Chapter 52: Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree

When Li Luo and the other two walked out of the great hall with its gnarled, intertwined trees, the scenery before them changed drastically. It was a dark, gloomy forest filled with towering trees; their dark-colored branches spread out, obscuring the sky and casting a somber, oppressive feeling.

Li Luo and his companions glanced at this dark forest, then their gazes settled on a crystal wall ahead, which had clearly been erected recently.

On the crystal wall, text flowed, emitting a faint light.

Li Luo and the others read the text carefully, and their expressions became more solemn.

"This trial is to seize a 'Ghost-Face Fruit'."

In this dark forest exists a special plant known as the Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree. It is savage by nature, fond of strangling any creature that approaches, then burying its corpse at its roots to nourish itself and grow stronger.

Once the Ghost-Face Demon Vine matures, it will bear a single "Ghost-Face Fruit," and this second round of evaluation requires obtaining one such fruit to earn base points.

"This Ghost-Face Demon Vine is not easy to deal with. The demon vine is covered in poisonous thorns and attacks viciously. Honestly, in a one-on-one fight, even someone at the Eight-Seal Resonance Power level would find it hard to snatch a 'Ghost-Face Fruit' from it," Zhao Kuo said with a frown.

Yu Lang, who had originally intended to slip away, pulled his foot back and said, "I suggest the three of us join forces to snatch the 'Ghost-Face Fruit', how about it?"

"You seem like you wanted to go solo," Li Luo laughed.

Yu Lang said somewhat awkwardly, "How could that be? We are life-and-death friends who have been through thick and thin together."

Li Luo shook his head, not bothering to pay attention to this guy's unreliable words, but he did not oppose Yu Lang's proposal. Although he might not be without a way to obtain the "Ghost-Face Fruit" alone, since there was help available, it would naturally be much easier.

And if one can have it easy, why bother toiling away alone?

"Let's go."

Li Luo said, then took the lead and walked directly into the dark forest. Behind him, Yu Lang and Zhao Kuo hurried to catch up.

The three traveled together toward the depths of the forest. After walking for more than ten minutes, they heard movement coming from the distance on their right.

The three exchanged glances, moved forward quietly, and pushed aside the dense thicket. They saw a large black tree standing in a muddy wetland ahead. The tree was wrapped in black vines covered with black thorns, which lashed out like giant black pythons, creating shrill, wind-breaking sounds.

On the thick trunk of the tree, one could vaguely see a somewhat hideous face, which made one's hair stand on end.

It was exactly a Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree.

However, around this Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree, there were already six or seven figures. They were clearly working together to besiege this demon vine tree, unleashing rays of Resonance Power as they continuously attacked it.

The demon vine tree was also fighting back fiercely; its vine, covered in poisonous thorns, lashed out with astonishing force, whipping the six or seven people until they were howling in misery.

"Too miserable."

Yu Lang could not bear to watch. The strength of these six or seven people was average, only around the Sixth Seal. Even with their numbers, they were still being suppressed by the demon vine tree.

Every time they were struck by the vines, the snapping sound made one's scalp tingle, as if it reminded them of the sticks their parents used to wield.

So, in just a short while, this makeshift team was whipped until they were covered in blood and fled in a sorry state. It was fortunate that the demon vine tree had a limited attack range, otherwise, it would not have been so simple for them to retreat.

The three witnessed the tragedy and could not help but shake their heads.

"This Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree is a bit tricky," Zhao Kuo said with some worry. Although their strength was greater than the previous team, wanting to break through the demon vine tree's violent vine attacks to seize the Ghost-Face Fruit on its branches was likely not a simple matter.

"Yu Lang, you go try it first," Li Luo thought for a moment and said.

Upon hearing this, Yu Lang grumbled with dissatisfaction, "Why ask me to go?"

"You are a Wind Resonance, your speed is the fastest. If you don't act as the vanguard, who will?" Li Luo laughed.

Yu Lang could not refute this and could only curse as he stepped forward. Cyan Resonance Power permeated from his body, and his figure shot out like the wind, kicking up a wave of air.

"Tsk, worthy of being called the fastest man in our Nanfeng Academy," Zhao Kuo said with a strange, cackling expression upon seeing this.

