I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 60 The Demonic Tree
In the mountains.

The dense foliage fragmented the sunlight, leaving only a few dappled spots scattered under the shade of the trees, which only made the forest seem even more secluded.

Moreover, the forest was so quiet that even the most common insects in the mountains were nowhere to be seen, making it seem even more lifeless.

A gray rabbit unexpectedly wandered into this place, and seemed to be alert to the eerie atmosphere. It would stop running from time to time, prick up its ears and listen carefully, as if it were very nervous.

But little did they know that such measures were more likely to trigger a crisis.

Suddenly, several roots silently drooped down, like pale tentacles, and began to entwine around the gray rabbit.

The gray rabbit, though its ears were perked up, remained completely unaware until the roots touched its fur—

The gray rabbit was suddenly startled and hurriedly kicked its legs, trying to escape. However, the roots had already revealed their ferocity and instantly wrapped around its limbs and neck, lifting it up.

The gray rabbit let out a weak but urgent mournful cry, but it was to no avail.

It seems that in just a moment, the roots will completely strangle it, embedding themselves deep into its flesh and blood, devouring it completely, even drinking up its blood from the soil, leaving no trace.

But in the next instant—

A flash of lightning suddenly appeared!

It shot out from an unknown location, like a sharp blade slashing across, instantly severing all the roots that were wrapped around the gray rabbit!
The predator, which had been hiding in the shadows, suddenly flew into a rage. Its roots, which hung down from the soil, burst forth and danced in the air.

It turns out that this small patch of 'trees' is actually all aerial roots of the same tree!
This desolate scene was created by the demonic tree's greedy predation.

The gray rabbit fell back to the ground, staggering, but dared not stop. It tried to escape immediately, but the roots that filled the air were like living snakes, greedily coiling around it.

But at that very moment, arrows shot forth with lightning speed, carrying the power to pierce through clouds and split rocks, creating hollows in the countless dancing roots.

The severed roots instantly lost all power, fluttering down like cloth, and the gray rabbit seized the opportunity to escape the encirclement and disappear into the distance.

Crack! Snapped!
Whether it was in pain or simply enraged, the demonic tree wildly lashed out with its remaining roots, whipping up mud and cracking rocks.

However, from beginning to end, there was nothing that could be done about the instigator who ruined its plans.

"Alas!"

From the distant grove, a clear and melodious voice rang out: "Taoist priest, this tree spirit is extremely ferocious."

Ying Chan arrived slowly with Cai Que'er, shook his head slightly, and did not respond, but instead carefully examined the trees in front of him.

This tree has many aerial roots, some of which resemble those of a banyan tree. Its root system is as sprawling as a python, and its canopy is so tall that it blocks out the sun. The grooves and ravines on its trunk are deeply imprinted with the marks of time.

I wonder if it's because the place where Ying Chan stood was far beyond the reach of its roots.

Its anger went unfulfilled, and the remaining roots gradually drooped down, ceasing to move, and for a moment the forest seemed to return to silence.

But Ying Chan felt that the knots on the tree trunk seemed to be like its eyes, watching over this forest and coveting Ying Chan and the colorful bird on his shoulder.

He observed the soil under the trees again from a distance, as if he could see the blood seeping into it.

Looking around, one can see that the surrounding trees are mostly withered and decaying.

Ying Chan felt a slight chill run down his spine: "This tree is indeed deeply demonic."

He knew that some evil trees also fed on living beings, but even these trees would not indiscriminately prey on any creatures that approached them in order to create the illusion of being harmless.

But this tree is different.

It greedily preys on and devours all living things that come near it, sparing not even insects or flies, and even frantically plunders the life force in the soil, making it extremely difficult for the surrounding trees to survive. This is not due to the state of the ecosystem, but rather because it has become mad and demonic.

"Is it really because of the Emperor's flowing fluids?"

Ying Chan pondered, "I never imagined that even plant spirits would lose control due to the Emperor's Dew."

Plants and trees are the most difficult to cultivate. It must have taken countless years to achieve such a climate, yet they were corrupted by the Emperor's Dew... It's truly a pity.

Of course, although it is a pity, Ying Chan will not hesitate because of this.

If such a demonic tree is left to grow, it will cause much more bloodshed. Not only will it be against the natural order, but the blood and death energy of the creatures it devours will accumulate in this land, and who knows what evil things it might nurture.

Upon reaching this point, Ying Chan immediately raised his hand and flicked it, sending talismans flying from his sleeve and landing in all directions.

Before long, at least one talisman was hung on each of the trees around the demonic tree.

After making these preparations, he made a hand seal, silently circulating his breath, and exhaled it forward.

A plume of crimson smoke shot out of his mouth, instantly transforming into a raging fire that swirled in the wind like a hurricane, engulfing the entire demon tree and setting it ablaze.

"Wow!" Cai Que'er cried out in surprise and hid behind Ying Chan's neck.

At the same time, crackling sounds echoed continuously from within the flames.

It turned out that the roots of the demonic tree were dancing wildly again, mixed with the sound of burning flames, truly resembling a strange roar or wail.

But Ying Chan remained unmoved, and instead continued to fan the flames and fierce winds to burn the tree.

The flames surged and roared, quickly turning the entire mountain forest crimson.

Strangely, despite the large fire, it did not ignite the surrounding forest.

Under Ying Chan's control, the flames enveloping the demon tree naturally did not spread indiscriminately, and although the heat and fire in the air were intense, they were also limited by the talismans in all directions and could not spread outwards.

His previous preparations consisted of forming a simple array of fire-avoiding talismans to prevent the fire from spreading.

This is also why Ying Chan dared to start a large fire in the mountains and forests.

However, in this way, the anger has nowhere to go and can only rise with the swirling flames.

Gradually, a touch of crimson appeared in the clouds, as if dyed with rosy clouds, and then the clouds darkened, as if brewing a sudden rain.

However, before this torrential rain fell, the demonic tree had already completely lost its vitality under the scorching heat and fierce winds.

The once towering canopy of trees has been reduced to a pile of rubble, leaving only the scorched trunks, several meters high, standing silently in their place, with reddish-orange sparks dancing in the cracks throughout.

"Taoist priest……"

Cai Que'er stared in disbelief and asked, "When did you learn this kind of fire magic?"

"While the fairy was listening to the sermon in the courtyard, I was not idle either."

As he spoke, he stepped closer to confirm that the demonic tree was lifeless before nodding slightly.

Although the rain was imminent, Ying Chan still used his magic to exhale a breath of cold water to extinguish the embers on the scorched earth. He then took out the jade talisman from the Ministry of State Affairs, reported the details of the situation, and then turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)