Chapter 86: Immortal Begonia True Body, Vine Guard "Star Devourer"
Ye Zhilan sat cross-legged, her mind sinking into her body as she focused all her efforts on guiding the pitch-black 49,000-year Star Devouring Vine Soul Ring, its edges shimmering with starlight, to fuse with her. A majestic and somewhat violent energy surged into her Meridians, bringing waves of swelling pain. However, relying on her powerful Life force and physique, which far surpassed those of the same Rank after being nurtured by the Immortal Herb, as well as Yu Yuanchen's quiet guidance and protection with pure Thunder True Essence, the entire process was somewhat difficult but without much risk.
Yu Yuanchen stood quietly to the side, his Divine Sense enveloping the surroundings as he constantly monitored Ye Zhilan's state to ensure everything was foolproof.
However, his Divine Sense soon captured unusual movements from the nearby hundred-year and thousand-year Star Devouring Vines that had been affected by the previous battle and were already withered and charred.
After enduring the aftershocks of Yu Yuanchen's Thunder Dragon Claw, which contained the destruction Concept of the Heavenly Tribulation, the already fragile intelligence of these low-level Star Devouring Vines had long been completely shattered. Only the most primitive instincts remained—survival and devouring.
At this moment, they sensed the rich Life energy dissipating from the fallen 49,000-year Star Devouring Vine King and its remains. The devouring instinct originating from their shared Bloodline was completely triggered!
The charred vines, like dying worms, struggled and wriggled, slowly but firmly crawling toward the remains of their former "King." They coiled around it and began to frantically absorb and devour the remnant energy and flesh within!
"Oh? An instinct for survival..." A glimmer of interest flashed in Yu Yuanchen's dragon eyes. His thunder power was incomparably overbearing and even contained a trace of Heavenly Tribulation Divine Might, which was almost destructive to these low-level plant-type Soul Beasts. It was already not easy for them to survive; their current behavior was merely a deathbed struggle, attempting to resist the rampaging thunder destruction power within their bodies by devouring high-level energy of the same Origin to prolong their last breaths.
He did not stop them, merely watching this cruel and realistic scene of nature in silence.
After devouring the remains of the King beast, the injuries of those low-level Star Devouring Vines seemed to ease slightly, and their charred vine bodies regained a hint of dim luster. But they soon discovered that devouring dead matter alone was far from enough to completely counteract the thunder destruction power that clung to them like maggots on a bone.
Then, an even more astonishing scene occurred.
After a brief pause, these vines, which only had their devouring instinct left, seemed to realize that each other's existence was also "nourishment." Without almost any hesitation, they suddenly turned their "spearheads" and fiercely pounced on the nearest of their own kind!
"Chi chi chi!"
Vines entangled, strangled, and pierced! The Star Devouring Vines, originally from the same root and Origin, now engaged in an incomparably tragic mutual devouring for a slim chance at Life!
Pitch-black juice splashed, and broken vines lashed out everywhere; the scene became chaotic and bloody for a time. Yu Yuanchen frowned slightly and waved his hand to set up an invisible Soul Power barrier, isolating this area from Ye Zhilan, who was currently absorbing her Soul Ring, so as not to disturb her.
This cruel internal struggle lasted for about half an hour.
Eventually, the chaotic battlefield gradually calmed down. Of the original dozen or so low-level Star Devouring Vines, only one remained! Its entire body took on an ominous dark red color, its size had expanded several times, and its vines were thick and hideous. Its surface was covered with nodules and sharp barbs, and the energy fluctuations it emitted had unexpectedly reached the ten-thousand-year level!
However, its aura was in complete disarray, filled with violence, rage, and destruction. It possessed no intelligence whatsoever, leaving only the purest, twisted desire for devouring and destruction!
"Roar—" This mutated and frenzied ten-thousand-year Star Devouring Vine let out a low, beast-like roar that didn't sound like a plant. Its remaining vines frantically lashed at everything around it; rocks and trees were easily shattered, entangled, and strangled by it! It had completely transformed into a mad beast that knew only destruction.
Yu Yuanchen looked at this monster that had been accidentally spawned, his brow furrowing slightly. Leaving this thing would surely become a disaster; not only would it destroy the ecology of this valley, but if it were allowed to escape, it would even threaten low-level Soul Masters entering the Sunset Forest to hunt for spirits.
