Chapter 85 – Host, You Are So Handsome! Law of Wood Fragment!

“Master, this tree has actually developed sentience! It’s become a spirit!”

Xiaobai stared at the scattered vine fragments on the ground, covering her small mouth with her hand. Then her brows furrowed tightly before suddenly relaxing as a look of delight appeared on her face.

You must understand.

Spiritual plants that have gained sentience are fundamentally different from Star Beasts.

Star Beasts cultivate mainly by condensing crystal cores, devouring the energy within flesh and blood to strengthen themselves.

But these spiritual plants root themselves in heaven and earth, drawing essence from all things, then refining precious Herbal Essence within their branches.

A single drop of Herbal Essence is priceless beyond measure.

From curing stubborn illnesses to nourishing and saving the lives of the severely injured – it can accomplish all this with ease!

And more importantly.

After consuming Herbal Essence, the beneficiary’s lifespan will greatly increase, and they might even catch a glimpse of the path to longevity!

Regarding these matters.

Qin Yang, who had studied the Profound Heaven Pill Scripture, naturally knew about them.

However…

There was currently one problem.

“We came too early, this old spirit hasn’t matured yet…”

Qin Yang shook his head helplessly.

The thousand-year tree spirit mentioned by the system had actually only lived for five hundred years so far… falling short by several centuries.

How much value could the Herbal Essence within it possibly have?

Persimmons are bitter before ripening, sweet after… though they can still be eaten, they ultimately don’t taste quite right.

“What a pity.”

Qin Yang looked at this century-old tree, but quickly became resigned.

Since the system prompt had been triggered, this meant the old tree was originally destined to live for another five hundred years as a heaven-defying existence.

As long as he destroyed it, he could still obtain new rewards!

No matter how he thought about it, he wouldn’t lose out!

With this in mind.

Qin Yang stared at the old tree, a flash of killing intent appearing briefly in his eyes.

This reward is mine for the taking!

Rustle, rustle!

Just at that moment, the old tree launched its own vine attack!

In an instant, the ground along the way shook and cracked, countless vines rising from the earth, reaching for the sky, with thorns grotesquely growing to form a massive net of vines.

“Master, master! Hurry up!”

Xiaobai tugged at Qin Yang’s sleeve, urging him quietly while her tail wagged with nervous excitement.

After witnessing Qin Yang’s move earlier, she realized this old tree spirit didn’t seem so terrifying after all.

Now Xiaobai had only one thing on her mind – to see the Herbal Essence within the branches.

Hmph, this Fairy wants to claim rewards too!

“Don’t rush, Xiaobai.”

“This tree has already chosen the path to its death…”

Qin Yang smiled faintly as Sword Qi gathered at his fingertips and was flicked outward.

Boom!

A wisp of Sword Qi split in midair, transforming into thousands of raging Sword Intent manifestations, as if countless swordsmen had simultaneously drawn their blades to protect Qin Yang.

They became like an army charging toward the surrounding vine net.

Massive amounts of Sword Qi erupted, shredding the vines as they steadily crushed forward toward the old tree.

Crack.

The old tree’s bark split open as if scraped by wind.

Danger!

This human is extremely dangerous!

Sensing the crisis, the thousand-year tree spirit instinctively controlled more vines to defend itself.

The ground instantly cracked open, sprouting even more vines that branched into countless growing tendrils.

But the attacking Sword Qi similarly divided, generating thousands of Sword Qi manifestations that brutally swept everything away!

That’s right.

This was precisely the Grassland Sword Saint’s “Myriad Swords Return”!

After several days of contemplation, Qin Yang had completely mastered the essence of this Swordplay technique, using it with practiced ease.

He had even surpassed his teacher, unleashing power far exceeding that of the Sword Saint!

Boom! Boom! Boom!A massive surge of Sword Qi swept through, instantly annihilating all encroaching vines. Shattered tendrils danced wildly in the air as mud and stones whirled upward.

In the blink of an eye.

The century-old giant tree was riddled like a sieve!

Mountain winds whistled through the perforations, producing mournful howls as the vines fell still.

The forest returned to tranquility.

The ground bore deep sword scars, with vines drooping lifelessly.

“Master, you’re amazing!”

Xiaobai clapped excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the ancient tree’s remains, eagerly wanting to dash toward the wood essence.

“Wait!”

Qin Yang frowned suddenly, grabbing her tail and yanking her back.

“Ouch, that hurts!”

Xiaobai clutched her tail, eyes instantly welling up with tears as she complained, “Why did you pull me back, Master?”

“Something feels off.” Qin Yang released her fluffy tail, furrowing his brow. “This tree demon doesn’t seem completely dead.”

“Not dead? Are you sure, Master?”

Xiaobai hesitated upon hearing this, her nostrils twitching as she sniffed the air, detecting numerous bloody scents. But beyond that, there was no other sign of life.

Moreover…

The tree trunk was already utterly ruined…

How could it possibly still be alive?

“Wait.”

Qin Yang murmured softly, staring at the ancient tree’s wreckage. Though the trunk was shattered to pieces, the system’s notification hadn’t sounded.

Something was definitely wrong!

Realizing this, Qin Yang acted decisively, releasing his spiritual sense to investigate.

Soon.

An image of the terrain surrounding the ancient tree formed in his mind.

Though the tree’s above-ground form had been pulverized, its roots extended deep underground, anchored thousands of meters beneath the surface.

Merely destroying the surface stump would naturally be ineffective.

“Tsk tsk, truly worthy of a tree that’s gained sentience. Those five hundred years weren’t wasted.”

After understanding the situation, Qin Yang couldn’t help but laugh.

Centuries of cultivation had nurtured spiritual wood into essence.

This ancient tree had long developed its own combat strategies, even mastering survival through feigned death, with ambushes coming as naturally as breathing—a veritable veteran schemer!

“…So you like hiding underground, do you?”

With this thought, Qin Yang’s palm shimmered with radiant light as he summoned Ziwei, plunging the sword directly into the earth.

“Then I’ll see this through to the end, loosening the soil for you…”

“Letting it breathe!”

The next moment.

BOOM!

Myriad Swords Return erupted underground!

Sword Qi churned through the earth, crisscrossing deep beneath the surface. The ground undulated and compressed like ocean waves, instantly grinding the deeply buried root system to dust.

A piercing shriek emerged from below.

Chilling to the bone.

“Master…”

Xiaobai clutched Qin Yang’s sleeve, both terrified and grateful.

If earlier…

she had taken just one more step forward.

She would likely have fallen right into the tree demon’s trap, with unthinkable consequences!

“Alright, that should do it.”

Qin Yang crouched halfway, slowly pulling Ziwei from the soil and shaking off the dirt before calling to Xiaobai, “Let’s go, Xiaobai.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Hearing this, Xiaobai suddenly stood on her toes, leaned close to Qin Yang’s face, and planted a quick kiss before turning away with a flushed, embarrassed expression and scampering off.

“???”

Qin Yang froze momentarily, only registering the warm, soft sensation on his cheek.

She kissed me?

I save your life, and you take advantage of me?

How cringe!

This little loli is getting more and more out of hand!

Just then.

The system’s astonished voice abruptly rang out.”With a single strike, you’ve slain the thousand-year tree demon, Host! You’re truly magnificent!”

“Reward amplified twentyfold! Obtained one Fragment of Wood Law!”

Hearing this.

Qin Yang checked the reward.

The next moment, a lush green rune materialized in his palm, radiating an exceptionally rich essence of life.

(End of Chapter)