Soul Devouring Demonic Tree

After resting for a day in the cave of the withered tree, all four of them had recovered considerably.

Most importantly, Qing Lin not only completely mastered the Nine Profound Nether Python, but also made her Dou Qi even more abundant, and she is not far from breaking through to the Dou Venerate realm.

After all four had fully rested, Lin Ming removed the barrier at the cave entrance. The dark green Poisonous Miasma outside was still thick, but after resting, the four were much more at ease dealing with it.

"Based on the map and Qing Lin's perception of the territories of snake-type Magical Beasts, after passing through that 'Corrosive Poison Mire' ahead and crossing a mountain range called 'Black Bone Mountain,' we will be able to approach the outer area of Fallen Phoenix Abyss."

Lin Ming unfolded the Leather Map and pointed to a huge swamp area marked on it. On the map, the Corrosive Poison Mire was marked with a dark green color, and next to it was a black skull symbol, clearly indicating that it was not a benevolent place.

"Corrosive Poison Mire... just the thought of it makes me uncomfortable." Zi Yan wrinkled her little nose, as if she could already smell the rotten odor she had imagined.

"Everyone be careful. I sense a lot of chaotic, chilling energy in that area, not just snakes, but also some... very strange things."

Qing Lin closed her eyes and sensed for a moment, then whispered a reminder that her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was particularly sensitive to yin and evil energies.

Xiong Zhan patted his muscular chest. "Whatever the swamp, we'll just get through it!"

The group set off again, heading towards the Corrosive Poison Mire.

The closer you get, the stronger the stench in the air becomes—a nauseating, pungent smell a mixture of rotting corpses, swamp gas, and some kind of acidic corrosiveness.

The ground beneath our feet began to become increasingly soft and muddy, turning an ominous grayish-black color. Occasionally, huge bubbles would rise from the swamp, burst, and release dark green poisonous gas.

Finally, a vast swamp, stretching as far as the eye could see and shrouded in a miasma of pale green and gray, lay before us.

The water here is not clear, but rather a viscous, muddy, grayish-black color, with countless decaying plant remains and the skeletons of unknown animals floating on the surface.

Some strangely shaped, brightly colored poisonous plants and mushrooms grow on the edge of the swamp, emitting an alluring yet dangerous fluorescence.

The entire swamp was eerily silent. Apart from the occasional "pop" of bubbles bursting, there was almost no chirping of insects or birds. A deathly, oppressive atmosphere permeated the air.

"Watch out for the underwater area and those strange plants." Lin Ming's expression was solemn, his Soul Power highly concentrated as he carefully examined the seemingly calm swamp ahead.

In his perception, beneath this swamp lurked countless Life Aura filled with malice and greed, some of which even he found somewhat troublesome.

Relying on his Soul Perception, Lin Ming chose a relatively dry path formed by some exposed black rocks and huge dead trees, and carefully flew ahead to lead the way.

The three followed closely behind, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

The journey was relatively smooth at first, except for the constant need to ward off the omnipresent Poisonous Miasma. But soon, trouble began.

"Gurgle..."

Just as the group flew over what appeared to be a black rock, the rock suddenly began to writhe, then abruptly opened, revealing a giant, spiraling mouth covered in slime and sharp teeth!

It turned out to be a Swamp Devouring Slug was disguised extremely well! Its aura had reached the Peak Sixth Tier, and the suction force generated by its huge mouth was enormous, trying to drag Lin Ming and the others into the depths of the swamp.

"Hmph! You dare to eat me?" Zi Yan immediately flew into a rage, stomping her little foot hard on the edge of that slippery, gaping maw!

"Bang!"

A terrifying force erupted, and a large chunk of the Swamp Devouring Slug's tough body was crushed under its weight. It let out a painful hiss and quickly retreated back into the mud, leaving behind a pool of foul-smelling slime.

This was just the beginning. As they advanced deeper, attacks followed one after another.

