Suppressing the Innate Spiritual Root Five-Needle Pine, a Golden Immortal Great Demon, and a Treasure-Stealing Killer!

Amid a thunderous blast, Lin Zhu rebounded and landed on the ground. He staggered back several steps before finally steadying himself.

Having escaped danger, Guang Chengzi could not help but feel fortunate.

If Lin Zhu had not intervened, he would likely have been injured by the Five-Needle Pine.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving me."

Guang Chengzi stepped forward and bowed, feeling that he had been far too careless.

Lin Zhu said calmly, "No need to thank me."

"This pine is the most mysterious and difficult to subdue among the ten great Innate Spiritual Roots. It seems only the three of us working together stand a chance of subduing it."

A solemn look also appeared on Xuan Du's face as he nodded heavily.

He had not expected the Five-Needle Pine to possess such power.

Fortunately, he had not been as rash as Guang Chengzi, or he too would have faced danger.

With a flick of his hand, Lin Zhu summoned the Primordial Measuring Heaven Ruler. It hung above his head as black-and-yellow qi surged around it, producing a deep humming roar.

When Guang Chengzi and Xuan Du saw Lin Zhu summon the Primordial Measuring Heaven Ruler, they could not help but marvel at its might.

Guang Chengzi did not dare delay. He drew out the Male and Female Twin Swords and activated the Sweeping Dusk Garment.

Dusk light surged across the garment, brilliant beyond compare.

At the same time, Xuan Du also summoned the Taiji Diagram.

The three stared at the Five-Needle Pine, their expressions grave.

Lin Zhu said, "This Five-Needle Pine excels at concealing itself. If it senses danger, it may try to flee."

"Junior Brother Xuan Du, use the Taiji Diagram to seal this stretch of heaven and earth. Do not let it escape."

This was Xuan Du's first time hearing that a spiritual root could run away.

However, he had always trusted Lin Zhu's words without question.

"Guang Chengzi, with the Sweeping Dusk Garment protecting you, you should be able to acquire this treasure. Once I use my Divine Power to suppress the Five-Needle Pine, go and collect it."

"Alright!" Guang Chengzi nodded.

Xuan Du moved first. With a wave of his hand, he summoned the Taiji Diagram.

As Xuan Du chanted the True Words, boundless yin and yang qi surged from the Taiji Diagram. The diagram flew into the air and spread over the entire world.

Two yin-yang fish swam through the void, firing streaks of radiant light that sealed the entire valley within.

Seeing that Xuan Du had sealed this stretch of heaven and earth, Lin Zhu did not hesitate. With a wave of his hand, the Twelve Sea Stabilizing Divine Pearls shot forth with a howl.

The Twelve Sea Stabilizing Divine Pearls shone skyward as they continuously circled the Five-Bell Pine, unleashing boundless power as though seeking to suppress the Five-Needle Pine.

At the same time, Lin Zhu unleashed his full cultivation. Mana churned around him, and endless mana surged wildly in his surroundings, producing repeated sonic booms.

By now, Lin Zhu had already entered the Golden Immortal Realm.

Over these years of traveling, Lin Zhu's cultivation had not fallen behind in the slightest. He was already showing signs of nearing the middle stage of the Golden Immortal Realm.

The depth of his cultivation was far beyond Xuan Du and Guang Chengzi's.

Lin Zhu gathered all his mana, gripped the Qingping Sword, and charged straight toward the Five-Needle Pine.

The Five-Needle Pine had already developed rudimentary Spiritual Intelligence and seemed to sense the danger.

Its trunk swayed a few times, and five streaks of light shot toward Lin Zhu.

The five rays contained the power of the Five Elements Great Dao.

Not only that, but the Five-Needle Pine's needles also shot out like a sky full of sharp swords, hurtling toward Lin Zhu.

Seeing this, Lin Zhu swung the Qingping Sword. Qingping Sword Intent swept forth, and the Qingping Sword slashed out shadow after shadow of the blade, blocking the Five-Needle Pine's roots and needles outside.

Without slowing, he pressed straight toward the Five-Needle Pine.

Lin Zhu's physical body had now reached the Grand Yi Realm, yet he still did not dare use it to directly withstand the Five-Needle Pine's needles.

As Lin Zhu closed in on the Five-Needle Pine, the Measuring Sky Ruler and Sea Stabilizing Divine Pearls were also driven by him to erupt with overwhelming might, suppressing the Five-Needle Pine's radiance.

