"What a ruthless person..."
The numerous Beyond Grade A warriors currently engaged in fierce combat couldn't help but spare some attention to check on Han Xiao's situation.
They were aware of the trap zone formed by hundreds of Key of Destruction, and seeing the rapidly expanding light, they couldn't help but feel worried for Han Xiao.
Black Star's mutually destructive fighting style is notoriously unfair, but the power of hundreds of Key of Destruction is far beyond what the mechanical legion's concentrated fire can achieve. Moreover, being confined to a small area, the power is highly concentrated, making the explosive force even more terrifying.
He's ruthless not only to his enemies but also to himself. Everyone felt that Black Star's methods were too crazy; wasn't he afraid of blowing himself up?!
Various thoughts flashed through everyone's minds, but just before the explosive power reached its peak, the protective shield surrounding this deadly zone suddenly burst open with large cracks.
Bang bang bang!
Dozens of World Tree emerged, frantically absorbing the explosive energy while simultaneously pounding wildly against the protective shield from within. Then, a green meteor slammed into the cracked area of the shield.
Click!
The protective barrier trembled violently, blasting open a gap, and the charred Tranquil Tree King rolled out.
The next moment, Han Xiao's figure also flew out after the Tranquil Tree King, trying to engage in a fierce battle, but he was blasted away by the enraged World Tree like a baseball.
Meanwhile, as the protective shield was shattered by the Tranquil Tree King, the power of the Key of Destruction burst through the shield from within, causing the chain reaction energy clusters in the area to expand rapidly out of control. Fortunately, the fleets of the Three Universal Civilizations had already reserved a large open area around the trap, precisely to prevent this situation. The nearest fleet had ample time to retreat and, incidentally, continued to launch long-range artillery fire at the Tranquil Tree King.
The Tranquil Tree King, disregarding everything else, gathered the roots of the World Tree into a protective stance and hurriedly fled into the distance to avoid the ever-expanding energy mass behind him, fearing that he would be swallowed up again. Han Xiao stopped and continued to chase and fight the Tranquil Tree King.
As the two fought and tumbled away from the energy cluster, a sudden flash of light appeared, and the expanding energy cluster exploded completely. The shockwave shot out in all directions, striking the two men in the back. The enormous impact threw them away, much faster than normal flight speed.
After tumbling countless times, Han Xiao finally managed to stop. Every part of his body ached, and he was covered in charred wounds, clearly indicating that he was seriously injured. In contrast, the Tranquil Tree King, who had fallen not far away, was in a similar sorry state, as if he had shed a layer of skin.
"You ran fast enough." Han Xiao's veins throbbed as he moved his hands and feet. Patches of scorch marks fell off, his injuries gradually healed, and his plummeting health slowly returned.
The Tranquil Tree King wasn't a dead man, foolishly staying in the trap to take damage. In the critical moment, he unleashed his full power, smashing the protective shield and escaping the blast zone. Han Xiao had originally stayed behind to hold off the Tranquil Tree King, but after the opponent broke free from his initial successful lock-on technique, he gave it no further chances.
Han Xiao used the Sovereign's Teleportation and the Illustrated Book to arrive, naturally dispelling his Mechanical Deity form. The Mechanical Deity Descent was not instantaneous; there wasn't enough time in the rush. Relying solely on his original attributes, he couldn't control a martial artist of the level of the Tranquil Tree King, and was knocked aside by the opponent.
The premise of the "Go to the Underworld Together" tactic is to control the enemy. The target will not obediently stay in the concentrated fire area. The Tranquil Tree King runs fast and is protected by the World Tree. It escaped before the Key of Destruction was fully unleashed. It did not take full damage, and Han Xiao had no choice but to chase after it as well.
However, this wave of power was too terrifying. Even though the Tranquil Tree King escaped in time, it was still severely injured, its body covered in wounds. Dozens of World Tree suffered the most damage and withered up as well. The World Tree power flowing within them was severely depleted, its color dim, and it looked weak and listless, as if it had withered.
The Tranquil Tree King glanced down at his severe injuries, his expression completely emotionless, and spoke calmly:
"That's a good attempt. I didn't expect you to take such a risk. You've got guts."
Looking up at Han Xiao's injuries again, a hint of regret flashed in the eyes of the Tranquil Tree King.
