Chapter 601: Treant
Chapter 601: Treant
Several months later...
Qingyu Garden.
In Fang Xing's hands was a beast-skin-like object, which he was studying intently.
This was the 'Rou Taishui's' Diagram of Supreme Power.
Although Fei Changnong had said that battle merits couldn't be privately traded, such transactions were common behind closed doors, and there was no way to control them all! With Fang Xing offering a substantial number of merit points, many Dao Ji Xiu Shi were naturally tempted.
After receiving a bag of talismans and money as a reward, Fei Changnong didn't say much. He acted as a guarantor and helped Fang Xing complete this transaction.
'Although I'll have spent all my merit points after this deal, and even lost most of my talismans and money, it's still worth it...'
Fang Xing stared at the pitch-black beast skin in front of him.
"This beast skin has a strange texture... It's not an ordinary demonic beast, it might even rival a Yangshen cultivator..."
On the black beast skin, there were numerous intricate patterns.
These patterns were incredibly complex, constantly extending and changing, faintly forming the shape of a Lingzhi mushroom.
"Rou Taishui..."
Fang Xing's eyes were distant, as if he had immediately immersed himself in the patterns.
"Understanding this Diagram of Supreme Power is incredibly difficult..."
"However, for me, it's quite simple... I should be able to break through and refine the 'Rou Taishui' pseudo-perfect enlightenment within a few years."
"By then, I'll definitely be able to advance to the middle Dao Ji, and in the future, mastering the 'Flesh and Blood Derivation' supreme power will be a piece of cake..."
Fang Xing carefully sensed, "This 'Rou Taishui' supreme power is a defensive and recovery type..."
As he continued to study it, a faint fragrance accompanied the swaying tree shadows around his body.
...
Several months later...
Dolong Slope.
Fang Xing had specifically taken a vacation and arrived at Dolong Slope.
In the bamboo forest.
Several Three Holy Oak trees stood tall and proud, each requiring several people to encircle its trunk, exuding an ancient aura.
"Lingzhi—Three Holy Oak! The most suitable for transforming into a Treant..."
Fang Xing caressed the oak bark, nodding slightly.
With his Plant Growth Talent and the Yuconglong pseudo-perfect enlightenment working together, the few Three Holy Oak trees he had initially planted finally reached the ten-thousand-year level!
Slap!
Fang Xing collected the oak fruits one by one. These ten-thousand-year oak fruits contained pure vitality and could be refined into top-grade healing medicines or directly consumed to enhance the cultivation of Wood attribute skill cultivators.
"A ten-thousand-year Three Holy Oak... If I transform it into a Treant, it should have Yinshen-level combat power, right?"
Fang Xing muttered to himself, silently estimating with his Druid senses.
"To transform a ten-thousand-year Treant, first, my Druid level must be above 15, and then I'll need to lose a significant amount of experience..."
"If I don't have enough experience, can I use life force, or lifespan, as a substitute?"
"I can keep it as a backup, but it's better to use paper figures in normal times."
Ten-thousand-year Treants had massive bodies and moved slowly, which were hard-to-overcome weaknesses.
In comparison, paper figures were more portable and even had different uses.
The Talent of Transforming Treants belonged to Druids and was unseen in this world, making it more likely to attract the attention of higher-level beings.
Therefore, it was best to keep it a secret when facing enemies.
Paper figures, on the other hand, were common in the Beyond the mortal realm and more suitable as a regular means.
'If I refine a Phantom Paper House Dimension, not only will it be incredibly portable, but with a wave of my hand, I can summon an army of paper figures...'
'The same principle applies to using the Enlightenment Technique to transform demonic beasts...'
Rustle!
The bamboo shadows swayed, and a massive black shadow appeared, revealing the black snake!
Or, to be more precise, the Daoji demonic beast—the Toxic Horned Python!
This Toxic Horned Python had pitch-black scales like ink jade, a body over ten zhang long, and a single horn growing from its forehead with peculiar patterns.
To enlighten it to break through the Dao Ji, Fang Xing didn't consume his precious Druid experience but instead spent nearly ten years of his lifespan.
'Transforming demonic beasts and spirits consumes more than ordinary paper figures...'
'The key is that even if my Beast Taming Technique is strong, and the demonic beasts I raise can continuously break through bottlenecks, it's still somewhat eye-catching...'
'As for paper figures, there's nothing to worry about since I've sacrificed my lifespan...'
Fang Xing touched the python's black horn, feeling the concentrated poison within.
If not for his Toxin Immunity Talent, he might have been poisoned just by touching the horn.
'Its combat power is decent... But to enhance it to the middle Dao Ji, it would require consuming a lifespan far exceeding thirty years.'
'To transform it into a dragon, don't even think about it without a few hundred years...'
After all, the Toxic Horned Python was a living, flesh-and-blood creature with its own will and the ability to cultivate on its own.
The price for its breakthrough was far more than that of a paper figure.
"With six paper generals, comparable to the middle Dao Ji, and a Toxic Horned Python at the initial Dao Ji, should be enough."
Fang Xing looked at the vast bamboo forest and thought to himself, "But I should add some insurance."
Although he had also planted ten thousand acres of evergreen trees in Qingyu Garden, this bamboo forest was older and provided more experience.
After reaching level 15, Druids required increasingly vast amounts of experience, and he couldn't afford to miss any opportunity.
