Chapter 227: Power of Sonic Arts, The Appearance of the Immortal Essence Tree!
"I'm not sure either. These Fire Crystal Demon Apes keep showing up, disrupting our mining operations. I had no choice but to request help from the sect," Yuan Fang said with a shake of her head.
"There must be something in that forest that interests them," Lin Fan suddenly spoke up. "Beasts are extremely sensitive to natural energy. They wouldn't gather here without a reason. If they're converging, something must be attracting them."
"We've already surveyed the forest before—there were no signs of any spiritual treasures," Yuan Fang frowned.
"What wasn't there before, may have appeared now," Lin Fan said with a light smile. "But to be sure, we'll have to go in and check for ourselves."
"Go in? Those Fire Crystal Demon Apes aren't easy to deal with," Yuan Fang said gravely.
Jiang Kun and Yuan Ling nodded in agreement. Forcing their way past such a large group of beasts wouldn't be simple. And who knew what else lay hidden within the forest?
"Leave it to me. Why bother with brute force against these dim-witted things?" Ying Huanhuan said suddenly, stepping forward with a playful smile.
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, curious to see what she had in store.
With a graceful movement, Ying Huanhuan shot into the air above the forest. She raised her delicate hand and unleashed a streak of Yuan Power that blasted into the trees below.
ROAR!
As her attack exploded in the forest, a chorus of furious, savage roars erupted.
Moments later, dozens of massive crimson shadows appeared atop the red trees. Their bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at the girl in the sky.
Lin Fan moved to hover beside Ying Huanhuan, guarding her in silence.
Ying Huanhuan glanced at him in surprise, then turned her gaze downward. With a wave of her hand, strands of faint bluish energy gathered into strings of light, resembling the strings of a guqin.
Pluck…
Her fingers danced over the strings, producing a melodious tune that rippled through the air.
Boom boom!
Under the enchanting sound, the savage eyes of the apes gradually closed, one by one falling into slumber and collapsing from the trees—clearly entranced.
"All done," Ying Huanhuan said with a smirk as the strings vanished. She turned to Lin Fan, only to find him wearing his usual calm expression, which made her pout in annoyance.
Lin Fan gave her a thumbs up and smiled. "Impressive!"
Hearing the praise, a hint of pride surfaced in Ying Huanhuan's eyes. "You're not just flattering me, are you?"
"I'm serious. That sound attack is incredible. You'll have to teach me sometime, Senior Sister Huanhuan."
"Wanna learn? Maybe later," she replied with a cheeky grin, waving her hand like a boss. "Let's go check what drew those things in."
With that, she flew directly into the scarlet forest.
Lin Fan and the others quickly followed.
Without the apes to stop them, they reached the heart of the forest in no time.
Suddenly, Ying Huanhuan let out a surprised gasp.
Lin Fan's expression sharpened. In a flash, he was at her side.
She stood wide-eyed, her pretty face filled with astonishment.
Before them was a patch of crimson earth—ripped open by some unknown force.
From within, a dark tree had burst forth. Its twisted branches gleamed like black steel, ancient runes etched naturally into its bark.
A powerful, strange aura radiated faintly outward.
Five fiery-red fruits hung from the tree, blazing as if on fire, swaying gently as if ready to drop.
Lin Fan immediately recognized them. He had refined more than one before.
"An Immortal Essence Tree," Ying Huanhuan whispered, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Why would something like this appear here?" Jiang Kun and Yuan Ling were also dumbstruck.
Ying Huanhuan stared at the black tree in awe, then began walking toward it.
But just as she took a step forward, Lin Fan grabbed her smooth wrist and pulled her back.
BOOM!
The ground exploded where they had just stood. A massive crimson palm smashed through the earth.
A hulking red figure burst out of the ground, landing beside the Immortal Essence Tree.
[Ding! You touched Ying Huanhuan and received: One Life-Spirit Fruit!
Note: Greatly beneficial for Ninth-Stage Nirvana Realm. May aid in breaking through to Life Profound Realm!]
A good reward! Lin Fan thought, pleased.
Though he was still at Eighth-Stage Nirvana Realm, he was already approaching the ninth. The Life-Spirit Fruit would prove useful very soon.
His thoughts were interrupted as he landed with Ying Huanhuan on a nearby tree, gazing down at the scene below.
There stood a massive crimson-furred ape, its presence menacing and its savage aura surging like a storm.
"A Fire Crystal Ape King?"
Ying Huanhuan's eyes widened as she took in the beast's immense frame and deep-red hide, gleaming like fire crystal armor.
"So even the Ape King showed up…" Yuan Fang said coldly, eyes narrowed.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Kun and Yuan Ling arrived beside them, worriedly looking at Ying Huanhuan.
"I'm fine," she replied, glancing at Lin Fan. "Thanks."
"We're teammates," Lin Fan smiled.
"Get lost! This treasure is mine!"
The Ape King growled, waving its huge palm and blowing away the dust. Its blood-red eyes locked onto the group with killing intent.
"What a joke. This mine belongs to Dao Sect. When did you get a say in what's ours?" Yuan Fang sneered.
"Hah! I've seen plenty in my day. Don't try to scare me with your little sect! You brats are no threat to me!" the ape snarled.
"You oversized gorilla, you're only at Seventh Nirvana Stage. You've got no right to act tough in front of us!" Ying Huanhuan retorted angrily.
Then she turned to Lin Fan, her tone serious. "That Immortal Essence Tree—we have to get it!"
She quickly explained the tree's significance—especially the Immortal Essence Seed it bore.
"I see… if it's that important, then this Ape King must stay," Lin Fan said quietly.
His voice carried a killing intent that made even Jiang Kun and Yuan Ling flinch slightly.
They could feel it—he wasn't joking.
"He's right. We can't let it escape," Yuan Fang said without hesitation.
Ying Huanhuan bit her lip, then made a swift decision. "Jiang Kun, Yuan Ling, Lin Fan—you three keep it busy. I'll support with sonic attacks. Sister Fang, get the disciples to seal off the area."
"Also, don't let any of those hypnotized apes escape either," Lin Fan reminded Yuan Fang.
She was startled by his awareness—but nodded quickly.
"Move!"
With that, Ying Huanhuan's voice rang out sharply.
BOOM!
Jiang Kun and Yuan Ling's Yuan Power exploded outward as they shot toward the Ape King like lightning.
A fierce battle had begun!
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