Chapter 491: The Tree King
The next day, under Zhang Ruochen's lead, the group ventured deep into the Black Wood Plain. Before long, they encountered a king among the Tree Clan.
This tree stood a hundred and thirty-two zhang tall, like a towering giant.
It had grown for over three thousand four hundred years, possessing strength comparable to a Fish-Dragon Third Change cultivator. Among the Tree Clan, it was worthy of being called a "Tree King."
"Whoosh!"
Upon seeing Zhang Ruochen, the Tree King erupted in fury, letting out a thunderous roar. In an instant, a howling gale swept through the mountain ridges.
"Outer Realm Death God! You slaughtered my kin. Today, I will tear you limb from limb!"
After the previous night's events, news of the massive slaughter of the Tree Clan had already spread across the Black Wood Plain. This Tree King had brought two thousand-year-old trees and several hundred century-old trees, specifically to deal with Zhang Ruochen, the so-called Outer Realm Death God.
Yet the Tree King did not know that Zhang Ruochen was also seeking it out.
Killing a Fish-Dragon Third Change tree would earn a hundred thousand military merit points. Just the thought of it excited Zhang Ruochen, filling him with battle intent.
Fish-Dragon Third Change and Fish-Dragon Second Change might seem like a single realm apart, but in reality, the gap was enormous. Even a strong cultivator like Pei Ji could easily defeat a Fish-Dragon Second Change cultivator, but if he encountered a Fish-Dragon Third Change cultivator, he would have no choice but to flee.
Zhang Ruochen had fought against cultivators above Fish-Dragon Third Change before, but that was by borrowing the power of the first seal of the Sarira, temporarily gaining immense strength. Now that the first seal of the Sarira had been released and its power exhausted, Zhang Ruochen would need to break through to the Fish-Dragon Realm and unlock the second seal to obtain that power again.
Thus, this was truly the first time Zhang Ruochen faced a Fish-Dragon Third Change opponent head-on. Whether he could defeat that Tree King was uncertain, even to him.
The battle was about to begin. The two thousand-year-old trees standing behind the Tree King charged forward first, attacking Zhang Ruochen.
These two thousand-year-old trees had grown for over two thousand years, comparable to Fish-Dragon Second Change cultivators.
"Swish, swish."
One of the thousand-year trees controlled seven vines, wielding them like seven whips, lashing out repeatedly.
The surface of the vines was covered in a layer of blazing flames, crackling with a "pop, pop" sound.
These were not ordinary vines but Fire Vine Spirits that had cultivated for a thousand years. The power of the seven Fire Vines complemented the thousand-year tree's strength, creating immense destructive force. If struck by these vines, even a stone wall dozens of meters high would collapse in an instant.
Zhang Ruochen continuously used his movement techniques to evade the vines.
Suddenly, he surged forward, shifting his form repeatedly, slipping through the seven vines and landing on one of the thousand-year tree's branches.
"Die!"
Under the control of that thousand-year tree, the seven Fire Vines, like seven intelligent fire pythons, wove through the branches, entangling Zhang Ruochen's hands and feet.
The vines tightened more and more, wrapping around Zhang Ruochen's body until it was completely sealed.
The thousand-year tree laughed loudly, controlling dozens of sharp branches like spears, their tips gleaming, thrusting toward the vine-wrapped Zhang Ruochen.
Suddenly, from within the mass of vines, a sharp sword cry rang out. A beam of sword light burst forth, followed by countless sword qi surging in all directions.
"Whoosh—"
The seven Fire Vines all snapped, turning into broken pieces of wood that flew away.
Zhang Ruochen soared into the air, holding the Abyssal Ancient Sword, then spun rapidly and slashed down at the thousand-year tree. A "chi, chi" sound followed.
In the next moment, Zhang Ruochen stood below the thousand-year tree, which had been split in two, toppling left and right, spattering a rain of blood that dyed the ground red.
The other thousand-year tree, seeing the Outer Realm Death God so ferocious, was terrified and halted its advance. "Tree King, the Outer Realm Death God is too terrifying..."
"Is that so? Step aside. Let me test him."
The Tree King moved swiftly. In the blink of an eye, it reached Zhang Ruochen, swinging two branches as thick as millstones at him.
Zhang Ruochen leaped, passing between the two branches, and soared upward. "The Tree Clan's defense is indeed strong, but their offense is weak. Tree King, you are no match for me."
"Damnable Outer Realm Death God, too fast!"
The Tree King felt immense pressure, mobilizing not only its branches but also its roots, transforming into a thousand-armed, thousand-handed giant, continuously attacking Zhang Ruochen.
Although the Tree King had never trained in martial techniques, having lived for over three thousand years, it had a deep understanding of the laws of heaven and earth. Every attack carried purpose and lethality.
