Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Blood-sucking Demon Tree
Chi Yan nodded. "I was ambushed by some people outside. It took some effort to find my way here."
"At the time, they were all unconscious. Duoduo was watching over them. I undid the seals on them, and after everyone took some Elixir Pills, they were mostly recovered."
"Duoduo can’t talk, but it used gestures for us to guess, and we pieced together that you probably fell down somewhere."
"Duoduo’s contract with you wasn’t broken, so we knew you were still alive. But we studied the altar for a long time and couldn’t find a way to open it. We figured you’d come back here once you got free, so we’ve been waiting here ever since."
Lu Sangjiu nodded after hearing Chi Yan’s breathless account of what had happened. She then scooped up Duoduo and, in a rare moment of praise, commended it, "You did a good job this time. The Cold Ice Crystal Stone is your reward."
Hearing this, Duoduo chirped excitedly, then returned to the Spirit Beast Bag, completely satisfied.
After that, Lu Sangjiu wasted no more time. She turned and said, "Alright, everyone, follow me. I know where to find a Teleportation Array that leads to the Secret Realm Center."
Everyone could see that Lu Sangjiu’s cultivation had improved, and they figured she must have had a fortuitous encounter.
However, such things were a matter of personal fortune. Since Lu Sangjiu didn’t bring it up, everyone was tactful enough not to ask.
Now that she said she knew where to find the Teleportation Array, they followed her without a second word.
Lu Sangjiu walked to the corner of the wall to the left of the altar. Using the method Lightly Arrogant True Monarch had told her, she dispelled the Blinding Technique there, revealing a hidden Stone Gate.
She pushed the door open, and a Teleportation Array was right before their eyes.
Lu Sangjiu didn’t stand on ceremony. She said directly to the others, "The Teleportation Array requires twenty Mid-grade Spirit Stones to operate. Shall we all chip in?"
None of them had any objections. They each took out four Spirit Stones to make a total of twenty, and then Lu Sangjiu’s group stood in the center of the Teleportation Array.
As the Spirit Stones were placed, the Teleportation Array instantly activated, emitting a blindingly brilliant white light.
After a wave of dizziness passed, Lu Sangjiu and the others appeared in a completely unfamiliar place.
"Is this... a cave?"
Looking around, Chi Yan and the others were filled with curiosity.
Lu Sangjiu answered, "It’s just a hidden cave to conceal the Teleportation Array. Let’s get outside first."
She already knew from Lightly Arrogant True Monarch where to find the inheritance left by that senior after being teleported.
After leaving the cave, she turned to Chi Yan and Feng Lin. "I’m heading to my destination now. It’s been a pleasure traveling with you. Let’s get a drink together when we have a chance after leaving the Secret Realm."
Chi Yan laughed heartily. "Alright! It’s a deal."
He paused, then looked at Feng Lin. "Feng Dao You, I also have to go find what I’m looking for. We can’t travel together anymore, so take care of yourself!"
Feng Lin smiled and nodded. "I’ve enjoyed my time with you both. We’ll meet again after the Secret Realm."
They were all straightforward people and didn’t say much more. After a simple farewell, they parted ways.
After Feng Lin and Chi Yan left, Lu Sangjiu turned to Xie Ningyuan and Shen Yuzhao.
There was no need to say much about Xie Ningyuan; Lu Sangjiu certainly didn’t need to worry about him.
So she just gave Shen Yuzhao a serious warning, "Third Martial Brother, the place we’re going next is extremely dangerous. You must be very careful."
"Also, I know of a very powerful inheritance there. I was thinking of letting you try for it. What do you think?"
Shen Yuzhao let out a sound of surprise. "Ah?" He asked curiously, "What kind of inheritance?"
"A Swordsmanship inheritance."
Shen Yuzhao immediately scratched his head, hesitating. "But I’m not a Sword Cultivator..."
Lu Sangjiu patted his shoulder comfortingly. "It’s alright. We’re just trying our luck. What if it works out?"