"Once Zhilan finishes her absorption, I'll clean it up as I go," he thought to himself, no longer paying attention to the mad vine and returning all his focus to Ye Zhilan.
Time passed slowly. The aura around Ye Zhilan grew stronger and stronger. The black Soul Ring had already established a stable connection with her, and the majestic energy was being gradually refined and absorbed by her.
Finally, after another two hours, light erupted from all around Ye Zhilan!
That pitch-black seventh Soul Ring suddenly contracted, perfectly settling onto her Sacred Heart Immortal Tang Martial Soul and pulsing in harmony with the other six Soul Rings! A powerful Soul Power fluctuation boomed forth, and her cultivation instantly broke through the Bottleneck, officially stepping into the Soul Saint Realm! Furthermore, the residual medicinal power from the two Immortal Herbs she had consumed earlier, combined with the feedback effect from absorbing a high-quality Soul Ring, completely exploded at this moment, pushing her Soul Power Rank to soar all the way up!
Rank seventy-one, Rank seventy-two!
In the end, her cultivation stabilized at Rank seventy-two! She became one of the youngest Soul Saints in the history of the continent! (Twenty-four years old)
Ye Zhilan let out a long breath and slowly opened her eyes. A green light swirled in her eyes, filled with vigorous Life and even more powerful Spiritual Power. Feeling the surging Soul Power within her and the new power bestowed by the seventh Soul Ring, a joyful smile appeared on her face.
"Yuanchen-Older Brother, I succeeded!" She stood up and stretched her body, feeling full of strength and increasingly vibrant Life.
"Congratulations, Zhilan." Yu Yuanchen nodded with a smile, happy for her. However, his gaze then flickered toward the ten-thousand-year Star Devouring Vine not far away that was still frantically destroying things. "However, we still have a little trouble to deal with."
Ye Zhilan followed his gaze and saw the dark red Star Devouring Vine with its violent aura and hideous form. A look of surprise appeared on her pretty face: "That is...?"
Yu Yuanchen briefly recounted what had just happened.
After hearing this, Ye Zhilan's beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance. Instead of worrying, she smiled sweetly and took Yu Yuanchen's hand. "Yuanchen-Older Brother, let me handle this trouble, okay? It's the perfect chance to test my new Soul skills."
"Oh?" Yu Yuanchen raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious, but still nodded in agreement. "Alright, be careful."
Ye Zhilan smiled confidently and stepped forward a few paces to face the frenzied ten-thousand-year Star Devouring Vine. She did not release her Martial Soul True Body but merely lifted her hand gently.
"Seventh Soul skills, Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia True Body!"
As her voice fell, the Sacred Heart Immortal Tang Martial Soul behind her suddenly erupted with light. The noble white-gold begonia instantly expanded and solidified, as if becoming physical! The flowers became more complex and magnificent, the purple-gold patterns on the petals seemed to come alive, flowing slowly, and the milky-white immortal Qi at the pistil rose in a haze, emitting a vast Life aura and a supreme majesty that commanded all plants!
In her Martial Soul True Body state, Ye Zhilan's temperament became even more ethereal and holy, like a Fairy who did not consume the food of the mortal world. Feeling the massive all-around improvement brought by the True Body, as well as her unparalleled affinity and control over plants, her heart was filled with confidence.
She turned her gaze toward the mad vine and lightly waved her jade hand. A strange will, containing the Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia's Origin aura and a faint fluctuation of the Star Devouring Vine King's aura, brushed over the frantically destroying Star Devouring Vine like a spring breeze.
Under normal circumstances, with her Rank seventy-two Soul Power, it would be almost impossible to control a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast, especially one as notoriously fierce as the Star Devouring Vine; she would inevitably face intense resistance.
However, the situation with this Star Devouring Vine was special! Its intelligence had long been completely shattered by Yu Yuanchen's thunder, leaving only the most primitive instincts. And its Origin came from devouring the remains of the 49,000-year Star Devouring Vine King and its own kind. Deep within its Bloodline, there remained both awe for the "King" and a desire and instinct for obedience toward high-level Bloodlines of the same Origin!