There are Water Arrow suddenly shooting out of the mud, containing deadly poison and strong corrosiveness; there are "Corrosive Poison Tendril" lurking underwater, as soft as seaweed yet incredibly tough, trying to entangle ankles; and there are swarms of carrion -Corpse-Eating Demonic Fish, each only the size of a fist, yet possessing sharp mouthparts, capable of instantly devouring a large Magical Beasts to its bones...

Most of these attacks were distorted or deflected by Lin Ming's exquisite Space Power, or dispersed by Xiong Zhan Dou Qi. Zi Yan and Qing Lin also provided support from the sidelines, so they were able to handle the situation.

However, the dangers of the Corrosive Poison Mire go far beyond that.

Upon reaching the center of the swamp, they encountered a strange forest that was unusually dense, entirely black, and whose branches resembled twisted human hands.

These trees had no leaves; their bare branches gleamed with a metallic sheen, and their roots dug deep into the mud.

"Be careful of these trees!" Lin Ming suddenly stopped. In his Soul Perception, these strange trees emitted an extremely subtle yet chilling Soul Fluctuation.

Lin Ming's warning had barely left his lips when an unexpected change occurred!

"Buzz--!"

An invisible and intangible yet incredibly sharp Soul impact suddenly spread out from that strange forest!

This Shockwave wasn't aimed at the physical body, but rather directly at the soul Consciousness Sea, making it more concentrated and vicious than the Shadow Bat's previous Sound Wave attack!

The first to be hit, Xiong Zhan, let out a muffled groan. He felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy hammer, his vision went black, his massive body swayed, and his Protective Dou Qi became momentarily disordered.

Zi Yan's face paled, and she covered her forehead. Although her physical body and strength were strong, her soul defense was not her strongest point.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils on Qing Lin's forehead automatically appeared, their azure light flowing and forming a protective layer that neutralized most of the Soul impact, but she still felt a stinging pain in her Consciousness Sea.

Only Lin Ming remained unmoved; his Soul Power at the Spirit Realm Grand Perfection was as solid as a rock, easily dissolving the impact.

At this moment, Lin Ming's sharp eyes looked into the depths of the forest. "It's the 'Soul Devouring Demonic Tree'! Be careful, it can devour Soul Power and create illusions. Long-range soul attacks are just its appetizer!"

As if to confirm his words, the pitch-black Soul Devouring Demonic Tree Forest stirred without wind, its twisted branches dancing wildly like living tentacles. An even stronger suction force emanated from the forest, not targeting the body, but directly targeting the soul!

The group of people suddenly felt as if their souls were about to leave their bodies, being forcibly pulled towards that eerie forest!

At the same time, the surrounding scenery began to distort and change.

The swamp transformed into a churning sea of blood, from which countless vengeful spirits stretched out pale arms; familiar companions turned into hideous demons, roaring and lunging; even the deepest fears and most unwanted memories surfaced...

"Hold your mind tight! It's an illusion!"

Lin Ming let out a low shout, his voice containing pure Soul Power, like a morning bell and evening drum, which rang in the Consciousness Sea the three people, dispelling some of the erosion of the illusion.

Xiong Zhan roared, unleashing the Bloodline Power his Ancient Dragon Bear bloodline. A primordial and ferocious aura dispelled some of the illusions. His eyes turned bloodshot as he desperately guarded the Spirit Platform of clarity in his mind.

A faint dragon's roar emanated from Zi Yan's body, and a purple-gold light protected her, forcefully resisting the soul's suction and the interference of the illusion.

Qing Lin activated her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils with all her might, using the azure light to protect her body. The soul-absorbing force of the demonic tree had the least impact on her, but she still needed to resist the constantly invading illusions.

"We can't just passively defend! We must destroy the core of this demon forest!"

Lin Ming's mind raced, his gaze piercing through layers of illusions and swaying branches, locking onto the very center of the forest—a gigantic demonic tree several times thicker than the other demonic trees, its entire body resembling obsidian, with a dense mass of black soul energy condensed in its crown!

