Chapter 327: The Longevity Peach
Chapter 327: The Longevity Peach
The Demon Ghost Vine was a fifth-grade mutant spirit plant from the herb garden in Lan Yue Blessed Land. It favored spirit seeds and spirit plant branches and leaves, possessing an extremely keen perception of spirit seeds.
After obtaining it in the herb garden, Lu Chen followed its guidance and acquired the sixth-grade ancient spirit plant, the Phoenix Tree, from three fellow disciples.
Since the Demon Ghost Vine was reacting in this manner, it indicated that there was definitely a high-grade spirit plant ahead.
"Lead the way. If we truly find a high-grade spirit plant, I'll let you have your fill once it's cultivated to maturity."
Lu Chen casually fed the vine a large pancake.
The gray vines of the Demon Ghost Vine quivered excitedly, like a gray snake slithering sinuously, leaving shallow and deep trails of sticky fluid on the ground.
After a moment, Lu Chen followed the Demon Ghost Vine to a desolate herb garden.
Most of the spirit plants in the garden had withered, looking wilted and barren. A small portion grew normally, and there were remnants of demon beast bones on the ground, which crumbled underfoot.
"There's something odd about this herb garden."
A cool breeze wafted from the spotless jade hanging around Lu Chen's neck, signaling the presence of a sinister force within the garden.
Fortunately, the cool sensation had not yet reached the freezing level, indicating that the sinister force was still within his control.
He carefully observed his surroundings and, confirming that there were no abnormalities, proceeded towards the center of the garden.
The deeper he ventured, the more desolate the herb garden became. However, at the very heart, there stood a lush and flourishing peach tree.
The tree was enveloped in a haze of spirit energy, exuding a captivating fragrance that beckoned one to draw closer.
Just as Lu Chen was about to cast a Spirit Rain Technique to gather information about the peach tree, the Invisible Cloak he wore suddenly sprouted countless nearly transparent silk threads, instantly hiding him from view.
It was as if a thin layer of a peculiar substance veiled his eyes, giving him a sense of detachment and unreality as he gazed upon the many things within the herb garden.
He sensed someone approaching.
After a few breaths, two Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived at the peach tree, accompanied by a butterfly with spiritual patterns on its wings.
One was an old man with a sinister vulture-like aura, and the other was a petite, elderly woman.
"I didn't expect that there really is a high-grade spirit plant here."
The petite old woman's face was etched with wrinkles like ravines. With a wave of her hand, the butterfly that had been fluttering around the peach tree returned to her palm.
"It's all thanks to Madam Bai's Spirit Pattern Butterfly, able to sense the wood spirit energy within the spirit plant. Otherwise, we wouldn't have found it so easily."
The vulture-like old man was none other than Ning Deshan, whom Lu Chen had encountered several times before. At this moment, he stared fixedly at the peach tree, which emanated a tempting fragrance, and spoke in a low voice.
Madam Bai, as the petite old woman was known, was the island owner of a small island in the archipelago. The two had known each other for almost a hundred years and had entered the secret realm together to seek opportunities and treasures.
She kept a Spirit Pattern Butterfly, which had a keen perception of various spirit plants. Guided by the butterfly, they had quickly located this spirit peach tree.
"This spirit peach seems to have an unusual origin. Do you know anything about it, Fellow Daoist Ning?" Madam Bai inquired.
"I've never seen this type of spirit plant either, just like you, Madam Bai," Ning Deshan replied, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter. We can always have the cultivators from the Great Commerce Guild identify it once we leave the secret realm," Madam Bai said.
"There are exactly six spirit peaches. How about we each take half, Fellow Daoist Ning?" Madam Bai suggested.
"I'll leave it to you, Fellow Daoist Bai," Ning Deshan agreed.
"Then, Fellow Daoist Bai, you can go ahead and pluck those six spirit peaches while I keep watch and guard against any evil people or demons who might ambush us.
The silk sash was a third-grade defensive artifact with excellent protective capabilities.
She took a step forward, crossing a distance of five or six meters, and arrived directly beneath the Longevity Peach Tree.
With Ning Deshan's surveillance and the protection of her own silk sash artifact, she felt extremely reassured.
She reached out and plucked a tender, pinkish-white peach, inhaling its fragrance before placing it carefully into a silver plate.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, this longevity peach..."
She turned around, intending to tell Ning Deshan that the longevity peach was of an even higher grade than they had anticipated. However, suddenly, a streak of black light flashed like lightning, piercing through the defense of her silk sash and appearing instantly before her chest.
"How dare you ambush me!"
Before the old woman could react, a pitch-black claw sank deep into her heart.
She looked up and saw that Ning Deshan's arm had transformed into a withered black claw, and he was standing not far away, coldly watching her.
Before she could respond, another shuttle-shaped artifact shot towards her at extreme speed, shattering her entire sea of consciousness with its overwhelming spiritual power.
"The Lock Heart Claw secret art, coupled with a surprise attack using a third-grade artifact, should be more than enough to kill her."
Ning Deshan approached the old woman's body to confirm her death.
The black claw retracted from her heart and reintegrated into his withered arm.
Under the effects of healing pills, new muscles began to grow on his arm, although it appeared significantly smaller than his other arm.
This was a secret art he had mastered, called the Lock Heart Claw, which could burn the essence and blood in his arm, releasing an extremely powerful burst of strength.
Combined with the surprise attack from the shuttle-shaped artifact and his deep understanding of his friend's abilities, he was able to finish her off in just a few breaths.
"Don't blame me for being heartless. This Longevity Peach is just too important to me."
"A single Longevity Peach can extend one's lifespan by five to ten years. Even if the effects weaken with repeated consumption, it can still prolong my life for a long time. How could I possibly bear to share such a treasure with you?"
Ning Deshan's smile was sinister as he spoke to the corpse of the old woman on the ground.
He knew that his time was limited, so he had gone to great lengths to collect pills, spirit fruits, and secret arts that could extend his lifespan. It was in one such tome that he had stumbled upon the introduction to this longevity peach.
The longevity peach, known as the Multi-Longevity Coiled Peach, was a fifth-grade spirit plant. When consumed, it could extend one's lifespan by five to ten years, depending on the cultivator's level.
To Ning Deshan, whose lifespan was nearing its end, this fruit was a priceless treasure.
Upon seeing the longevity peach, he had immediately recognized its origins, and his desire for extended life far outweighed his friendship with the elderly woman. Thus, he had not hesitated to ambush and kill her.
"With these six Multi-Longevity Coiled Peaches, I can add several decades to my lifespan. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to break through to the middle stage of foundation establishment and defy fate."
Ning Deshan imagined a beautiful future for himself, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips.
He took a deep breath to control his joy and cautiously scanned his surroundings while swiftly moving closer to the extraordinary Longevity Peach Tree.
"My lifespan..."
As he reached out to touch the tender, pinkish-white peach, his outstretched arm trembled involuntarily.
"With so many longevity peaches that can extend your life, Fellow Daoist Ning, aren't you afraid of overeating and not living to a ripe old age?"
Suddenly, a light laughter rang out.
(End of Chapter)
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