"As expected of a Tree King, its offensive power is formidable as well."
Zhang Ruochen did not engage the Tree King in a contest of strength. Instead, he kept swinging his sword, aiming to use the sharpness of the Abyssal Ancient Sword to sever the Tree King's branches and roots.
But the Tree King was clever, deliberately avoiding the sword's edge with each attack, striking directly at Zhang Ruochen's body—either at his back or his head.
"In that case, I'll have to use the Flying Sword Art."
Zhang Ruochen launched the Abyssal Ancient Sword, sending it through the tangle of branches to strike directly at the Tree King's trunk.
"Bang!"
A root as thick as a bucket burst from the soil, swinging to strike the back of the Abyssal Ancient Sword, knocking it away.
Zhang Ruochen snorted coldly, extending a finger to channel his spiritual power, pointing it at the Tree King.
"Chi, chi!"
The world's spiritual energy instantly transformed into strands of purple lightning. The lightning converged, forming a massive bolt that tore across the sky and struck the Tree King.
Instantly, the Tree King let out a miserable scream, its entire body charred black.
Its attacking branches and roots slowed in that moment.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Ruochen rushed to the base of the Tree King.
"Whoosh!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword flew back into his hand.
Without hesitation, Zhang Ruochen swung his sword, cutting the Tree King's trunk in half.
"No..."
The Tree King roared, and in its dying moment, it controlled two roots to lunge forward, striking Zhang Ruochen's chest.
"Bang! Bang!"
The Tree King's dying counterattack contained all its remaining power, piercing through Zhang Ruochen's protective Heavenly Gang and the defensive power of the Dragon Pearl. Zhang Ruochen spat blood and was sent flying backward.
Zhang Ruochen landed on one knee, clutching his chest as blood gushed from his mouth. His internal organs burned with a fiery pain, as if engulfed in flames.
"I was careless! The Tree King's strength is terrifying, yet I didn't anticipate its dying strike. I must never make such a mistake again. Thankfully, the Dragon Pearl protected me; otherwise, the consequences would have been dire. Still, I killed that Tree King—a hundred thousand military merit points in hand... cough, cough!"
Zhang Ruochen coughed twice, spitting out more blood.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen severely injured, that thousand-year tree charged forward. This was the perfect moment to kill the Outer Realm Death God.
"Whoosh!"
It extended its thickest branch, slashing down at Zhang Ruochen's head.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes sharpened. Suppressing his injuries, he swung his sword, sending out a sword qi that severed the descending branch.
The thousand-year tree sent out two more branches, continuing its attack.
"Foolish creature! Don't you know I, the Emperor, am here?"
Xiao Hei's body radiated black light, and a "crackling" sound came from within as his form expanded.
In moments, Xiao Hei grew to ten zhang tall, with a pair of massive wings, resembling a small black mountain, revealing sharp claws and teeth.
"Swish!"
Xiao Hei's claws shot out simultaneously, pulling the thousand-year tree from the ground. He bit down with a "crack," severing the tree's trunk in half.
Then, he swallowed the entire thousand-year tree.
Witnessing this, Orange Moon Star Envoy was utterly shocked. "This... this is just a barbarian beast..."
After transforming, Xiao Hei no longer looked like a cat but rather a primordial divine beast. Lifting his head, he could devour the sun and moon; taking a step, he could cross rivers.
His eyes were like two thunderbolts, and he roared, "If I, the Emperor, don't show my might, you think I'm a sick cat!"
Zhang Ruochen gazed into the distance, seeing a dark, oppressive forest surging toward them like a tide.
"We must leave this place immediately. A large group of trees is approaching, including many thousand-year trees. If they surround us, we won't escape!"
"Then run!"
Xiao Hei's imposing aura vanished instantly.
His body shrank back to its original size, turning into a black blur that fled into the distance.
"Captain, you're injured. Let me carry you." Ao Xinyan said with concern.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "I'm fine. Take Orange Moon Star Envoy. There's no need to clash head-on with the Tree Clan. Let's leave first."
Zhang Ruochen circulated his true qi to protect his damaged organs, then used his movement technique to dash away.
"Rumble!"
Soon, the forest area erupted with earth-shaking sounds.
Tens of thousands of trees, like a tidal wave of forest, arrived and stopped.
Leading them were five trees, all powerful, each a Tree King that had grown for three thousand years.
"We're too late. Tree King Taji has been killed by the Outer Realm Death God," one of the Tree Kings snorted.
"Damn it! Chase after him! We must eliminate that Outer Realm Death God, or soon, it will be the end of our Tree Clan."
Under the leadership of the five Tree Kings, the tree army continued its pursuit.
(Extra chapter. I have matters to attend to tonight, so there will be no update at midnight. The next update will be during the day tomorrow.)