Only then did the Five-Needle Pine sense true danger. It suddenly transformed into a streak of light and tried to flee.

"Seal it!"

Lin Zhu hurriedly shouted.

Seeing this, Xuan Du chanted a True Incantation. The range of the Taiji Diagram abruptly shrank, sealing off the surrounding space.

Lin Zhu's two magical treasures also pressed down upon the Five-Needle Pine.

Sure enough, under the suppression of the three extraordinary treasures, the Five-Needle Pine was forced back to its original spot, remaining a pine tree.

"Guang Chengzi, if you do not take it now, when will you?" Lin Zhu shouted.

Seeing the Five-Needle Pine suppressed, Guang Chengzi used the Sweeping Dusk Garment to protect his entire body. He leaped into the air and flew toward the Five-Needle Pine.

Yet even with the Sweeping Dusk Garment protecting him, Guang Chengzi could advance no farther once he came within thirty zhang of the Five-Needle Pine.

No matter how he drove his mana, the Five-Needle Pine still held him thirty zhang away.

Seeing this, Lin Zhu continued driving his two magical treasures. Mana churned around his body to protect him as he flew forward, enduring immense pressure until he reached the Five-Needle Pine and forced his way within three chi of it.

Then, with a wave of his hand, overwhelming Qingping Sword Intent swept out, suppressing all of the Five-Needle Pine's pressure. At last, he arrived before the Five-Needle Pine and placed his hand upon it.

He possessed an Innate Origin of the wood element, sharing the same source as the Five-Needle Pine.

As Lin Zhu's innate wood-element qi flowed out, the Five-Needle Pine's violent aura gradually faded away.

Seeing this, Lin Zhu moved his thoughts and stored away the Five-Needle Pine.

He had finally collected the Five-Needle Pine!

Looking at the small pine tree in his hand, now only around three chi tall, Lin Zhu placed the Five-Needle Pine into the Sea Stabilizing Divine Pearls.

Seeing this, Xuan Du also put away the Taiji Diagram. Together with Guang Chengzi, he came before Lin Zhu. "Congratulations, Senior Brother, on acquiring another extraordinary treasure."

Guang Chengzi had originally wanted to collect the Five-Needle Pine, but his strength had been insufficient, so he could only miss this opportunity.

Lin Zhu Slightly Nods and said, "Now that we have collected this treasure, it is time for us to leave this place."

The three left the valley and continued searching through the mountains.

Before long, they found another spiritual root elsewhere: a Purple Blood Spirit Vine.

This time, neither Xuan Du nor Lin Zhu made a move, allowing Guang Chengzi to collect it.

"Bold fools! Where did you come from, daring to steal my treasure?!"

Just as Guang Chengzi collected the spirit vine, a furious shout rang out nearby like thunder.

The three paused and looked up.

On a nearby mountaintop stood a massive figure.

The figure wore a red robe and carried a Great Staff. He had an ox head, eyes like bronze bells, and an exceedingly ferocious appearance.

"You three have some nerve, daring to steal this lord's belongings! Leave behind your treasures, and this lord will spare your lives!" the ox-headed demon shouted.

He was here to seize their treasures!

The three understood the demon's intentions.

"Your treasure? Are you saying this Purple Blood Spirit Vine already has an owner?" Lin Zhu asked.

The Ox Demon shook his head. "Wrong. I mean every treasure on your bodies. Leave them all behind for me."

"You have some nerve, trying to seize the treasures of my fellow disciples! Taste my power!" Seeing that this man had come to steal their treasures, Guang Chengzi shouted. He swung the Male and Female Twin Swords, sending two streams of sword qi slashing toward the demon.

Seeing this, the demon swung his Great Staff and blocked Guang Chengzi's sword qi.

Lin Zhu hurriedly said, "Guang Chengzi, do not act rashly. This man possesses cultivation at the late stage of the Golden Immortal Realm."

Guang Chengzi's heart jolted, and only then did he stop.

The demon laughed. "Kid, you do have some discernment."

"This lord can also tell that you are a Golden Immortal, but you have only just entered the realm. You are nowhere near this lord's match!"

"Hand over the spiritual root and all the treasures on your bodies, and this lord may spare your lives. Otherwise, I will swallow you alive!"