286: Chapter 286 Time is of the essence

"Good stuff!" A flash of light appeared in Ye Tian's eyes.

This Dragon Evil Blood Cloud Fruit was exactly what he urgently needed right now!

Not only could it accelerate the healing of his injuries, but the Dragon Evil Qi contained within might also allow his Physical Body to become stronger, and perhaps even allow the Dragon Ape's Bloodline to further undergo Awakening!

However, the protective force was also extremely powerful.

"Little Dragon, prepare to make a move. First, lure away a portion of them. Use your flames to restrain them, and I will find an opportunity to pick the fruit. Remember, do not fight head-on. Focus on hit-and-run tactics, and retreat immediately after picking the fruit!"

Ye Tian quickly formulated a strategy.

Charging in directly was definitely not an option; he had to use his wits.

"Understood! Watch me!"

Battle Intent ignited in the Dragon Ape's eyes. It leaped down from Ye Tian's shoulder, instantly returning to its half-human-sized combat form. With a low roar, it opened its mouth and sprayed a pale pillar of fire toward the area near the small tree where the Evil Spirits were most concentrated!

"Squeak!"

The pale flames had an extremely strong restraining effect on the soulless Evil Spirits. The few elite Evil Spirits struck by the pillar of fire immediately let out shrill cries as their Soul bodies faded.

This sudden attack instantly enraged all the guarding Evil Spirits, especially the three at the Sea Transformation Realm level. They immediately took the majority of the Evil Spirits with them and lunged at the Dragon Ape with shrill screeches!

The Dragon Ape turned and ran, breathing fire as it fled, leading these Evil Spirits to the other side of the plaza.

Although its injuries had not yet healed, its speed was not slow, and coupled with the complex terrain, it remained unharmed for the time being, though the consumption was quite large.

Ye Tian seized the opportunity and rushed toward the small tree!

He had to take advantage of the Dragon Ape drawing away most of the firepower to pick the fruit as quickly as possible!

However, just as he was less than ten zhang away from the small tree and his hand was about to touch the fruit, the small tree suddenly moved without wind. A distorted, painful human face phantom appeared on the trunk and let out a shrill screech that pierced directly into the Soul!

At the same time, the ground around the small tree cracked violently, and several thick bone spurs emerged from underground, stabbing at Ye Tian!

This was actually a trap!

The small tree itself, or perhaps a certain skeleton it was rooted in, had developed a strange, lingering intelligence to protect itself!

"Hmph!"

Ye Tian snorted coldly, dodging those bone spurs while simultaneously spitting out Sword Qi from his fingers, slashing at the human face phantom on the tree trunk!

"Chi la!"

The sword light swept past, and the human face phantom let out a miserable wail before instantly shattering and dissipating.

The light of the small tree also dimmed a bit.

Ye Tian did not hesitate at all, striking instantly to pick all three Dragon Evil Blood Cloud Fruits and sealing them in a jade box.

"Got it! Little Dragon, retreat!"

Ye Tian immediately sent a telepathic message, simultaneously turning and galloping in the opposite direction from the Dragon Ape, which was the previously agreed-upon rendezvous direction.

"Roar! Want to leave? Leave the Spirit Fruit!"

Just then, a roar full of violence rang out!

I saw the largest and most powerful Sea Transformation Realm Evil Spirit, which had actually shaken off the Dragon Ape's entanglement, blocking Ye Tian's path at an even faster speed!

It seemed extremely sensitive to the aura of the Spirit Fruit. Its Soul fire burned fiercely in its eyes, and it tore at him with a claw, carrying cold Evil Qi!

"Get lost!"

Ye Tian's eyes sharpened. Since he had already picked the Spirit Fruit, he did not want to get entangled in a fight.

He pushed the protection of the black command token to its maximum, while simultaneously condensing his Sword Intent to explode instantly. The liuguang sword transformed into a dark golden sword rainbow, stabbing straight at the core of the Evil Spirit!

"Clang!"

Sword and claw collided, and Ye Tian's arm went numb as his figure retreated violently.

The Evil Spirit was also shaken back several steps, but its Soul body only swayed slightly, obviously far exceeding the strength of ordinary peers.

More troublesome was that the other two Sea Transformation Realm Evil Spirits and more than a dozen elite Evil Spirits had also shaken off the Dragon Ape and were closing in from all directions!

"Master, over here!"

The Dragon Ape's anxious voice came. It was being entangled by another group of Evil Spirits and was unable to break free for a moment.

Seeing that he was about to fall into a heavy encirclement, Ye Tian suddenly took out a Dragon Evil Blood Cloud Fruit he had just obtained from his bosom, wrapped it in True Essence, and threw it fiercely toward a vortex where the Evil Qi was thickest in the distance!

At the same time, he roared: "The Spirit Fruit is for you! Get lost!"

The rich fragrance of the fruit instantly permeated the air. The attention of all the Evil Spirits was attracted by the Spirit Fruit flying toward the vortex, especially the three Sea Transformation Realm Evil Spirits, whose Soul fire burned brightly in their eyes, and they almost simultaneously roared and lunged at that Spirit Fruit!

