"This low-grade Wood Essence is quite good."
Elian collected the low-grade Wood Essence, a first-tier treasure that could be used to refine high-grade first-tier artifacts or as an ingredient in alchemy. It was a valuable resource.
As soon as they entered the wood-aligned leyline, the group quickly cleared the surrounding area of Wood Spirit Beasts.
Watching everyone gather their spoils, Lin Qianshu reminded, "Stay alert. This wood-aligned leyline has never been developed. There are likely many accumulated beasts here."
Taking advantage of the moment before the Wood Spirit Beasts could regroup, the group moved quickly, slaying as many as possible.
Elian wielded the Fiery Void Sword, cutting through the beasts alongside the main group. With the sword's attributes and his techniques, which naturally countered wood elements, he fought as effectively as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
In just half an hour, he had already slain several Wood Spirit Beasts, including multiple second-tier ones, standing out significantly in the battle.
After about thirty minutes, the group had slain sixty to seventy second-tier Wood Spirit Beasts. Finally, the beasts began to organize themselves. Following orders from higher-level Wood Spirit Beasts, they retreated and consolidated around the leyline's core.
"It looks like a tough fight is ahead," Elian remarked, sheathing the Fiery Void Sword after slaying another second-tier Wood Spirit Beast and collecting a small cluster of Wood Essence.
Wood Essence, a valuable material for alchemy and artifact crafting, could fetch over a thousand spirit stones per cluster. Elian had already collected enough from the four or five second-tier beasts he had slain to be worth several thousand spirit stones.
However, with the beasts now regrouped, further progress would require a decisive battle.
"Let's move," Jiang Linglong commanded. After ensuring the group had rested and reorganized, she led them deeper into the leyline.
After flying over 200 miles, they arrived at a mountain range and stopped.
"Master, there are likely over a hundred second-tier Wood Spirit Beasts here, and at least two at the Purple Mansion stage," Lin Qianshu whispered.
The beasts had lived in this leyline for countless years, accumulating power through the abundant Wood Energy. The strongest among them, two third-tier beasts, had evolved into formidable foes.
While these beasts were equivalent to ordinary third-tier demonic beasts outside the leyline, within this environment, the amplification from the Wood Energy elevated their strength by half a tier.
Jiang Linglong scanned the mountaintop, her eyes flickering with a faint glow before she spoke.
"The king of these Wood Spirit Beasts is at the late Purple Mansion stage."
"Late Purple Mansion?" Lin Qianshu's expression grew grave. A third-tier high-grade Wood Spirit Beast, enhanced by the leyline's Wood Energy, would be approaching the power of a fourth-tier demonic beast.
"No matter," Jiang Linglong said confidently.
"The Wood Spirit King is mine to handle. All of you need to do is hold off the other beasts for half an hour. That should be enough for me to finish the fight."
"Understood." Lin Qianshu nodded and began rallying the group to launch an attack on the mountain range.
At her command, the cultivators charged up the mountain.
Despite their large numbers, the Wood Spirit Beasts were at a disadvantage due to their limited intelligence, which left most of them without artifacts or advanced techniques.
Wood Spirit Beasts were formed from concentrated Wood Energy and lacked even inner cores, making them slightly weaker than typical demonic beasts of the same tier.
Outside the leyline, the beasts' numbers—though double that of the human cultivators—might still not have been enough to win. But within the leyline, the beasts had access to near-infinite Wood Energy, which constantly replenished their true essence.
Combined with the sheer number of first-tier beasts joining the fray, the human cultivators found themselves constrained.
"Slash!"
In the midst of the chaotic battle, Elian summoned the Fiery Void Sword with a sharp clang, cutting down a second-tier low-grade Wood Spirit Beast.
Before he could catch his breath, a dark-green Wood Spirit Beast unleashed a stream of light toward him.
Elian's eyes narrowed. This beast's cultivation was at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and with the leyline's amplification, its true essence approached the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm.
Such a beast, even relying solely on its innate magical abilities, was not to be underestimated.
Elian activated the Nine Deflection Bell to block the incoming attack, then countered with the Fiery Void Sword.
Unwilling to back down, the beast unleashed several consecutive magical attacks in a fierce exchange with Elian.
While the beast's true essence was abundant, it lacked proper artifacts and divine techniques. After several dozen moves, Elian began to gain the upper hand.
After thirty moves, Elian activated the Purple Radiance Mirror, directing its rays at the beast. The mirror's light, designed to neutralize artifacts and protective true essence barriers, shattered the beast's defenses and temporarily disrupted its flow of true essence.
"Hum!"
With a resonant hum, the Fiery Void Sword surged forward. Seizing the opportunity, Elian struck, slicing the beast cleanly in two.
Elian collected himself, catching his breath, but his relief was short-lived. In the distance, Su Mingwei was struggling against another Wood Spirit Beast.
Her opponent was unusual—an advanced Wood Spirit Beast on the verge of reaching the Purple Mansion stage. Even more troubling, it wielded several high-grade second-tier artifacts.
"That beast is highly intelligent. It seems close to breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage."
Elian's eyes narrowed. The beast's combination of strength, artifacts, and limitless access to Wood Energy had pushed Su Mingwei, a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, into a precarious situation.
If the fight dragged on, Su Mingwei's true essence would deplete, leaving her in grave danger.
Without hesitation, Elian intervened, unleashing the Fiery Void Sword against the beast attacking Su Mingwei.
The Fiery Void Sword, a pure yang celestial sword, was a nemesis to all demonic beings and an even greater threat to Wood Spirit Beasts. Its six-zhang-long blade of blazing light rivaled that of high-grade second-tier celestial swords, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
Seeing the overwhelming sword light approach, the Wood Spirit Beast didn't dare take it lightly. It immediately summoned Wood Divine Light, a powerful innate ability unique to Wood Spirit Beasts.
The Wood Divine Light, typically mastered only by third-tier beasts, wasn't particularly destructive but could immobilize flying swords and artifacts.
For this beast to wield such a technique suggested it was indeed on the verge of becoming a third-tier creature.
The green light swept across, locking the Fiery Void Sword in place. For the moment, the celestial sword was unable to break free.
...
46+ chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D