Chapter 299: Received 267 Spirit Fruits, Goal is the Jade Tree (2 in 1, thanks to aion's reward)_2
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The Great Five Elements Demon Subduing Formation's Array Plate began to crack in an instant, and a terrifying Spirit Might erupted like a volcanic explosion, blasting the Taiqing Purple Jade Python even more wretchedly.
And this was also the final layer of Heavenly Tribulation for the Purple Jade Python.
The cloudbank of spiritual energy dispersed, and the ground where the Purple Jade Python once coiled was left ravaged, directly creating a huge pit over a hundred zhang in size.
Yet at this time, the Purple Jade Python had once again transformed into a youthful figure with a snake's tail, except that he was covered in blood and appeared gravely injured.
However, the heavens scattered a layer of five-colored rainbow light, enveloping the transformed youth that was the Taiqing Purple Jade Python.
The next moment, a tremendous thunderous roar shook the sky, and the Purple Jade Python reverted back to its monstrous form, its enormous lantern-like eyes fiercely glaring at the Wanjian Sect cultivators.
Wan Qing had just managed to activate his talisman treasure, and Lin Shiming and the others had run away, infuriating him to the extreme.
Right now, he was timely in executing a Fifth Rank talisman treasure, slashing towards the Purple Jade Python.
A colossal Magical Treasure Flying Sword took shape, cleaving at the Purple Jade Python, carrying with it astonishing sword might.
The oppressive power of the Purple Mansion was terrifying to the extreme.
The battle with the Purple Jade Python ensued, but horrifyingly, with just one flick of its tail, the monster managed to send the Magical Treasure Flying Sword spinning away.
Wan Qing could not believe his eyes.
This was a Fifth Rank talisman treasure, and even though it only possessed a third of a Fifth Rank Magical Artifact's might, it had the power of a Fourth Rank Magical Artifact.
Yet now it had been swatted away with a single sweep of the Taiqing Purple Jade Python's tail!
"Spread out! This beast must either still be hiding something, or it's at the end of its tether. We'll wear it down!" Wancang Hai shouted to the others.
Following Wancang Hai's words, the members of the Wanjian Sect all drew their Heavy Swords from their backs, transformed into beams of light, and flew away on their swords.
Wancang Hai lingered at the back, and from his hands, he threw out hundreds of Spirit Talismans, all of them Third Rank Superior Grade Separation Fire Talismans.
At this moment, the Purple Jade Python was just right in the midst of being struck by lightning tribulation.
As the Separation Fire Talismans were thrown out, a hundred of them detonated at once, instantly turning into a sky full of Separation Fire, setting the already enraged Taiqing Purple Jade Python aflame with even more fury, and it shrieked.
The scabbed purple flesh once again turned into purple blood, flowing down. For a time, the Taiqing Purple Jade Python writhed and roared in the fire, and the next moment, it chased after Wancang Hai of the Wanjian Sect!
As the cultivators departed and the Taiqing Purple Jade Python vanished,
the Purple Jade mine finally quieted down.
Only desolation remained.
...
After what seemed like an eternity, a ripple appeared in the void.
Within a transparent coffin, Lin Shiming was staring intently at the Taiqing Purple Jade Fruit tree.
These two people were naturally Lin Xianzhi and Lin Shiming, who had doubled back.
Upon seeing the jade tree, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
At the last moment, they sensed the Purple Jade Python's escape, so they knew that the jade tree would certainly not have been stolen.
Plus, with their Five-colored Silkworm Coffin, though they felt a bit shabby hiding inside,
they were completely safe and even had the opportunity to steal the Taiqing Purple Jade Fruit tree.
For a Cultivator Family, the value of this tree was priceless, a treasure that would be the foundation of their lineage.
Even the cultivators of the Qingxuan Sect discovering it would move the Purple Jade Fruit tree elsewhere.
Let alone the Lin Family.
Even though the Myriad Swords Tomb had opened, for the two from the Lin Family, the Soul Summoning Sword was not only extremely dangerous but also offered no substantial benefit to their Lin Family.
It was nowhere near as tempting as the Taiqing Purple Jade Fruit tree.
Lin Shiming was about to open the transparent silkworm coffin to emerge and relocate the Purple Jade Fruit tree.
However, the next moment, a system alert sounded.
"Please be aware of the hidden cultivator!"
Lin Shiming was somewhat stunned; he had not expected someone else to be hiding in the void along with him.
You see, his Five-colored Silkworm Coffin was, after all, a tool for stealth.
Next, an image suddenly burst into Lin Shiming's mind.
Xiao Chen!
Xiao Chen's Peach Blossom River Scenic Map was likewise a tool for concealment, though easily countered by his Spirit-devouring Ants, and if faced with a master of arrays, this scenic map could also end up useless.
But Xiao Chen's map had the advantage of escape, more agile than his Five-colored Silkworm Coffin!