--How rash! If I had known the other party was taking such a risk, I shouldn't have run away. I should have just played along, taken this outsider with me, and eliminated this dangerous opponent.
The World Tree members think differently from ordinary people. The Tranquil Tree King did not feel fortunate to have escaped death, but instead felt regret, thinking that he had missed an excellent opportunity to exchange pieces.
"It's a pity we didn't manage to kill that healing-type ability user..."
Tranquil Tree King secretly shook his head.
This outsider, despite having the superior strength, still took a risky move. His intention was clear: he knew he couldn't defeat him quickly and didn't want to prolong the battle. So he tried to eliminate the aura of power the outsider brought with him as soon as possible to reduce casualties... Tranquil Tree King was well aware of this.
Even if he had to do it all over again, he would still ambush that healing-type ability user. The other party had deliberately used his weakness to lure him in, so it was worth a try. As long as he could make the opponent lose his healer forever, it would be worth it if all the high-level combatants, including himself, died.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but the Tranquil Tree King did not stop moving. He turned around and fled in another direction, not wanting to linger in the fight.
--Led to the enemy's main force and surrounded, how can one expect to gain an advantage in this battle? The most urgent task is to prolong one's survival time. Only by escaping back to one's own fleet for protection and support can one escape danger and continue to provide the entire army with its aura.
"Running away again!"
Seeing this, Han Xiao gritted his teeth and immediately gave chase. On the way, he quickly reverted to his Mechanical Deity form, his blade flashing fiercely. The two of them tumbled and rolled around in a fierce battle, fighting and moving at the same time.
Martial artists are not scary; what's scary is when they lack courage and determination. If the Tranquil Tree King were even a little bit more headstrong and reckless, he wouldn't be so difficult to deal with.
Boom boom boom!
The warships of the Three Universal Civilizations around them were not idle either, providing massive firepower support. A continuous stream of light cannons bombarded the dozens of World Tree extending from the Tranquil Tree King from all directions, causing fireworks to fill the sky.
Han Xiao was unwilling to be alone in the enemy's main force, and the Tranquil Tree King was equally unwilling. An army of this size was enough to endanger the life of an individual with great power. The concentrated fire not only scattered fragments of the World Tree, but also made it difficult for the Tranquil Tree King to move an inch.
Moreover, the Tranquil Tree King was seriously injured and its condition had declined significantly. Although its own recovery ability was good, under the entanglement of Han Xiao and countless fleets, the Tranquil Tree King's injuries showed no signs of improvement, and its situation was in a vicious cycle.
Other powerful beings from the World Tree and numerous fleets attempted to rush over to provide support, but were blocked by the forces of the Three Universal Civilizations in various local battlefields. The two sides fought fiercely and relentlessly, their eyes bloodshot with rage.
Brush!
A fiery red cleavage beam swept across, severing the two nearly withered World Tree in two.
The Tranquil Tree King, protected by its roots, couldn't dodge in time and had half of its foot cut off. The cut surface felt like broken wood, slowly twisting and growing back as if it were trying to grow a new foot.
"It seems this is where I'll end up."
The Tranquil Tree King observed the encirclement, his brow furrowing slightly.
He tried to break through for a long time, but he was still trapped among the Three Universal Civilizations forces, enduring the fierce attacks. Most of the World Tree he summoned after his transformation were also cut off, and his physical condition was gradually reaching its limit. He was no longer able to directly resist Han Xiao's offensive.
With the power of the Tranquil Tree King after unleashing the power of the World Tree, it could have lasted much longer. However, the "Together to the Underworld" tactic worked, establishing a decisive advantage. If this attack hadn't severely injured it, the Tranquil Tree King wouldn't have been rendered powerless so quickly.
At this moment, the space vibrated and hummed, the Mechanical Deity's hand rotated, and various force fields enveloped the Tranquil Tree King, attempting to imprison it in mid-air.
The Tranquil Tree King' expression tightened. He activated his weakened martial arts aura, struggled to break free, and narrowed his eyes.
You want to capture me alive?
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao did not respond and continued to increase the intensity of the force field.
The World Tree has now reached our doorstep, and its approximate coordinates have been revealed. We can now safely use the Space-Time Amber to attempt to seal the World Tree 'World Tree powerful members and see if we can curb its resurrection ability.
