254: An alternative 'rebirth'

Losing its root support and life control, the massive trunk, carrying raging flames and billowing thick smoke, slowly yet unstoppably toppled toward the ridges on both sides.

"Rumble!!!"

"Rumble!!!"

Two earth-shattering roars followed in rapid succession, and the ground shook violently.

The towering ridges on both sides were smashed by the falling giant, creating two shocking gaps.

Countless rocks cracked, tumbled, and slid down, kicking up dust that filled the sky like two small landslides. Mixed with the black smoke from the burning tree, the vast area was shrouded in Chaos.

The remaining demon plants and Demonic Beasts in the vicinity, who had relied on the protection of this Tree Demon Lord, let out desperate wails as if foreseeing their own doom.

Meanwhile, the army of War Slaves on the periphery, which had been waiting in formation, charged like a black steel torrent toward the panicked and chaotic groups of demon plants and Demonic Beasts, initiating a crushing slaughter.

Su Ling took a deep breath and waved his sleeve to disperse the dust and smoke drifting before him.

A giant tree stump, at least a hundred zhang in diameter with a jagged cross-section, appeared before his eyes.

At the center of the stump's rings, a crystal about one zhang in size, neatly cut in half by sword light, was shimmering with a warm and rich green glow.

It was the wood spirit crystal condensed from the Tree Demon's life and magic essence. Although damaged, it was still a rare treasure.

However, as Su Ling's Divine Sense carefully scanned every inch of the surrounding land and space,

His brow slowly furrowed.

In his perception, he failed to capture the expected powerful Wandering Soul fluctuations of the Tree Demon.

What made him even more alert was that within the broken stump and the fallen trunk remains, the majestic life force was draining away at an exceptionally rapid pace.

It wasn't naturally dissipating, but rather converging and hiding deep underground, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

"Soul escaping into the earth, life force transfer... Is this the life-saving technique under the 'Wither and Flourish Domain'?"

Su Ling murmured softly, a flash of realization and helplessness crossing his eyes.

It is extremely difficult for plant life to develop intelligence, but once successful, their Soul is often stronger than Yao Beasts or Demonic Beasts of the same Rank because they have been companions with the earth and mountains for thousands or tens of thousands of years.

This Tree Demon had clearly escaped with its Soul core into the deep ley lines already connected to its root network at the moment it was split open.

At the same time, it took away the vast life essence it had accumulated over thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

With the Wither and Flourish Domain of that Rank Seven Peak Vine Demon, the Tree Demon could use this hidden life force to grow anew in another location.

Even though its cultivation might be heavily damaged, it was, after all, an alternative 'Rebirth'.

Waving his hand to put away the cracked wood spirit crystal, Su Ling looked at the rapidly withering branches and let out a heartfelt sigh, "What a pity for such spiritual material."

Turning to look at the battlefield, the remaining demon plants and Demonic Beasts were slaughtered in moments under the impact of the War Slaves army.

However, most of the demon plants managed to escape.

Only a few had their Souls devoured by the undead-type War Slaves, dying completely.

Su Ling flew up and lunged straight toward the Tree Demon whose barrier had been broken and was fighting back desperately.

With his previous experience, he immediately employed the Soul Capturing Art and the Netherworld Soul Devouring Art.

Under the restriction of the dual secret arts, this Rank Five Tree Demon soon met its end, leaving behind an intact tree body.

Seeing its companion's total death, another Rank Five ancient tree didn't wait to be besieged; its Soul core immediately carried a large amount of life force and escaped underground.

To this, Su Ling was helpless.

It was a Rank Five Tree Demon after all; with such a decisive escape, he couldn't stop it... Over the next three years, Su Ling's squad continued to push forward, advancing tens of thousands of miles.

The harvested crystal cores and various spiritual materials were countless.

Until a Rank Six demon plant and a large number of Rank Four and Five demon plants appeared ahead.

Only then did the group stop a hundred miles outside the enemy's attack range.

