Chapter 1245: The Terrifying Giant Tree

Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye we have already arrived at the night before the operation time Han Yu mentioned.

During this period, Lin Feng and Han Yu and the others were not idle; they were all preparing for the upcoming great battle.

Of course, although they were preparing, their directions were completely different.

Han Yu and the others handled matters by staying hidden from Lin Feng, trying as much as possible not to let him know.

But Lin Feng, through the fire seed planted by Xiao Ling, would, in the dead of night, eavesdrop on conversations within the Tong Ling Sect among some young female cultivators of the Ying Tian and Heaven-Combined realms, as well as their husbands and others.

Although these people were not high‑level core members, there were still many who had been seeded with fire by Xiao Ling.

From this wealth of dialogue, Lin Feng was still able to guess at least sixty to seventy percent of Han Yu and the others' plan.

Facing such a life‑and‑death crisis, the former did not dare to be careless and, overnight, dragged Xiao Ling to revise and perfect the escape plan.

While Lin Feng and Xiao Ling were fixing the bugs in the escape plan, somewhere near a platform at the extreme south of this continent, Han Yu and the others inexplicably gathered there at midnight.

Among them were not only Han Yu and Qiu Yue, but also a person whose whole body was concealed beneath a silver square slab, plus several other elderly Taoist‑robe wearers.

From the extremely solemn atmosphere, it seemed these people had gathered for some momentous affair.

Setting the people aside, the platform itself was quite peculiar: it was circular and stood about ten centimeters higher than the surrounding brick plaza.

On the surface of this circular platform were etched some mysterious patterns.

Of course, the most conspicuous feature here was a hundred‑zhang giant stone located north of the plaza beneath the platform.

Carved on it were four large, simple characters: "Feisheng Platform·South."

After a long silence, Han Yu suddenly spoke: "Elder Ancestor, we will act tomorrow, and at that time we will likely need to ask you to join the battle. After all, the junior we observed on the Dou Qi Continent is not very honest. Lately he has been searching for a fire‑element treasure, and although his inner flame is deliberately concealed, we can still sense it—it has grown much stronger."

At this point, his eyes narrowed slightly, and with a mocking expression he said: "I think that kid is planning something tomorrow."

"No problem; if he tries to escape tomorrow, someone will deal with him. After all, there is only one exit from here; his path is fixed. If he manages to escape from my hand, then our fate would be the same."

After the previous voice faded for a while, an unknown voice—gender unclear—suddenly resonated slowly from the sky above.

Looking up, if Lin Feng were present, he would be terrified half to death.

Directly above the altar there was a black hole about several zhang wide, not very conspicuous under the cover of night.

Moreover, this hole was not the ordinary spatial void that powerful cultivators create in battle, but seemed to pierce the entire world, revealing the endless universe beyond the continent.

However, if one looks carefully, one can see that above the hole there appears to be a transparent barrier separating the Dou Qi Continent from the outer universe.

From the fact that this transparent barrier differs from the surrounding boundary walls, it is clear that someone set it up temporarily.

Hearing the voice from above, Han Yu and the others each bowed and said, "As you command."

However, after that gender‑ambiguous voice finished, it continued: "Tomorrow I will condense an avatar to block those two, but our sect is not on the continent, so our power is limited. This avatar can probably hold for at most fifteen minutes. What you must do is retrieve the item within that time and bring it back to the territory controlled by our sect. Otherwise, it will likely be ten deaths with no survivors."

"Sect Leader, rest assured; this time I will handle that Devouring Life Grass, there will be no problem. After all, that Devouring Life Grass was once able to fight me, but now it has just sprouted seeds, its strength has greatly diminished, it cannot turn the tide."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Yue turned to the four people beside him and said: "During this period we have spent nearly seventy to eighty percent of our remaining resources to elevate you to the Eight‑Star Dou Saint realm; otherwise we wouldn't have needed to hunt that Devouring Life Grass. This time, you must perform well so those resources are not wasted."

"Elder Qiu Yue, rest assured, we will fight to the death for the sect!"

Hearing the former's words, the four did not dare to delay and hurriedly bowed.

Seeing this, Han Yu extended a hand, and a five‑star force immediately lifted the four gently.

Then he smiled lightly: "You need not be nervous; Qiu Yue is just like that, and these resources are merely what we plundered from the natives of the Dou Qi Continent, used or not. As long as we can break this restriction and leave, this continent will eventually become the base of our Tong Ling Sect. Then those resources will return doubled."