That is the Mother Tree of this Soul Devouring Demonic Tree Forest!

"Hold on, I'm going to destroy it!"

After Lin Ming gave the order, the Space Power around him immediately fluctuated violently, and then his figure became blurred in an instant. The next moment, he appeared dozens of feet away, stepping on the void, and rapidly approaching the Mother Tree!

"Squeak--!"

Sensing the threat, all the Soul Devouring Demonic Tree, including the Mother Tree, emitted sharp, piercing cries that directly affected their souls!

More twisted branches, like countless black Giant Python, coiled and lashed at Lin Ming from all directions, carrying with them a powerful soul-corroding force.

At the same time, an even more intense illusion surged through Lin Ming's Consciousness Sea like a tidal wave, attempting to disorient him.

"A trivial skill!"

In response, Lin Ming immediately snorted coldly, and his Soul Power at the Spirit Realm Grand Perfection transformed into a tangible impact, instantly shattering the invading illusion!

Then, Lin Ming pointed his fingers like a sword, and Dark Purple Flames leaped from his fingertips!

"Go!"

With a flick of his finger, Lin Ming did not unleash a wide-ranging flame. Instead, he highly compressed the Heavenly Flames, transforming it into dozens of hair-thin, yet extremely refined, Dark Purple Fire Threads. Like Spirituality fish, these lines shot precisely at the entangled demon tree branches and the tree roots spreading across the ground!

"Hiss hiss hiss...!"

Wherever the Dark Purple Fire Threads passed, nothing escaped their incineration!

Those incredibly resilient Dou Venerate tree branches, capable of withstanding attacks from Dou Zun, instantly turned to ashes the moment they came into contact with the fire, just like burning paper! Even the sinister Soul Power contained within them was Purified and annihilated by the destructive flames!

The demon forest emitted an even more shrill and painful howl, and its attack slowed down.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lin Ming flashed several times, dodging several thick blows from the main trunk, and had already approached the huge Mother Tree!

The Mother Tree sensed a deadly threat. The dense black soul energy in its canopy churned violently, then suddenly contracted, transforming into an extremely condensed Black Soul Spear. With a piercing whistle, it shot straight at Lin Ming's brow!

This is the most powerful strike it has unleashed after countless years of gathering power and devouring the Soul Origin!

Faced with an attack that could severely injure or even kill an ordinary Dou Venerate, Lin Ming's eyes flashed with cold light. He neither dodged nor avoided, but instead unleashed a surge of powerful Soul Power from between his brows. It was not for defense, but rather transformed into an invisible hand that directly grabbed at the Black Soul Spear!

"Broken!"

The Soul Power at the Spirit Realm Grand Perfection is so vast and pure! The Black Soul Spear, composed of pure soul power, was grasped by this invisible hand and crushed like fragile glass!

As Lin Ming's soul hand exerted force, the Mother Tree let out a desperate cry, and its entire trunk began to tremble violently.

Seeing this, Lin Ming naturally wouldn't give it any more chances. He immediately raised his right hand, and a ball of Dark Purple Flame the size of a human head suddenly rose from his palm. At the center of the flame, it seemed as if stars were being born and dying!

Then, Lin Ming swung his arm and slammed the ball of flame, which contained extreme destructive power, into the core of the Soul Devouring Demonic Tree's Mother Tree!

"Boom--!"

There was no deafening explosion, only a dull, annihilating sound, as if it came from the depths of the soul.

The Dark Purple Flame instantly engulfed the massive Mother Tree. The black trunk, harder than refined iron, melted and disintegrated at a visible speed under the Flame of Destruction, along with the vast and evil Soul Origin it contained, all of which were completely Purified and reduced to nothingness!

With the Mother Tree destroyed, the entire Soul Devouring Demonic Tree Forest seemed to have lost its core, and the chilling soul-attracting force and illusion vanished instantly.

The remaining demon trees seemed to have been drained of their life force; their waving branches drooped limply, and their original dark luster quickly dimmed, turning into a deathly gray-white.