Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Thousand-Year Wood Crystal

”Fairy Sister Yun Xian, let’s go find the main chamber!” Su Han urged, pulling Lu Yunxian deeper into the structure to search for the main chamber and the Dragon Blood Three-Leaf Clover.

He had already seized control of the Nine Curves Labyrinth Formation. The surrounding maze could no longer affect him, and even the Bronze Puppets would not attack them, allowing them to pass through as if the area were completely deserted. Of course, the entire formation was vast, and with Su Han’s current strength, he could only control a hundred-meter radius at a time. However, now that he had grasped the Manipulation Method, he no longer feared the formation’s influence.

Screams echoed from all around as people died tragically at the hands of the Bronze Puppets. Of the thousand martial artists who had entered, it seemed very few would make it out alive. Opportunities were wonderful, but you had to be alive to take them!

”I sense a rich aura of Wood Spirit Qi,” Lu Yunxian suddenly said, her beautiful eyes glistening. Possessing the Qingmu Spirit Body and cultivating the Green Pine Nourishing Spirit Technique, she was extremely sensitive to the aura of plants.

”Let’s go take a look.”

Without hesitating, Su Han let Lu Yunxian lead the way, and they moved quickly toward their target. They wound their way through the passages. With Lu Yunxian providing direction and Su Han counter-controlling the Great Formation, they encountered no danger.

”It’s just ahead,” Lu Yunxian said, her heart pounding with excitement as she sensed an even stronger aura of Wood Spirit Qi.

The narrow corridor suddenly opened up, as if they had found an exit from the maze. In front of them stood a sealed stone door, which also had Formation Patterns glowing on its surface.

”Fairy Sister Yun Xian, activate your Yin Wood Green Willow and stay on guard,” Su Han advised. Only after Lu Yunxian had done so did he begin to decipher the Formation Patterns to open the stone door. Not all the stone doors in this Supreme Cave Mansion led to treasures. Some concealed great dangers, so they had to be cautious.

RUMBLE!

Such Formation Patterns were no challenge for Su Han. The stone door soon rumbled open, and a chill ran down his spine as a powerful sense of crisis washed over him. He reacted instantly, shielding himself with Dragon Phoenix Protection and Adorned with Stars and Moon. He then clenched his left fist. His forty pieces of twice-tempered Great Luo Golden Bone shone brightly, preparing for an unparalleled strike.

However, inside the room, there was only this palpable sense of danger, with no actual threat in sight.

”Nine Heavens Eye!”

Su Han activated his Nine Heavens Eye and peered past the doorway. Inside, he saw a pine tree so vast it blotted out the sky. It was as thick as a mountain, its crown reaching beyond sight, like a World Tree holding up the heavens. However, this pine tree was not a physical entity but a phantom of green light. Otherwise, a tree of such immense size would have surely torn the entire Supreme Cave Mansion apart.

”Eh?”

A thought crossed Su Han’s mind, and he focused his gaze on a specific point on the tree. A green light shone there, as dazzling as a miniature green sun, splendid and blindingly brilliant. Though the light was intense, it could not escape the observation of his Nine Heavens Eye. Within the glow was a fist-sized green crystal. It was like a faceted diamond, sparkling and exquisite.

A rich aura of Wood Spirit Qi emanated from this green crystal, filling the entire chamber and making one feel as if they were standing in a thriving forest teeming with vitality.

”A Millennial Wood Crystal!” a gasp came from behind him. He turned to see Lu Yunxian covering her mouth, her beautiful eyes wide with shock.

A Millennial Wood Crystal? What is that? Su Han wondered. Just then, Lu Yunxian recovered from her shock and began to explain.

”A Wood Crystal is similar to a Demon Core found in a demon beast—both are condensed cores of rich energy. The only difference is that a Demon Core is formed by a demon beast, whereas a Wood Crystal is formed by a tree demon.”

”This pine tree phantom isn’t entirely illusory; it’s the projection of a genuine thousand-year-old pine tree demon. Its strength is likely in the Supreme Realm, if not the Saint Realm. Judging from the Wood Spirit Qi contained in this Wood Crystal, the demon was at least a thousand years old, making this crystal extremely precious.”

”This single Millennial Wood Crystal is equivalent to a superior-grade Dao Pill composed of pure Wood Spirit Qi, making it far more valuable than the Green Pearl I condensed last time.”

Having trained with Liu Rumei, Lu Yunxian’s knowledge was vast, in addition to her Martial Arts Cultivation. This allowed her to immediately determine the origin and value of the Millennial Wood Crystal.

”This probably isn’t the main chamber; otherwise, there wouldn’t be just a single Millennial Wood Crystal. It’s not the Dragon Blood Three-Leaf Clover, but it’s still a great find. Fairy Sister Yun Xian, this Millennial Wood Crystal is perfect for your Qingmu Spirit Body. If you refine it, you’ll surely break through to the Phenomenon Realm.”

Su Han was slightly disappointed it wasn’t the Dragon Blood Three-Leaf Clover, but a Millennial Wood Crystal was an exceptionally rare treasure. Besides, his master didn’t need it, but Fairy Sister Yun Xian did. Now that they had found it, they couldn’t possibly miss out.

”Little Han, be careful,” Lu Yunxian warned. ”This pine tree phantom may not be real, but it’s a manifestation of the spiritual energy within the Wood Crystal and possesses self-protective abilities. It probably won’t be easy to deal with.”

Su Han smiled. ”Don’t worry, I’ll get it for you.” Though the Millennial Wood Crystal was powerful, it was ultimately an inanimate object. How could it compare to a living person?

Soon, Su Han charged into the chamber. The Millennial Wood Crystal sensed his intrusion, and the massive, sky-blotting pine tree phantom immediately attacked.

SWOOSH!

Countless branches shot out like tentacles, lashing toward Su Han as if to strangle any intruder to death.

”One Mysteries True Fire!”

”Origin Technique: Fiery Flame Storm!”

Fire overcomes wood. Su Han used his One Mysteries True Fire as the core to execute Fiery Flame Storm, instantly conjuring a roiling sea of fire.

The Fiery Flame Storm did indeed have a restraining effect on the pine tree phantom, but the Wood Spirit Qi contained within the Millennial Wood Crystal was simply too immense. The green light suddenly surged, suppressing the flames, and then a thick root shot toward Su Han like a giant spear.

”First Form: Thunderbolt Overwhelming Power!”

Wielding the Black Blade, Su Han swiftly struck and severed the root. He then charged forward. With his left fist clenched and his right hand holding the blade, he attacked with his full might, unleashing a deafening, heaven-shaking roar.

With Su Han’s strength, he was virtually invincible within the Phenomenon Realm. Although the Millennial Wood Crystal was strong, it only possessed instinctive power. It lacked a physical body and true intelligence.

Soon, the giant pine tree phantom was shattered piece by piece by Su Han, finally dissolving into countless motes of light that rained down.

As the phantom collapsed, the Millennial Wood Crystal lost its self-protective abilities and tumbled from mid-air toward the ground. Reacting in a flash, Su Han reached out to grab it.

However, just at that moment, space rippled, and a black claw materialized from thin air. It moved faster than Su Han, snatching the Millennial Wood Crystal first.

Then, a fierce voice suddenly rang out, ”This Millennial Wood Crystal is mine!”