"As for tomorrow, you four will split into two teams: one will follow me to block the counter‑attacks of those spiritual plants and demon beasts; the other team—Xiao Yan wants to join the operation, so take him to obtain the Purple Soul. Also, remember to protect Xiao Yan; don't lose him, understand?"

As he spoke, a hint of solemnity flashed in Han Yu's eyes, and he gave the group a special reminder.

"We obey!"

Upon hearing that, the four somewhat unstable Eight‑Star Dou Saints immediately bowed and said.

Seeing the former's pretentious demeanor, Qiu Yue couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain.

But soon he slightly bowed, grinned, and said: "If we can get out this time, once Elder Ancestor obtains the Plane Embryo of this Dou Qi Continent and returns to the Bai Yuan Continent for successful fusion, we will certainly be able to bypass the Upper Three Tribulation level and step into the Wu Yuan Realm. Then our Tong Ling Sect can also rise from its former third‑tier status."

At this point, Qiu Yue felt the terrifying pressure suddenly dropping from the sky, broke out in cold sweat, then quickly changed his words: "Under Elder Ancestor's guidance, our Tong Ling Sect will surely be elevated to a new height. When Elder Ancestor successfully attains Wu Yuan and ascends to the legendary Da Qian Shijie, we will also dominate a region of the Upper Realm!"

"The Plane Embryo is not easy to obtain; there is only a sliver of hope. If the Fu Yuan Gate had not pressed us step by step, our sect would not have risked crossing the endless universe to reach this Dou Qi Continent. Yet who could have imagined that the exit would be a sealed continent, and that when our sect forcibly triggered a secret technique to cross the universe here, our source qi and the pills on our bodies were almost completely exhausted; otherwise we would not have been sealed here by those junior cultivators of the Heaven-Combined realm."

Speaking of the past, the voice above added a hint of melancholy and said helplessly: "Is it truly the fate of our Tong Ling Sect? Ten thousand years ago, my father was killed by the Fu Yuan Gate; in desperation, I risked my life to use a secret technique to send a disciple here, only to end up like a tiger fallen into a plain, bullied by dogs."

At this point, an invisible gaze suddenly enveloped Han Yu and Qiu Yue.

After a long silence, it murmured: "You two, keep it up. If one day you can return gloriously to the Bai Yuan Continent, after the Heaven-Combined Realm comes the Upper Three Tribulations. But those three tribulations are not easy to pass…"

"Of course, because this continent was sealed by earlier cultivators, the Dou Emperor has no strict time‑limit on staying. You can also use the Dou Qi Continent's method: after advancing to Dou Emperor, continue cultivating to the Dou Emperor peak, then forcibly open a passage and leap across the void. In the Upper Realm, you can still convert spiritual Qi. The only difference is that the Dou Qi Continent's small world's levels are lower than those of the Bai Yuan Continent; the Dou Emperor realm corresponds only to the Supreme Realm in the Upper Realm."

Han Yu and Qiu Yue exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with resolve, and bowed: "Junior now is forced to cultivate Dou Qi out of necessity, but if one day we can return to our ancestors' homeland, we will certainly switch to cultivating the native primal Qi. Whether we can pass the Upper Three Tribulations into the source is our fate."

"The path of primal Qi is not like Dou Qi; every step is perilously dangerous, with heavenly tribulations forever hanging overhead. Yet death is inevitable. But you two have your own ideas, and our sect will not interfere much."

At this point, the voice suddenly halted, unwillingly saying: "The seal… our sect will eventually break it. You prepare first; tomorrow our sect will…"

"Buzz!"

Before the former could finish speaking, a sliver of light suddenly emerged from the gap in the sky, and the voice vanished in an instant.

At the same time, those below felt a powerful aura leaking from the gap above, causing Han Yu and the others to suddenly feel their bodies sink heavily.

"Alas, let's prepare."

Sensing the oppressive pressure that hampered his movement, Han Yu sighed helplessly, then waved his hand, signaling the dispersal.

Simultaneously, his figure faded lightly, then disappeared before the remaining members.

"Hmph!"

And Qiu Yue, feeling the pressure, let out a cold snort, then led the remaining four Eight‑Star Dou Saints away from this place.

"Xiao Yan, my young friend, this time I and Qiu Yue need to lead a team to block that tree, while another strong individual will block that beast. Your task is to kill the Purple Soul and the Devouring Life Grass within fifteen minutes, understand?"

A night passed without a word, and the next morning, on a vast, flat grassland, Han Yu looked at Lin Feng with a serious expression and reminded him.

Behind him stood nearly a hundred silhouettes hovering in the air.

