Chapter 345: Tianming Sect Mo Li
Hearing Xiao Ling's words, the old man laughed softly. He shook his head first, then nodded, as if thinking about something. After a while, he finally spoke, with a gentle tolerance in his voice: "If you need that fruit, I can give it to you. As for the help you mentioned, I do have a small request, which should not be difficult for you."
The old man paused and continued, "I just hope that after you absorb the energy of the fruit, you can take good care of the tree species inside. This tree species can be said to be the continuation of my bloodline. The Xinlan ancient tree is rare, and its growth conditions are very harsh."
There was a hint of hope in his eyes, as if he was asking Xiao Ling to take care of his child: "I hope you can find a suitable home for it, so that it has a chance to continue growing and become another ancient tree like me."
As the words fell, the surrounding branches and leaves seemed to be responding to the old man's words, swaying gently and making rustling sounds, as if adding a vivid sense of picture to the words.
After hearing this, Xiao Ling thought about it for a while and felt that this request was not excessive. After all, taking care of a seed was easy for him, and compared with the fruit that was about to be obtained, it was really not a difficult task.
At this time, Xun'er walked to Xiao Ling's side and whispered, "According to the ancient books of our clan, it is very difficult for the Xinlan Ancient Tree to condense tree species. It needs to absorb sufficient emotional energy to breed tree species in the fruit. Brother Xiao Ling, the Xinlan Ancient Tree species in this fruit is likely to be unique in the entire Douqi Continent."
Her voice was filled with curiosity as she continued to explain, "Moreover, according to records, when the Heart Wave Ancient Tree matures, it possesses the magical ability to detect the emotions in the hearts of practitioners. This ability is extremely rare and can play a huge role in many fields."
Hearing Xun'er's introduction, Xiao Ling was very surprised. He didn't expect that this Xinlan ancient tree had such a magical ability. In this way, the value of cultivating this tree species is even greater.
"What this girl said is quite right. It seems that your family's background is indeed extraordinary. This ability is not something that ordinary people can understand." After hearing what Xun'er said, the old man looked at her in surprise, then nodded, "I originally wanted to use this ability to find out whether the person who received the gift is really willing to fulfill his promise."
After a slight pause, the old man's voice was filled with emotion, and he continued, "Since you already know how precious the Xinlan Ancient Seed is, then, my friend, are you willing to agree to my request? However, the growth cycle of the Xinlan Ancient Tree is very long. It will probably take many years for it to be able to exert its innate abilities."
Hearing the old man's words, Xiao Ling didn't care too much about it. He knew that he had a treasure like the Palm of Heaven Bottle in his hand. When the time comes, he only needs to drop a few drops of the Heavenly Creation Dew on it, and the growth rate of the Xinlan Ancient Tree will be greatly accelerated.
It won't be long before he can witness the ancient Xinlan tree that he cultivated from scratch showing its potential, and even cultivating a combat power of the eighth-level Warcraft level. It will not be a difficult task for him.
"Senior, don't worry. I, Xiao Ling, have agreed to this matter. I will take good care of the tree and let it grow vigorously. I will never let you down."
As Xiao Ling spoke, he clasped his fists towards the old man, his expression solemn and sincere, showing how seriously he took this promise.
After hearing Xiao Ling's promise, the old man showed a gratified smile on his face and seemed very satisfied with this answer.
Although he could not fully see through Xiao Ling's heart, he could feel the sincerity and determination in Xiao Ling's words through his own innate ability. The old man's eyes flickered with a soft light, as if at this moment, he saw the future and hope of Xinlan Ancient Tree.
"Since you have agreed to my conditions, I can safely hand over the fruit and tree seeds to you. I hope you can make good use of it and don't waste this God-given opportunity." There was a sense of relief in the old man's voice, and he waved gently as he spoke.
As the old man waved his hand, the fruit hanging on the branch suddenly emitted a brilliant green light, like the brightest star in the night sky. The branch trembled slightly, as if bidding a final farewell to the fruit, and then the fruit gently broke away from the branch and fell steadily into the palm of the old man.
Then, the old man walked towards Xiao Ling lightly. His figure seemed somewhat transparent in the moonlight, as if he would be blown away by the wind at any time. He handed the fruit to Xiao Ling solemnly. The fruit shone with an attractive light in the moonlight, as if it contained endless vitality.
"Thank you, senior."
Xiao Ling clasped his fists and saluted again, his tone full of gratitude.
He carefully took the fruit, as if he was taking over a new life. Then, he took out an exquisite jade box from the ring on his finger. The box was engraved with intricate patterns, and it was obvious that it was an extraordinary item.
Xiao Ling gently placed the fruit into the jade box, his movements gentle and cautious, as if he was afraid of damaging the integrity of the fruit. He closed the jade box and checked it again, and only after making sure everything was correct did he put the jade box into the ring.
Just when Xiao Ling put the fruit properly into the ring, the surrounding branches and leaves seemed to sense the disappearance of the fruit. They swayed gently and made rustling sounds, as if they were playing a song of blessing for the fruit's new journey.