When Ye Zhilan's fluctuation, which contained the status and will of the "King of Immortal Herbs" as well as that faint yet same-Origin King beast aura from its "source of devouring," reached it, the mad vine's chaotic and violent instincts were instantly touched!
Its frantically lashing vines suddenly froze, and its dark red vine body began to tremble slightly, letting out a confused and fearful low whine. The desire for destruction and ruin began to gradually fade when faced with this higher level of Life pressure and the call of its same-Origin Bloodline, replaced by a primitive urge to approach, to attach, and to obey!
Ye Zhilan keenly captured its change and was overjoyed. She continued to strengthen her guidance, slowly injecting the healing and soothing power of the Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia into its body, calming its chaotic and rampaging energy caused by devouring and thunder damage.
Gradually, the ten-thousand-year Star Devouring Vine quieted down completely. It retracted all its hideous vines and prostrated itself on the ground. The color of its dark red vine body gradually became deep and restrained, and its barbs also slightly retracted, appearing much more docile. It even cautiously extended a vine, like a pet, and gently touched the tip of Ye Zhilan's toe with a hint of fawning.
"I succeeded!" Ye Zhilan looked back at Yu Yuanchen with joy, her beautiful eyes full of a sense of accomplishment. "Yuanchen-Older Brother, look! I can control it!"
A flash of surprise and admiration also appeared in Yu Yuanchen's eyes. He hadn't expected Ye Zhilan's Martial Soul True Body, combined with her ability to command plants, to be able to so cleverly utilize the characteristics of this mad vine, turning a hazard into a treasure and subduing it for her own use. This undoubtedly greatly enhanced her support and control capabilities.
"Very good!" Yu Yuanchen stepped forward, looking over the now-docile Star Devouring Vine. "Although it has no intelligence, its ten-thousand-year cultivation foundation is still there, and its combat power should not be underestimated. It also possesses powerful Life force and devouring recovery characteristics. If nurtured well in the future, it might become a great help to you, whether for protection or facing enemies; it could produce miraculous effects."
"Mhm!" Ye Zhilan nodded happily and tried giving the Star Devouring Vine a few simple commands, such as extending its vines, Binding a target, or waiting quietly. The Star Devouring Vine could understand and execute them all very well, appearing quite submissive.
"Since it has submitted to you, give it a name," Yu Yuanchen said with a smile.
Ye Zhilan tilted her head and thought for a moment. Looking at the dim starlight on the Star Devouring Vine's vines, she smiled and said, "It originated from devouring and once fell into madness, but now it has returned to tranquility. Let's call it 'Star Devourer,' I hope it can devour enemies and protect the stars in the future."
"Star Devourer, not bad." Yu Yuanchen nodded.
With a wave of her hand, Ye Zhilan withdrew Star Devourer, placing it into her storage soul tool that could store living things, where she usually kept medicinal herbs.
Having handled everything, the two looked at each other and smiled. This trip to the Sunset Forest could be described as perfectly successful. Yu Yuanchen had successfully obtained his ninth Soul Ring and become the Dragon Sovereign Douluo, his strength soaring; Ye Zhilan had also obtained an ideal seventh Soul Ring, promoting to Soul Saint, and unexpectedly gained a ten-thousand-year plant guardian with great potential.
"Now that this matter is settled, it's time for us to leave." Yu Yuanchen looked in the direction of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. "However, before leaving the Sunset Forest, we need to return to that valley once more. I still have some ideas that I need to verify using the environment there."
What he was thinking about was naturally the two God King dragon bones at the bottom of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Although his last attempt to draw dragon power to create a Soul Ring had alerted the Dragon King's remnant soul, he hadn't given up and wanted to try other methods to see if he could gain benefits from them again.
"Alright, I'll listen to whatever Yuanchen-Older Brother says." Ye Zhilan naturally had no objections.
The two held hands, and with a flash of their figures, they turned into two streaks of light, galloping toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley. With their greatly increased strength, their speed was more than just a level faster than when they arrived.
The vast sea of trees in the Sunset Forest flew past beneath their feet. New gains awaited them back at that place of miracles to be verified, and the winds of the continent were about to stir new waves due to the return of these two newly ascended powerhouses.
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