Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Xilun lowered his head, watching Dean's face gradually lose its life.

The wind blew through the mountains, swirling up a few withered leaves.

In fact, he has killed many people since entering this strange place.

Ross, Rox, Ang Lee, Li Dessack, Deeford...

Some of these fights are because the other party wants to take their life first, resulting in a life-or-death struggle.

But the two people in front of us—Dean and his son Deeford—are engaged in a pure struggle for interests.

He had no connection with the Shudalk family, had never met them, and had no enmity with them.

He committed murder on his own initiative, but it was only because of Ning Jingxuelian.

One flower, two lives.

Xilun shook his head.

There's nothing to think about.

So be it.

In this dog-eat-dog world, the struggle for interests is the greatest source of hatred.

He doesn't need to explain to anyone, nor does he need to feel the slightest bit guilty about it.

If it were Siron, the loser standing here today, Dean wouldn't hesitate for a second.

Xiren crouched down and picked up the bronze spear from Dean's cold hands.

It felt heavy in the hand, and its entire body gleamed with a bronze sheen, with subtle, intricate patterns faintly visible on the gun's surface.

This is a Tier 2 Extraordinary Relic.

Its quality was far superior to the alloy gun in his hand.

It can certainly be used as a weapon for one's own future use.

However, Sirendo thought about it another way.

The bronze spear was too conspicuous.

The Shudalk family is a viscount family with a profound heritage, and their patriarch's signature weapon is probably recognized by many in aristocratic circles.

If someone with ulterior motives were to connect Dean's disappearance with this bronze spear...

After a moment's thought, Xilun took out a piece of coarse cloth from his backpack and wrapped the bronze spear tightly.

If you intend to take it out, it's best to have someone melt it down and recast it, completely erasing its original shape and features.

After doing all this, Xiren turned to look at Dean's corpse.

He closed his eyes, his mind stirring slightly.

Deep between his brows, a card-shaped bloodstain, as black as ink and faintly tinged with blood, slowly emerged.

The bloodstain spun halfway through the air and hovered above Dean's corpse.

immediately--

Dark red lines of blood seeped from Dean's body, like countless tiny snakes, crawling along unseen paths toward the bloodstain.

Absorption has begun.

Dean's body was drying out at a visible rate; his skin turned waxy yellow, his muscles atrophied, and his blood vessels collapsed.

Soon, that once robust and strong body turned into a dried-up corpse, skin and bones.

At the same time, the few remaining traces of crimson color on the blood seal were being continuously eroded and covered by the surging influx of second-tier essence blood.

The amount of black gradually increased.

Slowly and steadily, it spread to every corner of the entire mark.

A moment later.

The card-shaped bloodstain slowly rotated in front of Xilun, its entire shape now displaying a pure, deep, jet-black luster.

That kind of black is different from the dead black of ink.

Instead, it was a dark color, vaguely resembling blood, like a solidified abyss.

It was as if the life, will, and resentment of all those who were devoured were sealed within this thin mark.

Xilun reached out and grasped the bloodstain, feeling the surging power within it.

That force was stronger, more powerful, and more ferocious than ever before.

Like an ancient, slumbering beast awakening.

"It's perfect."

Xilun muttered to himself.

Blood Seal - Complete and thorough cultivation.

He wasn't sure if this perfect blood seal truly possessed the terrifying power comparable to a full-force attack from a second-tier extraordinary being.

But at least from a perceptual perspective...

It shouldn't be much different.

Xilun glanced down at the emaciated, skin-and-bones corpse on the ground.

Dean is a second-tier expert nearing the pinnacle. His bones are much tougher than those of ordinary people, but the cultivation of a second-tier extraordinary individual has not yet reached the level of true "bone refining".

So in the end, these bones are only slightly harder than those of ordinary people, and can hardly be considered treasures.

After a moment's thought, Xilun decided not to leave any trace.

He transformed the bloodstain into a large, pitch-black seal, which floated in mid-air.

"boom--!"

The seal was smashed down.

"Snapped!"

The bones shattered and turned to dust.

The dried flesh and broken bones were mixed together, swept up by the mountain wind, and scattered among the pebbles and weeds.

Moments later, there were no signs of fighting or death.

Xilun withdrew the bloodstain from his brow and slowly turned around.

He had one last thing to do.

Xilun continued along the path behind the mountain, and after climbing over a low, crumbling wall, the scene before him changed dramatically.

The thick fog dissipated here, replaced by an unexpected expanse of lush greenery.

