CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: FLESH VINE AND REVENGE

The battle outside the stone hall was extremely fierce.

Chu Chen and the others did not rush to go out. If they appeared now, they would definitely become a target of many.

The Ant Queen didn’t have any valuable materials on her. The only thing of value was its Star Core, an Earth Elemental and Spiritual Elemental dual attribute Star Core, and it was at the Peak of War General Level, worth tens of thousands of Alliance Coins.

The two Star Cores provided nearly three hundred thousand in income for everyone.

Chu Chen decided to hand over the two Star Cores to Zhang Yingjie.

He himself was reluctant, but under the collective persuasion of the crowd, he still accepted, although only taking one piece.

The death of the Forest Giant Python had greatly reduced his strength. If he could return safely, he needed to quickly purchase a Guardian Beast to enhance his strength, and cultivating a Guardian Beast also required a considerable amount of money. The expenses of these two items could not be offset by just one Star Core.

Moreover, his soul was injured, requiring the purchase of appropriate potions for recovery, which was another expense.

"Everyone, search inside the stone hall and see if there’s anything good," Chu Chen said with a bit of anticipation.

In this ant nest, the size of the Gray Rock Ant Queen far exceeded other Gray Rock Ant Queens, and there might be some secrets hidden in this stone hall.

Everyone was very enthusiastic about such things. As soon as Chu Chen finished speaking, they scattered in all directions.

Chu Chen could only helplessly shake his head at this.

"Let’s go, Lei Yao, let’s explore as well."

A moment later, an exclamation came from afar.

"Everyone, come over here," Wang Lu shouted loudly.

Hearing this, Chu Chen immediately showed a joyful expression and hurried over with Lei Yao.

When Chu Chen arrived, he found Wang Lu and the others huddled together whispering about something.

"Scholar, you’re just in time, come take a look at what this is," Gangzi warmly greeted upon seeing Chu Chen.

Hearing this, the others quickly made room for Chu Chen.

Chu Chen was not polite and walked over quickly.

In the corner of the stone hall, a blood-colored vine was growing, its roots as thick as a barrel and about three meters in length, entirely blood-red, with leaves about the size of a palm.

On the vine’s surface grew strands of veins, and in these veins flowed red liquid, like blood vessels.

On the branches of the vine hung three blood-red fruits, each the size of a longan, oval in shape.

Chu Chen leaned in closer to observe and discovered that these bloody fruits emitted an enticing fragrance.

After careful identification, Chu Chen already had an answer in his heart.

"How about it, did you figure out what this is?" Wang Lu eagerly inquired.

Chu Chen nodded and said, "This is a Flesh Vine, a Seventh-Grade Star Treasure."

"We’re in luck, can’t believe our fortune is this good," Wang Lu said excitedly.

"What is the function of this Flesh Vine?" Zhang Yingjie asked in a deep voice.

"The Flesh Vine itself doesn’t have much effect, but its fruit is a rare treasure. The Flesh Fruit can accelerate the growth of Guardian Beasts. If taken regularly, it allows mature Guardian Beasts to undergo a second growth and become much larger than their peers," Chu Chen explained with a smile.

"If a Beast Attribute Guardian Beast has this Flesh Vine, wouldn’t it be invincible among its peers?"

"Theoretically, yes, but the Flesh Vine has very high environmental and soil requirements for survival, not something we can handle."

"Really? Do you mean even I can’t afford it?" Wang Lu laughed in retort.

"To be honest, you do have a natural advantage in raising it."

"Oh, then tell me, what advantage do I have?"

"Flesh Vines like dark environments, and they need to be planted in Blood Soil to survive."

"Blood Soil? What’s that?"

"It’s soil soaked in fresh blood, and this blood must be Star Beast Blood. The blood of high-realm Star Beasts can accelerate the growth of Flesh Vines."

"Quick, tell us the value of this Flesh Vine," Li Zitao said with a smile.

"The Flesh Vine itself isn’t worth too much because cultivating it requires a lot of money, and the growth cycle of Flesh Fruit is not short, usually taking a year to mature.

Here Chu Chen paused for a moment before continuing with the introduction: "The most valuable are the Flesh Fruits, one of which can sell for at least a hundred thousand Alliance Coins. It’s said that someone in the association was once willing to offer a hundred and fifty thousand Alliance Coins to buy one."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately showed a joyful expression.

"How about splitting these three Flesh Fruits among the six of you, and the Flesh Vine goes to me?" Chu Chen asked in a low voice.

"I have no objections. You’re planning to give this Flesh Vine to your aunt, right?" Wang Lu said with a laugh.

"Of course, she’s a Plant Cultivator. I think she’ll like this gift," Chu Chen replied.

Gangzi and the others also expressed their agreement after hearing this.

After all, they were able to get the Flesh Fruits thanks to Chu Chen. If it hadn’t been for his suggestion to explore, they might have missed this opportunity.

In the end, Chu Chen didn’t take much advantage. The value of this Flesh Vine wouldn’t exceed a hundred thousand Alliance Coins.

Chu Chen carefully dug up the Flesh Vine and took some Blood Soil with it to ensure it could be brought back alive.

At this moment, a rustling sound was rapidly approaching the group.

Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately became vigilant.

Skinny quickly reminded, "Don’t be tense, it’s the Earth Rock Rat coming back."

The return of the Earth Rock Rat brought good news to the group.

The battle between the ant colony and the Shadow Wolves was nearing its end.

The ants had suffered more than ninety percent casualties, and four Shadow Wolves had died on the wolves’ side as well. The Wolf King and the only remaining Shadow Wolf were both heavily injured, and the Wolf King showed signs of retreating.

Chu Chen’s eyes flashed with a cold glint as he looked outside the stone hall.

If the Wolf King were to escape, it would mean their escape plan had succeeded, but Chu Chen’s thoughts were not satisfied.

Zhang Yingjie had sacrificed his Guardian Beast to buy time for everyone’s escape, and this vengeance couldn’t just pass.

Chu Chen did not act arbitrarily but shared his thoughts with everyone.

"No, as long as the Shadow Wolf King escapes, we are saved. There’s no need to take risks at this critical moment," Zhang Yingjie was the first to refute.

"I think the scholar is right, we can’t let this matter go," Gangzi also expressed his stance.

"Now that the Wolf King is very weak, if we miss this opportunity, it might be hard to get another one," Wang Lu also stated his position.

"Chu Chen, tell us how confident you are," Li Zitao said in a deep voice.

Clearly, he also wanted to avenge his friend.

Hearing this, Chu Chen did not immediately reply but asked in a deep voice, "How’s the recovery of the Earth Spider?"

"Its strength and Star Power have mostly recovered, and its spider silk has only recovered about half."

"No rush, let’s first check the situation of the Shadow Wolf King before deciding."

Everyone naturally agreed, as the Shadow Wolf King was a Commander Level Guardian Beast, and even the utmost caution would not be excessive.

Moments later, the group stood at the entrance of the stone hall, carefully observing the Wolf King’s condition.

At this time, the Wolf King looked extremely battered, with numerous wounds all over its body. Its fur had been stained dark red with blood, and its chest heaved violently, clearly showing its extreme fatigue.

After several analyses, they concluded that the Wolf King had exhausted over seventy percent of its strength and Star Power, and its injuries were severe, with combat power less than thirty percent of its peak.

"It’s time for revenge," Chu Chen said coldly.