In this respect, Xiao Chen had certain superiority!
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As expected, with a sweep through the void, a figure emerged.
The figure who emerged was none other than Xiao Chen, who had left earlier.
He spoke in a low voice.
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to hide. Your concealment technique, though profound, is no match for a certain specialty in my eyes!"
Lin Shiming was not at all affected by Xiao Chen's probing.
If the Purple Mansion Great Demon couldn't find him, how could Xiao Chen possibly do so!
Moreover, if Xiao Chen had indeed discovered him, he would have already attacked with his sword. For experienced cultivators like them who'd been through the paces of jianghu, discovering an enemy meant a relentless barrage of attacks!
They'd wish to eliminate their foe at the earliest opportunity.
Why would they ever kindly speak up to give a warning!
After three breaths' time, seeing no response from the surroundings, Xiao Chen also relaxed, his furrowed brow easing considerably.
He walked towards the Purple Jade Fruit tree, taking out a Fourth Rank magical jewel from his possession.
For ordinary magical trees, a Third Rank jewel would suffice, but to transplant such a Fourth Rank Purple Jade Fruit tree, using a Third Rank jewel and causing even slight damage could result in the tree bearing significantly fewer fruits in the future.
And each missing spirit fruit could be worth at least several million Spirit Stones.
He couldn't afford to be careless.
Xiao Chen was clearly well-prepared, as the Jade Box he opened also revealed an astonishing surge of Fourth Rank Earth Attribute Spiritual Energy.
It was indeed Fourth Rank Spirit Soil.
This Spirit Soil made even Lin Shiming exclaim at Xiao Chen's wealth.
Having already produced a Transformation Pill earlier, followed by the Black Cloud Tower, then the Peach Blossom River Scenic Map, the Great Five Elements Demon Subduing Formation Array Plate, and now both Fourth Rank Spirit Jade and Fourth Rank Spirit Soil.
No wonder he was the Deacon of Qingxuan Sect's Laiyue Tower!
Xiao Chen was continuously forming hand seals, clearly very skilled in the art of nurturing Spirit Plants. Even Lin Shiming was learning quite a lot from him at this moment.
Of course, now was not the time to watch and learn. As soon as the Spirit Plant was safely stored in the Jade Box, to avoid accidentally harming it, they would make their move.
Lin Shiming glanced at Lin Xianzhi, and the two exchanged a look before nodding to each other in silent agreement.
Xiao Chen had the entire Taiqing Purple Jade Fruit tree put away.
Along with it went half of Zi Yu Mountain; such mineral veins and mountain bodies were also nurturing grounds for Spirit Plants.
Just as Lin Shiming was about to spring from his hiding place, he saw a hundred-zhang-long sword appear before him.
He had never expected that there were others lurking in the dark!
This scene left Lin Shiming stunned!
The sword belonged to none other than Wan Qing, accompanied by another one-armed elder from Wanjian Sect.
"Leave the Jade Tree, and your head as well!" Wan Qing shouted coldly.
At the same time, the one-armed elder was also maneuvering the sword light, forming a Sword Array!
Xiao Chen was completely caught off guard at this moment, unexpectedly falling into another of Wanjian Sect's traps and being ensnared by the Sword Array.
His hands moved swiftly through the void, but he couldn't manage to enter the magical Peach Blossom River Scenic Map.
He could only be relentlessly attacked by the hundred-zhang-long sword wielded by Wan Qing.
"Don't force me, if the Jade Box is destroyed, none of you will get anything!" Xiao Chen held up the Jade Box and suddenly shouted.
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But at this moment, Wan Qing had no intention of stopping. His giant sword continued to strike at Xiao Chen.
Although Wan Qing's onslaught didn't pose much harm to Xiao Chen,
He was trapped in the Sword Array after all, having to evade the sky-full of Flying Swords while also blocking Wan Qing's sword light. He was like a small boat tossed about in a tsunami.
He was safe only thanks to the Black Cloud Tower!
But this time, there was no Spirit-Ant-Devouring Lin Shiming to assist.
The one-armed elder didn't dare to take things lightly, either.
Xiao Chen's Magical Treasures were too slippery!
A moment of inattention, and his opponent could escape!
As for destroying the Jade Tree, if it's destroyed, so be it; they didn't believe Xiao Chen had the nerve to do it unless he was truly at death's door!
Besides, even if it's destroyed, Xiao Chen still had a Taiqing Purple Jade Fruit in his hand.
Meanwhile, Wan Qing took out another talisman. This talisman was also a magical object, but this time it was a Superior Grade Fourth Rank talisman.
Although the power of a Fourth Rank talisman couldn't compare to that of a Fifth Rank one, Xiao Chen was currently trapped, and the might wielded by a Superior Grade Fourth Rank talisman was not something a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment could withstand.