A clear stream seeps out from the cracks in the rocks, meandering across the moss-covered stone bed, making a tinkling sound.

Along the banks of the stream grew some unnamed low shrubs. Although most of their leaves had turned yellow, they were a rare sign of life against the pale and desolate backdrop of the wonderland.

And at the end of this greenery—

Xilun saw the tree.

He stopped in his tracks.

It was a huge ancient tree, with a trunk so thick that it would take three or four adults to encircle it, and it was roughly estimated to be more than twenty meters tall.

But it's not in good condition.

The bark was spread out and rolled up in large areas, revealing the grayish-white woody fibers inside, like the dry skin of a person who has been ill for a long time.

Almost half of the tree was rotten.

Half of the branches had withered and died, displaying a charred, carbonized color, as if struck by lightning.

One of the thickest, charred branches had even drooped down, dragging on the ground like an extremely tired arm.

however--

On the other side of the tree, on a few remaining branches, a faint crimson glow was still emanating.

The light was soft and gentle, like a lamp in the dark night amidst the thick fog.

Although the image is damaged, it still retains its charm.

This tree must have been extraordinary in the past.

Siren approached the stream and crouched down.

He carefully washed the bloodstains off his hands and face with the stream water.

The cool stream water washed over my fingers, carrying away the dark red bloodstains little by little.

Only after his hands were completely clean did he stand up and walk step by step toward the precious tree.

Only when he got closer did Xilun truly feel the aura emanating from the tree.

That wasn't the scent of ordinary plants.

Rather, it is an ancient and profound rhythm of life, as enduring as an ancient river.

Although it was half-dead, its remaining vitality was still so profound that it inspired awe.

Siren stopped in front of the tree and carefully examined the half-withered sacred tree.

I don't know how I obtained this opportunity.

You can't just take a knife and chop off those still glowing branches and take them away, can you?

That's too brutal.

Xilun rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

Just then—

The charred branch on the ground suddenly moved.

It slowly rose from the soil, like a finger that had been asleep for a thousand years slowly stretching out and gently touching Xilun's shoulder.

Xiren shuddered, instinctively wanting to back away—

But the next moment, a hazy will emanated from deep within the tree.

That will was ancient and vast, as if separated by a thick curtain of water.

But it clearly transformed into a voice that resounded in Xilun's mind.

Aged, slow, with a hoarse voice etched by the passage of time—

"You are merely a disciple who has reached the rudimentary stage of inner cultivation; in principle, you should not have the right to come here."

Xilun was taken aback.

Plants can actually talk.

Do not--

To be precise, it was some kind of spiritual consciousness remaining within the tree that resonated and communicated with his spirit.

After his initial surprise, Xilun quickly accepted the fact.

In the extraordinary world, he had seen ancient behemoths that could fly, field arrays that could distort space, and mystical techniques that used blood essence to draw reversal patterns—

A talking tree isn't too far-fetched.

He quickly calmed down and began to analyze the meaning of the sentence.

Roughly rendered interior view.

Is this referring to the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Method?

He had only just begun to grasp the basics in the main hall, and his understanding could only be described as "rough."

So, what does it mean that "they should not have the right to come here"?

Does the opportunity to obtain this sacred tree require some kind of qualification or permission?

Xilun's mind raced, but his face remained impassive.

He said in a deep voice, "I have mastered another technique."

As he spoke, Xilun switched to using the Great Ocean Whale Guidance Technique.

The qi and blood surged and roared within the body, like a giant whale churning and stirring the ocean currents.

Guided by immense power, the aura emanating from the person instantly changed completely—

His blood and qi are abundant, and his strength is as deep as the ocean.

It was a pure, overwhelming physical power.

Like a humanoid behemoth.

The charred branches paused slightly on Xilun's shoulder.

Baoshu remained silent for a moment, as if sensing something.

"Your external training... is quite good."

There was a hint of surprise in its tone.

"Could it be that he has cultivated a technique similar to the Golden Body?"

Baoshu fell into deep thought.

Xilun seized the opportunity to press further: "Since I'm here, it means I have the authority and permission to grant this favor."

He spoke with such conviction and certainty, as if it were an undeniable fact.

Try framing him.

Baoshu hesitated as expected.

Its consciousness seemed to have become much dulled during its long slumber, and its memory of "rules" and "permissions" had become blurred.

Xilun didn't give it much time to think.

"Do you remember the last person who came?" he asked.

The charred branches swayed slightly.

"The previous one..."

Baoshu's voice became distant and indistinct.

"I slept for a long time and can't remember."