……
After Xiao Ling and Xun'er exchanged a few more words with the old man about the experience and key points on how to cultivate the Xinlan ancient tree species, they felt that there was nothing more to ask, so they decided not to delay any longer and prepared to leave.
Just when Xiao Ling and Xun'er were about to leave, the old man suddenly frowned, his eyes seemed to penetrate the treetops, looking into the distance, then turned to Xiao Ling and said, "It seems that someone is coming here, his cultivation is not low, he has reached the high-level Dou Zong, and he may be coming for you. Do you need my help?"
After hearing this, Xiao Ling raised his eyebrows slightly, and then he released his soul perception and followed the direction of the old man's gaze. Soon, he caught a familiar bloody smell, which was the Mo Ji he met in the lantern shop before.
"It looks like you're here to cause trouble," Xiao Ling smiled slightly, appearing quite confident, "Senior, you don't need to take care of this little thing, the two of us can handle it."
Xiao Ling raised the corner of his mouth slightly, thinking to himself, it's just a matter of dealing with a high-level Dou Zong. If he still needs help from others, then where would he, Xiao Ling, put his face?
Then, Xiao Ling held Xun'er's hand, smiling with a hint of expectation: "Let's go, let's go meet that guy. Since he dared to have improper thoughts about my Xun'er, he must be made to suffer."
Xun'er glared at Xiao Ling, pretending to be angry, but couldn't help but raise a nice arc at the corner of her mouth. "Humph, who is your family?" She scolded softly, but couldn't hide the smile in her tone.
After nodding goodbye to the old tree spirit, Xiao Ling and Xun'er flashed and easily jumped off the tree canopy, flying quickly downwards, and soon disappeared in the green sea of trees.
Watching Xiao Ling and Xun Er disappear from his sight, the old tree spirit slowly withdrew his gaze, gently stroked his transparent beard, and said to himself,
"I want to see how strong these two young men are. The ones who came are also quite strong. After all, they are the ones I chose to protect the tree species. If anything unexpected happens, I should help them."
As he finished speaking, the old man's body began to gradually become transparent, and finally turned into particles of light, slowly dissipating in the air, as if being reabsorbed by the ancient Xinlan ancient tree and integrated into the trunk.
The surrounding treetops seemed to become quieter at this moment, with only the breeze blowing through the leaves, making a slight rustling sound.
……
Among the dense branches, Xiao Ling and Xun'er stood quietly on a thick branch. Their figures blended into the surrounding natural environment, as if they were part of this ancient tree.
Xiao Ling's clothes swayed gently in the wind, while Xun'er's long hair fluttered in the wind. The temperament of the two complemented the ancient Xinlan tree, appearing both mysterious and calm.
They stood there quietly, their eyes piercing through the layers of branches and looking down. In their sight, a white figure was approaching quickly from a distance, nimbly shuttling through the air, skillfully avoiding the dense branches, and flying towards the direction where Xiao Ling and Xun'er were.
From the man's easeful movements in the air, it can be seen that he is an extraordinary master.
As if noticing Xiao Ling and Xun'er's gazes, the white figure stopped in the air and looked in their direction.
Three lines of sight met in the air, and an invisible aura spread out at this moment, as if even the surrounding air became heavy. Seeing his target, Mo Ji's mouth cracked, a hint of bloodthirstiness flashed in his eyes, and after a slight pause, his speed suddenly increased.
In a few flashes, he appeared ten feet away from Xiao Ling and Xun'er, landed on a tree branch and stopped.
He stood on a branch, his white clothes swaying gently in the wind, forming a sharp contrast with the darkness around him.
Mo Li's eyes were fixed on Xiao Ling and Xun'er, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, giving people the illusion of being gentle and elegant.
However, beneath this gentle appearance, the murderous intent and greed in his eyes were like a sharp blade, flashing with cold light. No matter how he concealed it, it could not escape Xiao Ling and Xun'er's keen perception.
Xiao Ling and Xun'er just stood there quietly, their eyes calm and indifferent, as if they didn't care much about the upcoming conflict.
"Haha, what a coincidence, we meet again." Mo Li gave a seemingly friendly smile, turned his gaze to Xiao Ling and Xun'er, and greeted them in a relaxed tone.
Xiao Ling seemed a little impatient. He curled his lips and said in a calm tone with obvious disdain: "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I don't have time to waste with you here. Do you really think I didn't notice those little tricks you played before?"
His words revealed his contempt for Mo Ji, and it was obvious that he did not regard the other party as a formidable opponent.
"Please introduce yourself by the way. Don't hide it. You have cultivated to the high level of Dou Zong at your age. You must be famous in Zhongzhou. I have a principle. I don't kill unknown people. Otherwise, it will lower my style."
As Xiao Ling spoke, he stretched out his hand and a spear appeared out of thin air in his hand.
The tip of the spear flashed a cold light in the night sky, as if even the surrounding air was afraid of its sharpness.
As Xiao Ling turned his wrist, the tip of the Meteorite Spear pointed at Mo Li, and the tip of the spear cut through the air, making a sharp sound. Wherever the sharp tip of the spear passed, the space seemed to be torn into a thin crack, which then quickly healed.