Shen Yuzhao thought for a moment and agreed. ’It’s no use talking too much about it now. The inheritance might not even choose me anyway. Since I know this opportunity exists, there’s no harm in trying.’
Xie Ningyuan, who was standing to the side, was rather curious. He asked Lu Sangjiu, "Then why don’t you try for it yourself?"
Lu Sangjiu said with regret, "I’m not suited for it."
After a pause, she added, "You aren’t suited for it either."
Xie Ningyuan chuckled lightly. "Afraid I’ll compete with him for it? Don’t worry. Even if I were suited for it, I wouldn’t take it."
It wasn’t that Lu Sangjiu was afraid he’d compete, but that she genuinely felt he wasn’t suited for it.
That Cultivation Technique was called the Divine Fire Sword Technique. When used, the sword becomes wreathed in flames, and it’s even more effective when wielded by someone who possesses an Abnormal Fire.
In the book, Ye Zhiyao first obtained the Cultivation Technique’s inheritance and then stole Shen Yuzhao’s Abnormal Fire, which boosted her combat power once again.
Judging from Ye Zhiyao’s situation in the book, the Divine Fire Sword Technique was a perfect match for Shen Yuzhao’s Unwarranted Green Flame.
So there was no reason why only Ye Zhiyao could use it, but Shen Yuzhao couldn’t.
However, Lu Sangjiu naturally wouldn’t explain the reasons to them. If Xie Ningyuan wanted to misunderstand, she would just let him.
After some thought, Lu Sangjiu cautiously warned Xie Ningyuan, "Don’t cause any trouble for me in a bit. Only help when I ask you to."
She really didn’t want a repeat of what happened at Luoya Mountain. Her little heart couldn’t take it. It would be bad if she impulsively stabbed him again.
Xie Ningyuan raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased. "Are you treating me as your personal hired muscle?"
Lu Sangjiu smiled. "If you don’t want to be, you can leave right now."
Xie Ningyuan: "...Pretend I didn’t say anything."
’Personal hired muscle it is, then. Who else’s fault is it that the answer he’s been desperately seeking lies with her?’
’He had already wasted a hundred years; he really couldn’t afford to delay any longer.’
’In any case, the identity he was currently using was just Xie Ningyuan, not the Buddha Son of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect. It wouldn’t bring shame to the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect.’
After these instructions, Lu Sangjiu took the lead.
It wasn’t long after they started trekking through the jungle that Lu Sangjiu saw the ancient, thousand-year-old tree she was looking for.
"Is that... a Blood-sucking Demon Tree?"
Xie Ningyuan was very knowledgeable. Even though the great tree just stood there looking gentle and harmless, he recognized it at a glance.
The Blood-sucking Demon Tree grew by absorbing the blood of demon beasts or humans for sustenance.
At first glance, its trunk looked no different from an ordinary tree’s. But upon closer inspection, one could see that beneath the bark was the color of fresh blood. It would even bleed if the trunk was cut.
Although it hadn’t become a full-fledged demon, it could hunt prey on its own, making it an extremely dangerous plant.
Unless absolutely necessary, Cultivators would actively avoid it.
But right now, Lu Sangjiu clearly had no intention of avoiding it. She spoke, "Prepare for battle. We don’t need to fight it to the death. Just carefully evade its attacks and charge straight for its trunk with me."
Shen Yuzhao had unconditional trust in Lu Sangjiu and didn’t even think to ask why.
Xie Ningyuan, on the other hand, was tempted to ask, but his lips moved and then he said nothing. ’If I ask, she’ll probably just shut me down anyway. Better to just forget it.’
Lu Sangjiu was very satisfied with his tactfulness and was the first to step into the Blood-sucking Demon Tree’s attack range.
Sensing the approach of prey, the Blood-sucking Demon Tree, which had been as quiet as an ordinary plant just a moment ago, instantly transformed.
Its branches suddenly began to twitch and lengthen, and countless limbs surged directly toward Lu Sangjiu!