The only problem is that the powerful beings of the World Tree will not obediently accept the seal.
Sensing Han Xiao's intention, the Tranquil Tree King remained calm, resisting the binding force field, and slowly said:
"Your resistance is futile. We will invade your civilization sooner or later. If we fail this time, there will be countless more. You cannot stop the World Tree's iron hooves forever... I look forward to our next encounter."
Before Han Xiao could react, the Tranquil Tree King's body suddenly emitted a bright light and self-destructed without hesitation!
Bang!
A violent shockwave swept outwards, creating large arcs of electricity on the Mechanical Deity's shield.
The remaining World Tree in the arena also collapsed, turning into light fragments and dissipating as if they had never existed.
The World Tree has been conquering the universe for many years and has encountered civilizations that want to capture their advanced combat forces alive more than once. Their ideas are basically the same: they believe that by capturing the World Tree's powerful beings alive without killing them, they can prevent the World Tree from resurrecting and reduce the opponent's resources for a war of attrition. This situation is nothing new to the World Tree's powerful beings.
Although the Tranquil Tree King didn't know what methods the enemy had for capturing him alive, he saw no need to take the risk. Seeing that he was in a bad situation and couldn't escape, he simply self-destructed, giving the enemy no chance. In this respect, the World Tree members were extremely experienced. Unless the difference in strength was too great or they were forced into a corner, the World Tree members rarely allowed themselves to enter a near-death state where they were at the mercy of others. When they were weak, they would consider self-destructing and actively returning to the embrace of the Mother Tree.
"What a formidable enemy! The Tree King is indeed difficult to deal with..."
Han Xiao's eyelid twitched, and he clicked his tongue.
The formation of the Space-Time Amber takes time. The opponent recklessly self-destructed to avoid being imprisoned, leaving him helpless. Although he had the advantage against the Tranquil Tree King, whose strength was roughly equal to his own, he still couldn't easily crush or mold the opponent.
Previously, the opponents were normal people. They either completely lost their fighting ability and could not move, or they would rather be sealed than die in battle. No one would easily give up their life and self-destruct, so the Space-Time Amber succeeded many times.
But World Tree's ideas were completely different. They preferred the tactic of exchanging pieces, trading lives for lives, and self-destruction was commonplace for them.
You're trying to control me? Then I'll just die right there in front of you!
This is very tricky.
In their previous lives, although the Space-Time Amber was taken away by the World Tree powerhouse, the Three Universal Civilizations did not give up on capturing the other side's high-level combatants alive. However, most of their attempts ended in failure, with the biggest obstacle being the World Tree powerhouse's decisive self-destruction mentality.
"Regardless, the Tree King's resurrection has taken quite a while; at least the entire army's aura has been dispelled."
Han Xiao composed himself and turned to look at the battle.
With the death of the Tranquil Tree King, the green light on all World Tree members dimmed again, losing its aura amplification. The pressure on the Three Universal Civilizations forces instantly decreased, and they finally returned to normal combat.
"... I don't know what to do with the Tranquil Tree King, but the difference in strength between ordinary Beyond Grade A cultivators and me is too great. Perhaps I have a chance to seal a few."
Han Xiao shifted his gaze to the other World Tree experts who were engaged in battle, his eyes flashing.
Meanwhile, in the World Tree Territory, at the Tree King's Palace.
The Heart Tree King slowly opened his eyes, looked at the few executors who had not participated in the expedition, and spoke calmly:
"The Tranquil Tree King has sacrificed himself and transformed into seeds."
Upon hearing this, the faces of several executives present darkened.
Although they had anticipated this outcome when they set out, they were still taken aback when it actually happened. After all, the Tree King represented their top combat strength, and its death in battle was of extraordinary significance.
At this moment, the Heart Tree King stood up from his throne, summoned a root, stepped onto it, and prepared to teleport.
"Aren't you going to continue watching?" one of the executives asked.
"The battle is over. This all-out attack seems to have failed. The exchange of pieces had limited effect, but we did manage to probe a large number of the enemy's trump cards, as well as that crucial healing-type ability user. The gains are sufficient."
"I understand... So where are you going now?"
Upon hearing this, the Heart Tree King glanced at the group, shook his head, and smiled.
"I'm going to water the Tranquil Tree King so it can grow taller and stronger."