With this in mind, Fang Xing approached the most ancient ten-thousand-year Three Holy Oak.
With a thought, a green light descended upon the Three Holy Oak.
——Enlightenment of the Treant!
——Enlightenment Technique!
The Druid experience that Fang Xing possessed was rapidly exhausted, and then his lifespan began to deplete!
Ten years, twenty years, thirty years!
Fifty years, a hundred years, three hundred years!
After consuming a full three hundred years of his lifespan, the ancient Three Holy Oak trembled, and its roots shot out of the ground.
A thunderous roar filled the air!
It stood up, transforming into a towering Treant with six branches growing from its trunk and a peculiar head. On its left and right sides, two faces appeared, forming a strange three-faced, six-armed Treant.
It looked down at Fang Xing, and a gentle yet aged voice sounded, "I pay my respects to you, the child of nature!"
"Yes, your name is 'Three-Headed'!"
Fang Xing said, "Your sole task is to guard this bamboo sea."
Although Treants have difficulty moving, they are excellent at defending and holding positions.
After a quick scan, Fang Xing realized that the Three-Headed Treant possessed the Natural Barrier talent, equivalent to a large formation that could protect the entire bamboo forest.
Its strength was absolutely at the Yinshen Immortal level, ensuring flawless defense.
Combined with the six agile Paper Generals, they formed an impenetrable defense.
"Remember to conceal yourself when you're not needed."
Fang Xing gave a few instructions, and the Three-Headed Treant sat back down, returning to its original form as the Ten-Thousand-Year Three Holy Oak.
'In this world, such a being would be called a Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Demon, I suppose.'
'Its ability to conceal itself is astonishing. Even a Yinshen Immortal might not be able to sense the difference between it and an ordinary oak tree before it reveals itself...'
Fang Xing nodded, satisfied with this arrangement.
"I only have 2,700 years of lifespan left, which is barely enough..."
He shook his head, preparing to leave, when a flash of emerald light caught his attention.
The Little Ginseng Spirit, Xiao Qing, was curled up on the roots of the Three Holy Oak, fast asleep and looking quite comfortable.
"What a clever little one."
"There's no safer place in Dolong Slope with denser plant essence than under this tree..."
Fang Xing smiled slightly.
Given time, this place might become the 'Forest Sanctuary,' a holy site for Druids.
Then, even a Yangshen cultivator would find it challenging to break in! Of course, such a transformation would require significant investment.
...
As Fang Xing exited the bamboo forest, he saw Lv Feng waiting outside.
Compared to his previous vigor, the head of the Lv Clan appeared much older, with white hair at his temples and a stooped back.
"Uncle Fang..."
Lv Feng coughed, and his cultivation had actually regressed.
"Shouldn't you be on the battlefield?"
Fang Xing was surprised.
"I was severely injured a few days ago and was allowed to return to the family to recuperate..."
Lv Feng bitterly smiled, "I've damaged my foundation, and like Tie Luo, it's unlikely that I'll be able to return to the Post-Qi Sensing Realm."
"Xue Ying Clan's techniques are indeed sinister."
Fang Xing sighed and handed over a healing berry.
Lv Feng accepted it with a bitter expression, knowing that he had lost face in front of Uncle Fang.
He was well aware of the berry's effects; it could only slightly replenish his energy and couldn't heal foundation injuries.
Fang Xing, of course, also knew this was just a token gesture.
For someone who had once plotted to take over the entire bamboo forest, Fang Xing's restraint in not taking action was commendable. How could he possibly provide treatment? 'Even with 'Nature Heal,' foundation injuries are difficult to cure... Unless I obtain the 'Advanced Nature Cure' talent...'
Druids have excellent healing abilities. The healing berry is equivalent to 'Heal Minor Wounds,' and 'Nature Heal' can treat moderate injuries.
'Advanced Nature Cure' can heal severe injuries, even severed limbs, blindness, or foundation damage. With treatment, one can fully recover.
However, Fang Xing hadn't acquired this talent yet.
Even if he had, he wouldn't use it on Lv Feng.
"Where is Hu Liu's grave? Is it with Tie Luo?"
Fang Xing asked, "I still want to pay my respects."
"Please, Uncle Fang."
Lv Feng, with a bitter expression, led the way.
Although the Lv Clan was now the dominant force in the East Peak, the friendship of the Floating Cloud Five still held some weight. Tie Luo, Song Yunqian, and Hu Liu were all buried alongside the old Lv Clan patriarch.
There was even a memorial tomb for Lin Xu.
At that moment, a figure stood silently before the graves of several people.
"Who are you?"
Lv Feng, seeing a stranger paying respects at his ancestors' graves, demanded an explanation.
"Wait... Are you... Lin Xu?"
Fang Xing, however, was surprised.
The figure's face was indeed very pale, but it was unmistakably Lin Xu.
"What? Is it Uncle Lin?"
Lv Feng sensed the figure and was shocked, "He's also achieved the Dao Ji Realm?"
Lin Xu turned around, forcing a stiff smile, and suddenly transformed into a gray-white streak of light, soaring into the sky.
"Please, Daoist Lin, wait..."
Fang Xing, surrounded by tree shadows, immediately gave chase.
In his heart, he secretly smiled, 'This person is Lin Xu, but only his corpse... The real Lin Xu is long dead. Has his body been refined by the Gua Shu Sect using secret techniques, allowing him to break through the Dao Ji Realm?'
(End of Chapter)
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