"Haha, young brother, you're being too modest. Your cultivation at the Three-Star Yuan Zong isn't much weaker than ours. In fact, we'll have to rely on you a lot on the journey ahead."
Seeing Xiao Yan turn around, Tang Ye's face immediately lit up with a smile. Xiao Yan remained noncommittal, glancing at the white-robed youth beside him. Of the two, only this person could truly make him wary.
"This is Brother Bai. Don't let his young age fool you; his cultivation is in no way inferior to mine!"
Tang Ye looked on with admiration. The young man in white smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Xiao Yan, saying:
Bai Zijing.
Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Bai Zijing raised his eyes, glanced at Xiao Yan, then turned to Tang Ye, a smile playing on his lips, and asked:
"Brother Tang, you've only told me how dangerous this forest is. Why don't you tell me what's so special about these dead trees?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan also perked up his ears. Recalling Tang Ye's posture just now, he figured what he said wasn't untrue. However, under Xiao Yan's inspection, these twisted and eerie withered trees, apart from mostly containing a trace of life, had no other special characteristics.
"Hey-hey..."
Tang Ye smiled insincerely, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crisscrossing, withered trees below, and said slowly:
"Speaking of which, this Fire Banyan Tree could easily be considered a relative of the Fire Banyan Clan."
The very first sentence he uttered startled Xiao Yan. These half-dead, withered trees before him were actually the ruined Fire Banyan Clan?
" The Fire Banyan Clan has been rooted in the endless magma underground for generations. As long as the magma exists, the clan will continue to thrive. In its heyday, even insignificant roots could sprout from the soil and transform into a forest, thus creating this Fire Banyan Tree Woods, unlike the clan, these Fire Banyan Tree themselves have no intelligence. They simply instinctively draw power from the underground magma and use this power to protect the Fire Banyan Clan deep in the plains, preventing outsiders from entering. Perhaps it is because of this that even after the Fire Banyan Clan's destruction, these Fire Banyan Tree, though dead, continue to draw power from the magma. Once someone intervenes, magma will erupt from within them, like a volcanic eruption. Even someone as powerful as the Yuan Zong might not be able to withstand that terrifying power."
Hearing these words, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a little emotional. These Fire Banyan Tree were like fierce generals guarding the border, determined to protect the land behind them even in death. Such spirit made even a mortal like him feel proud!
Of course, what is even more shocking is that the Fire Banyan Clan was so powerful that even though the Fire Banyan Tree had been dead for many years, it still made a powerhouse of the Yuan Zong level feel ashamed!
"Hehe, don't be fooled by this dying Fire Banyan Tree. You two don't know, but a withered tree is more valuable than a living one..."
After explaining, Tang Ye suddenly smiled slyly, noticing their curious gazes, and continued:
"Thanks to the Fire Molten Clan, the Fire Banyan Tree was once renowned throughout the continent. At its peak, even a powerful figure like the Yuan Zun would find it difficult to traverse this Fire Banyan Tree Woods. Even though it has now perished, its very existence is enough to make the Yuan Zong tremble with fear. And that very existence is the Fire Banyan Branch."
" Fire Banyan Branch?"
Xiao Yan was secretly amazed. This Central Region was vast, and there were indeed many strange things he had never heard of before.
" The Fire Banyan Branch is the root of the Fire Banyan Tree. Because it constantly absorbs the power of underground lava, it condenses extremely strong fire-attribute energy. A high-quality Fire Banyan Branch contains energy far exceeding that of Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone, making it a coveted treasure for all cultivators skilled in fire magic. It's priceless and practically unavailable on the market. However, since the Fire Banyan Branch lies deep beneath the magma, and the Fire Banyan Tree gathers immense lava power, it's normally impossible to obtain. But whenever the Fire Banyan Tree is affected by external factors and erupts lava, its accumulated lava power is consumed. At that time, obtaining the Fire Banyan Branch becomes as easy as taking candy from a baby."
At this point, Xiao Yan finally understood why Tang Ye had tried to persuade him to stay.
A smile appeared on Bai Zijing's face, and he nodded slightly, saying:
"I see. Brother Tang, you intend to use the two of us to trigger the Fire Banyan Tree so you can seize the Fire Banyan Branch."
"Haha, since we've all gathered here on the Flowing Fire Plain, we're all here for mutual benefit. I simply want to team up with you two to gain some advantages, and also help you two cross this Fire Banyan Tree Woods. Why not?"
Tang Ye laughed and didn't take Bai Zijing's teasing to heart. This information wasn't exactly a secret in the Flowing Fire Plain. He only revealed it to make the two people in front of him believe that his purpose was pure.
"Since Brother Tang was prepared, when the two of you traveled together earlier, one of you only needed to attract the Fire Banyan Tree while the other dived into the lava to retrieve the treasure. It seems unnecessary to invite me to join you, is it?"
Xiao Yan stared intently at Tang Ye. Even though what this guy had just said sounded undeniably true, he still believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch. It was already a favor that a stranger would accompany him and guide him, let alone conspire with outsiders to obtain such rare and precious treasures. It was utterly absurd.
Faced with Xiao Yan's sudden questioning, Tang Ye seemed to have prepared his explanation beforehand, unfazed. He pointed to the withered trees on the ground below and said:
"Young brother, don't underestimate these trees. Even after the lava power dissipates, the power condensed within the Fire Banyan Branch has already formed a barrier around them. Even someone as strong as you and I would need to use some more methods to take down Fire Banyan Branch. Once the lava power around the Fire Banyan Branch dissipates, it will reform, and the barrier will no longer be able to be opened. With my own strength, the number of Fire Banyan Branch I can obtain in a short time is very limited. That's why I invited Brother Xiao to join us. With the two of us working together, the number of Fire Banyan Branch we obtain will definitely increase many times over, and we will naturally be able to get a larger share."
Tang Ye's explanation was flawless, and it was obvious that this was not the first time he had said this to outsiders.
The situation was still uncertain, and Bai Zijing also had a calm expression, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. Xiao Yan could only nod in a perfunctory manner, and then looked down at the withered trees below.
When he first entered this place, he did not sense anything, but as time went on, Xiao Yan also noticed the energy flowing faintly within the tree trunks, and he was slightly surprised.
Given the current situation, the two beside him are likely harboring their own schemes, and the lava power within the Fire Banyan Forest is about to erupt, making the situation extremely tense. There is no time for further deliberation; the only option left is to adapt to the methods employed by each of the three!
"Brother Tang, it seems time is running out. Give us a clear explanation of what to do."
Bai Zijing frowned slightly, looking rather anxious.
Upon hearing this, Tang Ye grinned, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan and the other person, his expression one of great satisfaction.
"Haha, alright, since you two are so eager to get started, let's begin our show!"