Internal and external threats, life and death hanging by a thread!
Li Su's consciousness struggled to hold on at the center of the energy storm.
The icy vastness of Stellar Evil Energy and the extreme yin, gentle softness of Taiyin Essence violently clashed with the dark, deathly attributes of his original Soul Devouring Bamboo, as if they were about to tear his bamboo body apart from its most minute structure.
Outside, the Purple-Black Strange Plant's savage attacks did not cease for a moment. Its roots lashed, pierced, and sprayed corrosive venom. Every impact violently shook his bamboo body, and the starlight that had just emerged seemed on the verge of being scattered.
If the Stellar Evil Energy he had just absorbed had not spontaneously gathered and enhanced the instantaneous strength of his bamboo body, he would likely have been unable to hold on long ago.
The faint icy gaze from deep within the underground cavern was even more like a sword hanging over his head, bringing immense psychological pressure.
"Hold steady! I have to hold steady!"
Li Su frantically circulated his divine sense, painstakingly harmonizing the conflicting energies within his body according to the optimal route provided by the system's assistance.
He guided most of the Stellar Evil Energy to the surface of his bamboo body to strengthen his defenses against external enemies; he merged the Taiyin Essence into the interior of his bamboo body to nourish and mend the cracks, balancing the impact of the evil energy; at the same time, he contracted and condensed the power of his original Soul Devouring Origin, protecting the core of his spiritual consciousness.
This was an exceptionally delicate and painful process, like waging a war within his own body.
But the results were equally obvious.
As the energies were gradually guided and diverted, the conflict slowly eased, and the evolution began to return to the right track.
The cracks on his bamboo body began healing at a visible rate. The newly formed bamboo took on an even deeper ink-black hue. Upon closer inspection, that darkness seemed to contain a boundless starry sky, with specks of starlight flickering in and out, profoundly mysterious.
The bamboo joints became more distinct—nine in total, each one shining faintly, with the subtle sound of wind and thunder contained within.
The bamboo leaves also became increasingly long, narrow, and sharp. Dark light and starlight flowed along their edges, and with the slightest sway, they could automatically slice through and absorb the evil qi and starlight of the surrounding heavens and earth.
His form was undergoing an enormous transformation! From the formerly somewhat simple black-jade bamboo, he was evolving toward something more advanced and more mysterious!
[Evolution Successful!] [Host: Li Su] [Origin: Mo Xing Soul Devouring Bamboo (High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root)] [Realm: Mid Earth Immortal] [Cultivation Method: None] [Divine Abilities: Soul-Devouring Dark Light (Intermediate), Star Evil Body Protection (Beginner)] [Abilities: Soul Devouring (Intermediate), Toughness (Advanced), Evil Qi Resistance (Advanced), Stellar Power Perception (Beginner)] [Status: Light Injury (Recovering Rapidly)]
Success! A High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root! Mid Earth Immortal!
Not only that, he had awakened a new divine ability—Star Evil Body Protection! He could even begin to sense the power of the stars!
A powerful sensation filled his entire body. Although his bamboo body still trembled slightly beneath the strange plant's attacks, the feeling was completely different now!
The previous attacks had driven him to the brink of collapse, but now, most of them were blocked by a thin black halo dotted with starlight that automatically emerged across the surface of his bamboo body. The force that truly reached him had been weakened by more than half!
It was time to strike back! Or rather, it was time to leave this dangerous place!
Li Su focused his divine sense, locking onto the Purple-Black Strange Plant that was still relentlessly attacking him.
This time, he did not use Soul-Devouring Dark Light.
With a thought, three ink-black bamboo leaves shimmering with starlight detached from his bamboo body. The leaves trembled slightly, instantly transforming into three sharp blades wreathed in starlight and evil qi. Arranged in a triangular formation, they slashed fiercely at the strange plant's core roots with piercing whistles!
This was a new application of his own power after advancing to the mid Earth Immortal realm and improving his origin!
He combined Stellar Evil Energy with the sharpness of his bamboo leaves, launching an attack detached from his body!
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The blades precisely severed several of the strange plant's thickest roots!
Purple-black venom sprayed out, falling to the ground with sizzling corrosive sounds.
The strange plant recoiled in pain and released a piercing mental shriek. Its attacks abruptly stalled.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Su did not hesitate. His eighty-foot bamboo body shook violently, and his main roots tore more than halfway free from the earth!
Run!
He could not stay here any longer!
That terrifying being underground could attack again at any time, and the commotion from this battle might attract other powerful predators!
His bamboo roots became like feet, supporting his bamboo body as he "ran" in the direction opposite the underground cavern at a speed that looked clumsy but was actually not slow!
With every step, bamboo roots plunged deeply into the ground for support before swiftly pulling free again, leaving behind one deep pit after another.
Though the Purple-Black Strange Plant had had its roots severed, its ferocity only grew greater. It actually pulled most of its roots from the ground as well, becoming like a many-legged monster as it roared and chased after him, constantly spraying venom and whipping out entwining roots.
Li Su fought as he retreated, occasionally sending out several Star Spirit Bamboo Leaf Blades to block it or activating Soul-Devouring Dark Light to interfere with its soul consciousness.
Fighting as he retreated.
He did not dare take flight. Although a mid Earth Immortal could briefly rise into the air, he would make far too large a target, and the expenditure would be tremendous. In this peril-filled Primordial World, that would be no different from suicide.
He could only rely on his bamboo roots to move. Though his speed was limited, it was more concealed and consumed less energy.
He fled all the way while fighting all the way.
A chase between the Mo Xing Bamboo Body and the purple-black strange plant unfolded across this desolate, deathly land, startling some lurking insects. But after sensing the auras emanating from the two—especially the lingering icy pressure from the cavern being still clinging to Li Su—most did not dare approach.
Finally, after fleeing nearly a thousand li, the Purple-Black Strange Plant seemed to slow down due to its severely damaged roots and the distance from its familiar territory. In the end, it unwillingly let out a silent roar in Li Su's direction, then slowly withdrew underground and began taking root once more.
Li Su relaxed slightly, but he did not dare stop. He continued to "run" for several hundred more li, until he could no longer sense any unusual fluctuations from the direction of the underground cavern and had completely shaken off the strange plant's pursuit.
Only then did he find a relatively concealed spot behind a bone hill formed from several enormous beast bones. He swiftly planted his bamboo roots deeply into the ground again, fully concealed his aura, and disguised himself as an ordinary black bamboo.
Only at this moment did he have the leisure to carefully experience the changes in himself.
Mo Xing Soul Devouring Bamboo, a High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root! Mid Earth Immortal! Compared to before, his strength had increased by far more than tenfold!
More importantly, his future potential had greatly increased, and he now possessed the possibility of sensing stellar power. This meant that in the future, he might be able to draw upon the power of the stars to temper his body or cultivate divine abilities, opening a far broader path before him.
Two adventures, two evolutions—at last, he had gained an initial foothold in this age of Fierce Beasts in the Primordial World.
But Li Su did not become complacent. Mid Earth Immortal was still weak on this land.
The being within that underground cavern, and the many great powers of the Primordial World from his distant memories, were all far beyond anything he could reach now.
He had to keep growing stronger!
After resting for a moment, he began trying to familiarize himself with his new power and cultivate his newly acquired divine ability, "Star Evil Body Protection."
At the same time, he spread out his divine sense, exploring this new region with even greater caution as he searched for new resources and potential dangers.
His journey through the Primordial World had only just begun.
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