Against a demon plant of this Rank, even with the phoenix dance nine-fierce ruler in hand, Su Ling did not dare to face its edge.

After reporting the situation here to the Command Post, the group set up camp on the spot.

They expanded horizontally to clear the area while waiting for the Command Post to issue new battle orders.

At this time, looking at the Green Wild Mountain Range Plane from the outside, war was everywhere, centered around the Rank Seven Peak Vine Demon in the north.

The armies of the Seven Sects advanced layer by layer, constantly compressing the opponent's living space.

A large number of demon plants perished, only to rise again within the coverage of the Vine Demon.

But their auras were clearly much weaker than before.

Even so, a large number of demon plants above Rank Five were still gathered there.

Their numbers were at least in the tens of thousands.

A Peak True Immortal from the Haoyang Sect stood atop the plane membrane, gazing down.

The Vine Demon's attack range was so high it could reach the plane membrane hundreds of miles away; ordinary True Immortals didn't dare come to investigate.

Yet the seemingly excellent situation made this Peak expert's brow furrow tightly.

"Senior Brother Yao Guang True Lord."

A figure flashed and cupped his hands toward True Monarch Yaoguang.

"Junior Brother Blasting Flame, the situation is not quite right..."

True Monarch Yaoguang nodded slightly, his voice carrying an undisguised gravity.

True Monarch Baoyan followed his gaze and couldn't help but be puzzled, "In ten years at most, the front line will reach the Vine Demon's periphery... Senior Brother, what is wrong?"

"This Vine Demon seems to be playing a grand game of chess."

True Monarch Yaoguang's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he said solemnly, "More and more demon plants are gathering here. If the Vine Demon is driven to desperation and uses the Wither and Flourish Domain to absorb the life force of these demon plants... perhaps it can use this to Breakthrough Rank Seven and reach Rank Eight Early Stage!"

A Rank Eight Early Stage Vine Demon, even if its Wither and Flourish Law only reaches the Golden Immortal level,

Its body and life level would still be comparable to a Golden Immortal.

Dealing with two Peak True Immortals would be no problem at all.

"That's impossible!"

True Monarch Baoyan was stunned upon hearing this, but after a moment's thought, he shook his head and laughed, "It shouldn't come to that. It's a monster supported by the star core will. If it truly dares to devour the plane's creatures like that, I'm afraid the star core will wouldn't allow it!"

True Monarch Yaoguang remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head and saying solemnly, "Just in case, we should inform the Sect. It would be best to arrange for a Golden Immortal Junior Martial Uncle's Clone to descend... Even if the situation changes abruptly, it can buy some time."

A Golden Immortal Clone, though lacking in immortal Qi, can still exert eighty percent of its Law's power.

Resisting the attack of a newly promoted Rank Eight Vine Demon would certainly be no problem.

By then, they would only need to delay until the Golden Immortal's main body arrived, and this Vine Demon would surely die!

"Sigh, very well then."

True Monarch Baoyan nodded slightly, feeling helpless.

Unless absolutely necessary, he was not at all willing to trouble a Golden Immortal.

Two dignified Peak True Immortals attacking a plane and failing to succeed after twenty years already made him feel somewhat ashamed.

Now having to ask a Golden Immortal Senior for help made him feel even more disgraced.

But if True Monarch Yaoguang's prediction came true, then not only would they fail to conquer this plane,

The Cultivators of the Seven Sects would also suffer massive losses!

Such a result was something he could not accept no matter what.

Compared to that, what did a little loss of face matter?

"Let's go. Let's head back and contact Junior Martial Uncle Moyang."

True Monarch Yaoguang waved his large sleeve and vanished into a streak of brilliant white immortal light.

True Monarch Baoyan glanced below, gave a cold snort, and also sped away.

Deep underground in the northern part of the plane, a Vine Demon so massive it was beyond description lay hidden.

A cold glint flashed in its wary green pupils before they slowly closed.