Chapter 295: You Still Think You Can Kill Me Instantly?

Creak.

Wang Baole pushed open the door with the hatchet in his hand. Before him lay a manor shrouded in dense deathly aura.

Looking out across the fields, everything was veiled in this ominous aura. Yet within this eerie manor, flowers, grass, and trees were still flourishing.

Moreover, every plant within the manor radiated an unsettling, sinister, and demonic presence.

Han Ping asked, “Senior Brother Wang, you’re well-informed. Do you know what kind of agricultural plantation this is?”

Wang Baole shook his head. “By all logic, nothing should be able to grow without sun and moonlight. But the plants here are alive. That can only mean they originate from the Land of the Dead.”

Han Ping pondered the words, then walked up to a seductive-looking purple flower. He casually plucked a leaf. In the next second, his hand turned black as coal.

“This flower is highly poisonous!”

After speaking, he hurriedly activated the Longevity Technique within his body. Only after quite some time did he manage to dispel the deadly poison.

Wang Baole observed closely and murmured, “This is the legendary Mandala Flower.”

“The ghostly flower from legends?”

Han Ping, completely forgetting about his earlier poisoning, asked with excitement.

Wang Baole nodded slightly. “Correct. The Land of the Dead has four types of flowers: the Other Shore Flower, Mandala Flower, Crystal Flower, and Poppy. Each one is an extremely rare treasure.”

Han Ping’s eyes lit up. “Then this place is practically a treasure trove for us, senior brother.”

Wang Baole chuckled. “The Four Flowers of the Underworld are nothing much. What we should really look for is the rumored Underworld Divine Tree. If we find it, we’ll truly strike it rich.”

Han Ping pointed to a towering tree that reached into the clouds. “Then let’s go check out that giant tree first.”

“Let’s go!”

Wang Baole patted Han Ping’s shoulder, and the two of them quickly made their way toward the center of the manor.

Along the way, they passed through clusters of flowers. The spiritual power emanating from their bodies repelled the surrounding deathly and poisonous aura.

Roughly half an hour later, the two arrived beneath the enormous tree.

Han Ping examined the tree, noting its pinnately compound leaves and black fruits, then began searching his memory for any record of such a tree.

After a long pause, he said, “This is the legendary Muluan Tree. It’s said to grow deep within the Underworld Abyss. Its fruits, called Muluan Seeds, can seal ghosts and evil spirits. The more deathly and yin aura the seed absorbs, the higher its quality.”

Wang Baole murmured, “I’ve read about the Muluan Tree in the archives of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. I never thought I’d see one with my own eyes. This trip was worth it.”

“Senior brother, let’s start picking the Muluan Seeds now,” Han Ping said, visibly eager.

Wang Baole blocked him with the hatchet. “No rush. Spiritual treasures of heaven and earth are always guarded. If we act rashly, we might get attacked.”

Han Ping scratched his head awkwardly. “I’ve been farming in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute too long and forgot that part.”

Wang Baole said nothing. He simply raised his hatchet and suddenly slashed toward the Muluan Tree.

Clang!

A blade of light descended. Before it could even touch the branches and leaves, a purple glow radiated from the tree, instantly deflecting the strike.

Neither Wang Baole nor Han Ping showed any surprise at the sight.

At that moment, an aged voice echoed from the tree. “Who dares to disturb this old one’s slumber?”

Wang Baole clasped his hands and said respectfully, “We didn’t know you had already developed spiritual intelligence, senior. Please forgive our intrusion. We merely wish to collect a few Muluan Seeds.”

The spirit of the Muluan Tree looked toward the source of the voice and saw two living humans standing within its territory. Observing the fortune aura radiating from them, its eyes brightened.

It had once devoured countless wandering souls, and from them had learned the path of cultivation. In this land of deathly silence, one could only attain sainthood by carrying great fortune. Sadly, all the souls it had consumed in the past had long lost their luck.

This was also the reason why, despite having lived for countless ages, it had still not stepped into the Saint Realm.

“Hahaha!”

The old tree let out a booming laugh. “I’ve waited here for countless years and finally encountered two living beings. It seems the heavens have not forsaken me!”

As soon as the words fell, countless vines surged toward the two of them.

Wang Baole and Han Ping had no time to react before they were bound tightly, unable to move.

Yet neither of them showed the slightest trace of panic. With just a glance at each other, they had already reached a decision in their hearts.

Han Ping took out the Sword Jade, ready to act at any moment.

Wang Baole, unhurried, asked, “Senior, what is the meaning of this?”

The old tree’s tone did not change in the slightest. It said coldly, “Weren’t you wondering why there are no guardian spirits around me? Let me tell you now—the answer is simple. Every living creature that’s come near me has been devoured. If I consume the souls of you two children of fortune, I will be able to step into the Saint Realm at last.”

Wang Baole paused upon hearing this, then chuckled. “So it seems that today, senior, we’re destined for a life-or-death struggle?”

“Hmph!”

The old tree snorted. “Brats, you two think you can drag me down with you? What a joke. The only ones dying here will be you.”

“Sigh…”

Wang Baole let out a long sigh and shook his head slightly.

The old tree was momentarily confused by the gesture. “Boy, isn’t it a little late to be sighing now?”

“Don’t misunderstand.”

Wang Baole smiled. “My junior brother and I never wished to commit unnecessary slaughter. Even if senior had only sought to teach us a lesson, we would have borne no resentment. But you shouldn't have harbored murderous intent.”

???

The old tree’s heart filled with confusion. Irritated, it snapped, “Brat, death is at your doorstep and you still dare to act mysterious in front of me? I’ll kill you first!”

“Junior brother, do it.”

Wang Baole didn’t respond to the old tree’s threats. He simply said those few words to Han Ping beside him.

The old tree burst out laughing. “Hahaha… boy, don’t tell me your junior brother can kill me in a single strike!”

Before the words had finished echoing, a flash of sword light swept through the air.

Clang!

With a single sword strike, the massive body of the old tree was instantly pierced through. All vitality vanished in an instant.

Wang Baole and Han Ping broke free from the vines and landed on the ground.

“That was close.”

Han Ping murmured, “I didn’t expect this old tree to be so devious. Fortunately, master bestowed the Sword Jade upon us. Otherwise, we really would’ve died here today.”

Thinking of how he had nearly rushed in to pluck the Muluan Seeds earlier, cold sweat streamed down his back.

Wang Baole said, “It’s safe now. One of us will stand guard while the other extracts the essence of the Muluan Tree. We can’t let it fall into the hands of other creatures.”

“I’ll do it.”

Han Ping spoke as he walked toward the Muluan Tree, while Wang Baole stood to the side on alert…

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