And Xun'er seemed to have no interest in Mo Qi's arrival. She didn't even look at him. She just took a half step back and stood next to Xiao Ling.
Those autumn-water-like eyes were fixed on Xiao Ling. It seemed that there was only Xiao Ling's shadow in those eyes, and no room for any other existence.
Hearing Xiao Ling's nonchalant tone, and seeing Xiao Ling and Xun'er's nonchalant attitude, Mo Qi's disguise finally broke. His face became extremely ugly, and the gentle smile in his eyes was replaced by fierceness and bloodthirstiness. He stared at the two of them.
"Haha, you can arrive here, it should be the gift from the Xinlan ancient tree. This time, you can kill two birds with one stone. This kind of superior flesh and blood is the best. I haven't encountered it in many years. I can't wait to taste it. After eating your flesh and blood, my cultivation will be elevated to a certain level." Mo Li's mouth curled up into a cruel smile, his eyes flashing with desire for the upcoming killing.
"Since you are so eager to know, I will tell you straight away. The one who is going to send you off today is Mo Li from the Tianming Sect."
Mo Li's voice was cold as ice and filled with murderous intent. His words echoed in the empty woods, and every word was like an icy blade, piercing people's hearts.
When Mo Qi mentioned that he was from the Tianming Sect, he couldn't help but feel a little proud. The Tianming Sect was a well-known name in Zhongzhou, who didn't know it?
In the past, when he told others that he was from the Tianming Sect, everyone treated him with great respect. He was admired wherever he went and no one dared to offend him.
Even some of the older generation of powerful people from other sects in Zhongzhou were polite when they saw people from the Tianming Sect.
However, Mo Li's expectations were doomed to fail. To Xiao Ling, he was just a disciple of the Tianming Sect. Even if the leader of the Tianming Sect came in person, Xiao Ling would not be afraid at all.
"Haha, so you are from the Tianming Sect, no wonder you smell so bloody. Although you are just an evil person who relies on devouring the flesh and blood of others to improve your cultivation, I have heard of someone named Yi Chen in the Tianming Sect. As for you, Mo Li, I have never heard of you."
After hearing Mo Qi's introduction, Xiao Ling was slightly stunned at first, then he seemed to suddenly remember something, raised his eyebrows slightly, and spoke with a hint of contempt.
"However, since you have the support of Tianming Sect, a first-class force in Zhongzhou, behind you, you are barely qualified to become the soul killed by my gun."
Tianming Sect, as one of the two major sects in Zhongzhou, is also one of the top forces in Zhongzhou. In the sect, there is a powerful Tianming Old Demon, who is at the advanced level of semi-saint, and is feared by all.
Under the Tianming Sect, there are three affiliated forces in Zhongzhou, including the Xuanming Sect, and their influence in Zhongzhou should not be underestimated.
Each sect has a Dou Zun-level strongman in charge, and they are very powerful. Any sect taken alone is not inferior to the top forces like the Sifang Pavilion.
The Tianming Sect's martial arts are known for their cruelty and tyranny. They can forcibly devour the fighting spirit of others, but this devouring must be accompanied by flesh and blood.
Within the Tianming Sect, it is common for fellow disciples to devour each other's flesh and blood in order to improve their cultivation. This method of practice makes the atmosphere within the sect full of cruelty and ruthlessness.
If the Soul Palace gives people a feeling of weirdness and mystery, then the Tianming Sect is nakedly bloody and cruel.
In the Douqi Continent, the law of the jungle always exists, but in the Tianming Sect, this law is magnified to the extreme.
However, looking at the growing trend of the Tianming Sect, this cruel selection method does seem to be an effective means.
Of course, although the Tianming Sect's technique of devouring other people's flesh and blood to enhance one's own strength is overbearing, it still has considerable sequelae. That is, all those who have reached the peak of practicing such techniques, without exception, will eventually... He will die miserably in the backlash.
Therefore, this thing is more like a catalyst, draining the vitality to gain powerful strength, although only temporarily.
But at least, being able to possess a peak level of cultivation that most people simply cannot reach, he had once been brilliant. Perhaps this is also what the successive leaders of the Tianming Sect have thought in their hearts.
"It seems that you are targeting us because you have taken a fancy to our flesh and blood, and want to use that kind of despicable technique to improve your own cultivation." Xiao Ling's voice turned cold, and the original light-hearted and playful tone was replaced by a cold seriousness.
"Your reason for wanting to attack us really makes me unhappy. I originally just wanted to torture you and then send you on your way. But now, I have changed my mind. I have to let you have a good taste of what it means to suffer a pain worse than death."
As his voice fell, Xiao Ling's temperament changed, from the previous carelessness to calm and full of oppression. He gently turned the spear in his hand, and the tip of the spear pointed directly at Mo Xi. The air around him seemed to solidify because of this cold killing intent.
Those who know Xiao Ling know that when he enters this state, his attacks will become extremely brutal.
There was no warmth in his eyes, as if Mo Li in front of him was no longer a living person, but a target that must be eliminated.
The surrounding leaves seemed to feel the chill and stopped swaying, and the entire forest fell into a suffocating silence.
(End of this chapter)