And from that aura, none were below the Dou Saint rank.

However, after Han Yu finished speaking, he lightly waved his hand, and among the many strong figures behind him, two elders immediately flew over, then bowed to the former: "Elder Han Yu."

You two go and slay that Purple Soul for Xiao Yan, and remember to protect Xiao Yan; if he returns missing even a single hair, I'll question you.

Speaking of that, Han Yu lowered his eyes slightly, expressionless, and looked at the two.

As you command!

Hearing that, the two elders immediately bowed and saluted.

Lin Feng, seeing this scene, his eyes flickered and his heart sank slightly as he said, "It seems the information was indeed correct; these people used the leftover resources they had obtained from the Pingnan Army to quickly create four Eight-Star Dou Saints. Such a lavish expenditure, they really were willing to part with it. Yet, with so many resources, they truly cheapened these invaders."

Thinking of the Tongling Sect's might, Lin Feng felt his anger surge.

After these people won a hard‑fought victory, they obtained the cultivation resources of the original Pingnan Army soldiers, and thus within less than ten thousand years they could develop to the present level.

According to the data, even the weakest of the soldiers who took part in that great war had reached at least the Half‑Saint level, and the main forces were all Dou Saint elites.

It can be said that at that time the Pingnan Army occupied over eighty to ninety percent of the continent's strongmen, and the cultivation resources they carried were certainly extraordinary; otherwise the Tongling Sect could not have developed to its current state in less than ten thousand years.

Otherwise, even having a few Dou Saints would be impressive, let alone comparing them with the ancient clan.

"Xiao Yan, you said only alchemists can better preserve these spirit plants, so I won't have our people harvest them. But that Purple Soul is not weak; you must act cautiously, and if danger arises, hide behind them quickly. After all, we still have to rely on you to leave this place that has restricted our freedom since birth."

After summoning those two Eight-Star Dou Saints, Han Yu immediately turned to Lin Feng and spoke.

Perhaps because the great battle was imminent, Han Yu's tone no longer held the previous smile, becoming extremely solemn.

Upon hearing that, Lin Feng immediately clasped his hands and said, "Senior Han Yu, rest assured, I've been timid since childhood; if there's a life‑threatening danger I will run far away and will not take risks lightly."

"Alright, Qiu Yue, quickly deal with that Devouring Life Grass; I'll lead people to block that tree. Let's go."

Seeing the former speak, Han Yu said no more, immediately waved a hand and assigned everyone's tasks.

Lin Feng, seeing this scene, silently thought that the other side was being cautious.

Through eavesdropping on the conversation between the person who implanted the fire seed into Xiao Ling and others, he learned that after leaving the camp, Han Yu and his group would be unable to defeat that mysterious tree spirit plant and beast, at most only delay them for some time.

But exactly how long they could stall, Lin Feng had no way of knowing.

Otherwise, he could try to precisely time it, acting when the opponent was about to collapse.

In that case, the opponent couldn't pursue rashly, and the chance of a successful escape would increase greatly.

While the former was daydreaming, the two Eight-Star Dou Saints flew forward, urging, "Xiao Yan, let's go."

"Alright, please lead the way, both of you."

Upon hearing that, Lin Feng instantly snapped out of his thoughts, smiled lightly, and said.

"Please let me go."

Seeing the former had no objection, one of the elders immediately said something to Lin Feng and then sped toward the northern horizon.

Lin Feng's peripheral glance swept over the other motionless Eight-Star Dou Saint, and he couldn't help but curl his lip.

These two's actions clearly were to guard against his escape.

However, Lin Feng, who already knew the Tongling Sect's general plan, was not surprised at all; he silently turned into a streak of light and chased after the Eight-Star Dou Saint that had fled ahead.

He was, however, very curious: Han Yu and his group were tasked with blocking that tree, but who would block the beast on the other side?

Because for unknown reasons, this matter was kept under extremely high secrecy.

Although Lin Feng learned through eavesdropping that Han Yu and his group were responsible for blocking the tree, he hadn't intercepted who would handle the beast.

Precisely because of that, he vaguely sensed that the person's identity might be unusual.

"Xiao Yan, stay here for now; the two of us will deal with that Purple Soul, then you can collect its core."

When they arrived a thousand li away from where Lin Feng had first seen the Purple Soul, Devouring Life Grass, and the Titanic Ink Spade Armor battle, the two Eight-Star Dou Saints immediately said something to Lin Feng, exchanged a glance, and then swooped toward the location of the Purple Soul.

Boom!