To these Evil Spirits, this kind of Dragon Evil Blood Qi was a supreme supplement!

Taking this opportunity, Ye Tian increased his speed to the limit, reunited with the Dragon Ape that had broken free from the entanglement, and fled for his life in the direction sensed by the command token without looking back!

Behind him came the shrill screeches and energy explosions of the Evil Spirits fighting for the Spirit Fruit, leaving them no time to pursue.

After escaping nearly a hundred miles and confirming that there were no pursuers, Ye Tian stopped in the eye socket of a hidden giant beast skull and panted heavily.

The Dragon Ape was also exhausted, lying on the side and panting with its tongue out.

"Phew... That was close."

Ye Tian had lingering fears.

If it hadn't been for decisively sacrificing one Spirit Fruit to lure away the strong enemies, they would probably have been trapped there.

However, it was worth it to harvest two Dragon Evil Blood Cloud Fruits.

"Master, this fruit smells so good, but it feels so dangerous."

The Dragon Ape stared at the jade box in Ye Tian's hand, both longing and vigilant.

"The Evil Qi here is too heavy; the risk of consuming it directly is too great. We need to find a safer place, set up a Restriction, and refine it slowly."

Ye Tian pondered.

He observed the surroundings and found that the space inside this skull was not small, and the bone quality was hard, which could isolate some Evil Qi and detection.

He used the black command token to set up a simple early warning and concealment Restriction here, then took out a few Spirit Stones to set up a small Spirit Gathering Array.

After preparing everything, Ye Tian and the Dragon Ape each took a Dragon Evil Blood Cloud Fruit.

The fruit melted upon entering the mouth, turning into a violent torrent that instantly rushed into their limbs!

The Dragon blood essence and the domineering Evil Qi intertwined wildly, nourishing and repairing their Physical Body Meridians on one hand, and tempering every inch of their flesh and bones in a more violent way on the other!

Ye Tian groaned, his skin instantly turning red, veins bulging, and a thunderous roar came from his body.

His Physical Body became stronger under this double tempering, and his blood and Qi roared like the sea!

At the same time, his True Essence was also growing rapidly, and his True Martial Realm Eighth Layer cultivation was steadily advancing toward the Middle Stage.

And the Dragon Ape's changes were even more obvious.

Its pale golden fur stood on end, like burning golden flames, the flame patterns on its forehead erupted with dazzling light, and the blood-colored sword evil mark on its right claw flickered crazily, clashing and merging violently with the Dragon Evil power rushing into its body.

More Legacy memory fragments deep in its Bloodline seemed to be Awakening.

It roared, both painful and enjoyable.

This process lasted for a whole day and night.

When the last trace of the fruit's energy was absorbed and refined, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were shining with precision, his breath was condensed, and he carried a restrained sharpness.

True Martial Realm Eighth Layer Middle Stage!

The Physical Body strength was at least 30% stronger than before!

More importantly, his resistance and adaptability to "Evil" had been greatly enhanced, and he could move more freely in this place.

The Dragon Ape also opened its eyes, its golden pupils deeper and more majestic, and its aura stabilized at the Early Stage Peak of the Sea Transformation Realm!

Its control over Evil Qi seemed to have advanced further, and the sword evil mark on its right claw calmed down.

"How do you feel?" Ye Tian asked.

"Great! Full of energy! The Evil Qi in this ghost place doesn't feel so uncomfortable now!"

The Dragon Ape waved its claws, and a trace of dark gold pattern appeared in the pale flames.

"Very good."

Ye Tian nodded and looked deeper into the gorge.

He could feel that the induction of the black command token and the clues to the Taichu Sword Scripture were not far ahead.

That place was likely the true source of the Dragon Evil, and also the most tragic place of the ancient war, and perhaps there was also a passage to leave.

"Take a rest, then let's go ahead and take a look. I have a premonition that the real secret is just ahead." Ye Tian said in a low voice.

He had to hurry; Hou Xiaojie was still in the hands of the enemy.

However, just as they were preparing to go deeper, the Guest Elder token in Ye Tian's bosom once again transmitted the thought message from "Old Abacus": "Ye... Little Friend Ye!

Big trouble!

News came from Lijian Villa that Qiu Qianchuan and Ling Juexiao seem to be unable to wait any longer and have advanced the execution order!

They said... they said that if you don't show up and hand over the ancient sword pill before noon tomorrow, they will publicly execute your Junior Brother... by slow slicing, as a warning to others!

They have already started building the execution platform outside the villa!

This news is absolutely true; I am risking my life to pass it on again... Little Friend, make your decision early!"

The message was interrupted.

Ye Tian stood up abruptly, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins!

"Qiu Qianchuan! Ling Juexiao! You are courting death!!"

Tomorrow at noon, he must arrive at Lijian Villa!

And from finding a way out of the depths of this Bloodbone Gorge to rushing to the villa, there was... little time left!