Li Luo stared at Yu Lang's figure. This guy's speed was indeed very fast, and it was clear that he had invested most of his energy into the cultivation of speed, which was actually a very smart choice.

Swish!

When Yu Lang quickly approached the Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree, the latter sensed it, and the giant python-like vines whistled down immediately.

Yu Lang dodged quickly, but as he approached, the demon vine tree seemed to perceive the threat; more and more vines whistled over, constantly blocking his space for evasion. Gradually, Yu Lang's figure was no longer as graceful as before, and he began to look a bit disheveled.

Finally, he chose to retreat, his figure flashing as he exited the demon vine tree's attack range and landed beside Li Luo and Zhao Kuo.

"It's no good, I can't get close at all, let alone snatch the Ghost-Face Fruit," Yu Lang wiped the sweat from his face and said helplessly.

"Actually, it's not that difficult."

Li Luo smiled. Yu Lang's previous speed had already forced out the Ghost-Face Demon Vine Tree's attack frequency. He said, "Next, we will attack together. Zhao Kuo will be the meat shield in front, I will assist him in pinning down the demon vine tree's frontal offensive, and you will seize the opportunity from the side to snatch the Ghost-Face Fruit."

"It's just that this way, Zhao Kuo will take the brunt of the suffering."

Zhao Kuo chuckled upon hearing this and said, "Don't worry, I have thick skin and sturdy flesh."

Li Luo nodded without saying anything overly sentimental. Since they were working together, everyone had to show their worth. He did not want to let Zhao Kuo sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor just because they were on good terms, and besides, Zhao Kuo probably wouldn't be willing to accept that anyway.

"Fine," Yu Lang had even less objection.

Having set a simple battle plan, the three did not hesitate. Li Luo drew his twin blades from his waist, and Zhao Kuo took the large axe off his back.

"Move!"

Following Li Luo's low shout, Zhao Kuo roared, his sturdy, burly body charging out like a wild bear, rushing toward the demon vine tree in the most violent manner.

Faint silver Resonance Power radiated from his body. As he activated his Silver Bear Resonance, Zhao Kuo's already sturdy body expanded by another circle.

Swish!

The demon vine tree's response was swift; the giant python-like vines whistled over like lightning, bringing with them sharp, wind-breaking sounds.

Zhao Kuo swung the large axe in his hands like a blade of a storm, fiercely severing the vines attacking from the front, sending emerald-green sap splattering everywhere.

The mud under his feet suddenly burst open at this moment, and vines actually emerged from underground, aiming straight for Zhao Kuo's lower body.

However, a blade of light shimmering with blue luster swept past, cutting the vines apart.

Li Luo, with blue Resonance Power rising from his body, stood behind Zhao Kuo, his twin blades occasionally flashing with blue light to sever the vines attacking Zhao Kuo.

The two continued to close in on the demon vine tree.

But as they got closer, the demon vine tree began to go berserk. Countless vines smashed down as if they had gone mad. Even though Li Luo did his best to help block them, some vines still whipped against Zhao Kuo's body, leaving streaks of blood. Yet, he didn't utter a sound, gritting his teeth and pressing forward step by step.

"Yu Lang, attack!"

At this moment, Li Luo knew the timing was right and immediately let out a loud shout.

"Got it!"

Yu Lang, who had been prepared on the side, heard the call and shot out instantly, pushing his speed to the limit. While the demon vine tree was distracted by the attacks of Li Luo and the other, he lunged straight for the Ghost-Face Fruit hanging on the branch.

His speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he was close to the Ghost-Face Fruit. But just as he was about to reach out and snatch it, the mud below suddenly exploded, and a strange figure shot out, intending to take a step ahead and seize the Ghost-Face Fruit.

"Damn it!"

This turn of events left Yu Lang's face ashen, and he cursed loudly. No one had expected that someone was hiding in the shadows, waiting to be the oriole behind the mantis!

However, just as Yu Lang watched the newcomer get there faster than him, Li Luo, not far away, shouted, "Yu Lang, close your eyes!"

Immediately, with a cold expression, he raised his hand, a blue orb of light already condensed at his fingertips, and shot it out.

The blue orb of light exploded suddenly not far from Yu Lang and the ambushing figure. The next instant, a blinding, intense light erupted.

(End of chapter)