Chapter 190: The Guardian

Zhang Yi looked around; in the center of the cave, a strange plant radiating golden light came into view.

The plant's branches and trunk were like carved gold and jade, its leaves like the wings of a phoenix, emitting a rich aura of life.

"Jinwu shengshu!"

A flash of surprise crossed Zhang Yi's eyes, "The divine tree from legend that possesses the power to bring the dead back to life!"

The group was instantly invigorated, the light of hope igniting in their eyes.

However, this light of hope had not yet fully bloomed before it was extinguished by a bucket of cold water.

"Truly, there is a path to heaven you do not take, and no gate to hell, yet you come seeking it yourself."

A cold, sinister voice came from the cave entrance.

The figure of the Lava Monarch appeared once more; he leaned against the cave entrance with a playful smile on his face, as if looking at a group of lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

"It seems you all like my gift very much."

The Lava Monarch pointed at the Jinwu shengshu, his tone filled with mockery, "Unfortunately, you don't have the life to enjoy it."

"Lava Monarch!"

Zhang Yi struggled to stand up, his Jinwu blade igniting with raging flames once again, "Do you think you can trap us like this?"

"Trap? No, I just want to let you die with more clarity."

The Lava Monarch smiled contemptuously, "In this cave, I am god! You are merely my sacrifices!"

Having said that, the Lava Monarch swung the long sword in his hand, and a scorching pillar of fire shot straight toward Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi swung his blade to parry; the fire pillar collided with the blade, erupting with a deafening boom.

Zhang Yi was shaken back several steps, a sharp pain radiating from the web between his thumb and forefinger.

"Just by relying on you broken soldiers and defeated generals, you want to challenge me?"

The Lava Monarch approached step by step, a bloodthirsty light flickering in his eyes, "Today, I will let you witness what is called true power!"

Inside the cave, a more intense battle was about to unfold.

The Lava Monarch's strength far exceeded Zhang Yi's expectations; his sword technique was as violent as a volcanic eruption, every strike containing the power to destroy the heavens and extinguish the earth.

Although Zhang Yi's Jinwu blade was incomparably sharp, it was difficult to withstand the Lava Monarch's offensive.

Although Nudi was weak, she still braced her body, releasing her remaining ice power in an attempt to contain the Lava Monarch.

However, her power was like a candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment.

The jellyfish's tentacles roamed about the cave, searching for an opportunity to escape.

However, the cave's exit had already been sealed by the Lava Monarch; they were like turtles in a jar, with nowhere to flee.

Just as the group fell into despair, the jellyfish suddenly let out an exclamation: "Wait! The Jinwu shengshu... it's moving!"

The group looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the branches and leaves of the Jinwu shengshu beginning to sway gently, the golden light becoming even more dazzling.

A strange energy radiated from the divine tree, permeating the entire cave.

This energy...

"Hahahaha..."

The Lava Monarch suddenly looked up and laughed, "It seems your good luck has come to an end! The power of the Jinwu shengshu is about to awaken, and you will become its first sacrifice!"

The Lava Monarch's laughter was filled with madness and triumph, as if he had already seen the scene of Zhang Yi and the others being devoured by the Jinwu shengshu.

However, the next moment, his smile froze on his face.

The golden light emitted by the Jinwu shengshu suddenly condensed into a beam of light, shooting straight at the Lava Monarch.

"What?!"

The Lava Monarch was shocked and wanted to dodge, but discovered that his body was unable to move.

The golden beam of light instantly pierced through the Lava Monarch's chest; he let out a shrill, miserable scream, and his body began to tremble violently.

"This... how is this possible..."

The Lava Monarch looked at his chest in disbelief, his eyes filled with fear.

The power of the golden beam of light continuously eroded his body; his power drained away rapidly, and his body began to collapse gradually.

"No... don't..."

The Lava Monarch's voice grew weaker and weaker, finally turning into a sigh of despair.

His body turned into specks of golden light and dissipated into the air, leaving behind only a long sword burning with raging flames, lying quietly on the ground.

The light of the Jinwu shengshu gradually dimmed, and the cave returned to calm once more.

Zhang Yi and the others stared dumbfounded at everything that had just happened, unable to speak for a time.

"This... what exactly is going on?"

Nudi muttered to herself, her eyes filled with confusion.

The jellyfish's tentacles gently touched the Jinwu shengshu, feeling the aura of life it emitted; suddenly, its tentacles trembled violently, as if it had been stimulated by something.

"I know!"

The jellyfish shouted excitedly, "The Jinwu shengshu... it has chosen Zhang Yi!"

The light of the Jinwu shengshu slowly receded like a retreating tide, leaving behind a sense of tranquility.

Zhang Yi felt a warm current surge through his entire body; the original sharp pain vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented sense of power, as if an ancient giant beast lay dormant within his body, ready to erupt with energy capable of destroying the heavens and extinguishing the earth at any moment.

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body, and could not help but reveal a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"This... what is going on?"

Nudi asked weakly, her eyes filled with confusion.

The jellyfish's tentacles danced excitedly, "The Jinwu shengshu... it has chosen Zhang Yi! It has bestowed the energy of eternal life upon him, making him its guardian!"

"Guardian?" Zhang Yi frowned slightly.

"That's right!"

The jellyfish explained, "The Jinwu shengshu is the guardian deity of this continent, possessing infinite power. It will choose a person with great potential to be its guardian and bestow its own power upon him, letting him protect the peace of this continent."

The Demon Emperor walked to the side of Nudi and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Nudi glanced at him coldly, "No need for you to trouble yourself."

The Demon Emperor was rebuffed and retreated to the side sheepishly.

He thought to himself, this woman is truly cold, but this haughty temperament actually makes him even more infatuated.

Xiong Batian, hiding in the shadows, saw this scene and gritted his teeth in anger.

Ever since his hands and feet were broken by Zhang Yi, Xiong Batian had been looking for an opportunity to take revenge.

Although he had lost his hands and feet, his pressure remained, and he could still command these small Demon Beasts to work and risk their lives for him.

He had originally thought that Zhang Yi would surely die, but he did not expect that not only did he not die, but he instead obtained the power of the Jinwu shengshu!

How could he endure this?

"Damn Zhang Yi! To think he escaped a disaster! And even obtained the power of the Jinwu shengshu! It truly infuriates me!"

Xiong Batian smashed a fist fiercely against the rock beside him, and the rock shattered instantly.

"Great King, calm your anger."

The dog-headed strategist at his side said cautiously, "Now that Zhang Yi has obtained the power of the Jinwu shengshu, it is not suitable for us to clash with him head-on. It would be better to first send people to monitor him, and wait until we find a suitable opportunity to strike."

Xiong Batian took a deep breath, suppressing the rage in his heart, "You are right. Let him be smug for a few days; when the time is ripe, I will definitely tear him into ten thousand pieces!"