However, just as the two in front approached the Purple Soul, the next moment a massive thousand‑zhang tall purple spirit body reappeared, emitting sword‑shaped leaves that shot toward the two Eight-Star Dou Saints.

The two Eight-Star Dou Saints, clearly no simple figures, immediately unleashed various combat techniques, wildly hammering at the Purple Soul's spirit body.

"The battle has already started here; I wonder how things are on Han Yu's side?"

Watching the two Eight-Star Dou Saints fighting the Purple Soul in the distance, Lin Feng's eyes flickered as he silently pondered.

However, considering that the people he currently controlled were either left at the camp or beside Han Yu, after weighing the pros and cons he chose not to activate surveillance on the former.

After all, those at the camp couldn't detect any news now; as for the group taken by Han Yu, if he were to eavesdrop rashly, it would likely be discovered.

Bang! Bang!

Yet while Lin Feng was pondering, waves of battle Qi, ten or more times stronger than the Purple Soul's combat field, surged violently from behind him.

And these surges came one after another, endless like sea waves.

Such a commotion instantly snapped the thinking Lin Feng awake, and he hurriedly turned his head to look.

Immediately after, beside a towering peak, he saw the massive, beast‑like Qiu Yue already tangled with the spirit of the Devouring Life Grass.

Both sides were now exchanging blows, fighting fiercely.

However, unlike the two Eight-Star Dou Saints who kept using ranged combat techniques, Qiu Yue wielded his massive fists as weapons, pounding the Devouring Life Grass spirit punch after punch.

Of course, the latter's strength was greatly reduced due to the seed‑binding issue and the heavy damage from the Titanic Ink Spade Armor.

But after several months of recovery, it was no longer a feeble being; when facing Qiu Yue's attacks, it also used its extremely sturdy predatory leaves for defense and occasionally employed vines to harass the opponent.

Thus for a time, neither side could claim victory.

However, watching Qiu Yue's continuously swinging fists, whose terrifying force could kill most Eight-Star Dou Saints, Lin Feng's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of solemnity.

From this, it's clear that Qiu Yue's physique wasn't just naturally large; it was forged through training.

Such a cultivator, though their cultivation progress is much slower than that of normal cultivators, still possesses extremely strong combat power among peers.

And for him, this was certainly not good news.

"It seems I need to boost some of them; otherwise, being surrounded by so many strong opponents is a huge disadvantage for me!"

Thinking this, Lin Feng's palm, hidden in his sleeve, trembled slightly, and a jade bottle then fell into his hand.

Boom!

But before the former could use it, the northern sky suddenly roared with a massive pressure.

In the face of this pressure that Lin Feng has never personally experienced, even the heavens and earth suddenly dimmed a great deal at this moment.

In the next instant, the vast celestial energy roared in from the north at incredible speed, the energy linking heaven and earth; from afar it looked like an endless, unending energy tide.

And those present could also hear, within it, the continual rush of wave sounds.

"Energy tide—could this be the thing that Han Yu and the others fear?"

Gazing at the boundless, massive energy ocean to the north, Lin Feng said with profound gravity.

The energy tide, in general, only takes shape when something truly extraordinary emerges and triggers a heavenly anomaly.

And that grand scene is a level that ordinary mortal strength cannot even approach.

But now, that energy tide, which is seen only once in a thousand years, has almost formed in an instant.

What kind of terrifying power is required to achieve this?

And just as Lin Feng was stunned, not far away, Qiu Yue and the two Eight Stars, who were battling their respective spirit plants, watched the boundless energy tide in the north surge, a flash of fear crossing their faces.

The pressure spreading from the energy tide, even for them, leaves no room for complacency.

Having lived here for millennia, they know that if the opponent strikes them, even a joint effort of the three of them could not survive more than a few rounds against the foe.

Because neither of those two is a terrifying entity that an ordinary Nine-Star Dou Saint could provoke!

"Boom"

And amid everyone's shock, as the energy tide's shroud spread, the distant ground suddenly cracked open, spewing massive clods of earth that shot straight toward the sky.

At the same time, a massive black silhouette, brimming with killing intent and various negative auras, shot up from the earth at breakneck speed.

In the blink of an eye, a towering, terrifying black giant tree appeared within the terrified gazes of the crowd.

"It… has arrived."

Staring at the tree that rose tens of thousands of zhang, its branches spreading to cover a radius of a thousand li, Qiu Yue said, his voice trembling.

This early-stage Nine-Star Dou Saint, before this tree that seemed to support heaven and earth, was as panicked as a quail. (End of chapter)