines.

When it had wandered alone, it seemed to have gained considerable experience.

“Tell me, what abilities do the leader of your species have?”

“They can see who has an inner core and determine the power of that core,” Pangpang said. “The leader told me about the two Henggong fish’s language abilities.”

Tu Ran couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

If she had that ability, she could directly identify who had a special power and whether that power was something she wanted.

This would help her avoid the dangers and troubles brought by physical contact.

“Since your leader has this ability, hasn’t it taken inner cores from other species?” Tu Ran asked.

“Of course he has,” Pangpang replied. “The leader took the inner core from a rabbit tribe member and gained the ability to teleport.”

“Teleport?” Tu Ran raised an eyebrow. “If the rabbit could teleport, how did your leader catch it? Is your leader very thin and fast?”

Pangpang rubbed its belly, suspecting the two-legged beast looked down on it and its species, but it had no proof.

“We Dang Hu birds aren’t fat; we just have thick and abundant feathers that make us look fat.” It emphasized this point, lifting the fluffy fur on its neck to show Tu Ran its “slim” figure.

Not wanting to look, Tu Ran turned her face away.

Pangpang realized it might not be the best at making this point and covered its round belly again.

Continuing nonchalantly, it said, “The rabbit had just developed its inner core and hadn’t realized it. The leader noticed, brought other Dang Hu birds to surround it, skinned it, and then found the inner core.”

“So your leader now has the ability to teleport too?”

“Yes,” Pangpang nodded, “so getting the leader’s inner core won’t be easy.”

In the darkness, Tu Ran weighed the pros and cons and decided to take the risk.

Though difficult, obtaining two inner cores this time was worth the risk.

“I need your cooperation,” Tu Ran said, looking at it.

By now, she had turned off the flashlight, and the cave was completely dark.

But the faint starlight from outside was enough for Tu Ran to easily spot its small, bean-sized eyes.

Those eyes were so transparent they could reflect light.

“Sure, you saved my life, carried me to safety, picked the red-skinned melons I love—you’re my good friend, and I’ll help you,” Pangpang said.

Tu Ran looked at it and asked cautiously, “Aren’t you afraid your Dang Hu tribe will ignore you and call you a traitor for helping me?”

“I’m not afraid,” Pangpang shook its round head. “I never liked staying with the tribe. They bullied me, didn’t let me eat enough, and stole my food. I don’t like them. I like to roam free, explore everywhere.”

Hidden in the darkness, Tu Ran’s grin almost reached the back of her head.

“Who knew, you really have a personality.” Tu Ran was impressed.

“Personality? What’s that?” Pangpang didn’t understand.

Tu Ran laughed and shook her head, too lazy to explain. “It’s a compliment.”

“Wow, the two-legged beast finally isn’t calling me fat, and even complimented me.”

“Haha…” Tu Ran laughed, amused by its cute manner.

Encountering such a delightful little guy in the Threshold, chatting and joking with it, greatly relieved her stress.

Tu Ran glanced outside, noticing it seemed brighter than when she first woke up.

“When does it get light?” she asked.

Pangpang took a look and said, “It’s about to get light.”

It turned to face the wall, using its claws to scratch a few crooked vertical lines on it.

“What are you doing?” Tu Ran asked.

“I’m marking the time. When I come back to this home, I can look at the lines and know when I was last here.”

“What time is it today?”

This intrigued Tu Ran. The lengths of day and night in the Threshold were completely irregular.

She was curious about how these creatures living in the Threshold kept track of time.

Pangpang glanced outside, where the sun was rapidly rising, and it was already bright enough to clearly see the weeds growing outside the cave.

“The sun rose from the west today. That only happens four times a year, and this is the second time this year.”

Tu Ran thought: So it’s that simple and straightforward.

“Grumble, grumble~”

The sound of a growling stomach echoed several times in the cave.

Tu Ran rubbed her belly. It was her stomach making the noise.

She was hungry. Yesterday, she had eaten most of a red-skinned melon, and it had long since been digested.

Pangpang also heard her stomach growl. It quickly turned around and jumped up, “Boss, wait here. I’ll find something tasty for you.”

Tu Ran was about to s ay she had food and didn’t need anything, but Pangpang had already dashed off.

Its leg injury must have healed, as it was running very fast.

Tu Ran wasn’t in a hurry. She wanted to see what kind of food Pangpang would find for her.

After about ten minutes, she heard footsteps.

Stretching her neck to look, she saw Pangpang returning, carefully carrying something in its wings.

Tu Ran felt a twinge of anticipation.

However, when she saw exactly what it was, her face darkened instantly.

Worms.

A wriggling pile of worms.

White and squirming.

Thick and numerous.

“Boss, eat up! These worms are bouncy, chewy, and very nutritious. Eat them, and you won’t be hungry all day.”

Tu Ran felt like kicking both it and the pile of creepy-crawly worms out of the cave!

Pangpang hadn’t noticed her disgust and moved closer to her with the worms.

“I don’t eat those. Take them away.”

“Huh? Why?” Pangpang looked hurt.

It had spent a long time finding them. Why wouldn’t she eat them?

“I’m not a Dang Hu bird. Humans don’t eat worms.” Tu Ran felt a bit uncomfortable under its pitiful gaze and explained.

“Oh,” Pangpang looked regretfully at the wriggling delicacies, “Humans don’t eat worms. Then I guess I’ll have to eat them myself.”

“Yes, eat them all. Take them over to your side to eat.” Tu Ran urged.

She couldn’t stand the sight of those white worms wriggling in front of her anymore.

Pangpang regretfully took the worms to a corner and began pecking at them, eating one by one with great relish.

Tu Ran turned her gaze away, trying her best to ignore the sound of it chewing on the worms.

Her stomach was growling with hunger, so she took out a piece of compressed biscuit to eat.

Hearing her biting into something, Pangpang lifted its head from the pile of worms and curiously stretched its neck, “Boss, what are you eating?”

 

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