It paused for a moment, as if searching for the last fragments of memory before it fell asleep.

"However, I remember that his internal cultivation is quite good, and he has already completed the three stages of skin, flesh, and tendons. If he completes the bone cultivation, he will be able to complete the fourth stage and begin the golden body cultivation."

"At that time... I used the flower buds on my body to help him achieve perfect health."

A glint of light flashed in Xilun's eyes.

Only after the four refinements of skin, flesh, tendons, and bones are perfected can one begin the cultivation of the golden body.

This is clearly a complete internal cultivation system's advancement ladder.

The path of internal cultivation represented by the Great Thunder Breathing Technique was indeed far more profound than he had imagined.

He suppressed his inner excitement, showing no sign of it on his face, and asked in a calm tone:

"So what are you planning to give me?"

Baoshu pondered for a moment longer.

"Since that's the case... I'll give you a chance too."

Its fluctuations in consciousness carried an emotion akin to a sigh.

"Perhaps you came for a reason."

Xilun's lips curled up slightly.

It became.

He casually asked, "Give what? By the way, have you seen anyone else these past few days?"

"I usually remain in a deep sleep," Baoshu replied. "Only those who practice internal cultivation methods and resonate with me will awaken a portion of my consciousness."

In other words, apart from him, no one else who entered the wonderland could awaken this precious tree even if they arrived here.

Because he was the only one who could understand the Chinese scriptures on that wall.

Only he had mastered the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique.

Only he could resonate with this ancient sacred tree from the East.

The branches of the precious tree gently brushed against Xilun, like an old man examining the bones of a young man.

"You are still in the stage of laying a solid foundation."

The branches circled around the weapons behind Xilun again, as if sensing the texture of the metal.

After a moment of silence, Baoshu spoke:

"How about I enhance your weapon?"

Xilun was slightly taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

"Weapon enchantment." Baoshu repeated, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "Your internal cultivation is not profound enough right now, and even if I gave you a more advanced method, you wouldn't be able to digest it. But weapon enchantment is different; it's formed in one go and can be used immediately."

Xilun pondered these words and pressed further, "How do you intend to forge it?"

"Forging?" The branches of the precious tree swayed slightly, seemingly unfamiliar with the word. "I don't need forging. I will shed a piece of spiritual pollen, allowing the weapon to naturally shed its impurities and fuse into form."

Xilun listened, a slight stirring in his heart.

Impurities naturally fade away, merging and transforming—

Isn't this just using spirituality as a catalyst to allow metals to purify and reshape themselves?

This method is undoubtedly far superior to manual forging.

"Okay." Without hesitation, Xilun immediately took out the alloy gun.

The branches of the precious tree climbed up and gently touched the spear.

"Is there anything else?"

Xilun thought for a moment, then took out all the spoils he had previously captured from behind his back.

A bronze spear, a silver knife, that long spear, and the alloy spear that he had used the longest.

The four weapons were lined up in a row.

The bronze spear and silver sword are both Tier 2 Extraordinary Relics, of excellent quality. The long spear and alloy lance, however, are only Tier 1 Extraordinary Weapons.

Xiren noticed that his alloy gun was now covered with countless cracks.

It's estimated that the damage was caused during his previous gunfight with Dean.

After all, the quality of my spear isn't particularly good, and I've done my duty by holding on this long enough.

The branches of the precious tree wound around the four weapons one by one, slowly feeling the material of each one.

"The materials used in the weapons seem to be different from those sent before."

Its tone carried a hint of confusion.

"Let me feel it again."

While Baoshu was deep in thought, Xilun suddenly remembered something.

He took a smooth bead out of his hidden pocket.

It was a glass bead that had been dug out of the soil in the ruins of the temple, with golden scriptures faintly visible inside.

"I have this too." Xilun held the bead in his palm. "What's it for?"

The charred branches were immediately drawn to it.

It entangled itself around the bead, slowly and carefully exploring its texture and energy.

After a while.

"This is a rare material," Baoshu said, a rare hint of solemnity in his voice. "It's called Spirit Transformation Gold."

"Spirit Transformation Gold?"

"It can give weapons certain transformative properties," Baoshu explained. "Do you want to incorporate it? It's very precious."

Change characteristics...

Xilun's mind raced.

If you don't integrate yourself, you have nowhere else to use yourself.

Moreover, the opportunity to train soldiers in the precious tree is a once-in-a-lifetime chance; if you miss it, you'll never have another one.

"Blend in," he said decisively.

Baoshu didn't say anything more.